Galignani Messenger - Sunday, April 7, 1895

THE SOCIETY SCANDAL
OSCAR WILDE IN THE DOCK.
TERRIBLE ALLEGATIONS.
ARREST OF TAYLOR.
ACTION OF AMERICAN THEATRICAL MANAGERS.

LONDON, April 6.

This morning, Oscar Fingall O'Flaherty Wills Wilde, who was arrested last evening at the Cadogan Hotel, Sloane-street, on a charge of a very grave kind, was brought up before Sir John Bridge at Bow-street Police-court. For half an hour before the doors opened a large crowd had gathered in front of the court, but only those having professional duties to discharge, the witnesses, and a few friends of the accused were then admitted. The prisoner, who was brought into court at 11 o'clock, wore a black frock-coat and dark trousers. He showed no great concern at any time during the proceedings.

The entry in the charge sheet was as follows:--Oscar Wilde, gentleman, 16, Tite-street, is charged that he did, on March 20, 1893, and on divers other days, unlawfully commit divers acts of gross indecency with another male person, to wit, one Charles Parker.

The charge sheet was signed by Inspector Thomas Brockwell and Sub-Divisional Inspector Digby.

Mr. C. F. Gill, instructed by Mr. Angus Lewis, of the Treasury, prosecuted, and Mr. C. O. Humphreys, solicitor, defended.

Mr. Gill said he was there to prosecute the prisoner on a series of charges of inciting to commit or of committing certain gross indecencies under the 11th Section of the Criminal Law Amendment Act. No good purpose being served by going into these matters in an opening speech, he would merely indicate generally the character of the evidence he proposed to produce before Sir John, and the nature of the charges, while the question of what he would be ultimately committed upon would depend upon the nature of the evidence produced. The first charge related to the conduct of the prisoner with the young man Charles Parker in 1893. Wilde was then staying at the Savoy Hotel, where he lived from April 2 to March 29, and at the same time there was living at a place in Little College-street, Westminster, in the upper part of a house, a man named Alfred Taylor. He was a man closely connected with the prisoner Wilde, and the evidence would disclose that he was a person engaged in acting for Wilde and procuring for him young men with whom he would afterwards commit offences. Prisoner would be charged with conspiring with that man to procure lads. Prisoner was in the habit of visiting the man Taylor at Little College-street, and his Worship would have evidence as to what took place at that address, where the prisoner Wilde was in the habit of going. Parker was a servant out of place, having been a valet, and was in the company of his brother William when they met Taylor at the St. James's Restaurant. Taylor was a stranger to them; he stood them drink and invited them to visit him at Little College-street. Having got them to that place he made certain suggestions and mentioned Oscar Wilde as a man to whom he would introduced them. They met Wilde at a dinner at Kettner's, when Wilde made a selection of Parker and went with him to the Savoy Hotel. The learned counsel described what took place there, and on subsequent occasions at two other addresses with Wilde. He gave Parker money, and visited him where he lived in Canova-square, till a woman noticing the appearance of the man Wilde, which once seen was not likely to be again forgotten, caused such trouble that Parker had to leave. Parker was now living a respectable life, and came as a most unwilling witness, but he had to do so. The learned Counsel added that there were a number of other cases which would be gone into. The prisoner had already had an opportunity of giving his version of the affair, and he could do so again if he chose. It was a most unpleasant case to go into, but one of enormous public importance. It was enormously important that it should be known to these young men the prisoner had come in contact with that there was only one end to such a life as that of the prisoner Wilde, and that was at the hands of justice.

Charles Parker, a well-dressed young man, 19 years of age, said: I was formerly in service as a valet, and I left that employment at the end of February, 1893.

Mr. Gill: I do not desire to disclose publicly what his present occupation is.

Witness continuing: At the beginning of March, 1893, I was out of employment. So was my brother William, who was a groom and had been a butler. I recollect going with my brother to St. James's Restaurant. At the time I was not absolutely without means. While in the restaurant I was spoken to by a man whom I afterwards knew as Alfred Taylor. He was a complete stranger to me. He asked me to have a drink, and I accepted. I had some conversation with him.

At this point the man Taylor was brought into the dock and charged, in order that he might hear the evidence. He is a young man 26 or 27 years of age, and very well dressed. He smiled during the whole of Parker's evidence.

Parker, the witness, continuing, said: Taylor, after some general conversation, said he would like to introduce me to Mr. Wilde, who was a very good man.
Mr. Gill: In what way?
Mr. Humphreys: I must object. This is leading.
Mr.Gill: Well, tell us what he said.
Witness: I understood him to mean that he was a good man for money.
Mr. Gill: Did he say for what purpose he wished to introduce you to Mr. Wilde?
Witness (after some hesitation): Taylor said Wilde liked boys. He asked either me or my brother for our address. Shortly after this I went to 13. Little College-Street, Westminster, an address given me by Taylor.
My brother went with me. We found that Taylor had three rooms-- drawing rooms, bed-room, and a kind of kitchen. The drawing-room was very well furnished. I did not notice whether the windows were curtained. It was in the morning I first went. The bed was a very low one. I saw no servant. 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 half-past seven. Nothing more was said, and we all three left the house together. That evening my brother and I went to the restaurant, which ever 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.
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 10 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.
How long did you stay? About two hours, and he gave me £2. He told me to call in about another week, at 11 o'clock at night, at the Savoy Hotel.
Did you do so? Yes.
Did you see him there? Yes.
Did you go to the same rooms that you went to before? Yes.
Upon that occasion did you have any supper? Yes; in the sitting-room. We had champagne. We were alone together. I do not remember having anything else besides champagne to drink. We smoked cigarettes, and again the same thing took place that had taken place before.
How long did you stay? An hour and a half about. He gave me £3.
Can you remember the day of the week? No.
Anything said why Wilde gave you £3 instead of £2? He told me to buy some clothes.
Did you see him again from time to time? Yes.
What else did he give you? A silver cigarette case and a gold ring like a chain.
Did you go to his rooms at St. James's-place ? Yes.
Going there, did you see Wilde? Yes.
Had he two rooms there--a bedroom and a sitting-room? Yes.
What time was it you first went? In the afternoon between four and five o'clock. I had tea with him there.
What took place afterwards? We went into the bedroom.
And the same kind of thing took place? Yes.
How often did you go to the rooms in St. James's place? I went very often; nearly every day sometimes.
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.
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 ever 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 un-pleasantness with the landlady, and you left? Yes.

Mr. Humphreys, on behalf of Wilde, stated that he wished to reserve his cross-examination, as the matter had taken them by surprise, and he had had no time to prepare the case.

Taylor, who was not represented, reserved his right to cross-examine the witness. William Parker, brother of the preceding witness, was next called.

The court then adjourned for half an hour.

At two o'clock the court resumed, and William Parker, brother of Charles Parker, was called. He said he was formerly in employment as a groom. In March, 1893, his brother and he were out of employment. He confirmed the evidence of his brother as to the meeting with Taylor in the restaurant.

During his examination the witness became very pale, and was allowed to sit down. He corroborated the statement of the last witness as to a visit to Taylor's house, the dinner at the restaurant with Taylor and Wilde, and the subsequent departure of his brother with Wilde. He could not fix the date in March when the dinner given by Wilde took place. Taylor was asked if he had any questions to put to witness. He replied, "No; I won't say anything at present."

Mrs. Grant, residing in Little College-street, said Taylor occupied rooms in her house for a year and eight months. He left during the year 1893. He had a sitting-room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. She described the rooms minutely, and testified to the kind of company Taylor kept. She could not recognise Oscar Wilde.

Sir J. Bridge to Wilde: Stand up, Wilde.

The prisoner stood up, and witness repeated her statement that she couldn't recognise him. She had heard Taylor speak of his friend Oscar. Mrs. Grant described the visits paid by various persons, and said that on one occasion a sergeant of police called there, and she showed him the rooms. He was placed in such a position that he could hear Taylor's voice. She knew that the house was watched. Taylor left her house at a few days notice. He left no papers or telegrams behind. He never told her what his occupation was.

Alfred Wood was the next witness. He is a fair young man, attired in black. He described himself as a clerk, and said he knew the prisoner Wilde. In January, 1893, he was staying with Taylor in Little George-street. He met Wilde at a cafe in Regent-street about nine o'clock in the evening. They went to a restaurant in Rupert-street, and had supper. They afterwards went to Wilde's house in Tite-street, Chelsea. Witness was under the influence of drink at the time Wilde gave him £3 before leaving the restaurant. A few days afterward he met Wilde again, and went with him to his house in Tite-street. Witness hired a room in Langham-street; Wilde visited him there. On several occasions Wilde had given him money; generally £2 or £3 at a time. He also gave witness a watch and chain. There was some negotiations through Taylor about his going to America, and he saw Wilde who gave him two £10 notes and two £5 notes.

Did you give him some letters?
Witness hesitatingly said Wilde asked for some letters and he thought to gave him some.
Sir J. Bridge: Did you give him some? Yes.

Witness then described his lunching with Wilde and the payment of a further sum of £5.

Several other young men were called to support the charge and the case was adjourned until Thursday next, bail being refused.

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

It is said that another sensational development may be expected before the court meets on Thursday, and that a further arrest may be expected.

A warrant was granted this afternoon for the arrest of another person prominently mentioned at the Old Bailey trial, and he will probably share the dock with Taylor and Wilde when the court sits again.

A hundred pounds in bank notes were found on Wilde when searched at Bow-street last evening. An application will probably be made for this money to be handed to Mr. Humphreys, the defending solicitor, and it is not expected that Mr. Gill will offer any objection.

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

The Marquis of Queensberry wishes to correct the statement that has been published with regard to his message to Oscar Wilde. It has been reported 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 be 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.

NEW YORK, April 6.

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 Coulan, who has been playing "A Woman of No Importance" in the Western States, as resolved to outfit the play from her repertoire.