Going home: Louise Fabre

Going home: Louise Fabre

Originally published in the Black Diamond Bulletin, Summer 2013

By JoAnne Matsumura

After coal mining disasters of the era, widows and their children often returned to their homeland, a place of familiarity and comfort. Mrs. Julius Persyn, along with her infant son Georges and brother-in-law Medard Persyn, returned to Europe on September 23, 1911, following the 1910 Lawson Mine disaster that claimed the life of her husband. She left her eldest son Henri with her brother’s family in Seattle.

Henri Joulia, Jr., Louise Fabre Persyn, Georges Persyn, ca. 1912.

The November 6, 1910, Lawson Mine explosion took the lives of 16 men, including Julius Persyn, 31, leaving behind wife Louise Fabre Joulia—who he had just married 10 months earlier on December 30, 1909—10-week-old son, Georges, born August 23, 1910, and stepson Henri Joulia, Jr.

Julius, along with his workmates Oscar and Ceazar Bael and Civili Maes—all of Belgium descent—and Fred Setti, an Italian, remain entombed in the 6th level of the mine more than 2,000 feet below the surface. The remaining 11 victims’ bodies were recovered.

Louise Fabre came to the U.S. in 1903 and resided with brothers Jules and Georges Fabre in Seattle. Sister Irene remained in Europe.

Julius was working as a pillar man at the Lawson Mine as early as 1907, earning $3 per day. How Julius and Louise met is a mystery.

The news of the mine explosion traumatized Louise severely as she had experienced this before when her first husband, Henri Joulia, a coal miner, was crushed by a tree.

Georges Persyn shortly after his birth on August 23, 1910.

Louise was comforted knowing that Medard, who spoke more fluent English than she did, would be able to help her with Julius’ estate and guardianship for young son Georges.

After the estate closed, Louise returned to her family home in Europe where she met and married a Belgium coal miner, Auguste Bailleul.

Still traumatized from her previous losses, Louise asked Auguste to change his occupation, which he did. The couple had one child, Juliette, in 1917, who still survives, although in delicate health.

Louise found herself alone for the third time when Auguste died around 1921 from a lung problem, said her granddaughter, Catherine Persyn.

It was then necessary for young son Georges to leave school and become the breadwinner of the family. His uncles in Seattle, Jules and Georges, periodically sent gifts and money to help Louise make ends meet.

Louise, who was born February 20, 1881, died in Cahors, France, in January 1932—still a young woman who endured tragedy throughout her life.

For more about the 1910 Lawson Mine explosion:

• Diamond Junction: Where yesterday meets today: Lawson Mine, by Ken Jensen, BDHS newsletter, October 2010

• Smiles for living: Tears for the dead, by Frank Hammock, BDHS newsletter, October 2010

• Pictures of the past: Entombed, but not forgotten, Julius Persyn, 1879-1910, by JoAnne Matsumura, BDHS newsletter, October 2010

• Lawson Mine disaster (November 6, 1910): Official investigative reports, HistoryLink.org

Clipped from: https://blackdiamondhistory.wordpress.com/2013/11/07/going-home-louise-fabre-jouila-persyn-bailleul/