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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]
Q: Does he ever see Chinamen smoke in mine?
A: No, I see no man smoke.
Q: At any time? A: I never see one.
Q: Has he ever seen a Chinaman try to open a safety lamp? A: I didn't see no one; I never see one.
Q: Has he ever seen a Chinaman fire a shot? A: No, I do my own business.
Q: Has he ever seen a Chinaman fire a shot? A: No, I didn't see it.
Q: When was the last shot fired before the explosion? A: No, I don't know anything about that.
Q: Who fires the shots in the mine? A: I don't know, but in my stall the fire boss fire the shots.
Q: Has he ever fired a shot when the fire boss was away? A: No, daresn't until the fire boss come.
Q: Lots of ventilation; lots of wind in mine?
A: Yes, winds blow very hard.
Q: Much gas there that night, before the explosion?
A: I don't see none.
Q: Does he know what gas is? A: Yes, I understand , but I can't see.
Q: Does he know when there is gas in the mine, without seeing? A: I don't understand much. Fire boss he tell me all right, go to work.
Q: Did fire boss tell him go to work that day? A: Yes, fire boss tell him his stall is all right.
Q: Does he at any time hold up the lamp for gas? A: I don't understand how it is but I am frightened; if I do it wrong way, it is explosion.
Q: Who examined his place before he started to work that day? A: Yes, I get in my stall.
Q: All good that day? A: Yes, stall all right that day.
By Mr. Pooley: - This Chinaman says he got that lamp from some place. I want to know what part of the mine he got that lamp from?
BC Archives GR-0431 Box 6 File 3
BRITISTH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. Inquisitions/inquest conducted by coroners in British Columbia.