John Marshall et al
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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]
No 2
9
A; - I said to my daughter, "There's an automobile coming but it wont get across."
Q; - You gave as a reason why it couldn't get across the bridge was three parts open?
A; - It a short while it would be wide open.
Q; - When the bridge was wide open what did you do?
A; - I started running over the little bridge swing the light.
Q; - When still standing there did you see the auto coming up the approach to the bridge? A; - Yes.
Q; - What happened then. Were you still at the rail or resting on the rail when you saw the auto come up on the bridge? A; - Yes.
Q; - What happened then?
A; - I saw the headlight strike the swing; it was open. My daughter said to me "They are not slowing up the auto" I picked up my light and shouted "Keep back there."
Q; - What next? A; - In a second or two they dashed through the gates and into the river.
Q; - Was there any evidence afterwards that the auto struck the gates? A; - Yes, sir.
A; - What Evidence? A; - Lots of glass lying about, and a kind of bulge in the gate; the that side of the gate.
Q; - Which gate? A; - The one that side.
Q; - And that accounted for the condition of the gates?
A; - East side.
Cowan; - East half of the south gate? Yes.
Q; - It had been bulged you say? A; - Yes.
Q; - Where was the glass? A; - The glass was lying all around in front of the gates.
Q; - What kind of glass? A; - Kind of thick glass, and I think it looked as though it might have come from his lamps.
Q; - How did you have the gates fastened? A; - With lock and chains.
Q; - After the accident did you find either the lock or the chain?
BC Archives, GR-0431 Box 10 File 4 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Inquisitions / inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.