Deprecated: The each() function is deprecated. This message will be suppressed on further calls in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-search.inc.php on line 473
The James T. Callow Computerized Folkore Archive | University of Detroit Mercy Libraries Back to Top
Top Nav content Site Footer
University Home
James T. Callow Computerized Folklore Archive
search for

Offensive content Filter is ON

Your search for B437 returned 155 results.

prev | items
| next

THE HOOK

A YOUNG MAN AND HIS FIANCE DECIDED TO PASS AN EVENING
PARKED ON TOP OF LOVER'S MOUNTAIN. WHILE ATTEMPTING
TO FIND SOME MOOD MUSIC ON THE RADIO, THE YOUNG MAN
TUNED IN THE LOCAL NEWS. IT WAS REPORTED THAT A
PSYCHOPATHIC MURDERER HAD ESCAPED FROM THE NEARBY
PENITENTIARY. THE RADIO ANNOUNCER WARNED ALL PEOPLE
IN THE AREA TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL AS THE ESCAPEE WAS
CONSIDERED EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. A DESCRIPTION OF THE
KILLER WAS GIVEN. HE HAD LOST THE LOWER PORTION OF AN
ARM, AND IT HAD BEEN REPLACED BY A CLAW.
UPON HEARING THE NEWS REPORT, THE YOUNG LADY BECAME
FRIGHTENED AND INSISTED ON BEING TAKEN RIGHT HOME. THIS
ANGERED HER FIANCE WHO SAID SHE WAS ACTING CHILDISH.
SHE PERSISTED, AN ARGUMENT ENSUED, AND THE COUPLE LEFT
LOVERS' MOUNTAIN ANGRY WITH ONE ANOTHER. NOT A WORD
WAS SAID ON THE WAY HOME.
ON ARRIVING AT HER HOME, THE YOUNG LADY LET HERSELF
OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN UP THE WALK TO HER PORCH. WHEN
SHE REACHED THE PORCH, SHE TURNED TO SAY SOMETHING TO
HER INTENDED. WHEN SHE LOOKED AT THE CAR, SHE FAINTED.
SEEING THIS, THE YOUNG MAN RUSHED OUT OF THE CAR TO HER
SIDE. WHEN HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO REVIVE HER, HE
ASKED HER WHAT HAD HAPPENED. SHE WEAKLY TURNED AND LOOKED
AT THE CAR. HE IMMEDIATELY PALED FOR ON THE HANDLE OF
THE CAR DOOR WAS HANGING A CLAW.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD STORY ON A VISIT TO CALIFORNIA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 10-24-1965

View just this record

TALE

WHILE NECKING AT A FAVORITE 'LOVERS'' SPOT IN NEW JERSEY
A COUPLE HEARD A NEWS BROADCAST ABOUT AN INSANE MAN,
WITH A HOOK FOR A HAND, WHO WAS SEEN WANDERING AROUND
THEIR GENERAL LOCALITY.
BOTH BECAME FRIGHTENED AND DECIDED TO LEAVE QUICKLY.
AFTER TAKING THE GIRL HOME, THE BOY NOTICED A HOOK
CAUGHT IN THE DOOR HANDLE OF THE CAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 12-05-1967

View just this record

HOOK HAND

A BOY AND GIRL IN FLORIDA WENT PARKING IN AN ORANGE
GROVE. THE GIRL WAS FRIGHTENED BY REPORTS SHE'D HEARD
ON THE RADIO. THE POLICE WERE LOOKING FOR A MAN WHO'D
JUST EXCAPED FROM A HOSPITAL FOR THE CRIMINALLY INSANE.
HE HAD A HOOK FOR ONE HAND WITH WHICH HE GOUGED HIS
VICTIMS. THE GIRL WANTED TO GO HOME, BUT HER BOYFRIEND
THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST CRAZINESS. SHE INSISTED THAT HE
TAKE HER HOME, SO ANGRILY, HE STARTED THE CAR. NEITHER
TALKED ALL THE WAY HOME. THE BOY GOT OUT TO OPEN THE
GIRL'S DOOR. AS SHE JUMPED QUICKLY FROM THE CAR, SHE
LOOKED AT THE DOOR HANDLE. MOONLIGHT REFLECTED OFF A
SILVER HOOK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS ; ON A DARK ROAD

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 00-00-1969

View just this record

TALE

THERE WAS A YOUNG COUPLE NECKING IN A CAR AT LOVERS' LANE.
THEY HAD THE RADIO TUNED IN TO A NEWS BROADCAST, WHEN
THEY HEARD THAT THERE WAS AN ESCAPEE FROM A MENTAL
INSTITUTION IN THEIR IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE MAN WAS
DANGEROUS, AND COULD BE IDENTIFIED BY A HOOK FOR A RIGHT
HAND.
THE GIRL BECAME FRIGHTENED AND INSISTED THAT THE BOY TAKE
HER HOME. HE WAS ANNOYED WITH HER AND SHOWED IT BY
RACING OUT OF THE PARK.
WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO OPEN THE GIRL'S DOOR,
THOUGH, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A HOOK CAUGHT IN THE
HANDLE OF THE DOOR TO HER SIDE OF THE CAR.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 12-06-1967

View just this record

EVIL EYE

MY MOTHER TELLS ME HER MOTHER, WHO WAS IRISH, WAS VERY
SUSPICIOUS OF PEOPLE WHOM SHE CONSIDERED TO HAVE THE
EVIL EYE. MY MOTHER'S SISTER WAS PRACTICALLY ENGAGED
BUT HER MOTHER WOULDN'T GIVE HER CONSENT BECAUSE SHE
CLAIMED HE HAD THE EVIL EYE. WHEN THE BOY COULDN'T
MARRY MY MOTHER'S SISTER, HE HAD A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
OR SOMETHING, BUT IN ANY EVENT, HE CAME AFTER MY
GRANDMOTHER WITH A KNIFE. DRESSED ONLY IN A BATHROBE,
HE WAITED OUTSIDE AND WAS GOING TO KILL HER, WHEN SHE
LEFT THE HOUSE. HE DIDN'T KNOW THEN SHE WAS AT CHURCH,
BUT WAS ARRESTED BEFORE HE GOT IN. MY GRANDMOTHER
BELIEVED HE WAS POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL AND COULD NOT
HAVE ENTERED THE CHURCH IF HE HAD WANTED TO.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

View just this record

I ONCE HAD A HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGY TEACHER WHO WAS
INFAMOUS. MISS MIDDLETON WAS KNOWN TO STAND ON A TABLE
IN GYM SHOES, BLEW A WHISTLE, POINT AT SOMEONE AND
YELL, "YOU'RE CHEATING." SHE ALSO WOULD NOT MARK
SCHOOL RECORDS CORRECTLY. SHE WOULD PUT DOWN A ZERO
INSTEAD OF THE BETTER GRADE, AS SHE FELT THIS WAS
WORSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

MAD MAN

ONE AFTERNOON SOME PEOPLE WERE HAVING A PICNIC. A
RAKE WAS LAYING ON THE GROUND WITH THE TEETH UP AND
ONE OF THE MEN ACCIDENTALLY STEPPED ON IT. IT
WHACKED HIM IN THE CHEST. HE IMMEDIATELY WENT WILD
AND TO THIS DAY ROAMS THE FOREST PRESERVE LIKE A WILD
ANIMAL.

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; KANKAKEE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 09-15-1967

View just this record

THEN THERE WAS THE ABSENT MINDED TEACHER AT JOHN CARROLL
UNIVERSITY (CLEVELAND, OHIO) WHO USED TO GO (TO) THE
LIBRARY FOR HOURS AT A TIME TO READ. ONE DAY, WHILE
ABSORBED IN THOUGHT, HIS NAME WAS PAGED FOR HIM TO GO
TO THE MAIN DESK. UPON HEARING HIS NAME, HE RAISED
HIS HEAD FROM THE DESK AND UTTERED A FEEBLE, "YES,
WHAT IS IT?"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

View just this record

LEGEND

ONCE WHEN A COUPLE WAS PARKED A STORY CAME OVER THE
RADIO ABOUT A MAN WITH A HOOK ON HIS ARM, WHO
MOLESTED THE GIRL OF PARKED COUPLES. THE COUPLE
LEFT AND WHEN THE GUY WENT AROUND TO OPEN HIS DATE'S
CAR DOOR (WHEN THEY GOT TO HER HOUSE) THERE ON THE
DOORKNOB WAS HANGING A HOOK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 11-28-1967

View just this record

MAN WITH A HOOK HAND

A YOUNG COUPLE WERE PARKED IN A CAR ON A LOVER'S LANE
ONE EVENING, WHEN THEY HEARD ON THE RADIO THAT A
MANIAC WITH A HOOKED HAND HAD JUST ESCAPED. THE GIRL
BECAME FRIGHTENED AND WANTED TO LEAVE. HER DATE GOT
ANGRY AND STARTED THE CAR AND TORE OFF DOWN THE ROAD.
WHEN THEY GOT TO HER HOME, HE WENT AROUND THE CAR TO
OPEN HER DOOR AND FOUND A HOOK DANGLING FROM THE DOOR
HANDLE.

Submitter comment: HEARD AT A PAJAMA PARTY SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 00001958 CA.

View just this record

FRIGHTENED IN CEMETERY

PENNY HAD HEARD A STORY ABOUT A BOY WHO DISAPPEARED
YEARS AGO NEAR HER HOME IN ENGLAND. IT SEEMS A GROUP
OF BOYS HAD BEEN PLAYING NEAR A CEMETERY UNTIL LATE
AT NIGHT. THEY HAD BEEN TELLING THOST STORIES AND
HAD ALL GOTTEN PRETTY FRIGHTENED. WHEN THE GROUP
BROKE UP, ONE YOUTH HAD TO GO THROUGH THE CEMETERY
TO GET HOME. HE STARTED TO RUN AND HIS SHIRT CAUGHT
ON A TOMBSTONE. HE NEVER HAD THE COURAGE TO LOOK
BACK AND WAS FOUND THE NEXT DAY DEAD BUT STILL
CAUGHT ON THE STONE.

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

View just this record

LOGGING LEGEND

DURING THE TIMES WHEN NORTHERN MICHIGAN WAS MOSTLY VIRGIN
FORESTS, THE LOGGING COMPANIES WERE BUSY STAKING OUT
CLAIMS AND CUTTING THE TIMBER. THE LOGGING COMPANIES
WOULD HIRE CERTAIN MEN FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF EXPLORING
THE UNCHARTED LANDS AND STAKING OUT CLAIMS. IT
APPEARS THAT OFTEN THESE MEN WOULD GET LOST AND NEVER
RETURN. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THESE MEN HAD TO REVERT TO
NATURE TO SURVIVE AND IN TIME THEY BECAME ACTUAL WILD
MEN.
IF YOU'RE EVER WALKING THROUGH THE NORTHERN FORESTS AND
YOU FEEL THAT SOMEONE IS FOLLOWING YOU, YOU WILL KNOW
THAT IT IS ONE OF THESE WILD MEN.
MANY TIMES TRAPPERS AND EXPLORERS WOULD UNACCOUNTABLY
LOSE THINGS FROM THEIR GEAR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT,
BUT THEY KNEW WHERE IT WENT--TO THESE WILD MEN. THE
SAME IS TRUE TODAY; IF YOU LOSE SOMETHING UNACCOUNTABLY,
YOU WILL KNOW THAT IT WAS TAKEN BY ONE OF THESE WILD
MEN.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 11-10-1968

View just this record

THE MAN UNDER THE TROLLEYCAR

THERE IS A LITTLE MAN WITH A LONG STICK WITH A BIG SHARP BLADE, LIKE
A SYCTHE ON THE END OF IT. HE USED TO CUT OFF PEOPLE'S HEADS
WHEN THEY STUCK THEIR HEADS OUT OF THE WINDOW.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT'S MOTHER USED TO TELL HIM THIS STORY EVERY TIME HE
TRIED TO STICK HIS HEAD OUT OF THE MOVING TROLLEY CAR WINDOW. THE
INFORMANT SAYS HE USED TO TRY TO LOOK FOR THE LITTLE MAN WHEN THEY
GOT OFF THE TROLLEY CAR BUT HIS MOTHER SAID HE'D (THE LITTLE MAN)
TRY TO PULL ANYONE WHO BENT OVER TO LOOK AT HIM INTO THE WHEEL WITH
HIM.
THE INFORMANT THINKS HE WAS FIRST TOLD THE STORY AT AGE 2 OR 3 AND
BELIEVED IT FOR 6 OR 7 YEARS.
TOLD SEVERAL TIMES, THE LAST TIME BEING JAN. 25, 1967
AT THE WOJACK HOUSE IN DETROIT

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FEAR

James Callow Keyword(s): DECAPITATION

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 01-25-1967

View just this record

HOOK STORY

A COUPLE WERE PARKED AND HEARD ON THE RADIO ABOUT AN ESCAPEE FROM
THE INSANE ASYLUM WITH A HOOK HAND. THE GIRL WAS WORRIED ABOUT HER
PARENTS AND SHE DIDN'T (KNOW?) WHERE THEY WERE. SO THEY FINALLY LEFT
ON HER THIRD REQUEST. HER DATE WAS MAD AND TOOK OFF FAST. AND SHE
FOUND THE HOOK ON HER DOOR WHEN THEY GOT HOME.

Submitter comment: HEARD THIS STORY WHEN HE WAS YOUNG. S

Data entry tech comment: THERE ARE THREE MORE HOOK STORIES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER HILLS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 05-10-1965

View just this record

Content filter on this entry.

THE THALIDOMYDE BABY

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE THALYDOMIDE BABY WHO WAS BORN WITH NO ARMS,
TWO LONG LONG LEGS AND BUCK TEETH? HIS PARENTS KEPT HIM IN THE
GARAGE AND USED HIM AS A RAKE.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM PHYLLIS CLEMENS, MARYGROVE COLLEGE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CRUEL HUMOR, SICK HUMOR

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 00-00-1963

View just this record

Content filter on this entry.

LEGEND

THE INFORMANT, MY FATHER, RETURNED FROM A TRIP TO BUFFALO, NEW YORK
AND WHILE AT THE SUPPER TABLE RELATED THIS INCIDENT WHICH I TOOK TO
TO BE TRUE. MY FATHER, HAVING TIME ON HIS HANDS IN BUFFALO, WENT FOR
A WALK. HE OBSERVED A SIGN INDICATING THAT A DANCE WAS BEING HELD
TO RAISE FUNDS FOR DEAF PEOPLE. HE ENTERED THE ESTABLISHMENT AND
PURCHASED A NUMBER OF TICKETS. HE APPROACHED A GIRL AND THROUGH A
SERIES OF GESTURES (WHICH HE DEMONSTRATED FOR US) MANAGED TO
COMMUNICATE TO HER THAT HE DESIRED TO DANCE. THEY DANCED SEVERAL
DANCES IN COMPLETE SILENCE, WHEREUPON A YOUNG MAN WALKED UP
TO THE GIRL AND ASKED HER IF SHE WERE READY TO LEAVE. SHE TURNED
HER FACE AWAY FROM MY FATHER AND REMARKED, "I WILL BE WITH YOU AS
SOON AS I GET RID OF THIS DAMN DUMMY."

Data entry tech comment:

ANOTHER CARD TELLS THE SAME STORY, SOURCE FROM JACKIE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): RUDE, SICK HUMOR, CRUEL HUMOR

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 00-00-1947

View just this record

CHARLIE SACHS OF WYANDOTTE BECAME A LEGENDARY CHARACTER IN THE
1920'S AND 1930'S. HE HAD BRIGHT YELLOW HAIR WHICH FELL BELOW HIS
EARS IN A BUSTER BROWN STYLE HAIRCUT. IT WAS KNOWN AS "SODY ASH"
HAIR AFTER THE COLOR OF SODA ASH MANUFACTURED BY THE WYANDOTTE
CHEMICALS COMPANY. CHARLIE GAINED HIS FAME BY WALKING AROUND
DOWNTOWN DETROIT IN FLAMBOYANT OUTFITS OF THE GAY NINETIES.
HE WOULD STROLL EACH DAY IN HIGH_BUTTON SHOES, CHECKED PANTS,
A BRIGHT VEST, A STRIPED BLAZER, AND A STRAW HAT ATTACHED BY
A RIBBON TO HIS LAPEL. WHEN SHIPS WERE DUE IN CHARLIE WOULD WANDER
AROUND THE
WATERFRONT IN AN 1890'S ADMIRAL'S UNIFORM. THE STRANGE OLD MAN
WOULD TALK TO NO ONE, AND HE DIED WITHOUT EVER REVEALING WHERE HE
GOT HIS MONEY OR HIS FANTASTIC COSTUMES.

Submitter comment: LEGEND ABOUT A MENTAL DEFECTIVE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Keyword(s): CLOTHES

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 01-00-1964

View just this record

LEGENDARY ECCENTRIC

LIVING ON GROSSE ILE IN A RAMSHACKLE VICTORIAN-ERA HOUSE IS
A CHARACTER KNOWN
TO ALMOST EVERY PERSON WHO HAS ATTENDED HIGH SCHOOL IN THE
DOWNRIVER AREA DURING THE LAST 25 YEARS. DIN ROONEY IS AN OLD
SENILE IRISHMAN WHO LIVES ALONE IN THE KITCHEN OF HIS HUGE HOME
AND FILLS THE REST OF THE ROOMS WITH OLD NEWSPAPERS. UNTIL A FEW
YEARS AGO, HE WELCOMED ALL VISTORS--USUALLY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
AND SPUN MANY STORIES FOR THEM. HOWEVER, IT WAS ALSO SAID THAT HE
CARRIED A GUN AND THAT HIS HOME HAD BEEN A BOOTLEGGING HEADQUARTERS
IN PROHIBITION DAYS. HE WAS SOMETIMES SEEN ROAMING OVER HIS VAST
GROUNDS LATE AT NIGHT WITH A LANTERN EERILY LIGHTING HIS FACE.
EVENTUALLY, THE POLICE STOPPED YOUNGSTERS FROM VISITING DIN.
HE HAS APPARENTLY BEEN THE TALK OF THIS AREA FOR YEARS, FOR A NUN
TEACHING AT ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL IN WYANDOTTE RECALLS VISITING DIN
WHEN SHE WAS A STUDENT IN TRENTON, MICHIGAN. WITH A GROUP OF
FRIENDS I ONCE VENTURED AS FAR AS THE GATE OF DIN ROONEY'S GHOSTLY
ESTATE BEFORE LOSING NERVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 00-00-1958

View just this record

SIAMESE TWINS

SIAMESE TWINS WHO WERE JOINED AT THE ARM WERE SEPARATED AND LIVED
IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. WHEN LATER IN LIFE ONE DIED
IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT THE OTHER DIED SUDDENLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON
HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY.

Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME AS A TRUE STORY WHICH BEV HAD READ ABOUT SOME YEARS (AGO).

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC

James Callow Keyword(s): SIMULTANEOUS DEATH OF TWINS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

View just this record

"LUKE THE SPOOK"

THE STORY GOES THAT THERE IS A MENTAL INSTITUTION AROUND THE
GENERAL VICINITY OF 37 MILE ROAD AND ROMEO PLANK ROAD. IN
THE OLD DAYS, BACK IN THE EARLY 1900'S, COACHES USED TO PASS
BY, AND THEY ALWAYS HAD A LAMP SWINGING FROM THE BACK OF THE
CARRIAGE. ONE NIGHT A MAN ESCAPED FROM THE INSTITUTION. AS HE FLED,
A COACH CAME BY, KNOCKED HIM DOWN, AND AS IT ROLLED OVER HIM, THE
HORSES' HOOVES CUT OFF HIS HEAD, WHICH ROLLED UNDER A BRIDGE. HIS
BODY WAS NEVER FOUND. THE WEIRD PART IS IF YOU PARK BY THIS BRIDGE
(YOU WILL SEE A STRANGE)
LIGHT MOVING TOWARDS YOU. YOU'LL TRY TO START YOUR CAR, BUT IT
WON'T START, BUT YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL GO LIKE CRAZY.
AT THE LAST MINUTE THE CAR WILL START, AND THE LIGHT WILL
FOLLOW YOU AS YOU GO.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT NOT ONLY HEARD OF THIS STORY, BUT ACTUALLY VISITED
THIS SPOT AND SHE CLAIMS THAT THE STORY OF THE LIGHT IS REALLY
TRUE, IT HAPPENED TO HER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS LIGHT

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Fire

Date learned: 05-14-1965

View just this record

prev | items
| next

Back to Top