Galignani Messenger - Wednesday, May 22, 1895

A PICCADILLY SENSATION.
STRANGE SEQUEL TO THE WILDE CASE.
A PUGILISTIC ENCOUNTER.
THE MARQUIS OF QUEENSBERRY AND HIS SON.
[BY TELEPHONE TO THE GALIGNANI MESSENGER.]

London, May 22.

A strange sequel to the Wilde scandal was afforded last evening by the Marquis of Queensberry and his son, Lord Alfred Douglas. The two gentlemen were arrested in Piccadilly for disorderly conduct, and fighting in the public street.

The Marquis and Lord Alfred Douglas met in Piccadilly, near the corner of Bond-street, and the disturbance commenced by the son asking his father in a loud tone what he meant by writing certain letters, and whether he intended to cease so doing. He also remarked that he thought, strictly speaking, he ought to chastise the Marquis for his conduct. The latter stated that he was prepared to fight his son anywhere and any time he liked for the sum of £10,000, but he did not wish to make a scene in Piccadilly.

Both father and son were carrying umbrellas, and after the pleasing interlude just reported and a few more words, the Marquis suddenly aimed a terrific blow at Lord Alfred with his weapon. A scuffle ensued and the younger man's hat was knocked off whilst the Marquis almost fell into the arms of a policeman close by, in his desire to escape his son's spirited attack.

As usual in such incidents, the principals to the encounter inflicted considerable damage on a third party, an unlucky police-man, who received a heavy blow in the mouth and was also floored.

This section of the proceedings came to an end at this point, but that was not all.

When the Marquis crossed Bond-street on his way along Piccadilly he was followed by Lord Alfred Douglas, who re-opened the combat. This time it waged more fast and furious than before. The Marquis displayed considerably more science than his son, and, as a result, came off much better, Lord Alfred Douglas receiving a serious drubbing, and, amongst other injuries, a bad black eye.

The police by this time had collected in some force, and the combatants were taken to Vine street police-station, where the Marquis expressed an opinion that, despite the difference in age, he could beat his son without difficulty, and renewed his offer made early in the proceedings and on the same terms.

The Marquis, in reply to the questions of the officer in charge at Vine-street, absolutely refused to take proceedings against his son for assault, and Lord Alfred Douglas took the same position.

After some conversation both gentlemen were released on bail of 40s. each to appear to-day at Marlborough-street police-court to answer charges of disorderly conduct and fighting.

On coming out of the police-station they called cabs and drove off.

The set-to was the sole topic of conversation in Clubland last night.