Houdini, "The Handcuff King" made another sensational appearance at the Wolverhampton Empire Palace in May. A report at the time said: "In acceptance of a local challenge he suffered himself to be fastened up in a packing case specially made. A large committee were invited upon the stage and when the mysterious Houdini was safely incarcerated in the box all and sundry took turns at knocking nails into it. The case was then crated up and lifted into a cabinet. Houdini had declared his intention of getting out at some time, though he could not guarantee a re-appearance before the final curtain call. After an exciting wait of less than ten minutes however he appeared before the astonished audience without his coat and with a disarranged collar. The box was in precisely the same condition as when the last nail was knocked in. Tomorrow evening Houdini will take up another challenge to escape from a straight waistcoat such as is used for the murderous insane."

He had performed to a packed audience at the town's Grand Theatre the previous night, but a doctor confined him to bed.

Sir Henry's manager Bram Stoker, now best known as the author of the horror novel Dracula, apologised on his behalf. The Mayor Councillor R.E.W. Berrington was to have presented Sir Henry with an illuminated address to honour his long service to English drama.

Sir Henry recovered enough to appear at the Grand in Becket that night, but the next day called off the rest of his farewell tour after he was advised by doctors not to act for two months.

Sir Henry died in Bradford on October 14, aged 67, the night after performing in the play The Bells. He had recovered from his illness and resumed his farewell tour.

She arrived by carriage with fellow actress Mrs Patrick Campbell, who carried her pet dog Ping Pong under her arm, to perform the ceremony after the band of the Life Guards played the Marsellaises in her honour.

Madame Bernhardt was reported by the Express & Star to have been fascinated by the display of roses in one tent, remarking: "Elles sont superbes les roses! Extraordinaires!"

When asked by Mr Bywater (magistrate) whether the Albion were going to win, Mr Dempster replied, with an air of confidence: "yes."

Mr Bywater: "Then the Albion are not dead yet?" (laughter).

Mr Dempster: "No." (laughter).

Mr Bywater:"But you have nearly killed them, haven't you?" (renewed laughter).

Mr Dempster: "Not yet, there is a spark left."

Mr Bywater: "It is to be hoped they won't kill you." (laughter).

The application was then granted.

Two days later Albion went down 5-2 to Leicester in their first appearance in the cup's intermediate round following their relegation from division one the previous year.

Police constable Bevan said that on the 28th, owing to complaints that were made, he and two other officers went to Pedmore.

He found the defendants "almost naked, having only small garments on.

"They were running a race of about 100 yards from the Ham Lane to the Foley Arms.

"There was an obstruction through their conduct.

"The defendants denied they were racing. They wore proper nicks, the same as were worn at football."

The bench fined the defendants 5s each and costs or seven days.

George Bingham and William Adams were charged with aiding and abetting in the obstruction in the case.

Pc Bevan said one of the defendants gave a signal for the race and the other held the runners' clothes.

They were fined 7s 9d each including costs.

Some interesting figures regarding the system of providing free breakfasts for the poor children in Dudley schools were handed to the Express & Star in March by Mr J. M. Wynne, secretary to the education committee.

During the month of February 1905 there were 10,203 meals supplied in the town district, 2.240 in the county district and 2,239 at Woodside, making a total of 14,682.

Commenting, the Express & Star said: "This large amount of good work has been done at a cost of 61 or a little less than 1d per meal.

"This shows excellent management on the part of the Rev T Keates and the Rev Alfred Thompson and hearty co-operation on the part of the school staffs.

"The value of such work in a time of depressed trade like the present and particularly in wintry weather such as we have lately been experiencing can be readily appraised."