The San Francisco Call - Sunday, April 7, 1895

LONDON, ENG., 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 opened.

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.

After a number of witnesses were heard, Sir John Bridges 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 Bridges replied: "This is not a case for bail at all."

Nanaimo Free Press - Monday, April 8, 1895

London, April 6 — Crowds beseiged the vicinity of Bow street early this morning, and the police court was killed 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, following close upon the sensational termination of his suit for libel against the Marquis of Queensberry, is discussed on all sides. O. F. Gill, who was Edward M. Carson’s junior counsel in the defence of the Marquis of Queensberry, acted as prosecutor to-day for the treasury department.

Sir John Bridges, the presiding magistrate, took his seat on the bench at 11 o’clock, and 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 prisoner’s dock he deposited his hat on a seat, bowed to Sir John Bridges, folded his arms and leaned on the rail in the same insolent manner 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 today, acted as procurer for Wilde, who repeatedly visited Taylor’s house. Continuing, Gill said the prosecution proposed to show how Taylor approched a young man named Parker, a valet out of a position, and his brother, a groom. Taylor, it was stated, had told them how money could be made by going with gentlemen, and said 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 them 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 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 minutes 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 his testimony Wilde moved restlessly in the dock and brushed his hands across his face. Parker added that he was arrested with Taylor in a raid in 1894 on a house in Fitzroy square, but claimed 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.

The woman previously referred to as having entered the court room early this morning was the next witness. She gave her name as 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 they were 15 and upward. Mrs. Grant was then asked if she could identify Wilde as a visitor to Taylor's room. She replied that she could not. Thereupon Sir John Bridges said quietly: "Wilde, stand up." Wilde arose, but the witness was still unable to recognize him, but, replying to counsel's question, said she remembered Taylor addressed one of the visitors as "Oscar." Mrs. Grant said Taylor’s rooms were furnished well and highly perfumed. Taylor, she said, dressed effeminately. Witness also said boys stayed all night with him. Before Taylor left Mrs. Grant’s room a sergeant of police went to his apartments and secretly watched Taylor’s proceedings.

Sir John Bridges asked Taylor is he desired to ask the witness any question. 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 were 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. Witness also said that soon after he told Taylor he wanted to "get away from Wilde and people like him."

Counsel interrupted, saying: "Let us deal with the case of Wilde alone, but I believe there were other people at the gatherings." The witness added: "Yes; one or two of them have left the country."

Witness added that Taylor told Wilda that he, witness, wanted to go to America, whereupon Wilde asked to have certain letters returned to him. When be received these letters Wilde gave the witness £35. Witness Woods then went to America.

Sidney Hoover, a good-looking youth, followed Woods upon the witness stand. He testified that he met Wilde and Lord Alfred Donglass at Taylor's rooms. Hoover admitted staying with Taylor, but not with Wilde.

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

Willie Wilde, Oscar Wilde’s brother, entered the court room at this stage of the proceedings, and listened to the remainder of the evidence from the back of the room.

After a chambermaid at the Savoy hotel had given some evidence similar to that of the masseur, Sir John Bridges remanded Wilde until next Thursday. Counsel asked that Wilde be released on bail, but the magistrate declined to do so. Counsel persisted saying ho could offer substantial bail, but Sir John Bridges replied: "It is not a case for bail at all."

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