Burglary! Organized Gang! (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

Today we find ourselves following the trail of Vancouver's finest detectives in search of the truth. We are now publishing our sixteenth blog about the convicts buried at the B.C. Penitentiary Cemetery known as "Boot Hill", and the first case involving a "gang of thieves" in Vancouver's East Side district, Main Street with Chinatown in its midst.

Meet Convict #2225 - Louie Num

Photo by Kati - Convict #2225 (middle section, close to fence on south side)

Guilty! A Life In and Out of Prison.. (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

We take you on the journey of a young man who's life ended in an accident. What truly happened, we may never know; however, he became one of the convicts interred at the forgotten Boot Hill Cemetery in New Westminster, B.C. (1913-1967, used by the old B.C. Penitentiary, which was razed in 1980). Welcome to our fifteenth blog about the inmates buried at this unique cemetery.

Meet Convict #9720 - Norman Donald Bottineau

Photo by Kati - Jan16'2016 (lower part of cemetery)

Robbery with Violence! (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

Our fourteenth blog about the convicts interred at Boot Hill Cemetery (1913-1967, New Westminster, used by the old B.C. Penitentiary-which was razed in 1980) takes us back in history to the year 1912, on Vancouver Island, B.C. and a community of coal mining.
[Note: please see our links for previous blogs about the convicts at the end of the following account.]

Meet Convict #unknown - Phillip Hopkins

Photo by Kati (VSPI) - unknown gravemarker at Boot Hill Cemetery (April 2015)

Courtesy Cumberland Museum Archives - 1913, Mine No. 4 (C164-010)

Shots Fired! (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

Our thirteenth blog, about the convicts interred at New Westminster's Boot Hill Cemetery, investigates a lively chase of a man who attempted to pull off a number of robberies. Join us on this journey of discovery of an event which caused a stir in the city of Vancouver, B.C. in 1917.

Meet Convict #2312 - Albert Hill

Photo by Kati - Convict #2312 (middle section)

Capital Murder at Age 18! (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

We bring you the tenth story of our series about the convicts buried at Boot Hill Cemetery, the small plot of land used for prisoners (maintained by inmates & 1913-1968) from the BC Penitentiary (aka "The Pen, closed in the 1980's), overlooking the Fraser River.
As the cemetery is unmarked to this day, I wonder how many people walk by believing it's just an unused piece of land. I have witnessed walkers with their dogs pooping on the grass, but they never stay long. Crows sit in the trees surrounding the land, squawking loudly as people try to enter the sacred space.

Meet Convict #2938 - Reginald John Colpitts:

Photo by Kati - Convict #2938 (top section - northwest)

The Chicken Thief with Intent to Murder! (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

Today the story I bring you is about a convict buried at New Westminster's Boot Hill Cemetery, belonging to the B.C. Penitentiary (decommissioned May 10, 1980, and demolished), with a bit of a twist. It took some time to put it together, but finally I believe I have enough information to present this most interesting and puzzling case.

Meet Convict #1948 - "Unknown Gim"

Photo by Kati - Convict #1948 (middle section, south edge)

Murder at Ocean Falls.. or was it? (Convict Interred at Boot Hill Cemetery)

Hello Friends,

Our next investigation of the convicts buried at B.C. Penitentiary's "Boot Hill Cemetery" in New Westminster, B.C., brings us to a story about a Japanese immigrant in the early 1900's. I discovered the case may have been an accidental murder instead one of intention, with discrimination and racism playing a role.

Meet Convict #1659 - Y. Yoshie

Photo by Kati - #1659 @ Boot Hill Cemetery, middle section

Mr. Y. Yoshie, a single man in his mid-40's, travelled to Vancouver, B.C. in 1911. From all accounts it appears he left his native home in Japan for work in the new land of British Columbia.

Meet VSPI at Car Free Day Vancouver - Sat.June 18th !!

Hello Friends,

Meet VSPI !!!

When: Saturday, June 18th, 2016
What:  Car Free Day Vancouver @ West End Festival
Location: Denman Street (btwn Davie Street & Robson Street)

• bring family!
• bring friends!
• come chat with us!
• participate!
• create chalk drawings!
• take our survey!

There will be so much going on at the festival. Music, Games, Food and fun for all! So bring everyone. Walk, Bike, take Transit! Come by and say "hello". We'd love to hear about your experiences, thoughts and perhaps participate in a survey we have put together.

We'd love to get to know you, so come on down to the West End near Stanley Park, Vancouver B.C. and drop by our tent. Meet some investigators, learn protection methods, home cleansing methods and get to know us, as we'll get to know you.

We look forward to seeing you there! Rain or shine!

Talk soon,
Kati

Return to BC Penitentiary Cemetery & Mr. Thompson... (Convict Interred at Boot Hill)

Hello Friends!

The B.C. Penitentiary cemetery, known as Boot Hill by the inmates of the institution, came into existence in 1913 yet may have been used as early as 1912. The last unclaimed body of a convict from the "Pen" was interred in 1968. It's situated across the Glenbrook Ravine and up the hill, across from where the old prison once stood.
For more information, please check out our 2013 Blog of Boot Hill.

At the end of March, it felt the time had come to revisit the forgotten cemetery, and with the good weather finally upon us, it was perfect timing. Boot Hill is now accessible by a cemented foot path due to new construction nearby. A hi-rise has been built directly across from it (to the south), and soon another one is going up to the west. This has me wondering if its neighbours are experiencing an influx of paranormal activity.

Boot Hill Cemetery - looking north towards the Ravine below. Photo-VSPI©

Happy Holidays!

Dear friends,

The holidays are at our door. Walking around the city on rainy evenings, the lights are warm and inviting. I spent an evening out in Gastown, one of Vancouver's oldest neighbourhoods, with friends in celebration for a colleague's retirement. As the rain fell on the cobblestone streets, and people were rushing home from a busy work day, I looked back upon the Harbour Centre and it's observation deck. What a beautiful sight! It was lit up in red, like a tree. Magical. I truly felt that joyous feeling of the season. Vancouver, a city of adventure among new and old buildings, green parks, interesting shops and friendly people. If it was snowing, it would be a miraculous sight.. but never-the-less, the rain does not spoil the feeling. I quite enjoy those evenings where everything sparkles because of our rainy season.

I will be travelling south to my home in Sebastopol, California for the holidays and into the first weeks of the New Year. There will be plenty of adventures, cemeteries to visit and places to discover. I'll keep in touch via Facebook, blog and our website with photos and stories.

The gang at VSPI wishes you and your family a wonderful Holiday Season! May all your dreams come true! Make it one of warmth and love, kindness and compassion. Remember, not everyone is happy during the season, so reach out to friends who may be alone. Share with them what most take for granted. We are blessed to live in this part of the world. Let's give to those who don't have much. A friend passed on a package of women's hygiene products to a shelter in the city. Their eyes lit up and they were so thankful. If we all gave, it would be a much safer and brighter world. Think on it. There are so many programs where we can give to others, for we truly are blessed.

Be safe, don't drink and drive, and remember, when celebrating your ancestors and loved ones who have passed on before you may be in visitation. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Let us know how you'll be celebrating the holidays by commenting here, on our Facebook page or sending us an email. We'd love to hear from you! And share with us your story.

As I like to say, "Jing-a-Ling"!
Enjoy,
Kati