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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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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 say the lamp 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: He says that lamp no locked; not locked at all.
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 (explain 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 doesn't; it is all locked up
Q: Do you smoke? A: I didn't smoke at all.
Q: Does he know that match box? A: No belong to me.
Q: Are those Chinese cigarettes in there? A: Yes, that is Chinese cigarettes, but I don't know where it come from.
Q: Who does it belong to? A: I didn't see. I don't know who put it all there
Q: Has he ever seen it before? A: I didn't see the box at all.
Q: Does he ever strike a match in the mine? A: No, never; I have no match.
BC Archives GR-0431 Box 6 File 3 BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.