Sam Hoo

Sam Hoo? Who is Hoo Sam?

So who exactly is Hoo Sam? Hoo Sam immigrated to Canada in 1900 from China. In about 1909 Hoo Sam moved to Prince Albert and opened a restaurant in downtown. Hoo Sam is also one of the most famous murderers from Prince Albert and is one of the eighteen people that were hanged in Prince Albert.

Hoo Sam, the owner of the Saskatchewan Café suspected his associated Mark Yuen and Mark Yin of stealing money from the business. On August 26, 1911 he purchased a revolver, on that same day at approximately 5pm Hoo Sam shot Mark Yuen in the heart killing him quickly in the back lane of the restaurant.

After the gunshot Mark Yin went to the back to see what was going on. When he saw Hoo Sam coming towards him with the gun, Mark Yin ran out onto the street with Hoo Sam chasing him. The two then ran back through the restaurant and out the back door where Mark Yin saw the body of Mark Yuen. Their chase went along 10th street with Hoo Sam firing several unsuccessful shots. The chase ended on Central Avenue in front of City Hall (now the Arts Centre) where Mark Yin was shot and local resident John Frank jumped on Hoo Sam restraining him until City Police arrived.

Mark Yin survived his injury and testified at Hoo Sam’s trial in November 1911. Hoo Sam was found guilty of murder and hanged on March 26, 1912.

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Another interesting note is what became of Hoo Sam’s body after he was hanged. Hoo Sam’s body was not claimed after the execution. After a hanging, if no one claimed the body it was common practice to bury the body in nearby farmland outside the jail grounds, which now happens to be part of Kinsmen Park. At that time the Provincial Jail was located on the present site of the Queen’s Bench Courthouse. To this very day Hoo Sam’s remains are in an unmarked grave somewhere in Kinsmen Park. Mark Yuen is buried in an unmarked grave in South Hill Cemetery.

* The revolver used by Sam Hoo can be seen on display at the Police and Corrections Museum. The Police and Corrections Museum is open from 10-6, 7 days a week. Come and see it!