THE DRUCE GRAVE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 76, 23 December 1907, Page 7

THE DRUCE GRAVE.

INTENDED EXHUMATION.

MORE '/EVIDENCE FOR ACCUSED.

ORIGIN OF BOGUS BURIAL STORY. hi xELEaiwriM'iiEss association—oorYMGnT. (Rcc. Duo, 22, 4.58 p.m.) London, December 21.

In connection with tho charge of perjury ngaiost Horbort Druco—who sworo that in 180J ho saw T C. Druco, his father, dead in a coffin —Cathorino Bailey, for many years in T. C. Druce's omploy, continued her evidoncß for tho defence. Tho witness had previously testified that T. 0. Druco died in hor presenoo at his Mill Hill residenco in Decorabor, 1864. Witness, in cross-examination; said that T. C. Druco always shaved his beard. In his oarlier years ho. had ,no moustache. Witness, when shown -a largo photograph (number 7 of tho alleged Druce-Portland protographs) with side whiskors, recognised it as Druce's. Sho said sho had one similar to it, taken later. She also had anbthor taken throe years before T. C. Druce died, showing him with a full beard and' mous- ' tache. ' ■. Sho had heard silly gossiping people talk about a mock funeral. Asked when she first hoard the story, witness roplied: "I supposo when Druco was suppbsedJ;o die or did die!" Witness further stated that betweeh 1848 and 1864 Druco nevor slept at his residence unless his family accompanied him. She and Dr, Shaw (a proviousi witness) woro present when the,body was placed in tho coffin. : In reply to the Magistrate (Mr. Plowden), witness said she attributed the mock funeral story, to Anna Maria Druce, the original claimant. • . ' Further., hearing of the case was adjourned till January 6., ■..:.' All preliminaries'- in connection with tho opening of T.C. Druce's grave at Highgato Cemetery have been settled, but exhumation of' the; remains: will not take place until after, Christmas.. ... . The original proceedings, instituted by Anna Maria Druco about 1898, wereWescribed in The Dominion of December 18. - Anna Maria Dnicc is the widow of Herbert Druce's brother Walter. Both Herhert and. Walter were sons of T. C. Druco, by (it is said) a second marriage.