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1901/15 Rex vs. Wong Sing et al., 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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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. 

BC Archives G-0419

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Deposition of Witnesses.

Lee Pock Ying:- I work on a farm at Cole McDonald's; I remember the 13th December last (Chinese December), and 31st January (English January); I was at Lin Kee's store at Ashcroft at that time; I recognise Ah Mee, one of the prisoners; I know Lee Hong; he was a farmer working at Doc English's ranch a few miles below Hot Creek; I last saw Lee Hong on 13th December in Lin Kee's house; have not seen him since; it was after 12 oclock that day, in the afternoon about supper time, about four oclock; me, Sing Dick, Ching Sing, Leung Ah Cooey, Leung Wah, Ing Ching were all at Ah Mee's; Wong Sing (Mrs. Chung Lung) was not there at AH Mee's; the woman Gem Ling was there; the woman called Lee Young, Ah Cooey, master, and asked Lee Young, Ah Cooey, to have a drink of wine; Lee Hong said Oh, shit, master to Lee Young ah Cooey; Leung Wah told Lee Hong not to say too much, better to eat your supper; after they were through supper, between seven and eight oclock, Lee Hung went out; I was cooking in the store of Lin Kee and stayed there; I heard fighting outside in the street; I was in the store and went out and looked; I say a lot of opium outside, could not see very plain; I saw them chase Lee Hong; I saw Leung Wah and Sing Dick fighting, running after Lee Hong; they ran down towards the side of the river; they chased Lee Hong down there; after eleven or twelve oclock I next saw Sing Dick and Leung Wah in my room; me, Leung Wah and Ah Chin live in my room, but Ah Chin was not there (objected to; they were saying that Low Chow and Wing Sing were no good; they told us to hit Lee Hong and he is killed

BC Archives GR-0419 Box 87 File 1901/15 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General documents.

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