The Atchison Daily Globe - Wednesday, April 3, 1895

TO-DAY'S TELEGRAPH BRIEFS

The libel suit brought by Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of Queensbury began in London this morning. Oscar Wilde charges that the Marquis, on Feb. 28, uncovered a card at the Albemarle club on which card was written foul epithets. The Marquis plead first not guilty, and secondly, that the libel was true, and that it was published for the public good. Letters addressed by Oscar Wilde to Lord Alfred Douglas, second son of Marquis of Queensbury, alleged to contain information that the plaintiff had solicited persons named to commit indecent offenses, were presented. In an interview at Wilde's house, the Marquis of Queensbury had said that while he had not accused Wilde of sodomy, Wilde looked like it, and appeared like it. A letter was read by the judge written by Oscar to Lord Douglas in which he referred to the latter as having "Rose red lips," and addressing him as "My own boy," and signed "With undying love, Oscar." The letter reflected seriously upon Oscar's relations with Lord Douglas. The counsel explained that the letter might sound extravagant to those in the habit of writing commercial letters, but that it was mere poetry. The counsel for the Marquis quoted from "Dorian Gray," a novel by Wilde, to prove that the author upheld sodomy. Oscar said the description of "Dorian Gray" on page six, was taken from Shakesperian sonnets. On cross examination, it was discovered beyond denial that Wilde had had certain intimacy with a newsboy 18 years of age, and with other men and boys. Wilde denied that he had done anything improper.