Compare Documents

London, April 7 — Crowds to persons besieged the vicinity of Bow street early yesterday morning, and the Police Court was filled with interested spectators as soon as the doors were opened. C. F. Gill, who was Edward M. Carson’s junior counsel in the defence of the Marquis of Queensberry, acted as prosecutor for the Treasury Department. Sir John Bridge, the presiding Magistrate, took his seat on the bench at eleven o’clock. The. Doors leading to the calls were then opened and Wilde was seen approaching, carrying a silk hat in his hand. When he reached the centre of the prisoner’s 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 that the appeared to prosecutor the prisoner on a series of charges of inciting boys to crime. The prosecutor then related Wilde’s connection with Alfred Taylor at the Savoy Hotel, and how the latter had been instrumental in introducing several boys to the defendant. A young man named Parker was called to the stand, and was about to testify when the arrest of Taylor was announced. The latter was brought into court and placed in the dock with Wilde, who greeted him familiarly.

Parker then detailed his intimacy with Wilde in which he accused Taylor of being the go-between. 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.

Further testimony bearing on the charges against Wilde disclosed shocking intimacy between the defendant and other boys and young men, at the conclusion of which Sir John Bridge remanded Wilde without bail until Thursday.

Oscar Wilde is suffering from insomnia. The prison surgeon on Saturday night gave him a sleeping draught, but it had no effect on him, and he continued pacing his cell nearly all night long. He eats almost nothing, although he is allowed to have food sent to him from outside. Another prisoner clears his cell. He is not allowed to smoke, and is allowed to receive only a single visitor daily.

London, April 6 — Crowds thronged Bow street court this morning anxious to see Oscar Wilde. His arrest yesterday, following close upon the sensational termination of his suit of libel against the Marquis of Queensberry, is discussed on all sides. C. F. Gill, who was Edward Carsons’ junior counsel for the defense of the Marquis of Queensberry, acted as prosecutor today for the treasury department. At 11 o’clock the doors leading to the cells opened and Wilde was seen approaching, carrying a silk hat. When he reached the center of the prisoners’ dock he deposited his hat on the seat, bowed to Sir John Bridge, folded his arms and learned on the rail of the dock in the same insolent manner which he has displayed while on the witness stand in Old Bailey.

Mr. Gill said he appeared to prosecute the prisoner on a series of charges of inciting boys to terrible crimes and the actual committing of acts of gross indecency. Mr. Gill said the prosecution proposed to show that Alfred Taylor, a procurer, approached a young man named Parker, a valet out of position, and his brother groom. Taylor had told them how money could be made by going with a gentleman, and said Wilde was the 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 which he would give in a private room in 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 Savoy hall, where he committed the crime.

Parker was placed on the stand, and related at length, giving the most minute details of his intimacy with Wilde. He testified that he visited Wilde at the Savoy hotel, at Albemarle, at Wilde’s chambers, and at other addresses almost daily. While Parker was giving his testimony Wilde moved restlessly in the dock, and passed his hands across his face.

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.