New Westminster, BC
22nd May, 1859Proceedings of an Inquest held at New
Westminster upon the body of a Soldier (Sapper Jones RE) which was
found floating in the Fraser River by Thomas Pamphlet of the "Brig
Cadborough" who reported the matter to the Stipendiary Magistrate.
A Jury having been summoned consisting of the following
persons - W. J. Armstrong, John T. Scott. T. W. English, Ernest Picht,
Thomas Moloney, R. Dickenson, Edgar Dewdney, W. G. Peacock, John Ramage,
L. Hoys, E. Brown, J. Kennedy.
The Jury having been duly sworn the following evidence was
taken -
1st Witness Thomas Pamphlet being duly sworn states, that
being on board the Brig Cadborough this morning about 9 o' clock, he
saw what he supposed to be a human body floating down the River, an
immediately took a boat to examine it and found it to be the body of
a Soldier in his working dress, he got assistance and took it on
board the boat.
2nd Witness Acting Quarter Master Sergeant Osment RE having
been duly sworn, states, he has examined the body, and by the
general appearance of it and the initials on the stockings he
believes it to be that of Sapper T. Jones, RE.
3rd Witness Sapper John Murray, RE, having been duly sworn
states that on Saturday the 27 April, I came down to New Westminster
from the North Camp in a boat under the orders of Quarter master
Sergeant Osment RE the crew consisting of six sappers including
Jones. We went alongside the Steamer Beaver and put the baggage of
Colonel Moody and Captain Parsons on board. We then went to the
Wharf and afterwards when crossing from the Steamer Governor Douglas
to the Beaver, I being I advance, heard a slash in the water and the
cry of a man overboard. This was about 9 o'clock pm. and on the men
being mustered we found that Sapper Jones was missing. From the
general appearance of the Corpse I saw today, I believe it to be
that of Sapper Jones.
Dr. Seddall, Staff Assistant Surgeon in medical advice states,
I have seen the body of the deceased and am of the opinion that he
came by his death by drowning. The contused state of the face and
head would lead to the belief, that he struck against the side of
the Steamer in his descent to the water. I am further of opinion
that eight or 10 days must have elapsed since the deceased met his
death.
After mature deliberation we the above have come to the
unanimous conclusion and return the following verdict - that the
deceased met with his death by drowning accidentally.
Signed,
Spaulding, JP and Coroner |
