1884/16 Ah Keong, attempted murder, big scrap in Victoria’s Chinatown
As part of the Chinese Historical Wrongs Legacy Initiative, the BC Archives has digitized a selection of documents related to criminal prosecutions against the Chinese community from 1866 to 1914, found in GR-0419. These are mainly records created as part of the preliminary hearing held before a judge in order to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. There are often lengthy witness statements, and cross examinations by both prosecution and defense lawyers. The eventual verdict is sometimes recorded on the outside of the docket. They offer a fascinating glimpse into 19th and early 20th century criminal activity around the province, and ways in which the Chinese community was stereotyped. The records offered for transcription here are a small selection; for additional digitized material from GR-0419 click here.
*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum. Some materials may contain content that is racist, sexist or otherwise offensive. In addition, GR-0419 records deal with subjects such as assault, murder and abuse, which may upset some readers. The Royal BC Museum is only the custodian of archival materials; the content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Royal BC Museum.
*All transcriptions are provided by volunteers, and the accuracy of the transcriptions is not guaranteed. Please be sure to verify the information by viewing the image record, or visiting the BC Archives in person.
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he stayed all night until 10 o'clock next morning.
To Mr. Davie One man the next farmer was in the house, his name is Ah Yow, he is not in Court. Ah Keung came to my house on Tuesday at 5 0'clock, he came to see me once in a while, he had no particular business, he does not smoke opium. Ah Keung did not bring any umbrella with him, Ah Keung slept upstairs and I slept downstairs. Ah Yow went home to his own place. He stayed a couple of hours, he came about 5 o'clock and went home about 7. I knocked off work at 5 o'clock and had supper at 6 o'clock it was dark at 5 o'clock. I always knock off work at 5 if it is wet. Other days I work till 7. I knocked off because it was raining, it had been raining about half an hour before I knocked off. Ah Keung came after I knocked off work . Ah Keung [illegible], on the way to Sooke on the Sooke Road, he stops at the [illegible] Kiln, he had come from the [illegible] Kiln that evening when he came to see me, he does not live in town, he came direct from [illegible] Kiln to my house, it is about 8 miles away.
T.W. Jackson Interpreter
A.F. Pemberton P.M.
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 26 File 1884/16 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General documents.