Compare Documents

London, April 6 — Crowds beseiged the vicinity of Bow street early this morning, and the police court was killed with interested spectators as soon as the doors were opened. Among those who succeeded in pressing through the crowd was one good-looking middle-aged woman. All were anxious to see Oscar Wilde, whose arrest yesterday, following close upon the sensational termination of his suit for libel against the Marquis of Queensberry, is discussed on all sides. O. F. Gill, who was Edward M. Carson’s junior counsel in the defence of the Marquis of Queensberry, acted as prosecutor to-day for the treasury department.

Sir John Bridges, the presiding magistrate, took his seat on the bench at 11 o’clock, and the doors leading to the cells were then opened, and Wilde was seen approaching, carrying a silk hat in his hand. When he reached the centre of the prisoner’s dock he deposited his hat on a seat, bowed to Sir John Bridges, folded his arms and leaned on the rail in the same insolent manner he displayed on the witness stand in the Old Bailey.

Gill said he appeared to prosecute the prisoner on a series of charges of inciting boys to terrible crimes and actually committing acts of gross indecency. The prosecutor then related how in 1893, when Wilde was staying at the Savoy hotel, Alfred Taylor, who was arrested today, acted as procurer for Wilde, who repeatedly visited Taylor’s house. Continuing, Gill said the prosecution proposed to show how Taylor approched a young man named Parker, a valet out of a position, and his brother, a groom. Taylor, it was stated, had told them how money could be made by going with gentlemen, and said Wilde was a man who gave much money to youths and men. They finally consented, and it was arranged that they should be introduced to Wilde at a dinner he would give them in a private room at Kittner's restaurant. After this dinner Wilde announced to Taylor, who was also present, that Charles Parker was the boy for him, and he took the latter to Savoy hotel, where he committed a crime.

Parker was called to the stand, but the proceedings were interrupted by an official announcing that Taylor had been arrested. A few minutes later Taylor was brought into court and placed in the dock beside Wilde, who nodded to him.

Parker gave the most minute details of his intimacy with Wilde. He testified that he visited Wilde at the Savoy hotel, at the Albemarle, at Wilde’s chambers and at other addresses almost daily. While Parker was giving his testimony Wilde moved restlessly in the dock and brushed his hands across his face. Parker added that he was arrested with Taylor in a raid in 1894 on a house in Fitzroy square, but claimed he had since abandoned his evil life. Counsel for Wilde asked leave to postpone the cross-examination of Parker, as the evidence had taken them by surprise.

The woman previously referred to as having entered the court room early this morning was the next witness. She gave her name as Mrs. Grant, and said she let rooms to Taylor, who, she added, was visited by young men. Mrs. Grant was asked to state the ages of the young men. She replied that they were 15 and upward. Mrs. Grant was then asked if she could identify Wilde as a visitor to Taylor's room. She replied that she could not. Thereupon Sir John Bridges said quietly: "Wilde, stand up." Wilde arose, but the witness was still unable to recognize him, but, replying to counsel's question, said she remembered Taylor addressed one of the visitors as "Oscar." Mrs. Grant said Taylor’s rooms were furnished well and highly perfumed. Taylor, she said, dressed effeminately. Witness also said boys stayed all night with him. Before Taylor left Mrs. Grant’s room a sergeant of police went to his apartments and secretly watched Taylor’s proceedings.

Sir John Bridges asked Taylor is he desired to ask the witness any question. The prisoner replied: "Not yet."

Alfred Woods, a nice-looking young man, was then called to the stand. He testified that Taylor introduced him to Wilde in 1893, and he committed indecencies at Wilde's own house while the latter's family were away. The witness added that he was intoxicated at the time, as Wilde had previously given him champagne, whiskey and hock. Continuing, Woods said Wilde afterward gave him a great deal of money and a watch and chain. Witness also said that soon after he told Taylor he wanted to "get away from Wilde and people like him."

Counsel interrupted, saying: "Let us deal with the case of Wilde alone, but I believe there were other people at the gatherings." The witness added: "Yes; one or two of them have left the country."

Witness added that Taylor told Wilda that he, witness, wanted to go to America, whereupon Wilde asked to have certain letters returned to him. When be received these letters Wilde gave the witness £35. Witness Woods then went to America.

Sidney Hoover, a good-looking youth, followed Woods upon the witness stand. He testified that he met Wilde and Lord Alfred Donglass at Taylor's rooms. Hoover admitted staying with Taylor, but not with Wilde.

A masseur at the Savoy testified that he once saw a youth between 16 and 18 years old in Wilde's bed room.

Willie Wilde, Oscar Wilde’s brother, entered the court room at this stage of the proceedings, and listened to the remainder of the evidence from the back of the room.

After a chambermaid at the Savoy hotel had given some evidence similar to that of the masseur, Sir John Bridges remanded Wilde until next Thursday. Counsel asked that Wilde be released on bail, but the magistrate declined to do so. Counsel persisted saying ho could offer substantial bail, but Sir John Bridges replied: "It is not a case for bail at all."

LONDON, April 6. - The woman previously referred to as having entered the courtroom early this morning was the next witness. She gave the name of Mrs. Grant and said she let rooms to Taylor when he was visited by young men. Mrs. Grant was asked to state the ages of the young men. She replied that they were 15 and upwards. Mrs. Grant was then asked if she could identify Wilde as visiting Taylor’s rooms. She replied she could not. Thereupon Sir John Bridges said quietly: "Wilde, stand up." Wilde arose, but the witness was unable to recognize him, but replying to counsel’s questions, said she remembered Taylor addressed one of the visitors as "Oscar." Mrs. Grant said Taylor’s rooms were furnished well and highly perfumed. Taylor, she added, dressed effeminately. The witness also said the boys stayed all night with him. Before Taylor left Mrs. Grant’s room, the sergeant of police went to his apartment and secretly watched Taylor's proceedings. Sir John Bridges asked Taylor if he desired to ask witness any questions. The prisoner replied, "Not yet."

Alfred Woods, a nice looking young man, was then called to the stand. He testified that Taylor introduced him to Wilde in 1890, and he committed indecencies at Wilde’s own home while the latters family was away. The witness added that he was intoxicated at the time as Wilde had previously given him champagne and whiskey. Continuing, Woods said Wilde afterwards gave him a great deal of money and a watch and chain. The witness also said that soon after he told Taylor he wanted to get away from Wilde and people like him. Counsel interrupted and said: "Let us deal with the case of Wilde, but I believe there were other people at the gatherings."

Sir Archibald Douglass, brother of the Marquis of Queensbury, has written a letter saying that the statement credited to Lord Douglas of Hawick, eldest son of the Marquis, published in an interview in the Leader today to the effect that every member of the family of the Marquis of Queensberry, except the latter, disbelieve absolutely and entirely all the charges made against Wilde, is unauthorized by his mother, his sister or himself. Sir Archibald Douglas adds:

"We certainly believe the charges made against Wilde."

Taylor was arrested today and preserved his cheerful demeanor, and asked the detective who took him into custody what the sentence was likely to be.

The Sun of this city says that another sensational arrest is possible before Thursday next, the day when Oscar Wilde will be brought to Bow street police court on remand.

The Marquis of Queensberry has authorized the Globe to deny that there is any truth in the story cabled to the United Press that he had written to Oscar Wilde after the trial, saying:

"If the country allows you to leave all the better for the country; but if you take my son with you I shall follow you wherever you go and shoot you."

Naturally the Wilde disclosures continued to be the absorbing topic of conversation at the clubs, etc. The stand taken by the St. James Gazette in refusing to print the details of the case is attracting much attention and the paper has been deluged with letters of approbation. The action of the St. James Gazette is likely to prove a good stroke of business for the proprietors of that publication.

On Thursday last, the second day of the trial , in place of the usual news placards which all newsboys display, the placard of the St. James Gazette was:

"The only paper in London with no details of the Wilde case."

Mr. Edward M. Larson, Q.C., M. P., who so ably and relentlessly conducted the case for the Marquis of Queensberry, was a classmate of Oscar Wilde at Trinity College, Dublin. The presiding judge, Justice Collins, is an Irishman.

Wilde has been making immense sums of money lately out of his plays and books. His plays are now running at two London theatres and many companies are playing them in the provinces. Of course in the future no one will accept his plays.

Mr. George Alexander, proprietor and manager of the St. James Theatre, stated last night that if it were not for the fact that the withdrawal of Wilde's play, The Importance of Being Earnest, would throw 120 persons out of employment, he would at once stop it. Therefore, unless the theater-going public manifests its displeasure of the author by refusing to witness his works, the play at the St. James will be continued as usual. Another of Wilde’s plays, which is now running at the Haymarket theatre, will after this week be transferred to the Criterion. The author’s name, in both cases, will be omitted from the bills and advertisements in future.