W. L. Weber was Mr. Adams' good friend. He was head of the English Department for Emory-at-Oxford College. Mr. Adams and Mr. Weber shared many walks from Oxford to Covington. It was during one of the walks in 1903 that Mr. Weber, who was from Illinois, told Mr. Adams about the success of the first known boys' corn-growing contest, held in Winnebago County, Illinois, during 1900. This idea was spreading very rapidly to other states. "Prof. W.L. Weber, of Emory College, who always manifests great interest in our public school, deserves credit for inaugurating this unique contest in Newton" – G.C. Adams.