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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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MR. MORESBY: I submit that we are entitled to have what the answer is through the interpreter, MR TAYLOR: I object to that. COURT: (To witness) You try and answer that question. WITNESS: I cannot say what I mean. MR. MQRESBY: The witness has fairly stated he cannot speak what he means. COURT: Can he describe it. MR MORESBY: (To witness) You try; what did they do with Quann? A Pull his cue --in here-- you know ? {indicating on plan) Q (indicating) He says they pulled his cue, and he indicates on this plan it was by the bed— A And Wong Hung-say Come on Come on, and 7 or 8 men come in altogether in here, and those men all come along here (indicating on plan) and Wong Hung he pull Mann Quann's cue- MR TAYLOR: I object to this testimony, your Honor. MR MORESBY: On what ground ? COURT: I do not know the ground for your objection. MR TAYLOR; I do not know that I am bound to tell my grounds either at this stage your Honor. I can have the same privilege as accorded the prosecution. The prosecution have proceed to ask questions which are up to a certain time irrelevant, and they are not bound to tell what their object is in doing that, but they will tell afterwards how relevant these questions are. I take my ground of objection now, so that it will be recorded when this comes up for trial— BC Archives GR-0419 BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Box 100 File 1904/10 Attorney General documents.