The Washington Times - Saturday, April 6, 1895

Afraid to Meet the Proofs of the Defense, His Counsel Gives the Case Up-The Jury's Verdict Greeted with Cheers-He Spent Last Night in a Common Cell-His Name Stricken From the Playbills.

London, April 5. -- Oscar Wilde is locked up in a cell at the Bow Street, where he must spend the night, at least.

The charge against him is a criminal offense for which no bail can be accepted until he has been arraigned in court.

His libel suit came to a sudden end this this morning. The leading counsel for the defendant, Mr. Edward M. Carson, Q. C., was outlining the proof in the hands of the defense, when he was interrupted by Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for the plaintiff, who asked leave to withdraw the suit.

This was granted, and the jury under instruction from Justice Collins, without leaving their seats, returned a verdict of not guilty, coupled with the statement that the justification set up by the Marquis of Queensberry was true in substance and in fact, and that the statement complained of was published for the public good.

The verdict was received with cheers, which were not checked by the presiding justice.

Wilde wrote a letter after the verdict was rendered, saying it was impossible to prove his case without putting Lord Alfred Douglass in the witness box. Rather than do this he determined to retire from the case.

WARRANT FOR HIS ARREST.

The defense presented the testimony of a long array of witnesses, whom they had intended to call, to the authorities, and the result was that Sir John Bridge, Magistrate at the Bow street police court, issued a warrant for Wilde's arrest, which was served on him at Cadogan's Hotel.

Wilde spent several hours in company with Lord Alfred Douglass at a hotel in Holborn. His brougham was waiting in front of the hotel. Early in the afternoon Lord Alfred drove to a bank, cashed a check and returned to the hotel. Soon drove away. When he was arrested he was taken at once to Scotland Yard.

Wilde wore an ulster and a silk hat. He was very pale, but cool, when he arrived at Scotland Yard. Few persons witnessed his arrival there, and those who did so maintained silence.

He had merely called at the Cadogan Hotel with a couple of friends, when at halfpast 6'0clock a detective walked into the office and asked for him.

The prisoner remained silent throughout the proceedings. He was then taken to Bow street. He was placed in the dock in the police station. Here he stood with his hands in his pockets while the charge against him was being taken.

A police inspector then read the charge aloud and asked Wilde if he had anything to say, adding the usual warning that anything he said might be used against him. The prisoner remained apparently indifferent and made no reply.

MUST SPEND THE NIGHT.

He was then searched, after which he was locked in a cell. Shortly after he had been locked up one of his friends arrived in a carriage at the station with a small Gladstone bag containing a change of clothing and other necessaries, but the police refused to permit him to leave it.

Later, Lord Alfred Douglas went to the police station and inquired whether Wilde could be admitted to bail. The police inspector explained that Wilde had been arrested for a criminal offense which did not allow of bail being accepted until he had been arraigned in court.

The prisoner will be allowed to receive food from a hotel until to-morrow, when he will be arraigned in court on a charge involving a penal offense.

The name of Oscar Wilde has been withdrawn from the play bills and advertisements of the two theaters, the St. James and the Haymarket, where two of his plays are running.

Officials of the treasury department, under which branch of the government public prosecutions are directed, visited Bow street police court several times this afternoon previous to the granting of the warrant for Oscar Wilde's arrest. Upon the occasion of their last visit they were accompanied by a detective and by two boys.

The Wichita Daily Eagle - Saturday, April 6, 1895

London, April 5. -- The jury in the case of Oscar Wilde against the marquis of Queesbury found that the plea of justification submitted by the marquis of Queensbury was proved and the marquis was discharged from custody. The verdict was received with loud applause from the court, which the court did not check. A warrant for the arrest of Oscar Wilde will, it is expected, be promptly applied for. Copies of all the witnesses' statemenest and shorthand notes of the trial have been furnished to the public prosecutor.

Oscar Wilde was arrested at the Cadogan hotel this afternoon.

Wilde wore an ulster and a silk hat. He was very pale but cool when he arrived at Scotland yard. Few persons witnessed his arrival there and those who did maintained silence. At 8:10 p. m. Wilde was arraigned at the Bow street police court. He had merely called at the Cadogan hotel with a couple of friends when at half past 6 o'clock a detective walked into the office and asked for him. He was shown the room where Wilde was and put him under arrest.

BEHIND THE BARS.

Wilde said nothing but immediately went with the detective who took him to Scotland Yard, where the warrant was read. The prisoner remained silent throughout the proceedings. He was then taken to Bow street. He was not arraigned in the police court as at first stated but was placed in the dock in the police station. Here he stood with his hands in his pockets while the charge against him was being taken. A police inspector then read the charge aloud and asked Wilde if he had anything to say, adding the usual warning that anything he said might be used against him. The prisoner remained silent and apparently indifferent.

He was then searched after which he was locked in a cell. Shortly after he had been locked up, one of his friends arrived in a carriage at the station with a Gladstone bag containing a change of clothing and other necessaries, but the police refused to permit him to have it Later Lord Alfred Douglas went to the police station and inquired whether Wilde could be admitted to bail. The police inspector explained that Wilde had been arrested for a criminal offense which did not allow of bail being accepted until he had been arraigned in court.

Lord Alfred was greatly distressed by this information. He was told by the inspector that Wilde had a blanket and other requisitions in his cell to be as comfortable as the police regulations allowed.

The prisoner will be allowed to receive food from a hotel until tomorrow when he will be arraigned in court on a charge involving a penal offense.

The name of Oscar Wilde has been withdrawn from the play bills and advertisements of the two theaters, the St. James and the Haymarket, where two of his plays are running.

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