The St. James's Gazette - Saturday, April 6, 1895

THE ARREST OF OSCAR WILDE.
PROCEEDINGS AT BOW STREET.

At Bow street this morning, before Sir John Bridge, who sat specially in the Extradition Court, Oscar Wilde, described as a gentleman, of 16, Titestreet, Chelsea, was charged on a warrant, signed by Sir John Bridge, with indecent conduct. The charge sheet was signed by Inspector Thomas Brockwell, and on it it was further stated that the prisoner was taken into custody by lnspectors Brockwell and Richards at New Scotland-yard, and that the property found on him included twenty £5 notes. The charge was taken by Sub-Divisional Inspector Digby, of the E Division, at Bowstreet Police Station. There was great excitement in the vicinity of the Court, and hundreds of persons remained outside after having applied in vain for admission. Mr. C. F. Gill, instructed by Mr. Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, prosecuted.

ARREST OF TAYLOR.

The Exchange Telegraph Company states the man Taylor was arrested in Denbigh street, Pimlico, this morning, by Detective-sergeant Harris. Mr. Gill said that Taylor had been arrested, and asked that he might be placed in the dock with the other prisoner.

HOW OSCAR WILDE WAS ARRESTED.

The warrant for the arrest of Oscar Wilde, which, as we announced last evening, was granted by Sir John Bridge yesterday afternoon on the application of Mr. Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, was executed last evening. It appears that Mr. Wilde, after conferring with his counsel, Sir Edward Clarke, at the Central Criminal Court yesterday morning, proceeded in company with Lord A. Douglas and two other gentlemen, to the Holborn Viaduct Hotel. They remained in conference in a private room. At 2.15 the party drove off in Mr. Wildes brougham to a bank ia St James’s, where a large sum of money was drawn out on a cheque payable to "sell." Then Mr. Wilde proceeded to the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane street, where, about half past six o'clock, he was arrested by Inspector Richard. On the officer asking for Mr. Wilde he was told he was not there but on the inspector insisting he was conducted to his room. Mr. Wilde had with him two friends, and the inspector stated the object of his visit. Mr. Wilde appeared somewhat surprised when the charge wes read over to him, but made no reply, and was immediately taken to New Scotland Yard. He was subsequently conveyed in a four wheeled cab to Bow street, where he arrived at ten minutes past eight. On alighting from the cab, Mr. Wilde walked up the steps to the door of the police station briskly, with his hands in his pockets, and was at once placed in the dock and charged. The prisoner did not make any reply to the charge, and was removed for the night to an ordinary cell.

Shortly after Mr. Wilde’s arrival at Bow street a friend drove up with a small Gladstone bag containing a change of clothes and other necessaries for the prisoner; but after a short interview with the inspector on duty the gentleman returned to his cab with the bag, not having been allowed to leave it. Later, Lord Alfred Douglas visited Bow street with the object of bailing out Mr. Wilde, and appeared much distressed when he was informed that on no consideration could his application be entertained.