Morris Moss, Man of Mystery

As told in last week’s Chronicles, Morris Moss was as colourful an adventurer as they come. Fur trader, mining speculator and customs officer, he survived shipwreck, at least one murder attempt, chased bootleggers, became embroiled in the aftermath of the Chilcotin War, was caught up in the Pelagic Sealing controversy, married, had two children, then— disappeared.

In short, never a dull moment for Morris Moss whose name became a household word throughout the province and particularly in Victoria.

Which explains the widespread interest in the mystery that surrounded his quiet departure from B.C. and reports of his death by misadventure below the border. Taken straight from the pages of the Colonist, it reads almost as a who-dun-it. 

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PHOTO: London-born, handsome and rich, Moss landed in British Columbia when only 20, drawn halfway around the world by reports of the fabulous gold strikes at Barkerville. —BC Archives