The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-03-07

her Life Or unremiiiinx Tell and Five
Courageous Rescues.

Louise Fabert. the famous girl
diver Of ST. Nazaire. France. has just
received a gold medal from the French
Society for the Encouragement Of
Good Actions.
This medal and the small pension
that goes with IL is given" says the
report Of the society, Sin recognition
Of Louise Fabert's merit, as shown by
her life Of unremitting toll aud FIVE
courageous rescues Of persons that
we're in danger Of death
Louife Fabert comes Of a family Of
sturdy sailors. aud is herself almost
six feet tail. finely pfopoftioned,
strouger than most strong men, not
mAnnisL, but quietly. confident ia her
Drawn and in her judgment
IL was in the Bay OF kiod de Janeiro,
when she was but seventeen, that she
saved o sailor Who had fallen from the
yards Of her fathers ship. He had
struck the water IN such a way as to
iniure himself severely; he was drown
ing Louise plunged from the deck
aud after diving twice succeeded in
finding the sunken body. She swan
with it to the boat that had been low
cred. The man was restored TO life.
When her father sold his merchant
man to engage in the salvage business
at Bordeaux, Louise Faberf, who
liked long voyages, managed 10 ship
on a whaling vessel as a common
sailor, thanks to her male attire and
strong appearance, The expedition
remained away two years.
When Il returned the female sailor
carried a three-months-old baby in
her arms-the captains son. She had
become the captains wife, but within
six months she became a widow.
For the last ten years she has
worked as a diver. First with her
father, and since the latter's death as
the head Of the salvage firm in which
three Of her brothers are also part
ners.
This extraordinary woman is now
thirty-two, very handsome, though
sun-tanned 10 the complexion Of a
jack tar just back from a cruise ia the
tropics. She has long given up wear
ing male attire. Even IN the course
Of her business she now wears the
short skirts 81 the Breton fshwife, ex-
cept when she goes down under water
70 inspectthe work Of her gang. Then.
Of course, she gets into the ordinary
diving suit
In her profession It il said that she
has no superior Her brothers rely
entirely on ler Judgment to close all
contracts or 70 direct the execution Of
difficult ind iriakings. Not only can
she go as deep as anybody will ven
ture. bat her iron constitution will
permit her 20 remain at great depths
for . length Of time that would ex-
haust anybody else. In addition she
can use the pick, the hammer, the
crowbar, OF any of the divers tools a.
we'll aa the most skilful Of her en-
ployes
Among the rescnes she has effected
may be cited that Of Lieutenant
Chaiiler, Of the French navy. He was
inspecting some Government work
when the explosion cf steam engine
on a floating derrick knocked him
senseless. Louise FabeFt went into
the volcano Of kissing steam and burn
ing planks where the lieutenant lay
and brought him back. badly seslded,
bat alive. Louise herself was severe.
~ burned about the neck, iorearms
and legs and bad 70 stay in the hos
piial for six weeks.
Another time. while her outfit was
engaged on the foundation Of light.
house on the coast Of Corsica, her
brothers lines were fouled When he
was IN q very dangerous position. A
huge block Of concrete had just been
lowered under water and was swing.
ing near him At the end Of a chain: il
might crush ont the mans life at any
moment; il might have done so al
ready, for be answered 40 signal
When she found there was trouble
below Louise cast of ber skirts.
grabbed huge crowbar in order 70 be
able to sink 70 The proper depth. and
without Waiting TO put on a Divers
suit, went down TO extricato her twin.
fney were both pulled out together a
Few seconds later. the brother on the
verge Of suiiocation.
As Il may be imagined, the manly
and womanly charms Of the woman
have made many slaves and brought
her many suitors. but Louise 50 far
has always declined 20 marry again.
Her life is absolutely devoted TO her
business and 10 caring Tor her sou, q