Way Toy
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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You now being duly sworn the interpreter also says I saw her alive last about nine o'clock in the morning of May 20th. She was inside the Dining room washing her face, she was in good health. I asked her to get upto breakfast. She made her answer. I walked away never saw her after she got up & went to Breakfast.
Mrs. [illegible] being duly sworn, says I saw Way Toy about eleven o'clock in the morning of May 21st. She was in the kitchen getting a cup of water. I did not speak to her she was in good health. I have known her about two years. No one slept with her the night before. No quarrel with any one.
Sue [illegible] being duly sworn says I saw her last about nine o'clock in the morning of May 21st. She was in the kitchen washing her face. She eats her breakfast and then went to her Bed Room. I have known her about two years. I considered her in good health, never had a quarrel with any one to my knowledge. I [illegible] the room about eleven o'clock. I found it locked.
BC Archives, GR-0431 Box 1 File 3 / BRITISH COLUMBIA, ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.