George Argo was a Gympie Mining Manager. Highly respected, firm but just, and devoted to his duty and the welfare of the mining employees (1). On 21 February 1895, at approximately 9am in the morning, he tragically plunged to his death, 200 feet down a winze* at the No. 1 North Phoenix Mine. He was 54 years of age. Argo’s death was in conversation for many years, as to how could an experience mine manager just fall down the mine shaft?
*a mine shaft leading from one level to another, but not rising to the surface

(L) Headstone of George Argo at Gympie Cemetery, (R) George Argo, 1894, Mine Managers Photo (Historical Sketch of Gympie 1867-1927)

Shrouded in mystery still to this very day and somewhat an urban legend, Argo’s headstone at the Gympie Cemetery is said to glow at night, circulating suspicions surrounding his death. Read in more detail about his fateful accident…

Read on through the slideshow for more detail of the accident.
Please note: the account graphically details Mr Argo’s body.

Photo below, circa 1890s, looking down Mount Pleasant Road (Crown Road on right), – No. 1 North Phoenix to the left and Phoenix PC in distance on right.

1909 B. Dunstan Map, Sheet 11 – showing the No. 1 North Phoenix Lease, Battery and Shaft:

The following is an obituary of Mr George Argo, published at the end of the account of the accident.
The Gympie Times, 23 February 1895

Read about the Magisterial Inquiry published in The Gympie Times on 28 February 1895 here …. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/171743565/19132504

References:

(1) Gympie Times (1989, January 28). Gympie’s History: the tragic death at North Phoenix Mine. The Gympie Times.