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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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]
Either by a stick or a finger nail.
1 Q Mr. Grant, the witness Wing, you heard the Witness, Cum Wing, give his evidence on the 1st of September? A. Yes, I was present.
2 Q Do you know that witness? A. I have seen him quite a number of times.
3. Where? A. In Chinatown and on Canton Street. He is what is known as a Ung-gow dealer and gambling house in Canton Street. I have seen him there gambling and dealing and I have seen him since this affray dealing. I went and saw him the night he gave evidence in Court here and he was dealing that night or that afternoon; a gambling house next to one of those little alleys that run through, I have forgotten the number.
4 Q Anything else? A. I think that is all.
QUESTIONS BY MR. RUSSELL:
5 Q Locate this gambling house, what is the number? A. I cannot remember the number Mr. Russell; it is next to the alley, one of the alleys that run through to Carrall Street
6 Q Ther are several alleys? A. I think there are two; it is the one….
7 Q Is it the one nearest Pender or nearest the Yards? A. It is the one nearest Pender.
8 Q There is gambling done there; do you know who runs it? A. No it is hard to find out who runs these places.
9 Q Do you know the number? A. I have forgotten the number.
40 Q Have you been there more than once? A. I have been past there and looked in twenty times in the last three months?
1 Q Have you been inside? A. Yes.
2 Q Have you gambled there? A. No.
3 Q Can you identify any of the people who have been gambling there? A. No, not at the present moment Mr. Russell.
4 Q Can you identify any of the men who were apparently in charge? A. When a game is running, there is only one man in charge.
5 Q. Where is a door-keeper? A. No, there is no door-keeper.
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 193 File 1914/195 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General documents.