The Freeman’s Journal - Wednesday, May 22, 1895

London, Tuesday.

The Press Association says—Shortly after the termination of the trial of Taylor at the Old Bailey this afternoon an exciting fracas occurred in Piccadilly Circus, the principal persons concerned being the Marquis of Queensberry and one of his sons, reported to be Lord Douglas, but upon this point the police decline to give any information at present. The nature of the offence against the father and son has not yet transpired, but they were both escorted by the police to Vine street Police Station where, after the charge had been preferred against them, they were liberated on bail.

The Pall Mall Gazette, in an extra special edition to-night, publishes the following—"It is reported that an encounter between Lord Queensberry and a member of his family occurred this afternoon, shortly after five o'clock, in the neighbourhood of Piccadilly. The young man, it is stated, received a severe chastisement, and Lord Queensberry, who was subsequently seen coming out of Vine street Police Station, also bore traces of the fray, his tall bat being somewhat battered."

London, Tuesday Night.

The Press Association says—The fashionable afternoon promenade in Piccadilly was fairly well filled with a select crowd of pedestrians when the fracas between the Marquis of Queensberry and his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, disturbed the peace of the thoroughfare. The affray appears to have been short and determined, and, but for police intervention, might have had more serious results. Considerable violence must have been used by both father and son. The Marquis appears to have met his son accidentally in Piccadilly, near Bend street. What passed between them in language will possibly be made known at Marlborough street Police Court to-morrow morning, but as far as action is concerned, they were both seen in violent conflict, when a police-constable came upon the scene and separated the combatants. A considerable crowd of well-dressed persons had surrounded the principals of this exceptional episode in a fashionable highway. When the police-officers escorted the Marquis and his son, Lord Alfred, to Vine street Police Station, which is a short distance from the scene of the disorder, the crowd followed and awaited events outside the station. The gentlemen friends of the accused were permitted to accompany their lordships into the station, where the proceedings were exceptionally brief. The father, we understand, preferred no charge against his son, neither did the son make any charge against his parent, the prosecution being that of disorderly conduct preferred by the police. In less than half an hour the accused had been released on bail, guaranteed by those friends present, and they were set at liberty. On leaving the station Lord Alfred, who it was noticed had suffered discoloration of one eye, proceeded through the passage at the back of St James's Rail to Regent street, where an available hansom cab speedily separated him from an inquisitive but undemonstrative crowd. His father, the Marquis of Queensberry, appeared to have suffered no facial disfigurement, but his silk hat showed signs of rather rough usage. As he left the main entrance of Vine street police station he walked through the crowd into Swallow street, a byeway directly connecting Regent street and Piccadilly. As he walked into Swallow street and Piccadilly the crowd for the first time became very demonstrative, clapped their hands and cheered his lordship, who took a conveyance from the scene, and the crowd dispersed.

Dublin Evening Telegraph - Wednesday, May 22, 1895

The Press Association says—Shortly after the termination of the trial of Taylor at the Old Bailey yesterday an exciting fracas occurred in Piccadilly Circus, the principal persons concerned being the Marquis of Queensberry and one of his sons.

The Press Association says—The fashionable afternoon promenade in Piccadilly was fairly well filled with a select crowd of pedestrians when the fracas between the Marquis of Queensberry and his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, disturbed the peace of the thoroughfare. The affray appears to have been short and determined, and, but for police intervention, might have had more serious results. Considerable violence must have been used by both father and son. The Marquis appears to have met his son accidentally in Piccadilly, near Bond street. A considerable crowd of well-dressed persons had surrounded the principals of this exceptional episode in a fashionable highway. When the police-officers escorted the Marquis and his son, Lord Alfred, to Vine street Police Station, which is a short distance from the scene of the disorder, the crowd followed and awaited events outside the station. The gentlemen friends of the accused were permitted to accompany their lordships into the station, where the proceedings were exceptionally brief. The father, we understand, preferred no charge against his son, neither did the son make any charge against his parent, the prosecution being that of disorderly conduct preferred by the police. In less than half an hour the accused had been released on bail, guaranteed by those friends present, and they were set at liberty. On leaving the station Lord Alfred, who it was noticed had suffered discoloration of one eye, proceeded through the passage at the back of St James’s Hall to Regent street, where an available hansom cab speedily separated him from an inquisitive but undemonstrative crowd. His father, the Marquis of Queensberry, appeared to have suffered no facial disfigurement, but his silk hat showed signs of rather rough usage. As he left the main entrance of Vine street police station he walked through the crowd into Swallow street, a byeway directly connecting Regent street and Piccadilly. As he walked into Swallow street and Piccadilly the crowd for the first time became very demonstrative, clapped their hands and cheered his lordship, who took a conveyance from the scene, and the crowd dispersed.

London, Wednesday.The Marquis of Queensberry and Lord Douglas of Hawick were charged before Mr Hannay at Marlborough street Police Court to-day with disorderly conduct in Piccadilly yesterday. The prisoners were placed in the dock. Both were fashionably dressed, and the Marquis wore a rose in his buttonhole. He showed no signs of yesterday’s fight, but there was a slight discoloration under Lord Douglas’s left eye. The Marquis was undefended. Mr Stoneham defended Lord Douglas.

The police evidence was first given as to the defendants fighting at the corner of Piccadilly and Bond street, surrounded by a large crowd. They were arrested and taken to Vine street. On being charged with disorderly conduct the Marquis said that was right so far as the police were concerned, and offered to fight his son in any part of the country for ten thousand pounds. Lord Douglas said his father had written obscene letters to him and his wife, and had requested him to cease doing so.

Lord Queensberry, in defence, said that when in Piccadilly yesterday afternoon his son, Lord Douglas, came running at him and pushed him up against a shop window, meanwhile speaking at the top of his voice. He struck Lord Douglas in self defence.

Mr Stoneham, on behalf of Lord Douglas, said the latter and a friend were walking along Piccadilly without thinking of the Marquis. The Marquis had apparently just sent a telegram which had been received by Lord Douglas congratulating him on the verdict, and adding, "Taylor guilty, Wilde’s turn to-morrow." The Marquis had written letters to the wife of Lord Douglas containing false charges against Lord Douglas and members of his family, and though he had promised to stop writing those letters he had not done so. Yesterday Lord Douglas asked the Marquis to cease writing these obscene and filthy letters to his wife, and the Marquis hit him in the face. A fight resulted.

Mr Charles Thomas Sherriff, Holloway, and Mr Charles Ernest Tyler, of Lavender Hill, were called to prove that Lord Douglas as the aggressor.

The Marquis of Queensberry desired to make a statement as to the letters, which he denied were obscene. He wished the last letter to be read. It related to a visit he paid to Lord Douglas’s house. He heard Mr Oscar Wilde was there, and wished to know if his other son was there.

The Magistrate said that the Marquis had better not touch that matter.

Mr Frederick Wisdom, of South hampstead, said he was walking with Lord Douglas yesterday, when the latter asked the Marquis to cease writing. Blows were then struck. Both defendants were bound over in their own recognisances in £500 to keep the peace for six months.

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