BY: BG EDITOR
Jan 20, 2018 — GREENWOOD, BC (BG)
Today we begin another segment in our 'Persons of Note' series, on Dr. George M. Foster, whose biography was included in A History of British Columbia by R. Edward Gosnell:[1]
GEORGE M. FOSTER, M. D.
"Dr. George M. Foster, engaged in the practice of medicine in Greenwood since 1898, was born in Pembroke, Ontario, November 20, 1875, his parents being Archibald and Margaret (Rowan) Foster, who are still residents of Pembroke, while the father, who was long engaged in merchandising, is now living a retired life in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.
Dr. Foster entered the public schools of his native city at the usual age and continued his studies in the high school at Pembroke, after which he pursued a full course in medicine in McGill University, for he had resolved to make the practice of medicine his life work.
After a thorough preliminary training he was graduated with the class of 1897 and was further qualified by nine months' practice in Victoria Hospital in Montreal. He came to Greenwood in 1898 and has since been a member of the medical fraternity, here enjoying a large and constantly growing practice. He is a member of the British Columbia Medical Association and of the Dominion Medical Association.
Dr. Foster is interested in mining, having made judicious investment along this line. He has served as coroner of Greenwood since 1901 and in his political views he is a Conservative. Fraternally he is connected with Greenwood Lodge, No. 28, A. F, & A. M."
Dr. George Foster holds a unique spot in local history, having been the coroner on duty for Greenwood's first murder. Confirming the work of the local doctor who pronounced the man dead, Dr. Foster performed the post mortem examination. The story, reported locally, is summarized here by author Garnet Basque:[2]
"Greenwood's first murder occurred on Wednesday evening, October 17, 1900, in a small shack about 200 yards from the CPR depot. The owner of the cabin, Manual Poiston, arrived home from work at 6 p.m. and found the cabin door locked as usual. However, upon opening the door and lighting a candle, Poiston discovered blood on the floor and saw a hand sticking out from under the bed. Samuel Feora lived in a nearby cabin with his son, and upon discovering the grisly scene, Poiston ran from his cabin shouting "Sam, Sam," unaware that the man he was trying to obtain help from was actually the murder victim.
Joe Feora, the 19-year-old son of the deceased, was in the cabin preparing supper when he heard Poiston's shouts and ran outside. Poiston told Joe that he had found a dead man in his cabin, and the two men returned to the scene. Upon entering the cabin, Joe recognized the clothes worn by the victim as those of his father, and pulled the body out from under the bed. Joe later testified that his father always carried between $1,100 and $1,200 in the pockets of his pants, but he found the pockets empty.
Chief McLaren, accompanied by Dr. Jakes rushed to the scene, where the body of Samuel Feora, an Italian section hand, was examined. Jakes estimated that the man had been dead four or five hours. Dr. Foster, who later performed a post mortem, reported: "On examination I found a large lacerated wound on left side of head and in front of ear, wound about two inches in length, edges everted and ragged. On left side, behind the ear, I found another wound with edges inverted and depressed. Around these wounds was a great deal of charring." Further evidence revealed two bullet holes, with one of the slugs still inside the brain tissue.
After hearing all evidence, the coroner's jury returned a verdict of "murder by some person or persons unknown." Both city and provincial policemen were assigned to the case, but there is no record of the murderer ever having been brought to justice."
Joe Feora, the 19-year-old son of the deceased, was in the cabin preparing supper when he heard Poiston's shouts and ran outside. Poiston told Joe that he had found a dead man in his cabin, and the two men returned to the scene. Upon entering the cabin, Joe recognized the clothes worn by the victim as those of his father, and pulled the body out from under the bed. Joe later testified that his father always carried between $1,100 and $1,200 in the pockets of his pants, but he found the pockets empty.
Chief McLaren, accompanied by Dr. Jakes rushed to the scene, where the body of Samuel Feora, an Italian section hand, was examined. Jakes estimated that the man had been dead four or five hours. Dr. Foster, who later performed a post mortem, reported: "On examination I found a large lacerated wound on left side of head and in front of ear, wound about two inches in length, edges everted and ragged. On left side, behind the ear, I found another wound with edges inverted and depressed. Around these wounds was a great deal of charring." Further evidence revealed two bullet holes, with one of the slugs still inside the brain tissue.
After hearing all evidence, the coroner's jury returned a verdict of "murder by some person or persons unknown." Both city and provincial policemen were assigned to the case, but there is no record of the murderer ever having been brought to justice."
Our biographic sketch on Dr. Foster will continue in Part Two, covering his duties on behalf of Canadian Pacific Railway and other medical services he performed for Greenwood and the district.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] A History of British Columbia by R. Edward Gosnell (1906)
[2] Ghost Towns & Mining Camps of the Boundary Country by Garnet Basque, p. 71
