Offensive content Filter is ON
Your search for B477 returned 559 results.
THROAT CUT
IN A PREDOMINENTLY ITALIAN NEIGHBORHOOD THERE IS A
HOUSE WHERE NOONE WILL LIVE. WHEN THE MAFIA WAS VERY
ACTIVE IN THIS PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD, THERE WAS A
MURDER. A MAN WENT OUT TO HIS OUTSIDE TOILET AND
WAS FOUND THERE WITH HIS THROAT CUT.
EVER SINCE THEN, PEOPLE WHO MOVED INTO THE HOUSE
WOULD HEAR A GURGLING SOUND OUT IN THE OUTHOUSE,
JUST AS IF A THROAT HAD BEEN CUT.
NO ONE EVER DID FIND THE MURDERER.
Submitter comment: THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN THE INFORMANT'S NEIGHBORHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): GHOSTLIKE SOUNDS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
LEGEND OF THE BANK INSPECTOR
IN THE OLD DAYS, BANKS USED TO KEEP GOLD IN THEIR SAFES
WHICH WOULD BACK UP THE PAPER MONEY THAT THEY ISSUE OUT.
A BANK INSPECTOR HAD TO TRAVEL FROM BANK TO BANK TO
MAKE SURE THAT THESE BANKS WERE KEEPING TO THIS LAW, AND
NOT ISSUING MONEY THAT COULD NOT BE BACKED. THIS ONE
PARTICULAR BANK INSPECTOR HAD A ROUTE FROM KALAMAZOO
{MICHIGAN} TO MT. CLEMENS, MICHIGAN. HE WAS ON HIS
WAY TO BATTLE CREEK {MICHIGAN} WHEN HE NOTICED A
COACH THAT WAS MOVING FASTER THAN HE HAD EVER SEEN,
PASS HIM AND TRAVEL AHEAD OF HIM. WHEN HE ARRIVED IN
BATTLE CREEK, WHY THERE IT WAS! HE WENT INTO THE BANK
AND CHECKED THE MONEY OF GOLD. HE NOTED THAT IT WAS IN
THE SAME TYPE OF CHEST THAT THE ONE IN KALAMAZOO HAD.
BUT HE THOUGHT THEY MUST HAVE BOUGHT THIS FINE CHEST
FROM THE SAME COMPANY, SINCE THE TWO TOWNS ARE FAIRLY
CLOSE. THEN OFF TO MARSHALL {MICHIGAN} HE WENT. BUT THE
SAME COACH WAS RACING PAST HIM THAT HE HAD SEEN BEFORE.
HE THOUGHT THAT THIS GUY MUST BE CRAZY. WHEN HE GOT
TO MARSHALL, THERE WAS THAT CRAZY MAN'S COACH. DO YOU
KNOW THAT THE CHEST OF GOLD WAS VERY SIMILAR, IF NOT
THE SAME HERE, TOO? WELL, THIS WENT ON AGAIN, AND
AGAIN, UNTIL HE FINALLY GOT SUSPICIOUS. AT MT. CLEMENS
HE HELD UP THAT STRANGE COACH AND SENT AN ENVOY BACK
TO DETROIT TO RE-CHECK THE BANK THERE, AND SURE ENOUGH!
THERE WAS NO GOLD BACK-UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BATTLE CREEK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
VILLAGE OF BERTRAND LEGEND
ANOTHER LOCAL LEGEND HAS TO DO WITH THE VILLAGE OF
BERTRAND {MICHIGAN} JUST OVER THE STATE LINE IN
MICHIGAN. IT WAS A THRIVING CITY, ON A PAR WITH SOUTH
BEND IN THE MID-19TH CENTURY. IT IS REPORTED THAT
ONE OF OUR PRIESTS SOUGHT SHELTER THERE ONE NIGHT, AND
WAS TURNED AWAY BY THE CITIZENS. HE IS SUPPOSED TO
HAVE PUT A CURSE ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD. TODAY, WHERE
ONCE A FLOURISHING TOWN, THERE IS NOTHING BUT OPEN
FIELDS. THE CHAPEL THERE WAS ALSO BROKEN INTO, AND
DESECRATED (THIS IS A FACT). THE ALTAR WAS LATER
BROUGHT DOWN TO NOTRE DAME AND PLACED IN THE LOG CHAPEL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; INDIANA, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): DEATH OF TOWN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
HAUNTED POST OFFICE
IN 1916 A PAINTER WAS WORKING IN A DETROIT POST OFFICE.
HE HAD SPILLED SOME PAINT ON HIMSELF. HE WAS WORKING
NEAR THE FUSE BOX WHEN IT SHORTED, SPARKS FLEW OUT
AND IGNITED THE PAINT. HE WAS BURNED TO DEATH IN A
FEW MINUTES. A YEAR LATER, TO THE DAY, PEOPLE HEARD
SCREAMS IN THE BUILDING AND RAN IN AND FOUND A MAN
BURNED TO DEATH. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF A FIRE IN OR
AROUND THE BUILDING. THREE YEARS LATER, TO THE DAY,
THAT POST OFFICE BURNED TO THE GROUND.
FIREMEN REPORTED HEARING SCREAMS FROM INSIDE, BUT NO
ONE WAS EVER FOUND. A PARKING LOT WAS EVENTUALY BUILT
ON THE SITE. PEOPLE STILL REPORT HEARING SCREAMS FROM
THE AREA DSN ALSO REPORT SEEING FIRES ON THE LOT.
THE SCREAMS AND FIRE REPORTS ALWAYS COME ON THE
ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORIGINAL DEATH, OCTOBER 31ST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HALLOWEEN ALL SOULS DAY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-30-1968
DEAD CHILD LEGEND {PREMATURE BURIAL}
IN JACKSON {MICHIGAN}, AT ONE OF OUR CEMETERIES, THERE
IS A SMALL TOMBSTONE MARKED LITTLE MARY, AND THE BIRTH
AND DEATH DATES. IT PASSED AMONG THE HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS THE STORY OF MARY'S SAD DEATH.
IT SEEMS THAT WHEN SHE WAS BURIED, SHE WAS NOT REALLY
DEAD, DUE TO THE FACT THAT SHE WAS IN A DISEASE-INDUCED
COMA. SINCE THIS WAS BEFORE THIS DISEASE WAS KNOWN, THEY
BURIED HER, THINKING HER DEAD.
THIS MUST HAVE BEEN A MISTAKE OF SOME KIND, BECAUSE
THEY SHORTLY DUG HER UP AGAIN.
THIS TIME SHE WAS REALLY DEAD, BUT SHE HAD EVIDENTLY
COME OUT OF THE COMA AND TRIED TO SCRATCH HER WAY OUT
OF THE COFFIN, BECAUSE THERE WERE SCRATCH MARKS ON THE
WOOD AND THE SHROUD WAS ALL ASKEW. MARY WAS TURNED
OVER, FACE DOWN IN THE COFFIN AND DEAD FROM SUFFOCATION
OR SHOCK, NO ONE KNOWS WHICH.
THIS STORY IS MOST OFTEN TOLD TO SOME UNSUSPECTING SOUL
WHO FINDS HIMSELF TAKEN TO A GRAVEYARD AND TOLD THE STORY
WHILE LOOKING AT LITTLE MARY'S TOMBSTONE. OFTEN TIMES
OTHER GUYS ARE HIDDEN NEARBY TO SCREAM JUST AS THE
FIRST GROUP IS LEAVING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; JACKSON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SEA MONSTER AT BELLE ISLE {MICHIGAN}
NEAR THE GOLF COURSE ON BELLE ISLE {DETROIT, MICHIGAN}
BY A LAGOON, A SEA MONSTER COMES OUT ONCE A YEAR AND
SNATCHES THE COUPLE PARKING NEAREST TO HIM, AND TAKES
THEM BACK IN THE WATER WITH HIM. THEY ARE NEVER
SEEN AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-17-1967
WHEN THE NICHOLSON BRIDGE, NICHOLSON, PENNSYLVANIA
WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED, A BLACK LARORER WAS SUPPOSEDLY
TO HAVE FALLEN INTO THE WET CONCRETE AND SUNK INTO IT
BEFORE HE COULD BE RETRIEVED. HE WAS LEFT THERE AND
HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED. THE STORY GOES THAT HE
WAS BURIED ALIVE IN THE 7TH PILLAR OF THE RAILROAD
BRIDGE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001950S LATE
EASY WAY TO GRADE PAPERS
WHEN AN INFORMANT TOLD ME OF HIS CONNECTION WITH STUDENTS
WHO BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS (IS) A UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
PROFESSOR WHO GRADES PAPERS BY THROWING THEM UP THE
STAIRS, I WAS REMINDED OF TWO INSTANCES IN WHICH I
HEARD OF THE SAME LEGEND.
THE FIRST TIME I HEARD THIS STORY (AND BELIEVED IT!) WAS
WHEN I WAS A FRESHMAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT DOWNTOWN
CAMPUS. I REMEMBER A CLASSMATE OF MINE SAYING HE DIDN'T
WANT TO TAKE A MR. THOMPSON FOR ACCOUNTING BECAUSE HE NEVER
EVEN LOOKED AT THE EXAMINATION PAPERS OR AT THE HOMEWORK
HANDED IN. HE WOULD JUST THROW THE PAPERS UP THE STAIRS
AND THOSE THAT LANDED ON TOP WOULD GET AN A AND THEN THE
GRADES DESCENDED AS DID THE PAPERS. THE BOTTOM PAPERS
WOULD GET FS. THIS WAS ABOUT 1954.
THE SECOND TIME I HEARD THIS AT THE UPTOWN (MC NICHOLS
RD.) CAMPUS. DR. ESPINOSA OF MY SPANISH 55 CLASS TOLD US
THE STORY OF A YOUNG GIRL WHO HAD A DEFECT (I BELIEVE
SHE WAS HUNCHBACKED) BUT WHO WAS A VERY GOOD STUDENT
WHO HAD EARNED ALL A'S IN HER COLLEGE CAREER. ALL
A'S THAT IS, UNTIL A SOCIOLOGY PROFESSOR WHO GRADED BY
THE "THROW THE PAPERS UP AND SEE HOW THEY FALL" METHOD,
GAVE HER A C IN HIS COURSE. DR. ESPINOSA TOLD THIS AS
THE TRUTH, AND TOLD IT QUITE CONVINCINGLY, I MIGHT ADD.
THIS WAS IN ABOUT 1961.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- School |
Date learned: 02-19-1965
THIS STORY OFTEN CIRCULATED IN THE DEARBORN-LIVONIA
AREA OF MICHIGAN, WITH SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT VERSIONS.
A YOUNG GIRL WAS BABYSITTING AND SHE RECEIVED A PHONE CALL
FROM A MAN WHO SAID "YOU'RE NEXT." THE GIRL THOUGHT
THAT THIS WAS JUST A PRANK PHONE CALL, UNTIL THE
CALL WAS REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES. FINALLY, SHE CALLED
THE POLICE WHO SAID THEY WERE ON THEIR WAY. NEXT
SHE RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE OPERATOR WHO TOLD HER
IF HE SHOULD CALL AGAIN, TO KEEP HIM ON THE PHONE AS
LONG AS POSSIBLE, SO SHE COULD TRACE THE CALL. THE
NEXT TIME HE CALLED, SHE KEPT HIMON FOR A FEW MINUTES
UNTIL THE OPERATOR INTERRUPTED AND TOLD HER TO GET
OUT OF THE HOUSE, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BECAUSE THIS
MAN WAS ON THE EXTENSION PHONE. ALL ALONG HE HAD
BEEN UPSTAIRS AND HAD KILLED THE CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-00-1971
MISSISSIPPI LEGEND
THE EXPLORER, DE SOTO, STOLE ALL THE AZTECS GOLD, BUT
NONE OF HIS MEN KNEW THAT HE HAD IT; HE WAS GOING TO
KEEP IT ALL FOR HIMSELF. ONLY A SERVANT KNEW. THE
INDIANS BECAME ANGRY, SO DE SOTO AND HIS MEN HEADED UP INTO
WHAT IS NOW LOUISIANA. THEY WERE BUILDING BOATS TO SAIL
HOME, WHEN DE SOTO DIED. THEY PUT HIS BODY ON A BOAT AND
SANK IT SO THE INDIANS WOULDN'T GET HIM. BY MISTAKE--OR
UNKNOWINGLY--THEY SANK THE BOAT WITH THE MONEY ON IT, SO
BOTH THE GOLD AND DE SOTO ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE
MISSISSIPPI.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-15-1965
POLLY'S LOVER
IN ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THIS CENTURY A WITHERED WOMAN OF
NINETY WAS BURIED FROM A NOW DESERTED HOUSE IN WHITE
PLAINS, NEW YORK, POLLY CARTER THE NAME OF HER, BUT
"CRAZY POLLY" WAS WHAT THE NEIGHBORS CALLED HER, FOR
SHE WAS ECCENTRIC AND NOT FOND OF COMPANY. AMONG
THE BELONGINGS OF HER HOUSE WAS A TALL CLOCK, SUCH AS
RELIC HUNTERS PRIZE, THAT TICKED SOLEMNLY IN A LANDING
ON THE STAIRS. FOR A TIME, DURING THE REVOLUTION, THE
HOUSE STOOD WITHIN THE BRITISH LINES, AND AS HER FATHER
WAS A COLONEL IN WASHINGTON'S ARMY, SHE WAS LEFT ALMOST
ALONE IN IT. THE BRITISH OFFICERS RESPECTED HER SEX,
BUT THEY HAD AN UNPLEASANT WAY OF RUNNING IN UNANNOUNCED
AND DEMANDING ENTERTAINMENT, IN THE KING'S NAME, WHICH
SHE FELT FORCED TO GRANT. ONE RAINY AFTERNOON THE DOOR
WAS FLUNG OPEN, THEN LOCKED ON THE INSIDE, AND SHE FOUND
HERSELF IN THE ARMS OF A STALWART, HANDSOME LIEUTENANT,
WHO WORE THE BLUE. IT WAS HER COUSIN AND FIANCE.
THEIR GLAD TALK HAD NOT BEEN GOING LONG WHEN THERE CAME
A ROUSING SUMMONS AT THE DOOR. THREE ENGLISH OFFICERS
WERE WAITING ADMITTANCE.
PERHAPS THEY HAD SEEN LAWRENCE CARTER GO INTO THE HOUSE,
AND IF CAUGHT HE WOULD BE KILLED AS A SPY. HE MUST BE
HIDDEN, BUT IN SOME PLACE WHERE THEY WOULD NOT THINK OF
LOOKING. THE CLOCK! THAT WAS THE PLACE. WITH A LAUGH
AND A KISS THE YOUNG MAN SUBMITTED TO BE SHUT IN THIS
NARROW QUARTER, AND THROWING HIS COAT AND HAT BEHIND SOME
FURNITURE, THE GIRL ADMITTED THE OFFICERS, WHO WERE WET
AND MAD AND DEMANDED DINNER. THEY TRAMPED ABOUT THE
BEST ROOM IN THEIR MUDDY BOOTS, TALKING LOUDLY, AND IN
ORDER TO BREAK THE EFFECT OF THE CHILL WEATHER, THEY
PASSED THE BRANDY BOTTLE FREELY. POLLY SERVED THEM WITH
A DINNER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, FOR SHE WANTED TO GET THEM
OUT OF THE HOUSE, BUT THEY WERE IN NO MOOD TO GO, AND THE
BOTTLE PASSED SO OFTEN THAT BEFORE THE DINNER WAS OVER
THEY WERE NOISY AND TIPSY AND WERE USING LANGUAGE THAT
DROVE POLLY FROM THE ROOM.
AT LAST, TO HER RELIEF, SHE HEARD THEM PREPARING TO LEAVE
THE HOUSE, BUT AS THEY WERE ABOUT TO GO, THE SENIOR
OFFICER, LOOKING UP AT THE LANDING, NOW DIM IN THE PALING
LIGHT, SAID TO ONE OF THE OTHERS, "SEE WHAT TIME IT IS."
THE OFFICER ADDRESSED, WHO HAPPENED TO BE THE DRUNKEST
OF THE PARTY, STAGGERED UP THE STAIR AND EXCLAIMED, "THE
DAMNED THING'S STOPPED." THEN, AS IF HE THOUGHT IT A
GOOD JOKE, HE ADDED, "IT'LL NEVER GO AGAIN." DRAWING
HIS SABRE, HE GAVE THE CLOCK A CARELESS CUT AND RAN
THE BLADE THROUGH THE PANEL OF THE DOOR; AFTER THIS THE
THREE PASSED OUT. WHEN THEIR VOICES HAD DIED IN DISTANT
BRAWLING, POLLY RAN TO RELEASE HER LOVER. SOMETHING
THICK AND DARK WAS CREEPING FROM BENEATH THE CLOCK-CASE.
WITH TREMBLING FINGERS SHE PULLED OPEN THE DOOR, AND
LAWRENCE, HER LOVER, FELL HEAVILY FORWARD INTO HER ARMS,
DEAD. THE OFFICER WAS RIGHT; THE CLOCK NEVER WENT AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
YUNK-YUNK HEARD THIS AS AN OLD INDIAN LEGEND. REFER TO
INFORMANTS LIST FOR MORE DETAILS CONCERNING HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MACKINAW ISLAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 09-00-1963
MY GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER, SHAHEEN, WAS A GIANT OF A
MAN. HE WAS THE WONDER OF THE AREA. HE WORKED AT A
MILL, WHICH USED GREAT MILL STONES WHICH WERE CARRIED
BY CAMELS BECAUSE MULES WEREN'T STRONG ENOUGH. AT
CHURCH, THE PRIEST ASKED VILLAGERS TO HELP SHAHEEN MOVE
HIS MILLSTONES INTO PLACE ON THE WALL. WHEN THEY GOT
TO THE MILL, THEY FOUND SHAHEEN HAD ALREADY PUT THE
GREAT STONES IN PLACE AND WAS ALREADY WORKING.
ONCE SHAHEEN FELL INTO THE STREAM BY THE MILL.
NORMALLY, HE COULD SWIM OUT, BUT THE STREAM WAS SWOLLEN
BY THE SPRING THAW. ALSO, HIS LARGE PANTS AND SHOES
DRAGGED HIM TO THE BOTTOM. THE WATER CARRIED HIM 4 MILES
DOWNSTREAM WHERE HE CAUGHT HOLD OF A ROCK IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE STREAM. HE CALLED SO LOUD THAT THE MEN AT THE MILL
FOUR MILES AWAY HEARD HIM AND GOT HELP. HE WAS SO BIG
ONLY HIS STRONG SON COULD CARRY HIM BACK TO THE MILL.
ONCE SHAHEEN WOKE UP AND STARTED TO PUT HIS SHOES ON
WHEN SOMETHING STARTED WIGGLING INSIDE. HE TURNED HIS
SHOES UPSIDE DOWN AND THREE CATS CAME OUT. HIE SHOES
WERE SO BIG THAT HIS GRANDAUGHTER USED TO PLAY "HOUSE"
IN THEM.
SHAHEEN FINALLY DIED AT THE AGE OF 105, A VERY OLD AGE
IN LEBANON IN THOSE DAYS. HE WAS SOUND OF MIND, BUT
FAILED BY HIS GREAT BODY.
HE ASKED TO BE BURIED WITH HIS FATHER, WHO HAD DIED A
LONG TIME BEFORE. YEARS LATER THEY UNEARTHED HIS
BONES TO BE PUT IN HIS OWN GRAVE. HIS BONES PROVED TO
BE 7-1/2 FEET TALL AS MANY PEOPLE WHO SAW THEM ATTESTED.
FROM HIS HIP BONE TO HIS FEET, HE WAS ALMOST AS TALL AS
A NORMAL MAN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; LEBANON
Keyword(s): FAMILY ; Giant ; Legend ; Lore
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
LOST IN A STORM
DURING WORLD WAR I, THREE FRENCH CAPTAINS WERE TAKING
THREE BOATS OUT OF PORT WILLIAM, CANADA, A PORT ALONG
LAKE SUPERIOR, TO FIGHT IN THE WAR. AT THE TIME, THERE
WAS A BAD STORM ON LAKE SUPERIOR AND THE FRENCHMEN
WERE WARNED NOT TO CROSS THE LAKE. THEY LAUGHED
AND SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT AFRAID TO CROSS THAT
LITTLE PUDDLE. THEY WERE NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CANADA ; DETROIT ; PORT WILLIAMS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-12-1968 ; WORLD WAR 1
NEWLYWED STORY
THIS STORY WAS HEARD AT A TIME WHEN THE INFORMANT AND I
WERE IN A SWIRL OF WEDDINGS. WE WERE BOTH 20, BOTH
ENGAGED AND THIS STORY WAS MAKING THE ROUNDS. I HAVE
HEARD IT SINCE AND IT SEEMS TO BE POPULAR WITH THAT
PARTICULAR AGE GROUP AND, OF COURSE, THE INFORMANT
ALWAYS IS SURE IT IS A TRUE STORY.
AN ENGAGED COUPLE, A WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING, FIND
THEMSELVES STRANGELY ALONE. HAVING BEEN CAUGHT UP WITH
THE WEDDING PREPARATIONS, THEY WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY
TO EXCHANGE SENTIMENTS. ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER
AND SOON THEY ARE UPSTAIRS IN THE BEDROOM MAKING LOVE,
RATHER PREMATURELY. THE PHONE RINGS DOWNSTAIRS AND NOT
WANTING TO MISS A MOMENT OF EACH OTHER'S COMPANY, THEY
BOTH, NAKED, GROPE THEIR WAY DOWNSTAIRS IN THE DARK HOUSE.
WHEN THEY REACH THE PHONE, AMIDST MUCH GIGGLING, ETC.
THE LIGHTS GO ON AND THEY ARE SURROUNDED BY THEIR
FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO ARE GIVING THEM A SURPRISE
PARTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
NO WONDER BUSINESS IS DROPPING OFF!
A UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT STUDENT WHO LIVES IN THE
DORMITORIES DOES ODD JOBS FOR {SOMETHING MISSING}
ON SATURDAYS. EVERY SO OFTEN, HE DROPS IN TO TALK
OR TO ASK MY HUSBAND FOR ADVICE ON ACCOUNTING PROBLEMS,
ETC. SUNDAY EVENING WAS JUST THAT KIND OF A DROP-IN
VISIT.
WE TALKED FOR A WHILE AND THEN I SERVED SOME CAKE, COFFEE,
AND ICE CREAM. CONVERSATION AT THE TABLE TURNED TO THE
FACT THAT THERE WERE FEW GOOD EATING PLACES AROUND THE
UNIVERSITY. HE TOLD US THAT EVEN THE TEMPLES, A
RESTAURANT AT LIVERNOIS AND PURITAN, WAS SUPPOSED TO
CLOSE EVERY NIGHT FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. BECAUSE
THEY COULDN'T GET HELP FOR THAT SHIFT. (THEY HAD BEEN
A 24-HOUR RESTAURANT.) THEN WE TALKED ABOUT HOW THE
TEMPLES HAS RUN DOWN SINCE THE NEW MANAGEMENT TOOK OVER,
ABOUT THE POOR FOOD, POOR SERVICE, ETC.
AFTER COFFEE, OUR STUDENT FRIEND, IN A "BOY-HAVE-I-GOT-
SOMETHING-TO-SAY-THAT-WILL-SHOCK-YOU!" TONE, ANNOUNCED:
"WELL, NOW THAT WE'VE EATEN, I CAN TELL YOU SOMETHING
THAT HAPPENED AT THE TEMPLES. SOME GUYS {U OF D
STUDENTS} TOOK A FORMALDEHYDED FROG OVER THERE AND PUT
IT ON A DISH. YOU KNOW THAT THEY'RE PRETTY SLOPPY, SO
THEY DIDN'T GET AROUND TO CLEANING OFF THE DISH, AND
SOME DRUNK CAME IN AND ATE THE FROG."
"THAT'S NOT TRUE," I EXCLAIMED. "WELL, MRS. PLACHTA,"
HE SAID, 'MY BUDDY TOLD ME IT WAS TRUE, BUT I"M GIVING
YOU SECOND-HANDED {INFORMATION}." AFTER I RECOVERED
FROM MY FEIGNED SHOCK, HE ADDED, "IN FACT, MY ROOMMATE
SAYS THAT THE DRUNK DIED."
Submitter comment:
IF THIS DOESN'T BECOME A U OF D LEGEND, IT WON'T BE
BECAUSE I DIDN'T RECORD IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 05-23-1965
CRUEL BABYSITTER
IN HARPER WOODS {MICHIGAN} THIS GIRL WENT TO BABYSIT FOR
A FAMILY WITH A SMALL BABY. BEFORE THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD
WERE TO COME HOME, THE SITTER THOUGHT SHE WOULD SURPRISE
THE PARENTS WITH A MIDNIGHT SNACK. SO SHE SET THE TABLE
AND TOOK THE BABY AND BAKED IT AS THE MEAL SHE WOULD
SET FOR THE PARENTS. WHEN THE PARENTS CAME HOME THEY
WERE GREETED WITH A MEAL WHICH THEY DID NOT KNOW WAS
THEIR CHILD. IT WAS LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS GIRL
WAS TAKING LSD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BABY ; Babysitter ; CANNIBALISM ; Consumption ; DRUGS ; FOOD ; Hallucinogen ; HORROR ; LSD ; Urban Legend
James Callow Keyword(s): HALLUCINOGENIC DRUG
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-00-1971
BURIED ALIVE?
I HAD A FRIEND IN GRADE SCHOOL WHO CLAIMED THAT AFTER
HIS GRANDMOTHER HAD BEEN BURIED FOR SOME TIME, THEY
DECIDED FOR SOME REASON TO MOVE HER TO ANOTHER
RESTING PLACE. WHEN THEY OPENED HER COFFIN, THEY
FOUND SCRATCHES ALL OVER THE INSIDE TOP OF THE
COFFIN, AND WOOD UNDERNEATH HER FINGERNAILS. SHE
HAD BEEN THOUGHT DEAD, BUT WAS REALLY BURIED ALIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PREMATURE BURIAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TRUE STORY
SHE ONCE PRAYED FOR A TURKEY FOR THANKSGIVING.
IT CAME IN THE FORM OF A BLACK PIECE OF PAPER ON A
FENCE. THEY GRABBED THE SO-CALLED PAPER, WHICH
SEEMED TO CHANGE INTO A TURKEY. THEY GRABBED IT
AND KILLED IT AND COOKED IT FOR THANKSGIVING.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY HER DAUGHTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MAGIC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BURIED IN THE SAND
SOME BOYS DECIDED TO PULL A JOKE ON A FRIEND AT THE
BEACH AND GAVE HIM SOME SLEEPING PILLS IN A DRINK TO
PUT HIM TO SLEEP. THEN THEY BURIED HIM IN THE SAND
AND PUT RAGS OVER HIS FACE SO THAT HE COULD BREATH.
LATER, THEY RETURNED AND THE WAVES HAD REARRANGED
THE SAND AND THEY COULDN'T FIND THEIR FRIEND. THEY
LOOKED AND LOOKED, BUT HE COULDN'T BE FOUND AND
THEY SAY HE'S STILL THERE SOMEWHERE.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
James Callow Keyword(s): FATAL PRANK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
THERE IS A RED LIGHT ON HAGGERTY ROAD THAT SEEMS TO
CHASE YOU. IT DOESN'T BLINK ON OR OFF OR GET
BIGGER OR SMALLER WHILE YOU DRIVE ALONG THE ROAD,
BUT IT SEEMS AS IF IT FOLLOWS YOU ALL THE WAY DOWN
HAGGERTY ROAD TO A CERTAIN POINT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-01-1968