©2013. Recorded for the Mackinaw, Illinois Historical Collection
Charlie Schultz was a man who lived off the land, a man of faith was he
he lived a simple life, never took a wife, his story is remembered to this day
In 1894 Charlie came to Mackinaw, hunting some land to claim
Forty acres he did find, the title deed he signed, and for forty years there he remained
Charlie lived alone in a ramshackle home he built with his own two hands
the timbers he did lay on a hill not far away from where the Mackinaw River ran
When the chilly winds blew in he filled the stove with kerosene, to heat his humble home
he leaned some planks against the wall to keep out the gusty squall, and Charlie's little home stayed warm
When the weather it was warm Charlie slept out of doors on cushions from a sofa he found
he raised chickens by the score who laid eggs that Charlie stored and he marked the date on each and every one
Every week or so Charlie walked to Mackinaw toting his big gunny sack
he brought eggs and herbs to trade and many a friend he made and Charlie Schultz was always welcome back
After fourteen years alone the people in the town built Charlie a brand new home
but be that as it may Charlie chose to stay in the cabin where he lived all along
Turn the page of time to the day the church bell chimed in the little town of Mackinaw
they found Charlie on the floor dressed in his overalls our friend Charlie Schultz was gone
In an unmarked grave Mr. Charlie Schultz was laid on a cold and a sad winter day
and as we gather here the angels hold him near we remember Charlie Schultz as we pray
Charlie Schultz was a man who lived off the land a man of faith was he
he lived a simple life, never took a wife, his story is remembered to this day