Clampers attached to the past

A pair of Clampers in full regalia — top hats, red T-shirts and button-encrusted vests — came to see me Wednesday after announcing a plan to replace the weathered tombstone of David "Doc" Maynard at Lake View Cemetery.

Every local schoolchild has heard of Doc Maynard, the city's colorful co-founder. But who are the Clampers?

That question was answered by Dan Kerege and John Lynch, members of E Clampus Vitus, a fraternal order that dates from the 1849 California Gold Rush. They say the organization was founded partly to parody groups like the Masons and Elks that didn't welcome miners as members.

E Clampus Vitus — the name has no meaning — is famed for its elaborate practical jokes and boisterous romps. But Clampers also do good deeds. Whenever miners died, the group would collect food and money to comfort the widows and orphans.

"Especially the widows," grins Kerege.

The all-male order continues strong in the West with 43 chapters and five outposts. The local group, formed three years ago, is known as Doc Maynard Outpost No. 54-40.

"Doc Maynard — who also consumed strong spirits — was a Clamper and didn't know it," asserts Kerege. When members went to pay tribute to their namesake, they discovered Maynard's headstone was fractured, fragmented and almost illegible. They took on the task of restoring it.

That involved negotiations with Lake View Cemetery, Maynard's heirs and Masonic Lodge of St. John No. 9. All will gather April 19 to rededicate the hilltop grave site.

Seattle lament: After hearing that Seattle Symphony Executive Director Deborah Card is leaving to become president of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Seattle attorney Llewelyn Pritchard dashed off a farewell. Some excerpts:

"Deborah, Your move to Chicago is an exciting one for you. But you will be missed. Your work has been splendid. Bravo. I have a feud with your new 'hometown' over its theft of our Seattle treasures — Frangos, Boeing, my youngest (Bill Pritchard, who works for the American Bar Association) and now you.

"P.S. Tell those thieving folks in the Windy City that Microsoft is not moving and we have armed guards around (glass artist) Dale Chihuly."

Jean Godden: 206-464-8300 or jgodden@seattletimes.com