Reynolds's Newspaper - Sunday, April 7, 1895

OSCAR WILDE
CHARGED WITH INFAMOUS CONDUCT.
THE PRISONER AT BOW STREET.
SHOCKING REVELATIONS.
ARREST OF TAYLOR.
THE SCENE IN COURT.
FULL AND SPECIAL REPORT.

Yesterday, Oscar Fingall O'Flaherty Wills Wilde, described as a gentleman, of 16, Tite-street, Chelsea, was charged on a warrant before Sir John Bridge, at Bow-street Police Court, with inciting other persons to commit crime, with committing offences against decency, and with offences under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885 (Clause 11).

The case was heard in the upper court, which was so crowded that ushers had to take chairs in to accommodate the comers. The court was filled with men only, with the exception of one lady, quietly dressed in black, with close-fitting jacket and small bonnet, slightly relieved with a few violets, who was shown in from the prisoners' entrance, and given a seat immediately behind the prisoners' dock. When Sir John Bridge took his seat on the bench, only one gentleman, who had sat there alone for half an hour previously, had been allotted a position there -- a distinguished-looking man whose name could not be ascertained. Among the crowd Sir Augustus Harris pushed his way in.

Sir John Bridge took his seat, and almost immediately

OSCAR ENTERED THE DOCK.

He started round uneasily, and fidgeted incessantly, stroking his face with his brown suede glove. After a whispered inquiry of the constable standing by him, he sat down in the dock, and, with one arm outstretched along the back rail and the other elbow resting on the end rail, took what ease he might.

Mr. Gill explained that the charges at present to be dealt with were those of acts of indecency at the Savoy Hotel in March, 1893. In the upper part of the house in Little College-street there lived Taylor, a man closely identified with Wilde. Wilde would afterwards be charged with conspiring with Taylor. Parker was a valet out of place, who was in company with his brother, a groom, when, in the St. James's Restaurant, they were accosted by Wilde, who

OFFERED THEM DRINK,

took from them their address, and invited them to Little College-street. On a subsequent day Alfred Parker drove with Wilde to the Savoy Hotel -- somewhere about March 13 or 14. Mr. Gill traced the loathsome story which the prosecution desired to prove. Dealing with the evidence of identification, Mr. Gill remarked that he was a man whom no one who once saw him would be likely to forget. Parker was leading a respectable life now, and it was painful that his story must be given. It would be corroborated in every step by his brother and by other witnesses, and as the prisoner was an available witness he would have an opportunity, if he chose, of repeating the evidence that had been given elsewhere. Mr. Gill's relentless story went on to deal with other cases in which it would be shown that the prisoner had the audacity to commit these offences at the Savoy Hotel, at a hotel in Piccadilly, and even at his own house in Tite-street, when all his family were away.

Charles Parker, a slight, fair young fellow of medium height, well dressed, who stated that he had been a valet, was the first witness.

Mr. Gill: Are you nineteen years of age? - Yes, sir.

You were formerly in service as a valet? - Yes.

Did you leave that employment at the end of February, 1893? - Yes.

At the beginning of March, 1893, you were out of employment? - Yes.

Have you a brother named William Parker? - Yes. He was out of employment at the same time. He had been a groom, and his last occupation had been that of a butler.

Do you remember being in company with Taylor and going to St. James's Restaurant? - Yes.

After about ten minutes a dark-complexioned, clean-shaved man, about twenty-five years of age, with black hair, brushed back from a high forehead, was put into the dock. Wilde received his fellow prisoner with a bow, and Taylor smiled and bowed at him. Wilde, after rising to let Taylor pass to the other end of the dock, sitting down again, whilst Taylor stood leaning forward and smiling sneeringly at the witness. The short evidence given by Parker was read over, and the examination continued.

Parker said that when he met Taylor he told witness that Mr. Oscar was "a good man."

What did you understand by that expression? - Good for money, I suppose.

Sir John Bridge: But did he say why he wanted to introduce Wilde?

Witness: Because he liked boys. (Sensation.)

The Witness proceeded to say that he was introduced to Wilde two days later. He was given the address in Little College-street by Taylor at the restaurant, and he and his brother called there. He forgot who admitted him, but when inside he saw the rooms which Taylor lived in. They were three in number - a bedroom, drawing-room, and kind of kitchen. The drawing-room was well-furnished. The bedroom had a very low bed in it - not more than a foot or a foot and a half off the ground. The rooms were not lit; of that I am sure. There was nobody there but Taylor.

What did he say to you? - That he had arranged for me to be introduced to Mr. Wilde, either at Kettner's Restaurant or the Solferino.

When were you to be introduced? - In the evening, at dinner, at half-past seven. Nothing more was said, and all three left the house together. That evening my brother and I went to the restaurant, whichever it was. We went upstairs to a private room. Previously we had met Taylor at the St. James's bar.

Was there a table laid for dinner? - Yes, for four.

Did the prisoner Wilde shortly come in? - Yes.

Had you seen him before? - Never. Taylor introduced us, and we had dinner together.

Was it a good dinner? - A very good dinner. We had champagne.

Did you smoke? - Yes, cigarettes.

Did you see who paid for the dinner? - I saw Wilde write out a cheque.

At the end of the dinner did Wilde ask you anything? - Yes. He said, "This is the boy for me. Will you come to the Savoy Hotel with me?"

Did you go? - Yes; we drove in a hansom. It was about ten o'clock. We went to the second or third floor of the hotel.

When you got to the rooms where did you go? - Into the sitting-room. No one else was there. Drink was brought into the room.

What did he order? - Whiskey and soda.

What took place afterwards? - He asked me into his bedroom, which opened off the sitting-room. We went there.

Mr. Gill: Did you undress? Yes.

Both of you? - Yes.

Sir John: Did you take them all off? Witness (bluntly): Yes.

Mr. Gill: Both went naked into bed? Witness: Yes.

Mr. Gill: I don't propose to take this further, Sir John, in any detail. (To the witness.) Acts of indecency took place between you in bed? - Yes. I was there about two hours. He have me £2 and told me to come again in about a week. I went. It was about eleven o'clock at night. I was shown to the same room--his sitting-room. I had supper with him--chicken and champagne. We smoked. I was alone with him after supper. We went into the bedroom afterwards, and the same kind of thing took place as had taken place before. I remained about an hour and a half. Then dressed and went away. He gave me £3 that time.

Sir John Bridge: Did he say why £3 instead of £2? - Oh, he told me to buy some clothes. I saw Wilde again from tome to time. I forget how I got the St. James's-street address. I went there in the afternoon between four and five o'clock. I had tea with Wilde. Afterwards we went into his bedroom but not into bed. Acts of indecency took place. Sometimes I went to St. James's-street every day.

Have you had lunch there? - Yes. I went to the Crystal Palace with Wilde after meeting him at St. James's-place and had lunch with him. I have dined both at Solferino's and Kettner's with him alone.

Do you remember going with him to music halls? - Yes; he was in a box at the Pavilion.

Afterwards where did you go? - I went with him to St. James's-place. He let himself in with his keys, and I went with him.

SIMILAR ACTS TOOK PLACE,

and we came out and left the place together. We drove part of the way to Park-walk, Chelsea. I got out and he drove on. I had a room at 50, Park-walk.

Did Wilde come there? - Yes, once.

Did he walk or come by cab? - By cab.

Did he come into your room? - Yes.

Did he keep the cab waiting? - Yes.

Your room was a bedroom? - Yes. Nothing took place on that occasion.

What time was it? - It was at night.

The Magistrate: Why did he come? - Just to see me.

Mr. Gill: After that there was some unpleasantness with the landlady, and you left? - Yes.

How far is it to Tite-street from Camera-square? - I think about half an hour's walk. I think he visited me at Camera-square, but I am not certain.

How did you go to the Albemarle Hotel? - I was taken there.

I went into the country, where Mr. Charles Russell came to me for the other case.

At this point Mr. Humphreys, barrister, who had appeared for Wilde at the Central Criminal Court, arrived and had a conversation with the prisoner Wilde as he passed behind the dock. Afterwards Mr. Humphreys announced that attended to defend, but that the charge had "so taken his client by surprise" that he was not prepared to cross-examine Parker. He was not sure it would be necessary here, but, if so, he would give the prosecution notice.

Parker was then bound over in £80 to appear at the sessions.

William Parker, brother of the previous witness, said: I was formerly in employment as a groom. I and my brother in March, 1893, were out of employment, and on one occasion in the bar of St. James's Restaurant, we were together, and a man accosted us. I recognize Taylor as that man.

Counsel tried to get the witness to say why Oscar Wilde's name was mentioned, and for what purpose, but the witness could not remember any particular words used, though he said he understood the sense of what was said, and the intention of the introduction. Pressed as to what the intention was, the witness said, "The same as women." Later, the questions being pressed, the witness became faint and unnerved, and had to sit down.

Continuing his evidence, he presently said, "Taylor got my name and address on this paper, which was in my handwriting, and he said he should like to introduce us, as Oscar Wilde was a good man for money."

Sir John Bridge: Money for those who were

THE SAME AS WOMEN?

Witness: Yes.

Sir John: What women? Witness: Women that walk the streets?

Sir John: The money was for the same as those women? - Yes.

The witness was then taken to the incident of the call at Taylor's rooms, the appointment for dinner the same night, and the introduction to Wilde, who made the request to Charles in his (witness's) presence, and the departure of the two. Witness said that he and Taylor afterwards left together, parting in Piccadilly. It was the only time he met the prisoner Wilde.

Mr. Travers said he did not think it would be necessary to cross-examine the witness on the prisoner Wilde. He only wished to know if the date could be fixed.

Witness: It was some time in March.

Taylor said he would ask no questions.

The next witness was Mrs. Ellen Grant, 13, Little College-street. She said: I am the wife of William Alfred Grant. The prisoner Alfred Taylor occupied rooms in that house from January, 1892, to August, 1893. The rooms consist of bedroom, sitting-room, bathroom, and kitchen, for which he paid £3 a month. The rooms were furnished very nicely. The windows were very dark, especially in the sitting-room. Art muslin was strained over the glass, and there were dark curtains and muslin curtains. There was no daylight. It was lit by candles. There was no bedstead; it was a spring mattress on the ground. He furnished the place himself. He kept no servants.

Did he cook for himself? - Yes.

He was visited by many gentlemen? - Yes; a great many gentlemen.

Were they young? - Yes; quite young.

He had no wife? - I was always given to understand he was a bachelor. No woman lived with him there.

How old were the young gentlemen who called? - From sixteen upwards. If Taylor was dressed, he opened the door himself; if not, I did.

Have you seen ladies' clothes there? - Well, wigs and things for fancy dress. But no ordinary dress. Taylor was fold of scent and of burning scent. There were large numbers of scent bottles. The gentlemen who came used to come to tea.

Did not recognise the other prisoner as having been at the rooms.

Here, at the request of Sir John, Wilde stood up; but the witness still said she failed to identify him, and Wilde sank back into his hard seat in the corner of the dock and spread out his arms, partially hiding his face, as he had done almost all through.

The Witness, in reply to questions, said sometimes young men stopped all night in the house. The names of several of those mentioned at the Central Criminal Court were put to the witness, and two or three she said were there for says at a time, sleeping with Taylor and sharing his rooms. There ere tea parties--always men--and she had heard him addressing one as "Oscar" and others as "Carlie dear," &c. Witness on one occasion allowed a gentlemen, who said he was a friend of Taylor's, to see the rooms; but witness afterwards learnt that he was a police-sergeant. (Laughter.) Witness knew the house was being watched, and the police-sergeant visit was shortly before Taylor left. He went suddenly, telling her he was going on the Saturday and leaving on the Sunday.

Sir John Bridge: There was no brass plate on the door?

Witness: Oh, no. He said he was a gentleman.

Alfred Woods, a clerk, said: I know the prisoner Taylor, and was staying with him in Little College-street in January, 1893. I had been out of employment about a week. I did not know that Taylor had any legitimate employment whatever.

Do you know the other prisoner? - Yes, I know Oscar Wilde.

When did you make his acquaintance? At the Café Royal, and I think it must have been some time in January, 1893. It was about three months before I went to America. I was alone when I met him. It was about nine o'clock in the evening when I met him. We went to the Florence in Rupert-street, and there we had supper together in a private room. We had champagne. After supper we went, I think, to Tite-street. He said his family were at Torquay. We went into the house. There seemed to be nobody about, and he let himself in by a latch-key. We went to his bedroom, and there we had something to drink. I stayed for three or four hours.

The witness was asked by Mr. Gill in general terms if acts of indecency took place, to which the Witness said "Yes," and then Mr. Humphreys objected to a leading question.

Sir John Bridge said it would not help the prisoner Wilde to have details, but, as the objection was raised, the witness would have to state the facts.

The evidence was then given being of course unreportable, and the witness excused himself by saying that he was the worse for drink at the time. Nevertheless he admitted, on further examination, that he made further visits to Tite-street, and to similar acts following the supper that took place, drink being plentiful.

Asked by Sir John where the supper came from, the Witness said that the prisoner Oscar and himself went down to the pantry and found it. There was no servant seen by him at any time. Witness said he had seen Oscar Wilde at Taylor's rooms in Little College-street. Witness had lodged in Langham-street, having a bed and sitting-room combined. Wilde called on him there one afternoon, and stayed about twenty minutes, but witness did not remember anything taking place there. "Wilde game me money," said the Witness, "on several occasions, £3 and £4 at a time, and also gave me a watch and a chain." The acquaintance ceased when witness left for America in March, 1893.

Mr. Gill: How did your leaving come about? - I told Taylor, said the Witness, that I would like to get away from these people.

Sir John: What do you mean by these people? Witness: Wilde and others.

Mr. Gill: Let us leave others out at present. You had become acquainted with others who attended these tea parties at Taylor's, and some of them are out of the country at present? Witness: Yes.

You wanted to go abroad, and told Taylor so? - Yes. I heard Taylor telling him I wanted to go to America, and Wilde asked me if I had any letters, and I said yes. Taylor sent me a telegram to meet Wilde, and I went to his rooms. Wilde then gave me two £10 notes and two £5 notes.

Mr. Gill: Did you give him any letters then? - He asked me for them; he seemed very anxious to get them.

Sir John: Did you give him letters of his that day?

Mr. Gill: Not his, Sir John--other people's.

The next day, continued the Witness, I lunched with Wilde at the Florence. That was the last time I saw him. He sent me £5 by messenger after the lunch. I have been to the Savoy with Wilde.

Sidney Maynon said he had been to Little College-street and the Albemarle Hotel with Wilde, but the latter had never given him money.

The case was adjourned until next Thursday. Bail was applied for on behalf of Mr. Oscar Wilde and refused.

IN HOLLOWAY.

In Holloway, the accused has been provided with a comfortably-furnished cell. It has a well-upholstered bedstead, table, two chairs, and washstand, and is in close proximity to the cell in which that unfortunate gentleman, Major Parkinson, committed suicide some months ago. In the case of Oscar Wilde the small oval looking-class has been removed. Arrangements have been made by the friends of Oscar that he is to be supplied with his meals by a local caterer, and that entertainer of persons in durance vile has been told to provide his customer with the best things he can possibly obtain. By the rules of the prison the accused will be able to empty half a bottle of wine per diem, but smoking is strictly forbidden. The prisoner will also be provided with newspapers, and will be allowed to see his solicitor daily, and a friend on visiting days.

WILDE'S FIRST NIGHT IN THE CELLS.

At length Oscar Wilde appears to realise the terrible position in which he has been placed. The first signs he showed of weakness was when he was formally charged at Bow-street Police Station on Friday. Had he not supported himself by the rail which runs down the lower end of the office he would have fallen. In a few seconds, however, he recovered himself, and, sweeping back his hair from his forehead, desired to know in what manner he was to be treated. He was informed that he would be placed in an ordinary cell. "Cannot I have a private room?" he plaintively queried. "No," was the reply; "but we will make you as comfortable as possible." First, however, before he was placed in the cell for the night, he as requested to give up any articles which he had upon him. He, without a word,

TURNED OUT HIS POCKETS.

A few loose coins, a pencil case, some papers, and twenty £5 notes, this was all he had upon him. The notes were kept by the police, but the remaining articles, excepting the pencil, were returned to him. Then he was conducted to the cell, one of those on the ground floor of the building. It is furnished in the usual manner, with a chair, a table, and a wooden bench fixed against the wall. "How am I to sleep to-night"? was Oscar's next question. In reply a constable brought in a few rugs he had collected in the living rooms of the men adjacent the station, and throwing them upon the bench already referred to, indicated that that would be the bed for the night. These little matters settled, the question of dinner was next to be considered. The prisoner, placed as he was, would be allowed to secure special food if he so desired. He did so desire, and a messenger, acting on his request, was dispatched to the Tavistock Hotel, in Covent Garden. He returned, attended by one of the hotel servants bearing a waiter piled

WITH SOUP, FISH, CHICKEN,

and a small bottle of champagne. For this repast, recherché although it might be, Oscar displayed only the slightest partiality, and it was returned with little diminished in quantity. Then he requested to be provided with a book in order to while away the time in reading. The light in the cell, however, prevented this. He slept very lightly, and now and then paced his cell. As soon as yesterday morning broke he stepped up to the door of the cell, and, catching sight of the constable who had been detailed for the duty of watching him during the night, had a brief conversation with him. At eight o'clock yesterday morning a messenger arrived from the Tavistock Hotel again with his breakfast. This consisted of coffee and bread and butter. The coffee he drank, but the solid food he returned untouched. A curious feature, however, was that, before the food could be taken from the cell, another messenger arrived with coffee, brad, butter, and two eggs. This, of course, was returned.

LORD QUEENSBERRY'S THREAT.

The Marquis of Queensberry wishes to correct the statement that has been published with regard to his message to Oscar Wilde. Some of the morning papers stated yesterday that as soon as the trial ended Lord Queensberry sent the following message to Mr. Wilde: "If the country allows you to leave, all the better for the country; but if you take my son with you I will follow you wherever you go, and shoot you." This statement is not correct. The message was sent some days ago, and not after the trial ended. Lord Queensberry did not say he would shoot Mr. Wilde. What he said was that "If he persuaded his misguided son to go with him, he would feel quite justified in following him (Wilde) and shooting him, did he feel inclined to do so, and were he worth the trouble."

FURTHER WARRANTS ISSUED.

Further warrants have been issued for the arrest of persons connected with the scandal in addition to Wilde and Taylor. The police are in possession of warrants for the arrest of at least four other persons, and they have been placed in the hands of expert detectives for execution.

FOR THE DEFENCE.

It is stated on good authority that Sir Edward Clarke has written to Mr. Oscar Wilde offering to defend him without a fee.

Considerable surprise has been expressed that the prosecution of Wilde has been taken under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, Section 11, as by that Act the offence charged--"malicious assault"--is reduced from a felony to a misdemeanour, with a maximum sentence of two years for each offence, to run concurrently or not given the discretion of the Judge.

REPUDIATED STATEMENTS.

The Hon. and Rev. Archibald Douglas writes to the Press as follows: "Sir,--My nephew, Lord Douglas of Harwick, was certainly not authorized by my mother, my sister, or myself, to say, as was reported recently,--'every member of our family except my father, disbelieves, absolutely and entirely, the allegations for the defence.' We do most certainly believe them, and must repudiate any sympathy with the statement of my nephew."

A New York telegram to Reuter says that the management of the Lyceum Theatre, where Oscar Wilde's play, "An Ideal Husband," is now running, have decided to remove the author's name from the bills and programmes. Miss Rose Coghlan, who has been playing "A Woman of No Importance" in the Western States, has resolved to omit the play from her repertoire.