New-York tribune., 1907-11-09
COURTROOM CROWDED.
Attempt to Discredit CaId5celPS TeS-
timOng-Case adjourned.

London. Nov S-Hundreds of persons vainly
fought for admittance TO the Marylebone police
court this afternoon when the hearing of the
Druce case was resumed. Herbert Druce, son
of the late Thomas Charles Druce, is charged
with perjury by his nephew, George Hollamby
Druce who alleges that the defendant "on the
2Sth day of March, in the year 1898, at The
Beeches, Circus Road. St Johns Wood, did
commit wilful and corrupt perjury in af-
fdavit" and that he also did in the Pro
bate Court on the Sd and 4th days of December
1901. The charge is incidental TO the Druce
claim 20 the estates of the Duke of Portland
and dates back TO 1893. At every step the case
has been vigorously contested by the present
Duke Of Portland In brief, this remarkable
case hinges on the old question whether Thomas
Charles Druce, at one time the owner of the
famous Baker Street Bazaar, who was said to
have died forty-three years ago, was or was
not the same person as the eccentric fifth Duke
Of Portland, who died in 1879
In spite of the fact that only ticket holders
were admitted to-day to the dingy courtroom of
the Marylebone police district, it was much
overcrowded. Interest in the proceedings was
heightened by the alleged theft since the previ-
GUS hearing of the diary of Miss Robinson, the
daughter of a Southern tobacco planter. who
was employed as an amanuensis in the Baker
Welbeck Abbey, the Portland seat. where she
saw the late T. C Druce. father Of the late
George Druce. who in turn was father of George
Hollamby Druce. the claimant Of the estates
as the Duke Of Portland whose identity with
T. C. Druce she said she was able to establish
Many titled persons occupied seats the
bench with the magistrate at the Maryebone
court this morning, including Princess Won
Hatfield and Ladies Lytton. Grey and Gal
way.
Eminent counsel have been engaged on both
sides and the Duke OF Portland and Lord How
ard De Walden, the occupant Of the estates
who are so intimately concerned in the out
come, are legally represented.
A TILT OVER MISSING DIARY.
The proceedings opened with tilt between
Horace Avory, K. C, counsel for the defence
and L. Atherley-Jones, K. c. counsel for the
prosecutor. Mr. Avory warmly repudiated a
suggestion contained in a letter of plaintiffs
counsel to the effect that the defendants were
in some way connected with the theft of the
diary which Miss Robinson averred stolen
from her in a street Counsel for the plaintiff
eventually expressed regret that the letter had
been written.
Robert c. Caldwell, of Jay street. Richmond.
Staten Island. New York. testified that he knew
the late Duke of Portland both as the duke and
as T. G. Druce at Welbeck Abbey and at the
Baker Street Bazaar. Mr. Caldwell added that
he treated the duke at both places for disease
Of the nose.
There was a buzz of excitement when Mr..
Caldwell swore that in conjunction with the
duke he arranged the death and mock funeral Of
Druce so that his dual personality could be
buried
Mr. Caldwell further testified that at the
dukes request he employed a carpenter to make
coffin. purchased two hundred pounds Of lead
and put it in the coffin himself The funeral
occurred on the following day.
The witness, Mr.. Caldwell, further testified
that he saw the duke the morning of the
funeral at the Baker Street Bazaar.
When two photographs shown TO him Mr..
Caldwell swore that they photographs of
the Duke OF Portland in the character of T. G.
Druce
The witness was then asked TO account for
the beard shown I'm one Of the photographs, and
replied that he had seen the duke wear false
beard and had seen him take it off.
day or two after the funeral Mr.. Caldwell
added. he asked the Duke Of Portland If the
so-called "Druce' had left a will. The duke
thanked Nr. Caldwell for reminding him of such
an important point, and said he must have
one made
cALDWELLs RELATIONS WITH DUKE.
Mr- Caldwell then gave detailed account Of
MS Introduction TO the Duke OF Portland in
1893 by Sir Morell Mackenzie. who died I'm Lon
con early in 1892. Mr.. Caldwell referred to his
intimacy with the duke. to his numerous visits
70 the duke both at Welbeck Abbey and the
Baker Street Bazaar. and TO his cure of the
Continued third page.