The Chicago Tribune - Sunday, April 7, 1895

London, April 6. - Crowds of people besieged the vicinity of Bow street early this morning and the police court was filled with interested spectators as soon as the doors were opened. 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.

C. F. Gill, who was Edward W. Carson's junior counsel in the defense of the Marquis of Queensberry, acted as prosecutor today for the Treasury Department. Sir John Bridge, the presiding magistrate, took his seat on the bench at 11 o'clock. 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 prisoners' dock he deposited his hat on the seat, bowed to Sir John Bridge, folded his arms and leaned on the rail of the dock in the same insolent manner which he displayed while on the witness stand in the Old Bailey.

Mr. Gill said he appeared to prosecute the prisoner. The prosecutor then related the charges against Wilde. Wilde moved restlessly in the dock and passed his hands across his face. Counsel for Wilde asked leave to postpone the cross-examination of one witness, as the evidence had taken them by surprise. This witness was then bound over to testify at the trial of Wilde, which is to take place in the Old Bailey.

Sir John Bridge remanded Wilde until Thursday. Counsel asked that his client, Wilde, be released on bail, but the magistrate declined to do so. Counsel persisted, saying he could offer substantial bail, but Sir John Bridge replied:

"It is not a case for bail at all."

The Sun of this city says another sensational arrest is probable before Thursday, the day when Oscar Wilde will be brought up at 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 and published here by the Central News 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."

San Francisco Chronicle - Sunday, April 7, 1895

NEW YORK, April 6. - A cable special from the Sun from London says: Most observers of the English character would have declared it impossible to arouse the phlegmatic conscience and emotions of the nation to such a pitch of intensity as is to-day manifesting itself in all classes. The horror, loathing and anger which the revelations in connection with the Wilde-Queensberry case have caused can be compared only with one of those whirlwinds of passion which once in a few decades suddenly sweeps over the nation and by its very violence restore confidence in human nature. Not until to-day, apparently, has the country realized that a moral pestilence in the atmosphere has been doing deadly work.

Already there are signs that the popular revenge, and the reformers will be indiscriminating and unreasoning in their work. The finger of suspicion is already carrying condemnation wherever it is pointed. Many will suffer fearful social penalties who are absolutely innocent, but the general effect of the great onslaught of public opinion which has now begun will be salutary and for the purifying of the nation.

The best sign of all is that Englishmen are ashamed. They feel that a deep, black, national disgrace has been uncovered, and the feeling is more poignant because it is new to them. Their anger against the human reptiles who have brought this shame upon them is indescribable. It not only demands the swiftest and severest punishment, but it has been instantly turned against every art, every fad, every innovation with which those accused or suspected have been identified. To-day's newspapers are unanimous, for instance, in pronouncing the doom of estheticism and everything connected with that cult.

Regarding the methods which society, now so thoroughly aroused and exasperated, will employ for dealing with the evil, it may be said that the Government has wisely decided upon sharp, rapid and severe action. Evidence has accumulated in the last few days ample for the condemnation of several leaders of the abominable coterie, which has its ramifications throughout Europe. They will be arrested and railroaded as fast as possible to penal servitude.

The Government promptly began to-day by arresting Alfred Taylor, whom the police say has long been known as the leader of this infamous band. Like others of his class the development of his mania has followed sudden accession of wealth and luxury. His father, who was prominent in the city and was once close to the Lord Mayor’s chair, left him an immense fortune, which he used to gratify every physical appetite.

He spent £60,000 furnishing his house, which has been the headquarters of this class of sensualists. The victims of himself and his crew were dazzled by the oriental luxuries of the place. One of the features of the drawing-room, to which daylight is never admitted, is a marble fountain distributing perfume instead of water. The police searched the whole place yesterday.

Both Wilde and Taylor were committed for trial without bail at the Bow-street Court to-day, after an overwhelming mass of revolting evidence had been given by the victims. Prison life is expected to have an immediate effect on men who are accustomed to every luxury and indulgence, and Wilde is much depressed after a night's confinement.

The police have reason to believe that to-day's exposure is already causing a panic-stricken exodus of many persons from England, such as followed the Cleveland-street scandal a few years ago. There are some who are not unknown in society among them. The effect of the Wilde case has been intensified in the public mind by the trial of Lord Russell's matrimonial suit at the same time. The same charge is at the basis of this case, and if it were not overshadowed by the Wilde-Queensberry scandal it would have made a great sensation.

IN THE COURTROOM. Some Very Strong Evidence Against Oscar Wilde.

LONDON, April 6. - Crowds besieged the vicinity of Bow street early this morning, and the Police Court was filled 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 followed close upon the sensational termination of his suit for libel against the Marquis of Queensberry. C. F. Gill, who was Edward M. Carson's junior counsel in the defense of the Marquis of Queensberry, acted as prosecutor to-day for the Treasury Department.

Sir John Bridge, the presiding magistrate, took his seat on the bench at 11 o'clock. The doors leading to the cells were then opened, and Wilde was seen approaching, carrying his silk hat in his hand. When he reached the centre of the prisoners’ dock he deposited his hat on a seat, bowed to Sir John Bridge, folded his arms and leaned on the rail in the same insolent manner that 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 to-day, acted as procurer for Wilde, who repeatedly visited Taylor’s house.

Continuing, Gill said the prosecution proposed to show how Taylor approached a young man named Parker, a valet out of a position, and his brother, a groom. Taylor, it was stated, told them how money could be made by going with gentlemen, and said that 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 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 the 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 moments 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 this testimony Wilde moved restlessly in the dock and passed his hands across his face. Parker added that he was arrested with Taylor in a raid in 1894 in a house in Fitzroy square, but he claimed that 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.

Parker was then bound over to testify at the trial of Wilde, which is to take place in the Old Bailey.

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, who, she added, was visited by young men.

Mrs. Grant was asked to state the ages of the young men. She replied that many were 15 and upward. Mrs. Grant was then asked if she could identify Wilde as a visitor to Taylor’s rooms. She replied she could not. Thereupon Sir John Bridge said quietly: "Wilde, stand up."

Wilde arose, but the witness was still unable to recognize him, but, replying to counsel’s questions, said she remembered Taylor addressed one visitor as "Oscar."

Mrs. Grant said Taylor's rooms were furnished well and were highly perfumed. Taylor, she added, dressed effeminately. The witness also said that boys stayed all night with him. She testified that before Taylor left her house the sergeant of police went to his apartment and secretly watched Taylor's proceedings.

Sir John Bridge asked Taylor if he desired to ask the 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 1893, and he committed indecencies at Wilde's own house while the latter's family was 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. The witness also said that soon after he told Taylor he "wanted to get away from Wilde and people like him."

Counsel, interrupting, said: "Let us deal with the case of Wilde alone; but I believe there were other people at the gatherings."

Witness added: "Yes, one or two of them have left the country." The witness said that Taylor said he wanted to go to America, whereupon Wilde asked to have certain letters returned to him. When he received these letters Wilde gave the witness £35. Witness Woods then went to America.

Sidney Hoover, a good-looking youth, was the next witness. Up on the witness-stand he testified that he met Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas at Taylor’s rooms.

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

Oscar Wilde's brother entered the courtroom at this stage of the proceedings and listened to the remainder of the evidence from the back of the room.

After the chambermaid of the Savoy Hotel had given some evidence similar to that of the masseur, Sir John Bridge remanded Wilde until next Thursday. Counsel asked that Wilde be released on bail, but the magistrate denied the request. Counsel persisted, saying he could offer substantial bail, but Sir John Bridge replied, "This is not a case for bail at all."

GOSSIP ABOUT THE CASE. Wilde Prosecuted by a College Class- mate - Effect on His Plays.

LONDON, April 6. - Naturally the Wilde disclosures continue to be the absorbing topic of conversation at the clubs. Edward M. Carson, Q.C. and 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 also 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 theaters and many companies are playing them in the provinces. Of course in future no one will accept his plays.

George Alexander, proprietor and manager of the St. James Theater, 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 Theater 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.

Rev. Archibald Douglas, brother of the Marquis of Queensberry, 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 to-day, to the effect that every member of the family of the Marquis of Queensberry, except the latter, disbelieves absolutely and entirely all the charges made against Oscar Wilde, is unauthorized by his mother, his sister or himself. Rev. Archibald Douglas adds: "We certainly believe the charges against Wilde."

Taylor was arrested to-day 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 cable 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."

Effect of the Trial in This Country.

NEW YORK, April 6.- Manager Daniel Frohman of the Lyceum Theater, announces that in consequence of the London scandal, after this week he will withdraw Oscar Wilde's play, "An Ideal Husband," now running at his house.

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