Getts
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]
4th Witness Andrew Miller having been duly sworn states on the morning of the 15th September I went to work a few minutes after six o’clock in the slope in the mine on Newcastle Island. I met Brown & Frame & went down with them. As I was going down the slope I noticed that the first door situated about 200 yards down the slope was open and also that the second door about 300 yards further on has also propped open. We went a little further & stood for about a minute talking. Brown & Frame then went straight down the main slope leaving me. I then went to the level where I worked & observed that the Canvas which acts as a trap door has pulled off. I asked a Chinaman who was standing by who pulled it off, or if he pulled it off. He did not appear to understand my question but pointed to an empty box about six yards away. I then held my lamp to see which way the air was blowing and found that it was contrary to what it usually was. I noticed that there was a strong current
BC Archives, GR-0431 Box 1 File 7 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Inquisitions / inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.