The Wichita Daily Eagle - Friday, April 5, 1895

London, April 4. -- There was unabated interest today at the Old Bailey in the taking of testimony on the second day of the suit of libel brought by Oscar Wilde against the marquis of Queensbury. Oscar upon resuming his jlace on the witness stand, admitted that he had attended tea parties in the rooms of a man named Taylor, which were artistically furnished and in which perfumes were burning. He denied any improper relations having been permitted there. Wilde in his answer to questions put to him exhibited confusion and contradicted himself frequently.

Queensbury's attorney, Carson, plied him with questions which were in the main pitiless and unprintable. The cross-examination was concluded at noon, after having lasted six hours. Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for Wilde, then began the examination of his client by putting in evidence certain letters of the marquis in which he called upon his son Lord Alfred Douglas, to cease his "infamous relations" with the plaintiff, saying that his blood turned cold at the sight of their "infamous faces." He added: "I hear that Wilde's wife will petition for divorce on the ground of unnatural crime. If you do not cease to let him disgrace us, I shall feel justified in shooting him on sight."

To this letter Lord Alfred replied: "What a funny little man you are."

After the production of other letters the case for the plaintiff was closed. Carson began his speech for the defense. It was terribly denunciatory of Wilde, who left the court-room.

Most of the newspapers are printing the testomony verbatim, but the character of the testimony is such today that the St. James Gazette says: The nature of the evidence and the whole circumstances of the case prove to be of such a character that we cannot repeat it. The English public is at the present moment involved in one of the worst orgies of indecency permitted by the operation of open law courts and an enterprising press."

Oakland Tribune - Thursday, April 4, 1895

LONDON, April 4. -- There was unabated interest today at Old Bailey in the taking of testimony in the suit for libel brought by Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry.

The audience was largely composed of lawyers and reporters.

There were a few notable persons present.

The plaintiff arrived at an early hour and took a seat at the table reserved for solicitors.

The Marquis of Queensberry entered in a few minutes looking jaunty and confident.

Several of his friends shook the defendant's hands as he entered the dock.

Oscar Wilde, upon resuming his place on the witness stand, admitted that he had attended parties in the rooms of a man named Taylor, which were artistically furnished and in which perfumes were burning.

He denied, however, that he had seen Taylor in a woman's costume.

Further questions upon the part of Mr. Carson, counsel for the Marquis of Queensberry, brought forth the admission that Taylor introduced to Wilde five youths to whom Wilde gave money and took to a restaurant.

Plaintiff admitted that he was not aware one of them was a valet and another a coachman or that Taylor had been arrested in a raid in a house on Fitzroy Square.

WILDE GETS RATTLED.

Wilde, in answers to questions, exhibited confusion and contradicted himself frequently.

He also lost his temper.

Carson's questions were in the main pitiless and unprintable.

Carson's cross-examination of the plaintiff was concluded at noon, having lasted over six hours.

Sir Edward Clark, leading counsel for Wilde, then began the examination of his client by putting in certain letters of the Marquis of Queensberry, in which he called upon his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, to cease the "infamous intimacy" with the plaintiff, saying his "blood turned cold at the sight of their infamous faces."

He added: "I hear Wilde's wife will petition for a divorce on the ground of unnatural crimes. If you do not cease to let him disgrace us I shall feel justified in shooting him on sight."

"A FUNNY LITTLE MAN."

To this letter Lord Alfred replied: "What a funny little man you are."

Most of the newspapers are printing the testimony in the suit almost verbatim, but the character of the testimony is such today that the St. James' Gazette says: "The nature of the evidence and the whole circumstances of the case prove to be of such a character that we cannot repeat it."

The St. James' Gazette adds: "The English public is at the present moment involved in one of those orgies of indecency, permitted by the operations of open law courts and an enterprising press."

After the noon recess the crowd in the courtroom was larger than ever and the hall and stairs leading to it were filled ten deep with well-dressed men waiting to enter.

Wilde kept the court waiting ten minutes, for which he apologized to Justice Collins, saying he had been consulting his doctor.

After the production of other letters the case for the plaintiff was closed and Carson began his speech for the defense.

It was terribly denunciatory of Wilde, who left the courtroom as soon as the counsel for the defendant began to speak.

Lord Alfred Douglass was present in the court a short time during the morning but did not return in the afternoon.

The speech of Carson for the defense lasted until the court adjourned at 5 p. m. and was not finished.

He reviewed the evidence point by point, denounced Wilde and said the witnesses he would produce would prove beyond any doubt the guilt of the plaintiff.

Carson alluded in complimentary terms to the course of Beerbohm Tree in forwarding to the plaintiff a copy of an anonymous letter handed to the English actor, whereupon, Justice Collins said: "There is no occasion to mention the name of Beerbohm Tree."

Carson in reply remarked: "Nor should I do so, my Lord, had it not been that I received a cable message from him today asking that his connection with the case be fully explained."

"Every one understands Mr. Tree's connection with the case was in every way honorable and praiseworthy," said the Justice in conclusion.

Wilde returned to the courtroom a few minutes before adjournment.

Among the letters produced and addressed by the Marquis of Queensberry to his son, Lord Alfred Douglas, was one saying that Wilde was "a cur and a coward of the Roseberry type."

Highlighted DifferencesNot significantly similar