1904-10 Rex vs. Wong On and Wong Gow – murder (at the Chinese theatre)
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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24:
in that question that you would be entitled to call leading.
Mr. Taylor: Why not, he would say yes.
Court: Then the next question would be who?
Mr. Taylor: Nothing leading about that? I say he is not entitled to take the witness along by piece-meal questions; he is entitled to ask him what occurred that evening, and get the witness' narrative of it, but he is not allowed to nurse the witness over these questions, and suggest the answer right along until he gets the story in his own particular way.
Mr. Powell: I again repeat, does your Honor make a decision on my last question. My question is did anyone come in?
Court: I scarcely think it is suggestive Mr. Taylor.
Mr. Taylor: Of course if your Honor rules on it, but I want you to take the objection for what it is worth.
Mr. Powell: I can ask him straight if he saw Wong On in the room under the authorities page 442, but what I want to ask him is did anyone come in; he has already told us he was preparing some opium for Quann to smoke, and I say after that did anyone come in the room? A Will I ask him?
Q Yes. A No, he say No; he say Nam Yuen man in the theatre Man Quann asked him to go upstairs for:
Q Well, that is what he stated - A He say that. I don't think he knows what I mean.
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 100 File 1904/10 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General documents.