Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-04-04

Every available space of the old
Bailey was occupied this morning
when the Marquis of Queensbury SUR
brought against him by oscar Wilde
was opened before Justice Collins.
Oscar Wilde charges the Marquis OF
Queensbury with libel by leaving on
February 2S last an, uncovered card
at the Albemarle club. on which card
was written certain foul epithets. As
a result Mr.. Wilde, on March 2. caused
the arrest of the Marquis of Queens
bury and the latter at the Market
street police station was. placed under
1900 pounds bail.
The aisles of the old courtroom were
crowded with lawyers. Admission was
obtained by ticket only and the sheriff
In charge showed the representative of
the Associated Press pile Of appli-
cations foot high, many of them be-
Ing from well known people.
Rumors were current in London yes
terday that Oscar Wilde had suddenly
LETT the city in order to avoid being
present in court today and reports were
also current that a startling develop
ment would arise today. Both these
rumOrs were set at rest by the arrival
in court of the principals to the suit.
The Marquis OF Queensbury who wore
shabby oFercoat, was placed in the
dock and answered to the Indictment
by pleading first not guilty, ana second,
that the libel was true and that 1t
was published for the public good.
The Marquis seemed quite unconcerncd
and replying to the questions put to
him, he spoke quietly and clearly.
Sir Edward Clark, formerly solicit
tor general. in opening the case, said
that the card lett at the Albemarle
club for MIR. Wilde was one Of the
visiting cards OF the Marquis of
Queensbury, and 1t. was upon this that
the libel was written. Continuing. coun-
sci said that the gravest Issues had
been raised. as the defendant, on his
pleadings alleged, that the plaintim
had for some time solicited persons
named to commit Indecent onenses.
Certain letters addressed by the PLAIN
tiff to Lord Alfred Douglas, second son
of the Marquis of Queensbury, were
brought to the plaintiff by a man who
said he was in distress, and Mr.. Wilde
gave him 20 pounds with which to pay
his passage to America. Another letter
was handed to Mr., Beerbohm Tree. the
actor, who gave II to the plaintiff.
Counsel then recounted the facts al
ready known in the case, showing that
Mr.. wilde. who had recently returned
from Algiers. drove up to the Albe-
marie club at about p m, on Feb
ruary rs and on entering the club he
was handed an envelope by the hall
porter Sidney Wright, who said that
the Marquis of Queensbury had de-
sired him 10 hand 1t to Mr.. Wilde.
The exact words were Lord Queens
bury desired me. sir. to hand this you
when you came into the club"
Inside the envelope was found card,
on which were written certain foul
epitheths which formed the basis Of the
suit.
oscar wilde was called. and he lam
guldly arose and entered the witness
box. The plaintiff was faultlessly
dressed In a long black frock coat, and
carried his gloves in his hands, show
ing his fingers to be covered with rings.
He was very pale, but was seemingly
composed. He spoke with his custom
airy drawl. leaning his arms upon the
rail OF the witness box and replying
distinctly to the questions asked him.
The jury was composed OF very intel
ligent men OF elderly appearance, main
ly prosperous tradesmen and they eyed
him with curiosity.
The witness said that upon arriving
at his house n few months ago he
found two gentlemen waiting In the
library One OF them was the Marquis
OF Queensbury and the otheD was un-
known to the plaintiff. The former
said: "Slt down"
II replied; Lord Qucensbury, ! will
not allow any one to talk that way in
my house. | suppose you have come
to apologize. Is It possible that you
accuse your son and me OF sodomy?'
He replied; Il don't say II, but you look
like It and appear like IT,
Counsel for the plaintiff then asked
the witness about the man to whom he
had given 20 pounds to pay his pas
sage to America. Witness replied: "The