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KNOCK, KNOCK STREET
I CAN REMEMBER HEARING THIS TALE ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS AGO.
APPARENTLY A YOUNG GIRL RETURNING HOME FROM HOLY COMMUNION
WAS STRUCK DOWN BY A HIT-AND-RUN MOTORIST. THE GIRL WAS
KILLED INSTANTLY; HER HAND, HOWEVER, WAS SEVERED FROM HER
BODY AND NEVER FOUND. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE STREET FROM
THAT MOMENT ON HAS MADE A KNOCKING SOUND (SUPPOSEDLY THE
SEVERED HAND KNOCKING ON THE STREET).
Submitter comment:
I CAN VAGUELY REMEMBER TAKING A RIDE TO THE SCENE AND ACTUALLY
HEARING SOMETHING. I BELIEVE THE NAME OF THE STREET WAS
STRASSBURG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NOT GIVEN
ONCE IN A HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET, A GIRL WAS TAKING A BATH AND
THE DOOR WAS LOCKED. SOMEONE HAD COME IN AND CUT OFF THE GIRL'S
LEG AND HER TONGUE. SHE MADE A NOISE LIKE THIS: BUMP AH-AH,
BUMP AH-AH.
THE BUMP WAS HER TRYING TO WALK AND THE AH-AH WAS HER TRYING TO
TALK. EVEN THOUGH THE GIRL DIED THE MOTHER CONTINUED TO HEAR
THAT SOUND LONG AFTERWARDS.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME WHILE WE WERE HAVING RECESS. JUDITH'S MOTHER
TOLD IT TO HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LEGEND
THERE IS A GRAVEYARD IN MIDLAND, MICHIGAN, THAT HAS A STRANGE
VISITOR EVERY TEN YEARS. HE IS A TALL, LEAN, HOODED FIGURE WITH
LONG NOSE, SUNKEN EYES, AND BONY FINGERS. EVERY TIME HE VISITS,
HE MURDERS TWO KIDS, WHO HAPPEN TO WANDER THROUGH THE CEMETERY
AT THE SAME TIME.
HIS APPEARANCE HAS BEEN REGULAR FOR THIRTY YEARS, I.E., HE HAS
COME THREE TIMES, THE MOST RECENT BEING A FEW MONTHS BACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery |
Date learned: 12-02-1967
HAUNTED COTTAGE
THERE IS A HAUNTED COTTAGE ALONG LAKE ERIE JUST EAST OF ERIE,
PENNSYLVANIA. AN OLD GIANT OF A MAN SUPPOSEDLY LIVED THERE
SOME TIME AGO. THIS MAN KILLED A TRESPASSER AT HIS COTTAGE
(THERE ARE RED STAINS ON THE FLOOR AND WALLS OF THE MAIN ROOM).
HE DUMPED THE BODY IN ERIE AT 32 AND GREENGARDEN AVENUE, AND
THAT STREET SIGN STANDS IN FRONT OF THE COTTAGE. THE OLD MAN'S
SPIRIT PROTECTS THE PLACE FROM TRESPASSERS.
Submitter comment:
ALTHOUGH THE SURROUNDING AREA IS VERY BEAUTIFUL, PEOPLE REFUSE TO
BUILD THERE, AND THE PROPERTY OWNER REFUSES TO SELL THE LAND.
THIS LADY OWNS THE PROPERTY OF THE HAUNTED COTTAGE AND BELIEVES IN
THE STORY. THIS FAMILY OWNS A COTTAGE AT THE SITE OF THE HAUNTED COTTAGE AND
BELIEVE ITS STORY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
THE HOOK
A COUPLE WAS PARKING ONE NIGHT IN A FOREST PRESERVE. THEY LOOKED
UP AND SAW A MAN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE BOY STARTED THE
MOTOR AND THEY TORE OUT OF THERE. ON THE WAY HOME THEY HEARD ON
THE RADIO THAT A MAN WITH A HOOK INSTEAD OF A HAND HAD ESCAPED
FROM PRISON. WHEN THE COUPLE ARRIVED HOME, THEY FOUND A HOOK
HANGING ON THE CAR DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 01-19-1968
A POLISH TALE
THERE IS POLISH TALE THAT TELLS ABOUT A PEASANT WHO WALKS ALL
THE WAY FROM POSNAN TO KOZIMIERZ, POLAND, WHERE THE KING
(KAZIMIERZ THE GREAT, 1300'S) RESIDED. THE PEASANT WANTS TO
COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LORD OF HIS MANOR WHO HAD KIDNAPPED HIS
WIFE RIGHT FROM THE WEDDING PROCESSION ON THE ROAD. HE HADN'T
SEEN HER SINCE THE KIDNAPPING.
WHEN THE PEASANT REACHES KOZIMIERZ, HE STOPS AT THE MARKET PLACE
WELL TO REST. AMONG THE MERCHANTS IN THE CROWD IS THE KING, WHO
STOPS AND QUESTIONS THE PEASANT. HE THEN EXPLAINS HIS COMPLAINT
AND PURPOSE. THE KING TAKES HIM TO THE CHURCH FOR THE NIGHT
WHERE THE PRIEST HAS THE PEASANT DRAW HIS COMPLAINT ON PAPER, AS
ALL COMPLAINTS WOULD BE ATTENDED TO THE NEXT DAY BY THE KING AND
VISITING LORDS. THE PEASANT DRAWS THE ROAD AND THE MANOR AROUND
IT.
AT THE POINT WHERE THE WIFE WAS TAKEN, THE PRIEST DREW A SKULL.
MEANWHILE, THE KING WAS RETURNING TO HIS CASTLE DOWN THE ROAD.
ON THIS SAME ROAD WAS ARRIVING THE LORD OF THE MANOR IN POZNAN
TO VISIT THE KING. HE APPROACHED WITH MUCH MUSIC AND FESTIVITY
IN ORDER TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION. ON THE ROAD NEAR THE CASTLE
THE LORD NOTICED IN THE DARK A FORM MOVING ALONG. THINKING IT
WAS SOME PEASANT IN THE WAY, HE CALLS THE PEDESTRIAN A BUM AND
WANTS TO HIT HIM. JUST THEN, THE FORM, WHO WAS REALLY THE KING,
ORDERS THE LORD TO STOP AND IDENTIFIES HIMSELF.
THE NEXT DAY THE COMPLAINTS WERE BEING EXAMINED BY THE KING AND
LORDS AND THE COMPLAINT OF THE PEASANT CAME UP. THE KING EX-
PLAINED THE PICTURE BY SAYING THAT A LORD HAD KILLED THE WIFE OF
A PEASANT ON THE ROAD, INDICATED BY THE SKULL. EVERYONE WAS
SHOCKED BY THE ACTION. THE KING ASKED EACH LORD WHAT PUNISHMENT
SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN FOR THE CRIME, AND WHEN HE CAME TO (THE)
GUILTY LORD, HE SAID THE PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE STARVATION. THE
KING THEN ANNOUNCED THAT THE LORD HAD COMMITTED (IT) HIMSELF, AND
THUS THE LORD WAS THROWN INTO THE DUNGEON BENEATH THE CASTLE TOWER
WITH ONLY SOME BREAD AND WATER, WHERE HE SOON DIED.
Submitter comment: MY GRANDFATHER REMEMBERS THIS TALE FROM HIS CHILDHOOD DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
THE HOOK
A TEENAGE COUPLE WAS OUT ON A DATE. THE BOY PULLED ONTO AN OLD
DIRT ROAD AND STOPPED SO THAT THEY COULD DO SOME NECKING. AS THE
BOY AND GIRL PROCEEDED, THEY HEARD A NEWS BULLETIN ON THE RADIO
WHICH SAID THAT A DANGEROUS CONVICT HAD ESCAPED FROM PRISON AND
WAS IN THE VICINITY THE COUPLE WERE PARKED. IT ALSO SAID THAT THE
CONVICT HAD A STEEL HOOK FOR ONE HAND. THE GIRL WANTED TO LEAVE
BUT THE BOY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE AGRAID OF. SO THEY
STAYED UNTIL THEY HEARD THE NEWS BULLETIN AGAIN. THE GIRL
INSISTED THAT THE BOY TAKE HER HOME. THE BOY AGREED AND DROVE
OFF. THE BOY PULLED IN FRONT OF THE GIRL'S HOME AND WENT AROUND
TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR HIS DATE. AS
HE REACHED FOR THE DOOR HANDLE HE SUDDENLY JUMPED BACK STARTLED,
FOR ON THE DOOR HANDLE DANGLED AN IRON HOOK LIKE THAT DESCRIBED
AS THE HAND OF THE CONVICT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
JAMES BROTHERS' MONEY
IT IS SAID THAT THE MONEY THE JAMES BROTHERS STOLE FROM THE FAMOUS
STATE FAIR ROBBERY IS BURIED BETWEEN LONE ROCK AND ROCKVIEW ON A
FARM (THE INFORMANT CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT FARM, BUT KNOWS THE
MAN--"OLD DYNAMITE" HE'S CALLED--WHO DOES). THIS IS SOUTH OF
CHAFFEE, MISSOURI, BETWEEN CHAFFEE AND ORAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange |
Date learned: 09-17-1968
NO GRASS ON THE GRAVE: TALE
THE GREAT-GRANDFATHER OF MY INFORMANT WAS ALLEGEDLY UNJUSTLY
ACCUSED OF MURDERING HIS WIFE. HE SWORE HE WAS INNOCENT UP TILL
THE TIME OF HIS EXECUTION NEAR BOSTON.
UNTIL THIS DAY, NO GRASS GROWS ON THAT GRAVE, THOUGH IT HAS BEEN
RE-SODDED SEVERAL TIMES.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
MYSTERY STREET
THE INFORMANT RELATES BEING TOLD THAT "STRASBURG," A STREET ON THE
EAST SIDE OF DETROIT, WAS A MYSTERY STREET. HE SAID THAT A GIRL
WAS RUN OVER BY A CAR IN 1962 AND THAT THE DRIVER REFUSED TO STOP.
THE GIRL BEAT CONTINUOUSLY ON THE TRUNK UNTIL THE DRIVER STOPPED.
WHEN THE DRIVER DID STOP, THE GIRL WAS DEAD. NOW, EVERY TIME A
CAR GOES DOWN STRASBURG, IT GOES THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 14857 ALMA
Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
Date learned: 03-15-1967
BALL OF FIRE
A MAN WAS FOUND DEAD IN HIS BEDROOM WITH HIS THROAT CUT AND HIS
WRISTS CUT. NO ONE WOULD EVER SLEEP IN THE ROOM WHERE THE MAN
DIED BECAUSE A BALL OF FIRE APPEARED UNDER THE BED. IT WOULD
COME OUT FROM UNDER THE BED AND HIT THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE ROOM
AND THEN RETURN TO ITS RESTING PLACE.
THEY THOUGHT THAT THE MAN HAD BEEN MURDERED, BUT THEY WERE NEVER
ABLE TO FIND THE MURDERER.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A
CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Air Weather Fire PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 08-11-1964
NOT GIVEN
IN BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, THERE WAS A PONTIAC, BUICK AND CADILLAC
DEALERSHIP, GUY F. JOHNSON. THIS AUTO COMPANY IN THE 1930'S GOT
HOLD OF A CAR SUPPOSEDLY OWNED BY A GANGSTER WHO WAS MURDERED
IN THIS CAR. THE CAR CHANGED HANDS MANY TIMES UNTIL A YOUNG
COUPLE, NEEDING A CAR, BOUGHT IT. THE PREVIOUS OWNERS NEVER
EXPLAINED WHY THEY HAD RETURNED THE AUTO. APPARENTLY, WHEN A
SINGLE PERSON WOULD DRIVE THE CAR, THERE WAS A DISTINCT ODOR OF
CIGAR SMOKE. A PAIR OF EYES WOULD APPEAR IN THE MIRROR. THE
COUPLE RETURNED THE CAR AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. NO ONE
KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-17-1972
KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
ON A DARK, FOGGY NIGHT SOME YEARS AGO ON A STREET NEAR MY HOME
(I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME ANYMORE), A BOY WAS RUN OVER BY A CAR
AND KILLED. THE HIT AND RUN DRIVER WAS NEVER FOUND. FROM THAT
TIME ON, ANYTIME MY FRIENDS AND I WERE RIDING DOWN THE STREET,
STRANGE NOISES CAME FROM BENEATH THE CAR. WE BELIEVED THAT THIS
BOY WHO WAS KILLED WAS BOTHERING PEOPLE BECAUSE THE KILLER WAS
NEVER FOUND. THE NOISE WAS NOT THE FAULT OF A DEFECTIVE CAR,
SINCE THIS NOISE WOULD ONLY OCCUR ON THIS PARTICULAR STREET.
THE NICKNAME FOR THIS STREET WAS KNOCK-KNOCK STREET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 249 EASTLAWN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-31-1970
DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE GUY WHO STOLE 25 CARBURETORS?
HE WALKED OUT WITH ONE A DAY UNDER HIS COAT UNTIL
HE WAS FINALY CAUGHT BY A GUARD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; FORD MOTOR CO ; ENGINE PLANT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 05-10-1968
LEGEND AMONG THE FRANCISCAN NUNS OF TOLEDO {OHIO}
HAS IT THAT THEY UNKNOWINGLY HARBORED AL CAPONE FROM
THE POLICE. THE NUNS, SYMPATHETIC TO THE HUNGRY
VAGRANT, THE PREMISE THAT CAPONE PUT ON, LET HIM
STAY INDOORS, FED HIM WHILE THE POLICE COMBED THE
NEIGHBORHOOD. AFTER THE POLICE WENT AWAY, CAPONE LEFT
PEACEFULLY, OFFERING THANKS TO THE NUNS. THE EVENT
OCCURRED AT ST. STANISLAUS CONVENT ON DETROIT AVENUE
IN TOLEDO, OHIO.
Submitter comment:
TOLD BY A FRANCISCAN NUN WHEN I WAS STUDYING HISTORY
IN GRADE SCHOOL.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: IN GRADE SCHOOL
ON GROUND HOG HILL NEAR FANCY GAP, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A
VERY SMALL ONE-ROOM CABIN WHERE A WOMAN HAD 23 CHILDREN,
AND THEY ALL DIED IMMEDIATELY AFTER BIRTH. OLD PEOPLE
FROM THE AREA CLAIM THAT SHE STUCK A HAT PIN IN THE SOFT
SPOT ON EACH INFANT'S HEAD; HOWEVER, THIS COULD NOT BE
PROVEN. SHE WAS ALSO A MIDWIFE AND HAD DELIVERED
HUNDREDS OF OTHER BABIES. THE CABIN STILL STANDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 03-01-1971
A BABYSITTER WAS TAKING CARE OF THESE KIDS IN A TWO-STORY
HOUSE AND THIS MAN CALLS AND TELLS HER THAT HE'S GOING
TO KILL HER AND THE CHILDREN. SO SHE PHONES THE POLICE
AND THEY SAID SOMEONE WAS ON THE WAY AND THAT IF HE
CALLED AGAIN, TO KEEP HIM TALKING SO THE OPERATOR COULD
TRACE THE CALL. THE GUY CALLS AGAIN AND THE GIRL IS
TALKING TO HIM WHEN THE OPERATOR BREAKS IN AND TELLS
THE GIRL TO RUN BECAUSE HE'S ON THE UPSTAIRS EXTENSION.
HE'D ALREADY KILLED THE CHILDREN.
Submitter comment: TOLD AS A TRUE STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
A GIRL IN BIRMINGHAM WAS BABYSITTING WHEN SHE GETS A
PHONE CALL FROM A MAN WHO THREATENS HER LIFE AND SHE
THINKS IT IS ONLY A JOKE. THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER,
SHE GETS THE CALL AGAIN, THIS TIME SHE GETS SCARED AND
CALLS THE COPS, ONLY TO REALIZE THAT THE MAN WAS
CALLING FROM UPSTAIRS IN THE SAME HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 10-30-1971
THERE WAS A PROMINENT FAMILY IN DEARBORN WHO HIRED THIS
GIRL TO BABYSIT FOR THEIR TWO CHILDREN. WHEN THE COUPLE
LEFT, THE PHONE RANG AND A MAN SAID, "I KNOW WHERE
YOU ARE AND AM GOING TO KILL YOU." THE GIRL GETS REALLY
SCARED, SO SHE CALLS HER MOTHER AND HER MOTHER TELLS
HER TO CALL THE POLICE IF SHE GETS THE CALL AGAIN AND
THEN LET HER (THE MOTHER) KNOW WHAT THEY SAID.
A LITTLE WHILE LATER, THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN AND THE MAN
SAYS "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU AND THE TWO KIDS." THE GIRL
IS REALLY SCARED NOW BECAUSE THE GUY KNOWS SO MUCH, SO
SHE CALLS THE POLICE. THE POLICE COME AND LOOK AROUND,
DON'T FIND ANYTHING; BUT TELL HER THEY WILL PUT A TRACER
ON THE PHONE. THEN THEY LEAVE.
THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN AND SAYS, "I'M COMING TO GET YOU."
THE OPERATOR CUTS IN AND TELLS THE GIRL TO KEEP HIM ON
THE PHONE LONGER, SO SHE CAN TRACE IT. 5 MINUTES LATER
THE PHONE RINGS AND THE GUY STARTS TO LAUGH AND SAYS,
"I'VE KILLED THE 2 KIDS, NOW I'M GOING TO KILL YOU."
AT THIS THE OPERATOR CUTS IN AND SAYS, "RUN OUT THE
FRONT DOOR, HE'S UPSTAIRS." IT SEEMS THE FAMILY HAD A
BUSINESS PHONE UPSTAIRS WHICH THE MAN WAS USING.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS SHE BELIEVED IT UNTIL SHE HEARD
DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF IT FROM DIFFERNT PEOPLE, EACH
CLAIMING TO HAVE READ IT IN THE NEWSPAPER.
Where learned: WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 10-29-1970
THE LEGEND OF MR. KREPSI {INDIAN KILLER}
IN THE EARLY 1800S NEAR ORTONVILLE, MICHIGAN (NEAR
PONTIAC) THERE LIVED A FARMER, THOMAS KREPSI. THERE
WAS A TRIBE OF INDIANS LIVING THERE AT THE TIME--
TAMARAC INDIANS. KREPSI HATED THE INDIANS. HE WAS CRUEL
TO THEM AND ONCE HE EVEN KILLED AN INDIAN.
ONE DAY, KREPSI BROUGHT HIS GOODS TO FORT DETROIT TO
SELL THEM. WHEN HE GOT HOME LATE IN THE EVENING, HE
FOUND HIS CABIN ON FIRE. THE INDIANS HAD DONE THIS IN
RETALIATION. KREPSI RAN INSIDE THE CABIN TO SAVE HIS
WIFE AND HIS THREE DAUGHTERS.
WHILE KREPSI WAS INSIDE, THE ROOF CAVED IN. ONLOOKERS
REPORTED SEEING SOMETHING BADLY BURNED CRAWL OUT OF A
WINDOW--KREPSI. HE CREPT INTO THE SWAMP AND WAS NEVER
FOUND.
A FEW MONTHS LATER A BADLY BURNED MAN WAS SEEN LEAVING
THE INDIAN RESERVATION AFTER KILLING THREE INDIAN GIRLS.
IN THE 1930S A DUCK HUNTER WAS ATTACKED IN THE SWAMP
BY HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT. LATER HE RETURNED TO THE SWAMP
OUT OF CURIOSITY AND WAS NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN.
IN THE 1960S THERE WERE REPORTS OF SOME ONSTER IN THAT
AREA. NOBODY KNEW WHAT IT WAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 02-01-1971