Chung Chi
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
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and the glass broken and the gas ignited that way. Some men will crack a glass and not come out. Ordinarily there is no gas travelling and it is perfectly safe to work on if they crack a glass as to come out means a loss of time. The explosion may have been caused in that way. The other lamps I haven't examined carefully. That may have caused the explosion, but I couldn't say it did. Q: That is lamp "C"? A: Yes. But this lamp "A" certainly could not have caused it- Q: Lamp "C" was in the cave? A: In [?] to lamp "B" in no. 5. it is possible that could have caused the explosion, but it is not very probable. [?] reason it was found "B" feel down the road away from the case. The ground is [?] quite often there, and it would be several feet- below the level of no. 6. So that if there was gas existing in quantity, it would simply have been impossible for anyone to have stayed there and [live?], because the gas would have extinguished all the lights. It could have caused it, but it is not probable. When I say it could have caused it, it might have struck the tail end of the gas and rushed inwards and caught on, but it is not probable. That is a very far fetched reason. I don't think it could have done it. Q: Is there any precaution taken to prevent Chinese taking matches down the mines? A: We have searched them; occasionally, but not every day Q: Have you known cases in which Chinese struck matches down there? A: I never saw any, but there have been cases, and one or two that were dismissed. Two cases I believe. Q: In this particular mine? A: Yes. Q: Recently? A: Recently. I told the foreman that if he caught any more to report them to me and i would see they were
BC Archives GR-0431 Box 6 File 3 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.