1904-10 Rex vs. Wong On and Wong Gow – murder (at the Chinese theatre)
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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MR. TAYLOR: I would like my objection noted, on this point. COURT: The Stenographer has a note of It. MR TAYLOR With that note, and without the full examination of tho witness extended on this point and from the ruling of your Honor, it would naturally understood that the witness understood thoroughly the nature and purport of this oath and the reading of the Bible, and in my examination of him while he has stated that he is apparently a Christian, yet he says that he has never attended Sunday school, and as a usual thing a Christian child is taught the Scripture, and he claims that he never has been. His mother and father he says were Christians and lived in Canton, where he has also lived the greater part of his life until practically the last ten years since he has been in Victoria, but he was never taught the meaning of the Bible. Since he has been in Victoria he has occasionally attended a Church. I have forgotten the exact words of his answer, but he had he said some little idea of the meaning of some things in the Bible, and it is obvious from my examination of him that he does not understand much about the Christian religion, and all this in not upon the record, as I did not instruct the stenographer to take it down. COURT: He has told us he believes in God, and he believes in the Bible, You can ask him if he believes in the Bible as the word of God. MR TAYLOR: I did not ask him that question because I thought it would be a little beyond what he meant by saying he would prefer the Bible. I BC Archives GR-0419 BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Box 100 File 1904/10 Attorney General documents.