Compare Documents

London, Saturday.The doors of Bow street Police Court were besieged at a comparatively early hour this morning, it being known that Oscar Wilde, who had been arrested on the previous evening, would be placed in the dock. That part of the building in which extradition cases are usually taken was speedily thronged its utmost capacity, and appearance of the prisoner was eagerly awaited.

Sir John Bridge took his seat a few minutes after eleven o’clock. Wilde was simultaneously brought up from the cells. He was attired in the heavy overcoat which he wore at the Old Bailey. He entered the dock with an easy air, and, having deposited his silk hat upon the seat, bowed slightly to the magistrate, and then leaned forward upon the rail and listened attentively to Mr Gill’s opening.

Mr Gill, in opening the case for the prosecution, said there was a series of charges against the prisoner of gross criminality. After the case had been gone into he would state specifically on what charges he aked for the prisoner to be committed. The first case was that with regard to a young man named Charles Parker. The evidence would show that a man named Taylor, living in Little College street, was engaged as an agent for Wilde. The prisoner would be charged with conspiring with Taylor.

Charles Parker, a good-looking, well-dressed youth of 19, then entered the witness box, and was detailing the circumstances of his introduction by Alfred Taylor to the prisoner when Mr Gill caused a momentary flutter of excitement by announcing the arrest of Taylor. Pending his arrival in the dock, Mr C O Humphreys, Wilde’s solicitor, elicited from the magistrate that to-day’s proceedings would be of some length. Taylor, a young man strongly resembling Parker in appearance and address, though somewhat older, was then brought in and took his stand beside Wilde. Parker was then examined at considerable length.

After some evidence from William Parker, brother to Charles, Mr Gill put into the box a witness against the prisoner Taylor—namely, Mrs Ellen Grant, 15 Collete street.

Alfred Wood, formerly a clerk, was next examined, and deposed that certain letters were handed to Wilde by him and paid for, and the witness went to America.

Arthur Mavor, M Auton Migge, masseur, and Margaret Cotton, chambermaid, at the Savoy Hotel, were next examined.

Sir J Bridge then remanded the prisoners until Thursday next.

His Worship decided to accede to an application for bail.

London, Saturday.The doors of Bow street Police Court were besieged at a comparatively early hour this morning, it being known that Mr Oscar Wilde, who had been arrested on the previous evening, would be placed in the dock. That part of the building in which extradition cases are usually taken was speedily thronged to its utmost capacity, and the appearance of the prisoner was eagerly awaited.

Sir John Bridge took his seat a few minutes after eleven. Wilde was simultaneously brought up from the cells. He was attired in a heavy overcoat which he wore at the Old Bailey. He entered the dock with an easy air, and having deposited his silk hat upon the seat, bowed slightly to the magistrate, and then leant forward upon the rail, and listened attentively to Mr Gill’s opening.

Mr Gill, in stating the case for the prosecution, mentioned a series of charges that they would undertake to prove against the prisoner. In the first case the names of Taylor and Parker were introduced.

Charles Parker, a good-looking, well-dressed youth of 19 years of age, went into the witness box, and was giving evidence when Mr Gill caused a momentary flutter of excitement by announcing the arrest of Taylor. Pending Taylor’s arrival in the dock. Mr. C O Humphreys, Wilde’s solicitor, elicited from the magistrate that to-day’s proceedings would be of some length.

Taylor, a young man strongly resembling Parker in appearance and address, though somewhat older, was then brought in, and took his stand beside Wilde.

Parker then continued his evidence.

The Arrest of Taylor.

The man Taylor, whose name was mentioned in connection with Oscar Wilde, was arrested this morning and taken to Bow street.