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 San Francisco Examiner - Friday, April 5, 1895

LONDON, April 4. - There was unabated interest to-day at the Old Bailey in taking testimony on the second day of the trial of the suit for libel brought by Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensberry. The audience was largely composed of lawyers and reporters. There were few notable persons present. The plaintiff arrived at an early hour and took a seat at the table reserved for solicitors. He brushed back his hair in his usual fashion and struck an attitude for effect. The Marquis of Queensberry 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 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. and in which perfumes were burning. He denied, however, that he had seen Taylor in woman's costume. Upon every occasion of his visiting Taylor's house he had met a man named Mavori, who had since disappeared. Wilde said he was aware Taylor had been arrested.

Mr. Carson asked: "When you read of Taylor's arrest did it make any difference in your friendship for him?"

"I was greatly distressed, and wrote to him. His arrest did not affect my friendship," said Wilde. Wilde admitted his acquaintanceship with a man of the name of Atkins, who was employed by a bookmaker. He first met Atkins at the rooms of a gentleman whose name he declined to give, but which he handed up to the Judge. The name was not made known by the court. Atkins went to Paris with him. Wilde paid the fares, and had given Atkins £3 upon one occasion and £15 on another. Besides this he had given him presents of various articles.

Sir Edward Clarke, formerly Solicitor-General, leading counsel for Oscar Wilde, then began his re-direct 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 his intimacy with the plaintiff, saying that his "blood turned cold at the sight of their faces." He added: "I hear that Wilde's wife will petition for a divorce. If you do not cease to let him disgrace us I shall feel justified in shooting him on sight."

To this letter Lord Alfred Douglas replied by telegraph to his father, saying: "What a funny little man you are."

After the afternoon session Mr. Carson began his speech for the defense. It was terribly denunciatory of Wilde, who left the courtroom as soon as counsel for the defendant began to speak. Lord Alfred Douglas was present in court for a short time during the morning, but he did not return in the afternoon.

Mr. Carson carefully reviewed the evidence, scathingly denounced Wilde and said 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. Beerbohm Tree in forwarding to plaintiff a copy of the anonymous letter handed to the English actor, whereupon 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. Beerbohm Tree to-day asking that his connection be fully explained."

Most of the newspapers are printing the testimony in the suit almost verbatim, but its character is such to-day that the St. James Gazette says: "The nature of the evidence, and the whole circumstances of the case have come to be of such a character that we cannot report it.

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