Sheriff Andrew Muir
Vancouver Island Bailiwick 1857-1859

Andrew Muir was appointed sheriff of the Colony of Vancouver Island in 1857, making him the first person in British Columbia's history to hold the office.

A member of one of Vancouver Island's earliest pioneer families, Andrew came to the colony with his parents, three brothers and a sister in May of 1849 to work for the Hudson's Bay Company who were in need of the Muirs' coal mining experience.

From their home in Ayrshire, Scotland, the family embarked on a voyage by sailing ship that would last nearly six months and take them around the treacherous seas off of Cape Horn.

When they finally arrived at Fort Victoria, the family remained there for six weeks before continuing on to Fort Rupert, situated at the northern end of the island. With instructions to establish and oversee a coal mining operation, Andrew's father, John, explored the nearby region searching for a suitable seam. A promising site was located some distance from the fort and the miners employed by the Hudson's Bay Company were put to work digging a shaft however, the venture was short-lived. The men were isolated from the protection of the fort and felt uneasy working in the vicinity of the Kwakiutl warriors who were very threatening in appearance and were reported to have recently returned from battle carrying the heads of their enemies. They eventually refused to work at the mine, which resulted in British Columbia's first labour strike. During the ensuing conflict with the Hudson's Bay Company, the men stood firm and remained within the precincts of the fort until they were moved to Nanaimo where a better quality coal had been discovered.

At the expiration of their contract with the Hudson's Bay Company, Andrew and his brother John departed for San Francisco in search of better opportunities. The remainder of the family established themselves at Sooke where they built a sawmill and took up farming. Disappointed with San Francisco, the brothers returned to Sooke where they assisted with the Muir family enterprises.

When Muir was appointed as high-sheriff, part of his duties was to administer lashes in a public forum. At the time of his appointment he was also placed in charge of the gaol and given the authority to pursue and arrest felons.

Muir died on January 11, 1859, one day after the expiry of his term as sheriff. He was approximately thirty-five years of age and had complained of feeling ill over the previous few days. An autopsy revealed Muir's liver was so greatly enlarged that it occupied two-thirds of his chest cavity. Despite a Coroner's Jury's verdict of "death by syncope, as a result of nervous excitement aggravated by saline purges," there is little doubt that his fatal illness was brought about by a long history of "intemperance."

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