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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]
36: Q Smoking; I will lead him on a bit. A The table was so small, could not sit all people. Q Table too small, and all people could not sit down, A In one , two or three minutes Mann Quann, he call up to Wong. Q That is Wong Fook ? A Wong Fook- spend him $5.00. Q He gave $5.00 to Wong ? A No, Wong gave it to Quann Q Was this down in Quann room-- that was Wong Fook, not this Wong ? A Oh no— Wong Took. Q Well, tell us next; we want you to tell us the story, everything that happened-- you savee — you tell us things after that ? A After that ? Q Yes. A Quann he tell the other people to go out for lunch, and he give him $5.OO Q Quann tell the other people to go out to lunch and gave him $5.00 ? A Yes, he spend that— Q Well, these were not the men that were sitting around the table ? A No. Q That was the men around the theatre— where were those men ? A They came in from outside. Q Who were those men ? A I don't know. MR POWELL: He says that he does not know who those men were, but I might mention so that the Court will be able to follow the evidence that those men that were sent away were the body-guard that I have referred to in my address to your Honor, The witness would not know who they were I don't suppose. Q Well, after that, after that these men go out to lunch, what happened after that in the room- what next ? A After that the cook, all same men who sit at the table he bring to him some food. He set table
BC Archives GR-0419 BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Box 100 File 1904/10 Attorney General documents.