This was the day, 98 years ago, that a Canadian art student struck Houdini as he reclined backstage and began the peritonitis to take charge. The impact of the punch was sudden but the death it caused lasted another nine days. On Halloween at 1:26 pm, the great magician gave into his final challenge and passed.
J. Gorden Whitehead administered the fatal blow on an unsuspecting performer. He hadn’t yet readied his body to demonstrate his ability to survive such a blow. Whitehead challenged the performer sayin he had heard Houdini’s stomach muscles were strong enough to resist such a blow. Before he could brace his frame for the impact, Whitehead delivered the fatal strike.
The website, Vantage News, has good coverage and the rumors that flowed about the attack being revenge for Houdini’s outspoken attacks on fraudulent mediums and so-called psychics.
From the Vantage News website this evening:
Whitehead, a student from McGill University, had heard that Houdini could withstand hard punches to the abdomen, a stunt the magician often demonstrated during his performances. During the visit, Whitehead asked if this was true, and without warning, he struck Houdini multiple times in the stomach. Houdini, who was reclining on a couch at the time and not prepared for the attack, didn’t have time to tighten his muscles to absorb the blows.
Despite being in pain, Houdini continued with his scheduled performances over the next few days. However, his condition worsened, and after collapsing during a show in Detroit, he was rushed to the hospital. Doctors discovered that Houdini was suffering from acute appendicitis, and his appendix had ruptured, causing a serious infection known as peritonitis. Houdini underwent surgery on October 24, but his health continued to decline, and he passed away on October 31, 1926, at the age of 52.
Please be sure to check out Vantage News for more information and images of Houdini’s funeral.
A dark day in the life of Houdini fanatics.
But speaking of Houdini Fanatics (Capital “F” for Famous Fanatics), be sure to check out John Cox’ website for all things Houdini at “Wild About Harry” here. If John didn’t say it, I don’t believe it. He is the ultimate arbiter of Houdini lore and facts.
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