The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-04-05
WILD EYED OSCAR.
He Is again In tourt-"Cur and -
Coward"


Coward"
LONDON, April 4.-Therc was a notable
interest to-day at old Baily in the taking
OF Testimony m the suit for libel brought
by Oscar Wilde against the Marquis of
oaeensbury. Tho audience was largely
composed OF lawyers and reporters.
There were q few notable persons pres
ent. The plaintiff arrived ut ON early hour
aud took seat at the table reserved for
the solicitors. The Marquis of Queens
bury entered a few minutes later, looking
jaunty and confident. Several of his
friends shook the defendants hand as he
entered the dock.
Oscar Wilde, upon resuming his place
on the witness stand, admitted he had at
tended tea parties in the room of a man
named Taylor, which were artistically
furnished, and in which perfumes were
burning. He denied, however, he had
seen Taylor In woman's costume.
Further questions on the part OF Mr. Car
son, counsel for the NJ irquis of Queens
bury, brought forth the admission that
Taylor introduced TO Wilde five youths to
whom Wilde gave money and took to a
restaurant. The plaintiff admitted he
was not aware that one of them was n
valet and another a coachmau or that
Taylor had been arrested in q raid on a
house on Fitzroy square.
Wilde, in answers to the questions, ex-
hibited confusion and contradicted him
self frequently. He also lost temper.
Carson's questions were, in the main, pitt
Hess and unprintable. Carson's cross-ex-
animation of the plaintiff was concluded
nj noon, having lasted over six hours.
Sir Edward Clarke, leading counsel for
h. A.. 4.
client by putting in evidence certain let
ters OF the Marquis of Queensbury, In
which he called upon his son, Lord Alfred
Douglas, to cease his "infamous Inti-
macy" with the plaintiff, saying that his
"blood turned cold at the sight of their
infamous faces" He added: ~ hear
Wilde's wife will petition for divorce on
grounds of unnatural crimes. If you do
not cease to let him disgrace us shall
feel Justified in shooting him on sight,
To this letter Lord Alfred replied:
What funny little man you are" Most
OF the papers are printing testimony in
the suit almost verbatim, but the charac-
ter OF the testimony Is such to-day that
the 50. James Gdsette says: "The nature
OF the evidence and the whole circunl-
stances OF the case prove to be of charac-
ter that we cannot repeat it," The 81.
James Gazette adds: "The English pub
lie is at the present moment involved in
one OF those orgies OF indecency permit
ted by the operations of the open law
courts and tho enterprising press" AT
the afternoon recess the crowd In the
court room was larger than ever and the
hall and stairs leading to IL were filed 10
deep with well dressed men waiting to en-
ter.
Wilde held the justice court waiting 10
minutes, for which he apologized to jus
tice Collins, saying he had been consult
ing his doctor. After the production OF
the other letter the case for the plaintiff
was closed and Carson began his speech
for the defense. IL was terribly denuncia-
tory of Wilde, who left the court room as
soon as counsel for the defendant began
to speak. Lord Albert Douglas was rres-
ent IN court a short time during the morn
ing, but did not return in the afternoon.
The speech of Mr.. Carson for tho de-
fense lasted until court adjourned ut
p. m, and was not finished. He reviewed
the evidence point by point and denounced
Wilde, and said the witnesses he would
produce would prove beyond any doubt
the guilt OF the plaintiff. Carson alluded
in complimentary terms to the course of
Beerbolm Tree IN forwarding to the
plaintiff copy OF the anonymous letter
handed TO the English actor, whereupon
Justice Collins said: "There is no occa-
sion to mention tho name Of Beerbolm
Tree"
Carson. in reply. remarked: "Nor
should do SO. my Lord, had ID not been
that received n message from him to-day
asking that his connection with the case
DO fully explained"
Everyone understands that Mr.. Trees
with the case is in every way
and praiseworthy," said the
justice in conclusion.
Wilde returned to the court room few
minutes before adjournment. Amorig
The letters produced by the Marqu1 OF
Queensbury TO his son. Lord Alfred DdAmt|
as, was ono saying that Wilde wasSa
n "A x.1.na "A u A.. -.