Wong Kong Ying et al
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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Q. 158 What was the suggestion that the food was hidden? Early November, you remember November?.... You remember that four white fellows leave?
A. Yes.
Q. 159 Mr. Colquohn he come to camp a few days after that?
A. Yes.
Q. 160 Have you lots of groceries then?
A. No, not very much
Q. 161 Did anybody ask you if Chinamen hide food up there?
A. He didn't ask my camp.
Q. 162 There was a lot of trouble at the camp about no food?
A. They had trouble in the white man's cook-house.
(Peter Tom has little trouble in understanding exactly what is meant.)
WING HAY SWORN AS INTERPRETER.
Q. 163 In early November four white men left camp and came up to Alberni?
A. He remembers that.
Q. 164 A few days after that Mr. Colquohn came to camp in Canoe Pass?
A. Yes.
Q. 165 A policeman had been raising the dickens with Mr. Colquohn when no food at the camp. Ask him if Mr. Colquohn said anything about food down there?
A. No.
Q. 166 Mr. Simpson told us a few moments ago that Mr. Colquohn when down at the camp about the 12th of November, made a claim that someone had told these China boys to hide their food so that the Police couldn't see it?
A. No.
Q. 167 Did they hide any food?
A. No.
Q. 168 Did they have to hide?
A. No.
Q. 169 Can you find out how much they have had since September? Does he get any bills from Hop Song Company to tell him what supplies he gets?
A. Yes.
BC Archives GR-0431/Box 13 File 6/BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL./Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.