THE DRUCE CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 309, 6 January 1908, Page 2

THE DRUCE CASE.

CALDWELL ON IUS DEATHBED. HIS DYING STATEMENT. Kcceive sth, 4.35 p.m. London, January 4. Caldwell, under arrest in New York on a charge, of perjury, has signed a deathbed statement tli.it the vault contains a collin ulle.u wan lead. CALDWELL'S EVIDENCE.

Caldwell, giving evidence in the per : ' jury easu against Herbert Druee, tmis (estilied to the alleged bogus funeral:— Did you go to a store to buy some- ' thing;—Yeß. What was it?— Sheet lead. What waa the weight of if;— About 2001b. Why 2001bs?—It represented about the weight of a person who had died. Where did you tak;' it to?—To the shop. What did you do with it?—l put. it | in the box with an old man at the shop. Where was the Duke?—l do not I know. He. was not lit the shop then. | When the cnflin came, what did you do? —Put the lead in it.

The witness siiil he did not reinein-j lier the shop nt which lie purchased thr I lead, but it was not far fo-oni lh t bazaar. Do you remember a funeral taking place 'the next day?—l do, very distinctly. Did you order a hearse?—l did; from' a livery stable, not from an undertaker. , At whose request did you order tne hearse?—At the request of the Duke of Portland. I never took orders from anyone else. Did you order any mourning coachos i —I did, sir. Also at Mb request!— Yes. Mr IMowden: Was the Dukes request in writing?—No verbally. Air Jones: How many mourning coaches were there?—l believe tnerc were fifty altogthcr. What was done with the eolniK— It was placed in the hearse. Did yon see it put in?-I assisted to nut it in. _ Was there any body in it?—No, onl> lead and brass. Was the coffin dosed up?— Myself and the old man put the lid on, and a carpenter was culled to screw it down. Did you go to the funeral?— No.