The Lake County Times Tuesday July 2, 1918 A great letter has been received from Joseph Austgen in France by his people in Schererville. Joe is in the trenches but says, "Don't you worry mother. It isn't near as bad in the trenches as you think. The word trench sounds worse than it really is and the people think it is. I'm having a great time." That's the way to talk. The Lake County Times September 14, 1918 France July 14, 1918 >From Joseph Austgen: Dear Friend, Your most welcome letter of May 20 received and was very glad indeed of hearing from you. I surely was surprised to hear from you because it was the first letter you have written to me. I am well and enjoying the best of health, hoping that these few lines will find you the same. Understand that Claude and a few other of the town boys enlisted. What branch of service did Claude get into? Where is Jack Schweitzer at present? Please give him my best when you write to him again. How is everybody else at Schererville? Please give the girls and boys my regards and tell them to drop me a few lines for I am very anxious to hear from anybody of the "Dramatic club". Well, George, at the present time, I am in a very active front, where there is fighting going on at all times and thousands of shells going through the air. Sure some 4th of July celebration. I suppose you have read all about us over here, what we are doing with Kaiser Bill. Gee, I certainly could tell you a lot of stuff I have seen since I left home. Will close this time with the best wishes to you and all. Answer soon. JOSEPH A. AUSTGEN Co. C 1st Field Signal Batt. Amr. E.V., via New York City The Lake County Times Saturday October 26, 1918 Letters from Soldiers The following letter was recieved by Frank R. Schilling from his cousin Jos. A. Austgen from somewhere in France at the front: September 9, 1918 Dear Cousin Frank, Your most welcome letter of July 26th at hand. I was indeed greatly surprised to hear from you because I seldom receive a letter from any of the boys around home. Was glad to hear that you are well and happy, am glad that I can say the same of myself. At present I am laying in a "pup tent" trying to write you these few lines, so you will have to excuse me if you cannot read my writing and other faults. Well, Frank, I have seen quite a little fighting since I am in France, and we surely made it pretty hot for the darn Kaiser while we were after him. Was in the drive which the Americans and the French made sometime ago, and my experiences were sure great during the drive. Certainly could tell you a lot of what I have seen and heard there. Well, Frank, I think it will not be long when I will see the firing line again. You state in you letter that there will be a bumper crop this year. That is very good news to me. Have seen quite a little of France lately, and the crops looked very good. How is everybody getting along in the burg? Please give the boys and girls my best regards. As I have no more news for today, I will close with best wishes. I remain, CPL. JOS. A. AUSTGEN Co. C, 1st Field Signal Batt., A.E.F., via New York The Lake County Times Tuesday November 26, 1918 WELL KNOWN LAKE CO. BOY DIES THERE Corp. Jos. Austgen, Nephew of Police Chief, Dead of Wounds Received The dread war department telegram with its fateful message - dead from wounds received in action - came to one of Lake County's best known families last night and spread sorrow over several communities- Hammond, Gary, Schererville and Many other places where Corporal Joseph A. Austgen was known. Corporal Austgen 22 years old was a nephew of Chief of Police Peter Austgen of Hammond, a brother of Mrs. Earl Kane of Gary and son of Mrs. Theresa Austgen of Schererville. The young hero was one of the first Lake county boys to volunteer in the fight against Prussian autocracy. He was at the time of his enlistment living in Hammond at the home of Mrs. M--? Scherer 14 Condit? street and was employed in the Gibson railroad yards. He was one of the finest boys I ever knew and I feel like a bereaved father said Thomas A. Brown who lived with him and mourned his loss today. Three brothers, George, John and William and a sister Marie all of Schererville are heartbroken. The last word had from Corporal Austgen was in October when a letter announced he was at that time in a rest camp and had been over the top several times. The war department's message stated that he was wounded on October 9 at the time of Pershing's great offensive, and died of later wounds received in action. You can stop sending The Times to him said a relative. He won't want it now and how he did enjoy it. _________________________________________________________________ Stay in touch with old friends and meet new ones with Windows Live Spaces http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwsp0070000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://spaces.live.com/spacesapi.aspx?wx_action=create&wx_url=/friends.aspx&mkt=en-us