Fred Uhter (1898-1927)

The following extracts are taken from a letter from Fred Uhter to his sister:
Ga., May 30, 1917

Dear Sister: I have arrived at our new home and it sure is fine country here. There are 10,000 soldiers here now. We had a big parade today; just imagine 10,000 soldiers in line, it was fine. They had 500 German sailor prisoners here; they sure have a good time. There are monuments all over here. You read of the battle above the clouds in your history; it was fought about eight miles from here on Lookout mountain. We can see the monument here; at night it has a light on it. I sure wish you could see this country, as many of the battles of the Civil War were fought here. They claim they will have 150,000 soldier here in six months. We have the largest regiment that has ever been in the park. I haven't had time to go around much yet. We are going to move out of tents into small buildings. They have 500 carpenters working on them and want many more. When we came through western Texas the oats were all cut and the corn was tasseled out with small ears on the stalks. We came along the Gulf of Mexico for a long distance; we could see out in the ocean all along the way.

I am serving my country and am proud of it. I may be among the first to go to France, but don't worry about that. I will fight for my country as long as I can stand.

Your brother, Fred L. Uhter
Co. A, 11th U.S. Infantry.

DEATH OF SOLDIER

William Uhter received a telegram from Soldiers' Home, California, Saturday that his son, Fred, was dead at that place. The cause of death was tuberculosis from which he has been a sufferer for some time. He served in the World War having enlisted in the army before this country became involved when he was only 17 years of age, and he has been in the army most of the time since the war.

The remains will be brought to Lowell for interment.

Funeral services will be held at the home of his father on Sunday, July 11th, at 2 p.m. Lowell Post American Legion will be in charge of the services.

Fred C.* Uhter was born near Lowell, Ind., January 9, 1898, and died at the age of 29 years, 5 months and 4 days. He joined the army at the age of 18 years, where he contracted tuberculosis from which he was a sufferer until his death on July 2, 1927. He passed away at the soldiers' home in California.

He leaves to mourn his death, his father, William Uhter, of Lowell, brother Charles, of Shelby, and three sisters, Mrs. Mildred Weidlich, of St. Louis, Mo., Mrs. Nelda Bridegroom, Hammond, Ind., Mrs. Ida Frame, of Gary, Ind.; eight nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends. His mother preceded him in death.

The remains were brought here for burial and funeral services were held at the home of his father last Sunday. Rev. J.E. Poer conducted the service. Lowell Post American Legion had charge of the services and gave the ritualistic work of the Legion. Interment was in charge of Weaver and Son.