The Daily British Colonist and Victoria Chronicle

Friday Morning, April 24, 1868

Inquest--The Coroner commenced an inquest yesterday, at Esquimalt, on the body found by an Indian last Tuesday in the vicinity of Skinner's farm. It proves to be the body of James Smith, a well-to-do miner, who has been missing since the 9th of February. There appears to be little doubt, form the fractured condition of the skull that Smith was foully murdered. A check of deposit for $1200 on the bank of BRitish Columbia was found on the body, a box od caps, an old meershaum pipe, eye glass, and a few coins. inquest postponed until next Tuesday for further inquiries.