The Wichita Daily Eagle - Thursday, April 4, 1895

London, April 3. -- Every available inch of the Old Bailey was occupied this morning when the marquis of Quuensberry surrendered to bail and the libel suit brought against him by Oscar Wilde was opened before Justice Collins. Oscar Wilde charges the marpuis with libel by leaving on Feb. 28, last, an uncovered card at the Albemarle club on which card was written cartain foul epithets. The marquis who wore a shabby overcoat, was placed in the dock and answered to the indictment by pleading, first, not guilty, and secondly, that the libel was true and that it was published for the public good.

Letters addressed by Oscar to Lord Alfred Douglas, second son of the marpuis of Queensbury, alleged to contain information that the plaintiff had solicited persons named to commit indecent offenses, were presented.

Oscar Wilde took the stand and testified to a visit of the marquis of Queensbury with another gentleman of his (Wilde's) home. When they arrived, the marquis ordered Oscar to sit down, whereupon the latter replied: "Lord Queensbury, I will not allow anyone to talk that way in my house. I suppose you have come to apologize. Is is possible you accuse me and your son of "sodomy?"

Queensbury replied: "I did not say it, but you look lot it and appear like it."

A letter written by Oscar which was alleged to rfleect seriously upon Oscar's relations to Lord Douglas, referring to the latter as having "rose red lips" and addressing him as "My own boy," and signed "With undying love Oscar," was read by the judge.

Counsel, amid laughter, explained that the letter might seem extravagant to those who were in the habit of writing commercial letters, but, he added, it was "mere poetry." Counsel for marquis quoted from one of Oscar Wilde's novels of modern life, "Dorian Gray," to show that the author upheld isodomy. Oscar said the description of Dorpian Gray given on page six, was taken from Shakespeare's sonnets.

Carson, attorney for Queensbury, cross-examined Wilde and brought out a story of a certain intimacy with a newsboy 18-years of age. Cross examination regarding various other boys and men, were so pointed as to be unprintable. To all of them, however, Wilde emphatically denied that he had done anything improper. The cross-examination was not completed when the court adjourned.

Springfield Democrat - Thursday, April 4, 1895

LONDON, April 3 -- Every available inch of the Old Bailey was occupied this morning, when the libel suit brought against the marquis of Queensbury by Oscar Wilde, was opened before Justice Collins. Oscar Wilde charges the marquis with libel, by leaving on February 28, last, an uncovered card at the Albermarle club on which card was written certain foul epithets.

The marquis, who wore a shabby overcoat, was placed in the dock and answered to the indictment by pleading first, not guilty, and secondly, that the alleged libellous statement was true and that the matter was published for the public good. Letters addressed by Oscar Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglass, second son of the marquis of Queensbury, and all on questionable subjects were offered in evidence.

Oscar Wilde went on the stand and told of a visit of the marquis to him and of his saying that if Wilde was not guilty as charged on the card he looked like it.

An endearing letter written by Wilde to Lord Douglass was read by the judge.

The counsel, amid much laughter, explained that the letter might seem extravagant to those who were in the habit of writing commercial letters, "but," he added, "it was mere poetry."

The counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry quoted from one of Oscar Wilde's novels of modern life, "Dorian Gray," to show that the author upheld unnatural admiration. Oscar said the description of "Dorian Gray" given on page 6 was taken from Shakespeare's sonnetts.

Mr. Carson, attorney for the Marquis, cross-examined Wilde and brought out the story of certain association with a newsboy, 18 years of age. Cross-examination regarding the various other boys and men were so pointed as to be unprintable. To all of them, however, Wilde emphatically denied that he had done anything improper. Cross-examination was not completed when court adjeurned.

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