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."

The Fort Worth Daily Gazette - 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 trial of the suit for libel brought by Oscar Wilde against the marquis of Queensbury. The audience was largely composed of lawyers and reporters. There were few notable persons present. The plaintiff arrived in court at an early hour and took his seat at the table reserved for the solicitors.

The marquis of Queensbury entered a few minutes later, looking jaunty and confident. Several of his friends rushed forward and shook the defendant's hand, as he entered the dock.

Oscar Wilde, upon resuming his place in 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, however, that he had seen Taylor in women's costume. Further questions upon the part of Mr. Carson, counsel for the marquis of Queensbury, brought forth the admission that Taylor introduced to Wilde five youths to whom Wilde gave money and took them to a restaurant. The plaintiff admitted that he was not aware that one of them was a valet or another a coachman, or that Taylor had been arrested in a raid on a house in Fitzroy square.

Wilde, in the answers to the questions put to him, exhibited confusion and contradicted himself frequently. He also lost his temper.

Mr. Carson's questions were in the main pitiless and unprintable, Mr. Carson's cross-examination of the plaintiff was concluded at noon, after having lasted, including the time of yesterday, over six hours.

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

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

To this letter Lord Alfred Douglass replied by telegraphing to his father, saying: "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 can not reproduce 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 courts and an enterprising press."

The Gazette urges that all such cases should be heard in chambers.

After the noon recess the crowd in the court was larger than ever, and the hall and the stages leading to it were filled ten deep with well dressed men who were waiting a chance to enter.

The marquis of Queensberry lunched with several of his friends, and the sympathy of all present in court seems to be with him.

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

After the production of other letters the case for the plaintiff was closed and Mr. Carson began his speech for the defense. It was terribly denunciatory of Wilde, who left the court room as soon a counsel for the defendant began to speak.

Lord Alfred Douglass was present in court for a short time during the morning, but he did not return in the afternoon. The speech of Mr. Carson for the defense lasted until court adjourned at 5 p. m., and was not finished. He fully reviewed the evidence, point by point, denounced Wilde, and said that the witnesses he would produce would prove to the jury beyond any doubt the guilt of the plaintiff.

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

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

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

Wilde returned to the court room for a few minutes before the adjournment.

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

Such was the interest taken in the proceedings today that services of an extra force of police were required outside the old bailey in order to disperse the large crowds which assembled in the neighborhood in order to see the principals in this notorious case.

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