Haymakers

We would like to ask our readers a questlon—Did you ever hear of the Haymakers Association? Apparently such an organization existed here in Bedford County. We were loaned a copy of the Ritual Ceremony used in the installation of officers. This booklet or handbook of eighteen pages was found recently in a garage. It was printed by Berger Bros. in Philadelphia. The only date found in it is on the last page indicating the ritual was adopted at the Annual Convention held January 9, 1888. The place of the convention is not listed. On page three we found the following "forget not, that the positions you are called upon to occupy when created for the purpose of helping your fellow laborers in the laudable work of making hay". "You are not to act as mere drivers, but as advisors; you are servants, not masters". The officers were Chief Haymaker, First Farmer, Second Farmer, Guard of the Hayloft,Collectors of Straws, Overseer, Keeper of Bundles, Boss Driver, Hornblower and Guard of the Barndoor.

This organization was very secret. This was pointed out on page fifteen with the duties of the Guard of the Hayloft—" you will be required to guard with care the approach to the Hayloft, and see that no tramp enters unless conducted by the Boss Driver. The guard of the Barn door had the "duty to guard the barn door from all unworthy tramps and to see that none enter but duly qualified companions". To gain entrance one had to give the password to the guard. Each officer had to wear certain regalia.

The Boss Driver's duty was to carefully guide all tramps over the rugged pathway. The Collector of Straws' duty seemed to be that of a secretary, while the Keeper of Bundles was that of treasurer. His duty was to receive all straw bundles, giving receipt for same and to pay all orders properly drawn and attested.

We found various references to the "Ancient Craft". It appeared that all candidates seeking initiation into the order were referred to as "tramps". There seemed to be several points or stations where the Second Farmer would conduct the Chief Haymaker to the First Farmer for an obligation. The officers were places in the following positions when taking the obligation—1-13-20-2-16 2-7-17-3—817—2-6-7-1-16—15-6-12-16—2-7-17-3-8-17—19-7-2210 8-12—2-6-7-3

We know the meaning of the above figures. Anyone having any data on this organization, what it was, where it was formed, were only farmers eligible for membership, was it State or National Society and what became of it is asked to contact Mr. Floyd Roberts, 41 Ridge Avenue, Everett, Pa., 15537. He is most anxious to know more about this unknown organization.

P.O. In case you have not solved the mysterious mathematical figures quoted above, we will interpret them for you. "Right hand on heart, left hand on back of head".