Ah Man
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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Jimmy, an Indian being sworn saith
Today I was down at Mary’s house a little above the old mill below New West City – I was standing in the door talking to her. She looked out on the river and saw something floating down the river. She asked me what it was & said she thought it was not a stick but that it was the body of the Chinaman who had fallen in the river a few days ago. I helped her to get her canoe & go out to the body when we brought it ashore and then brought it to town.
Jimmy His mark X
Taken on oath & acknowledged on this 1st day of August A.D. 1877 before me C.N. Trew Coroner
BC Archives, GR-0431 Box 2 File 1 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Inquisitions / inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.