1866/3 R. vs. Kim Foo and Ah Soo, receiving stolen goods belonging to the Pemberton family
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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]
Police Court 14th March 1866.
Harry Salmer being duly sworn on oath deposeth and saith:
One day last week I accompanied an interpreter into the prison and told him to caution the prisoner Kim Foo that whatever he might say would be used in evidence against him.
I told the prisoner he was charged with having in his possession the silk produced in court a portion of some silk dresses which had been been stolen from Mr J D Pemberton's house, he said he could not account for the silk being in his bag and charged a prisoner Soe alias Ah Sow with having put it in his bag. This morning I again cautioned him through another interpreter and repeated the charge to him, he then told me he and his partner Ah Soo were the joint owners of the bag and that the silk had been in the bag several months and his partner could tell me all about it: his partner Ah Soo
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 5 File 1866/3 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General documents.