Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-30
PORTLAND DEFENSE
PICKS FLAWS IN THE STORY OF
... MRS. HAMILTON.

Special Cablegram to The Star.
LONDON, November aO.-When the
hearing Of the perjury charge Aasaiast
Herbert sDruce was resumed In tn Marys
1ebone police court yesterday Mrs. Mar
garet Hamilton was on the witness stand
and was closely cross-examined by Mr.
Avery, counsel for the defendant. He
pointed out several instances in her di-
rect testimony in which she had CONTRA
dicted the testimony she had given in the
former proceedings, taken at the instance
Of the late Mrs. Anna Maria Druce.
Witness stated in answer to questions
that before the alleged funeral of "T c.
Drnce" she interviewed the Duke Of Port
land, who said: I'm going to die. am
going to do away with Druce.''
Witness father attended the funeral
She did not think 'Druce" had pretended
to be Ill. He attended at the Bazaar on
the day of the funeral. But he made him
self i'll with anxiety.
Story Of the Case.
George Hollamby Druce is prosecuting
Herbert for perjury because, In affidavit,
he testified that he saw T. C. Druce lying
dead In his coffin. whereas George con-
tends that T. c.. Druce and the late fifth
Duke of Portland were one and the same
man, and that T. c. Druce died. in 1864,
q mock funeral being conducted in the
case and a coffin filled with lead being
buried in Highgate cemetery, the duke
dying in 1879.
:. If George Druce succeeds in showing
that the T. G. Druce who was his grand
father, was the fifth Duke of Portland he
some Of the spoils of victory-what pro-
portion Is not known-will go to the G. H.
Druce Company Qimited), a stock COM
pany which was formed to prosecute
Georges claim and which is paying the
expenses of the proceedings, which are
heavy.
Kings counsel come high. Atherley
Jones' K c., M. P. is conducting the case
for George and Mr.. Crispe, K c., is
watching" it for the Druce Company.
gentlemen engaged in the case. But the
stake Is big.
George H. Druce. who declares himself
the grandson of the fifth Duke of Port
land by his first wife, Miss Crickmer,
claims against Lord Howard de Walden
that portion of the Portland heritage
known as the Middlesex estate, which is
held by de Walden from his mother, the
late Dowager. Lady Howard de Walden,
who inherited the estate from her
duke he died without heirs. and this
portion of the estate. In accordance with
the will Of the fourth duke, went to the
fifth dukes sister.
Probable Outcome.
But il Druce wins, and his success in
the present perjury case would go far to-
ward that end. he Is not likely to be sat
isfied with the de Walden estate. though
that includes some of the best residence
and business property in London, in the
neighborhood Of Cavendsh Square Port
land place and Harley street, and brings
in revenue estimated at $1.5OOOOO a year.
He will claim the rest of the Portland
property, which consists of 1854 acres
in six counties and Is valued at 81, 900 900,
not ounting welbeck Abbey, which is
crammed with almost priceless works of
art. One of the articles Of it's furniture is
a table that is worth $4,000.
The founder of the Portland family and
fortunes was Hans William Bentinck a
Hollander. who was a close friend and
stanch adherent of William of Orange.
When the latter became William III of
England he rewarded Bentinck's devotion
with titles and estates, and the wealth
thus won has been Increased by marriages
with great heiresses and the natural ap-
probation Of property we'll held and well