FAMILY SAGA

MR. WRIGHT ALSO TOLD STORIES HIS GRANDFATHER TOLD
ABOUT HIMSELF.
GRANDPA ONCE PLANTED A WATERMELON PATCH. THE HOG
GOT INTO IT AND ATE IT ALL UP. SO GRANDPA HAD TO
REPLANT. THEREFORE HE STILL HAD A CROP WHEN EVERY-
BODY ELSE'S WAS GONE. THERE WAS A RAILROAD BEING
BUILT IN THE AREA AT THE TIME. THE RAILROAD WORKERS
CAME INTO THE PATCH AND TOOK SOME WATERMELONS. GRANDPA
SENT HIS SON INTO TOWN TO GET SOME POWDER, THEN HE GOT
HIS MUSKET AND WENT DOWN TO THE PATCH THAT NIGHT. HE
PUT HIS GUN DOWN AND WENT TO SLEEP. THIS WAS A BAD
THING TO DO, FOR THE GUN WAS STOPPED UP ALREADY.
WHEN THE WORKERS CAME THAT NIGHT, GRANDPA AWOKE, TOOK
HIS GUN AND SHOT IT. BUT IT SHOT BACKWARDS, AND
BROKE IN HALF. IT BURNT HIS BEARD AND FACE AND
BROKE SOME TEETH.
THE RAN HOME AND POUNDED ON THE DOOR TO LET HIM IN.
WHEN GRANDMA WENT TO THE FRONT DOOR, HE HAD RUN TO
THE BACK DOOR. WHEN SHE WENT TO THE BACK DOOR, HE
HAD GONE AROUND TO THE FRONT DOOR. WHEN HE FINALLY
ENTERED, HE TOLD HIS FAMILIES THAT "THOSE RASCALS
SHOT ME AND BROKE MY GUN."
ONCE GRANDPA (WHO WAS CALLED UNCLE STEVE BY ALL THE
FOLKS) AND PAPA WENT FISHING. PAPA WAS GREATLY AFRAID
OF SNAKES. WHILE GRANDPA WAS ROWING OUT IN THE LAKE,
A SNAKE FROM AN OVERHEAD TREE FELL DOWN INTO THE BOAT.
PAPA JUMPED OUT OF THE BOAT WHILE GRANDPA HIT AT THE
SNAKE WITH THE PADDLE AND BROKE IT "HALF IN TWO."
AS A RESULT OF PAPA'S JUMPING OUT OF THE BOAT, IT
TURNED OVER AND BOTH HAD TO SWIM TO SHORE.
PAPA WAS SO SCARED OF SNAKES, HE SAW A BUGGY LINE
CURLED UP ON THE GROUND AND HE MISTOOK IT FOR A
SNAKE. HE GOT HIS GUN AND SHOT THE BUGGY LINE TO
PIECES.
AFTER GRANDPA'S FIRST WIFE DIED, HE MARRIED A
WOMAN WHO HAD THREE SONS. AROUND JULY 4TH, WHEN THE
PLOWING WAS DONE, THE BOYS ASKED TO GET SUITS.
SUITS LASTED FIVE OR MORE YEARS BECAUSE THEY WERE
ONLY WORN ON SUNDAYS. THEY HAD BEEN PROMISED A
SUIT FOR A YEAR. FOR SOME REASON, GRANDPA DIDN'T GET
THEM THEIR SUITS. THERE FOLLOWED A BIG FIGHT, AND
THE WIFE AND HER BOYS LEFT HIM.
WELL, GRANDPA MARRIED AGAIN WITHOUT DIVORCING THE
PREVIOUS WIFE.
GRANDPA WAS ALSO A PREACHER. ONE DAY, THE HEAD
MINISTER DELEGATED TO HIM THE JOB TO ACCUSE THE
SINNERS AND EXCLUDE THEM FROM THE CHURCH UNTIL THEY
WERE IN CONDITION TO COME BACK. GAMBLING, BALL
PLAYING, DANCING, ETC.. WERE NOT ALLOWED.
ONE SUNDAY, GRANDPA REALLY GOT ENTHUSIASTIC AND HAD
EXCLUDED FIVE PEOPLE WHEN THE MINISTER SUGGESTED HE
STOP BECAUSE WITH EACH PERSON EXCLUDED HE ALSO LOST
A QUARTER IN THE SUNDAY COLLECTION. BUT GRANDPA
WAS TOO ENTHUSIASTIC, WITH HIS "CHIPS FLY, HEW TO
THE LINE!"
SUDDENLY, SOMEONE GOT UP AND SHOUTED THAT HE (GRANDPA)
HAD TWO LIVING WIVES. (UP TO THIS TIME, GRANDPA
HADN'T CONNECTED HIS CASE WITH THE REGULATION NOT
TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE WIFE. HE HAD FORGOTTEN). THIS
REALLY STOPPED GRANDPA. HE LOOKED UP TO THE SKY
SLOWLY, PUT ON HIS BEAVER HAT, WALKED SILENTLY OUT
OF THE DOOR, GOT HIS HORSE AND WENT HOME. HE DIDN'T
COME BACK FOR THREE MONTHS.
IN 1886 THERE WAS AN EARTHQUAKE. NONE OF THE PEOPLE
KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON. GRANDPA THOUGHT IT WAS AN
OLD MAN ON TOP OF THE HOUSE. HE TOOK A TORCH AND
GRANDMA TOOK A TORCH AND WENT OUTSIDE. HE WENT ONE
WAY AND SHE WENT THE OTHER TO SURROUND THE HOUSE. WHEN
THEY APPROACHED EACH OTHER, THEY THOUGHT THAT THAT
WAS HE. GRANDPA SHOUTED "HE'S AFTER ME!" AND BOTH
RAN AROUND TO THE FRONT WHERE THEY AGAIN RAN INTO EACH
OTHER. GRANDPA SHOUTED "HE'S GOT ME! HE GOT ME!"
THEN HE RAN TO HIS NEIGHBORS "PRAY! PRAY! JUDGMENT!
JUDGMENT!"
WHEN MAMA WAS A GIRL AND SHE AND HER SISTERS WERE
BEING TAKEN OUT BY BOYS, THE BOYS WOULD TREAT THE
GIRLS TO ORANGES, APPLES, BANANAS, AND CANDY.
THE GIRLS GAVE THE TREATS TO UNCLE TOM TO PUT INTO
HIS BIG POCKETS. THEY CAME HOME AND TOLD THEIR
MOTHER THEY WOULD GIVE HER SOME. UNCLE TOM CAME
HOME AN HOUR LATER WITH EMPTY POCKETS. HE HAD BEEN
TREATING OTHER GIRLS HIMSELF WITH THE TREATS.
NATURALLY, THE GIRLS WERE MAD.
ONCE, BROTHER REDGE WANTED TO MAKE SOME HOLES IN
WOOD TO FIX SOMETHING. SO HE HEATED A BOLT TO POUND
IT INTO THE WOOD. MR. SHAW CAME OUT AND SHOUTED
"YOU--------, DON'T KNOW NOTHIN." "LET ME DO IT."
HE WENT TO PICK UP THE BOLT AND IT STUCK TO HIS
HAND. HE GOT REALLY ANGRY AND THREW IT AT REDGE
AND HIS BROTHERS.

Where learned: HOME

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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A SLAVERY TIME STORY

A STORY TOLD MR. WRIGHT WHEN HE WAS A BOY AT THE TURN
OF THE CENTURY.
LOTS OF PEOPLE STAYED IN THE WOODS AND LIVED IN
CAVES AND AT NIGHT CAME OUT TO STEAL CHICKENS AND HOGS,
ETC. THEY WOULD GO UP TO A MAN'S HOUSE AND GRAB A
TURKEY AT ROOST. DOGS WERE KEPT TO TRACK THE THIEVES,
WHO WERE BAREFOOTED. BUT THE PEOPLE COULD OUTRUN
DOGS IN THOSE DAYS. THEY WOULD RUN TO THE FENCE, JUMP
OVER IT; THEY WOULD TAKE A CERTAIN WEED AND HIT THEIR
FEET WITH IT. THE DOGS COULDN'T TRAIL THE THIEVES
ANY LONGER BUT WOULD JUST WHINE AT THE FENCE.

Where learned: HOME

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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ONE OF THE INFORMANT'S PROFESSORS AT JOHN CARROLL
UNIVERSITY {CLEVELAND, OHIO} WAS NOTED FOR BEING
ABSENTMINDED. AT ONE TIME, WHEN TRYING TO GET HIS
CAR OUT OF A SNOW-FILLED PARKING LOT, HE SPOTTED A
STUDENT HITCHHIKING WITH SUITCASE IN HAND. HE MADE
A DEAL WITH THE STUDENT, THAT IF HE PUSHED HIS CAR
OUT OF THE SNOW, THE PROF WOULD DRIVE THE STUDENT
TO THE TRAIN STATION. SO THE STUDENT THREW HIS SUITCASE
IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR AND PROCEEDED TO PUSH THE
PROF'S CAR OUT OF THE SNOW.
BUT WHEN THE CAR GOT TO BETTER GROUND, THE PROF KEPT ON
DRIVING, SUITCASE IN THE CAR, STUDENT LEFT IN THE
PARKING LOT, ALL THE WAY TO THE TRAIN STATION, BEFORE
HE NOTICED THAT HE WAS ALONE IN THE CAR.

Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND

Date learned: 06-00-1961

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GENERAL DE GAULLE WAS BUYING CEMETERY PLOTS.
THE GUY SAID IT COST $2,000. DE GAULLE SAID, "ISN'T
THAT QUITE A BIT--I ONLY PLAN ON STAYING THREE DAYS."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FRENCH ; RESURRECTION IMMORTALITY

Date learned: 11-30-1967

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THERE WAS A GIRL IN COLLEGE WHO CLAIMED TO BE COMPLETELY
FEARLESS. HER ROOMMATE AND ALL HER FRIENDS PLAYED MANY
PRANKS TRYING TO FRIGHTEN HER. BUT SHE REMAINED BRAVE.
FINALLY, AS A LAST ATTEMPT TO SCARE HER, THEY STOLE AN
ARM FROM THE MED SCHOOL'S MORTUARY AND PUT IT IN HER
BED WHILE SHE WAS OUT.
WHEN THEY RETURNED THE NEXT DAY TO SEE HOW SHE FARED,
THEY FOUND HER SITTING ON HER BED, HER LONG, BLACK
HAIR TURNED WHITE, AND EATING THE ARM.

Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND

James Callow Keyword(s): GORE ; Prank

Date learned: 11-21-1967

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GHOST STORY

IN A SMALL VILLAGE IN GREECE, AN OLD MAN DIED AND IT
WAS FOUND THAT HIS GHOST WAS ROAMING THE COUNTRYSIDE.
TO DISPEL THE GHOST, A BRAVE YOUNG MAN NAMED
KAFMAN TOLD THE VILLAGERS THAT HE WOULD STAY
BY THE OLD MAN'S GRAVE TO SEE IF THE GHOST WOULD
APPEAR. KAFMAN WORE A LONG, HOODED CAPE WHICH TOUCHED
THE GROUND, AND WHEN HE KNELT, THE CAPE SPREAD AROUND
HIM. BY AND BY, HE STARTED TO IMAGINE THINGS AND
HE STABBED AT THE DARKNESS WITH HIS DAGGER AND IT
STUCK INTO THE GROUND PIERCING THE CAPE. AS KAFMAN
STARTED TO LEAVE, HE FELT THE JERK OF THE CAPE
PINNED TO THE GROUND AND DIED OF A HEART ATTACK.

Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS FATHER.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): DEATH FROM FRIGHT ; FEAR TEST

Date learned: 10-10-1967

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AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, WHEN IT WAS PREVALENT TO
WEAR LONG CAPES, A MAN, WHO CLAIMED TO TOTALLY
FEARLESS, WAS DARED TO STICK HIS DAGGER IN THE WOODEN
CROSS AT THE CENTER OF A CEMETERY, AT MIDNIGHT,
HALLOWEEN NIGHT. HE ACCEPTED THE DARE.
CONFIDENTLY, HE WALKED THROUGH THE CEMETERY THAT
NIGHT, DARK, EERIE AND WINDY, THOUGH IT WAS, AND DUG
HIS DAGGER IN THE CROSS. BUT, AS HE WALKED AWAY,
HE FELT A TUG AT HIS CLOAK. HE DISMISSED THE THOUGHT
THAT IT MIGHT BE THE DEVIL CALLING HIM BACK, AND TRIED
TO WALK AGAIN. BUT HE FELT ANOTHER TUG. HE WAS
WORRIED NOW, BUT REFUSED TO LOOK BACK. HE TRIED ONE
MORE TIME.
THE NEXT MORNING, HIS FRIENDS FOUND HIM LAYING BY THE
CROSS, DEAD FROM FRIGHT, WITH HIS CLOAK CAUGHT IN THE
DAGGER HE HAD STUCK IN THE CROSS.

Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND

James Callow Keyword(s): FEAR TEST

Date learned: 11-22-1967

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SOME TIME AGO MRS. HUBER WAS TRAVELING WITH SOME
FRIENDS TO VISIT HER BROTHER, WHO WAS SICK. THEY
HAD TRAVELED MOST OF THE NIGHT AND WERE IN THE
MIDDLE OF NOWHERE SOMEPLACE IN WEST VIRGINIA.
IT WAS NIGHT AND THEY WERE TIRED SO THEY STOPPED
AT AN ISOLATED HOTEL. LATE THAT NIGHT, AS THEY
WERE SLEEPING, THEY WERE AWAKENED BY A CIRCLE OF
LIGHT THAT TRAVELED AROUND THE ROOM SEVERAL TIMES
AND EACH TIME IT STOPPED AT THE HEAD OF MRS.
HUBER'S BED. THIS CONTINUED APPROXIMATELY FIVE
MINUTES. AT 1:00 A.M. THE LIGHT WENT OUT.
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, THEY STOPPED AT THE DESK
TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT. THEY TOLD OF THE LIGHT IN
THEIR ROOM BUT THE MANAGER INSISTED THERE WAS NO
POSSIBLE WAY ANYONE COULD DO THIS. THEY LEFT AND
CONTINUED ON THEIR WAY. SHORTLY AFTER THEIR START,
A POLICE CAR STOPPED THEM AND THE OFFICER SAID
HE HAD BEEN SEARCHING FOR THEIR OHIO-LICENCED
{LICENSED} CAR ALL NIGHT. HE WAS TRYING TO NOTIFY
MRS. HUBER OF THE DEATH OF HER BROTHER. HE SAID
HE HAD DIED AT ONE O'CLOCK THAT MORNING AND HAD
CALLED FOR HER MINUTES BEFORE HIS DEATH. HER BELIEF
IS THAT THE LIGHT IN HER ROOM THAT NIGHT WAS HIS WAY
OF SAYING GOODBYE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF TALE

Date learned: 09-22-1969

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THERE WAS ONCE A GIRL TRAINING TO BE A NURSE. SHE
HAD ENTERED A CLASS ON DISSECTING CADAVERS AND
FELT QUEASY ABOUT TAKING THE COURSE, WHICH WAS RE-
QUIRED. OTHER TRAINEES WHO HAD REALIZED HER FEAR,
HAD PLANNED A PRACTICAL JOKE. THEY CUT AN ARM OFF
OF ONE OF THE CADAVERS AND REPLACED HER LAMP'S
PULLCORD WITH IT. LAMPS IN THOSE DAYS DAYS
UTILIZED A PULLCORD TO TURN THEM ON AND OFF. THEIR
INTENTIONS WERE SIMPLY TO INNOCENTLY SHOCK THE GIRL
AS SHE ENTERED HER ROOM AND TURNED THE LIGHT ON.
AS THE GIRLS AWAITED TO HEAR THE VICTIM'S REACTION
NOTHING HAPPENED AND THEY BEGAN TO WORRY. SO THEY
ENTERED HER ROOM, ONLY TO FIND IT EMPTY WITH A
GURGLING NOISE RISING FROM BENEATH THE BED. IN-
VESTIGATING, THEY FOUND THE STUDENT HUDDLED UNDER
THE BED GNAWING AT THE ARM, HAVING GONE MAD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FARMINGTON

Date learned: CHILDHOOD

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TALE

THERE WAS A MAN TRAVELING WITH HIS WAGON THROUGH THE WOODS,
AND TWO MEN JUMPED ON HIS WAGON. THE HORSES WERE
FRIGHTENED AND RAISED THEIR EARS, AND THE WAGON BECAME
EXTREMELY HEAVY FOR THEM TO PULL. THE MAN ATTEMPTED
TO THROW THESE TWO MEN OFF THE WAGON, BUT THEY INSISTED
TO BE DRIVEN SOMEWHERE FURTHER INTO THE WOODS. THEN, THEY
TURNED INTO DEVILS, AND THIS FRIGHTENED THE MAN; SO, HE GOT
THEM WET WITH URINE, AND THEY ABANDONED THE WAGON.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS WAS A TALE THAT WAS TOLD OFTEN
IN HER VILLAGE. DEVILS LEAVE MAN WHO WETS THEM WITH URINE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 02-07-1971

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VANISHING HITCHHIKER

THERE WAS A BOY WHO WENT TO A PARTY AND DANCED ALL NIGHT
WITH A GIRL DRESSED IN WHITE. HE ASKED HER IF SHE WOULD
LIKE TO SEE HIM AGAIN, BUT SHE SAID SHE NEVER COULD.
HE TOOK HER HOME REMEMBERING THAT SHE FELT VERY COLD.
THIS HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES TO DIFFERENT BOYS. THEY
WERE FRIENDS, SO THEY DECIDED TO ALL GO TO HER HOUSE.
WHEN THEY DID, A WOMAN ANSWERED THE DOOR AND SAID THAT NO
ONE LIVED THERE WITH THAT DESCRIPTION. THEN ONE OF THE
BOYS SAW THE GIRL'S PICTURE IN THE HOUSE, BUT THE WOMAN
SAID THAT SHE WAS HER DAUGHTER AND HAD BEEN DEAD OVER A
YEAR. THE BOYS DECIDED TO DIG UP HER COFFIN. WHEN THEY
DID, THEY FOUND THAT SHE HAD NOT DECAYED AND THAT SHE HAD
ON A WHITE DRESS THAT WAS SOILED. THESE BOYS CRACKED UP AND
ARE NOW IN AN INSANE ASYLUM.

Submitter comment: BOYS DANCE WITH COLD GIRL DRESSED IN WHITE. MOTHER IDENTIFIES HER AS
GHOST THROUGH PICTURE. EXHUMED BODY IS NOT DECAYED AND WEARS A WHITE
DRESS. BOYS GO INSANE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 03-22-1972

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DISTILLERY PROSE

THIS ONE HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINA. THERE WAS THIS GUY NAMED LOSS
HONEYCUTT
AND HIS PROFESSION WAS BREEDING BULLS. ON THE SIDE HE RAN A
DISTILLERY. BACK IN THOSE TIMES, I THINK IT WAS THE EARLY 1900{S, AS
FAR AS POLICEMEN AND GUYS LIKE THAT, THEY DIDN'T FIND OUT TOO MUCH
ABOUT
DISTILLERIES, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ILLEGAL AND EVERYTHING. BUT
BY MOUTH OR WHATEVER, THE AUTHORITIES FOUND OUT THAT LOSS WAS RUNNING
THIS DISTILLERY AND MAKING PRETTY GOOD MONEY ON IT. SO ONE DAY TWO
LOCAL
OCAL SHERIFFS DECIDED TO PAY LOSS A VISIT. IT SO HAPPENS THAT THE
POLICE
LICE WERE SEEN GOING IN THERE TO BREAK UP THE STILL AND OF COURSE A
CROWD BEGAN TO GATHER OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE. AND THEY WAITED AND WAITED,
BUT THE TWO SHERIFFS NEVER CAME OUT. THE PEOPLE GOT KIND OF CONCERNED
AND WENT TO THE POLICE STATION AND TOLD THEM THAT THE TWO SHERIFFS
HADN'T COME OUT OF THE HOUSE. SO THE POLICE INVESTIGATED. THEY WENT
INTO THE HOUSE AND DOWN INTO THE BASEMENT WHERE THE STILL WAS LOCATED
AND THERE WAS LOSS MAKING WHISKEY. IT SO HAPPENS THAT LOSS HAD DONE
AWAY WITH THE TWO SHERIFFS AND HAD MADE WHISKEY OUT OF THEM.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL

Keyword(s): MOONSHINING

James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM: PEOPLE DISTILLED INTO WHISKEY

Date learned: 09-25-1972

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MURDER PROSE

DOWN SOUTH IN LOUISIANA, THERE WERE THESE TWO CHICKS SPENDING THE
NIGHT
TOGETHER. YOU SEE, ONE OF THE GIRLS' PARENTS RE GONE FOR THE WE
WEEKEND AND SO THE GIRLS WERE STAYING TOGETHER SO THE ONE WOULDN'T BE
ALONE. ANYWAY, IT WAS GETTING LATE AND THEY WERE GETTING READY FOR
BED, WHEN THE GIRL WHO LIVED IN THE HOUSE HEARD SOMETHING DOWNSTAIRS
DOWNSTAIRS IN
THE KITCHEN. SO, SHE WENT DOWN TO SEE WHAT IT WAS. WELL, A LITTLE
WHILE LATER, THE GIRL UPSTAIRS HEARS THIS HORRIBLE SCREAM. SHE GOT
REALLY SCARED BY THIS, SO SCARED SHE DIDN'T EVEN GO DOWNSTAIRS
TO SEE WHAT
HAD HAPPENED. ALL SHE DID WAS GO INTO THE CLOSET AND HIDE. THIS
CLOSET WAS REAL SMALL WITH NO LIGHT. SHE KEPT ON HEARING THESE
STRANGE
NOISES LIKE A SCRAPING SOUND AND THEN A THUD. THIS WENT ON A GOOD
PART OF THE NIGHT. THESE NOISES SCARED HER SO MUCH THAT SHE FINALLY
FAINTED. THE NEXT MORNING THE GIRL WAS AWOKEN BY THE OTHER GIRLS'
PARENTS WHO HAD COME HOME FROM THEIR TRIP. THE PARENTS SAID, "WHAT HA
"WHAT HAPPENED
PENED HERE LAST NIGHT?" SHE TOLD THEM HER STORY ON WHAT HAD HAPPENED
. THEN THE GIRLS' PARENTS TOOK THE OTHER GIRL TO THE TOP OF THE
STAIRS
AND THERE WAS THE OTHER GIRL HALF WAY UP THE STAIRS, DEAD, WITH
HER LEGS CUT OFF. SHE WAS THE ONE CAUSING THE STRANGE NOISES.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL

James Callow Keyword(s): GORE HORROR

Date learned: 09-22-1972

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MURDER PROSE

THIS CHICK AND GUY IN CLEVELAND WERE OUT IN THE PARK AND THE
GUY IN THE
CAR THOUGHT HE HEARD NOIS, BUT DIDN'T PAY ANY ATTENTION. THE SE
SECOND TIME HE HEARD IT, HE KNEW IT WAS A NOISE BEING DONE DILIBERATE
DELIBERATELY.
IT KEPT UP AND THE GUY DECIDED TO GET OUT; BY THE WAY, THIS WAS A
CONVERTIBLE. HE TOLD THE GIRL TO LOCK THE DOORS AND GET DOWN ON THE
FLOOR. HE STEPS OUT. SO HE'S OUTSIDE, NOW THIS IS PRETTY LATE AT
NIGHT. SHE GOT PRETTY WORRIED BECAUSE HE DIDN'T COME BACK.
THE NEXT THING
SHE KNOWS IS A FAINT SCRATCHING ON THE TOP OF THE CAR IN A
RHYTHMIC MOTION.
SHE DOESN'T DO ANYTHING, ONLY EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID.
LATER ANOTHER
CAR PULLS UP, SHE COULDN'T SEE WHO IT WAS. THEN SHE SAW A
FLASHLIGHT FLASHING AROUND IN THE CAR. IT WAS A COP. HE SAID
FOR HER
TO GET OUT. THE COP SAID DON'T LOOK BEHIND YOU AND GET INTO
MY CAR.
SHE DID, BUT HER CURIOSITY WAS AROUSED. IT WAS JUST THE BREAK OF
DAWN, SO THERE WAS JUST ENOUGH LIGHT. SO SHE LOOKED BEHIND AND
SAW HER
BOYFRIEND HANGING BY HIS NECK FROM A TREE SWINGING ABOVE THE CAR.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL

Keyword(s): LOVERS' PARKING

James Callow Keyword(s): OHIO PARKING

Date learned: 09-25-1972

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MURDER PROSE

THERE IS AN APARTMENT OR FLAT AND THESE GIRLS, WELL FIRST
OF ALL IT IS
S IN A FAMILIAR NEIGHBORHOOD LIKE THIS ONE AROUND U OF D, LET'S SAY.
AND IT WOULD BE IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES TO LET'S SAY SOME GIRLS
GOING TO MARYGROVE. O.K., NOW THESE THREE CHICKS LIVE IN AN UPSTAIRS
FLAT.
AND TWO OF THEM HAD DATES THAT NIGHT, SOME WEEKEND NIGHT.
THEY
WENT OUT, AND THERE WAS ONE LEFT IN THE FLAT. SO SHE WAS STUDYING AND
EVERYTHING, BUT YOU KNOW, SINCE IT WAS SUCH A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD OF
COURSE THEY
HAD ALL THE DOORS LOCKED AND EVERYTHING AND THEY WERE VERY
SIDEWALK
STRICT ITH THEIR SECURITY. SO, IT WAS GETTING PRETTY LATE AND SHE W
WASN'T GOING TO WAIT UP FOR HER FRIENDS, SO SHE STARTS TO GO TO BED.
NOW, BEFORE SHE GOES TO BED, SHE HEARS SOME STRANGE NOISES OUTSIDE
LIKE
KE POSSIBLY A SCREAM, BUT SHE WASN'T REALLY SURE THAT'S WHAT IT WAS.
ALTHOUGH, HER CURIOSITY WAS AROUSED AND SHE AT LEAST WAS GOING TO
HAVE
A LOOK. SO SHE WENT TO THE WINDOW AND SHE COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING,
BUT SHE STILL HEARD A LOT OF THRASHING AROUND OUTSIDE. NOW THIS
REALLY
SCARED THE GIRL BUT STILL SHE HAD TO GO DOWN AND SEE WHAT IT WAS.
SO SHE GOES DOWN AND GETS ENOUGH COURAGE TO LOOK OUT AGAIN AND
OPENS THE DOOR. SO SHE GOES OUT. ALONG THE TWO SIDES OF THE
THERE ARE THESE TWO SHRUBS AND OF COURSE THE SIDEWALK IS A
PRETTY
LONG ONE. SHE WALKS DOWN, STILL SCARED BUT ALL THE LIGHTS WERE
ON AND EVERYTHING. SHE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING AND DIDN{T REALLY HEAR
ANYTHING
AND SORT OF EXPECTED IT WAS AN ALLEY CAT OR SOMETHING, BUT THEN,
SHE TURNED AROUND AND STARTED TO WALK BACK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE
HEARD THIS THRASHING SOUND, BUT SHE WAS REALLY SCARED AND SHE WASN'T
GOING TO BOTHER LOOKING BACK. SHE HEARD THE THRASHING SOUND RUNNING
ALL THE WAY UP TO THE HOUSE AND OF COURSE THIS MULTIPLIED IN HER
MIND,
ALL THE EFFECTS OF THIS THING, SO SHE RUNS UP, SHUTS THE DOOR AND
THEN RIGHT AFTER SHE SHUTS THE DOOR, SHE HEARS THIS FAINT SCRATCHING
AT THE DOOR, BUT SHE REALLY COULDN'T TELL WHAT IT WAS. SHE HAD HAD
IT/, SHE RUNS BACK UPSTAIRS SCARED TO DEATH, SHE DIDN'T WANT TO LOOK
LOOK OUT
OUT OR ANYTHING. SO ABOUT FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER, HER SECOND ROOMMA
ROOMMATE
CAME IN. HER ROOMMATE WAS JUST OUT OF IT. SHE RUNS UP TO THE GIRL
AND SAID, "WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?" THE GIRL SAID THAT SHE HAD BEEN
THERE ALL NIGHT. SO SHE BRINGS THE GIRL DOWN TO THE DOOR AND
THERE IS
HER OTHER ROOMMATE DOWN ON THE PORCH TH A HATCHET IN HER BACK, WI
WITH ONE HAND ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL

Keyword(s): STUDENTS, CLAWING

Date learned: 09-25-1972

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HOW ST. PATRICK DEFEATED THE DRUIDS ON HIS COMING
TO IRELAND:
IN PRE-LITERATE CELTIC SOCIETY, THE DRUIDS POWER
WAS DERIVED LARGELY FROM THEIR VERBAL SKILLS.
PATRICK OFFERED TO WEIGH THE WORD OF HIS LORD (JESUS)
AGAINST THE WORDS OF THE DRUIDS. THEN HE PRODUCED A
BALANCE SCALE AND PUT A BIBLE IN ONE OF THE PANS.
THE DRUIDS, UNABLE TO PRODUCE BOOKS, LOST AND IRELAND
WAS ON THE ROAD TO CHRISTIANITY.

Where learned: WALES ; ABERYSTWYTH

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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THE LEGEND OF ZAMORA

AN OLD POLISH LEGEND HAS IT THAT WHEN A PERSON IS GOING
TO BED, HIS SHOES SHOULD BE PLACED IN A POSITION SO THAT
THE TOES OF THE SHOES SHOULD BE POINTED TOWARDS THE MIDDLE
OF THE BED. IF YOU DO THIS, A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN COMES
INTO YOUR ROOM WHILE YOU ARE SLEEPING AND ACTUALLY GETS
INTO BED WITH YOU AND STARTS TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU. IN
REALITY, HOWEVER, SHE IS A WITCH AND NOT A BEAUTIFUL
WOMAN. SHE IS AN OLD WOMAN FROM YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. THE
POINT OF THE LEGEND IS THAT YOU SHOULD NOT POINT YOUR
TOES OF YOUR SHOES TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE BED, AND IF
YOU DO THIS, YOU WILL SLEEP IN PEACE.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE NEIGH-
BORHOOD OF THIRTY-SECOND STREET AND BUCHANAN RIGHT HERE
IN DETROIT {MICHIGAN}. A PRIEST HAS CLAIMED THAT HE
STAYED UP ONE NIGHT AND ACTUALLY SAW THE WITCH ENTER
INTO SOMEONE'S ROOM. THE PRIEST IS FROM ST. FRANCIS
PARISH AND HE CLAIMS TO HAVE SEEN THIS SIGHT SOME
THIRTY OR FORTY YEARS AGO.
MR. SOSNOWSKI SAID THAT HE HEARD THAT THIS STORY HAPPENED
MANY TIMES IN POLAND TO HIS GREAT-GRANDFATHER AND THAT HE
EVENTUALLY WENT INSANE FROM ITS EFFECTS. HE ALSO CLAIMS
THAT HIS GRANDMOTHER KNEW OF THE PRIEST WHO ACTUALLY SAW
ZAMORA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-00-1963 ; 00001933 CA.

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IN LAKEWOOD, INHABITED BY STAUNCH CATHOLIC-IRISH-AMERICANS
ANY LEGEND CONCERNING THE DEVIL OR HELL WAS BELIEVED AND
KEPT ALIVE BY WORD OF MOUTH. THE OLD ANGLE, LOCATED IN
THE PARISH OF ST. PATRICK'S ON GROVE, PICKED UP THE
LAKEWOOD LEGENDS AND TRANSMITTED THEM THROUGHOUT THE
PARISH. THE {ST.} PATRICK'S WAS COMPRISED MOSTLY OF
IMMIGRANTS WHILE LAKEWOOD WAS SECOND AND THIRD GENERATION
IRISH. THERE WAS ALWAYS A BIT OF RIVALRY BETWEEN THE TWO
SECTORS TO SEE WHO COULD COME UP WITH THE BEST LEGENDS.
MOST OF THE TIME ST. PAT'S WAS IN THE LEAD, BECAUSE EVERY
DAY THERE WERE NEW PEOPLE FROM IRELAND MOVING INTO THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEY BROUGHT WITH THEM MORE TALES FROM
THE OLD COUNTRY.
THIS TIME, THOUGH, THE LAKEWOOD CROWD HAD ST. PAT'S BEAT.
THERE WAS A FAMILY THAT LIVED ON GIEL AVENUE JUST OFF
CLIFTON BLVD. THE FAMILY CONSISTED OF A FATHER, MOTHER
AND FOUR CHILDREN. THE FATHER WORKED ON THE RAILROAD
AS DID MANY IRISH-AMERICANS. HIS WIFE TOOK CARE OF THE
HOUSE AND CHILDREN. THERE WAS ONE DIFFERENCE. THE MOTHER
WAS INCREDIBLY CRUEL AND OFTEN PUNISHED THE CHILDREN FOR
NO APPARENT REASON. THE NEIGHBORS TALKED QUITE A BIT ABOUT
HER BEING POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL. ONE NEIGHBOR WAS A
RELATIVE OF MY FATHER AND TOLD THE STORY OFTEN ABOUT THE
NIGHT THEIR SUSPICIONS WERE CONFIRMED. THE MOTHER HAD DIED
SOME ILLNESS NOT ESPECIALLY UNUSUAL IN THOSE DAYS OF
LITTLE MONEY OR MEDICAL HELP. THE WAKE AND BURIAL OVER,
EVERYONE HAD RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES. THE FATHER SAT STILL
IN HIS KITCHEN. A HOUSE AWAY, MY RELATIVE SAT WITH HIS
PARENTS. HIS FATHER LOOKED UP AND GLANCED OUT THE WINDOW
TO THE KITCHEN WINDOW NEXT DOOR. HIS GAZE WAS ARRESTED
BY A STRANGE LIGHT THAT SEEMED TO ILLUMINATE THE KITCHEN.
THINKING FIRST OF FIRE, HE AND HIS SON DASHED ACROSS THE
YARD AND UP THE BACK STEPS OF THE HOUSE. BY THE TIME THEY
REACHED THE INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN THE LIGHT WAS GONE AND THE
FATHER SAT WHERE THEY HAD LEFT HIM, NOW IN A STATE OF SHOCK.
HE POINTED DUMBLY TO THE WOODEN TABLE. THERE, BURNED INTO
THE SURFACE WAS THE UNMISTAKEABLE PRINT OF A WOMAN'S HAND.
HE SPOKE ONLY HIS WIFE'S NAME OVER AND OVER. SHE WAS, IT
SEEMS, WITH THAT SPIRIT WHO HAD POSSESSED HER. SHE HAD
APPEARED, HELD UP HER HAND, PLACED IT ON THE TABLE AND
DISAPPEARED.
THE TABLE IS SUPPOSEDLY LOCKED IN THE BASEMENT OF ST.
JOHN'S CATHEDRAL IN CLEVELAND. IF EVER ANYONE TRIES TO ASK
QUESTIONS OF THE BISHOP OR OTHER CLERGY THERE, ONE IS
MERELY ANSWERED WITH A VAGUE REFERENCE TO IRISHMEN BEING
THE BEST STORYTELLERS IN THE WORLD.

Where learned: OHIO ; LAKEWOOD ; CLEVELAND

Date learned: 00001913-1968

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ONE OF THE MOST FRIGHTENING STORIES MY FATHER EVER TOLD ME
ABOUT BANSHEES WAS THIS ONE. IT SCARED ME MORE THAN ANY
OF THE REST BECAUSE IT WAS ABOUT MY GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER.
SOMEHOW THOSE STORIES AREN'T QUITE SO FRIGHTENING WHEN
THEY ARE ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE.
GRANDPA DIED A VERY OLD MAN. HE WAS BEING TAKEN CARE OF BY
HIS DAUGHTER, NELLIE, WHO WAS MY PATERNAL GRANDMOTHER.
HE WAS REFERRED TO BY THE CHILDREN, MY FATHER AND UNCLES,
AS "BLIND GRANDPA." CATARACTS HAD TAKEN HIS SIGHT EARLY
IN HIS SIXTIES. BESIDES BEING VERY OLD AND BLIND,
GRANDPA WAS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE THAT WARM SPRING DAY,
AS HE SAT ROCKING IN THE FRONT PARLOR. SUDDENLY, HE
LET OUT A YELL TO NELLIE.
"NELLIE, COME IN HERE, GET THIS DOG OUT OF HERE, GET
HIM OUT." NELLIE CAME RUNNING. SHE WAS SO SURPRISED AT
HER FATHER'S OUTBURST THAT SHE DIDN'T STOP TO THINK
THAT HE COULDN'T HAVE SEEN ANY DOG EVEN IF THERE WAS
ONE, WHICH THERE WASN'T BECAUSE THE MC GRAWS DIDN'T
OWN A DOG THEN. SHE TRIED TO CALM HER FATHER, BUT HIS
AGITATION ONLY GREW AND SHE CALLED HER SISTERS-IN-LAW
FROM NEXT DOOR TO COME OVER WHILE SHE WENT FOR THE DOCTOR.
SHE NEEDN'T HAVE BOTHERED. WHEN SHE CAME BACK OUT INTO
THE PARLOR WITH KIT AND JO, BLIND GRANDPA WAS DEAD. HE
WAS SITTING IN THE ROCKER WITH HIS EYES CLOSED AND HE WAS
DEAD. NEXT TO HIM, JUST OUTSIDE THE SCREEN DOOR SAT A
HUGE BLACK LABRADOR. WHILE KIT, JO AND NELLIE STOOD
THERE IN HORROR, HE THREW BACK HIS HEAD AND HOWLED, THEN
TURNED AND DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW. A THOROUGH SEARCH OF
THE NEIGHBORHOOD PRODUCED NO DOG NOR ANYONE WHO CLAIMED
SEEING SUCH A DOG EVER AROUND THERE. SOME HAD HEARD THE
HOWL, OTHERS HADN'T OR REFUSED TO ADMIT IT. MY FATHER
REMEMBERED IT AS DID HIS BROTHER CHARLES, BOTH OF WHOM
HAD BEEN IN LORRAINE, OHIO WHILE THEIR GRANDFATHER WAS
DYING IN THE FRONT PARLOR OF THE FAMILY HOUSE IN CLEVELAND.
THE WAIL OF THE BANSHEE IS HEARD BY THOSE MEANT TO HEAR
IT AND IS NEVER EVER FORGOTTEN.

Where learned: OHIO ; LAKEWOOD ; OHIO, ASSUMED ; CLEVELAND

Date learned: 00001913-1968

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ONE TIME A YOUNG MAN WENT TO AN EVENING MASS AND FELL
ASLEEP DURING THE SERMON. HE SLEPT THROUGH THE REST
OF THE MASS AND WHEN HE FAINLLY AWOKE, IT WAS LATE AT
NIGHT AND HE HAD BEEN LOCKED IN BY THE SEXTON WHO DID
NOT SEE HIM ASLEEP IN THE PEW. HE TRIED THE DOORS.
JUST THEN, THE CLOCK STRUCK TWELVE, AND WHEN HE TURNED
AROUND, HE SAW A PRIEST AT THE ALTAR WHO WAS BEGINNING
TO SAY MASS.
SINCE THIS YOUNG MAN WAS AN ALTAR BOY, HE WENT UP AND
SERVED MASS. WHEN MASS WAS OVER, HE ASKED THE PRIEST
WHY HE WAS SAYING MASS SO LATE AT NIGHT. THE PRIEST SAID
THAT HE HAD ACCEPTED OFFERINGS FOR MASSES WHEN HE WAS
ALIVE, BUT THAT HE DIED WITHOUT HAVING A CHANCE TO SAY
ALL OF THE MASSES THAT HE PROMISED. HE SAID THAT HE HAD
TO REMAIN IN PURGATORY UNTIL HE SAID ALL OF THE MASSES
THAT HE PROMISED, AND THAT HE WAS EVEN NOW IN PURGATORY.
WHEN THE BOY SAID THAT IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE HE WAS ON
FIRE, THE PRIEST PLACED HIS HAND ON THE WALL. WHEN HE
REMOVED HIS HAND, A BLACK IMPRINT OF HIS HAND WAS BURNED
INTO THE WALL. THEN THE PRIEST VANISHED.
THE BLACK PRINT OF THE PRIEST'S HAND REMAINS ON THE
CHURCH WALL TO THIS DAY.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY 7TH GRADE TEACHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; LEXINGTON

Date learned: 10-07-1969

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