Irish Daily Independent - Monday, April 29, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
THE OSCAR WILDE CASE.
London, Saturday.
The Trial of Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor was resumed today the Central Criminal Court, before Mr Justice Charles and a common jury. When the jury answered to their names there was a much small attendance of the public than on yesterday. The prisoners took their seats in the dock bath alf past then and Sir Edward Clarke, on behalf of Wilde, resumed the cross-examination of Alfred Wood. The witness said it was after he told Wilde in 1893 that he wished to get away from the persons with whom up to that time he was associated that Wilde gave him the money with which he went to America. He returned in 1894 ill, and had not yet fully recovered.
The trial of Oscar Wilde and Alfred Taylor was resumed to-day at the Central Criminal Court, before Mr Justice Charles and a common jury. When the jury answered to their names there was a much smaller attendance of the public than on yesterday. The prisoners took their seats in the dock at half past ten and Sir Edward Clarke, on behalf of Wilde, resumed the cross-examination of Alfred Wood. The witness said it was after he told Wilde in 1893 that he wished to get away from the persons with whom up to that time he was associated that Wilde gave him the money with which he went to America. He returned in 1894 ill, and had not yet fully recovered.
May I take it that you have been in indescribable employment since? Yes. He received £175 altogether from the man Allen. He got employment in America with a chance of leading a decent life, but he returned and got associated with their people again. Witness wrote the name of the place where he was last employed. His work was that of a junior clerk. He did not remember when he left that situation. He had money left him by this father. The learned counsel next addressed questions to Wood on the subject of the letters of Wilde to Lord A Douglas. At the time he was supposed to have given up the letters there was one remaining which was not given up. It was in the possession of Allen, and never came back into his own possession. He knew that the particular letter was copied. He was the worse for drink when he first accompanied Wilde to Tite street, Chelsea. He had visited Charles Parker at Camera square since his return from America. Parker might have introduced him to the landlady as his brother.
May I take it that you have been in no describable employment since? Yes. He received £175 altogether from the man Allan. He got employment in America with a chance of leading a decent life, but he returned and got associated with these people again. Witness wrote the name of the place where he was last employed. His work was that of a junior clerk. He did not remember when he left that situation. He had money left him by his father. The learned counsel next addressed questions to Wood on the subject of the letters of Wilde to Lord A Douglas. At the time he was supposed to have given up the letters there was one remaining which was not given up. It was in the possession of Allen, and never came back into his own possession. He knew that the particular letter was copied. He was the worse for drink when he first accompanied Wilde to Tite street, Chelsea. He had visited Charles Parker at Camera square since his return from America. Parker might have introduced him to the landlady as his brother.
Re-examined by Mr Gill — Wood gave evidence of his relations with Wilde. He was first introduced to Taylor by a gentleman who name had not been mention in this case. He found the letters in the pockets of some clothes given to him by Lord Alfred Douglas at Oxford.
Re-examined by Mr Gill—Wood gave evidence of his relations with Wilde. He was first introduced to Taylor by a gentleman whose name had not been mentioned in this case. He found the letters in the pockets of some clothes given to him by Lord Alfred Douglas at Oxford.
Re-examined by Mr. Gill, Wood said he was first introduced to Taylor by a gentleman whose name had not been mentioned in this case. He found the letters in the pockets of some clothes given to him by Lord Alfred Douglas at Oxford.
Thomas Price, waiter, 10 and 11 St James’s place, proved Wilde’s occupancy of rooms at that address. Wilde was visited there by Taylor, Parker, Atkins, Scarfe, and other young men. Wilde did not often sleep at St James’s place.
Thomas Price, waiter, 10 and 11, St. James's Place, proved Wilde's occupancy of rooms at that address. Wilde was visited there by Taylor, Parker, Atkins, Scarfe, and other young men. Wilde did not often sleep at St. James's Place.
Taylor Price, waiter, 10 and 11 St James’s place, proved Wilde’s occupancy of rooms at that address. Wilde was visited there by Taylor, Parker, Atkins, Scarfe, and other young men. Wilde did not often sleep at St James’s place.
Cross-examined — Wilde had books and papers there, and his suite of rooms was near the street.
Cross-examined: Wilde had books and papers there, and his suite of rooms was near the street.
Cross-examined—Wilde had books and papers there, and his suite of rooms was near the street.
Frederick Atkins deposed that he knew both prisoners. A gentleman introduced him to Taylor, and Taylor introduced him to Wilde at the Cafe Florence. Wilde invited witness to go to Paris as his private secretary, and he accepted. He again described the visit to the hairdresser’s, where Wilde and the operator conversed in French, and witness’s hair was curled (laughter). Witness asked him not to visit the Moulin Rouge. He went (laughter).
Frederick Atkins deposed that he knew both prisoners. A gentleman introduced him to Taylor, and Taylor introduced him to Wilde at the Cafe Florence. Wilde invited witness to go to Paris as his private secretary, and he accepted. He again described the visit to the hairdresser’s, where Wilde and the operator conversed in French, and witness’s hair was curled (laughter). Witness asked him not to visit the Moulin Rouge. He went (laughter).
Frederick Atkins deposed that he knew both prisoners. A gentleman introduced him to Taylor, and Taylor introduced him to Wilde at the Café Florence. Wilde invited witness to go to Paris as his private secretary, and be accepted. He again described the visit to the hairdresser's, where Wilde and the operator conversed in French, and witness's hair was curled. (Laughter.) Wilde asked him not to visit the Moulin Rouge. He went. (Laughter.)
His Lordship — Have you told us all the said?
Atkins — Wilde said, "Don’t go to these women; they will ruin you." Wilde said this on several occasions.
Atkins—Wilde said, "Don’t go to those women; they will ruin you." Wilde said this on several occasions.
Atkins: Wilde said, "Don't go The frequenters of that place will ruin you." Wilde said this on several occasions.
Further examined — On return from Paris Wilde gave him a silver cigarette case. He visited Wilde at Tite street in response to a letter. On going to Tite street he handed Wilde the letter because it contained a post-script that he was t bring it with him. On his giving the letter to Wilde prisoner remarked, "Don’t say anything about going to Paris." He knew a youth named Mavor.
Further examined—On return from Paris Wilde gave him a silver cigarette case. He visited Wilde at Tite street in response to a letter. On going to Tite street he handed Wilde the letter, because it contained a postscript that he was to bring it with him. On his giving the letter to Wilde prisoner remarked, "Don’t say anything about going to Paris." He knew a youth named Mavor.
Had he any nickname? Yes, "Jenny."
Cross-examined by Sir E Clarke — The gentleman with Wilde in the hotel in Paris was the same who introduced witness to Taylor. He at first understood that he was going to Paris with that gentleman, but as he could not cross over at the time arranged Wilde, who was going to Paris, took him.
Cross-examined by Sir E Clarke—The gentleman with Wilde in the hotel in Paris was the same who introduced witness to Taylor. He at first understood that he was going to Paris with that gentleman, but as he could not cross over at the time arranged, Wilde, who was going to Paris, took him.
Had anything ever taken place between you and Wilde. No; he was certain he returned from Paris with Wilde; he had assisted Burton as bookmaker’s Clerck since Christmas 1891. Witness also acted as a comedian.
Has anything ever taken place between you and Wilde? No; he was certain he returned from Paris with Wilde; he had assisted Burton as bookmaker’s clerk since Christmas 1891. Witness also acted as a comedian.
Has any act of impropriety ever taken place between you and Wilde?—No. He had assisted Burton as bookmaker's clerk since Christmas, 1891. Witness had also acted as a comedian.
Have you and Burton been jointly engaged in the business of blackmailing? I don’t remember (laughter).
Have you and Burton been jointly engaged in the business of blackmailing?—I don't remember. (Laughter.)
Have you and Burton been jointly engaged in the business of blackmailing? I don’t remember (laughter).
What other names have you gone by? Fred Denny.
Have you ever gone out into the streets in woman’s dress? No.
Sir Edward handed a slip of paper to Atkins accompanying it by the question, "Do you know the name written there?"
Sir Edward handed a slip of paper to Atkins accompanying it by the question, "Do you know the name written there?"
Sir Edward handed a slip of paper to Atkins, accompanying it by the question, Do you know the name written there?—Atkins: No.
Atkins — No.
Did a Birmingham gentleman go with you on 9th June, 1891, to rooms occupied by you in Tachbrook street? Did Burton come into the room very shortly afterwards, and did you and Burton between you get a large sum of money from this gentleman? No.
Did a Birmingham gentleman go with you on 9th June, 1891, to rooms occupied by you in Tachbrook street? Did Burton come into the room very shortly afterwards, and did you and Burton between you get a large sum of money from this gentleman? No.
Did a Birmingham gentleman go with you on the 9th June, 1891, to Tachbrook Street? Did Burton come into the room shortly afterwards, and did you and Burton between you get a large sum of money from this gentleman?—No.
You swear nothing of the kind took place? I swear it.
Had "Denis J Burton" taken this rom in Tachbrook Street for you? No; he took them for himself.
Had "Denis J Burton" taken thes room in Tachbrook street for you? No; he took them for himself.
Had "Denis J. Burton" taken the rooms in Tachbrook Street for you?—No. He took them for himself.
Did you on the 9th June, 1891, meet the gentleman whose name I have written down at the Criterion? No.
Did you on the 9th June, 1891, meet the gentleman, whose name I have written down, at the Criterion?—No.
Did you on the 9th June, 1891, meet the gentleman whose name I have written down at the Criterion? No.
Did not the gentleman go with you to the rooms in Tachbrook street from the Criterion, and did not Burton come in, demand money, and threaten to have him locked up? No.
Did not the gentleman go with you to the rooms in Tachbrook street from the Criterion, and did not Burton come in, demand money, and threaten to have him locked up? No.
Did not the gentleman go with you to the rooms in Tachbrook Street from the Criterion, and did not Burton come in, demand money, and threaten to have him looked up?—No.
Did you take the gentleman’s watch and chain and give it to Burton? No.
Did you take the gentleman's watch and chain and give it to Burton?—No.
Did you take the gentleman’s watch and chain and give it to Burton? No.
Did you not take the gentleman's watch and chain, and give them to Burton? - No.
And were you and Burton taken to Rochester street police station and did you there give up the watch and chain? no.
And were you and Burton taken to Rochester Street Police Station, and did you there give up the watch and chain?—No.
And were you and Burton taken to Rochester street police station and did you there give up the watch and chain? No.
Were you not both taken to Rochester-row the next night, and did you not then give up the watch and chain? - No.
You say nothing of the kind happened? No.
Have you occupied rooms in Pimlico? No.
Did you in August, 1892, dress up as a woman and take a gentleman to your rooms in Pimlico? I never dressed up as a woman in my life.
Did you in August, 1892, dress up as a woman and take a gentleman to your rooms in Pimlico? I never dressed up as a woman in my life.
Did you not get from the gentleman a cheque for £200? Not to my knowledge.
Did you not get from the gentleman a cheque for £200? Not to my knowledge.
Did you and Burton about two years ago extort a large sum of money from two American gentleman at the Hotel Victoria. Northumberland avenue? No. I have never been there.
Did you and Burton about two years ago extort a large sum of money from two American gentlemen at the Hotel Victoria, Northumberland Avenue?—No. I have never been there.
Did you and Burton about two years ago extort a large sum of money from two American gentlemen at the Hotel Victoria, Northumberland avenue? No. I have never been there.
Did you and Burton attempt to blackmail a gentleman at Gaze’s Hotel, Nice? No.
Did you and Burton attempt to blackmail a gentleman at Gaze's Hotel, Nice?—No.
Did you and Burton attempt to blackmail a gentleman at Gaze’s Hotel, Nice? No.
And was there a quarrel between you and Burton? There might have been a little row. Burton was known in the betting ring as "Watson" and witness was called "Fred."
And was there a quarrel between you and Burton? There might have been a little row. Burton was known in the betting ring as "Watson," and witness was called "Fred."
Was there a quarrel between you and Burton?—There might have been a little row. Burton was known in the betting ring as "Watson" and witness was called "Fred."
Cross-examined by Mr Grain — He was at Scarborough about a year ago fulfilling a singing engagement at the Aquarium there. He heard the name of a foreign count whose yacht was in the bay. He did not know the count. He did not obtain nearly £500 from this foreign nobleman, neither did Burton to his knowledge. He did not, while living in Buckingham palace road, steal a pocketbook belonging to an old city gentleman, then go to his office and threaten to expose the contents of the book unless he received a certain sum of money.
Cross-examined by Mr. Grain: He was at Scarborough about a year ago fulfilling a singing engagement at the Aquarium there. He heard the name of a foreign count whose yacht was in the bay. He did not know the count. He did not obtain nearly £500 from this foreign nobleman, neither did Burton to his knowledge. He did not, while living in Buckingham Palace Road, steal a pocket-book belonging to an old city gentleman, then go to his office and threaten to expose the contents of the book unless he received a certain sum of money.
Cross-examined by Mr Grain—He was at Scarboro about a year ago fulfilling a singing engagement at the Aquarium there. He heard the name of a foreign count whose yacht was in the bay. He did not know the count. He did not obtain nearly £500 from this foreign nobleman, neither did Burton to his knowledge. He did not, while living in Buckingham palace road, steal a pocketbook belonging to an old city gentleman, then go to his office and threaten to expose the contents of the book unless he received a certain sum of money.
Mrs Applegate, of Osnaburgh street, deposed to visits of Taylor and Wilde to Atkins at that address.
Mrs. Applegate, of Osnaburgh Street, deposed to visits of Taylor and Wilde to Atkins at that address.
Mrs Applegate, of Osnaburgh street, deposed to visits of Taylor and Wilde to Atkins at that address.
Sidney Mavor, who described himself as holding a partnership in the city, was next called and examined by Mr Gill. He was introduced to Taylor at the theatre, and stayed with him at Little College street. He slept with Taylor on more than one occasion. He was introduced to Wilde at a dinner at Kittner’s. Wilde sent him a cigarette case. He stayed at the Albemarle Hotel with Wilde on one occasion. He took a bag to the hotel because, living at North Kensington, he thought it would be impossible to get home. Wilde had wished him to dine at the Albemarle, and he replied by telegram their bedrooms adjoined. He called Mr Wilde "Oscar," and he addresses him as "Sidney. "He was of no occupation at the time of his visits to Little College street. He lent Taylor money.
Sidney Mavor, who described himself as holding a partnership in the city, was next called and examined by Mr Gill. He was introduced to Taylor at the theatre, and stayed with him at Little College street. He slept with Taylor on more than one occasion. He was introduced to Wilde at a dinner at Kittner’s. Wilde sent him a cigarette case. He stayed at the Albemarle Hotel with Wilde on one occasion. He took a bag to the hotel because, living at North Kensington, he thought it would be impossible to get home. Wilde had wished him to dine at the Albemarle, and he replied by telegram their bedrooms adjoined. He called Mr Wilde "Oscar," and he addressed him as "Sidney." He was of no occupation at the time of his visits to Little College street. He lent Taylor money.
By Sir Edward Clarke — Nothing improper over took place between himself and Wilde. The dinner at which he was introduced to Wilde was given by a gentleman of very good social position.
By Sir Edward Clarke—Nothing improper ever took place between himself and Wilde. The dinner at which he was introduced to Wilde was given by a gentleman of very good social position.
Edward Shelly, an assistant to a Vigo street firm of publishers who acted for Wilde in 1891, was the next witness. He had appealed to Wilde for pecuniary assistant and he had befriended him.
Edward Shelly, an assistant to a Vigo street firm of publishers who acted for Wilde in 1891, was the next witness. He had appealed to Wilde for pecuniary assistance and he had befriended him.
The case was adjourned till Monday.