1908/7 Rex vs. Ung Wing – shooting with intent to murder
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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]
57- Q. And then how many chinamen do you think would be in Foo Long's place? A. In ghe afternoon?
58- Q. Yes, in the afternoon? A. I should judge there were six or seven.
59- Q. What were they all doing? A. There were two or three of them, lying asleep or kind of half asleep, smoking a pipe, and this chinaman ---
60- Q. The accused? A. Yes, was stanidng kind of corner-ways, with the table where he could look down to the street, eating. and I came in there, kind of quiet, and I came on them all of a sudden. And when I went inside of the door he kind of turned like that. So I could not see his face.
61- Q. That is he turned his back to you. A. Yes sir, he was sideways and he tunred his back to me. And I said Mr. Waddell and I looked at the chinaman on this side, and that side, and I said -----
Mr. J:- Objected to
Argument.
62- Q. Court:- Could the accused hear? A. Yes, I was then up close to him.
63- Q. And will you tell what conversation you had, and everything? Everything that occurred? And you can now tell what you said to Mr. Waddell, and all? A. And I said, "They are not [?] the men, the chinamen, I know them." And I looked at those of the other side, and I said, "They are not the men, for I know them too." And I said, "this must be him". And I turned him around. And I said, "that is the man". And I took out my hand-cuffs and put them on him.
64- Q. And what did the accused have to say? A. I asked the accused where he came from, and he said he was working ---- 65- Mr. J:- And do you speak Chinese? A. I spoke in English,
8.
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 124 File 1908/7 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General documents.