Lee Sam
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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surface of the water. I took the body out through the window. It was the small man. I handed it to Constable McNeill. The room from which I took the body was that furthest aft on the port side down in the hold, and was entirely under water. In company with Constable McNeill I searched the body on board a scow alongside the steamer. We found $332.20 (I think) in notes, a cheque for $100 and receipts for three registered letters. The body was fully clothed except shoes.
Mr. Irving. I think it was about 10 o'clock in the morning. I afterwards found Wong Foot in the same room about half an hour afterwards, but could not get him through the window, he was so stout. The same afternoon I tried to get into the room but could not. Next day Friday I got into the room from the inside. This man seemed to have died easier than the other. When I first felt the body with the boathook I think he was in the bed. This man had $909 in money orders and $507 and some cents in money. I turned this body over to Constables McNeill and Lewis. His legs and hands were doubled up. The Enterprise was struck on the port side on the fore side of the paddlebox. Constable McNeill handled the money. I am not sure as to the exact amount. I gave him a note of it.
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BC Archives, GR-0431 Box 4 File 1 / BRITISH COLUMBIA, ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.