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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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clothes, and some people hold the feet., and dragged him out / Q Some people hold his clothes and some his feet, and some his cue and dragged him out ? A Yes, Q And they draggd him out ? A Dragged him out, Q Dragged him out of the room ? A Mann Quann first he fall on the bed-- the table was closer than the bed— he fell there (indicating) Q, You mean he fell on the table— what happened to the table, did the table stay there ? A They drag him out; some people stand up the table. Q Table fall over ? A Y.es, he drag him— the table was broken. ^ Who broke the table ? A I saw Wong On he hold one bar and hurt him— Q Anything like that (producing iron bar ?) A Yes, something like that. You saw it in Wong On's hand-- what was he doing with it ? A Two or three men hold iron bars— I could not see the face. MR. TAYLOR: (Interrupting) Two or three minutes ? MR. POWELL: Two or three men, MR TAYLOR: Said he could not see the faces. MR. POWELL: The faces of the men who had the iron bars he said he could not see. COURT: Go on and ask him to repeat— say it over again, MR POWELL: I know what he means. BC Archives GR-0419 BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Box 100 File 1904/10 Attorney General documents.