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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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274 Q You did get those men out on bail? A. I had the bail fixed for the two of them; I did not know who they were at that time.
5 Q You know afterwards? A. Yes, I heard afterwards he engaged you.
6 Q You know afterwards that he was aware you got him out on bail? A. I don’t suppose he knew who got him out; as a rule they don’t know that.
7 Q You knew on the day following that Lem How retained you? A. Yes.
8 Q And you were aware the other side, represented by Cum Wing, had retained Mr. Farris and myself. A. I did not know who were retained; nobody appeared. I think it was the following day I heard you were retained Mr. Russell.
9 Q You did not know Mr. Farris was retained? A. I have forgotten; there was somebody else there; there were two members of the firm there.
80 You did not know Mr. Farris was retained the morning following the fight or not? A. I have really forgotten whether Mr. Farris was there that day or the following day.
1 Q Were you aware that Cum Wing had Counsel at that time you say you had this conversation with him? A. No, I had no idea that Cum Wing, that is the Informant, had any Counsel at that time; I had no idea who his Counsel was.
2 Q Although he was charged with a serious offence and although a death had resulted as the result of the row, you had no idea he had Counsel? A. He was charged with fighting on the street which is not a very serious offence in Chinatown.
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 193 File 1914/195 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General documents.