1914/195 Rex vs. Lem How – attempted 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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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]
29
LUM JUNG
Called as a witness, being first sworn testified as follows:
QUESTIONS BY MR. COWAN:
283 Q What is your occupation? A. Farmer.
4 Q Where? A. Lulu Island.
5 Q Were you in Shanghi Alley on Tuesday the 14th with Mr. Grant? A. Yes, sir.
6 Q Tell is who else was there? A. Mr. Grant and Johnson and Lem How.
7 Q Is Johnson a Chinaman with an English name? A. Yes.
8 Q Who else? A. Lem How.
9 Q What happened? A. On Tuesday I walked with Mr. Grant from the Police Court to Shanghis Alley.
90 Q What happened there? A. Mr. Grant ask me where the people fight on Shanghai Street and he want me to point out the place where they fight and which place the deceased lie down.
1 Q Then what happened? A. I talk to Mr. Grang in Shanghai Alley in front of Man Yick’s store. After a while Cum Wing come to talk to Mr. Grant.
2 Q Who is Cum Wing? A. That fellow had a little hurt on the nose; and Mr. Grant ask him “how you get hurt on Monday” so he answer “I don’t know myself” and he said “may be a stick or may be a finger nail”. He talk to Mr. Grant.
3 Q What else? A. He talk to Mr. Grant, that’s all I know, on Tuesday.
4 Q Was Lem How there at the time? A. He there too.
5 Q Did anyone mention Lem How’s name in that conversation? A. He didn’t say anything on Tuesday.
6 Q Did anyone say anything about Lem How that time on Tuesday? A. I didn’t hear anybody say to Lem How.
6 Q Did anyone mention his name? A. Mr. Grant ask him, he said “your name Lem How” and he said “were you fighting” and he was “no”.
7 Q Who said no; you say he said no? A. Lem How; Mr. Grant
BC Archives GR-0419 Box 193 File 1914/195 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Attorney General documents.