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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
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246 Q There is no one assisting the man who is looking after the game? A. One man runs the game.
7 Q What game is it? A. A game called Ung-Gow.
8 Q Were there many inside? A. Yes.
9 Q You cannot identify any of the people who were handling the money, only the man inside of whom you are giving evidence? A. Only the dealer.
50 Q Although you have been there twenty times? A. He is not always dealing; they change shift.
1 Q Can you identify any of the other dealers? A. I cannot give you their names. I could tell you one of the man if I saw him.
2 Q You cannot give the name? A. No.
3 Q You cannot describe him? A. No, you cannot describe a Chinaman.
4 Q How many dealers are there? A. As a rule they work about two hours a shift.
5 Q This matter is going to be threshed out and I want you to try to give us some date on which you say you saw Cum Wing dealing or conducting a gambling game in a gambling house on Canton Street? A. About three days after the affray I remember seeing him there.
6 Q That would be three days after the 13th of July? A. 13th or 14th.
7 Q At what time of the day was it? A. I am not sure whether it was five o’clock in the afternoon or eight o’clock at night; either one or the other.
8 Q On, we will say, either the 17th or 18th? A. Within two or three days of the affray I could not tell you.
9 Q. There were a number of other Chinamen present were there? A. There was probably fifteen or twenty, round the table.
60 Q You cannot identify any person else as having been round the table on that occasion excepting this one man? A. No, Mr. Russell, I cannot remember the other people. I remember I knew some of them at the time; I spoke to some of them.
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 193 File 1914/195 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General documents.