Bristol Mercury - Friday, April 12, 1895

Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor again appeared in the dock at Bow street, London, yesterday. The Extradition Court was thronged when Sir John Bridge took his seat. Mr Gill again appeared for the Treasury; Sir Edward Clarke and Mr Travers Humphreys defended Wilde, and Mr Arthur Newton, solicitor, appeared for Taylor. Both prisoners had altered somewhat in appearance. Wilde was thinner and paler, and Taylor had lost that jaunty and contemptuous bearing with which he surveyed his surroundings on the last occasion.

Sir E. Clarke said he appeared to defend Mr Oscar Wilde. He did not propose to cross-examine the witnesses called on Saturday, and he should probably take the same course with the other witnesses. His desire was to shorten the proceeding in that court.

The Magistrate said it was incumbent on all of them to get the matter over as speedily as possible.

Charles Parker, recalled, was cross-examined by Mr Newton. He admitted being arrested in August last in Fitzroy square, but denied that he was a friend of many of the men arrested there. Taylor might not have heard Wilde ask witness to go to the Savoy. Witness knew a man named Atkins, but was not aware that he was a notorious blackmailer.

Mr Gill said he did not know why this cross-examination was being pursued.

Mr Newton replied that he was entitled to show that this witness was an associate of most notorious and degraded characters.

Parker, replying to further questions, admitted receiving from two men £80, being part of a sum which had been obtained from a gentleman with an accusation of crime committed with witness himself. He denied being discharged from a situation as valet for being a thief.

Frederick Atkins, 20, who described himself as a comedian, detailed the circumstances under which, in November, 1892, he accompanied Wilde to Paris.

The next witness was Edward Shelley, who said he was formerly employed at a firm of publishers with whom the defendant Wilde had business. Witness made Wilde's acquaintance in February, 1892, and dined with him at the Albemarle hotel. After dinner they went to a private sitting room and had drink.

After evidence had been called as to Wilde's visits to Parker at different addresses, the proprietor of the Hotel Aibemarle said he pressed Wilde for a small bill to deter him from frequenting that house. This was in consequence of something he had seen on the occasion of visits of young men to Wilde.

After a brief examination of Mr Mathews, publisher, former employer of the youth Shelley, Police Inspector Richards deposed to having on the 5th inst. visited the Cadogan hotel and apprehended Wilde. Testimony was afterwards adduced as to the arrest of Taylor.

Mr Gill announced that he did not propose to go further that day.

Sir J. Bridge thereupon remanded the prisoners until Friday next week, and again declined to accept bail.

Irish Daily Independent - Friday, April 12, 1895

London, Thursday Evening.

Today Sir John Bridge again sat in the Extradition Court at Bow street to heat further evidence on the charges of gross indecency preferred against Oscar Fingal O’Flaherty Wilde, poet and dramatist. With him was Alfred Taylor, who it will be remembered, was arrested during the progress of the case on Saturday last. This morning two stalwart police constables guarded the gates at the foot of the suitcase leading to the Extradition Court, and a few minutes before eleven, when, at a signal given by the chief usher, the bolts were drawn, there was a rush for places, but, owing to the very limited accommodation, the majority of those who were admitted were obliged to stand. Sir Edward Clarke, QC, MP, whose offer to conduct the defence of Wilde had been thankfully accepted, sat in the seats reserved for counsel, accompanied by Mr Travers Humphreys, barrister, his junior. Mr Arthur Newton, freshly instructed, sat at the solicitors’ able, holding in his hand a brief for the prisoner Taylor. Mr C F Gill, who, instructed by Mr Angus Lewis, conducts the case for the prosecution, arrived later, the Hon H of the Treasury, also attending. The charge against Taylor in that of conspiring with Wilde to obtain boys for an unlawful purpose. Sir John took his seat at five minutes past eleven o’clock.

Wilde’s face has undergone a distinct change since his appearance on Saturday. He is paler and thinner. He entered with a languid and wearisome air, and having seated himself at one end of the dock, heavily upon his right elbow. Taylor had lost the jaunty and rather contemptuous bearing with which he surveyed his surroundings on the last occasion.

Sir Edward Clarke at once rose and raise — I appear in this case with my friend, Mr. Travers Humphreys, for the defence of Mr Oscar Wilde. I have had the opportunity of reading the depositions which were taken last Saturday, and I am much obliged for the permission to postpone the cross-examination of those witnesses. But upon considering the matter I have decided not to ask for this witnesses to be called for cross-examination, as probably no cross-examination could affect the result, so far as this court is concerned, and so far as your action in the matter is concerned. And of course it is desirable on all ground that the investigation shall be taken in as short a time as possible, and with as few occasions of hearing in this court as possible, and as that with regard to the witnesses who had been called I shall probably take the same course with regard to other witnesses with a view to shorten the proceedings before you.

Sir John Bridge — It is absolutely incumbent upon all of us to get the matter over as quickly and speedily as possible.

Mr Newton asked to be allowed to put a few questions to some of the witnesses examined on Saturday.

Charles Parker was then recalled, and in answer to Mr Newton said he was born in 1874. He was in employment at the present time and had been in it for nearly eight months.

Were you not arrested in Fitzroy square in August last? Yes.

Were you a friend of any of the men who were arrested there. No, I only knew one.

Mr Newton then questioned witness with regard to a conversation he had with Taylor when the latter, as witness alleged, spoke to him at St James’ Restaurant in 1893. Witness said that was the first time he saw Taylor, and the latter was not introduced to him by a man named Harrington. He made the statement as to the conversation which then took place to Mr Charles Russell, the solicitor.

Mr Newton — Were you afraid when you made the statement that you would be brought into the libel? Not at all.

You know that you had committed legal acts over and over again and might be prosecuted? I was not aware of it.

As a fact you had? Not before I met Mr Wilde.

Did you not know that you might be prosecuted for it? Yes.

With regard to the dinner at which four of them were present, witness did not know that it was Taylor’s birthday.

Am I right in saying nothing was said by Mr Wilde to you about going to the Savoy in Taylor’s presence? He asked me in Taylor’s presence, but I do not know whether Taylor heard it.

Cross-examination continued — on the second occasion when witness went to the Savoy Taylor had nothing to do with it. He knew a young man named Atkins.

Is he a notorious blackmailer? I don’t know.

Is he a man who extorts money by making accusations against gentlemen? I don’t know.

How long have you known him? About three years.

What is his occupation? A comedian.

Mr Gill — I do not know for what purposes this mode of cross-examination is being indulged in. If it is for the purpose of preventing the man coming here as a witness it will not succeed. If it is pursued I will go into other cases against Taylor.

Mr Newton — I am entitled to test this evidence and to show that this man Parker is the associate of the most notorious and depraved characters in London.

Sir J Bridge — Go on.

Mr Newton (to witness) — You say you do not know what Atkins is now. Why did you leave the service in which you were engaged as a valet? The gentleman could not afford to keep me.

Did he not say you had stolen some of his clothes and discharged you as a thief? No. I was after I left he said that I had stolen his clothes.

Did you steal a sovereign that came for Taylor? No.

Did you not get from two man £30 which they had extorted from a gentleman on the ground of an accusation of crime? Yes.

Mr Newton — They had extorted from the gent a large sum, more than £30 anyhow, and was it you who committed indecency with the gentleman who paid the money? Yes.

Then it was hush money to prevent your saying anything about it? They did not tell me it was to keep my mouth shut.

But they did tell you where it had come from? Yes.

Did you not ask Taylor to introduce you to Wilde? No, he asked me if I would like to be introduced to Wilde and I said I would.

How long had you been out of employment when you met Taylor? Two or three weeks.

Had you been in constant employment before that? Always.

Mr Newton said he desired to ask some questions of William Parker and the landlady of 13 Little College street, but he did not propose to ask anything of Wood or Mabor.

Mr Gill said the witnesses mentioned were not present, no notice having been given, but he would secure their attendance.

Frederick Atkins, examined by Mr Gill, said he was now twenty years of age. He knew the person Taylor when he occupied rooms at 13 Little College street, Westminster. In November, 1892? He was asked to dine at the Florence Hotel and he went. Wilde and Taylor and two other gents were present. This was the first time he had seen Wilde, and prisoner asked him to go to Paris with him as his private secretary. He consented, and two days subsequently he went to Victoria station, and there meeting Wilde they crossed to Paris. They had adjoining rooms in a hotel in the Boulevard des Capucins. The day after their arrival witness ans Wilde lunched at a cafe, and then went to a hairdresser’s to get their hair cut. Witness’s hair was curled by the attendant after something said to him in French by Wilde (laughter). Wilde afterwards took him to dinner — the best dinner he ever had in his life (renewed laughter). After dinner Wilde gave him a Louis and told him not to go to the Moulin Rouge, but he did go (laughter).

Witness here gave evidence that is unfit for publication.

Edward Shelley was the next witness. He said he was formerly employed by Messrs Atkin and Matthews, Vice street, publishers. In 1891 the defendant Wilde came there, and witness thus made his acquaintance. He was about to re-issue a book of poems of his. In February, 1892, Wilde sent him a note from the Albemarle Hotel, and witness went there to see him. Wilde invited him to dinner, and they dined in a public room.

Mr Newton — Taylor is a stranger to you?

Witness — Yes, quite a stranger.

Mrs Lucy, 50 Park walk, Chelsea, examined by Mr Gill, deposed that Charles Parker took a small back room in her house and occupied it for a fortnight. She then gave him a week’s notice to leave. She had seen Parker go to call on a friend in Chapel street. A young man called once or two to see Parker but her eyesight being bad she could not now recognize him. It was in consequence of something said to her by another lodger that gave Parker notice.

Mrs Margery Bancroft deposed that she had lived at 50 Park Walk for eight years, and was there during Parker’s occupancy. Parker was there visited by a man whom she now recognized as Taylor. She had heard Parker speak of Oscar Wilde. (Both prisoners were here requested to stand up). One night a cab stopped at the door and two people alighted. One of them was Parker. A quarter of an hour they went downstairs. Her suspicions had been previously aroused. Looking to the cab she recognized him as Oscar Wilde, having seen him frequently before.

Mrs Sophia Gray, 3 Chapel street, Park walk, next called, said Taylor had two rooms in her house, from August, 1893, to the end of the year. Parker used to visit him there. Taylor had an accident and Wilde came to see him. After Taylor left the rooms witness sold some of his effects to pay herself debts Taylor owed. Amongst these effects was a box containing letters. Taylor did not appear to have any occupation.

Cross-examined by Mr Newton — She knew Taylor was well connected and always treated him as a gentleman. He acted as a gentleman in her presence.

Mr Gill — You never saw any ladies there? Oh, no, sir (laughter).

The Court adjourned for luncheon.

On resuming at two o’clock, Mary Applegate was sworn, and said she was a servant where Atkins had been living. She recognized Oscar Wilde as having come to tea on two occasions. There was a picture of Wilde in the room. On one occasion prisoner was accompanied by another person.

Thomas Price, waiter at 10 St James’s place, sworn, said that Wilde had rooms on the ground floor from October 1893, to April, 1894. It was a private hotel. The prisoner had a good many visits from young men.

M Louis Vogel, proprietor of the Hotel Albemarle was examined as to certain dates in 1892 and 1893 upon which Wilde had visited or stayed at his house. He at first thought the young persons who came there with Wilde had some connection with the theatres. From something he saw on the third occasion, he came to the conclusion that Wilde should not come to the hotel again. He presse Wilde through his solicitors for a small outstanding bill, thinking that by doing so he would prevent the return of Wilde. Witness went abroad for his health, and on returning found, to his great annoyance, that Wilde was at the Albemarle from 1st to 17th January of the present year. To prevent his coming there again he issued a writ for payment of a week’s bill.

Mr Charles Mathews, published, Vigo street, formerly partner with Mr John Lane, said while he was with mr Lane the youth Shelly was in the firm’s employ. They were acting as publishers for Wilde, and prisoner occasionally came to the office. He was aware of one letter being addressed by Wilde to Shelly. After that a communication was sent to Mr Lane and Shelly left their employ.

Police-Inspector Charles Richards gave evidence as to the arrest of Wilde on the 5th inst.

Inspector Thomas Brockwell said that at five o’clock on April 5th he received a warrant granted by Sir John Bridge for the arrest of Wilde. While he was at Scotland Yard Wilde was brought in by the Inspector Richards and Sergeant Allen, the warrant was read to him and he asked "What are the mentioned dates?" Witness replied, "on the 29th March, 1893, and divers other days." Wilde made no further remarks. Witness conveyed Wilde to Bow street where he was formally charged. Some letters, memoranda and three writs were found upon him, also an envelope addressed, "Sidney Mavon, Esq." with a pencil note enclosed in the following words — "Dear Sir — Could not wait any longer. Come on at once and see Oscar; he is at Tite street, Chelsea. — I am truly yours, Alfred Taylor."

Witness also found another envelope and paper, the envelope was addressed to Oscar Wilde, Esq, and the letter, written in pencil, was as follows: — "Dear Oscar — When I left here yesterday I left a note, as I told you, for Sydney Mavon if he called. Bittlechild, the detective, called shortly after I left, and as I was out asked to write a note, so was shown into my room where the letter for Sydney was. When I returned last night I found the enclosed letter for me, and the letter I had written to Sydney has been opened. — Yours, Alfred Taylor." Witness added that he also found upon Wilde the following letter from Bittlechild to Taylor — "April 2. Dear Sir — I wanted to see you, but tomorrow morning will do. I will be on the lookout for you at Old Bailey at ten — Yours truly, J Bittlechild." There was also a letter signed "Harry Bartlett" and two writs by jewelers for jewelry and cigarette cases. Witness was present at Bow street on the morning of the 6th inst when Taylor was brought in. When the warrant was read Taylor said — "is that the only charge?" Witness said — "I do not know."

Police-sergeant William Harris deposed to arresting Taylor.

Cross-examined — He found upon Taylor a subpoena to attend the Criminal Court during the hearing of Wilde v. Queensberry.

Mr Newton — Do you know that he attended every day?

Witness — I do not.

Alfred Wood recalled, said the letter produced was one he wrote to Taylor while in America. In that letter he mentioned the name of Burton, but did not remember whether the man Burton was known as Taylor.

Mr Gill — In the letter you write — "Tell Oscar he can send me a draft for an Ester egg" (laughter). Did Taylor ever answer that letter? No, sir.

Have you had money from Taylor sometimes? No, I borrowed give shillings from him once, and paid it back.

Has he given you money by cheque? No.

A cheque bearing witness’s name was then produced, but witness said it never came to him.

Mr George Frederick Claridge, clerk to Messrs Thornhill and Co. silversmiths deposed to the purchase of a cigarette case by Wilde with the inscription "S S Mavon, Esq."

Mr Gill said he did not prepose to go further today. He would ask for a further remand, and having regard to the course adopted by Sir E Clarke, he did not think it would be necessary for him to occupy the court very long.

Sir John then remanded the prisoner until twelve o’clock on Friday week, and again refused to accede to applications for bail.

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