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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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Q Does he know any of them ? A He knows a few of them. Q Who were they ? A One Haw Fat , and Ah Fun Ah Sun, himself. Q Anybody else ? A Yes, just that many that he has named. Q Well, who were they---- whose room was it '? A Quann's room. Q Where was Quann ? A He was on his bunk; he was on his bunk smoking. Q In the room? A Yes Q Now, Nam Yuen came and spoke to Mann Quann, what took place then ? A And then Mann Quann asked him to take an oath-— MR TAYLOR I object to this. COURT: What is that? MR MORESBY: Mann Quann asked Nam Yuen to take an oath and Mr. Taylor objects to that— MR TAYLOR: I object to any of these conversations- Q Well, what happened before the conversation took place; how did they come to have this conversation? A One man, the fellow's name - Sun, actor, he was contracting for the theatre for one night — Q About an actor by the name of Sun who had a contract for the theatre for one night ? A He say Nam Yuen tell the people all willing except Mann Quann. He means all agree to let the fellow have the contract, whatever it was, he say everybody agree except Mann Q Well Mann Quann and Nam Yuen had some words over this ? A About that; he say they argue about that and Nam Yuen accused Mann Quann, say everybody agreed but him, and Mann Quann tell him, Did I say that. BC Archives GR-0419 BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Box 100 File 1904/10 Attorney General documents.