Colonial Despatches

Robert Thompson Smith was the first justice of the peace and revenue officer at Hope.He was an elected member of the Legislative Council of British Columbia in 1864, representing Hope, Yale, and Lytton, in 1866, representing Cariboo West,1 and in 1867, representing the Columbia River and Kootenay area.2 In 1864, Smith worked for Macdonald's Bank, purchasing gold dust in the Cariboo gold fields and transporting it to Victoria.3

In 1868, he left British Columbia for the mines of Utah; in September 1880, Smith engaged in a shootout with Dr. B. C. Snedaker concerning Smith's fiancee, Agnes Davidson. Both Smith and Snedaker died from gunshot wounds.4

• 1. Birch to Cardwell, 25 January 1866, 3020, CO 60/24, 26 ; Douglas to Lytton, 12 October 1858, 12721, CO 60/1, 213.
• 2. Seymour to Carnarvon, 17 January 1867, 2737, CO 60/27, 202.
• 3. Death Came in Shootout: Smith was on Blacklist, The Daily Colonist, 27 October 1974, 64.
• 4. Tragedy at Salt Lake City, The Daily Colonist, September 14 1880, 3.