The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1918-07-13
FIRST BENNINGTON BOY
TO FALL IN BATTLE
George Osterle Killed While His
Company Was Charging Machine
Gun Nest on June Is.

Editor of the Banner: 1t has oc
cured TO members OF the Home Serv-
ice Section of the local chapter
American Red Cross, that sufficient
and proper notice has not been taken
in this community OF the noble ex-
ample OF the first Bennington boy to
fall in battle somewhere in France"
on that great field of action where
history is now being made We refer
to the case Of George 0esterle, who
formerly lived at III Union street in
this village. From late reports and
information now in possession OF the
Home Service Section 1t appears that
this quiet, modest and unassuming
Bennington youth died glorious
death on the field OF honor while do
ing his full part in charging an enemy
machine gun nest on June 10th. last.
Consequently. we ask, should not
some appropriate action be taken by
us to mark this event, and enshrine
this boys name and example in The
hearts OF his fellow citizens?
George Oesterle was the son Of
George J. and Christine (SchaaD
Ocsterle and was born in the "Har
bour House so-called, at Woodford
Hollow on June 10, 1896; hence he
was only days over "A years OF age
when he fell on the firing line In
France. His father and mother were
both born and reared in Wurtemberg,
Germany. and came to this country
on the same ship. arriving at New
/ York City on September /, 1891. On
the same day they came to Benning'
ton and on the 18th. Of September.
I 1891, they we're married here by Rev.
Y. Marten of the First Baptist church.
/ Besides the subject of this sketch,
there were afterwards born to Mr..
and Mrs. Oostcrle in Woodford Hol.
/ low three daughters-now fully
grown and residing with their mother
on Browning Place In this village.
Mr. Oesterlo the e'dcr. died In
Woodford on October 16. 1906, leay-
ing widow and four children,
George, junior, then being only l2
years of age The family was in
rather Strengthened circumstances at
the time and soon after removed to
this village where the widow pro
cured employment with Mrs f. l.
Sihley and Mrs Hover. George oh
tanned employment as soon as per
missible with Bottum g. Torrance
and afterwards with the Cooper
Manufacturing company, and finally
with the Black Cat Textiles company
where he was employed when he vol
uteered in the army His mother
AYERS that George was always a yer,
industrious. kind and dutiful son II
every respect. He worked steadily
and diligently and turned over hii
wages regularly to his widowed
, mother for the benefit Of the family
. lie WAS knitter by occupation anI
, is highly spoken OF by all OF his form
, eg employers
, on June is. 1917 George went Il
, Burlington and enlisted in Co. !, is
. VI. Infantry Just before volunteer
/. ing the question arose as to his fee
r ings and desires respecting arm
service In view OF the fact that hi
Y father and mother we're both Germa
b subjects George made his open pos
s ton clear to his mother lie said
!. Mother. this is my country ! wa
4 born and raised here and | am willin
d and ready to fight for my country an
@ die for II" Certainly, HIS subsequer
d action and death attest the sincerit
S and truth OF those words. It SEEM
n however, that when he was hnall
d ready to take leave of his home an
|. family. George had a premonition
d the end He spoke grayely to h
n mother and sisters about this whe
d warting from them Said he. 81 d
I. not want any of you to worry ahol
Ie me. can only die but once al
e. am not afraid to die for my countr
m Goodbye forever | am leaving yC
le nav and will never see you agin, b
". you folks 90 right along as usual al
i5 don't worry about me- Could al
ID Spartan youth OF old have spokl
brayer words
This, In brief, is the short al