The Chicago Tribune - Wednesday, May 8, 1895

London, May 7. - Oscar Wilde was released on bail today after furnishing a personal bond of $12,500 and two sureties in $6,250 each. His sureties were Lord Douglas, eldest surviving son of the Marquis of Queensberry, and the Rev. Stewart Headlam. The latter is a graduate of Cambridge University and resides at Hyde Park Gate. He was interviewed shortly after it became known that he had become one of Wilde’s bondsmen, and said: "I became surety for Oscar Wilde on public grounds. I felt the public mind was prejudiced before the case began, and I am anxious to give him any help possible in order to enable him to stand trial in good health and spirits."

Wilde was driven in a cab from Holloway Jail to Bow Street Police Court, where his bail was formally accepted. Then, in company with Lord Douglas, Wilde left the court.

Wilde had a lengthy consultation tonight with his bondsmen, with Sir Richard Clarke, his leading counsel, and with his solicitors. The latter have promised to keep the authorities posted in regard to the movements of their client. Wilde is suffering from nervous prostration and has declined to be interviewed.

[The Rev. Stewart Headlam, who, with Lord Alfred Douglas, has become surety for Oscar Wilde, is almost as remarkable in his way as Oscar Wilde himself. He is a clergyman of the Church of England, who up to the present has never been presented a benefice nor offered a curacy. He has even had the distinction of being refused a license to preach within the limits of the Diocese of London, without which authority under the signature of the Bishop no clergyman can be given the freedom of the pulpit of any church within the diocese. The reason for this is the Rev. Stewart Headlam has bold and original views upon the subject of theatrical representations and ballet dancing, which do not find favor with the more austere members of his profession. He has on many occasions given publicity to his opinions as to the sinlessness of ballet dancing and the utility which a judicious patronage of the theater would be to religious interests. Moreover he has identified himself behind the scenes and before the footlights as well with prominent actors. He has been prominent in philanthropic work and is pronouncedly radical in his political views. He has never done anything which if done by a layman would be in any degree perilous to his reputation; but his tastes appear to be eccentric in a clergyman and have accordingly brought upon him the censure of the most conservative body of public opinion in England. As a lover of theatricals and a prominent man in fashionable life he could not fail to become acquainted with Oscar Wilde, and his coming to Wilde's rescue on this occasion is only a degree more sensational than several previous episodes in his life.]

The North American - Wednesday, May 8, 1895

London, May 7 — Oscar Wilde was released on bail today after furnishing a personal bond for $12,500 and two sureties in $6250 each. His sureties were Lord Douglas, of Hawick, eldest surviving son of the Marquis of Queensberry, and Rev. Stewart Headlam. The latter is a graduate of Cambridge University, and resides at Hyde Park Gate. He was interviewed shortly after it became known that he had become one of Wilde’s bondsmen, and said:

"I became surety for Oscar Wilde on public grounds. I felt that the public mind was prejudiced before the case began, and I am anxious to give him any help possible in order to enable him to stand trial in good health and spirits."

Wilde is stopping in London tonight. He has had a lengthy consultation with his bondsmen, with Sir Richard Clarke, his leading counsel, and with his solicitors. The latters have promised to keep the authorities posted in regard to the movements of their client. Wilde is suffering from nervous prostration, and has declined to be interviewed.

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