Wanted to Jump Overboard Handcuffed, but Captain Said No.

Harry Houdini, the “Handcuff King,” returned to these shores yesterday on the North German-Lloyd liner Kronprinz Wilhelm after a voyage around the world. On Saturday last, Houdini, who had just recovered from seasickness, thought he needed excitement. He proposed to the Concert Committee on the ship that, to raise funds for the seamen’s charities, he should go overboard from the boat deck handcuffed and with his hands lashed behind him.

The passengers became enthusiastic, and the ship’s officers offered to get a lifeboat out and pick Houdini up when he got out of the bag. Capt. B. Wilhelm would not permit it because he was responsible for the lives of the passengers, and there were sharks about.

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