Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1907-09-25
HOUDNT TO
WRITE LIFE
WILL GIVE HISTORY IN SUNDAY
HERALD
NOTED ESCAPE HAS HAD WIDE
EXPERIENCE
Handcuff King, Who Has Broken Out
Of Scores, Of Jails, Is Ed
itor Of a Mag
azlne

Houdini. the handcuff king. will
write the story of his life and adven-
lures for the readers of the Sunday
Herald.
The man of mystery" the expert in
escape" the international Jailbreaker,
"the handcuff magician" as he has been
called, will answer many of the ques-
lions that are daily propounded con-
corning him.
Is Houdini fakerEdoes the so-called
"handcuff king really perform the
feats that he appears to each evening
at the Orpheum? This is only one of
the many questions that are suggested
by seeing his performance. 1t is the
question that has made him the most
talked of man in Los Angeles.
Houdini is not merely az handcuH
manipulation. He is magician who
ranks professionally with Herman
and Keller. He is an athlete, a
scholar, man of wide knowledge and
culture, gained by extensive travel and
an omnivorous appetite for all manner
of knowledge. Beyond all this he is
successful editor, controlling maya
zine that is recognized as the organ or
the practitioners of stage magic, to all
of whom Houdini Is an arbitrator OF
disputed points and a professional
court of last resort.
The story of Houdinfs life, written
by himself for the Sunday Herald, will
give the information that every one
desires about the most puzzling per-
sonality of the stage 1t will tell
more about Houdini, in an authorita-
tive way, than anything else that has
been written about him.
Houdini has a busy week before him.
Each afternoon and evening he pre-
sents terribly exhaustive act at the
Orpheum. Besides this he must pre-
pare copy for his own paper. He is
also scheduled to give public per-
Torrance in Westlake park on Satur-
day at 1890. But with all this ahead
of HIM the tireless young wonder says
that his story will be ready for the
readers of next Sundays Herald.
Visits Hospital
To get rise out of Houdini it is only
necessary to say in commanding tone
of voice:
Hold up your right hand!
The expert in escape is a most equable
tempered young man, but that will
fetch" him when everything else fails.
1t happened at the county hospital,
and the joke was such a good one that
the participants will remember and tell
it long after Houdini goes.
Houdini had heard that Deputy Sheriff
of the county hospital had
boosted he could place him in strait
jacket from which he could not escape.
A -companied by Deputy Bartell, Houdini
went out to the hospital to see Hutchinson.
Houdini agreed to be placed in the strait
jacket provided the test was performed
at the Orpheum.
While the party of three, consisting
of Houdini and the two deputies, was
standing in the reception room. Doctor
Barbour passed through. AS a matter
of form Deputy Hutchinson called to the
doctor and placing his hand on Houdini's
shoulder said:
CDR. Barbour, let me introduce to you
the man that nothing can hold. |
He has escaped from all sorts Of prisons
and handouts
The doctor shook hands with Houdini |
looked him over and said:
80 you can escape from all kinds of |
cells? Have you escaped from here YETI" |
No. replied Houdini, IT have not tried |
but they look easy
DIR. Barbour sized up the young man
for half minute then said in his slow
methodical manner:
How did you sleep last night?'
'Never better" answered Houdini
Are they treating you well?' was the
next question.
Eyes, sir" answered Houdini.
do you get enough to eat?' pursued
the doctor.
Houdini was somewhat surprised, but
answered:
why, yes, they give me anything I
wish"
"show me your tongue" commanded
the doctor. Houdini did so.
Raise up your right hand" ordered
the relentless medico and Houdini COM
piled, wondering more and more what
might be the meaning of the jest.
''Have you been drinking lately"
asked the doctor.
II neither drink nor smoke"
AS, Houdiri gave this reply the doctor
turned and walked on amid a roar Of
laughter.
Then the deputies explained to the
puzzled Houdini that Doctor Barbour had
taken him for new patient who labored
under the delusion that he could break
out of Jail at will.
Houdini took the joke good naturally,
but 1t is not advisable for strangers to
ask him: do they give you enough to
eat?" or How do they treat your"
o%O
SERVES OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE,