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332:. Wood and his wife then set out on a multi-year world tour. A notice that Wood placed in a London-area newspaper in October 1895 said they had recently arrived from South American and were about to tour Spain. In February 1896, Wood placed a notice in the same newspaper, mentioning that the group had performed in 20 countries including Nicaragua, Ecuador, Argentina (
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No trace was ever found of the Woods; however, their luggage was later recovered. One of Wood's theatrical trunks survived and was shipped to his widow, but she was so distraught that she had it shipped to a friend. Wood's trunk consisted of some large ventriloquist figures together with a number of
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During the height of his career, Wood was widely publicized. Edna joined him during his South
American trips until 1906, when failing health forced her retirement. Wood brought in a replacement, who was later an assistant in his show. His most famous effect was the "Pistol Shot Vanish", in which he
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Wood was awarded patents, dated
November 12, 1889, for the equipment of a levitation illusion he called "Edna" in which a lady would be lifted up in mid-air and stay there, during which she walked, turned around, and turned over, all while in the air. Wood won a $ 3,200 verdict in December 1890
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lithographs depicting "Woodita" (a fantastic balance), "La
Mariposa" (the human butterfly) "Edna" (the girl from the flames) and a stock portrait of Wood for his proposed Mexican tour (with the legend "The Real Devil" in Spanish beneath his picture).
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in tow. The tow line was cut and the tug tried to ride the storm out unhampered. Reportedly, when the vessel foundered the captain and crew managed to save themselves while Wood and his daughter, the only passengers aboard, were lost.
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in April stated that the captain of the tug denied that any robbery had occurred, and that the U.S consulate was "satisfied that all was done that could be done to save the passengers." Nonetheless, Wood's wife traveled to
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in April 1903. Clawson's narrative mentioned stops in
Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, and Brazil, along with corrupt officials, encounters with revolutionaries, and travel at one point by
164:, on December 31, 1883, describing him as "the wonderful boy ventriloquist and magician". The article stated he was 17 years old, although his age at death suggests he was actually in his early twenties.
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Wood likely gained interest in ventriloquism as a child, but did not start his professional training until his mid-20s. A short article about "Professor Will B. Wood" appeared in the local paper of
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after being unsatisfied with reports from the U.S consulate and the captain of the tug. Wood's wife claimed that Wood was carrying
English bank notes worth $ 14,000 at the time of his death.
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Hastings
Clawson died in Philadelphia in December 1912, aged 32. A January 1913 newspaper article reported that Wood's widow took legal action to dispute the will of Wood's mother.
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who toured South
America and Europe with his own company. Billed professionally as Will B. Wood and sometimes called "The Kellar of South America", in reference to mentor
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in 1861 or 1862, and began a career in illusions and ventriloquism in 1886 with his wife. After his wife retired in 1906, Wood continued touring until his death in the
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circa 1886, with whom he traveled until 1890, when he branched out for himself. His wife was the original "Edna, the Human Orchid" as a member of Kellar's company.
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An
October 1901 newspaper advertisement in Pennsylvania announced Wood's first American tour, which appears to have continued until January 1902. In June 1906,
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One newspaper reported they were killed by pirates, and another reported they were robbed by the crew of the tugboat and then "abandoned to the sharks".
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ran a half-page article about
Hastings Clawson, who served as Wood's tour manager for a three-year tour through South America that began in
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to investigate Wood's death (although he was not a member of S.A.M.) as there appeared to be ample ground for suspicion of foul play.
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By the start of 1891, Wood was touring as part of "Steen & Wood's World of
Mystery and Novelties" with Martha E. Steen, a
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would cause his assistant to vanish with a pistol shot. However, after his wife's retirement, his career began to decline.
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360:. He said that he and his wife were in England to rest, and they would next return to the United States for a year off.
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801:, Wood, W. B., "Theatrical appliance for optical illusions", published November 12, 1889
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In January 1908, Wood, then aged 46, and his 20-year-old daughter were in Mexico on their way from
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820:, Wood, W. B., "Metallic corset for theatrical purposes", published November 12, 1889
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Reports are unclear if the luggage washed ashore or had been on the schooner the tug was towing.
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Hatch, Richard (July 2006). "The Nielsen Gallery — Wood, The World's Greatest Ventriloquist".
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Edna's replacement may have been the couple's daughter, Bertha, but sources are unclear.
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against another performer for infringing his patents. After Wood's death, the magician
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to investigate the deaths, arriving in June after passing through Tampa en route to
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recounted the circumstances of Wood's death and the dummies at Vent Haven Museum.
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reported he had a brother, E. A. Wood, who was "a prominent jeweler" in Shamokin.
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1192:"Hard Luck Stories: Adventures of a Theatrical Man in South American Countries"
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In March, it was reported that Hastings Clawson requested assistance from the
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437:(S.A.M.) adopted a resolution urging government authorities and President
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217: in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
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on January 20, 1908, which was explored unsuccessfully for foul play.
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Booth, John (February 1980). "Did Anyone Steal the Floating Lady?".
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612:. Vol. 9, no. 13. March 7, 1908. p. 8 – via
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Not much is known about Wood's early life. Following his death,
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352:). He noted that members of his company had endured fever, a
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used this illusion under the name of "The Maid of the Moon".
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Her full maiden name appears to have been Sarah Edna Kirker.
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A poster advertising "Edna, the Human Orchid" from the 1900s
316:, and Charles N. Steen, "the world's greatest exposer of
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Wood received his stage training under the tutelage of
483:, recovered after washing ashore. A 2013 episode of
970:"Steen & Woods' World of Mystery and Novelties"
942:"Steen & Wood's World of Mystery and Novelties"
912:"Steen & Woods' World of Mystery and Novelties"
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1164:"'Barnstorming' in Spanish America: A Tale of Woe"
523:Other reports give Wood's age when he died as 43.
1225:"Mrs. Wood Seeks Bodies of Husband and Daughter"
1457:"The Death William Wood, Hacker Spy, Skunk Ape"
113:(1861/1862 – January 20, 1908) was an American
864:Durbin, W. W. (1933). "With the Old Masters".
637:"Prof. Wood and Daughter Drowned in the Gulf"
300:1901 advertisement for Wood's "Edna" illusion
8:
320:". Their three-month tour included stops in
724:Pennsylvania Death Certificate Number 70023
1432:"More Creepy Ventriloquists: William Wood"
29:
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277:Learn how and when to remove this message
16:American ventriloquist and stage magician
167:Wood married Edna Kirker (1867–1956) of
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576:. Vol. 96, no. 6. p. 70.
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1326:"Consul reports on Magician's Death"
215:adding citations to reliable sources
1172:. June 17, 1906. p. 4 (Part 3)
1500:People from Shamokin, Pennsylvania
14:
735:"Were Woods Murdered or Drowned?"
226:"William Wood" ventriloquist
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1010:. November 30, 1895. p. 19
845:. December 19, 1890. p. 10
202:needs additional citations for
1430:Trav S.D. (October 24, 2014).
1381:. December 25, 1912. p. 2
1079:. February 1, 1896. p. 29
1042:. October 12, 1895. p. 22
950:. February 11, 1891. p. 1
922:. December 30, 1890. p. 8
35:William Wood with his dummies,
1:
1411:. January 16, 1913. p. 6
435:Society of American Magicians
147:reported that he was born in
88:"Pistol Shot Vanish" illusion
1405:Harrisburg Daily Independent
1141:. January 9, 1902. p. 4
1109:. October 7, 1901. p. 3
892:. January 3, 1891. p. 1
779:. August 14, 1956. p. 2
125:(1849–1922), he was born in
1419:– via newspapers.com.
1389:– via newspapers.com.
1375:Salt Lake Herald-Republican
1342:– via newspapers.com.
1334:. April 12, 1908. p. 6
1302:– via newspapers.com.
1271:– via newspapers.com.
1241:– via newspapers.com.
1233:. April 29, 1908. p. 1
1210:– via newspapers.com.
1180:– via newspapers.com.
1149:– via newspapers.com.
1117:– via newspapers.com.
1087:– via newspapers.com.
1050:– via newspapers.com.
1018:– via newspapers.com.
986:– via newspapers.com.
978:. March 19, 1891. p. 6
958:– via newspapers.com.
930:– via newspapers.com.
900:– via newspapers.com.
853:– via newspapers.com.
787:– via newspapers.com.
755:– via newspapers.com.
747:. March 4, 1908. p. 13
714:– via newspapers.com.
681:– via newspapers.com.
653:– via newspapers.com.
645:. March 11, 1908. p. 1
169:Butler County, Pennsylvania
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1294:. June 22, 1908. p. 4
1263:. March 9, 1908. p. 7
673:. March 2, 1908. p. 2
1401:"Claims Will was Altered"
1286:"Went Down with $ 14,000"
1202:. July 7, 1906. p. 9
665:"Magicians Perish at Sea"
642:Miami Morning News-Record
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1409:Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
1291:St. Louis Globe-Democrat
1107:Greenville, Pennsylvania
882:"The Steen-Wood Company"
777:New Castle, Pennsylvania
745:New Castle, Pennsylvania
704:New Castle, Pennsylvania
162:New Castle, Pennsylvania
767:"Mrs. Edna Kirker Wood"
486:Mysteries at the Museum
477:Fort Mitchell, Kentucky
444:A follow-up article in
175:Career and performances
137:Early life and marriage
1515:People who died at sea
1196:The Buffalo Commercial
604:"Will B. Wood Drowned"
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149:Shamokin, Pennsylvania
96:Edna Kirker (m. 1880s)
50:Shamokin, Pennsylvania
1315:. April and May 1908.
916:Daily News Advertiser
886:Daily News Advertiser
837:"The Amusement World"
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37:between 1900 and 1908
1257:The Buffalo Enquirer
1253:"Devoured by Sharks"
211:improve this article
46:1861 or 1862
1099:"Laird Opera House"
706:. December 31, 1883
700:The Daily City News
1505:American magicians
1465:. October 24, 2013
1371:"Hal Clawson Dies"
1353:"Ask the Doctor".
1331:The New York Times
1169:The New York Times
461:Later developments
446:The New York Times
439:Theodore Roosevelt
433:reported that the
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1261:Buffalo, New York
1230:The Tampa Tribune
1200:Buffalo, New York
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473:Vent Haven Museum
396:Progreso, Yucatán
392:Frontera, Tabasco
307:Adelaide Herrmann
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