Swaying, head downwards, like a grotesque human pendulum, 50 feet above
the pavement in front of The Sun Building, Harry Houdini, "handcuff
king," defier of locks, bars and bonds, freed himself from the grip of
a canvas, leather-reinforced straight-jacket, in a fraction more than
three minutes, shortly after 12.40 o'clock this afternoon.
The waving of his free hands and arms, that a crowd estimated at 20,000
has seen bound by two attendants from the Mayview (old Marshalsea)
Hospital for the Insane, told the watchers that Houdini had achieved
one of the most unique feats in his strange career. As he was lowered
swiftly to the ground, a great cheer arose, followed by another and
another as he stood upright and bowed to the throng which not only
packed the streets but filled every window and roof top within view of
the scene.