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Getts

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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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L. R. M. McInnes, having been duly sworn in medical examiner states I was called yesterday morning the 13th inst at about 7 o’clock and requested to come immediately to NewCastle Island as the Mine was on fire & a number of men were injured. On my arrival at NewCastle, I first saw a man named John Frame & found extensive lacerated woundsd on his head and helped it & left him in a condition likely to do well. I next saw the body of a man named Brown. He was quite dead, the immediate cause of death was a fracture of the skull. I next saw Andrew Miller & found him suffering from several burns of face & hands. I helped the wounds & left him likely to do well. I next saw Mathew McDowell whole scalp was extensively lacerated, the lower & upper limbs severely burned & body [illegible]. I saw he was dying & told his friends so. I did not think it proper to dress his wounds as I felt sure he would die under the operation. This man has since died. I was next called to see a Chinaman at the

BC Archives, GR-0431 Box 1 File 7 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Inquisitions / inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.

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