Notation on back of postcard (in my grandmother’s hand)
“My father W.C. Billings & son George A. Billings taken in 1897 at Custer, South Dakota. Modern Woodmen”
Modern Woodmen is a fraternal organization founded in 1883 by Joseph Cullen Root in Lyons, Iowa. It is still in existence today. The society is organized around a lodge system called “Camps” that offer fellowship and community service for members.
One of the most visible elements of the organization was its drill teams, which came to be known as Foresters. The first drill team was organized in Hutchinson, Kansas, in 1893; and became nationally known for entertaining crowds at parades and other events from 1890 to the late 1930s. The Foresters were even honored by Herbert Hoover at the White House.
I surmise based on this photo that my great grandfather and uncle were photographed in costume for the Custer South Dakota club.
Photo and caption below courtesy of the National Heritage Museum.
“….set your minds back nearly a hundred years ago, when the Modern Woodmen's drill team, the Foresters, would deftly spin, toss, and wield axes in unison as they marched in parades, and when joining a fraternal benefit society meant learning secret ritual work and promising to uphold certain moral values.”
Good times!
This Is A Sepia Saturday Post. Click this link for more photographic history from fellow bloggers all over the place.
That's a great photo of the two of them, Stephanie! Their regalia is pretty impressive with the emblazoned insignia on their shirts and those shiny high boots.
ReplyDeleteI would never have even known of this organization if not for your post and Sepia Saturday.
Kat
Love the hats!
ReplyDeleteGreat photo! Love the hats, the outfits, the details in the photo. Fascinating bit of history I knew nothing about until today. I would love to see them marching in a parade, tossing axes with precision. thanks for another great post!
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat photo! Can't imagine the drill teams...yikes...I hope they never missed! hee!
ReplyDeleteI'm laughing with you - honestly...
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of them either, 'til now! And "axe tossing"? Yikes!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post and a really special photograph. I never heard of the organisation but then I guess we didn't have anything like it in the UK. Could be wrong, though. Axe tossing? Ooooo it wouldn't be allowed now with our health and safety rules... smiles.
ReplyDeleteMy great-great grandfather was a Woodsman. He has an elaborate tombstone in Albuquerque that resembles a log!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this organization. It is very interesting. It was amazing how people back then needed to have a group to identify with. I have seen an old town photo on the main street of this town, and it looks like most of the town belonged to the lodge or eastern star. Interesting costume.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting...haven't heard of this group. And I like the outfits. Great father and son pic.
ReplyDeleteWonderful, informative post with great photos! These guys must have been the inspiration for The Flying Karamazov Bros.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a great header!
How interesting--I'd never heard of the Modern Woodmen--great name for an organization! & that's a very good photo to lead off the post.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness gracious. Never heard of it. But what a great picture that is!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting photo and post. I had never heard of the Modern Woodsmen either. Great uniforms and hats!
ReplyDeleteThose are very impressive costumes. We have a very large building in Scarborough called the Independent Order of Foresters.
ReplyDeleteIt must have some connection.
Wonderful picture and a fascinating explanation of it. I have long wanted to belong to such an organisation and flirted with the Water Buffalos for a time - but they would not have me.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, they look two proud blokes !The Marches Must Have Been Something To Witness!
ReplyDeletewow, those bibs and hats are just great. They do look proud!
ReplyDeleteI had heard of the Woodmen Fraternal Organization many years ago in No. CA. They were selling insurance then as a benefit to belonging; we passed up their offer. This was a fascinating history.
ReplyDeleteLooking at old pictures like that is really haunting to me. I try to think of the people as they were at the time!
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