The Irish News and Belfast Morning News - Monday, April 8, 1895

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.

Alfred Wood, formerly a clerk, was next examined, and gave important evidence.

Arthur Mayor, who had been a guest of Wilde’s at the Albemarle Hotel, Anton Migge, Masseur; and Margaret Cottar, a chambermaid at the Savoy Hotel, were examined, and On the application of Mr. GILL, the magistrate remanded the prisoners until Thursday next.

His Worship declined to accede to the application for bail.

LONDON, SUNDAY NIGHT.Up to ten o’clock to-night no further arrest was made in connection with the Oscar Wilde case.

THE PRISONER AT HOLLOWAY.

LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING.When Mr. Oscar Wilde arrived at Holloway Jail on Saturday after the proceedings at Bow Street, he was conveyed to one of the better class cells, occupation of which is provided for by the prison regulations on payment of about a shilling a day. It has been arranged that one of the prisoners at present at Holloway shall perform the menial duties which every prisoner is bound himself to perform unless prepared to pay for a substitute. His meals will be supplied by a local caterer, and he will be allowed to receive a daily visit from a friend. He will, however, be obliged to forego cigarette smoking and to attend the parade of the prisoners at jail awaiting trial.

THE DOUGLAS FAMILY AND MR. WILDE.

LONDON, SATURDAY.A correspondent of the London "Sun" called at the Holborn Viaduct Hotel, London, yesterday afternoon, with the view of obtaining from Mr. Wilde his own statement as to why he had decided to withdraw the prosecution and consent to a verdict against himself. Lord Douglas of Hawick said Mr. Wilde felt quite unable at the moment to bear seeing anyone. The young Lord, however, added that on Mr. Wilde’s behalf he was willing to answer any questions he could. He was, he said, himself, together with his brother Lord Alfred, under subpoena for the prosecution. He himself would have been quite willing to go into the box, and his brother was most anxious to be allowed to do so, and was exceedingly grieved that Mr. Wilde had prevented him. It was to prevent that, and because he felt "that no man could bear to have every little act and indiscretion of his life, and every word and thought produced against him and perverted in the basest way and placed in their worst possible light," that Mr. Wilde had resolved to retire from the prosecution. "You may say from me myself," went on Lord Douglas of Hawick, "that I and every member of our family, excepting my father, disbelieve absolutely and entirely the allegations of the defence. It is, in my opinion, simply a part of the persecution which my father has carried on against us ever since I can remember. I think Mr. Wilde and his counsel are to blame for not showing, as they could have done, that was the fact." His Lordship cited several alleged circumstances in support of his statement, and concluded by asserting, with considerable emotion, that scandal after scandal had been heaped upon them till he felt utterly unable to hold up his head.

In reference to above the Rev. Lord A. Douglas writes:—"My nephew, Lord Douglas, was certainly not authorised by my mother, my sister, and myself to say as reported. ‘Every member of our family except my father disbelieves absolutely and entirely the allegations of the defence.' We do most certainly believe them, and must repudiate any sympathy with the statement of my nephew."

[REUTER’S TELEGRAM.]

NEW YORK, SATURDAY.Oscar Wilde’s name will be removed from the bills of the programmes of the Lyceum Theatre when "An Ideal Husband" is running.

Bristol Mercury - Monday, April 8, 1895

At Bow street police court on Saturday, before Sir John Bridge, Oscar Fingall O'Flaherty Wilde, described as "gentleman" of 16, Tite street, who had been arrested the previous evening and confined in a cell for the night-an offer of bail by Lord Alfred Douglas being refused - was charged on a warrent under Section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act with committing and inciting to the committal of offences therein provided against. For half an hour before the doors opened a large crowd had gathered in front of the court, but only those having professional duties to disharge, the witnesses, and a few friends of the accused were then admitteed. These were at first allowed to take their seats in the large court, but after an interval of more than half-an-hour it was announced that the case would be taken in the Extradition Court, and a rush was made for places in that small room. A few of the public were subsequently admitted. The prisoner maintained his composure during the proceedings. Mr C. F. Gill, instructed by Mr Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, appeared on behalf of the Public Prosecutor, and Mr O. O. Humphreys represented Mr Wilde.

Mr Gill said that no good purpose would be served by going into the details of the charges in an opening speech. What the prisoner would be ultimately committed upon would depend on the nature of the evidence produced. The first charge referred to the conduct of Wilde with the young man Charles Parker in 1893. He would also be charged with conspiring with the man Alfred Taylor. The prisoner had already had an opportunity of giving his version of the affair, and he could do so again if he chose. It was a most unpleasant case to go into, but one of enormous public importance. It was enormously important that it should be known that there was only one end to such a life as that of the prisoner Wilde, and that was at the hands of justice.

Charles Parker, a well, dressed young man, 19 years of age, then gave evidence. During his examination, Taylor, who had been arrested in the morning in Pimlioo, was brought into court, placed in the dock, and charged with being concerned with the prisoner Wilde in the committal of the alleged offences.

Mr Travers Humphrey—who temporarily took the place of Mr. O.O . Humphreys—asked leave to postpone the cross-examination of Parker, who was accordingly bound in £80 to appear at the sessions.

The next witness, William Parker, brother of the last witness, who gave confirmatory evidence, became ill during his examination, and had to be accommodated with a seat.

Mrs Ellen Grant, 13, Little College street, described the rooms there occupied by the prisoner Taylor. They were furnished very nicely. The windows were very dark, especially in the sitting room. Art muslin was strained over the glass, and there were dark curtains and muslin curtains. There was no daylight. It was lit by candles. He furnished the place himelf. He kept no servants. He was visited there by a great many young "gentlemen."

Alfred Wood (a clerk), Sidney Mayor, Anton Migge (a masseur), and Jane Cotter (a chambermaid at the Savoy) also gave evidence.

The cave was then adjourned till Thursday, Sir Johh Bridge remarking, "The case is not one for bail."

When Mr Oscar Wilde arrived at Holloway gaol on Saturday after the proceedings at Bow street he was conveyed to one of the better class cells, the occupation of which is provided for by the prison regulations on payment of about a shilling a day. It has been arranged that one of the prisoners at present at Holloway shall perform the mental duties which every prisoner is bound himself to perform unless prepared to pay for a substitute. His meals will be supplied by a local caterer, and he will be allowed to receive a daily visit from a friend. He will, however, be obliged to forego cigarette smoking and to attend the parade of the prisoners at the gaol awaiting trial.

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