Herman Mayer Weiss belonged to Budapest Hungary. He migrated to America along with his family. He was not well-off and had to put in long struggle for family up keep. His eldest son, Ehrich Weiss (Later Harry Houdini) had to join him at work at an early age of 9 years. The boy possessed natural talents for performing arts. Soon he joined a circus as trapeze artist. In 1887 Herman Mayer shifted to New York but work conditions did not change. However, the boy took to swimming, boxing and running in his free hours. His physic developed accordingly that was to help him in his later career. He also had original instincts for magic from childhood.
Houdini made his debut performance in 1891 with his friend Hymen. They started from card games and magic tricks in museums and small theaters in New York. World’s Columbia Exposition in Chicago in 1893 gave them a good chance to get set. In 1894 Harry met a fellow performer, 18 year old Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner or Bess. They got married and their act was renamed “The Houdini’s” from “Brothers Houdini”. Soon Harry Houdini became fed-up of his tough routine and planned to start ‘Harry Houdini’s School of Magic’ in New York, but dropped.

Harry Houdini finally met lucky opportunity in 1899. Martin Beck, a very strong figure in Vaudeville theatre was deeply impressed by his handcuff tricks. He challenged Houdini to escape from Beck’s handcuffs, which he did easily. Being extremely convinced invited Houdini to open Omaha March in partnership for the next season. This changed Houdini’s life pattern. Houdini remained quite busy for the next five years. His magical acts and escape performances were appreciated throughout the leading Vaudvilli houses and across California. They also hit Keith East Coast Circuit. To break the monotony he introduced new “jail” escape stunts, which were very successful. He was admired by the crowds where ever he went. The public called him the “King of Handcuffs”. This “Celebrated Police Baffler” (nicknamed) often performed escape stunts by jumping in rivers particularly Charles River, fully chained, and emerging on surface in minutes with big crowds applauding decade passes.

The later years saw him in high society lavish theaters. His selective approach paid-off well. Soon his fame crossed the Atlantic Ocean and Europe’s advanced culture tempted him. This inclination disturbed his relations with Beck. So he planned to go on his own.

Harry Houdini was welcome in Europe and public acceptance of his escape acts took off easily. For five years he combed the continent delighting the crowds. The most remarkable part was that of taking public challenges. One such demand proved really tough. The Newspaper “Mirror” of London arranged special set of handcuffs, known as “Mirror Cuffs”. Houdini took the longest time, over an hour with many disturbing expressions and failing gestures for the audience. As soon as he got free the music hall heard the tallest roar setting off a chain of appreciation slogans and praise comments.

The next big bang of his fame occurred when Kaiser’s difficult police accused him of fraud. He had to satisfy the court by revealing some tricks, partially. However, his publicity soared thereafter claiming for him Germany’s title “Konig der Handschellen”. He simply conquered Europe alone, with Bess.
He finally decided to settle down in 1905. He bought a small farm in Connecticut and a Brownstone home in Manhattan. After his father’s death in 1892 he became very dedicated to his mother. The Brownstone became his family base. Here he also maintained enormous rare book collection. His profession required lots of travelling but he often took a break and returned home to attend to his mother. He was in Sweden and fainted when he heard of mother’s death in 1913, and then wept to full exhaustion.

Harry Houdini never retired. He remained active and kept on inventing new tricks to hold on to his audience. In 1908 the famous milk can escape reinforced his publicity. He also often performed awesome jumps from lugh bridges that were witnessed by large crowds.

The “Chinese Water Torture Cell” escape was his latest and greatest trick. This exhibited his great physical strength combined by his brilliant technical abilities and dramatic touches. This risky performance was repeated many times. For sometime people suspects that he died in a failed cell escape performance. In fact he died of peritonitis from burst appendicitis in Detroit, Michigan at Grace Hospital on October 31, 1926 (Halloween Day).

The Superman Entertainer’s Life had more aspects that the public needs to know.

•    The real name of Harry Houdini was Erik Weisz. His Ideal was a French magician Jean Eugene Robert Houdin. He added Houdini (meaning like Houdin). Later it was revealed that Robert too had taken ‘Houdin from his wife’s name. However, it proved lucky for Harry.

•    The USA Government recognized the super class magician by a commemorative stamp (Scott # 3651) depicting Houdini. The stamp carries a hidden magical image showing him in chains ready to escape. This image can only be viewed by a special lens.
•    Houdini’s death on Halloween’s Day (Magic Day) is simply a coincidence. Others opine that he was poisoned by competitors for stealing their craft and disturbing their livelihood.
•    Houdini was born in Budapest, Hungary but he often claimed to be American by birth. Probably World War 1 inspired him.
•    Houdini has starred in Silent Movies and also produced two. This venture did not pay well. Houdini flew the earliest air planes and visited Australia in 1910 by a Voisin bi plane. This was the first powered flight in Australia.
•    Houdini was against spiritualists who claimed to contact the dead relatives of people for big amounts. He often commented that they were preying upon the emotions of the bereaved families. Since he knew their tricks, so he exposed them rightly.
•    Houdini was a Jew and was buried at Machpelah Cementery Queens, New York. His wife died 17 years later and wished to be buried near him, but she was refused for being a Catholic. Some say her relatives thought she may be denied heaven if buried with a Jew. Hence buried in a different County in New York State.

Greatest Jewel Thief

Robbers are all ill reputed whether they rob petty amounts or make jumbo robberies, Arthur’s robbing career was unique as his pursuit focused on high class jewels only and targeted rich people. He managed his “job” very neatly without a single killing, injuring or bloodshed incident. He never picked cash and preferred to rob in the presence of his “clients” as he termed. Therefore, “ultimate thief” is the only title that defines his masterly ingenious bold style.

The fearless crusader never spared even the kings relatives and wealthy tycoons were his specialty. Soon his selective strikes on the rich only became famous, being robbed by this “Gentlemen thief” became a status symbol among the elite, but embarrassment for the police and immense headache for the detectives. The experts latter concluded that this genius could have been a successful businessman, Wall Street baron or could do anything that he concentrated upon.

Arthur Barry was born in 1896 in Worcester in an immigrant Irish family consisting of 12 brothers and sisters. All his family members were earning hands like ordinary good people. Arthur matured early and could not adjust to fair trade notions by nature. His this tendency towards steeling and snatching landed him among the wrong experts. His first boss, Lowell Jack, was a Safecracker and made nitroglycerine, a damaging chemical. Arthur was deputed to deliver the goods in adjacent cities. Soon the underworld accepted him.

The Greatest Jewel Thief in the American Criminal History!

Arthur became an active robber at 15 years with the first hit netting $100. After a few hits, he got fed up terming them as unprofitable and disreputable. He put his head down to set his ultimate goal – to rob the elite and notables only and to prefer jewelry only as the stones could easily sell. His main tools for success were his careful preparation and foreseeing all probabilities besides alertness.

Arthur had made his mindset. He was always well dressed and well-spoken. In formal clothes and with his good manners he could walk in any lawn party and mix up with guests. Then he wanders easily into the house to locate jewels hideouts, make floor plans, select exit points and spot alarms.

He was smart enough to walk in anywhere and talk to everybody favorably. Arthur once met King Edward VIII, when he was Prince of Wales, on 59th Street and spent a few hours in light discussions over drinks and becoming somewhat informal. A few days later, a thief entered Long Island home of Prince’s Cousin and leaves with $150’000 worth of jewels. Afterwards he usually separated the stones from gold and silver metals. He could sell only the stones at about 20% of market value. Having no option, he enjoyed flicking away the gold and Silver pieces in the New York Bay while riding a boat.

There are many occasions when the residents woke up. He simple told them to stay calm, hand over the jewels and avoid being hurt. He said people seldom resisted this request. He confirms that his “clients” made wrong statements of jewelry that was stolen and claimed more from insurance companies. He routed to the detectives, at times who passed on the looted stuff to insurance companies at far less amounts than the claims. The insurances saved payment of claims by returning “accidently recovered” stolen jewelry.

He joined the Army in World War I and earned a Silver Star, but went AWOL before he could get it. Back in New York he was back on his “job”. He decided to upgrade his strikes. He noticed wealthy women in shopping malls, casinos and Central Park. He then tracked their cars to their homes. He got address against the car license numbers by calling Police posing as a Police Patrolman. He kept track of weddings or engagement announcements for his homework.

His Few High Profile Feats

For instance in the Livermore’s bedroom Barry woke up  Mrs. And Mr. Livermore by flashing light in her eyes. She was frightened and asked “Who is it?” He answered ‘Good evening’ J. L. just don’t move, phone lines are cut. Just handover the jewelry and let us go. Barry emptied the dressing table securing $95’000 worth of gems. He noticed the lady is sitting in her night gown. So Barry put the bathrobe on her shoulders and lighted a cigarette for her to receive her only comments “You are a real devil”. He warned them not to make any outcry and escaped. But before leaving he returned the $15’000 worth little pinky ring gifted by her husband, at her request.

Arthur visited the residence of Mr. Harold E. Tabbott, who later became President Eisenhower’s Secretary of Air Force and took away $23’000 worth of jewels.

In 1925 he silently entered Hotel Plaza in broad daylight and disappeared with $750’000 worth of jewels from a six-room suite of Mrs. James P. Donahue, daughter of F.W. Woolworth. Besides other jewelry taken, there were 5 ropes of pearls, 4 good imitations and one of real pearls. Only the real pearl rope worth $450’000 was picked from the bedroom while Mrs. James sat in the bathtub a few feet away and her maid was in the next room.

Arthur Barry sent chills in Police circles in 1926. He came to know that the New York County Dutchess secured her jewelry in a strong safe weighing 80 kg in her bedroom closet. Barry climbed into the bedroom on a ladder, tip-toed and silently balanced the safe on his shoulders and quietly escaped the same way he had entered.

His Arrest and Escape

Arthur was caught by a tip from a woman out of jealousy. He was basically a ladies’ man and spent most on the stage girls. One of the girls told Police of Livermore burglary and he was sentenced to 25 years jail. He could not stay calm in the Auburn Jail. On 28th July, 1929, he planned and proved the boldest jail creaks in the U. S. prison history. The 1700 convicts are allowed Yard freedom on Sunday to roam about the cell blocks. Barry noticed a prison design error. The ammunition store was located within prison and had only two guards. He prepared a birthday cake at the prison bakery and requested the guard to deliver it to a colleague. As soon as the door opened he poured laundry ammonia on them and dashed to take arms from the store. Barry shouted to all captives to join in jail-breaking. A riot resulted that kept all prison force occupied. Barry and another accomplice side-winked and climbed the prison boundary wall and escaped, but was injured by a bullet.

They were free on the main road nearby. They hijacked a car and abandoned it in an empty garage. They changed into whatever was available and took First Aid. They located another parked car. As they started pushing it silently to the road, a bullet smashed the windshield missing him. His eyes got filled with glass splinters. He forced one eye open by hand and having no choice, started the car and dashed to the road, racing without lights in the night, and half blind and with piercing pain. His companion had vanished at the shootout. Soon the gas ran out. He limped around and felt calm as soon he committed to himself that if he is cured he will not faulter again. He survived the night and during breakfast he realized that nobody around bothered about how he looked, taking him as a drunk. Finally he reached Albany where his friends treated his wounds. He remained a fugitive for 3 years. He settled near Flemington with his wife.

His Re-arrest

In 1932 the local corps and FBI carried out general scrutiny of all the new residents in the area. Although he was not named prime suspect, still detectives called on him severally. A detective pushed him to describe how he would rob Percy Rockefellar house where two damned tough ferocious watch dogs stay unleashed all the time. Although he avoided by all means, still the pressure was too much. Barry meekly confided he would try all types of meat to distract the dogs. The police chief told him that he had tried all this in the last six years busting his brains. Then ultimately he errored to confide that he would tackle these trained dogs by lowering a female dog tied by a rope down the wall. Then go in the house and steel $20’000 worth jewelry. On escape he will lift the female dog with the rope, leaving no evidence.

The Chief was now laughing heftily having squeezed out the truth and promised to send him a gift of cigar box. He did receive the gift —- but in jail. Arthur Barry remained behind bars for the next 17 years. When released he kept his word of not going back to his “job”. He is now honorably employed in his home town at $50 a week. People knew his past and still they elected him commander of a local Veteran’s Organization because of his honesty of purpose.

He replied when questioned “The man from whom I stole the most was Arthur Barry. I could have been a successful businessman, a baron on Wall Street and a contributing member to society but instead I chose a life of a thief, and spent two thirds of my adult life behind prison bars”

The ultimate and legendary thief had been robbing himself all along during his ¬¬over 150 major hits.