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Land, Indigenous peoples, settlers, and today’s communities.

Since time immemorial, Ancestors of the people called K’ómoks today consisting of the Pentlatch, Ieeksan (eye-ick-sun), Sasitla (sa-seet-la), Xa’xe (ha-hey) and Sathloot (sath-loot) people have been the caretakers of this land, which they called the “Land of Plenty.” This Land of Plenty stretched from what is known today as Kelsey Bay in the north, down to Hornby and Denman Island in the south, and included the watershed and estuary of the Puntledge River, also acknowledging that these boundaries and place names are colonial constructs.

The K’ómoks First Nation refer to the lands between the bays of Comox and the Beaufort mountain range as the path between, it was a travel and trade route to the Alberni corridor and a connection to the indigenous communities on the western side of the island.

Land agreements included the 1884 Settlement Act stripped these lands for its caretakers. At the Museum we acknowledge that we are a colonial created institution, and I would like to thank Charlene Everson, Emily Shopland and Violet Williams for guiding the museum in early discussion on what reconciliation could mean for our organization and how we could create actionable steps; in maintaining a positive dialogue with a forward focus, sharing contemporary K’omoks narratives, and incorporating First Nation languages where they felt it appropriate. Their time and guidance helped us gain insight and learn how to best support their voice in our museum’s walls. This is an ongoing process and we have so much more to learn.

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No.5 First aid team at No.6 Mine first aid station demonstrating breathing apparatus
First aid team demonstration (988.033.001)
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Story • 6 Min read
Mining

Death and Disaster: 1923

Thursday, 8th of February

On February 8th 1923, William and Matthew set off to work with their lunches packed ready to descend into No. 4 Mine.

William was just a young lad when he started working in mines. Likely starting at the picking tables, he later joined his older brother, Matthew, underground. William worked as a trapper, opening and shutting the doors in the mine that were essential to its ventilation.

1911 census
Fifth Census of Canada, 1911 (CS98-1911-PDF)

This page of the census shows the Mitchell Family on lines 32 to 38. By 1911, it appears the family had already lost their patriarch, as the mother, Margaret, is written down as the head of the household and no men of the house are mentioned. She had three sons and four daughters. Her youngest was less than a year at the time. By the 1921 Census, the household had shrunk down to two sons, William and Matthew, and two daughters, Beatrice and Jemime.

Only Matthew returned to his mother and two sisters that day…

When an explosion erupted in a section of No. 4 Mine, a poisonous gas, known as ‘afterdamp’ swept through the tunnels. This thick, smothering, methane-rich gas, suffocated and killed thirty-three men.

William Mitchell The Province 9 feb 1923
District is in mourning (Read more)

When an explosion erupted in a section of No. 4 Mine, a poisonous gas, known as ‘afterdamp’ swept through the tunnels. This thick, smothering, methane-rich gas, suffocated and killed thirty-three men.

Amongst them was William. He was found with an Italian miner, Girolomo Martinellli, endearingly known as ‘Mummy’, by the community. According to some accounts, they were found lying by the side of the trackway, near William’s job site, with Girolomo’s jacket around William’s head in an attempt to protect the young boy from the poisonous gas.

Girolomo Martinelli grave 1923_E
Gravestone of Girolomo “Mummy” Martinelli (Read more)

Some miners managed to reach safety, escaping the gas and breathing in the fresh Cumberland mountain air again. A gallant rescue team took to the depths to safely pull fellow miners back to the surface. Arthur Watson, in particular, bravely re-entered the mine to help his colleagues, after initially escaping and calling for help at the time of the disaster.

Draeger Mine Rescue Team
Dräeger mine rescue team (980.1153)
Mine Rescue Helmet
breathing apparatus (981.110.001)

Dräeger helmets allowed rescuers to safely breathe in a mine even if there was still lingering poisonous gasses.

Mine Rescue Lamp
lamp, electric (988.068.002)

These electrical lamps were safer and more reliable than their past counterparts. They were used by rescue teams after a disaster.

Inhalator
resuscitator (980.341.001)

Designed in 1909, the Pulmotor was the first device capable of reviving miners who lost consciousness from lack of oxygen.

This map shows the location of each of the men who died in the explosion.

Report of Explosion
Report of explosion, Comox Colliery (2006.021.002)