Charles City Woodcrafters

HINTZ, BROWN

Posted By: gretchen hintz wronka (email)
Date: 7/13/2008 at 17:31:16

My father, Loren Hintz, was active pre WWII with a group of young men in a Boy Scout-like organization called Woodcraft. He graduated from Charles City High School in 1935. During World War II he was a P-47 pilot who was killed in action in April, 1945.

His colleagues in Woodcraft held a memorial on Oct. 18, '45 at the Wewiyaka Woodcraft Lodge. He used the name, Paal Batab, during Woodcrafters' ceremonies. The group performed American Indian dances in schools in Charles City and in surrounding areas, including New Hampton. Our family has a plaster cast of an idealized young man in a headdress and loin cloth. We are very interested in finding where the bronze memorial plaque might be located. My mother is deceased and we have no contact with anyone in Charles City who may know or remember the Woodcrafters. I checked recently in the CC Middle School. My father is listed on a plaque inside the front door along with other CHS grads killed in WWII.

The principal, Ron Hoffman, isn't aware of any memorial in the school that fits the description, but he is checking the storeroom. My brother and I would very much appreciate hearing from anyone in the Floyd Ct. Historical Society might have some information related to where the Woodcrafters Lodge was located or know where this plaque might be.

We'd also very much appreciate any information related to the Woodcrafters. It would be wonderful if any of them are still alive! Thank you for responding to this message. Gretchen Wronka, 5201 W. 108 Street, Bloomington, MN 55437 952-847-8546