The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-01-31
WONDERFUL HOUOIMI.
His Work Creating a Sensation at
Keith's New Theatre.
One Observer Thinks Performers Success
Is Due 10 Srlrltuallsm.

'If this thing keeps on" said Mana
ger Lovenberg OF Keith's tbs morning,
the English vocabulary promises to
be exhausted In the efforts OF people 70
describe their astonishment at the won
derful performances OF Houdini.'
The pleasant faced, modest young
Hungarian, who,as king OF handouts,
is attracting to Keith's even larger au-
disnces than were drawn by Cissie
LOTUS, certainly has created sensa-
tion such as no other magician has ever
created in Providence. and In us mys-
tifying character ITS equal has never
before been seen here.
Although everybody admits that the
manner I'm which Houdini releases him
self quickly from every form of hand
cum or leg-iron or other shackle that
may be placed upon him is simply be-
yond explanation and ihat his act Is
incredible yet many attempt 10 offer
solutions OF the great mystery. Among
these, perhaps the most novel, and pos
sibly 10 It's author the most satisfac-
tory, was that given by gentleman
. "ht is nothing but spirltuaAsm." said
this gentleman. III you viii trace up
that young man, you viii find that he
gives everything he earns beyond what
is actually uee1ed FOR his living ex-
penses TO charity. So long as he does
Vhat. the spirits are with him and they
can and viii release him from anything
put on him, even though il be welded
on by a blacksmith. once 1T him stop
his charity however. and you will see
him fail and go down into Obscurity."
when Houdini was asked regarding
this theory. ne simply smiled and said:
We'll. / ann thankful 10 the gentleman
for his good opinion Of my generosity"
The great interest taken in his won-
derful performance Is shown not only
by the immense an nliences attracted to
the theatre both afternoon and evening
but by the presence Of large numbers
OF well-known police officials and Off
GERS from the state prison and insane
asylums: and they appear TO be even
more mystifed than the ordinary pub
lie Chief of Police Baker Of Providence.
Captain Parker, Can't. Marston, Lieut..
Lawrence and many o~ar w9ll-known
officers have been 10 sea Houdini and
expressed their astonishment I'm most
unmeasured terms; and I'm this they
were Joined by Detective Haberlin OF
Pawtucket and other experts.
Several OF these gentlemen have
themselves placed cuffs and leg-irons
upon Houdin on the stage and have
assured themselves In every way that
he was securely locked in them, the
private ~ police headquarters last
Friday when the magician was stripped
nude and thoroughly searched having
proved 20 them that he could not have
anything concealed about him.
Last evening HAudni added 10 the
wonderment ordinarily caused by his
act by having a Providence police OFF,
Ger placed his irons upon the magicans
wrists behind his back; and then in
stead OF entering the cabinet and hav-
ing the curtain drawn as usual. he
stood in plain sight OF the audience and
I'm n twinkling displayed one hand free
and almost Immediately afferward with
the other handed The open pair of hand
cuffs to the astonished officer. The
cuffs We're what is known as double
lock ratchet cuffs. considered practical
w impossible TO escape from an1 the be-
wilder1nent of the officer az the marvel
Gus performance before the very eyes of
himself and the audience was amusing
10 see.
r tfnrrr fTur1r1ri does not pun his hands
thtough the cuffs watch 10 those fa-
miliar with them Is known 70 be i'm
possible as they are very tightly press
ed on his wrists. rs proved by the fact
that when he releases himself from
them they are always found to be open
ed and unlocked.
Several OF those that have been put
on him were OF old-fashioned stvles and
had never before been seen by Houdini
but this seems to make no difference,
and he extends an invitation 20 every
BODY TO bring any form OF handcuN
made who'her ancient or modern, and
test HIS ability 20 release himself.
no exhibition of the kind has ever
caused 80 much talk about town: and,
although II is stated Fhat Houdinfs en-
Ca cement is positively for one wSsk
only. Il would seem that he might easily
prove very strong drawing card for
several weeks. as he did i'm Boston.