|
|
| Houdini Who ? |
| A strange tale from the Leeds Intelligencer newspaper May 15th 1759: |
|
Last week a Person, who calls himself William
Greene, enlisted in Capt. Brown's Company; being found to go
by another name, was committed to our Prison, and handcuff'd,
on suspicion of being a Deserter. This means that was used to
secure him, he told the Gaoler, was to no purpose, for he wou'd
soon extricate his Hands; and accordingly did in about a quarter
of an hour after he was left in prison. Immediately upon this , he was handcuff'd with double irons, but with no better effect, for from these, he, with the same Ease, a second time extricated his Hands. He was then ordered to be extended upon his back, his hands and feet being separately chain'd to the Floor, and the most effectual means made use of to secure him. In this miserable situation, he, with great composure ask'd the Gaoler, whether he wou'd have the irons broke or whole, for he shou'd, with the same ease, a third time extricate himself; as it appear'd to everybody about him to be impossible, he was left to do as he thought proper; and the next morning to the great Surprise and Astonishment of the Gaoler and recruiting party, he was found asleep on a bed of straw, without either Pedicle or Manacle. At last he told them, if they would let him enjoy his Liberty, he would cheerfully serve his Majesty, if not, neither bars or Bolts should confine him etc. Accordingly he was set at Liberty; and now he walks the streets in corporal's clothes.' |
|
The following week the newspaper carried a further article; 'William Greene, the Recruit in Capt. Brown's Company mention'd in our last to have got off his irons in so extraordinary a manner, was last Friday, a second time, committed to our Prison, on a stronger Suspicion of being a Deserter.' |
|
|
|
|
|