Only Known Image of Whitehead (circa 1950 Montreal)
First, let me start off by saying that the purpose of this post is not to argue one way or another WRT the intent of the infamous Whitehead punches; I will leave that to others. My purpose is to share and comment on the fact, that according to the sworn affidavit of J. Gordon Whitehead, he visited Houdini three times (i.e., two times after delivering the punches to Houdini); I found that to be quite interesting; feel free to draw your own conclusions to the significance of this. You can find a copy of the affidavit at Patrick Culliton’s Houdini’s Ghost website:
It is the second visit mentioned in statement 25 of the affidavit that I found fascinating:
- 25. I called again on Houdini at the theater on Friday morning the 22 October 1926 at 10 AM during our conversation we spoke of longevity and he gave me a copy of the “Scientific American” for November;
After reading that statement, I just had to get a copy of the Scientific American for November 1926.
Click on the page links below to read the Albert A. Hopkins article in November 1926 Scientific American on longevity that Whitehead mentions.
- How Death Deals Its Cards: Death in a Thousand Shapes is Knocking Eternally at Everyman’s Door. [Page 362] [Page 363]
The article with an interesting title presents U.S. mortality statistics for 1923 by cause of death. Don Bell (author of The Man Who Killed Houdini) mentions that it may have interested Whitehead to know that 8.12 percent of total deaths that year or 98,030, were caused by diseases of the digestive system, and there were 7,878 homicides.
I also found statement 11 of the Whitehead affidavit fascinating as it relates to statement 25:
- 11. I had previously mentioned a book I had read which set forth the requirements of good health, such as the care of the skin, the maintenance of an abdominal muscular corset, and a good digestion;
Thoughts?
It’s a strange thing. Whitehead moves back the day of the punch to accommodate this return visit, which contradicts everyone else’s account of when it happened. Doesn’t he also give a wrong or false address in his affidavit? I don’t know. He was kooky.
Love that you got the Scientific American issue. 🙂
Very strange indeed. Supposedly he was neighbors with Smiley in 1926, living across the street and a few buildings away, but that is not the address he gave.
I am glad that I was finally able to track down a copy of this SA for my collection and share it.
He saw Houdini many more times that three mentioned above. When he returned the book in the dressing room he already had met Houdini at least once before. I also read that he was turned away when he attempted to see Houdini at Houdini’s secret second hotel. I would guess he probably attended Houdini’s show prior to the punch date and it is believed he may have been the one who sent Arthur Conan Doyle an irate letter describing Houdini comments about Doyle during this engagement It is believed he also saw the lecture Houdini gave at the university. It seemed to be his daily mission to see Houdini each day Houdini was in Canada. He probably saw Houdini more times than anyone in Montreal, except for those who were traveling with the show. Someone who did this to a major star today would clearly be considered a stalker, as we believe he was. He was later found by Bell’s research some of which is laid out in “The Man Who Killed Houdin.” to be interested in the occult, a thief who stole a book on Handwriting Analysis and Astrology for which he served jail time, had odd beliefs such as Dianetics, did readings, and had connections with people high up who were friends with the most famous believer in spiritualism and conductor of seances in the history or Canada.
Houdini Museum, Scranton, PA.
The Only Building in the World Entirely Devoted to Houdini.
and the first Houdini Museum in the history of New York City at the Magic Towne House for 15 years.
The plot thickens. Thanks for the comments and your contributions on this fascinating subject. I knew he saw him before, but I didn’t realize how often. I also don’t recall hearing that he may have been the one who sent Doyle an irate letter describing Houdini’s comments about Doyle. Fantastic stuff.
The article by Hopkins is truly bizarre and so coincidental it would never be allowed in a work of fiction. Is that the same Albert A. Hopkins who wrote the classic “Magic”?
Great comment! And yes, I believe it is the same person. Very impressive that you noticed that.
Just asked a question on The Magic Cafe in the Tied up section about how many times Whitehead visited or tried to visit Houdini while Houdini was in Montreal, or even elsewhere to see what might pop up. So far nothing. My guess is a least 5 times.
Any guesses out there?
Well, before your earlier comment, my guess would have been at least 4 times he visited with Houdini, which would have included the 3 mentioned in the affidavit, plus the 1 when Houdini loaned him a book. But now if you add seeing his show or trying to see him, the number goes up. Is it possible they knew each other before Houdini loaned him the book and if that is the case who knows.