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GHOSTLY LIGHT
IN BOSTON, IT IS SAID THAT THERE ARE NIGHTS WHEN THE LIGHT CAN BE
SEEN FROM THE NORTH CHURCH--THE CHURCH FROM WHICH CAME THE SIGNAL
BY LIGHT THAT THE BRITISH WERE COMING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): PAUL REVERE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Sign Color |
U.S. NAVY RITUAL CUSTOM OF CROSSING THE EQUATOR
PREPARATIONS FOR "CROSSING THE LINE" ARE BEGUN A DAY OR TWO BEFORE
THE ACTUAL CROSSING. GROUPS OF SHELLBACKS GATHER TOGETHER AND MAKE PLANS
AND LAY-OUT SCHEMES FOR THE COMING EVENT, THAT THE SHELLBACKS HAIL WITH
GREAT JOVIALITY AND POLYWOGS AWAIT WITH CERTAIN TREPI- DATION. FROM THIS
MEETING OF THE SHELLBACKS, A ROYAL COURT IS CHOSEN TO REPRESENT NEPTUNE (POSEIDON),
THE MYTHICAL RULER OF THE RAGING MAIN, THE HIGH SEAS. THE COURT CONSISTS OF
SELECTED SALTY, SEAWORTHY, SHELLBACKS WHO MUST DISGUISE THEMSELVES IN COSTUMES.
USUALLY, THE OLDEST AND CRUSTIEST CHIEF PETTY OFFICER ON BOARD IS SELECTED TO PLAY
THE PART OF NEPTUNE AND HE IS FITTED WITH A CROWN, TRIDENT, AND APPROPRIATE REGALIA.
AND THE SECOND OLDEST AND CRUST- IEST C.P.O. ABOARD IS ASKED TO PLAY THE PART
OF DAVEY JONES. HE IS DRESSED AS A PIRATE AND SERVES AS THE PROSECUTING "SEA LAWYER"
WHEN AN OFFENDING POLYWOG APPEARS BEFORE THE ROYAL COURT. A QUEEN IS SELECTED FROM
AMONG THE SHELLBACKS, AND IS TRADITIONALLY THE MOST EFFEMINATE MEMBER OF THE CREW
(SAILORS HAVE A REFINED SENSE OF HUMOR). THE QUEEN PASSES JUDGEMENT ON THE POLYWOG,
WHO IS NEVER FOUND INNOCENT OF HIS CRIME. OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL COURT ARE THE
ROYAL SCRIBE, THE ROYAL MASCOT, THE ROYAL BABY, AND THE ROYAL EXECUTIONER, WHOSE
VARIOUS FUNCTIONS WILL BE DISCUSSED LATER ON. THE ACTUAL CEREMONY BEGINS ON THE
MORNING OF THE CROSSING AND IT IS INTRODUCED AT REVILLE ON THE SHIPS P.A. SYSTEM,
MUCH LIKE THE FOLLOWING: "NOW REVILLE, REVILLE, ALL HANDS HEAVE-OUT AND TRICE-UP.
SWEEPERS, SWEEPERS, MAN YOUR BROOMS. A CLEAN SWEEP DOWN FORE-AND-AFT. RELIEVE
THE WATCH, RELIEVE THE LOOKOUTS, RELIEVE THE HELM AND LEE HELM. NOW, REVILLE.
AFTER THE BOSUN PIPES "ALL HANDS" THE O.O.D. COMES ON THE HORN AND TELLS THE CREW
THAT THE SHIP HAS TAKEN ON THE ROYAL COURT OF KING NEPTUNE AND HE INTRODUCES DAVEY JONES
TO THE SHIPS INTERCOM: "NOW ALL YE TRUE AND FAITHFUL SHELLBACKS, WHO ARE THE PRIDE OF
HIS MAJESTYS SEAS, KNOW YE THIS: THAT AMONG YE DWELLS THE SLIMY, LOATHSOME, SMELLY,
SCURVY, VILE, WRETCHED, PUTRID PRESENCE OF MANY AND SEVERAL UNCLEAN, WORTHLESS,
STINKING POLYWOGS. PREPARE YE, THEREFORE, TO MEET HIS ROYAL MAJESTY ON THIS AUSPICIOUS DAY.
ALL YE VILE POLYWOGS ARE NOW ORDERED TO MUSTER YOURSELVES BEFORE THE WORTHY SHELLBACKS AT
YOUR DIVISION QUARTERS." THIS WORD PASSED, POLYWOGS AND SHELLBACKS ALIKE MUSTER AT
MORNING QUARTERS. THE SHELLBACKS, DRESSED AS PIRATES, FORM A LINE FACING THE POLYWOGS, WHO ARE
DRESSED IN PRE-ASSIGNED COSTUMES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO MAKE THEM APPEAR RIDICULOUS. AT QUARTERS
THE POLY- WOGS ARE GIVEN SUMMONS TO APPEAR BEFORE THE ROYAL COURT. EACH SUMMONS HAS A TRUMPED-UP
CHARGE AGAINST THE GUILTY POLYWOG THAT HE MUST ANSWER BEFORE THE COURT. SOME EXAMPLES OF THESE CHARGED OFFENS-
ES ARE "WINKING AT THE ROYAL QUEEN," "TICKLING THE ROYAL BABY," OR "FAILURE TO DRINK AN UNDISCLOSED AMOUNT
OF SEA WATER IN HONOR OF NEPTUNE." WITH THE SUMMONS THE GUILTY POLYWOG IS ASSIGNED A CERTAIN DUTY TO PERFORM
FOR THE SHELLBACKS IN HIS DIVISION, SUCH AS SHINING SHOES, CARRYING CIGARETS, OR RUNNING FOR COFFEE. AFTER
QUARTERS, THE CREW, INCLUDING POLYWOGS, IS ALLOWED TO HAVE BREAKFAST. BREAKFAST FOR SHELLBACKS IS STEAK AND
EGGS, WHILE BREAKFAST FOR POLYWOGS IS COLD BEANS WITH TABAS SAUCE. THIS IS
FOLLOWED BY A COUPLE OF HOURS OF POLYWOG HAZING BY TASKMASTER
SHELLBACKS, WHO GENERALLY MAKE LIFE MISERABLE FOR THE "WOGS."
AROUND MID-MORNING, THE WORD IS PASSED FOR ALL POLYWOGS TO
MUSTER ON THE TORPEDO DECK IN THE UNIFORM OF THE DAY--SKIVVY SHORTS
WORN BACKWARD. THIS ACCOMPLISHED, THE POLYWOGS ARE HOSED-DOWN WITH
SALT WATER AND LEFT TO DRIP-DRY FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. THEY ARE THEN
LED, INDIVIDUALLY, TO THE HELICOPTER HANGER.
INSIDE THE HANGER THEY ARE MADE TO "WALK THE GAUNTLET." THE
POLYWOG IS MADE TO WALK BETWEEN TWO ROWS OF SHELLBACKS, WHO, WITH
BARBARIAN ZEAL, STRIKE HIM ON THE BUTT WITH A CUT SECTION OF OLD
FIRE-HOSE. HE IS TOLD TO PUT ONE HAND ON HIS KNEE AND THE OTHER ON
HIS SCROTUM (TO PROTECT HIM FROM MISPLACED STROKES OF THE HOSE.)
AS HE WALKS THROUGH THE GAUNTLET EACH SHELLBACK GIVES HIM A LASH.
IF HE WALKS THROUGH TOO QUICKLY HE IS INVITED TO WALK BACK THROUGH
THE LINE.
ONCE THROUGH THE GAUNTLET, THE SUMMONED POLYWOG IS INITIATED
IN YET OTHER INSPIRED WAYS. HE IS PAINTED WITH GREASE AND GRAPHITE,
THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SCRUB OFF. HE IS DUNKED IN GARBAGE AND FIN-
ALLY MADE TO KISS THE ROYAL BABY'S BELLY. IN THIS INSTANCE THE
ROYAL BABY WAS PLAYED BY A BOSUNS MATE THAT WEIGHED HEAVILY, AND
WHOSE MOST DISTINGUISHING FEATURE WAS HIS "BEER GUT." ON THIS
OBESELY PREHENSIBLE PROTRUSION A LAYER OF GREASE WAS APPLIED. AS
THE TIMOROUS AND BRUISED POLYWOG KNEALT TO TO KISS THE ROYAL BABY'S
BELLY, THE BABY GRABBED HIM BY THE EARS AND FORCED HIS FACE INTO
THE GREASE. THE RESULTANT SENSATION IS HARD TO DESCRIBE, BUT I CAN
TESTIFY, FROM FIRST-HAND KNOWLEDGE, THAT IT WAS REPULSIVE.
THE POLYWOG IS THEN FORCED TO BOW BEFORE THE KING AND QUEEN,
AND, WHILE THE ROYAL EXECUTIONER WORKS HIS FIRE-HOSE ON THE WOGS
EXPOSED BACKSIDE, THE ROYAL SCRIBE READS THE CHARGES. THE POLYWOG
IS ENCOURAGED TO DEFEND HIMSELF AGAINST THE CHARGES, BUT THE DEFENSE
IS USUALLY BRIEF IN ITS SUMMATION FOR THE ROYAL EXECUTIONER IS
STILL PERFORMING HIS OFFICE, WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM THE ROYAL
MASCOT. THE QUEEN PASSES JUDGEMENT--GUILTY--IMMEDIATELY AND THE
EXECUTIONER GIVES THE POLYWOG ONE LAST SCOURGE TO ENGENDER GOOD
BEHAVIOUR IN THE FUTURE.
AT THIS TIME NEPTUNE, WHO HAS REMAINED STOIC, TELLS THE POLY-
WOG TO "RISE AND PASS ON." HE IS THEN HANDED THE FOLLOWING CER-
TIFICATE OF ACCEPTANCE BY THE VENERABLE DAVEY JONES:
IMPERIUM NEPTUNI REGIS
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: AND TO ALL POLYWOGS, MERMAIDS,
SEA SERPENTS, WHALES, PORPOISES, SHARKS, DOLPHINS, EELS, SKATES,
SUCKERS, CRABS, LOBSTERS, AND OTHER LIVING DENIZENS OF THE SEA
GREETING:
KNOW YE: THAT ON THE 15TH DAY OF JULY 1964, IN LATITUDE 00000
AND LONGITUDE 43 DEGREES 37 MINUTES EAST, THERE APPEARED WITHIN
OUR ROYAL DOMAIN THE U.S.S. FRED T. BERRY (DD-858) AT THE EQUATOR.
BE IT KNOWN
THAT THE SAID SHIP WITH OFFICERS AND CREW THEREOF, HAVE BEEN
EXAMINED AND PASSED ON BY OURSELVES AND OUR ROYAL STAFF. BE IT
ALSO KNOWN: BY ALL YE MEN WHO GO DOWN TO THE SEA AS WELL AS YE
LOWLY LANDLUBBERS WHO MAY BE HONORED BY HIS PRESENCE THAT
BLAINE LYN LANKFORD
HAVING BEEN FOUND QUALIFIED TO BE NUMBERED AS ONE OF OUR HONORED
SHELLBACKS AND HE HAS BEEN DULY INITIATED INTO THE SOLEMN MYSTER-
IES OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF SHELLBACKS.
BE IT FURTHER KNOWN: THAT BY VIRTUE OF THE POWER VESTED IN ME
I DO HEREBY COMMAND ALL MY SUBJECTS TO SHOW HONOR AND RESPECT TO
HIM WHEREVER HE MAY BE. DISOBEY THIS ORDER UNDER PENALTY OF OUR
ROYAL DISPLEASURE.
SIGNED--
DAVEY JONES,
HIS MAJESTY'S SCRIBE
NEPTUNUS REX,
RULER OF THE RAGING MAIN
F.B. SHRAKE, CDR, USN,
COMMANDING
AFTER ALL OF THE POLYWOGS HAVE BEEN INITIATED INTO THE FELLOW-
SHIP OF SHELLBACKS, THE CREW CLEANS UP, AS WELL AS POSSIBLE, AND
RETIRES TO THE GALLEY FOR A FITTING MEAL AND PARTY AFTERWARD.
THAT CONCLUDES THE CEREMONY BUT THE EFFECTS LAST FOR SOME TIME.
Submitter comment:
FOR AS FAR BACK AS ANYONE CAN REMEMBER, THE UNITED STATES NAVY HAS
CELEBRATED, WEATHER AND CIRCUMSTANCE PERMITTING, THE CEREMONY OF
CROSSING THE EQUATOR. THE PURPOSE OF THE CEREMONY IS TO INITIATE
NEOPHYTE SAILORS, KNOWN AS POLYWOGS, INTO THE REALM OF THE SALTIER
SAILORS, KNOWN AS SHELLBACKS. THE CEREMONY HAS VARIED LITTLE IN
200 YEARS AND IT IS CLASSIFIED BY THE FOLKLORIST IN THE CATEGORY
OF "RITE DE PASSAGE." THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION IS AN ACCOUNT OF A
PARTICULAR CROSSING IN WHICH THE COLLECTOR WAS A CREW MEMBER (POLY-
WOG) OF A NAVAL DESTROYER. THE CROSSING OCCURRED IN THE INDIAN
OCEAN, NEAR BARAWA, SOMALI REPUBLIC, IN JULY 1964.
Data entry tech comment: SHIVER ME TIMBERS!!!!!!
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
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
ACADEMIC FOLKLORE
SOME PEOPLE I WAS ATTENDING SCHOOL WITH AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIV.
WERE MEMBERS OF THE THETA CHI FRATERNITY. ONE OF THE MEMBERS
TOLD ME ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO ONE OF THEIR RUSH MEMBERS THE YEAR
BEFORE. THE FRAT MEMBERS TOOK A PLEDGE AND BLIND FOLDED HIM AND
PUT HIM IN A CAR. THEY DROVE ALL THE WAY TO INDIANA WITH HIM AND
LEFT HIM IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAN'S FIELD. THE GUY HAD NO IDEA WHERE
HE WAS BUT HE SAW A FARMHOUSE AND WENT UP TO IT. HE ASKED THE
FARMER WHERE HE WAS AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO HIM. THE
FARMER GOT A BIG KICK OUT OF IT BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN IN A FRAT WHEN
HE WAS IN COLLEGE. THE FARMER SAID HE WOULD HELP THE GUY GET BACK
TO SCHOOL. HE HAD A PLANE FOR DUSTING CROPS AND HE FLEW THE GUY
BACK TO MT. PLEASANT IN THE PLANE. THE RUSH MEMBER MADE IT BACK
TO THE FRAT HOUSE BEFORE THE OTHER GUYS AND WAS WAITING THERE FOR
THEM. WHEN THEY ARRIVED BACK HE SAID, "WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?"
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO (1976) WHEN I WAS A LITTLE
SISTER TO THE THETA CHI FRATERNITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
Ghosts were commonly seen deep in the country in the state of
Georgia. Late at night, a headless horseman was riding through the
woods.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-00-1986
WHEN A CHILD MISBEHAVES OLD MAN LOGAN WHO LIVES BY THE RIVER
WILL GET THE CHILD.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY COLLEGE LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 04-01-1969
LOCAL LEGEND
THERE'S A STORY MY MOTHER USED TO TELL--SHE CHANGES
IT TO SUIT THE OCCASION. THIS ONE ORIGINALLY CAME
FROM MISSOURI.
THERE'S A HILL OFF HERE IN THE COUNTRY AND THERE'S
THIS OLD INDIAN BURIED ON TOP OF IT UNDER A STONE.
IF YOU GO UP THERE ON A MOONLESS NIGHT ALL ALONE,
AND SAY TO THAT INDIAN "INDIAN, INDIAN, ON THE HILL.
WHAT DID YOU DO THERE TO LIE SO STILL?" HE'LL
ANSWER--"NOTHING, NOTHING AT ALL."
SHE TELLS THIS AS A JOKE.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 07-00-1968
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
CHEEKWOOD IS THE OLD FAMILY HOME OF THE CHEEK
FAMILY, WHO MADE COFFEE. WHEN TEDDY ROOSEVELT
CAME TO NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, HE STAYED AT
THE MAXWELL HOUSE HOTEL, WHERE THE CHEEKS HAD
THEIR COFFEE BEING SERVED. HE HAD SOME AND
SAID IT WAS "GOOD TO THE LAST DROP." CHEEKS,
BECAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT, CALLED THEIR COFFEE
"MAXWELL HOUSE."
Where learned: CLASSROOM ; NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend Food Drink -- Non-alcoholic fruit beverage Coffee |
CHINESE LEGEND WITH MORAL
THIS RICH MAN HAD FEAST EVERY DAY--AND SO
MUCH WASTE, JUST THROW FOOD AWAY. THIS POOR
MONK CAME IN TO BEG FOR FOOD AND THEY DIDN'T
GIVE ANY TO HIM. BUT HE HAD ENOUGH BY JUST
GATHERING WHAT THEY THREW OUT--EVEN MORE THAN
HE NEEDED. SO, HE DRIED LEFT-OVER RICE IN SUN, AND
STORED IT. SOMETIMES LATER THIS RICH MAN
BECOMES POOR AND HE TURNS INTO BEGGAR. SO MONK
TOOK RICE AND SOAKED IT IN WATER, RECOOKED IT
AND SERVED TO THIS MAN. THIS MAN THANKED THE
MONK. THE MONK TOLD HIM THERE WAS NO NEED FOR
THANKING HIM BECAUSE WHAT HE ATE BELONGED TO
HIMSELF.
MORAL: DON'T LIVE WASTEFUL LIFE. WHENEVER YOU
CAN HELP OTHERS, DO IT. YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN
IN TURN, YOU WILL NEED HELP (BUDDHISM).
IMPORTANT IN CHINA--POSITION IS INTANGIBLE. THE
WORLD TURNS. WE CAN'T BE SURE WE CAN MAINTAIN
WHAT HE HAVE--ONE DAY RICH, NEXT DAY POOR.
THE GOOD YOU DO TODAY WILL BE RESTORED FOR
FUTURE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 08-10-1968
CHINESE LEGEND
DURING WORLD WAR II, THREE CHINESE
FRIENDS WERE EATING DINNER BY CANDLELIGHT.
THEY WERE VERY POOR AND DID NOT HAVE MUCH
FOOD. ONE PIECE OF MEAT WAS LEFT--A
SLICE, JUST A SLITHER. ALL THREE WANTED
TO HAVE IT. SO, ONE ACCIDENTALLY KNOCKED
THE CANDLE OFF AND TRIED TO REACH THE MEAT.
BUT, WHEN HIS HAND GETS TO THE PLATTER,
HE FOUND TWO OTHER HANDS THERE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 08-10-1968
LEECH LAKE
THIS WAS LEECH LAKE IN MINNESOTA, AND IT'S
BOTTOMLESS, AND THERE WAS A DROWNING.
THERE WAS TWO BOYS AND THEIR FATHER IN A
MOTOR LAUNCH, AND THE BOAT OVERTURNED AND
ALL THREE SUPPOSEDLY DROWNED. AND NONE
WERE FOUND. AND LIKE SEVERAL MONTHS LATER A
CAP, IDENTICAL TO THE ONE OWNED BY ONE OF
THE BOYS WAS WASHED UP ON THE SHORE OF THE
HUDSON BAY. THE LAKE IS ABOUT FIVE AND
A HALF MILES WIDE AND SIXTEEN LONG, AND
THEY SUSPECT THAT THE HOLE FOR THE LINK
BETWEEN LAKES IS SOMEWHERE ON THE SIDE.
Where learned: CARMICHAEL TOWERS ; NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
DEVIL'S CAVE
ONE OF THE SPANISH EXPLORERS CAME UP FROM
MEXICO AND CAME UP ON SOME INDIANS. IT
Where learned: CARMICHAEL TOWERS ; NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 08-08-1968
PANTHERS IN KANSAS CITY
THEY HAVE PANTHERS IN MISSOURI AND ONE TIME
THEY FOUND A PAW PRINT IN DOWNTOWN KANSAS
CITY. A MAN WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET
AND SAW THIS BIG BLACK CAT. HE DROVE BACK
TO SEE IT, AND THE THING FOLLOWED HIM.
THE NEXT MORNING, THEY FOUND A BIG PAW PRINT
IN SOME NEW CEMENT IN FRONT OF THE FEDERAL
BUILDING.
Where learned: CARMICHAEL TOWERS ; NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
LEGEND
THIS IS THE LEGEND OF LA GUARITA.
A LONG TIME AGO, JUAN WAS FORCED TO JOIN THE FORCES WHICH WERE
PROTECTING THE ISLAND FROM SIR WALTER RALEIGH. HE DIDN'T WANT TO
GO BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE HIS SWEETHEART. IT WAS VERY
WICKED OF HIM TO HAVE MADE SUCH A FUSS. HE WAS STATIONED IN A LITTLE
GUARDHOUSE (ONE OF THOSE PICTURESQUE SMALL PROTRUSIONS IN THE STONE
WALLS WHICH PROTECT THE OLD CITY ON THE NORTH SIDE--CALLED A
GUARITA).
ONE NIGHT JUAN TOOK UP HIS POST, AS USUAL, BUT WHEN THEY CAME TO
RELIEVE HIM IN THE MORNING, ALL THAT WAS FOUND WAS HIS GUN. HE HAD
OBVIOUSLY BEEN TAKEN AWAY BY DEMONS FOR NOT WANTING TO STAND GUARD.
SOME CLAIM THAT HE REALLY RAN AWAY WITH MARIA INTO THE HILLS.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; HATO REY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
INDIAN LEGEND
IN TUCUMCARI, THERE IS A MOUNTAIN BY THE SAME NAME.
THERE IS AN INDIAN LEGEND THAT TELLS HOW THE MOUN-
TAIN WAS NAMED. IT SEEMS THAT THERE WAS AN INDIAN
PRINCESS WHO WAS LOVED BY TWO BRAVES. SHE LOVED ONLY
ONE AND HE WAS NAMED TUCUMCARI. SO THEY TOOK THE TWO
BRAVES TO THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN AND HERE THEY WERE
TO FIGHT IT OUT UNTIL ONE OF THEM KILLED THE OTHER
ONE. THE FIGHTING WENT ON FOR A FEW DAYS AND
FINALLY THE ONE BRAVE PUSHED TUCUMCARI OVER THE
MOUNTAIN. INSTEAD OF MARRYING THE MAN WHOM SHE DID
NOT LOVE, THE PRINCESS JUMPED OVER THE MOUNTAIN ALSO
AND FROM THIS FIGHT, THE MOUNTAIN WAS NAMED.
Where learned: NEW MEXICO ; TUCUMCARI
James Callow Keyword(s): LOVERS' LEAP
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 06-00-1965
A DORM LEGEND
I HEARD A STORY ONCE WHICH CIRCULATED AROUND PARTS
OF THE DORM. IT DEALT WITH A GIRL AT ANOTHER
COLLEGE WHO WAS FOUND DEAD THE NEXT MORNING WITH HER
WRISTS SLASHED. THE GIRL IN THE NEXT ROOM HAD HEARD
HER SCRATCHING AT HER DOOR, CLAWING IT, BUT THOUGHT
IT WAS JUST SOMEONE JOKING, TRYING TO SCARE HER. SHE
NEVER WENT TO SEE WHO IT WAS AND THE NEXT MORNING
FOUND THE GIRL OUTSIDE HER DOOR, DEAD. THE GIRL WHO
TOLD THE STORY BELIEVED IT TO BE TRUE, BUT I HAVE
TALKED TO OTHER GIRLS AT OTHER COLLEGES WHO HAVE
HEARD THE STORY IN ONE FORM OR OTHER--SOME SAYING
IT'S TRUE, OTHERS SAYING IT'S NOT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): CAMPUS HORROR STORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 08-09-1968
IN CINCINNATI, OHIO, IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT
THERE WAS AN UNDERTAKING ESTABLISHMENT THAT KEPT THE
BODY OF AN UNCLAIMED NEGRO MORE THAN 28 YEARS. THIS
WAS AS RECENT AS 1963. A VISITOR TO THE CITY OF
CINCINNATI SAW THIS BODY, WHICH WAS STILL PRESERVED
THROUGH THE SKILL OF THE UNDERTAKER, AND THIS WAS
TOLD TO MY INFORMANT.
THE REASON FOR HIS BODY BEING KEPT FROM BURIAL WAS
THAT IF NO ONE CLAIMED HIM, ACCORDING TO UNDERTAKERS
LAWS, HE COULD NOT RELEASE THE BODY FOR BURIAL. THE
LAWS HAVE SINCE BEEN CHANGED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
PROF
MRS. . . .--KIDDY LIT TEACHER THIS SUMMER. HER
STUDENTS SAY SHE IS SO UNORGANIZED THAT: SHE TRIED TO
GIVE AN ASSIGNMENT FOR A NEW UNIT JUST BEFORE THE MID-
TERM AND TOOK A HALF HOUR TO EXPLAIN IT AND THEN
NEVER EVEN GAVE THE PAGE NUMBERS WHICH SHE SET OUT
TO DO IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 08-00-1968