What happened to Hary Houdini?

Answer 1

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. 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 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 degrees (104 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.

Answer 2

Houdini's "diary" was actually a couple of dozen books. A very few of the single books are in private collections owned by magicians.

The majority of Houdini's diaries are in the possession of the heir of "somebody" who was close to Houdini. That person, although known privately to some serious Houdini collectors, has never been identified publicly.

The owner of the majority of the diaries has no interest in releasing them, selling them, or otherwise making then available in any way to the public.

They have been made available to a researcher and major Houdini author for a two hour time period in order to do research for an important Houdini biography, and that's it.

Answer 3

Harry Houdini died of peritonitis due to a ruptured appendix, on October 31, 1926. He died at Grace Hospital in Detroit Michigan.

Answer 4

His legacy and body

Answer 5

His brother Theo

Answer 6

Drowned