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James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
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LUMPY LUMPKIN STREET

A MAN WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET ONE NIGHT AND UNKNOWINGLY STRUCK DOWN A YOUNG GIRL.
THE GIRL, CAUGHT IN THE REAR FENDER, WAS DRAGGED ALONG FOR SOME DISTANCE; AND ALL THE
WHILE SHE BEAT ON THE FENDER, BUT THE DRIVER HEARD IT AND STOPPED TOO LATE--THE GIRL WAS DEAD.
NOW WHENEVER SOMEONE DRIVES ALONG THAT PARTICULAR STRETCH OF LUMPKIN STREET, HE HEARS A THUMPING
NOISE AT THE REAR OF HIS CAR. THE STREET HAS BEEN PATCHED AND EVEN REPAVED, BUT TO NO AVAIL.
THE THUMPING CONTINUES. THE STREET IS HAUNTED.

Submitter comment: DETROIT'S LUMPKIN STREET IS SUPPOSEDLY HAUNTED NOW AS A RESULT OF
THE FOLLOWING INCIDENT:
INFORMANT DOESN'T RECALL WHERE HE HEARD THE LEGEND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 10-23-1965

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LEGEND OF A NAME

IT IS TOLD THAT ABOUT FIFTY YEARS AGO THERE WAS A DETROIT STREETS
AND RAILWAYS BUS STOP ON GRAND RIVER PAST FARMINGTONN THAT WAS
KNOWN AS NO. VI. IT OFTEN WAS REFERRED TO AS NOVI, SO WHEN A
CITY WAS ESTABLISHED THERE IT TOOK ON THE NAME OF THIS DEPOT,
THAT IS, NOVI, MICHIGAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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RATTLESNAKE ON A TEXAS PLATEAU

A FEW YEARS AGO, I WAS DRIVING A GROUP OF BOYS ON A TRIP DOWN TO
MEXICO CITY, AND ONE DAY I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT TWO HUNDRED MILES

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 09-00-1968

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CENTIPEDES ARE POISONOUS

I WAS GOING THROUGH TEXAS AND I SAW A MASS OF LITTLE BROWN THINGS
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE, BUT THEY
LOOKED A LITTLE LIKE CHOCOLATE BARS WITH LEGS. I DIDN'T KNOW
THEY WERE POISONOUS THEN, SO I PICKED UP ONE AND HELD IT IN MY
HAND FOR A FEW SECONDS, BUT IT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO ME.
THEN WHEN I GOT A LITTLE FARTHER ON DOWN THE ROAD AT THE NEXT
GAS STATION, I ASKED THE ATTENDANT WHAT THE LITTLE CREATURES WERE,
BECAUSE I KNEW THEY WEREN'T CHOCOLATE BARS. THE ATTENDANT TOLD ME
THEY WERE POISONOUS, SO AFTER THAT I DIDN'T PICK UP ANY MORE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 09-00-1968

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BOTTOMLESS LAKE

IN THE EARLY NINETEEN HUNDREDS, A HORSE AND BUGGY STOOD AT THE TOP
OF SAND DUNES OVERLOOKING GRAND SABLE LAKE IN THE U.P. (UPPER
PENINSULA). THE HORSE WAS STARTLED BY SOMETHING AND RAN DOWN THE
DUNE AND INTO THE LAKE. NO TRACE OF EITHER HORSE OR BUGGY HAS
EVER BEEN FOUND.

Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED THIS UPON SEEING SABLE LAKE FOR THE FIRST TIME (AROUND
1957) AS A VERIFICATION FOR THE DEPTH OF THE LAKE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND MARAIS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Still water Small body. Lake, pond....
BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 00001957 CA

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DEAD MAN'S HILL

THERE IS A HILL FIVE MILES OUTSIDE OF ELMIRA, MICHIGAN WHICH IS
REFERRED TO BY LOCAL INHABITANTS AS "DEAD MAN'S HILL" BECAUSE
SOME TIME DURING THE LOGGING DAYS OF THE TURN OF THE CENTURY
THERE WAS A TRAGIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING SEVERAL DEATHS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THE TALE OF THE HILL IN 1960 WHEN HE AND HIS
HIS FAMILY MOVED TO GAYLORD, MICHIGAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Gaylord

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 00-00-1960

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EXPLANATION OF NAME, "MURDER HILL"

THERE IS A STRETCH OF NARROW, WINDING ROAD ON THE SIDE OF A HILL
JUST OUTSIDE OF LITTLE VALLEY, NEW YORK. SIGNS AT EACH END OF THIS
LONG ROAD CALL IT "MURDER HILL."
ONE EXPLANATION OF THE NAME IS THE FACT THAT A FATAL ACCIDENT
COULD EASILY HAPPEN THERE.
ANOTHER EXPLANATION IS A LEGEND THAT A MAN KILLED HIS WIFE AND
THEN HIMSELF IN A HOUSE NOT FAR FROM THE ROAD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NEW YORK ; FRANKLINVILLE

Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Murder Hill ; Origin ; Urban Legend

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
SPEECH -- S478

Date learned: 06-00-1968

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Content filter on this entry.

YOUNG GIRL IS GIVEN SPANISH FLY

A YOUNG GIRL WAS SUPPOSEDLY GIVEN A DOSE OF SPANISH FLY BY
HER DATE. HE LEFT HER ALONE FOR A WHILE TO GO INTO A STORE TO
PURCHASE A PACK OF CIGARETTES. THE CAR IN WHICH SHE WAS SITTING
HAD A GEAR SHIFT ON THE FLOOR, AND WHEN THE YOUNG MAN RETURNED,
HE FOUND THE GIRL STRADDLING THE GEAR SHIFT WHICH WAS THRUST INTO HER VAGINA.

Submitter comment:

THIS STORY WAS WIDELY CIRCULATED IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND I STILL HEAR IT NOW.
I HEARD THIS ANECDOTE IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA AROUND 1935--IT WAS
WIDELY CIRCULATED. THERE'S A VARIANT IN WHICH SHE STICKS A
COKE BOTTLE UP HER PUDENDUM--AND WHEN EXTRACTING IT (THE BOTTLE
IS EMPTY), SHE REMOVES HER VITAL ORGANS (SUCTION).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; OMAHA ; NEBRASKA

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 12-03-1967 ; 00001935 CA

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THE CARPENTER'S ROAD LEGEND

TWO COUPLES WENT TO THE PROM AND THEN OUT TO PARK ON CARPENTER'S
ROAD, WHICH IS A DESERTED ROAD IN THE WOODS OF BEAVERCREEK. WHILE
NECKING, THEY HEARD A KNOCKING AND SCRATCHING NOISE OUTSIDE. ONE
OF THE BOYS WENT OUT TO CHECK IT OUT. AND AFTER A LONG WORRISOME
WAIT DURING WHICH HE HADN'T RETURNED, THE SECOND BOY LEFT. AGAIN
AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, THEY STILL HADN'T RETURNED, SO ONE GIRL WENT
FOR HELP WHILE THE OTHER WAITED. THE LAST GIRL FINALLY LEFT AND
FOUND THE POLICE. AFTER A LONG SEARCH, THE THREE WERE FOUND. THE
TWO BOYS WERE ENTIRELY CHEWED UP, BLOODY AND JUST TOTALLY MUTILA-
TED. THE GIRL, WITH HER HAIR, ONCE BRUNETTE, NOW HAD STARK WHITE
HAIR STANDING ON END AND HAD DIED OF FRIGHT. NOW NOBODY KNOWS
IF THIS IS TRUE BUT NO ONE GOES THERE UNLESS HE'S LOOKING FOR A
SCARE.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 12-02-1969

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LEGEND

THERE IS A LEGEND AT KISSING ROCK ON THE GROUNDS OF WEST POINT
THAT IF A FELLOW TAKES HIS HAT OFF AND THE GIRL HE IS WITH REFUSES
TO KISS HIM, THE ROCK WILL FALL AND KILL HER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 12-05-1967

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PROSE NARRATIVE

A WOMAN, WHOSE SON MARRIED A GIRL SHE DISLIKED, TOOK ALL HER SON'S
POSSESSIONS FROM HER DAUGHTER-IN-LAW ON HER SON'S DEATH. EACH
NIGHT THEREAFTER AT MIDNIGHT ALL THE FURNITURE AND DISHES IN THE
MOTHER'S HOME WOULD RATTLE FOR ONE HOUR. IT WAS SAID TO BE THE
GHOST OF THE DEAD SON. AT LAST THE MOTHER RETURNED ALL TO HER
WIDOWED DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AND PEACE WAS RESTORED AT NIGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 09-23-1969

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NARRATIVE (TOLD IN FIRST PERSON)

MY DAD HAD A NIECE HE HAD QUARRELED WITH, YEARS BEFORE HE HAD
PASSED ON. SHE HAD TOLD HIM IF HE DIES BEFORE SHE DOES, SHE'LL
TURN HER BACK TOWARD HIM. SO BEFORE MY DAD COULD DIE, WE HAD TO
CALL HER AND AS SOON AS SHE ENTERED THE HOUSE MY DAD DIED PEACE-
FULLY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 11-19-1969

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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

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank

Date learned: 03-15-1967

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NEVER COMPLIMENT A CHILD ON HIS LOOKS--THE FATES MIGHT
BECOME JEALOUS OF IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): EVIL EYE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Bad luck
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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AS A SIGN OF RESPECT MEN TIP THEIR HATS WHENEVER THEY
PASS A CHURCH.

Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM IS NOT SO PREVALENT AMONG YOUNGER CATHOLICS
BUT IT WAS AND IS STILL PRACTICED AMONG THE OLDER MEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress Head
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
SPEECH -- Respect
SPEECH -- Religious

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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IT IS A CUSTOM TO MAKE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS AS YOU PASS
A CHURCH. THIS IS DONE TO SHOW HONOR FOR GOD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
BELIEF -- Gods
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
SPEECH -- Religious

Date learned: 03-19-1970

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IT'S AN OLD CUSTOM OF THE GREEK CATHOLICS TO MAKE THE
SIGN OF THE CROSS WHEN ENTERING OR LEAVING THE HOUSE. IT
IS TO MAKE SURE GOD IS WITH YOU.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Gods
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications
SPEECH -- Religious

Date learned: 02-08-1971

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IF YOU PASS A FUNERAL HOME YOU HAVE TO HOLD A BUTTON
OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.22
SPEECH -- Magical Luck

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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IF YOU STUMBLE ON A CRACK YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND WALK
OVER THE SAME GROUND AND KISS YOUR THUMBS. IF YOU DON'T
DO THIS, YOU'LL HAVE BAD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.22
SPEECH -- Magical Luck

Date learned: 11-00-1970

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