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Lincoln’s Scout: The Diary of Horatio Cooke—Soldier, Spy, Escape Artist

Lincoln’s Scout: The Diary of Horatio Cooke—Soldier, Spy, Escape Artist
Have you heard the remarkable story of Horatio Cooke, who was a lowly private-made- Brevet Captain of the Union Army in the Civil War, and later found fame as a performing magician, a Spiritualist de-bunker, and a mentor to Houdini? Come to our February meeting, and hear Mark Cannon recount the story of President Lincoln appointing Cooke as a “Lincoln Special Scout” in 1863; as well as, Cooke’s “rope escape performance” for Lincoln; his witnessing of Lincoln’s assassination; and, his escape from Mosby’s men. Also, learn about Cooke’s influence on Houdini, and his Spiritualist de-bunking campaign, as well as how Mark came to own a copy of “A Magician Among the Spirits,” written, and autographed, by Houdini to Cooke. If you are an Abraham Lincoln historian, Civil War buff, magician, or a fan of magic, you will not want to miss this meeting.

Mr. Mark R. Cannon
Mark R. Cannon is a husband and father of two. Professionally, he has been a cruise ship magician, and an escape artist consultant for numerous television programs, and for many of the famous magicians of the world. He served as an airborne law enforcement sergeant-pilot for 36 years. An avid adventurer, he has travelled to over 70 countries including all seven continents. His interests include back-country flying, baseball, magic, the Great Outdoors, and American History. He is the recipient of the 2006 Leslie P. Guest M-U-M Award of Excellence, presented by the Society of American Magician’s for his literary work on “Harry Cooke, American Wizard”.

Earlier Event: February 19
SoCal CWRT Alliance Presents: The War for the Common Soldier -- How Men Thought, Fought, and Survived in Civil War Armies
Later Event: March 21
Such a Woman — The Life of Madame Octavia Walton LeVert