SEPTEMBER 1, 1914

p.1

HINDU FOUND DEAD WITH THROAT
CUT
------------------Harnan Singh, Former Priest May Have Been
Murdered Here.

------------------Was Friendly to Government Officials, Said Other
Hindus of Vancouver.

------------------Harnan Singh, former Hindu priest accused by his fellow countrymen
of having given information to the immigration authorities during the
trouble with the Komagata Maru passengers, is dead, and it is thought that
he was foully murdered. His decomposed remains were found yesterday
afternoon near the Kitsilano car barns. The throat was cut from ear to ear,
presumably by a razor that was found on the ground beside him, but this, it
is thought, was placed there to give the impression of suicide, as was also
an empty whisky flask. The dead man’s legs were bound by his turban.
With Bela Singh and Baboo Singh, the deceased had earned the
reputation among his fellow countrymen of being a government agent and
it is thought that the reason of his having come to such a violent end. Bela
Singh has been repeatedly threatened with death, and several attacks have
been made upon him and his companion by their fellow countrymen, who
have tried every way possible to have them removed. Bela and Baboo have
been made the object of numerous Police Court prosecutions, as was also
Harnan Singh, and several Hindus are now serving terms for perjury in
connection with false charges brought against these men.
Harnan Singh was formerly the priest at Millside, B.C., but resigned
that office, it is alleged, because of intemperate habits. He was living with
Baboo Singh at 1752 Third Avenue West, and since Aug 17 had not been
seen by his friend. On the following day he was seen at the west office and
was alleged to have said to someone that he was moving to meet his
brother at Barish, B.C. Fearing that he had been reported by his enemies,

SEPTEMBER 1, 1914

p.1

Baboo Singh sent out enquiries and when on Aug 21 the man did not
appear, either at the home, in the city or at his brothers place, the
immigration authorities were informed.
Yesterday afternoon Mr. F. W. Warren, 2291 First avenue west, while
walking along the park near the Kitsilano car barns in the Indian reserve,
saw the form of the man in the grass and the bushes. He investigated and
found the ghastly remains of a dead Hindu with his throat cut and his feet
bound by his turban. He at once communicated with the police and the
immigration authorities. The body was removed to Greene & Merkley’s
morgue where it was identified as being Harnan Singh.
The police thought that possibly the man may have committed
suicide as he was known to have been addicted to the use of intoxicants,
but this story is scouted by the friend of the deceased, who alleged that a
Sikh does not use a razor and even if he did decide to end his life he would
not tie himself with his turban.