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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. 

BC Archives GR-0431

*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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No 2

II.

Mr. Cowan; - Well, I will tell the witness it is two hundred and nine yards, - a hundred and eighty four on the bridge and twenty nine in the swing.

Q; - So that when you saw the car, that particular automobile crossing that bridge, I suppose you shouted out?

A; - Yes; called out loud.

Q; - And the car was approaching the draw as you had it opened? A; - Yes.

Q; - Has this frequent experience of yours enabled you, given you any special skill to judge the speed of the car?

A; - Well -

Q; - You see these cars come so often? A; - Yes. I think I can judge quite twenty-five miles an hour.

Q; You have occasion before to judge the speed of the car on that bridge?

A; - Well, yes. When I have seen people coming over too fast I have taken particular notice of them; that way I can judge the speed of the car that night, I put it about twenty-five miles an hour.

Q; - You make a distinction between these jitneys and private automobiles? A; - Yes, sir.

Q; - What is that distinction exactly?

A; - Well, I notice the jitneys always seem in a hurry.

Q; - Was it the last trip this jitney had to make that day?

A; - Well, I suppose it would be.

Q; - You say they appear to be in a hurry; how do the jitneys that cross that bridge compare with a private automobile?

A; - Quite a lot all the time sir.

Q; - Did you have, have you had occasion to correct private automobile owners as frequently as jitney owners?

A; - No.

Q; - Supposing that light had become extinguished you would have noticed it at all events?

A; - Certainly; I always watch my lights.

BC Archives, GR-0431 Box 10 File 4 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Inquisitions / inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.

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