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Death of Harry Houdini...
Death of Harry Houdini...
Item # 590094
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November 01, 1926
KANSAS CITY JOURNAL, Kansas City, Missouri, November 1, 1926
* Death of magician, escape artist Harry Houdini
* Jewish son of a Rabbi, born in Hungary
* 1st report
This 18 page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page: "DEATH'S GRASP MASTERS HOUDINI", "Famous Worker of 'Miracles' Succumbs to Shackles of Grim Reaper" with smaller subheads. See photos for text on 1st report coverage on the death of Harry Houdini.
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Light browning with s few small binding holes and a little spine wear. Also a small label within the masthead, otherwise good condition.
wikipedia notes: Harry Houdini died of peritonitis secondary to a ruptured appendix. It has been speculated that Houdini was killed accidentally by a McGill University student, J. Gordon Whitehead, who delivered multiple blows to Houdini's abdomen (with permission) while he was in Montreal. These repetitive blows are thought to have been a stunt, in which Houdini displayed his dexterity.
The eyewitnesses were students named Jacques Price and Sam Smilovitz (sometimes called Jack Price and Sam Smiley). Their accounts generally agreed. The following is Price's description of events:
“Houdini was reclining on his couch after his performance, having an art student sketch him. When Whitehead came in and asked if it was true that Houdini could take any blow to the stomach, Houdini replied groggily in the affirmative. In this instance, he was hit three times, before Houdini could tighten up his stomach muscles, to avoid serious injury. Whitehead reportedly continued hitting Houdini several times afterwards, and Houdini acted as though he were in some pain. ”
Houdini stated that if he had time to prepare himself properly, he would have been in a better position to take the blows.
Houdini had apparently been suffering from appendicitis for several days prior and yet refused medical treatment. His appendix would most likely have burst on its own without the trauma. Although in serious pain, Houdini none-the-less continued to travel, without seeking medical attention.
When Houdini arrived at the Garrick Theater in Detroit, Michigan, on October 24, 1926, for what would be his last performance, he had a fever of 40°C (104 degrees F). Despite a diagnosis of acute appendicitis, Houdini took the stage. He was reported to have passed out during the show, but was revived and continued. Afterwards, he was hospitalized at Detroit's Grace Hospital. Houdini died of peritonitis from a ruptured appendix at 1:26 p.m. in Room 401 on October 31 (Halloween), 1926, at the age of 52.
After taking statements from Price and Smilovitz, Houdini's insurance company concluded that the death was due to the dressing-room incident and paid double indemnity.
Category: The 20th Century
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