Spel this

Connersville News-Examiner, March, 1922

Man and Woman Tie for First

Honors at Everton Spelling Bee

After more than an hour of exciting spelling the match at Everton Friday night ended with Jackson and Jennings townships tied for first honors.

Quincy Elliott of the Mt. Zion neighborhood, and Mrs. Edgar Scholl of Jennings township, spelled for some time after all other contestants had been eliminated, and finally decided to divide the honors of the occasion. 

Mrs. Scholl was the winner of the recent contest in Nulltown. Mr. Elliott is one of the old-time spellers of McGuffey fame.

Theodore Moore of Blooming Grove, the oldest speller participating in the contest, made an excellent showing until his turn came to spell "liquor," when he failed ignominiously. Fred Lake and Will Moore, captains of the opposing sides, plunged to defeat when the "pronouncer" sprung "aeroplane" on them at an unguarded moment. "Cantaloupe" and "roguish" proved to be insurmountable difficulties for many of the contestants.

Mrs. Alice Cummins, second prize winner at Nulltown, made a fairly good race Friday but was unable to equal her previous record. Mrs. Ben Davis, Mrs. Joseph Moore, Mrs. Vernon Retherford, Miss Katherine Rowe, Mrs. Emmett Oldham and several others stayed in the contest for quite a while. In addition to contestants from Connersville, Jennings and Columbia townships, Franklin County was well represented. More than 200 persons were in attendance.

Many of the Nulltown spellers were unable to attend the match and the Everton folks have arranged to hold another one next Thursday, April 6. The spellers of the county have also been challenged to spell at Bunker Hill school house. It is probable that a final contest will be staged in Connersville soon so that all parts of the county may profit by the central location.

Harry Davis, Principal of the Everton high school, presided at the match. Charles Masters was the official pronouncer.

It is understood that Alquina is planning for a bee soon and that the Jennings Township spellers are holding special training sessions several nights each week.