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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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positive; it would be two days after the explosion, I guess
J: Do you know who exhibit B belonged to? A: No
J: Could you say whether or not it belonged to one of the miners that were walking on the 15th?
A: No, I couldn't possibly say who it belonged to
J: Did you see the lamp the first time you went in after the explosion? A: No, you couldn't see anything then
J: Did you search for any lamps on anything immediately after the explosion? A: No.
J: Did you make any examination immediately after the explosion? A: Yes, I went right in 15 or 20 yards from the [face?] of the level.
J: Are you able to form any opinion as to where the explosion occurred? A: I think the explosion occurred in No 6 branch, off No 6 stall
J: Were there any safety lamps found in No 6 stall? A: Yes, lamp "C"
J: In the condition that it is in now? A: That was under the cave
J: That was found by the side of a Chinaman? A: I don't know. We got the lamps but I don't know where the Chinaman was found.
J: Did you find any matches on anything there?
A: No.
J: Tobacco or cigarettes? A: Yes, I seen a [hat?] of cigarettes, beside that light.
J: Do you know to whom they belonged? A: No.
J: When did you first find them? A: I seen the lamp two [?] after
J: Were they in the stall of any miner that was walking? A: Yes
J: Did you know the miner that was working there? A: Yes, but I don't know his name
J: Was he a Chinaman? A: A Chinaman
J: Have you any reason to give the Jury why you think that explosion occurred in No 6?
A: By the indication of the timber. By the inside of No 6 where the cage was blown in the way
BC Archives GR-0431 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Box 6 File 3 / Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.