Good Old Charlie

1

January 4, 2015 by coryvanbrookhoven

This article originally appeared in the August 1st, 2012 edition of the Lititz Record Express. 

A discussion came up recently about the late Charlie Kissinger of Lititz. For those that remember him, he was remembered as a Lititz “character”. Our town had its share of characters over the years, and good old Charlie was certainly one of them. Charles L. Kissinger was born in Lititz on February 27^th, 1898, and for many years lived in a home on Water street. The home stood right near the Lititz Run. Throughout his life, he appeared in badly worn clothes and was considered a “poor soul” by many observers. Those who knew him however understood that he graduated first in his class at Lititz High School and was in reality a very smart man. He also owned many cats, and it was rumored that he would often eat cat food. There is also a story regarding how an entire dead raccoon was found in his refrigerator one day – hair and all.

He also co-owned approximately ten acres of woodland near the Middle Creek area with a gentleman named John Hershey. Charlie really loved this area, and worked very hard at maintaining it. At one point, there was a spring on the southwest corner of his property that he walled and improved; and on several other occasions, he purchased corn on the cob to feed the nearby wildlife. He also planted hundreds of trees around this area and eventually built a small bungalow on the property. He made it a point to clear and remove many dead trees and heavy bramble across several acres in an effort to make this wooded area more appealing and thus inviting for all.

He was an avid hunter, and it is said that one day after a hunting trip, Charlie was found standing on his head against a tree. Apparently, his hernia had popped out and he was standing on his head as a way to pop the hernia back into place. Recently, I came across his account book and wanted to share some entries from it. I remember Charlie when I was a young boy growing up in Lititz. My late grandfather “Sketch” Mearig was friends with him, and would often go over to visit him at his house. Although the house appeared filthy, the account book that I have read over paints a different picture of Charlie’s life.

I am presenting below several entries, which start in 1934. All of the entries I read over creates an image of a very smart, although misunderstood man. Certainly, he loved the outdoors and was a hunter; but he also participated frequently in the release of game into the wild so other sportsmen could enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

Below are just some of the highlights of the account book beginning in 1934:

Account book of Charles L. Kissinger

1934

Car License No. 60955

1934:

Work done on woodland property. One fireplace built with a 6×6 base. One table with seats attached and top detachable. Railing put on bridge at South end of property. Also Southeast corner of property cleared of old wood and weeds. About 90% of dead chestnut trees cut down and dragged down near fireplace.

April 11^th, 1935:

Planted about two hundred Norway Spruce trees on woodland. Charlie Kofroth helping, and Raymond Hackman dug ditch 5 feet back of room line to make a building foundation for shelter.

1935 Game Released:

March 16 – Elmer Bomberger and C. Kissinger

No. 73 Boyer’s farm north of Snavely’s Mill

No. 12 Crossroad near John Hollinger farm north of Lexington

No. 26 Reformed church a mile south of Brickerville

No. 88 Oberholtzer’s farm Southwest of Brickerville

No. 96 Ezra Kline’s farm south of Lexington

Saturday May 18^th, 1935:

Put on cross piece of oak to form peak on roof. Also cut down eight trees for rafters and put them in place nailing half of them. Raymond and Billie were along with today and helped to drag down trees for rafters.

1939 Buying and Spending Account:

December 18^th:

Bag of cement .20 cents

Hot Chocolate .10 cents

Four bowls .20 cents

December 19^th:

Bag of cement .70 cents

Haircut-Stroble .35 cents

Needles .10 cents

Saturday, November 9^th, 1940

Went hunting with Nelson Mearig and dad. We got seven sewer rabbits and one pheasant.

Saturday, November 16^th, 1940:

Went hunting with Nelson Mearig and dad. Shot ten rabbits together.

These account book entries go on and on where Kissinger discusses and makes notes about going to the movies in Lititz, buying candy, spending time with relatives, hunting, and making various other purchases throughout Lititz. There are also additional entries where he made purchases in Gettysburg and Mount Gretna. He was, as his entries suggest, a person who cared about nature and the game that surrounded him. We as a society are so quick to judge others by their outwardly appearance, and very often quickly write off people that are different from us.

Lititz’s Charlie Kissinger, after leading the life he wanted to lead, died on August 10^th 1985 and is buried in the Trinity Evangelical Congregational Cemetery in Lititz. He left us not only many stories to share about his unique life, but also left nature and his surroundings better then he found it.

The next time you are approaching the Middle Creek area a small distance past the village of Hopeland, please take a moment to pause and take in the beauty of the woods. We can at least partially credit Charlie Kissinger for doing his part in making this area look as beautiful as it is. Thank you, Charlie.