McEchron mystery — Methodist spelling bee

There must have been a logical explanation, but it remains a mystery more than 130 years later.

Why were William McEchron and D.B. Ketchum replaced as captains at the Methodist spelling bee at 8 p.m. Oct. 2, 1890?

Certainly, the Glens Falls Methodists would not have intentionally slighted McEchron, a Sunday School teacher and one of the congregation’s largest contributors.

The Morning Star had reported on Sept. 28 that the two men would be the ones to choose sides for the match at the home of the Rev. L. Marshall on Pearl St., to benefit the Glens Falls Methodist Episcopal Ladies Aid Society.

School Superintendent Sherman Williams, also a member of the congregation, was to give out the words.

“All good Methodists are requested to diligently con their spelling books preparatory to an old-fashioned spelling bee. … In addition to the fun of the spelling match, the inner man can be refreshed with all good things for the small sum of ten cents, or as much as they want to give.”

On Oct. 1, The Morning Star reported that the poorest speller of the evening would receive a special prize of a “Worcester’s Dictionary.”

“Everyone is invited to come and help on the good cause by their presence and their dimes.”

The importance of the event in local society is evidenced by The Morning Star covering it on deadline.

“The house was filled, the refreshments were excellent, and the receipts were gratifying,” The Morning Star reported on Oct. 3.

But it was not McEchron and Ketchum, after all, who were team captains.

“C.O. Mason and D.L. Robertson were leaders in the match and chose sides. Events showed the wisdom of the choice of the leaders, as they were the last ones up, and both finally went down on the word ‘daguerreotype.’”

Click here to read the most recent previous William McEchron history post.