The Last Greatest Magician in the World

by Jim Steinmeyer

  Houdini’s fateful tour and death are recounted in The Secret Life of Houdini. I’ve also used Don Bell, The Man Who Killed Houdini (Véhicule Press, 2004). Thurston and Dante’s correspondence about the incident is in Thurston and Dante, the Written Word. The Dante manuscript was included in an earlier edition of this book, The Thurston-Dante Letter Set (Phil Temple, 1981).

  Thurston’s comments appeared November 1, 1926, in the New York Times. The note about Houdini’s secrets appeared in a November 3, 1926, Associated Press article, from Gabe Fajuri. The Hilliar letter is from the Conjuring Arts Research Center. The premiere of Buried Alive is discussed in Thurston and Dante, the Written Word.

  CHAPTER TWENTY. “MISS JANE THURSTON (SHE TAKES AFTER HER DAD)”

  The Rope Trick is from Thurston and Dante, the Written Word, The Master Magicians, and my conversation with Walter Gibson.

  The Vanishing Automobile is from The Complete Jarrett. The story of Thurston’s pistol was related by Bud Morris, son of Elmer Morris, in a manuscript from George Daily. The Capone letter is from Mike Caveney.

  Information on Hilliard is from Lund, “John Northern Hilliard, An Appreciation,” Hilliard’s Billboard obituary, and Brumfield’s Indianapolis Star article, previously cited. Jane discussed her memories in Our Life of Magic. Correspondence with Hilliard and his press releases are from Ken Klosterman.

  The Spirit Cabinet was described in Howard Thurston’s Illusion Show Work Book and Herman Hanson, Howard Thurston’s Floating Ball Routine (Magic Inc., 1967). The late John A. McKinven told me about meeting Thurston backstage.

  Thurston’s remarks about human nature were quoted many times in interviews, including his autobiography.

  To describe the Thurston and Ford controversy, I was grateful for the insight of Reverend William V. Rauscher, who knew Arthur Ford and coauthored his autobiography with Allen Spragget, Arthur Ford: The Man Who Talked with the Dead (New American Library, 1973). Rauscher supplied clippings from Ford’s scrapbook pertaining to the Thurston debate. These articles begin with Thurston’s claims, October 5, 1927, in the United Press Syndicate (quoted from the Houston Press), and subsequent challenges and accounts, reported for over a week, especially articles in the New York World and New York Telegraph.

  Thurston’s St. Mark’s speech was recorded by a stenographer and is from Twin City Magic. It was also reproduced in Our Life of Magic. Thurston’s pencil notes on the manuscript indicate that he thought it was “badly spoken.”

  Letters to Jane, at school, are from David Copperfield, Ken Klosterman, and Rory Feldman. She records her childhood and premiere in Our Life of Magic. Her version of “My Daddy’s a Hocus Pocus Man” was recorded on audiocassette, from Mike Caveney.

  Dante’s opinion of Hanson appears in Thurston and Dante, the Written Word. Herman Hanson’s early career and years with Thurston are detailed in Herman Hanson and John Zweers, The Magic Man (Haines House of Cards, 1974). Magician and collector Ray Goulet was a friend of Herman Hanson and kindly offered his opinions and the memories that Hanson had shared about the Thurston show.

  The completion of Thurston’s autobiography was described by Walter Gibson in “Thurstonia,” The Conjurer’s Magazine, August 1949, and Robert E. Olson, “A Tribute to Howard Thurston,” The New Tops, November 1978.

  Harry complained about being mostly omitted from his brother’s book, in a letter from Ken Klosterman. Castaways was debated as a title in an early Thurston letter to Hilliard, from Rory Feldman. I’ve seen at least five separate typescript copies of the manuscript in private collections. George Daily’s is titled A History of a Passion, and a line in the completed text retains a reference to this title.

  John Mulholland’s remark is from the March 1953 issue of The Sphinx.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE. “SHADOW PEOPLE”

  The Bellvue performance has been preserved in unedited Fox Movietone film; a rare outdoor performance meant that it could be easily photographed. John Northern Hilliard is clearly visible, standing at the edge of the stage. In still photographs, Thurston can look somber, but in this film he performs with decided flair. When Thurston and George present Birds of the Air, catching pigeons with a net, the film captures their unique technique—a real surprise to expert magicians who have seen it.

  The letter from Fred Dawson, and the account of Thurston’s visit and speech, are in the files of Mount Hermon Academy.

  Thurston and Dante are from Thurston and Dante, the Written Word and Dante: The Devil Himself. Thurston’s travel records are recorded in ship’s passage. His interview was with Rex White, from Ken Klosterman.

  Gus Fasola’s sad story is told in his correspondence, from Gary Hunt. Wobensmith’s correspondence on the patent papers is from Ken Klosterman. Dante’s difficulties with Fasola appear in Magic: A Pictorial History of Conjurers in the Theater and Thurston and Dante, the Written Word.

  The program for The Demon is from George Daily. The script and budget for the show is from Rory Feldman. Correspondence from Harry is from Twin Cities Magic. The review is reproduced in The Complete Life of Howard Franklin Thurston. Harry’s final judgment is from Ken Klosterman.

  Thurston’s telegram is from Ken Klosterman. Harry’s response is from Gabe Fajuri. Tampa’s fate is described in Sugden, The Magician, and a letter from Harry, from Ken Klosterman. I feel that Harry’s ties to crime have been exaggerated, as he mostly dealt in small-time graft. But a letter from Harry to Howard in Rory Feldman’s collection suggests that Howard leaned on him for questionable favors. The date and details are unclear, but Harry complained about involving “the big guy” from Cleveland in a later deal. Howard canceled the job, and Harry was forced to pay off his friends, who were ready for the mysterious assignment. The situation sounded similar to Harry’s tactics with Tampa.

  Ray Goulet recalled Herman Hanson’s work with Jane. Jane wrote about Harry Harris in Our Life of Magic. Newspaper articles about their battles and marriages are from David Copperfield and Twin Cities Magic. Additional information on Thurston’s fight is from The Complete Life of Howard Franklin Thurston. Jane’s letter, and Howard’s encouragements, are from Ken Klosterman.

  The story of Madame Herrmann is from Magic: A Pictorial History of Conjurers in the Theater. Shaw’s letter is from Mike Caveney. Thurston’s youthful appearance, and information on the diet cards, is in a published flyer (dated 1931) by John S. Van Gilder, from Ken Klosterman.

  Thurston explained the diet in Modern Living, July 1934. Ken Klosterman has a letter to Dr. William Howard Hay, of East Aurora, New York, asking for more cards, suggesting that they be smaller and that the doctor omit the instruction to have “juice of 3 lemons,” as it frightened people. Thurston wrote that the point was to get people started on the diet. The new diet cards were designed by Van Gilder.

  Harry’s interest in the title “Miracle of Life” and sea cows is in correspondence from Ken Klosterman. A letter from George Marquis, from Mike Caveney, also records Harry’s fascination with a sea cow exhibit. The breakfast meeting was recalled in a letter from Harry, courtesy of Ken Klosterman.

  The Mysteries of India show is discussed in Inside Magic and in A Lifetime in Magic. The elephant is discussed in correspondence with Harry, from Ken Klosterman, and Thurston and Dante, the Written Word. Jay Klink stealing money from Thurston is from the July 11 and August 1, 1917, New York Clipper. Thurston’s playing card accident is from the October 1934 issue of The Sphinx and from insurance documents from Ken Klosterman. Monkey case depositions are from David Copperfield; the case was discussed in Thurston and Dante, the Written Word, and correspondence from Mike Caveney. A newspaper article on the outcome, from the October 24, 1930, Brooklyn Daily News, is from George Daily.

  The correspondence about the fate of Delhi, and Harry’s complaints, are from Ken Klosterman. The Billboard announcement appeared July 12, 1930.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO. “SEEING THROUGH A WOMAN”

  Iasia is described in The Master Magicians, Watching Thurston from the Front
Row and The Complete Life of Howard Franklin Thurston. Thurston’s part in the illusion is discussed in correspondence from Ken Klosterman. George Townsend’s part was revealed in a George Marquis letter from Mike Caveney.

  Harry Thurston’s show was discussed in Inside Magic and in A Lifetime in Magic. The show’s route was also promoted in Billboard. Harry’s complaints are in a letter from Rory Feldman. The advertisement with all three Thurstons is on a poster owned by Gary Frank and ran as an ad in Billboard, March 4, 1933. Harry smuggling liquor is from Greg Bordner of Abbott’s Magic Manufacturing Company, who attributed the information to Percy Abbott.

  Howard’s correspondence is from Thurston and Dante, the Written Word. Correspondence from Lastfogel and complaints about the schedule are from Ken Klosterman. Thurston’s opinions appeared in Billboard, December 3, 1932. Mulholland’s praise appeared in the November 1931 issue of The Sphinx.

  Jane and Harry’s ongoing marriage and divorce is from Ken Klosterman and from Our Life of Magic. Isham Jones is also discussed in The Magic Man.

  Thurston’s radio shows are discussed in The Complete Life of Howard Franklin Thurston and in correspondence from Ken Klosterman. Scripts are from Twin Cities Magic and Rory Feldman. The Billboard comments are from December 3, 1932.

  Thurston’s dinner is from The Complete Jarrett. Leotha’s letter is from David Sigafus. Thurston’s positive note is from Ken Klosterman.

  Keating’s act is from “Howard Thurston, Merchant of Magic.”

  Thurston’s tour is discussed in correspondence from Ken Klosterman and from Tony Taylor, Spotlight on 101 Great Magic Acts (Mickey Hades, 1975). Leotha’s death is from The Magic Man, Our Life of Magic, and obituaries in the George Goebel, Copperfield, Klosterman, and Daily collections and the Mount Hermon files.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE. “FINALE: THE TRIPLE MYSTERY”

  Information on Leotha’s death is from the medical examiner’s report. Thurston’s visit on stage is from The Magic Man. Harry’s letter and Chase’s raise are from correspondence from Ken Klosterman. Jane’s recollections are from Our Life of Magic. Thurston’s letter is from Thurston and Dante, the Written Word.

  Massey’s illusion is described in The Magic Man and in correspondence from Ken Klosterman. The Rex White interview and Virginia Thomas correspondence are from Ken Klosterman.

  Worthington backstage is from Recollections of Howard Thurston. Benjamin, Modern Living, and his complaints to Hilliard are from Ken Klosterman. Hilliard’s death is from “John Northern Hilliard, An Appreciation,” from Hilliard’s Billboard obituary, and from Brumfield’s Indianapolis Star article.

  Thurston’s marriage appears in newspaper articles from George Daily and David Copperfield, Our Life of Magic, and census information. The story of Thurston’s final performance is from The Magic Man and Our Life of Magic. Material about continuing the show is from correspondence and from an unsourced clipping, “Thurston Act to Brother?” from Ken Klosterman. Additional information on Thurston’s illness is from Ben Robinson and from correspondence from George Daily and Rory Feldman. The will is from an interview with James Wobensmith, courtesy of Rory Feldman.

  Thurston’s death is taken from his death certificate and obituaries in various collections, including that of Claude Crowe. Information on the funeral is from Our Life of Magic, clippings from Jay Hunter, and the May 1936 issue of The Sphinx. Ed Sullivan’s comments are from Howard Thurston’s Illusion Show Work Book. Oursler’s and George White’s comments are from the May 1936 issue of The Sphinx. Dante’s comments are from Dante: The Devil Himself. Blackstone’s reaction is from Blackstone: A Magician’s Life. Marquis’s photo and poem are in his scrapbook, from George Goebel.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR. “THE FLIGHT OF TIME”

  Information on the will and estate are from newspaper articles reproduced in Our Magic Life and from George Daily, Mike Caveney, and Rory Feldman. Jane reported on the events at the end of her father’s life in Our Life of Magic.

  Jane’s travels to Hollywood are recorded in a return address, from Hollywood, in the Mount Hermon archives.

  The publicity appears in The Complete Life of Howard Franklin Thurston and The Jinx magazine, May 1936. Tampa’s claims, and the disposition of the estate, are from Sugden, The Magician.

  Rajah Raboid’s contract, uncompleted, is from George Daily. George Marquis also claimed that he was to be included in this planned tour.

  Jane’s plans, and the fate of the show, are from Our Life of Magic, the May 1956 issue of The Linking Ring, and correspondence from Ken Klosterman, Mike Caveney, and Rory Feldman. John Booth’s recollections are from the January 1987 issue of The Linking Ring.

  Dante’s story is from Dante: The Devil Himself. Blackstone is discussed in Blackstone: A Magician’s Life. Diego Domingo has researched George White and finally discovered his history after Thurston and Dante. He was the most renowned assistant in the history of magic.

  The Will Rock show is from Ken Klosterman. Gerald Heaney’s acquisition of the show is from the May 1956 issue of The Linking Ring. Harry Thurston’s obituary from the Columbus newspaper is from Jay Hunter.

  Jane Thurston’s later career is from Our Life of Magic and from recollections of William Self, Mike Caveney, and Laurie Schaim. I was lucky enough to meet Jane Thurston on several occasions. She was always charming to magicians, modest about her part in her father’s show, but fiercely proud of her career and her success in the world of magic.

  Bamberg and Germain’s conversation is from the December 1918 issue of The Sphinx.

  INDEX

  Abbott, David P.

  Abbott, Percy

  Abdul

  Accidents, Houdini and

  Aga Levitation

  Agents

  Aldrich, Charles

  Amazement act

  Amber, Maude

  American Biograph Company, films

  Amusement park rides

  Animals, Thurston and

  Appearing Elephant act

  Art, mystery and

  Assistants, to magic acts; Beatrice as; Grace as; White

  Australia, Thurston’s tour

  Autobiography of Thurston

  Automobiles, special effects

  Aviation, views of

  Backhand Palm card trick; Downs and; Thurston and

  Baldwin, Samri

  Bamberg, David

  Bamberg, Theodore (Okito)

  Bangkok Bungalo act

  Bangs sisters

  Beck, Martin

  Beechhurst, Long Island, Thurston home

  Bell, C. Foster

  Benjamin, Harry

  Berean Baptist Church

  Biographies of Thurston; autobiography

  Birds of the Air trick

  Black and White Budget, The

  Blackstone, Harry

  Blake, Winfield

  Blocki, Fritz

  Boomsky (assistant to Herrmann)

  Booth, John

  Bosco

  Boston, George

  The Boy, the Girl and the Donkey act

  The Boy, the Girl and the Eggs act

  Brentano, Lowell, The Spider

  Brice, Fanny

  Britt (Arkansas policeman)

  Broadway, Thurston’s first appearance

  Broadway shows

  Broome Street Tabernacle

  Brotherhood of St. Christopher

  Brown, A. Seymour

  Brumfield, Doc

  Bucha, Carl

  Bucha, Fritz

  Buck-and-wing dancing

  Burgess, Clinton

  Buried Alive act

  Burnham Industrial Farm

  Burnside, R. H.

  Business, Thurston and; expansion of; investments; special effects construction

  Butterworth, Grace E.. See also Thurston, Grace Butterworth

  Butterworth, Lida

  Cadger, Reddy

  Canary in Lamp act

  Cannon Illusion

  Capone, Al

  Card t
ricks; Herrmann and; Houdini and; Thurston and

  Carnegie, Dale

  Carrington, Hereward

  Carter, Charles Joseph

  Carter, Lincoln

  Carus, Paul

  Champlin, Charles and Addie

  Charous, Eva

  Chase, Carl

  Chicago, World’s Fair

  Chicago Defender, and White

  Children, Thurston and; programs for

  China, tour of

  Chundra Bey

  Claque system, music halls

  Claude, Kenneth

  Coconut shell act

  Collier’s magazine

  Con games; kootch shows and; marriage to Grace as

  Coney Island

  Confidences of a Prestidigitator, The, Robert-Houdin

  Conjurer’s Monthly Magazine, The

  Conversion of Thurston (Ryan)

  Cooke, George A.

  Coolidge, Calvin

  Cos Cob farm; sale of

  Couzens, Harry (Henry)

  Crane, Lawrence

  Curtis, H. B.

  Cutler (Mount Herman professor), letters to

  Dahomey Village

  Dante (Harry Jansen); and Fasola; and Hanson; and Houdini; magic show; and new acts; and Sugden

  Dante (Oscar Eliason)

  Davenport Brothers

  Davis, Harry

  Dawson, Fred

  Dearth, Emily

  Dearth, Emma

  Deceptions, Thurston and. See also Con games

  DeKreko, George

  DeKreko Brothers Congress of Eastern Oddities