PARSON HOUDINI

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 158, 1 April 1937, Page 3

PARSON HOUDINI

Escapes From AH Police Shackles The Rev. L. A. Ewart, vicar of Earls Barton. Northamptonshire, is 'veil known to the police, for he is the "Parson Houdini.” Locks, bolts and bars mean nothing to him. He rids himself of handcuffs more easily than ninny a man fastens his cuff-links. "I have performed before a number of prominent police ollieials. ’ Ml. Ewart told a “Daily Mail” reporter, ’•and I have escaped from every P’.iir of handcuffs which they could produce. The police have given me up as a job. Before I heir eyes I have escaped from six pairs of handcuffs with 12 locks, all different. I don't slip (he handcuffs off. I open them. “How is it done?' —I couldn’t reve’tl that, for once my methods wore known ■ handcuffs would not he of much use. When I was in a slum parish in Birmingham years ago a number of criminals badly wanted me to reveal my secret. I have four or live methods —nil my own.” Mr. Ewart’s most remarkable feat was performed in Liverpool, when-he escaped from 45 locks in less than half an hour. “They loaded me.” he .said, ■■with several pairs of handcuffs, Siberian gal Icy-chains, with a steel band round the neck. American leg-irons. and a few other chains. 1 escaped.”