1st National Spelling Bee Winner Neuhauser Dies

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Frank Neuhauser, who in 1925 won the first national spelling bee with the word "gladiolus," has died. He was 97.

Neuhauser was a patent lawyer who lived in Silver Spring, Md. He died March 11 in his home, Francis J. Collins Funeral Home has verified.

He was 11 years old when he won the championship. His prizes included $500 in gold and a trip to the White House to meet President Calvin Coolidge.

The contest now called the Scripps National Spelling Bee has become quite popular and portions of it are televised.

Neuhauser had attended some of the national bees over the years. That included 2008, when he said the contest was a lot easier during his youth.

He said he'd never make it now.