Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-31
A kInNAPpEp sos.
n. C. Druce Gone TO England In the
po,c of Getting n 100000 Estate.

uore Of Getting n Sf.0oO.ooo Estntc.
A Wukesbarre CPa) special says: Ed
win Churchill bruce, OF Scranton sahed
10 England recently. In the hope OF es-
| tabllshing his claim to the estate OF the
late Baron Churchill. OF Lancashire The
estate is worth 100000. and bruce says
he is the son OF the Baron. and was kio-
Mapped about forty years ago. his s'ors
IN this: ,,,,,
Thomas Druce and Frederick Hin,
young men OF Aoslsy. Lancashire. were ar
rested foriy-cisht years ago at the IN
stance OF ISaron Churchill. who charged
them with stealing cattle from him. Ihey
were transported 10 Australia, Druce TOT
twelve wears. and Hill for twenty years.
Druca always said he was innocent ana
revenge was the only thlnS ne thousht
OF during his Punishment When AZ 'he
end Of ten years he returned TO Mosiev
I ne learned that the Baron had married
and had a son two years 90.
The former convict determined 10 s'lihe
al the father through the child. ne per
shaded two women to assist him. ana one
dav while the boy was playing In his
fathers mark the women led him away
| ana gave him to Druce. who hid MIN uhti
the hue and cry raised over MS uisap-
ncarance had in n measure subsidized.
Then young Churchill was taken 10
the home OF James Druce, ON
brother. some distance away IN the VII
lape az TROY. and was thereafter known
az Edwin bruce. ana was reared like the
other children Of the neighborhood.
: THOUGHT HE WAS DEAD.
Raron Churchill and his wife were un-
remitting in their efforts to IND their
child. but. falling to discover any clue
NJ him became convinced that he was
dead. Soon after the heartproKeh
mother died.
Before Edwin had reached the age OF
fifteen he was sent TO the mills py james
Druce. and when he reached his majority
lanes Druce told him he wanted him
In marry one OF two girls he had always
looked on as his sisters. Just at this time
n letter arrived for Edwin, which con-
tanned information as 10 his birth. II
, had been sent by some one acquainted
with the facts, and who desired 10 see
iustlce done to the young man. This let
trr was intercepted by James bruce, tut
the girl the father had Intended the
Young man TO marry learned that II con-
tanned facts concerning her adopted
brothers BIRTH and acquainted him with
the information in her possession. Ed
win demanded TO know the names OF bis
parents. but James bruce declared that he
was bis son. and Edwin left the Druce
homestead. obtained employment as
mail carrier, afterwards went 10 CdnlGa,
and moved TO Scranton five years ago
He had been IN Scranton only a short
time when James bruce arrived. y
truce was patched up. and Edwin and the
man he once thought was his father
lived together.
TOLD PART OF THE STORY.
James bruce became very III two years
I ago and told Edwin that the latter had
been stolen when a youth, and save "A
partial description of the estate his
/ father owned in England and the family
coat Of arms. Then he suddenly stopped,
and nothing could induce him TO con-
tinue the story. Presently he recovered,
I but never disclosed the secret 10 Edwin.
With the assistance OF George Hicks,
a friend. Edwin got some money and sail
/ ed for his native land. a letter from
/ Edwin was received by Hicks recently
which described the progress Of his search
| for information. He is now boarding with
| Mrs. Fender. OF No. 133 Sunny lane. Mos
/ ley. In his letter he said he was in pos
! session Of the story OF his life. one Of
/ the women VINO assisted In his Kidnapping
had died while he was in America. but
had confessed her part I'm the transaction.
Edwin's object now Is TO find Thomas
| bruce.