Compare Documents

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."

LONDON, April 6. - Crowds of people besieged the vicinity of Bow street early this morning, and the police court was filled with interested spectators. 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 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 approached, 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.

TAYLOR ARRESTED.

Mr. Gill said that he appeared to prosecute the prisoner on a series of charges of inciting boys to terrible crime. 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, Mr. Gill said that the prosecution proposed to show how Taylor approached a young man named Parker, who was a valet out of a position, and his brother, a groom, and induced them to meet Wilde at a dinner which he would give in a private room at Kittner's restaurant. After this dinner Wilde announced to Taylor that Charles Parker was the boy for him, and he took the latter to the Savoy Hotel.

The proceedings were interrupted by the official announcement 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 was then examined and related at length his intimacy with Wilde. While Parker was giving this testimony Wilde moved restlessly in the dock and passed his hands across his face.

COMITTED WITHOUT BAIL.

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.

Mrs. Grant testified that she let rooms to Taylor, who, she added, was visited by a number of young men. She could not identify Wilde as one of his visitors. Alfred Woods, a youth, gave damaging testimony against Wilde to whom he said he was introduced by Taylor. Sidney Morer, another youth, followed him. A masseur and a chambermaid at the Savoy Hotel testified to seeing boys in Wilde's room.

Sir John Bridge then remanded Wilde until next Thursday. Counsel asked that his client, Wilde, be released on bail, but the magistrate declined to do so. Counsel persisted, saying that he could offer substantial bail, but Sir John Bridge replied: "It is not a case for bail at all."

The London "Sun" says another sensational arrest is probable before next Thursday.

Will Withdraw Wilde's Play.

NEW YORK, April 6. - Manager Daniel Frohman, of the Lyceum Theatre, 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. He had already omitted Oscar Wilde's name as the author of the play.