Here is part of the stories reported in the New York Times about his insurance that helps to verify Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz theory about how houdini died as reported in kwhat they believe to be the fabricated the dressing room story. More to be added to this page as we go though our extensive research that brought about this conclusion.
PART 1. BESS DENIED DOUBLE INDEMNITY. THE PUNCHING ACCIDENT MYTH DEVELOPS.
THE NEW YORK TIMES * December 23, 1926
FIND HOUDINI WAS NOT HURT
Insurance Company Confirms Denial that Blow Killed Magician
MONTREAL, Dec. 22 (AP) - Had Harry Houdini, the magician, really died by a blow delivered by a student, as was reported and denied, his relatives would have received double the $25,000 insurance paid them, it developed today.
H.J.J. McKeon, local manager of a New York insurance company, who has concluded an investigation for his firm into the cause of Houdini's death, said the magician carried a policy which was to be doubled in case of accident.
McKeon confirmed denials that Houdini had been injured in a scuffle with college boys behind stage, as was alleged just after his death. Houdini was ill when he arrived here, said McKeon, and there was no evidence that he had staged any stomach-punching demonstrations at any time during his stay here.
PART 2. BESS REVIVES THE CASE, LOOKING FOR THE ADDITIONAL $25,000
THE NEW YORK TIMES * February 26, 1927
MRS. HOUDINI REVIVES REPORT OF FATAL BLOW
Seeks Double Insurance on Plea that Magician Was Struck by McGill Student
Special to The New York Times.
MONTREAL, Quebec, Feb. 25 - It is reported here that Mrs. Houdini, widow of the magician, is seeking double liability insurance on her husband's life on the ground that he died as the result of a blow in the abdomen received while on his visit to Montreal.
Mrs. Houdini is said to have affidavits from three students of McGill University that when in Houdini's dressing room at the Princess Theatre here, the week before he died, one student struck the magician a friendly blow in the abdomen. Rupture of the appendix is said to have resulted.
At the time Houdini was stricken with his last illness, the report was that a newspaper man had struck the actor while in the theatre dressing room. That was denied. A second report was that Houdini had been struck while giving a lecture before the students at McGill University. That was denied by the university authorities.
This is the first report that has come to Montreal alleging that a McGill student struck Houdini a playful blow at the theatre.
PART 3. AFTER BERNARD ERNST, HER LAWYER SENDS IN HIS AFIDAVITS AND DOCTORS OPINIONS SHE GETS THE MONEY
THE NEW YORK TIMES * June 14, 1927
$50,000 FOR MRS. HOUDINI
Double Indemnity Paid for Husband's Accidental Death
In an investigation into the death of Harry Houdini, magician, it was said yesterday at the main office of the New York Life Insurance Company, 346 Broadway, that expert testimony had established that his death had been caused by a blow in the abdomen, delivered at Houdini's request by a student of McGill University.
As a result of this inquiry Houdini's widow has received $50,000. Of this amount $25,000 was accident indemnity, Houdini having been insured for $25,000 by a policy providing that, in case of accidental death, $25,000 additional would be paid as special indemnity. The check was delivered to Mrs. Houdini's attorney last week.
Houdini had told the McGill University athlete to strike him in the abdomen to show the strength of his abdominal muscles. He had been struck in this manner on various occasions as a part of his exhibitions and consequently the verdict was that death was due to an accident.
There seems to be no evidence that Houdini was "struck in this manner on various ocassions as part of his exhibitions." We verified this in our research with one of Houdini's best biographers and experts, Kenneth Silverman.
We believe it was a one time attack by a disgruntled person. We belileve Whitehead meant to hurt Houdini. He had been stalking Houdini. With Houdini dead, he now might be facing a murder rap. He was glad to go along with the "accident" premise. We bellieve the story the world believes about the attack was orchestrated by her lawyer Bernard Ernst to collect the money.
After Bess got the money she reportedly send the two other boys $200.00. This is inflation adjusted to about $2,000.00. Gold was $20.00 an ounce. They could have bought 10 ounces of gold. What is that worth today? About $15,000.00. We mention this to show that at the time $200.00 was a substantial amont of money as the $50,000.00 she got was. She was able to use it to live out her life without Houdini. As they said to us on the History Channel Brad Meltzer "Decoded" shoot, "We often find the answer to many mysiteries is to follow the money."
MORE OF OUR RESEARCH TO FOLLOW!
Dorothy Dietrich & Dick Brookz
We need your help for our projects. The Houdini Museum is a 501 C-3 a non profit organization. We need funds for research, for repair of the Houdini grave that we have been put in charge of by the cemetery since we replaced the bust, and for repairs and reconstruction of the facade of the building that the Office of Economic Development has awarded us a $30,000 grant that we must match with donations in order to get the money. Please help!
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