The Cork Examiner - 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 o'clock, and Mr 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.

The Press Association telegraphs—The man Taylor, who is alleged to have procured for Oscar Wilde, was arrested this morning and taken to Bow street.

During the hearing of the evidence Taylor was brought in and placed in the dock beside Wilde.

After the examination of Sydney Arthur Manor, who had occasionally visited Taylor and once was Wilde's guest at the Albemarle Hotel, M Antoa Migge, masseur, and Margaret Cottier, chambermaid at the Savoy Hotel, were the doting witnesses for to-day.

On Mr Gill's application, Sir J Bridge remanded the prisoners until Thursday next.

His Worship declined to accede to an application 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 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 would be allowed to receive a daily visit from a friend. He will, however, be obliged to forego cigarette smoking and to attend parade of prisoners at gaol awaiting trial.

The Hon and Rev 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, disbelieved absolutely and entirely the allegations of the defence.' We do most certainly believe them, and must repudiate any sympathy with that statement of my nephew."

New York, Saturday. The management of the Lyceum Theatre, where Oscar Wilde's play, " An Ideal Husband" is now running, have decided to remove the author's name from the bills and programmes. Miss Rosa Coghlan, who has been playing " A Woman of No Importance" in the Western States, has resolved to omit the play from her repertoire.

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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