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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. 

BC Archives GR-0431

*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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A. There has been four men down there; not been there that long; Camp #1 there now; about November.


Q. 86 Mr. Simpson, we are dealing with this bunch of nine there and if we could it might be sensible to confine as much as we can to those nine, the bunch involved in this tragedy. Has Mr. Colquohn been having a little trouble about reorganizing these companies?

A. Yes, he has. He had one company, for a while, known as the West Shore Trading Company.

Q. 87 Did they go broke?

A. I just cannot say. I know they incorporated a new company, the Howard Point Timber Company.

Q. 88 And that apparently came into existence quite recently?

Yes, about one month ago

Q. 89 Would you suggest any reason for the change?

A. Only that the other gentleman came in to help out with the finances.

Q. 90 Could you tell us approximately the value of the food that the nine Chinamen have had since September?

A. That is hard to say. It would be about seven or eight hundred dollars, I presume. THat is just a guess. I haven't really an idea.

Q. 91 It would just take what they had earned?

A. If they got it all, just about break even. No further questions.

PETER TOM CALLED & SWORN:

Q. 92 What is your name

A. Peter Tom.

Q. 93 You have been working down at the shingle bolt camp #2 at Canoe Pass?

A. Yes

Q. 94 How many China boys working at that Camp?

A. Nine.

Q. 95 How long have you been there?

A. Last August 19th

10.

Archives GR-0431 BRITISH COLUMBIA ATTORNEY GENERAL

13 File 6 Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia

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