by Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
100 years ago the mining community of Dawson, New Mexico was rocked to its very foundations by an explosion in the Stag Canon #2 Mine that killed 263 miners.
Of those 133 were Italians with greek miners making up the next largest group of victims. 23 miners survived that horrible day while two rescuers died while trying to save others.
Sunday morning Irene Buongiorno representing Giuseppe Perrone, the Italian Consul General of Los Angeles presented Joe Bacca from the Dawson New Mexico Association with a metal plaque commemorating the 100th anniversary of that deadly event. The plaque will be installed at a ceremony at the Dawson Cemetery during the biannual Dawson reunion picnic held on Labor Day weekend.
Richard Sims, New Mexico Historic Sites Director was on hand to read a proclamation from New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez proclaiming October 22, 2013 as Dawson Remembrance Day.
According to Claudio Ruben a documentary about Dawson is in the works and should be completed in about a year. The group is interested in talking to families from Dawson.
- Joe Bacca holds the plaque presented to the Dawson New Mexico Association Sunday morning at the Raton Museum.
Richard Sims, Director of the New Mexico Historic Sites presents Joe Bacca a proclamation from New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez proclaiming October 22, 2013 as Dawson Remembrance Day.
This plaque will be installed at the Dawson Cemetery during the biannual reunion picnic held on Labor Day weekend at the old townsite of Dawson
The Proclamation from Governor Susana Martinez
R. I. P.
I believe that I my grandfathers uncle was killed in this explosion..He had jusi immigrated. Last name was Wilson Wilsons arrived from Scotlnd and were candy makers in Scotland.
I’ve written a song about the 1913 and 1923 disasters and need to know the weather report for the 1913 event…anyone know? Thank you, Rick
Modena, one of Emilia Romagna province, Italy had 38 victims out of 140 italians who perished.the 22nd october 1913 in the mine disaster. The people of the Appennini moutains didn’t forget .
We are still very proud of these young men.