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LYNDEN BANES JOHNSON HAS ONLY ORDERED A GRAVE FOR THREE DAYS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): GHOSTS ; PRESIDENTS (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)
James Callow Keyword(s): CONFIDENCE
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
LEGEND
LONG AGO, IN A CAVE IN A HIGH ROCKY HILL RUNNING ABOVE THE RIVER
VISTULA, A GREAT AND TERRIBLE DRAGON LIVED WHOSE FIERY BREATH GUSHED
FORTH LIKE A FOUNTAIN OF HISSING STEAM FROM HIS WIDE NOSTRILS, AND
WHO UTTERED MONSTROUS, UNEARTHLY SOUNDS, UNLIKE THOSE OF ANY BEAST
OF THE FOREST.
MANY BRAVE KNIGHTS HAD BEEN SENT TO SLAY THE DRAGON, BUT ALL
HAD PERISHED IN THE ATTEMPT.
PRINCE CRACUS WAS BRAVE AND KIND. HE KILLED A FAT SHEEP, FILLED
IT WITH SULPHUR. THE DRAGON ATE THE BAIT, DRANK HALF A RIVER AND
EXPLODED. THE CITY OF CRACOW WAS FOUNDED WHERE THE DRAGON EXPLODED.
THE PRINCE ERECTED A FORTRESS ON THE DRAGON'S HILL, WHERE AFTERWARDS
WAWEL CASTLE WAS BUILT, THE HOME OF THE KING OF POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE FARMS
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND: POLAND ; SUPERNATURAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 10-02-1968
LEGEND OF THE MAIDEN OF THE MIST
THERE ONCE WERE THREE DRAGONS THAT LIVED UNDERNEATH NIAGRA FALLS. AT
THE TIME THE TUSCARERIES, A TRIBE OF INDIANS IN NORTHWEST NEW YORK
LIVED IN THE VICINITY. THE DRAGONS WOULD GET HUNGRY AND COME UP AT
NIGHT AND ATTACK AND EAT SOME OF THE BRAVES OF THE TRIBE. THE
TUSCARERIES, SEEING THEIR TRIBE DWINDLING, WANTED TO APPEASE THE
DRAGONS. SO TO SATISFY THE DRAGONS ( DRAGONS' ) APPETITE THEY WOULD
LOAD UP A CANOE OF GOOD FOODS AND SEND IT DOWN THE NIAGRA RIVER
TOWARD THE FALLS. THIS TOO FAILED TO SATISFY THE DRAGONS AND AGAIN
THEY ATTACKED THE TRIBE TO EAT BRAVES. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO
KEEP THE DRAGONS HAPPY, THE CHIEF AND THE MEDICINE MAN DECIDED TO
SACRIFICE A MAIDEN TO THE DRAGONS IN HOPES OF STOPPING THESE ATTACKS.
SO THE INDIANS FORMED ALL THE MAIDENS OF THE TRIBE IN ONE CIRCLE AND
SHOT AN ARROW INTO THE AIR FROM THE CENTER OF THIS CIRCLE. WHOEVER
THE ARROW LANDED CLOSEST TO WOULD BE THE SACRIFICE. IT HAPPENED THAT
THE SACRIFICE TURNED OUT TO BE LELAWELLA, THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER. THE
INDIANS SENT THE GIRL, STARK NAKED, WITH A BIG SUPPLY OF GOOD FOOD IN
A CANOE TOWARDS THE FALLS. (IT IS AT THIS POINT THAT THE SOURCE COULD
NOT REMEMBER ANY MORE DETAILS AND FINISHED WITH GENERALITIES) OVER
THE FALLS SHE WENT BUT SOME BRAVES RESCUED HER AND IN DOING SO SLEW
THE DRAGON. THEY WENT BACK TO THE VILLAGE AND HAD A BIG CELEBRATION,
THAT TODAY IS CELEBRATED IN NIAGRA FALLS, NEW YORK, AS THE FEAST OF
THE "MAIDEN OF THE MIST."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND ; NIAGARA FALLS ; SUPERNATURAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 11-05-1968
FATHER: WHY AT YOUR AGE, GEORGE WASHINGTON WAS
ALREADY A FULL-FLEDGED SURVEYOR!
SON: AND AT YOUR'S, HE WAS PRESIDENT!
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time |
Date learned: 11-20-1968
STAGE FRIGHT
TO ALLEVIATE HER STAGE FRIGHT, HELEN HAYES WOULD LOOK
OUT AT THE AUDIENCE FROM BEHIND THE CURTAIN AND
CALL THE AUDIENCE ALL SORTS OF CRUEL AND VULGAR NAMES.
Data entry tech comment: UNDER HER BREATH, WE ASSUME.
Where learned: DRAMA ; ENGLISH TEACHER
James Callow Keyword(s): ACTRESS=HELEN HAYES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
STAGE FRIGHT
SARAH BERKARDT (BERNHARDT) MANAGED TO GET OVER HER STAGE
FRIGHT BY PEEKING THROUGH A TINY HOLE IN THE CURTAIN
SHORTLY BEFORE THE PLAY WAS TO BEGIN AND IMAGINE, SO
STRONGLY THAT SHE COULD REALLY PICTURE, EVERYONE IN
THE AUDIENCE WAS NAKED. SHE, HOWEVER, WOULD BE IN
COSTUME. IT WORKED EVERY TIME.
Where learned: DRAMA ; ENGLISH TEACHER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ON ST. NICHOLAS' DAY (DEC.6) CHILDREN RECEIVED A VISIT FROM ST.
NICHOLAS. HE WAS NEVER SEEN BY THE CHILDREN BUT THEY ALWAYS HEARD A
LOUD BANG AS THE DOOR SLAMMED WHEN HE LEFT.
IF THE CHILDREN HAD BEEN
GOOD DURING THE YEAR, HE THREW IN A BAG CANDY, APPLES, AND ORANGES.
IF THEY WERE BAD, THEY RECEIVED A SWITCH. BEFORE ST. NICHOLAS
ARRIVED THEY WROTE LETTERS TO THE CHRIST CHILD LISTING THREE
THINGS, NEVER MORE, WHICH THEY WANTED FOR CHRISTMAS AND ST. NICHOLAS
PICKED UP THE LETTERS WHEN HE LEFT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RECALLS THE CUSTOM FROM HER OWN CHILDHOOD IN KENOSHA,
WISCONSIN. SAYS IT WAS AN IMPORTANT EVENT IN THE LIVES OF
THE CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY WHO WERE OF GERMAN EXTRACTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 01-16-1964
LIVING LEGEND
VINCE LOMBARDY IS REGARDED BY MANY FOOTBALL FANS AS A MIRACLE
MAN. NATURALLY, SINCE HE PERFORMS MIRACLES, IT IS LOGICAL THAT
HE WOULD BE LIKENED TO GOD. IT SEEMS THAT VINCE RETURNED HOME
ONE COLD NIGHT IN GREEN BAY. HIS WIFE HAD ALREADY RETIRED, SO HE
JUST CRAWLED INTO BED. HIS WIFE AWOKE AND EXCLAIMED "GOD ARE
YOUR FEET COLD." VINCE TURNED OVER AND SAID, "THAT'S ALL RIGHT,
HONEY. WE'RE HOME NOW. YOU CAN CALL ME VINCE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOTBALL JOKE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
SIR WALTER RALEIGH LEGEND
A LEGEND AMONG PIPE SMOKERS THAT WAS PASSED ON TO MY BROTHER
INVOLVES A TEST GIVEN TO SIR WALTER RALEIGH.
RALEIGH WAS ASKED TO GUESS THE WEIGHT OF PIPE SMOKE
FROM A SINGLE BOWL OF TOBACCO. HE ASTOUNDED EVERYONE BY SIMPLY
WEIGHING THE TOBACCO BEFORE SMOKING IT AND THE ASHES AFTER HE WAS
DONE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00001970S
STORY OF ROB BACKUS
I HEARD THIS STORY FROM A GUY NAMED ROB BACKUS IN 1969. HE LIVED
IN A HOUSE WHERE I SPENT A LOT OF TIME. ROB TOLD A STORY ONE TIME
ABOUT HOW HE GOT OUT OF THE U.S. NAVY. ROB WAS A SEAMAN ON A
NAVY SHIP AND HE WAS GROWING MORE DISCONTENTED WITH LIFE IN THE
NAVY. ONE DAY HE WENT TO A MUSIC STORE AND BOUGHT A SAXOPHONE.
THE NEXT DAY IN THE EARLY MORNING BEFORE REVILLE HE CLIMBED TO
THE TOP OF THE MAST OF THE SHIP. WHEN THE SAILORS WERE ASSEMBLED
FOR REVILLE HE STARTED BLOWING ON THE SAXOPHONE. THEY FINALLY
GOT HIM TO COME DOWN, AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, HE WAS DISCHARGED
FROM THE NAVY. HE HAD NEVER PLAYED A SAXOPHONE BEFORE THAT DAY.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY HAPPENED DURING THE VITENAM WAR ERA, AND IT WAS
GRATIFYING TO ME TO KNOW THAT ONE PERSON THAT I KNEW HAD BEEN ABLE
TO SAVE HIS LIFE FROM THE PERILS OF VIETNAM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
James Callow Keyword(s): FEIGNED INSANITY TO GET OUT OF MILITARY SERVICE.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
A STAR IS BORN BY THE URGINGS OF A FRIEND
IN 1939 THE ONLY PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL IN A SMALL TOWN OF WEST
VIRGINIA WAS HAVING AN AMATEUR TALENT CONTEST. CHUBBY LITTLE
RICHARD BEGGED, PLEADED AND FINALLY URGED HIS SHY, SKINNY FRIEND
TO JOIN WITH HIM. AFTER MUCH CAJOLING LITTLE DON FINALLY
ACQUIESCED. THE BOYS WORKED UP A SONG AND PATTER ROUTINE WITH
GUITAR AND BANJO. THEY WERE THE DECISIVE WINNERS. THOUGH THEY'RE
SEPARATED THEY HAVE KEPT IN CLOSE CONTACT THROUGH THE YEARS.
GROSSE POINTE DOCTOR RICHARD FERRARA FREQUENTLY SEES HIS GOOD
FRIEND DON KNOTTS AND THEY STILL SING THE OLD SONGS TOGETHER.
James Callow Keyword(s): TELEVISION STAR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
THE CRAZY BROTHERS
ON THE FARM IN DAYTON, OHIO I WAS CONSTANTLY WARNED TO STAY
AWAY FROM THE ADJACENT FARM IN WHICH LIVED TWO VERY STRANGE
BROTHERS. ALL THE NEIGHBLRS WERE WARY OF THE BROTHERS AND
THEIR INVENTIONS. IT WAS NOT UNTIL THEIR FIRST AIRPLANE FLEW
THAT THE WRIGHT BROTHERS WERE ACCEPTED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A TRUE STORY AND WHEN MY GRANDMOTHER TELLS OF THE
WARNINGS THAT SHE GOT FROM HER MOTHER SHE LAUGHS WRYLY.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
AT A RATHER SMALL BUT FORMAL DINNER PARTY IN THE HOME OF A
BRITISH TELEVISION AND RADIO HOST, I WAS SEATED TO THE LEFT
OF MICHAEL MEYER, AN IBSEN TRANSLATOR AND SCHOLAR OF LITERATURE.
MR. MEYER IS A RETIRED UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR. HIS FATHER HAD
BEEN A PROMINENT, LONDON IMPORT-EXPORT MERCHANT. DURING
THE MEAL, I WAS ENTHRALLED WITH THE LOFTY CONVERSATION AND
RECOLLECTIONS OF THE INTIMATE GROUP OF OXFORD ALUMNI.
ONE SUCH REMINISCENCE CAME FROM MR. MEYER. HE TOLD ME THAT
GEORGE ORWELL, THE BRILLIANT AUTHOR, WAS A FREQUENT VISITOR TO
HIS FATHER'S BUSINESS. ONE SATURDAY MORNING, ORWELL ENTERED
WISHING TO PURCHASE SOME FINE, IMPORTED CHERRY LUMBER. WITH IT,
HE PLANNED TO BUILD BOOKSHELVES. ORWELL ENGAGED THE SERVICE OF
YOUNG MEYER TO HELP IN THE PROJECT.
THE IMPRESSIVE WOOD WAS DELIVERED TO ORWELL'S HOUSE, AND THE
PAIR SET TO WORK. THEY LABORED CAREFULLY, NOT WISHING TO MAR
THE EXTRAORDINARY LUMBER. ONCE THE SHELVES WERE COMPLETED,
ORWELL AND MEYER MOVED THEM INTO PLACE IN ORWELL'S STUDY. THEY
STOOD BACK IN ADMIRATION AND SILENCE FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
SUDDENLY, THE ECCENTRIC AUTHOR DASHED OUT THE DOOR, CALLING
BACK TO THE YOUNG BOY TO WAIT THERE FOR HIM.
HE RETURNED MANY HOURS LATER WITH A TIN OF WHITE PAINT. UNDER
ORWELL'S DIRECTION, THE TWO WORKED FEVERISHLY TO COVER THE FINE
FINISH OF THE CHERRY WOOD WITH A WHITE OVERCOAT! THE
GORGEOUS AND EXTRAVAGANT CHERRY LUMBER NOW LOOKED AS ORDINARY
AS ANY SCRAPS OF WOOD! MEYER WAS DUMBFOUNDED AND RESOLVED NEVER
TO TELL HIS FATHER OF THIS "SIN" IN WHICH HE HAD TAKEN PART.
ORWELL, HOWEVER, SEEMED EXCEEDINGLY PLEASED WITH THE WHITE
BOOKCASE, AND SHOWED THE BOY OUT WITH A HEARTY LAUGH AND A
SERIES OF HANDSHAKES AND PATS ON THE BACK.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; CHELSEA ; LONDON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
"SILVERKING"
THIS STORY WAS PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION.
IT TOOK PLACE SOMEWHERE IN THE OLD WEST, AROUND 1830.
MY FATHER TOLD IT TO ME, AND HIS FATHER TOLD IT TO HIM.
IT IS AN EXPLANATION FOR HOW MY GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER
MET HIS BRIDE.
GREAT-GREAT GRANDMA (BEFORE MEETING GREAT-GREAT GRANDPA) WAS
CAPTURED BY THE AMERICAN INDIANS. THEY TOOK HER BACK TO
THEIR CAMP AND TIED HER UP. SHE BECAME ENSLAVED TO THE REDMEN.
THEN, GREAT-GREAT GRANDPA CHARGED IN, RIDING HIS ARABIAN
STALLION NAMED SILVERKING. HE SAW GRANDMA, SWOOPED HER
UP, AND RESCUED HER. THEY WENT RIDING OFF, AND HE WAS A
HERO TO HER. SHE IMMEDIATELY MARRIED HIM, AND THE INDIANS
NEVER CAPTURED HER AGAIN.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT WAS EXCITED IN RETELLING THIS STORY!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero BELIEF -- Human Being BELIEF -- Secular hero |
Founding of the Incan Empire
The Four Ayar brothers came out of the sea. On the way
to Cuzco, one by one three of them died. One of them,
Manco Capac makes it and he finds the Empire with
the help of the Sun God. (Inti) So Manco Capac is
the first Inca.
Submitter comment:
Even though it is known that this is not a true story,
it is taught in all the schools in Peru.
Where learned: Peru
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 00001970S
SILVER JACK
HE WAS JOHN DRISCOLL, FRIENDS--AND BEST KEEP A CIVIL
TONGUE IN YOUR HEAD AND BE SPARING WITH THE LINGERING
LOOK, IF YOU WERE IN HIS WHEREABOUTS WHEN THE SAGINAW
VALLEY WAS STREWN WITH THE SAWDUST AND GAUDY LEGENDS OF
LUMBERJACKS AND RIVERMEN.
HE WAS THE REDOUBTABLE "SILVER JACK" DRISCOLL. THEY SAID
HE COULD BEND A RAILROAD SPIKE BARE-HANDED - THAT HE
COULD BOOST A BARREL OF SALT UP OVER HIS HEAD AND HOLD
IT THERE WHILE DRINKING A PINT OF WHISKEY HELD BETWEEN
CLENCHED TEETH.
THEY SAID YOU NEVER SAW A BIG MAN SO CAT-QUICK -- WHETHER
WHIRLING HIS BIG, HARD FISTS IN A SALOON BRAWL, OR
KNUCKLED TIGHTLY ABOUT THE HANDLE OF A TWO-BITTED AXE
MEASURING A FOREST PINE.
THEY SAID SILVER JACK WAS A KIND OF ROUGHSHOD, LUMBER
DAY ROBIN HOOD WHO CUDGELED TORMENTORS OF THE WEAK.
THEY SAID HE WAS A SAVAGE VARLET AND BULLY WHO LIKED
TO WATCH BLOOD SPURT AFTER HIS FIST STRUCK.
THEY SAID MANY THINGS OF SILVER JACK DRISCOLL, MOST
CONTROVERSIAL LUMBERJACK AND RIVERMAN OF HIS TIME.
HE PLIED THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF THE MICHIGAN
PINELANDS AND LOG STREAMS. THERE IS A RECORD OF HIM
IN MINNESOTA AND CANADA. BUT IT WAS IN THE SAGINAW
VALLEY THAT DRISCOLL ENDURED LASTING FAME -- CALL
IT NOTORIETY IF YOU WILL.
SOME SAID HE WAS CALLED SILVER JACK BECAUSE OF
PREMATURELY WHITE HAIR. OTHERS SAID HIS WAS FLAXEN-
WHITE. THERE ARE SEVERAL OLD-FASHIONED "TINTYPE"
PHOTOGRAPHS WHICH SHOW HIM A WITH CAREFULLY POMADED
MANE OF BLACK HAIR.
OLDTIME LOGGERS -- LONG DEPARTED FROM THIS VALE OF
NEON LIGHTS AND CHROME-PLATED GADGETS OF MODERN LIVING
ONCE TALKED OF THE SIGHT IT WAS TO SEE SILVER JACK
SWINGING DOWN THE CHALK-COVERED BOARDWALKS OF EAST
SAGINAW (NOW THE EAST SIDE) AND SAGINAW CITY (NOW
THE WEST SIDE).
THEY SAID NEVER WAS SUCH A ONE AS SILVER JACK TO
"BLOW HER IN" WITH A FAT WINTER'S PAYCHECK, AFTER
THE LOGS HAD BEEN DRIVEN DOWN THE RIVER OVER
FRESHET-SWOLLEN TRIBUTARIES OF THE SAGINAW.
OTHERS CLAIMED JACK DRISCOLL WAS GOADED INTO MOST
OF HIS MANY FISTIC INTERLUDES -- THAT HE HAD, IN
THE LUMBER ERA, THE EQUIVALENT OF A WILD WEST
TWO-GUN REPUTATION SOMEBODY ALWAYS WANTED TO TEST.
SOME VOWED HE WAS MUCH MISUNDERSTOOD AND MALIGNED -
A CHAP AN EARNEST PREACHER MIGHT HAVE FASHIONED INTO
AT LEAST A PROPER DEACON IN A DESERVING PARISH.
BUT HISTORY RECORDS THAT DRISCOLL, AN ACKNOWLEDGED
SOMETIME VISITOR IN LOCAL VILLAGE "POKEYS" IN THE
MICHIGAN PINELANDS, ALSO SERVED FIVE YEARS'
IMPRISONMENT IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN PRISON. HE
WAS SENTENCED BY SAGINAW COUNTY CIRCUIT JUDGE
DEWITT GAGE ON A CHARGE OF ARMED ROBBERY. ADMIRERS
SAID HE WAS FRAMED. THE LAW SAID OTHERWISE.
SILVER JACK DRISCOLL DIED APRIL 1, 1895, IN A
HOTEL IN L'ANSE, MICHIGAN.
WHATEVER HIS EPITAPH, IT COULD HARDLY BE ADEQUATE,
SAINT OR SCALAWAG. HISTORIANS AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL,
ARE NOT AGREED EVEN TODAY.
Submitter comment:
I AM NOT SURE WHO WROTE THIS STORY BUT IT DID COME
FROM THE FIRST ANNUAL TIMBER TOWN FESTIVAL
MAGAZINE AROUND 1950.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): LUMBERJACKS ; SAGINAW VALLEY LOGGING
James Callow Keyword(s): STRONG MEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
THIS IS THE STORY OF A MAN NAMED WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAMS.
HE LIVED IN TENNESSEE UNTIL, AS A YOUNG MAN, HE DECIDED TO
VENTURE WEST. HE ENDED UP SETTLING AMONGST SOME INDIANS
IN WYOMING AND BECAME WELL KNOWN AND RESPECTED BY THEM.
HE WAS GIVEN AN INDIAN NAME BY THEM WHICH SPOKE OF HIS
MOST DISTINGUISHING PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTIC: HIS FLAMING
RED HAIR. EVENTUALLY, BECAUSE HE HAD BECOME SO ADEPT IN
THE WESTERN WILDERNESS, HE WAS SOUGHT AFTER AS A GUIDE BY
OTHER WHITE MEN AND MOVED TO DAKOTA TERRITORIES. HE WAS
EVEN SAID TO HAVE AIDED THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION OF
1804-1806. ONE DAY, WHILE LEADING A GROUP OF WHITE
EXPLORERS, AN INDIAN ATTACK LED TO HIS DEATH. WHEN THE
INDIANS CAME UPON THE DEAD MEN TO SCALP THEM, ONE OF THEM
RECOGNIZED THE FACE OF THEIR OLD FRIEND, WILLIAM SHIRLEY
WILLIAMS. BY THIS TIME HIS HAIR HAD TURNED GRAY, SO HE
WAS NOT EASILY RECOGNIZABLE AT A DISTANCE. THE INDIANS
FELT SO SORRY TO HAVE KILLED THE MAN WHOM THEY HAD KNOWN
AND LIVED WITH THAT THEY GAVE HIM A CHIEFTAIN'S BURIAL.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS DISCOVERED BY A RELATIVE OF MINE WHO WAS
RESEARCHING OUR FAMILY HISTORY. IT WAS TOLD TO HIM BY
PEOPLE IN A TOWN HE WAS VISITING THAT HAS A STATUE OF
WILLIAM SHIRLEY WILLIAMS STANDING IN THE MAIN PART OF
TOWN. THE LEGEND IS COMMONLY TOLD IN THE TOWN. WILLIAM
SHIRLEY WILLIAMS IS BELIEVED TO BE A RELATIVE OF THE
ROGER WILLIAMS WHO CAME TO AMERICA ON THE MAYFLOWER AND
EMIGRATED FROM WALES WITH HIS BROTHERS IN THE 18TH
CENTURY. HE IS A DISTANT RELATIVE OF MINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLAWSON
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
What famous general was called "Long Hair"?
General George Armstong Custer, who had long, golden hair, was
named "Long Hair" by the Sioux Indians with whom he did battle.
After his entire command were wiped, out the Indians did not take
his scalp, but left it intact as a sign of respect.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Eureka
The story goes that in the 3rd Century B.C. King Hiero of
Syracuse gave a jeweller some gold to make a crown. The jeweller
did but the King suspected that he mixed the gold with base metal
and did not use all the gold. The king gave the crown to the local
scientist, Archimedes, whose job it was to determine if the
jeweller had cheated the king by mixing the gold with metal. In
order to solve this problem Archimedes had to find the density of
the crown. How could he measure density? One day when getting
into the bathtub he noticed the water level rose. He has an
inspiration and the answer. He jumped from the bath tub and ran
down the street naked shouting "Eureka" which means "I have found
it."
Archimedes realized that if the crown was pure gold it would
displace the same volume of water as an equal weight of gold. He
performed the experiment and found that the jeweller had in fact
cheated.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 02-02-1992
I learned to fly in Amelia Earhart's day-- when women were not
supposed to fly. I took the airplane up into the air with no
problem. When I landed, the instructor kissed me-- he was so happy
I had landed safely.
Submitter comment:
Lillian is 86 years old; she was a woman before her time as
she was growing up. I would have liked to know her when she still
remembered everything she had done in her life; now her memory has
faded badly. She only has 3 stories which she tells you over and
over again, and 4 or 5 phrases which she constantly says. This
story is one of the stories. Her husband told me she had lunch
with Amelia Earhart many, many years ago at a woman's club meeting.
I thought this fact would be appropriate for this little story.
Where learned: UNITED STATES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |