In 1851 at Mokelumne Hill, Joe H. Zumwalt established the first chapter of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus. While traveling west, Zumwalt had discovered an amusing ritual in the newspaper office at Bowling Green, Missouri. After arriving in Moke Hill in 1851, he saw that the miners needed a humorous outlet. Chapter #1001 was chartered in an unoccupied community jail, and from there the idea of E.C.V. spread rapidly through the diggings. Zumwalt was honored as the California founder by Clampers, Frolicking Friars, and Vituscan Missionaries.