Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-22
TALE CALDWELL TOLD G.
VERY INTERESTING AND I'M
! PoRTANT IF TRUE.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, December Clearly last
summer Caldwell tried to sell to New
York newspapers for the modest sum of
$4,000 a story which he claimed to be
the truth regarding the theft of the body
shortly afterward went to London to give
evidence in the bruce trial. This action
was instituted by members of the bruce
family to recover the estates now held
by Lord Howard de Walden as heir-at-
law of the fifth Duke of Portland. Here
was litigation involving dukedom, and
probably offered a better field for high
class endeavor than selling mere $4,000
stories.
The bruce action began in London Oc-
tooer 13 last. and its revelations caused
that the fifth Duke of Portland led a
dual life and was one and the same with
Thomas Charles bruce, who kept ba-
Zaar on Baker street in London and
tended the counter sometimes himself.
The bruce evidence also set forth that
the present George H. bruce was the
grandsd1 of the storekeeper, and there
fore the rightful heir Of the Duke of
Portland.
Told Marvellous Story.
The syndicate formed to support the
bruce claims laid great stress on Cald-
wells testimony, for it was asserted that
he had known the Duke of Portland very
well and had known of his alleged con-
nection with the Baker street shop. When
Caldwell appeared to give his testimony
those in court saw a white-hared man,
apparently over seventy years old. and
heard his remarkable story delivered in a
quiet tone. 1t began back in 1855, when
Caldwell was nineteen years old. At this
time he was affected by a Dubious growth
Of the nose. He lived at this time at the
parental home, in Ireland. and his father
sent him to various surgeons in search
of cure. He found one, after travelling
all over the world.
1t was shortly after this time that Cald-
we'll learned that the Duke of Portland
was afflicted by a dubious growth of the
nose. He conveyed the information that
he possessed the wonderful secret of a
cure and was called in to assist Sir Nor
rell Mackenzie in trying to effect cure
for the duke The remedy again made
good and the duke was cured Subsequent
ly the handy Caldwell became a frequent
err of the ducal mansion. and according to
his story grew to be the dukes confident.
That Fake Funeral.
In the course of time, Caldwell asserted
in his story. he learned that the duke
was leading a dual life. Part of the time
he was the bachelor Duke of Portland and
part of the time the modest bruce.
storekeeper up Baker street, who was
married and had children. In time the
duke appeared to tire Of the Baker. street
idea, and in order to rid himself of the
incubus decided to all intents and pur-
poses to die.
This decision was reached. the story
went on in 1854. and in order to facilitate
matters mock funeral was held. Cald-
well declares that he was chief assistant
at the fake obseuuies. His testimony
was to the effect that about 200 pounds of
lead was nut in the coffin which was sup
posed to contain Druces body. after which
an interment was held and monument
erected to Druce's memory. His 1amily
inherited the bazaar in Baker street.
Shortly after this. for various services
rendered. Caldwell is said to have re-
ceived the sum of $4,000 from the Duke
of Portland. In 1870 Caldwell came to
America. and nine years later the fifth
Duke of Portland died In seclusion at
welbeck Abbey. his seat.