Houdini in Joplin

Houdini’s Performance at the Pavilion Theatre

In May 1899, Joplin, Missouri, became the stage for a defining moment in the career of a young magician named Harry Houdini. The newly established Pavilion Theatre, a vaudeville performance tent set up at 5th and Joplin Streets by showman Loyd Brown, opened with an impressive lineup of performers. Among them was Houdini, who, for the first time, was officially billed as the “King of Handcuffs.”

The Pavilion’s opening night on Sunday, May 14, 1899, saw a packed house. The show featured a diverse cast, including Jess Vernon, a ventriloquist; De Boe, an acrobat known as “The Up-side-down Man”; The LaMont Trio, musical acrobats; Zoa Matthews, a comic singer; Martin’s Troupe of Educated Canines, a trained dog act; and The Barlows, a sketch comedy duo.

Houdini headlined the program, stunning audiences with his daring escape from three pairs of handcuffs simultaneously. Newspapers at the time praised his skills, noting that each performance saw him refining his act and leaving audiences even more amazed. A May 18, 1899, article reported that he successfully freed himself from three pairs of handcuffs placed on his wrists at the same time, further establishing his growing reputation.

By May 17, newspapers remarked that Houdini’s act was drawing larger crowds each night, with his rapid escapes proving to be the show’s highlight.

The Pavilion Theatre: A Short-Lived Venue

The Pavilion Theatre was constructed quickly, with work beginning in early May to ensure its readiness for its grand opening on May 14. Brown, an experienced showman from the Kansas City Orpheum circuit, had high hopes for the venue, promising high-class vaudeville entertainment with a focus on family-friendly performances.

Despite initial enthusiasm, the Pavilion struggled to maintain daily attendance. The final performance took place on May 27, 1899, after which the tent was taken down, and Brown returned to Kansas City. Reports attributed the closure to a lack of steady patronage, noting that while the performances were well-received, there were simply too many competing attractions in Joplin at the time.

The Theft of Bess Houdini’s Diamonds 

While Houdini’s performances were drawing attention, a real-life drama unfolded behind the scenes. On the night of May 22, 1899, while the performers were on stage, a thief sneaked under the canvas of the Pavilion Theatre and into the dressing room of Houdini’s wife, Bess (Mlle Houdini).

The thief stole an estimated $1,500 worth of jewelry, including a set of diamond shirt studs, given to Bess by a trapeze artist named Lisette; a diamond brooch, valued at $1,000, which Bess claimed had been a gift from the Czar of Russia; and several smaller pieces of jewelry, all taken from her clothing.

Bess caught a glimpse of the thief fleeing under the canvas and described him as a white man wearing a brown derby hat. Despite a search by the male performers and staff, no trace of the thief was found.

The theft, reported in the Joplin Daily News on May 23, 1899, added a mysterious twist to the Houdinis’ time in Joplin. The claim that the stolen brooch had been a personal gift from the Czar of Russia would later become the subject of speculation and controversy.

The Fate of the Diamond Brooch: Auction and Controversy

In 2017, a brooch that once belonged to Bess Houdini was sold at a Potter & Potter auction for $72,000. According to the auction listing, Bess had given the brooch to magician Geraldine Larsen in the 1940s, and it remained in the Larsen family for over 70 years before being put up for sale. The buyer was revealed to be illusionist David Copperfield.

For years, Houdini historians debated whether Bess had truly received the brooch from the Czar of Russia. Houdini did tour Russia in 1903, but no records indicate that he ever performed for the Czar. Some researchers speculated that Bess may have received the brooch from Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich instead. However, the 1899 Joplin newspaper article proves that Bess had already been claiming the brooch was a gift from the Czar four years before the Houdinis ever traveled to Russia. This suggests that the story was likely a fabrication, a bit of theatrical myth-making to enhance the Houdinis’ mystique.

One historian noted, “So now we have evidence that Bess (or Harry) peddled a fiction about owning jewelry gifted from the Czar of Russia. That means if Bess really did later get a brooch in Russia (from the Grand Duke or otherwise), we’d have to accept it as a coincidence that this fiction came true. That’s not impossible. But I’m not a fan of coincidences, especially when a more likely scenario is present.”

Regardless of the brooch’s true origins, its rediscovery and sale more than a century later cemented its place in Houdini history. What was once a stolen item in a Joplin dressing room became a prized piece of Houdini memorabilia, adding yet another layer to the legend of the great illusionist.

Special Credit to Joseph William Johnson

The original research and inspiration for this story go to Joseph William Johnson, whose dedication to uncovering Houdini’s time in Joplin brought this fascinating chapter of history to light. Through meticulous examination of historical newspapers, local archives, and firsthand accounts, Johnson pieced together the events surrounding Houdini’s performances at the Pavilion Theatre, the dramatic theft of Bess Houdini’s jewelry, and the lasting mystery of the so-called “Czar’s brooch.” His research has provided invaluable insights, ensuring that this compelling story is preserved and shared with future generations.

Additional Sources

  1. Joplin Daily News, May 23, 1899 – Report on the theft of Bess Houdini’s diamonds.
  2. Joplin Globe, May 2, 1899 – Announcement of Pavilion Theatre construction and opening date.
  3. Joplin Globe, May 14, 1899 – Report on the Pavilion Theatre’s grand opening and Houdini’s billing as the “King of Handcuffs.”
  4. Joplin Globe, May 16, 1899 – Coverage of the Pavilion Theatre’s popularity.
  5. Joplin Globe, May 17, 1899 – Review of Houdini’s performance and audience reception.
  6. Joplin Globe, May 18, 1899 – Report confirming Houdini’s successful escape from three pairs of handcuffs.
  7. Joplin Globe, May 27, 1899 – Report confirming the Pavilion Theatre’s closure due to lack of patrons.
  8. Wild About Harry (John Cox’s Houdini blog) – Articles on Houdini’s 1899 performances, the theft, and the 2017 brooch auction.
  9. Potter & Potter Auctions (April 8, 2017) – Listing and results of the brooch sale.
  10. Research by John Cox (2018) – Investigation into Bess Houdini’s brooch and historical contradictions.