Ah Fook
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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.
Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]
Charles Thomson Smith Labourer being sworn
I heard yesterday that two Chinamen had been drowned. I knew one of them. His name was Louis. I was near Wm Bridges yesterday at noon, I was on the shore. I saw an Indian named Charley. He was fishing and on his way home he found the bodies of the two Chinaman. I saw him find them. I went up to Bridges house and got a Chinaman who brought the more with him when they got down to the water we put the bodies in a canoe and brought them up to the old mill where they are now lying.
Charles Thompson His Mark X
Taken an oath and acknowledged this 8th day of April 1879 before me. C. N. Trew Coroner
BC Archives, GR-0431 Box 2 File 5 / BRITISH COLUMBIA. ATTORNEY GENERAL. / Inquisitions / inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.