1884/16 Ah Keong, attempted murder, big scrap in Victoria’s Chinatown
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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saw Ah Kow and Wah Sue with iron bars in their hands, I saw these five men fighting and one tried to keep me off. I saw Fong Wy there but at the time I did not know his name. I saw men striking him, I saw him laying inside the door of the second house. I saw a man come out and bolt the door and go up the street I followed him , the crowd went in to the prostitution house.
It was about 8 o'clock when I came and saw the men there, I came up from Store Street, there were five men besides Fong Wy fighting, there were others standing round , they were not fighting, some came out from next door, we heard ma blow a whistle three times and then other men came out of the house, there were more than 20 people there, they had nothing in their hands, those fighting one had a knife and three others had iron bars. I was close to the one keeping me off he had an iron bar. Fong Wy had a pipe in his hand. I went right in to the crowd. I saw the knife it was bright in the blade I saw about a foot long, I saw him strike Fong Wy on the foot, his body was lying inside the house his foot that is below the knee was outside I only saw him strike him more, I saw the others striking at him more than once but don't know how often.
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 26 File 1884/16 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General documents.