The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1881-07-21
SON OF 'H'HzH1 EARL Of NHAHR.
A Canadian Mechanic YBah0 HAS
Laid Claim 80 am Earldema saRad
S1OO, 100000.

London, Ont, July 4--After years Of
patient searching, amid the difficulties
which poverty has raised, a workman in
the Great Western Railway car shops in
this city has traced up what seems to be
Ill indisputabe claim to one Of the richest
estates in all Scotland. The greatest in
terest has been awakened by the romantic
history of the man who has thus been ele-
waited into prominence, and there is every
probability that he will soon be put i'll
possession Of his rights. It may be re-
membered that some years ago the Earl
Of Mar died without leaving a direct heir
to his immense estate, aud by right OF
succession nephew, Lord kellie, assum~
Ell the title and property Of the dead no
bleman, valued at $l00,00O,000. Now,
however, it has been discovered that the
Earl had son, and that son is believed to
be John Francis Erskine Of this city. The
tracing up Of the title has necessarily been
slow and unsatisfactory, from the fact that
Mr. Erskine was poor and Fampered by q
family, and men who could have helped
him doubted his story. The facts OF the
case are briefly these:
Tn 1926, two years before the marriage
OF the Earl of Mar to the daughter OF Lord
Montech, a male child was born to the
lady, who afterward became its legitimate
mother by her marriage with its father.
When an infant, however, the boy was
secretly given into the care of poor but
respectable family, whom the Earl paid
well for the services rendered. Later ON,
when the little fellow had grown up TO be
five or six years Of age, he was placed
under the care of man named Campbell,
and sent to Canada. His guardian fre-
qnently told him i'll later years that he
was the son Of one Of Scotland's noblest
ears, and that he should some day be
placed in possession Of documents that
would enable him to go home and live in
luxury. The old man seemed under q
strong pledge, however, not to reveal the
parentage Of his ward, aud, although he
| broke his promise SO far as to intimate on
many occasions that the young man was
| the heir 10 the Earldom of Mar, he never
allowed the documentary proofs TO go out
OF his hands. He said that all would be
left iii proper shape at his death. A few
years ago. however, the old man died very
suddenly, without leaving the wards
claim to the property Of the dead earl,
Later on, while excavations were being
made III an clubhouse ON the Campbell
homestead, a bottle was found with sever
alletters in it from the Earl Of Mar which
referred TO his sou.
This seemed to be all the proof neees-
sary: but, III addition TO that, DIR. Erskine
! has visited Scotland quietly, and found the
people who had taken care of him when
all infant and handed him over to Camp
bell. The papers held by them, and also
those found in the bottle, set forth GER
/ tain marks by which the heir could al
ways be known, aud these the claimant
! undoubtedly bears. His resemblance To
i the late Earl is also so striking, despite
the changes which hard work has made,
5
that friends of the nobleman have no diff
/ Guilty whatever ii identifying Mr.. Err
skine as tile son Of the earl. Articles of
gold and silverWare, as well as Il ring, are
iii the presumptive heirs possession, bears
ing the initials Of his mother and father
Leading lawyers in this country and
Scotland hold out The strongest encour-
agement to Mr.. Erskine, and men o.
means are Offering to unite in joint stock
company to establish the claim If q bond
il given to pay 4 certain percentage o.
!. their investment. According g the out
4 look, Mr.. Erskine's working days ar
! over, and his insta1lment ~ the Earl O
2 Mar remains only q nlatter Of time. ~
: ID being visited by thousands, and hl;
: story, is it Is learned, aWakelis the deep
d est interest.
Senator Penelleton. OF Ohio, says thslth ht
has had several headaches In trying 70 III
~