Evening journal., 1895-05-30
He CLAIMS A FORTUNE.
Young Druce Looking For His
$1,000, 900 Estate In England.
WAS KIDNAPPED WHEN A CHILD.

Romantic Story of a Young Man Who Has
Left Scranton, Pa, TO lay Claim to the
Estate Left by Baron ChurchuI, Who
He Says Was His Father.
W1LKEsBARRE Pa, May 80. Edwin
Churchill Druce Of Scranton sailed to
England recently in the hope Of establish
ing his claim TO the estate of tho late Bar
on Churchill Of Lancashire The estate is
worth 81, OOG, 600 and Druoe says be is the
son Of the baron and was kidnapped about
40 years ago. His story is this:
Thomas Druce and Frederick Hill,
young men Of Mosley Lancashire were
arrested 4S years ago at the instance OF
Baron Churchill, who charged them with
stealing cattle from him. They were trans
ported to Australia Druoe for II years
and Hill for 20 years. Druce always said
ho was innocent, and revenge was the only
thing he thought Of during his banish-
ment. When at the end Of ten years he re-
turned to Mosley, he learned that the baron
had married and had boy years old
The former convict determined to strike
at tho father through tho child He per-
suaded two women TO assist him. and ono
day while the boy was playing in his faith
er's park the women led him away and
gave him to Druoe, who hid him until tho
hue and cry raised over his disappearance
had in a measure subsidized
Parents Thought Him Dead.
Then young Churchill was taken to the
homo Of James Druoe, Toms brother
somo distance away in the village Of Troy
and was thereafter known as Edwin Druce
and was raised like tho other children OF
the neighborhood.
Baron Churchill and his wife were un-
remitting in thoir efforts TO find their
child; but, falling to discover any clew of
him, became convinced that he was dead
Soon after the heartbroken mother died.
Before Edwin had reached the ago of / 5
he was sent to the mills by James Druoe,
and when he reached his majority James
Druoo told him he wanted him to marry
one Of two girls he had always looked on
as his sisters.
just at this time a letter arrived for
Edwin, which contained information as to
his birth. 1t had been sent by some one
acquainted with the facts and who desired
to see justice done to the young man.
This letter was intercepted by James
Druco, but the &rl the father had intend
cd the young man to marry learned that
It contained facts concerning her adopted
brother's birth and acquainted him with
the Information in her possession.
He Drifted 60 Scranton.
Edwin demanded to know the names OF
his parents but James Druce declared that
he was his son, and Edwin left the Druce
homestead, obtained employment as a
mail carrier afterward went to Canada
and moved to Scranton Eve years ago He
had been in Scranton only short time
when James Druce arrived.
A truce was patched up and Edwin and
the man ho once thought was his father
lived together
James Druoe became very III two years
ago and told Edwin that the latter had
been stolen when youth and gave par
tial 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 continue the
story. Presently he recovered, but never
disclosed the secret TO Edwin.
With the assistance of George Hicks. 3
friend, Edwin got some money and sailed
for his native land. A letter from Edwin
was received by Hicks recently which de-
soribed tho progress of his search for in.
formation. He is now boarding with Mrs.
Pender OF 1873 Sunny lane, Mosley. In this
letter he said he was in possession Of the
story OF his life. One Of the women who
assisted in his kidnapping had died while
he was in America, but had confessed her
part in the transaction. Edwins object
now is to find Thomas Druce