ABOUT US

What is the Hillbilly Degree?

                               

The Grand and Glorious Order of the Hillbilly Degree is a side-line Degree restricted to members in good standing of Shriners International.  The purpose of this organization is to promote sociability among members and to provide finances for the Shriners Hospitals and the Temple Transportation Fund.  Candidates pay a life-time membership fee that includes their dues, membership card, a one-year subscription to the Hillbilly news, a Hillbilly hat, and more.   Life-time membership is also available in the Hillbilly Gals, a ladies auxiliary, open to ladies of members in good standing of Shriners International

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History of Hillbilly Clan No. 52

In early March 1980, Norman Burnworth, Potentate of Hadi Temple, requested that Assistant Rabban J.C. Nelson contact the Imperial Clan of the Grand and Glorious Order of the Hillbilly Degree in hopes of establishing a new Clan and see if they would put on the Degree for the Nobles of Hadi Temple and their wives.  Nelson talked with Jim Harris, Imperial Raban, about chartering a Clan here in Evansville, Indiana and the necessary facts needed to accomplish this. 

A few days later E.E. "Gene" Weiss, Keeper of the Cob for Clan No. 16 in Northern Ohio, sent a letter to the Imperial Clan on behalf of Nelson and several other new Hillbillies from Hadi Temple verifying that they had received the Degree at the G.L.S.A. Fishing Derby, and requested they be given permission to charter a new Hillbilly Clan in Evansville, Indiana.

Imperial Raban Jim Harris designated the next available Clan number (52) for Hadi Temple.  He had made arrangements with Clan No. 1 in Ashland, Kentucky to travel to Evansville on Friday, May 9, 1980 and furnish everything to put on the Degree, including Hillbilly hats and all ritual equipment.  He had also made arrangements for the charter to be presented that night.   Clan No. 1 conducted the initiation for both the candidate and his lady in traditional Hillbilly style and afterwards a Hillbilly dance was held. 

The charter officers were:

Raban of the Clan - Earl Bickmeier, P.P.

Keeper of the Cob - J.C. Nelson, P.P.

Guardian of the Still - M. Dwight Cooper, P.P.

Members - O.C. "Toby" Shaw, P.P. , Herman Thierback, Gordon McMasters, Frank Boyd

Hillbilly Clan No. 52 - Strubyville was named after Henry B. Struby, Past Imperial Potentate of Shriners of North America.  Struby also served as Potentate of Hadi Temple in 1947. 

Initially, Hillbilly Clan No. 52 was responsible for five outhouses, or branch clans.  Today, Hillbilly Clan No. 52 no longer has any branch clans.  All previous and new members belong solely to Hillbilly Clan No. 52 - Strubyville.

FORMER OUTHOUSES OF HILLBILLY CLAN NO. 52

  • Warrick No. 1

  • Knox No. 2

  • Daviess No. 3

  • Dubois No. 4

  • Spencer No. 5

To date, Clan No. 52 has initiated over 500 members.  All proceeds after expenses go towards the Shriners Hospitals for Children and the Hadi Transportation Fund.