Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Bucking Billy Goat on Wheels
1900-1925
DeMoulin Brothers and Company
USA: Illinois, Greenville
Iron; wood; wool
overall: 48"h x 43"w x 67"d
Museum Purchase
96.048a-b

Bucking Billy Goat (mechanical goat); initiation apparatus in the form of a: goat-shaped wood body covered with ligth brown wool fleece, cast iron horns, glass eyes, canvas webbing-strapped wooden stirrups; body proper spring-mounted on b: long handled three-wheeled iron frame (two of the wheels have eccentric hubs); encircling the goat's neck is a webbing collar with a brass shield-shaped name plate inscribed: "Manufactured/ by/ DeMoulin Bros. & Co./ Greenville/ Ill."

This mechanical goat was once owned by the Odd Fellows lodge in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. Although fraternal organizations generally frowned on hazing, it did take place. The fraternal supply company that made this goat saw a business opportuntiy in the practice and took advantage by selling not only goats, but also exploding chairs and other devices. Use of the goat - which gave a very bumpy ride! - provided a contrast to serious degree ceremonies that were (and continue to be) central to fraternal organizations.