1914-215 Rex vs. Gin Yuen alias John Young – procuring, Vancouver
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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8. 75 Q With your father.?
A Yes.
6 Q Now during the time you were prostituting yourself at 420 Hastings street how did the various men come there.?
A Every day the men were brought by the accused.
7 Q Who collects the money?
A The accused Gin Yuen.
8 Q Who kept the money.?
A The accused.
9 Q About how many men did you have a day prostituting themselves.?
A On Saturday and Sunday the most number were four and ordinary week days the most number was three.
80 Q Altogether about how much money did the accused collect from these men.?
A I asked him how much money he had from my work and he said “about fifteen hundred dollars I have deposited in the bank.”
1 Q About what date was it that you gave up prostitution.
A Two or three days near Christmas.
2 Q Now after Christmas what were your relations with the accused.?
A After Christmas he told me to come back to go to bed with him.
3 Q What was the result of this intercourse with him.?
A And I became pregnant.
4 Q Did you tell the accused.?
MR READ: That is not evidence.
A Yes, I told him “I am in a family way” and he said “if you are in a family way you had better prostitute yourself again”
5 Q For what purpose?
A He said that is the way to destroy.
COURT: Destroy the baby?
A Yes.