The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-01

els Drake Of RAnt, England.
Twenty million dollars is the share ex-
pected by Elmer w. Drake of No. 1858 Cook
avenue. st. Louis. from the estate Of Sir
Francis Drake Of Kent, England. when set
Element is made with the heirs. which 1t is
thought will be soon. The estate Is now fig
ured in excess Of 100000 10000. One hundred
and fifty heirs have been found.
q. G. Curry of Omaha, an attorney, who
claims to be a descendant, has been giving
his attention to the claim and looking up
the heirs for several years. Elmer w. Drake
Is In communication with him, and expects
within few days to know the exact amount
Of the estate, and when payment will be
made.
Elmer w. Drake is an old man, we'll
known in st. Louis. He is in the lumber
j., where two entire generations OF the
brakes were born. His grandfather moved
to New Jersey before the war of the Ameri-
can Revolution. There he built house, in
which three generations of the brakes have
lived and which still stands. The house was
story and half high. plainly built. and
stood in the shade. of several giant trees.
General Washington made his headQuart-
ers In the east room for some time before
the battle of Monmouth. an engagement
with the Hessians, in which Mr.. brakes
grandfather was killed. The only draw
back to Mr.. brakes claim is that he can
not remember his grandfathers given
name, and this Is not considered important.
Charles D. Drake, once United States Sem
ator from Missouri, and Elmer w. brakes
fathers were cousins. Senator Drake made
trip to England to examine into the con-
ditions Of the estate. and returned confident
that It would be settled in few years. He
was also absolutely certain, according to
Mr.. Drake, that his family was in direct
descent from Sir Francis Drake. IF Sem
ator Drake were only living the claim
make could be proven without further trout
BILE. But, as it is. I expect 1t 20 be all
right" he says.
Descendants Resembled Ancestors.
+ Mr.. brakes father was Daniel Drake
who, 1t is said, strikingly resembled the
great buccaneer. Daniel Drake was cele-
brated physician. Several years before his
death he sold his home, built 100 years ago
by his father. and moved to Ohio.
II there were NO, other evidence Of the
relationship of the present Drake, or his
father and grandfather. to Sir Francis
Drake, strong claim could be made through
the fact that these brakes were lovers of
the sea, as great as was Queen Elizabeth's
sea rover. The American brakes were con-
nected in business relations with the East
India Company, sailed vessels. and several
were seamen at various times.
IT ran away once to go to sea-" said
Elmer Drake. II was told could ship II I
would work. ! heard my parents were look
ing for me, but I kept quiet until was
cuffed around several times, when re-
minded several burly salts that was still
free citizen, and let a barrel OF salt pork
smash to pieces for revenge.
"'You young rascal, what did you do that
forr called fellow to me. told him I
wanted him to kick me again so could
knock him down with stave from the
broken barrel. He laughed at my young
fury, and leased my anger to such a pitch
that 1 threw the stave down, left the vessel
and went home"