National Haymakers' Association

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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".

Improved Order of Red Men

The Improved Order of Red Men is a fraternal organization established on North America in 1834. Their rituals and regalia are modeled after those assumed by white men of the era to be used by American Indians. Despite the name, the order was formed solely by, and for, white men. The organization claimed a membership of about half a million in 1935, but has declined to a little more than 15,000.

Shriners organization

Shriners International, also commonly known as TheShriners or formerly known as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, is a society established in 1870 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida.

Freemasonry group of fraternal organizations

Freemasonry or Masonry consists of fraternal organisations that trace their origins to the local fraternities of stonemasons, which from the end of the fourteenth century regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients. The degrees of Freemasonry retain the three grades of medieval craft guilds, those of Apprentice, Journeyman or fellow, and Master Mason. The candidate of these three degrees is progressively taught the meanings of the symbols of Freemasonry, and entrusted with grips, signs and words to signify to other members that he has been so initiated. The initiations are part allegorical morality play and part lecture. The three degrees are offered by Craft Freemasonry. Members of these organisations are known as Freemasons or Masons. There are additional degrees, which vary with locality and jurisdiction, and are usually administered by their own bodies.

Contents

The side degree was founded in 1879, and had 10,000 members as late 1980. The NHA was said to have a typical fraternal oath and its initiation ritual reflected Masonic influence. The titles and terminology of the group included referring to its meeting place as a "Hayloft", its secretary as "Collector of the Straws" and treasurer as "Keeper of the Bundles". The two sentinels were the "Guard of the Hayloft" and the "Guard of the Barndoor". [3]

Origin

"You are not to act as mere drivers, but as advisors; you are servants, not masters". [4]

It is unknown why the founders of the appendant degree chose to model themselves after the business of haymaking. However, as forage, hay 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). [5] 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, and the National Haymakers' Association may have derived its name as a reference to them.[ citation needed ]

Hay dried grass, legumes or other herbaceous plants used as animal fodder

Hay is grass, legumes, or other herbaceous plants that have been cut and dried to be stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for large grazing animals raised as livestock, such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep. However, it is also fed to smaller domesticated animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs. Even pigs may be fed hay, but they do not digest it as efficiently as herbivores.

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References

  1. ↑ Ritual of the Haymakers Degree of the Improved Order of Red Men. National Haymakers. Berger Brothers Printers. Philadelphia PA. 1901
  2. ↑ "Improved Order of Redmen, Wenonah Tribe #182 Records, 1867-1969, Collection Guide" (PDF). Indiana Historical Society . Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  3. ↑ Schmidt, Alvin J. Fraternal Organizations Westport, CT; Greenwood Press p.154
  4. ↑ Ritual Ceremony. Berger Bros. Philadelphia. Adopted at the Annual Convention, January 9, 1888.
  5. ↑ Hay Culture


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