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.
*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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J: Would the air pressure keep about the same all day? A: Yes, I think so.
J: Would the fact of there being gas have any effect on the barometer? A: No, I don't think so
J: Were you [acting?] as [shot?] lighter as well?
A: Yes.
J: When was the last shot fired in your shift? A: About one o clock; it might have been a little sooner, maybe a little later
J: Did you test for gas? A: Yes
J: What did you do? A: I tried it with my lamp; raised my lamp up to it and found it was so small a quantity that in fact I hesitated about putting it in the report at all.
J: On the first examination? A: On every examination. [four times?]
J: Then the gas was not increasing in density?
A: No, it was less than it had been the day before
J: At what height did you hold the lamp?
A: I suppose about seven feet.
J: What is the height of the mine there where you were testing in the 2nd South level? A: Something over six feet.
J: The height of the roof? A: The roof where it is not broken.
J: How could you hold the lamp up seven feet? A: Because there was a cave there.
J: I am talking of before the explosion?
A: Before the explosion.
J: What height is that where the cave is?
A: Probably 18 inches more at that time. I didn't hold the lamp 18 inches higher, I held it about 7 feet high
J: And that would be about 18 inches form the top of the roof? A: No. I said the roof was something over six feet high, and the highest point of the cave was 18 inches above the roof.
J: What action did the gas have on your lamp? A: [?] fuel drawn the flame.
J: What action did it have on the 15th July?
BC Archives GR-0431 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL / Box 6 File 3 / Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.