NEWS: War Casualties, Altoona Tribune, August 26, 1918, Blair County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja and Donna Thomas

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/
_______________________________________________ 

SEVERAL ALTOONANS WOUNDED IN ACTION
Edwin J. Bowers, Harry Ashcroft, Paul Ashburn and J. R. Russell in Hospitals

  Altoona boys are seeing real fighting in France and they are diving into 
battle with that patriotic dash and vigor that has astounded the French and 
the British and brought consternation to the Huns.  That they have been in 
the very hot bed of the battles is told by the number of messages and 
telegrams that have reached the city telling of those that have been killed 
and wounded.  Over the week-end the local casualty list had increased by 
several boys being added to those that have been wounded.
  Edwin J. Bower, a nephew of Attorney and Mrs. Edwin M. Amies, of 1222 
Thirteenth avenue, has been wounded and is now in a hospital Somewhere-in-
France.  He enlisted several months ago and was sent to Camp Greene, N. C., 
where he was assigned to the Fifty-eighth U. S. infantry and with that 
command went to France.  He was not long in going to the trenches and while 
fighting in the big drive he was wounded in the shoulder and leg.  He is now 
in a hospital and according to word received is doing nicely and hopes to get 
back at the Huns in the very near future.
  Private Harry Ashcroft, aged 23, brother of Mrs. C. W. Thomas, of 126 
Walnut avenue, and a member of a machine gun battery, Fourth regiment, 
regular infantry, U. S. A., was wounded in action on July 28, according to a 
telegram received Saturday afternoon by his sister, with whom he formerly 
resided.  He was last heard from by letter on July 12, which was before the 
American offensive.  He went to France in April, from Newport News, Va., and 
enlisted in the regular army, June 29, 1917.  He was employed under Foreman 
Geesey at the car shops, prior to volunteering.
  Clarence D. Trostle, of Company F., Ninth U. S. infantry and son of Mrs. A. 
E. Trostle, of 308 Twenty-fifth street, is in a hospital in France recovering 
from a shell wound.  His mother was notified by telegram from the war 
department Saturday and about the same time received a letter from the boy 
written on August 6.  In the letter he stated that he had been fighting for 
some time but that on July 18 he was hit by a piece of shell on going over 
the top.  He advised his mother not to worry as he expected to be all right 
soon.
  Mr. and Mrs. William O. Ashburn, of 413 Lexington avenue, have been 
notified that their son, Paul Ashburn, of Company G, Tenth regiment, was 
wounded on July 30.  In a letter he enclosed a piece of paper through which a 
Hun bullet from a machine gun passed through the left sleeve of his jacket, 
passed through the envelope and paper he carried in his pocket and penetrated 
the flesh.  He is getting along nicely.
  Clinton G. Lister, a first class private of Company G, 110th infantry and 
son of Mr. and Mrs. F. O. Lister, of 1911 Ninth street, by post card to his 
parents informs them that he is in a hospital.  He did not state whether he 
was wounded but the supposition is that he was either wounded or suffers from 
shell shock.  He is a well known basketball and baseball player and enlisted 
on July 14, 1917.  
  Ira Gunsallus, of 415 Cherry avenue, in a letter to his parents, Mr. and 
Mrs. J. E. Gunsallus, tells that he was wounded in action on July 29 and that 
he is now recovering at one of the base hospitals.  He was wounded in the 
left arm and is getting along nicely.  Before enlisting last September he was 
employed in the Juniata shops.
  Sergeant John R. Russell, of 609 Eighth street and a member of Company G, 
110th regiment, is a patient in one of the base hospitals in France.  Mrs. J. 
R. Russell has received a card telling her that he suffers from shell shock.  
He says that he is recovering and expects to join his company in the near 
future.
  A. Abelson on Saturday was advised by the war department that his son, 
Meyer Abelson, of Company A, Thirtieth infantry, was wounded in action on 
July 29.  The message failed to state the extent of his injuries.  A letter 
received from Abelson informed his parents that he was not seriously hurt and 
would be back at the Huns in the near future.
  Louis Muccitelli, of 908 Twenty-third street and janitor at the Commerce 
building, on Saturday received word from the war department that his brother, 
Frank Muccitelli, a former resident of Hollidaysburg, was missing in action.  
He joined the regular army last fall.
  James Van Zandt, a former Tribune employe and well known athlete serving 
his country as a signalman in the U. S. navy, is a patient in the naval 
hospital at Portsmouth, Va.  He has informed his parents to this effect.  He 
was injured in an accident a couple of weeks ago.   

Altoona Tribune, Monday, August 26, 1918, page 8