1892/116 Regina vs. Ah Maw – murder, Cassiar
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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Regina vs Ah Maw
Murder of Ah Hing
Statement of Edward Metcalf Constable. Being duly sworn saith: I am Constable of McDavies and Cassiar. On the 31th day of January 1857 Ah Maw came up to Centreville about half past eleven in the night in a very excited state and said Ah Hing had come home from from the lower bar very crazy and that he had gone back to the lower bar with his big gun and shoot some son of a bitch Chinaman and that Ah Hing had set fire to his Ah Hing's cabin and that he wanted a Constable to go down and look after Ah Hing. I went down immediately and found Ah Hing's cabin entirely burnt down. I asked Ah Maw where Ah Hing was. He said he did not know he think he go down to China lower bar. I immediately started down to the lower bar but after going about half a mile I met Foo Loon and Lee Loon two chinamen. They told me that Ah Hing was not at the lower bar. I immediately returned with the two chinamen to the fire at Ah Hing's house. We made a search around the house and woods to see if we could find any trace of him. It being extremely cold at the time I told the two chinamen we had better go home and for them to come up to my place on the following morning and would then go down and make
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 46 File 1892/116 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General documents.