The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-31
MYSTERY OF TOMB OPENED ID WORLD Druce Vault Invaded and Bones
 Found In Coffin THEORIES ARE EXPLODED Testimony of Certain Witnesses In the Famous Case Will Go For Naught.
 pruce Claimants Will
 Push Their Suit.
THEORIES ARE EXPLODED

London December 3O.-The body of
 Charles Druce, in Highgate cemetery, was exhumed this morning, just 43 years
 to day after it's burial. The coffin was found to contain the remains of human body thus exploding the romantic tale
 told by Robert c. Caldwell and others
 who swore during the recent hearing of
 the Druce perjury case that it contained
 a roll of lead.
 The official statement given out by rep
 resentatives of the home office and others
 who were officially present at the ex-
 humation, not only definitely disposes of the lead myth. but seems effectively to
 prove that the body buried in 1864 was
 actually the body of T. c. Druce. The authorized statement follows;
 "The coffin was opened and found to
 contain the body of an aged, bearded
 man. The plate on the coffin bore the
 name Thomas Charles Druce.'" The scene at Highgate cemetery this morning when the vault was opened was remarkable Constables seemed to spring from everywhere; every bush and every tree apparently hid an officer of the law. All the entrances to the cemetery we've surrounded by cordons of police. All the people who had passes from the home office were admitted to the grounds. George Hollamby Druce, who claims he is the rightful heir to the Portland duke , dom and to it's vast estate, tried twice 10 get into the cemetery, but was met with stern refusal The operations began Lo foremost collins in ths vault, containing the bodies of the wife and son of Druce. It was nearly 11:30 o'clock before the coffin, the contents of which has aroused the curiosity of the whole world, was brought up ready for opening and inspec- ton. The top was quickly unscrewed and the inner casing of lead cut open.
 There was no need for the distum of the eminent surgeon, Augustus J. Pepper, who was appointed by the home office to carry out the exhumation, to assure all present that human remains lay in the coffin.
 Secret Is Revealed.
 The Druce vault has thus given up it's secret after 10 years of legal proceedings which have cost, all told, a considerable fortune. A large part ol tHlS money WdS obtained from servant girls and other workers who were induced to buy shares in company formed to prosecute the claims of George Hollamby Druce against the estate of the Duke of Portland. The charge of perjury against Herbert Druce Is thus effectively disposed of. Herbert Druce, the defendant in the l famous case, was charged with commit ], ting perjury by swearing that his father Charles DrIIra Of fha Baker l street bazar, died December 2S, 1864, and | that he saw the dead body placed in a ' coffin and buried in Highgate cemetery 1 His nephew, George Hollamby Druce | declared that this must be untrue, be- | cause the C. Druce was in fact the fifth Duke of Portland who lived until 1879. The nephew George Hollamby Druce, declares that he himself being the senior Ascendant in the male line. is now the | rehtful heir to the Portland dukedom | and to certain rich estates, the income | of which is placed at S,50OoOO year, l now held by Lord Howard De Walden. Will Push His Claim.
 i Despite the finding of the body. George | H. Druce says that he Is determined to | continue to push his claim for the estate ] and title of the Portland dukedom. In | an interview tonight he said:
 l, Tt is foolish to deny that ! am bitterly l disappointed. but I have not abandoned l hope. I am prepared to admit that the man known as Thomas Charles Druce