Argonaut Mine, Jackson, Amador County

At the Argonaut Gold Mine, Jackson, Cal., Sept. 18 -- Mine rescue crews which entered the Argonaut mine today in search for the 47 miners imprisoned there for three weeks, were expected to begin actual search for the imprisoned men this afternoon.

The first party, which entered following word that the tunnel driven from the Kennedy into the Argonaut mine had broken through, was unable to proceed with its work, the opening being found unsafe. Work of timbering was started immediately and the exploration party remained at hand, ready to resume its search. Break Through Barrier.

The rescue men had been at the surface, ready to go as soon as the word came. Four teams, each containing four men headed by a captain, entered the Argonaut. Each man wore oxygen respirating apparatus.

RODNEY D. HECOX, United States bureau of mines, headed the first team to crawl through the narrow opening into the Argonaut mine. R. J. JOHNSON, headed the second team which followed close behind. The rescue workers went forward into the Argonaut carrying canary birds and lighted candles.

This memorial plaque is located at the miner's gravesites at the Jackson Catholic Cemetery;

In memory of Peter Bagoye, Rafaelo Baldocchi, Domenico Boleri, Eugene Busgaglia, John Gaminada, Peter Gavaglieri, Manuel Costa, Paul Delonga, A. Fazzini, V. Fideli, Simone Francisconi, Bautista Gamboni, Timothy Garcia, Maurice Gianetti, Giuseppe Giorza, Lugio Gonzales, brothers Antonio and Luis Leon, Battista Manachino, Pio Oliva, Emanuel Olobardi, Aldino Piagneri, Giovanaria Ruzzi, Domenico Simondi, George Steinman, Daniele Vilia, and Cesare Zanardi, who died August 28, 1922, in the Argonaut Mine Fire.

Dedicated by Societa di Unione e Beneficenza Italiana, August 28, 1977.