Transcription Page

Wellington Coal Mine

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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.

Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]

22

below ground Francis Little is Mechanical Enginner & assists my son when required under ground. George Churchill is fireman who goes down early in the morning before any of the men go down & examines if there is any gass in any of the stalls & it is his duty to let no man pass until he has spoken to him. William Roberts superintends the Chinese miners & loaders, also Richard Mills in the same capacity we have also the two loadmen. Ronnie who is one of the men killed was Timberer & Woodman. Dixon had a right to take any men he pleased to assist him in the dicharge of his duties & always did so the instant I arrived from town I went down the Mine to satisfy myself that they were taking the proper steps for the recovery of the dead bodies. I Saw Chalk marks on the Curtain No. 3 which I knew to be a caution for no one to pass it altho I did not read it myself, I can not say that the men do not obey orders, they do so generally. Homes went down once or twice Contrary to orders but on being reprimanded promised not to do so again, this was 6 or 8 mos. ago. I saw some Chinese in the slope on

BC Archives GR-0431 BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Box 2 File 6 Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.

Current Page Discussion [edit] [history]

Image 21 of 35