LETTERS OF NOTE: HOUDINI STUNT A MINER’S EXPERIMENT

Dr WJ Mcconnell, August 5, 1926 I WANT to dictate my experience and feeling as soon as possible, while it is fresh in my mind. It is now 5.10pm. I have had half an hour’s sleep and feel fairly comfortable.

In the coffin I had 26 428 cubic inches of air and in the galvanised iron coffin which was submerged at the Shelton Baths, I had, 34396 cubic inches, which I believe gave me 7960 more cubic inches of air than in the Boyertown coffin. I will give you the tests and mark them 1, 2 and 3. TEST #1 – Test was made in the coffin without being submerged. I remained this first time in same for one hour and ten minutes. (I) was comfortable which leaves me to believe that some air must have seeped through, though very little, it helped. I started to perspire after being in about 45 minutes and was saturated with perspiration, but at no time was I in agony.

I scarcely moved. With my years of training, I can remain apparently motionless without an effort. I kept my eyes open for fear I would go to sleep. Dr William Stone was in attendance, and they were very much afraid of the experiment. As it progressed their confidence grew, so did mine. TEST #2 – Was made with a coffin that was specially made – that is, it had a lining of galvanised iron and was strengthened and tested until it was air-tight. I got into this Wednesday, August 4 about noon and remained submerged, the coffin being in a large box which you saw on the premises. (I) remained in this one hour and thirteen minutes. This time I was comfortable – somewhat cold (attached is a sheet of paper giving the temperature). There was plenty of moisture on the inside and I should judge about an inch and a half water on top of the coffin. I was watched constantly. (I) was much more comfortable than at the first test as far as my body was concerned. Started to draw long breaths after about fifty minutes.

I was annoyed by movements, annoyed by one of my assistants swaying over my head, even twisting of the key. I gave the signal to let me out at seventy minutes and believe it took three minutes to unscrew the thiry-two bolts and screws on the coffin. There was no suffering. TEST #3 - which you witnessed. At no time can I say I was as comfortable as during the other tests. The first day the anxiety of an accident retarded me somewhat, but as you know I trained for years as an escape artist and have been nailed in boxes and thrown into rivers; and locked in milk cans for minutes.

The Torture Cell which I am now presenting I have performed for 12 years. This compels me to keep in physical condition and lung capacity.

In this test I had to breathe heavily after about 50 minutes and was not sure of staying an hour. I hung along over an hour and thought I would do at least 10 minutes more. By this time, I started to pant – draw long, slow breaths. As I remembered in the first two tests, the temperature was less at my feet than at my head, I slid to the foot of the box.

The irritability was pronounced. I was going to have them a top shaking the galvanised iron coffin, but wanted to get the benefit of the air action, having read some of your reports and figured out that by moving the box, the air would move.

The time they let the box go and it sprang to the surface, the only fear I had was that there would be a rending of the coffin, allowing the water to force through and drown me. As you know I was helpless and it would have taken a number of minutes to get me out of a dangerous predicament.

In speaking with Mr Spatz of the Boyertown Casket Company on August 6, I told him how relieved I felt when that galvanised iron coffin sprang out of the water. He said this means there was a give in the galvanising and the air in there had to go somewhere, which forced me to be uncomfortable as that air naturally was forced into my body.

The new one they are going to make will eliminate any chance of outside pressure having any effect on the inside.

When I dictated this I still had that metallic taste in my stomach and mouth. I felt rather weak in the knees. I have no headache but just seem listless.

When Collins, my assistant, phoned me to say I had been in there for one hour and 12 minutes, I was going to stay three more minutes but watching my lungs rise and fall thought I could stand the strain for another 15 minutes.

After one hour and 25 minutes I began to see yellow lights and carefully watched myself not to go to sleep. I kept my eyes wide open. I moved on the broad of my back; so as to take all of the weight off my lungs, my left arm was across my chest.

I lay on my right side, my left buttock against the coffin so that I could keep the telephone receiver to my ear without holding it and told Collins to get me up within that time.

My lungs are in a remarkable condition and when I started to pump for air, after an hour and 12 minutes, I believe it was only the training that allowed me to remain.

In ordinary circumstances I can remain under water two minutes without any trouble. When I was 16 to 18 I could do four minutes in a bath tub where there was not much pressure.

In making this test, I used a physic the day before, ate very light and at about 10.25am on August 5 had a fruit salad and a half a cup of coffee.

I was somewhat nervous but that I attribute to the excitement of the test, not through any fear.

I am having a coffin made with a glass top, and as soon as it is ready will let you know. I know you are doing worthwhile work and as my body and brain are trained for this particular line, I am at your service. Don’t be afraid to ask any question. I will be glad to let you know. HOUDINI New York