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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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Q: That would indicate that the explosion occurred before the cave in? A: I don't think so
Q: Would the Chinaman be burnt if the cave in came first? A: It might be that the explosion and the cave in was simultaneous.
Q: Were you present when the lamp was found at ______? A: I found the last Chinaman's lamp "C".
Q: In examining that lamp is there anything which would indicate that that was the cause of the explosion? A: I dismantled that lamp today, and tested it with my own breath as it were; but I don't think that is a sufficient test. I think if there was a high velocity of air and pressure you could have blown that lamp out. In other words, there is a probability that that lamp would have cast flame. Had it been properly tested in the damaged and defective state in which we found it, you might have found that that lamp passed flame.
Q: Do you mean to say that the lamp was defective? A: No, I am speaking of today; if a proper test had been made.
Q: Was it locked? A" Yes.
Q: Locked when you found it? A: Yes.
Q: Did you find any explosive substance other than the gas? A: Fire principally.
Q: No dynamite? A: I didn't see any dynamite.
Q: Powder of any sort? A: No.
Q: Other than the matches you found on this Chinaman's coat, did you find anything else? A: Those were found when the Chinaman's friend came down to get his watch.
Q: Who was that Chinaman? A: I don't know; some friend of the deceased, I think.
By Mr. Cooley[?]:- You say that you found this lamp B on the roadway of No 5.? A: Yes sir.
Q: What is your opinion - had that anything to do with the explosion? A: No, I don't
BC Archives GR-0431 Box 6 File 3 BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.