National Haymakers' Association

The National Haymakers' Association was a side degree^[1] of the Improved Order of Red Men, similar perhaps to the Shriners within Freemasonry. Meeting places were titled Haylofts. Sometimes the meeting halls of the Redmen served as Haylofts.^[2] Offices had titles like "Collector of Straws" and "Guard of the Barn Door", and candidates for initiation were styled "Tramps" and were overseen by a "Boss Driver". It was founded in 1879, but may be completely inactive and defunct today.

Origin

"You are not to act as mere drivers, but as advisors; you are servants, not masters".^[3]

It is unknown why the founders of the appendant degree chose to model themselves after the business of haymaking. However, hay, as forage, is a vital component of the world's agricultural system, especially within the United States and at the time that this order flourished. In 1912 in Texas, for example, 387,000 acres (1,570 km²) of hay were harvested, yielding a total value of $3,557,000 (unadjusted). ^[4] 1912 is also the year that the Texas Haymakers Association, apparently a purely agri-industry interest group, was founded. Other State Haymaker commercial groups existed at various times too, and the National Haymakers Association may have derived its name as a reference to this vital and ubiquitous activity.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Freemasonry
• Sons of Liberty

References

1. ^ Ritual of the Haymakers Degree of the Improved Order of Red Men. National Haymakers. Berger Brothers Printers. Philadelphia PA. 1901
2. ^ IOR Wenonah Tribe Records
3. ^ Ritual Ceremony. Berger Bros. Philadelphia. Adopted at the Annual Convention, January 9, 1888.
4. ^ Hay Culture

External links

• Haymakers Phoenix Masonry Organization Article on the Haymakers