Infant Daughter of Foo Hoy
As part of the Chinese Historical Wrongs Legacy Initiative, we’ve digitized a small selection of inquests and inquiries from 1872 to 1934, found in series GR-0431. These were chosen to reflect the experiences of early Chinese immigrants to B.C. – their living and working conditions, and their unfortunate accidental or unusual deaths. They range from a woman working in a brothel in Barkerville who died of natural causes to three sawmill workers who died from malnutrition. Learn more.
*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.
*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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. 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.
Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]
Foo Hoy sworn according to Chinese custom
Chee Quy came down to the house where she was in the 24 April. She ask him for money to buy some meat. She had had the belly ache for 3 or 4 days. He refused to give the money and hit and kicked her – She lay on the floor nearly dead. She did not know when the baby came – when she woke up she asked Mooe Mooe where was her baby and if it was a little boy or girl. She, Mooe Mooe, told her that Chee Quy put it into a rice sack and take it away. She felt very sorry. She asked Mooe Mooe where were her drawers. She told her Chee Quy the baby in white pants.
Says she carried the child of mother. He kicked her and brought on labour. She had the pants on at the time when Chee Quy assaulted her.
Mooe Mooe told her that Chee Zuy took the pants off her to roll the baby in.
By the jury – Why did she ask Chee Quy for money? He owed her money
By the coroner – Chee Quy is not her husband.
By the jury – Was the child alive? She can’t tell
By the coroner – Could not tell if the child cried.
By the coroner – Did she feel the child move in her belly? Felt it move the day before Chee Quy
BC Archives, GR-0431 Box 1 File 7 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Inquisitions / inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.