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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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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. 

BC Archives G-0419

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Q Yes. A So Mann Quann did not give no reply, he did not say anything, so we were afraid we were going to have a row, so they put On out. Q They what ? A They put On out. They just tell him to go out. Q Did he go ? A Yes, he- went. Q Yes, and then what  ? A He says about 3 or 10 minutes----no he say about 20 minutes or half an hour after he heard— after he went out you know, the door was shut or locked — Q After he went out ? A After On went out the door was shut, and then about twenty minutes or half an hour after On went out he heard eight or ten people outside talking, and they come back and rapped at the door. Q Which door ? A Mann's room. Q What happened ? A He rapped very hard, and while he was rapping the door he asked Quann to come out to have a fight. Q Does he know who asked Quann to come out and have a fight ? A He say that the voice was about three or four, but all I can recognize was Nam Yuen's and On's. Q Now, just ask him who this Nam Yuen is ? A He Is at the Theatre, a musician at the theatre Q A musician in the theatre ? A They rapped at the door so hard Lee Sun got frightened, and he got a box and put It against the door. They used all different bad language in front of the door that is outside of the door. BC Archives GR-0419 BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Box 100 File 1904/10 Attorney General documents.

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