Untitled

Otago Witness, Issue 2809, 15 January 1908, Page 19

THE PORTLAND ESTATES.

. . LONDON, January 7. «• - Mr Plowden, the magistrate before .whom the case was heard, asked Mr Atherley Jones, counsel for the prosecution, what impression Dr Pepper's very remarkable evidence had produced on this mind. Mt Jones said it was impossible after tearing that evidence to press the case further. He complained that undeserved obloquy had been cast upon the prosecution, considering that, except in regard to one witness^ their large body of evidence was, unshaken by a strenuous and ■prolonged cross .examination. After the exhumation, however, it was impossible to deny that "it had been clearly demonstrated that Thomas Charles Druce died in London and wad buried at Highgate, and that the body exhumed was the same •feody as that which was buried. There ■was also strong evidence to show that .the body was Druce's. While Mr Herbert ODruce was right in refusing to open the grave under the menace of a prosecution, lie -showed wise judgment in yielding to moral pressure and public opinion. . Mt Plowden said after the silent, but important voice from the grave it would - toe impossible to continue the prosecution .Without' a serious injury to justice, but, &part from this new and dramatic feature, •3lr Jones must have felt the foundations of his case slipping away after the collapse of. his most, important witness and -ibis' long and fruitless cross-examination of Nurse Bailey. At last the' bubble .which had floated so long mischievously out "of reach had been effectively wrecked. 'He went on to say : "No one can now doubt-that Druce died amid his family, ana was buried at Highgate. His existence out as clear, distinct, and undeniable as that of any human being iwho ever lived. How the myth confusing ihim with the Duke of Portland arose it •would be idle to speculate. The case is a fresh instance of how the love of the marvellous is deeply ingrained in human nature, and a striking proof of the truly .unfathomable depths of human credulity." i The court thanked Mr Herbert Druce j for consenting, in the interests of justice, | to the distasteful step of opening the grave, and added that he left the court "with his character for truthfulness absolutely "and conclusively vindicated. , The Times says the Druce prosecution came to a fit and ignominious end. One of the greatest delusions of modern times ihas been exploded, and brought for ever to an end, wje popular legend regarding ±he identity of Druce and the 'Duke of Portland. .The Telegraph says it is difficult to adequately y characterise a prosecution rebutted by 'such impressive testimony, and expresses the hope that justice* will put some pertinent questions to those bolstering up the monstrous and wicked fabrication of a mock funeral. „tt. meeting of the Druce-Portland shareholders has been convened for three weeks 'hence. Mr T. K. Cockburn states that he is informed that the proceedings have already cost nearly £7000, and that further funds are required for civil litigation. NEW YORK, January 7. Bobert Caldwell, who was one of the most important witnesses in the Druce TCase, is reported to be dying. January 12. Bobert Caldwell, a witness in the Druce case, is improving in health. The extradition* proceedings have been adjourned for a fortnight, when it is hoped he will fee able to attend.