1914/195 Rex vs. Lem How – attempted murder
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]
14
House.
COURT: Do you know whether 540 Shanghai alley is a gambling house or not? A. Yes it is a gambling house.
COURT: And you never worked there? A. No.
COURT: Not at any time? A. No.
6 Q Now where was the fight? A. Near the end of the street, at the end of the street.
7 Q Near which end of the street? A. In front of Won Yick Yun’s store.
8 Q Won Yick’s store? A. Yes.
9 Q Well, that is 554, is it? A. 554, I don’t know the number of the place. 30 Q. Well, it is in front of Yick’s store? A. Won Yick.
1 Q. How do you spell that? A. Yuen Yick.
2 Q. What is 554?
MR. RUSSELL: You will find it is 552. Man Yick is 554. Yuen Yick is 552.
3. Q. And that is where you were struck on the nose or where you say you were struck on the nose? A. Yes in front of Quen Yick’s store
4 Q. 552 Shanghai Alley? A. I don’t know the number.
5 Q. Then a witness who says that it was in front of the store where you ran up the stairway? A. No.
6 Q. That’ wasn’t right? A. No.
MR. RUSSELL No person has said that.
7 Q Now you say it was Lem How struck you? A. Yes.
8 Q Did you ever tell a different story? A. No . 9 Q Do you know this gentleman here, Mr. Grant? A. No . 40 Q Didn’t you see him on Tuesday the 14th about eleven or twelve o’clock? A. No I didn’t see him.
1 Q You didn’t see him with three or four chinamen? A. No.
2 Q You were not talking to him on the 14th at the scene of the fight in Shanghai alley? A. No I don’t know him.
3 Q Did you talk to any white man on the 14th, about the fight A. No.
4 Q If three men swear that you did talk to Mr. Grant about
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 193 File 1914/195 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General documents.