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LEGEND OF THE GHOST WITH COVERED FACE
THERE WAS A LARGE OLD HOUSE NEAR MY GRANDMOTHERS IN VERMONT THAT A
FAMILY OF A LONG HERITAGE LIVED IN. THE HOUSE WAS SAID TO BE
HAUNTED BECAUSE OBJECTS USED TO FLY AROUND, AND THEY WOULD SEE
STRANGE PEOPLE WALKING DOWN THE HALLS AT NIGHT MOANING.
ONE NIGHT THE YOUNG MAN OF THE FAMILY WHO WAS JUST HOME FROM COLLEGE
WAS SITTING IN FRONT OF THE FIRE PLACE WHEN SUDDENLY A FIGURE OF A
MAN OR SOMETHING CAME OUT OF THE FIRE. THE MAN WAS SO AFRAID THAT
HE COULD ONLY STAND THERE AND HE ALSO FELT AS THOUGH HE COULD NOT
LEAVE IF HIS LEGS WOULD LET HIM SINCE HE WAS INTRANCED IN SOME
WAY BY THIS DEAMON. THE THING HAD ITS FACE COVERED, IF IT HAD NOT,
HE WOULD HAVE DIED OF FRIGHT. HE BEGAN TO SAY THE ROSARY AND THE
DEAMON LEFT.
Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing ; NOVEMBER ; 1968
Keyword(s): FIREPLACE ; PRAYER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
THERE IS A MYSTERIOUS LIGHT THAT EXISTS ON A LONELY DIRT ROAD OFF
OF I_94 EXPRESSWAY ON THE WAY TO ANN ARBOR. THIS LIGHT IS MYSTERIOUS
IN THE SENSE THAT IT IS INVISIBLE UNTIL ONE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD
COMES TO THE STOP WERE THE LIGHT IS. THEN THE LIGHT APPEARS AND
SURROUNDS THE ENTIRE CAR. A FRIEND OF MINE (WHOSE NAME I CAN NOT
REMEMBER) WENT TO SEE THIS LIGHT AND FOUND IT.
THE ONLY TROUBLE IS THAT WHEN THE LIGHT APPEARED IT WAS TOO LATE TO
AVOID IT AND IT ENGULFED THE CAR AND SUPPOSEDLY SINGED THE PAINT
OF THE CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-31-1968
THE PICTURE
"A FEW YEARS AGO MY HUSBAND AND A FRIEND WERE DRIVING ON DETROIT'S
EAST SIDE. IT WAS RAINING VERY HARD. THEY DROVE PAST A CEMETERY,
AND HERE WAS THIS PRETTY GIRL STANDING ON THE CORNER.
SHE WAS WEARING A WHITE SUIT AND A WHITE FLOWER ON IT. SHE HAD LONG
HAIR, AND WAS REALLY QUITE ATTRACTIVE. THEY STOPPED AND ASKED HER FOR
A RIDE SINCE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO SEE HER STAND IN THE RAIN LIKE THAT.
SHE SAID THAT SHE ONLY HAD TO MAIL A LETTER, AND SO THEY DROVE HER.
WHEN SHE GOT OUT OF THE CAR THEY DISCOVERED SHE HAD LEFT THE LETTER
BEHIND. THEY DROVE BACK TO WHERE THEY HAD DROPPED HER OFF BUT
COULDN'T FIND HER. THE ADDRESS ON THE LETTER WAS OF A HOUSE NEAR BY
SO THEY TOOK IT TO THAT HOME. THE LADY WHO ANSWERED THE DOOR WAS
REALLY FRIENDLY. SHE INVITED THEM IN, AND THEY SAT AND TALKED.
THEN JACK (HER HUSBAND) SAW A PICTURE OF THE GIRL WHO HAD LEFT THE
LETTER ON THE WALL. HE TOLD THE LADY. SHE WAS VERY SURPRISED AND SAID
THAT HE MUST BE WRONG BECAUSE THIS GIRL, HER DAUGHTER, HAD BEEN DEAD
FOR YEARS. NOW I REALLY BELIEVE THIS IS TRUE. THEY NEVER DID FIND
OUT WHAT WAS IN THE LETTER, BUT THE STORY OF THIS WAS IN THE
NEWSPAPER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 06-30-1964
LIFE AFTER DEATH
PRIOR TO MY GRANDFATHER'S DEATH HE MADE A STATEMENT TO SOME OF HIS
CHILDREN THAT AFTER DEATH HE WOULD RETURN IN THE FORM OF A BLACKBIRD.
THERE WAS VERY LITTLE THOUGHT ON THIS SUBJECT UNTIL A FEW DAYS
FOLLOWING HIS FUNERAL. MY AUNT WAS CLEANING THE ATTIC OF HER HOME
WHEN SHE SAW A LARGE BLACKBIRD STARING AT HER.
TO SOME MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY THIS HAS BECOME A SUPERSTITIOUS BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-16-1969
BELIEF
"IN ITALY AN OLD LADY WANTED TO SEE HER HUSBAND AFTER HE HAD DIED.
AFTER YEARS OF PRAYING AND MANY TEARS HER HUSBAND APPEARED TO HER IN
AN APPARITION OF THE DEVIL. SHE QUICKLY MADE THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
AND SAID, 'JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH THE SCARED APPARITION BEGAN TO
DISAPPEAR BUT WHILE DOING SO PUT ITS HAND ON THE WALL. SINCE THEN
THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO COVER THE RED HAND SPOT."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
BLOODY MARY
MARK TOLD ME ABOUT HIS FRIEND PAUL ANDERSON WHO CLAIMS HE SAW AND
FELT BLOODY MARY. ONE DAY AS PAUL WAS WALKING ALONE HE STOPPED AND
PRESSED HIS HEAD TO A TREE. HE CLOSED HIS EYES AND COUNTED TO FIFTEEN
AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HE FELT A SHARP PAIN IN HIS HEAD.
HE SAID IT FELT LIKE A KNIFE STABBING THROUGH HIS HEAD.
WHEN HE OPENED UP HIS EYES HE SAW BLOODY MARY STANDING THERE WITH A
KNIFE STUCK THROUGH HER HEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT HIS HOME ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
THE BAG OF BONES
IT WAS SAID THAT A TAXI CAB DRIVER PICKED UP A PASSENGER OPPOSITE A
CHURCH. THE PASSENGER ASKED TO BE DRIVEN TO A HOTEL IN THE DOWNTOWN
AREA. ON THE WAY TO THE HOTEL THE TAXI CAB DRIVER TOOK A ROUTE THAT
PASSED BY A CEMETERY. ON APPROACHING THE CEMETERY, THE PASSENGER
ASKED THE DRIVER TO STOP FOR A FEW MINUTES SO THAT HE COULD SAY HELLO
TO A FRIEND WHO LIVED NEARBY. THE DRIVER DID AS HE WAS ASKED TO DO.
THE DRIVER SAID THAT HE STOPPED THE CAR IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE
OPPOSITE THE CEMETERY. HE TURNED TO ASK THE PASSENGER A QUESTION,
BUT THERE WAS NO ONE THERE, ONLY A LADY'S HANDBAG AND A PILLOWCASE.
THE PILLOWCASE WAS FOUND TO CONTAIN BONES OF A HUMAN SKELETON.
THE DRIVER SAID THAT THE CAR DOOR NEVER OPEND. THE POLICE FOUND
NO FINGERPRINTS ON THE CAR DOOR OR SEAT OR THE OBJECTS FOUND IN THE
CAR.
Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME ; NASSAU NP BAHAMAS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
PROSE NARRATIVE
MY SISTER, WHO IS A NURSE, SINCERELY BELIEVES THAT ONE OF HER
FRIENDS KNOWS ANOTHER NURSE WHO HAD TROUBLE ONE KNIGHT ON THE
FRIENDS KNOWS ANOTHER NURSE WHO HAD TROUBLE ONE NIGHT ON THE
EXPRESSWAY. THE NURSE WAS DRIVING HOME AFTER THE AFTERNOON SHIFT.
SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN A TRUCKDRIVER KEPT POINTING
AT THE CAR. HE DID NOT GIVE UP. BY THIS TIME THE NURSE WAS SO
FRIGHTENED THAT SHE BLEW THE HORN AS SHE DROVE UP
THE DRIVEWAY. SHE CONTINUED TO BLOW THE HORN UNTIL HER HUSBAND
CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE. THE TRUCKDRIVER DROVE UP BEHIND HER.
AS IT TURNED OUT A MAN WAS SITTING IN THE BACK SEAT OF THE
NURSE'S CAR WAITING TO ATTACK HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; TRUCKDRIVER SAVES GIRL FROM ATTACK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 12-00-1965
TRICKING SPIES
IN WORLD WAR ONE, WHEN SPIES WHO HAD INFILTRATED INTO ENEMY RANKS
WERE CAPTURED. THEY WERE PUT TO THE TEST. WHEN A GERMAN SPY
WHO CLAIMED TO BE FRENCH WAS CAUGHT, HE WAS ASKED TO REPEAT THE
WORD "GRENOUILLE" (FROG), WHICH SHOULD
SOUND SOMEWHAT LIKE GRRUNWEEAH
BUT A GERMAN WOULD ALWAYS SAY GRUNWEEHKH, MAKING A HARSH GUTTURAL
SOUND. SIMILARLY, WHEN A FRENCH SPY WAS CAUGHT BY THE GERMANS, HE
WAS ASKED TO SAY HATHAWAY BUT A FRENCHMAN COULD ONLY SUCCEED IN
SAYING HASSAWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; SAINT MARYS RECTORY
Keyword(s): PRONUNCIATION OF FOREIGN WORDS REVEALS IDENTITY AND NATIONALITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 11-17-1968
TALE
THERE WAS A TEACHER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT WHO WAS REALLY
STRANGE, ONE DAY HE WAS LECTURING ON A PLAY BY SHAKESPEARE, AND
HE STARTED TO READ A CHARACTER IN THE PLAY WHO HAPPENED TO BE WOUNDED
IN THE LEG. THE TEACHER LIMPED AROUND IN FRONT OF THE CLASS, HOLDING
HIS LEG WITH ONE HAND AND GESTURING WILDLY WITH THE OTHER.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SPEECH, THE BELL RANG. THE TEACHER PICKED UP
HIS BRIEF CASE AND LIMPED OUT OF THE ROOM, STILL HOLDING
HIS LEG.
Submitter comment:
INFORNANT HEARD THE STORY FROM A FACULTY MEMBER AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ECCENTRIC ENGLISH PROFESSOR ; FEIGNED LAMENESS CONTINUED ; PSYCHOSOMATIC ILLNESS (LAMENESS)
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 03-10-1970
RATTLESNAKE PETE
RATTLESNAKE PETE WAS A HANDY-MAN ON A CATTLE DRIVE. HE WAS FAMOUS
FOR CATCHING RATTLESNAKES WITH HIS HANDS AND BITING THEIR HEADS OFF.
ONE DAY ONE OF THE COWBOYS ON THE DRIVE WAS BITTEN IN THE EAR BY A
RATTLESNAKE. PETE CUT HIS EAR OFF AND DRAINED THE POISON AND THEN
SEWED THE EAR BACK ON THE MAN. HOWEVER, PETE HAD
BEEN DRINKING AND SEWED THE EAR ON BACKWARDS. SEEING WHAT HE HAD
DONE, PETE REMOVED THE OTHER EAR AND SEWED IT ON BACKWARDS ALSO.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 11-20-1968
THE WHITE LADY
ON THE NIGHT OF JULY 7 1967, MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WENT FOR A RIDE
THROUGH BELLE-ISLE PARK DETROIT MICHIGAN. AS I TURNED LEFT ON
WILDWOOD DRIVE
I DECIDED TO PARK THE CAR THE STREET BEING DARK AND QUIET. ABOUT
1/2 HOUR LATER I LIT UP A CIGARETTE, THROWING THE MATCH OUT THE
WINDOW I WAS SHOCKED AT THE SIGHT OF A TALL, SLENDER PERSON
STANDING ABOUT 12' FROM MY CAR. THE FIGURE WAS DRESSED IN A
WHITE CAPE-LIKE GOWN WHICH SEEMED TO BLOW FROM THE BREEZE.
I DID'NT WAIT AROUND TO ASK QUESTIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Keyword(s): MEMORATE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.
LEGEND
IT WAS LATE SUMMER AND IT WAS RAINING. MOTHER AND
FATHER WERE TRAVELING IN A WAGON ON A VISIT TO SOME NEIGHBORS.
ON THE ROADSIDE WAS A SMALL GOAT ALL WET AND SHIVERING. THEY
TOOK THE GOAT INTO THE WAGON THINKING THAT IT WOULD BE A
GOOD ASSET TO THEIR FARM, BUT SUDDENLY THEY WERE LOST AND THE
HORSES WERE SLOWING DOWN AND PANTING HEAVILY. ALL OF A SUDDEN
THE SMALL GOAT LEAPED UP AND OUT OF THE WAGON WITH A SHRIEK AND
RAN INTO THE WOODS. AT THE SAME TIME THE WAGON WAS BACK ON A
FAMILIAR ROAD. OBVIOUSLY THE GOAT HAD BEEN A DEVIL TRANSFORMED.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO MY GRANDMOTHER BY HER MOTHER WHEN SHE
WAS ABOUT EIGHT YEARS OLD.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; 12111 SORRENTO
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Legend |
CUSTOM: ROMAN NEW YEAR
IT IS A CUSTOM AMONG THE ROMANS TO SAVE ALL CHINAWARE--DISHES,
GLASSES, JARS, ETC--THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE YEAR. ON NEW
YEARS--12:00--EVERYONE THROWS THEIR ENTIRE COLLECTION OUT THE
WINDOW WITHOUT CONCERN FOR ANYONE PASSING BY. THIS IS A
DISASTROUS EVENT FOR BOTH PEDESTRIANS AND STREET CLEANERS.
Date learned: 00-00-1964
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
FOR THE LAST FIVE MINUTES OF THE OLD YEAR, AND THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES
OF THE NEW YEAR, IT IS NECESSARY TO SWEEP ONE'S HOUSE FROM BACK
TO FRONT. YOU SWEEP THE HOUSE TO "SWEEP OUT" TROUBLE AND SICKNESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; 25275 BRIARBANK ; 48075 ; collector's home
Keyword(s): BROOM ; SYMBOLIC ACTION
Date learned: 10-25-1970
Bring in the New Year with Fish
AN OLD BELIEF THAT HAS BEEN OBSERVED IN MY FAMILY:
BRING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH FISH
Submitter comment:
WHILE I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS CUSTOM WILL BRING GOOD LUCK, MY
PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS ALWAYS ARE SURE TO START THE NEW YEAR
BY EATING A TYPE OF FISH--NO PARTICULAR TYPE. THIS IS TO
INSURE GOOD LUCK FOR THE NEW YEAR. AND IN OUR HOME IT IS
ALWAYS DONE.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UTICA ; 4290 Sandy Creek
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
NEW YEAR'S
IN EUROPE DURING THE NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY, CARDS WERE SENT BY
PEOPLE TO THEIR RELATIVES AND FRIENDS IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS
WE DO HERE FOR CHRISTMAS. ONCE A PERSON REACHED HIS LATE TEENS,
HE WOULD HAVE NAME CARDS PRINTED (COMPARABLE TO OUR BUSINESS
CARDS) AND WOULD SEND THEM TO RELATIVES. OFTEN, UNSIGNED OR
"MYSTERIOUS" CARDS WOULD BE SENT BETWEEN LOVERS, SECRET ADMIRERS,
ETC., AND THE RECEIVER WOULD HAVE TO GUESS WHO HAD SENT THE CARD.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; 935 FIDELITY DR ; PITTSBURGH ; informant's residence
Keyword(s): ANONYMOUS ; CARDS ; GIFTGIVING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
Food - Fixed Date
EAT ANYTHING THAT ROOTS (DIGS THEIR WAY INTO THE GROUND) LIKE
PIGS, ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, OR AS THE FIRST MEAL OF THE NEW YEAR.
NEVER EAT ANYTHING THAT SWIMS OR FLIES OR YOUR MONEY WILL DO THE
SAME. EAT NO FOWL OF ANY KIND.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant is grandmother of collector.
Where learned: informant's home
Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
Date learned: 11-10-1970
NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM
IF YOU LAY A BROOM ACROSS THE DOOR-WAY,
THE FIRST PERSON TO PICK IT UP AND GIVE IT
TO YOU WILL BE AN ENEMY OF YOURS THAT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED FROM GRANDMOTHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING
Date learned: 12-06-1967
SURVAKNIZA NEW YEAR
AROUND THE NEW YEAR IN BULGARIA, THE CHILDREN PEEL OFF THE OUTSIDE
BARK OF A PARTICULAR KIND OF TREE BRANCH SO THAT THE BRANCHES
BRANCH OUTWARD IN A CONICAL EFFECT. THESE SHAPED BRANCHES ARE
THEN DECORATED WITH BITS OF CLOTH AND ORNAMENTS. THE EFFECT IS
MUCH LIKE A SMALL CHRISTMAS TREE. ON NEW YEAR'S DAY THE CHILDREN OF
THE AREA PAT PEOPLE ON THE BACK WITH THESE BRANCHES, WISHING THEM
PROSPERITY AND GOOD HEALTH FOR THE COMING YEAR. HOMES ARE BLESSED,
ALSO LIVE STOCK AND ANIMALS WITH A TOUCH OF THE TREE BRANCH.
IN RETURN FOR THIS THE CHILDREN ARE GIVEN SMALL PRESENTS, TOYS
AND CANDIES BY THE RECIPIENTS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REMEMBERS WITH DELIGHT PARTICIPATING IN THIS CUSTOM
AS A YOUNG BOY. HE CONSIDERS THIS TO BE A VERY NICE CUSTOM,
WITH A GOOD PURPOSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HENDRICKSONS PHARMACY ; DETROIT ; 15947 W 7 MILE
Keyword(s): GIFTGIVING ; PROSPERITY ; RITUAL WHIPPING
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 03-21-1970