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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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world that sometimes a witness does not understand the question put and for the witness to say he does not understand what the Counsel meant . COURT: If the witness does not understand the question, let the question be put in Chinese and the answer be put in English.
MR MORESBY: I have attempted to make him understand so that he will not give it in Chinese.
MR. TAYLOR: I am told that this witness speaks English. MR MORESBY: I will attempt to go on in English in order to satisfy my learned friend and to show that we do not want to take any unfair advantage in this case at all. Q Wong , you try to answer me in English the best you can. You say you saw this stranger the second time to come back to the room, go over and Mann Quann by the cue; you have told us that now who else was in the room at that time ? A You mean who else in the room. at that tine Q Yes, what other men you see in the room at that time, any men with Wong Hung ? A Wong Hung come fir«t you see. Q Who come next ? A I show you— (indicating on plan) Q, He is now pointing to a position in close proximity to the table , where the table is shown on this plan. A Wong come here, and stand here just one second, and he run to here— to bed. Quann lay down here, and he jumped on to the chair and run here and hold Quann's cue, and he fight Quann on Quann's bed. BC Archives GR-0419 BRITISH COLUMBIA. AnORNEY GENERAL. Box 100 File 1904/10 Attorney General documents.