The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1893-01-24
The Schoolmarms of Sedalia,
Wipe UP the Earth With
the Doctors and
Lawyers.
Then They Proceeded to Ex-
terminate Themselves-A
Huge House Wit
nesses the "Mer-
ny War;"

lntO the SPURIOUS auu Hi'ienuu CIHhf-
nal court room Friday nigh: to attend
the orshographicaI tilt between the
lady teachers in the Sedalia public
schools and a select number of doctors
and lawyers of this city.
The spelling bee drew like a must
ard plaster and by eight o'clock every
seat was occupied. There was TO be
tun-that was a sure thinc-and the
people cheerfullv planked down their
silver to see it.
The schoolmarms were the first 10
shy their castor into the ring-if pu-
gilistic parlance may he permitted.
Twenty-three of them filed in from
one of the ante-rooms and marched in
IL graceful, though rather defiant,
manner to seats reserved for them on
the north side of the room, within the
railing. Mingled with their sweet
smiles was an air of the utmost conf
.ience, and they We're received with
a rousing round Of applause. The
ladies who entered the contest were
Misses Anna johnson. Jessie Wanna
maker, Emma Stasburr. Eva Thomas.
Clara Stryker, Nellie Leaning. Jennie
Kaiser, Bessie Williams, Gertrude
Mckinley, Ida Harris, Matte Let's,
Rose Rogers, Evlyn Jump. Lily
Berry. BERTHE Scilafier, Eliza Nickles,
Floy Jackson. Ruth Leaning, Lillian
Sharp, Miss Randall, Mrs. Carrie
Bagby, and Mrs. Phoebe Wilcox.
The little group Of lords
of crea ion made their en-
try scatteringly and somewhat
timldly. When they beheld their
bright-faced opponents on the other
side, their knees began TO knock to-
gether and there were great fear and
trembling among these Web>terian
Goliaths.
Superintendent \. J. Smith, who
had been largely instrumental IN ar
ranging the contest, made some very
happy. humorous and appropriate
preliminary remarks, at the conclusion
of which he took position in thejudge's
stand, and ranged the forces in battle
array The gentlemen who pitted them
selves against their charming neigh
bors were Lawyers W. S. Shirk,
Henry Lamm, ID. W. Kennedy, c.
l. Wilson. a. S. Hammer, Louis
Hoffman, H. l.. Williams, p. II.
Sangree, +. j. Smith, G.. W. Barnett,
II. F. Bailey, DIR. s. X. Craw-
ford, DIR. G. A. Russell and
last but not least, Deputy Circuit
Clerk Marvin, for whose admission to
the ''bee" a special dispensation was
granted.
The book used by Prof. Smith was
Webster's old ''blue back" still a
recognized authority. After some
preliminary sparring and pointed
pIeasantries passed between the OPP
posing ranks, the ball was opened.
The first word given out was ''lumi-
nary" which was disposed of properly
at the first whack.
The first warrior to bite the dust
was Prosecuting Attorney Hoffman,
University graduate-whof fell down on
''obstinacy." The room rang with
applause when the ladies drew first
blood.
Mr. Williams failed to manipulate
'scurrilous," as also did DIR. Russell,
according to Webster, and both re-
tired.
DIR. Crawford couldn't handle "mag-
netism," but he wanted another trial
or two, and was allowed to remain.
Judge Shirk added to the merrl-
ment of the. occasion, at this point,
by claiming that he and his compatri-
OTIS could not get '.iestice.'
DIR. Crawford made a desperate
effort to spell ''assess,' hut he couldn't
make connection, vet, like Casabianca,
be would not 90.
Mr.. Wilson juggled with ''reim-
bursement" and was sent to the rear.
Judge Bailey made grand stand
play at "cerulean'', but got the letter,
in the wrong place and grimly re-
tired
Mr.. San-ree, who had seen his COM
rades fall all around him and who had
stood his ground nobly, slipped up on
-'abscess.
The male ranks were now becoming
sadly depleted, and not a few of the
ladies had also dropped out.
Henry Lamm, with his boutenaire,
tried 10 make home run on ''baccha-
nalian," but was nipped at first base.
Elder Ed. Marvin, with gravity
IN keeping with the occasion, under:
took to spell Conscientious" Herolled
his eyes solemnly toward the ceiling,