Double Indemnity Paid for Husband’s Accidental Death

In an investigation into the death of Harry Houdini, magician, it was said yesterday at the main office of the New York Life Insurance Company, 346 Broadway, that expert testimony had established that his death had been caused by a blow in the abdomen, delivered at Houdini’s request by a student of McGill University.

As a result of this inquiry Houdini’s widow has received $50,000. Of this amount $25,000 was accident indemnity, Houdini having been insured for $25,000 by a policy providing that, in case of accidental death, $25,000 additional would be paid as special indemnity. The check was delivered to Mrs. Houdini’s attorney last week.

Houdini had told the McGill University athlete to strike him in the abdomen to show the strength of his abdominal muscles. He had been struck in this manner on various occasions as a part of his exhibitions and consequently the verdict was that death was due to an accident.

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