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1910–1924 | 1925–1926 | 1927–1930 | 1931–1943 | MORE RECENT
MRS. HOUDINI DIED SPIRITUALISM FOE Will of the Magician’s Widow Says She Never Believed in Communication After Death LIFE HEREAFTER SCOUTED Residuary Estate is Left to Her Sister—She Requested that She Be Cremated  Mrs. Harry Houdini, widow and former stage partner of the magician, who shortly before his death in 1926 entered into a compact with his wife to attempt to reach her from the spirit world, declared in her will, drawn April 29, 1940, that “I do not now nor did I at any time believe in spirit communication or spirit messages.”
This was disclosed yesterday in Surrogate’s Court, where her will was filed for probate. Mrs. Houdini, who was 67 years old, died at Needles, Calif., Feb. 11, aboard the Sante Fe Chief. For ten years she kept a light burning over her husband’s picture in her home in Hollywood and on every anniversary of his death she held a séance in an attempt to communicate with him. The last séance was held in 1936. Shortly before her death Mrs. Houdini renounced her long-cherished faith in communication after death, and added that she was skeptical about any form of life hereafter. At that time she said: “I would like very much to believe that I was again to see Harry and my mother. But I am skeptical. No one has been able to prove there is a hereafter.” In her will she left her residuary estate to her sister, Mrs. Marie Hinson of 67 Payson Avenue, New York City. She bequeathed to Charles D. Myers, who the testament said was known professionally as Edward Saint, all of her property in California, together with “authority to write, assemble and publish my biography, including my activities and experiences in the field of magic and with mediums.” Mr. Myers predeceased the testatrix and his bequest reverts to her estate. She expressed her desire to be “cremated” and that any type of service be held regardless of creed with the definite exception of “Spiritualistic creed or belief.” Her estate consisted mainly of personal property the value of which could not presently be determined. This article is reproduced here only for educational purposes. Please do not copy the text or accompanying images for commercial use.
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