The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-25
CLAIMS A DUKES ESTATE.
Mystery Involved in the Double Life
of an English NObIeman.
From the Philadelphia Record

From the Philadelphia Record.
London, March 1.-THE European edi-
ton of the New York Herald publishes
an extraordinary story, in which it Is as
serted that a Mrs. bruce claims that her
son in Australia is the rightful Duke of
Portland. The issue at stake is no less
than the title of the famous dukedom, and
the circumstances are so extraordinary
that they are bewilderlng. Anna Maria
bruce alleges that the father of her late
husband was no other than the fifth Duke
of Portland, who was supposed to have
died unmarried; that his alleged death
and burial under the name of bruce was
merely a blind, end that he finally lived
and died after having been under the care
of DR.. Forbes wlnslow in a lunatic asy-
lum as DR.. Harner.
In an interview to-day Mrs. bruce re-
lates the following remarkable story:
THE marriage on Oct. so, 1851 at New
Windsor, Berkshire, between my late nus
bands father and mother, in which the
names were recorded as Thomas Charles
bruce and Annie May, was in reality he
tween the Marquis of Titchfield, afterWard
the fifth Duke of Portland and the nle-
Ultimate daughter of the fifth Earl of
Berkeley.
1.-THE marquis and his brother Lord
George Bentiuck, were both in love with
the same woman, but, while the youngers
suit received the appreciation of their faith
er the latter not only discouraged the de-
sire of the eldest son, but treated Kim
with insult and referred in very gross
terms to skin disease from which he
I suffered.
THE climax to the quarrel between the
brothers was reached Sept 81, 1S4S. when
Lord George was found dead near Wei
beck Abbey--it was stated from a spasm
of the heart.
whether this was the true cause of
his death will never be known, but it is
certain that from that time my hus-
bands father suffered the keenest remorse
and abject fear He was nearly always
in state of terror.
HE took various courses for his pro-
lection and adopting the name of Thomas
Charles bruce, transferred to himself as
bruce an immense property from himself
as Duke of Portland.
Everybody knows the manner in
which he undermined Welbeck Abbey with
subterranean apartments. He did pre-
cisely tie same thing with the Baker street
bazaar his desire in each case being that
he might have always ready place of
refuge.
Realizing the risk of exposure to which
he was, subjecting himself by his double
existence, he determined to end his life
as Druce and caused a coffin to be buried
with his supposed remains.
Even after this his fears were not quiet
ed. AT last he determined to assume mad
| ness. that should he be ever accused of
any crime he might have the plea of in
sanity TO fall back upon.
Taking the name of Harmer and con.
Quoting himself in the most extravagant
manner, he caused himself TO be placed
under the care Of DR. Forbes Winslow. and
succeeded entirely in convincing that gen.
tleman of his madness. But after about
year of Incarceration he was permitted
10 leave.
AS to opening the grave. had received
a letter from the cemetery company, say
ing II will not be opened without my sons
written authority. As he is in Australia.
It must be delayed but l am absolutely
confident OF success"
The case has been regarded so serious
~ that application has been made TO the
Consistory Court of London for an inves
legation.