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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
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crying into the engine room. I took the other one myself. I tried first aid myself. In the meantime I hollered to the bridge to get a doctor, for someone to get one. He came down about fifteen minutes after. Mr Mitchell went ashore with the other one and we took this body down in the engine room where it was warm to try and resuscitate her. Mr Cowan;- You said, Mr Avery, you saw the light change from green to red? A;- Yes. Q;- Can you fix the time? A;- The closest recollection I got, I remember the six o-clock car passing Rowlings, and I suppose I would be twenty minutes getting there. Mr Beck;- Did you hear any shouts from the bridge tender? A;- Oh yes. I hears someone shout "There's a wreck in the water." We started to launch rowboats. I did not know it was an automobile until it was all over. Q;- You never heard anything before the accident, any shouting? A;- No, sir; I would not be hear enough; I saw the bridge lights, navigating lights. I saw the light in the bridgeman's hand. I saw it wave. Q;- You don't know whether the light was moving or waving? A;- I know the light was moving but whether it was a signal to a person, I can't say. Q;- If the bridge, you saw the lights change from red to green would that have meant that the span was over in place? A;- We had nothing else to look forward to, if we happened to be above the bridge. Q;- A;- I generally watch for the coloured lights. If it's green we go ahead, if it's red we stop. Mr Beck;- What were you doing when you saw it was half and half? A;- Take it for granted the bridge is only half open and slow down.
The inquest was then adjourned until eight o-clock the same evening.