Biographer Kenneth Silverman has researched the events surrounding the death of Harry Houdini - 70 years ago tomorrow - on Halloween. He has details of what was said by the McGill University students who visited the famous magician and escape artist in his dressing room in Montreal. One of the students asked if Houdini could, indeed withstand a severe blow to the stomach, and Houdini said "yes". Rising from a couch, Houdini was violently punched repeatedly in his stomach. His appendix later burst, and he collapsed. He survived only about a week.
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