Transcription Page

Chung Chi

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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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32.

Thursday, August 13, 1903

The Jury having been called and answered to their names:

Jung How was sworn:- (By Interpreter)

By Mr. Potts:-What stall did he work in?

A: No.5 stall; No.12 we call it.

Q: Suppose boss talk to him, do he understand him?

A: I understand him.

Q: Suppose fire boss tell him to put up stringer?

A:? Yes, I understand him that all right.

Q: Does he savee "cog"?

A: Yes, I understand cog.

Q: Whereabouts was he when the explosion took place?

A: Before that I shovel coal, before the explosion in No. 5 stall.

Q: Did he see anything of the explosion?

A: I didn't see anything I heard the wind blow pretty hard, and after that the flames come.

Q: Which direction did the flames come?

A: I don't know which side they come.

Q: From No. 6 stall?

A: I couldn't tell where they come from.

Q. Was he in No. 6 stall at all?

A. No, I stay in my own stall.

Q. What kind of lamp he got?

A: I use a safety lamp always.

Q: What did he do with it after the explosion?

A: As soon as the winds blow, the explosion, the lamp fall down, I don't know where they go.

Q: Did he see a lamp like this, "B"?

A: Yes, I saw thatlamp.

Q: Was it as it is now?

A: Yes.

Q: What became of the top of it?

A. Yes. we have the top of it, but my boss, he take that oil.

Q. Who unlocked it?

A: I don't know who unlocked it.

Q. What became of the top of it?

A. He had the top too before the explosion. I see my partner take that lamp from the edge of the place but when I see him take that lamp it had no light; but my partner say the lamp is not locked but I have no light on it. His boss see the map on the rock. I know he take that lamp because he use a little bit of oil to put on his nut.

Q. How did he get the lamp open?

A: My boss say that lamp is never locked; no lock on it.

Q: Where did he get it from?

A: About 14 or 15 yards from No. 3 incline.

Q. What condition was it in when he got it?

A. I don't know, my partner he know.

Q. Was it like this when he got it, or had it a top on it?

A. Yes, he have a top on it, but my boss he take that oil.

Q. Who unlocked it?

A. I don't know who unlocked it.

Q. Who took the top off?

A: His partner take the top off and put the oil on his nut.

Q. What is a nut?

A. He put the oil on the nut (explains what a nut is)

Q. Did you have a pit lamp?

A. No, no pit lamp.

Q: Has he ever opened a safety lamp?

A. No, he daresn't; it is all locked up.

Q. Do you smoke?

A. I didn't smoke at all.

Q. Does he smoke?

A. No, I don't smoke at all.

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