Wellington Coal Mine
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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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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in a very good condition & no danger whatever, in my opinion the fire was out. I can give no explanation as to how the fire originated. I fired a shot in my heading at about half past 2 o'clock P.M. on Tuesday & after doing examined carefully to see that everything was right. I heard Mr. Dunsmuir tell Dixon to be careful & not allow any person behind No. 3 curtain, this was on Wednesday. The last time I saw Dixon in the mine was on Wednesday morning when Mr. Dunsmuir cautioned him. Up[?] to six o.c. on Thursday morning I & the men with me were all working with open lights. I saw George Churchhill the fireman coming round on Thursday morning making his inspection & spoke to him I told him I thought we had got the mine all right. I met the relieving shift going down as I was coming up on Thursday morning.
Taken before me at Wellington this 25th day of April 1879. James[?] R Spalding Coroner.
BC Archives GR-0431 British Columbia, Attorney General/ Box 2 File 6/ Inquisitions/inquests conducted by coroners in British Columbia.