thway in the farm machinery business, Karl spent more and more time at the factory and on the road, traveling from farm to farm in his shiny Benz in order to impress farmers into purchasing his farm machinery. Despite Karl's frequent absence from home, the family expanded. Josef's younger brother, Karl Jr., was born in 1912, leaving Josef even less of the already meager love and affection that his parents had to offer. As World War I unfolded, Alois, Josef's youngest brother was welcomed into this world, and Karl Sr. soon after departed to fight in the war, granting all power of the business to Walburga, a ruthless, fearsome tyrant. Walburga commanded the factory in a disciplined and brutal fashion. Under Walburga's control, the factory formed a profitable contract to manufacture special army equipment for the Kaiser. At home, Walburga disciplinarily raised her sons as strict Catholics and constantly demanded their obedience to the Church, as well as herself. Referred to as "Beppo" by friends, family, and townspeople, Josef was considered an ambitious and bright young boy. Many regarded him as the model of obedience within the community. At the tender age of six, Josef nearly drowned after falling into a deep rainwater barrel that he had been playing around. Within the course of his childhood, he had another brush with death, when he suffered an atrocious case of blood poisoning. Throughout his childhood, Josef held a deep-rooted resentment towards his younger brothers, namely Karl, whom he always strived to outdo. With maturity came brotherly love and a close bond among the three, who were battling the deteriorating relationship between their unloving parents. Never at the top of the class, Josef did well in school. He often received compliments and good marks due to his good behavior and punctuality. As a teenager, he wrote a fairy tale play called "Travels to Liechtenstein," which was performed for a children's orphana...
