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

Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in /var/www/libs/inc/cfa/cfa-item.inc.php on line 327
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 B429 returned 584 results.

prev | items
| next

OCEAN GHOST

HOUSE ON THE WATER, AT THE BAY.
SHE HAD NEVER BEEN OUT OF THE HOUSE FOR YEARS.
SHE DIED IN THE HOUSE--THE BODY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE
HOUSE--FOR THE FIRST TIME.
THEY BURIED HER BEHIND THE HOUSE.
HER GHOST IS SEEN GETTING UP AND WALKING AROUND.

James Callow comment:

A LINE SEEMS TO BE MISSING HERE.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; KILMARNOCK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 11-27-1972

View just this record

HAUNTED STREET

A STREET NEAR OUR HOUSE, ROBERTJOHN, IS REPORTED TO HAVE A
"THUMPING" WHENEVER A CAR PASSES OVER A CERTAIN PORTION OF IT.
THIS IS SAID TO HAVE RESULTED FROM AN ACCIDENT WHERE A PERSON
WAS RUN OVER, AND THEN STUFFED INTO THE TRUNK OF THE CAR;
HOWEVER, ONE ARM DIDN'T QUITE MAKE IT IN AND AS THE CAR DROVE
AWAY, THE ARM KEPT HITTING THE STREET, CAUSING THE THUMPING,

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

James Callow Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 00001960S

View just this record

GHOST

MY AUNT SAID THAT ONE DAY HER AND HER FATHER WERE WALKING THROUGH
THE GRAVEYARD ON THEIR WAY TO THE THEATER DOWNTOWN. BEFORE THEY
CAME TO THE EDGE OF THE CORNER STONES. MY AUNT SAID SHE TOLD MY
GRANDFATHER THAT SHE DID NOT SEE A MAN STANDING BY THE STONE. HOW-
EVER, MY GRANDFATHER INSISTED THAT HE SAW THE MAN. HE TOLD MY AUNT
THAT WHEN HE STOOPED DOWN SHE WAS TO LOOK OVER HIS LEFT SHOULDER.
SHE DID AND SURE ENOUGH SHE DID SEE THE MAN. SHE SAID SECONDS LATER
THE FIGURE VANISHED RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR EYESIGHT.

Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 10-11-1972

View just this record

GHOST PROSE

WHEN I WAS IN LOUISIANA, A FRIEND OF MINE TOLD ME A STORY THAT HE
CLAIMS
HAPPENED TO HIM. THIS FRIEND OF MINE USED TO LIVE IN THE
PHILIPPINES.
WHILE HE WAS THERE HE HEARD STORIES ABOUT THIS STREET THAT WAS
DESERTED. ON THIS STREET THERE WAS AN OLD HOUSE. APPARENTLY, A GIRL
WAS ONCE RAPED AND KILLED THERE. ANYWAY, WHENEVER ANY CARS WENT DOWN
THIS STREET, YOU COULD ALWAYS SEE THE GHOST OF THE GIRL HITCHING A
RIDE.
SO, ONE NIGHT HE SAID THAT HE AND A FEW FRIENDS WERE OUT DRINKING
AND BEFORE THEY KNEW IT, THEY WERE ON THIS STREET. IN THE DISTANCE
HE SAID THEY COULD SEE THE GIRL'S GHOST STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
STREET. ALL THEY COULD DO IS HOLD ON TO EACH OTHER AND STEP ON THE
GAS. HE SAID THAT THEY DROVE THROUGH IT AND AS IT PASSED THROUGH THE
CAR THEY COULD FEEL SOMETHING LIKE A BREEZE GO THROUGH THE CAR.

Where learned: LOUISIANA

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 10-04-1972

View just this record

GHOST PROSE

THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO ME BY A FRIEND IN LOUISIANA WHO HAD LIVED IN
THE PHILIPPINES BEFORE HE CAME TO THE SOUTH. HE TOLD ME A STORY OF A
GIRL WHO WAS MURDERED UNDER THIS BRIDGE. THE GIRL WOULD HANG OUT UNDER
THE BRIDGE AND WHEN A CAR WENT BY, SHE WOULD TRY TO
STOP THE CAR BY
STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. NOW, THIS BRIDGE WAS
OUT IN THE
COUNTRY AND IT WASN'T USED VERY MUCH. WELL, IT SO HAPPENS THAT MY
FRIENDS' COUSIN HAD JUST BOUGHT A NEW SPORTS CAR AND WAS OUT JOY
RIDING
IN THE COUNTRY WITH THE TOP DOWN. AS HE WENT OVER THE BRIDGE, HE
SAW THE GIRL, BUT KEPT RIGHT ON GOING. THE NEXT THING HE KNOWS IS
THAT
THE GIRL WAS SITTING IN THE CAR IN THE SEAT NEXT TO HIM. ALL THE
GUY COULD DO IS STEP ON THE GAS AND DRIVE LIKE HECK AS FAR AWAY FROM
THE BRIDGE AS HE COULD AS FAST AS HE COULD. NOW, MY FRIEND CLAIMS
THAT
GIRL WHO WAS MURDERED UNDER THIS BRIDGE. THE GIRL WOULD
HANG OUT UNDER THE
HALF BEFORE IT DISAPPEARED INTO THIN AIR.

Where learned: LOUISIANA

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 09-30-1972

View just this record

BELIEFS

TURKS AFTER THEY DIE RETURN TO HAUNT CHRISTIANS.
THERE WAS NOISE UNDER OUR HOUSE WHERE WE KEPT THE HORSES.
MY MOTHER WENT DOWN TO LOOK BUT SHE SAW NO ONE AND SHE LOCKED
THE DOOR. WHEN SHE WENT TO SEE THE HORSES IN THE MORNING,
SHE FOUND A DEAD TURK'S BODY. THEY ONLY LIVE AT NIGHT TO
HAUNT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 09-00-1972

View just this record

THE BLUE ROOM

WHEN THE FRENCH HELD THE ISLAND OF MALTA, A FRENCH SOLDIER TRIED
TO MARRY A MALTESE GIRL. WHEN SHE REFUSED, HE LOCKED HER IN A BLUE
ROOM AT THE TOP OF A GREAT HOUSE. SHE JUMPED OUT THE WINDOW.
NOW ANYONE SLEEPING IN THAT ROOM SEES HER GHOST JUMPING OUT THE
WINDOW.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): NATIONALISM

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 03-21-1975

View just this record

THE GHOST OF MALTA

THE GHOST OF MALTA VISITED LARRY'S AUNT AND TOLD HER SHE WOULD FIND
THREE BAGS OF GOLD UNDER THE CELLAR STAIRS IN A WEEK. SHE WENT
AROUND TELLING EVERYONE, AND SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE BECAUSE WHEN
SHE LOOKED UNDER THE STAIRS THERE WAS ONLY THREE BAGS OF COAL.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 03-21-1975

View just this record

GHOST OF MALTA

THE GHOST DIDN'T LIKE LARRY:S AUNT. WHEN SHE WAS A BABY, THE GHOST
WOULD TAKE HER BOTTLE AWAY FROM HER AND PUT IT IN ANOTHER ROOM.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 03-21-1975

View just this record

SAMA DAVA

SAMA DAVA LITERALLY MEANS 'ALONE MAIDENS' IN BULGARIAN. THESE
ARE YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL GIRLS WHO HAVE BEEN ABDUCTED BY EVIL
SPIRITS AND TAKEN INTO THE WOODS. HERE THEY REMAIN IMMORTAL,
AS THEY TRY TO TEMPT YOUNG SHEPHERD BOYS INTO JOINING THEM. THE
SAMA DAVA RETURN TO MORTAL WOMEN, IF THEIR SPECIAL CLOTHING IS
STOLEN BY SOME FORTUNATE MAN.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID PEASANTS GAVE US THE EXPLANATION OF THE SAMA
DAVA TO EXPLAIN THE DISSAPPEARANCE OF YOUNG GIRLS AND SHEPHERD
BOYS IN RURAL AREAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ETIOLOGICAL ; TRANSFORMATION

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Supernatural Being

Date learned: 03-21-1970

View just this record

LE GNOMME ROUGE

THE CITY OF DETROIT HAS A FRENCH ORIGIN. BOTH CADILLAC AND
FATHER RICHARD GREATLY AIDED THE CITIES FOUNDING. BOTH OF
THESE MEN WERE ADVISED BY 'LE GNOMME ROUGE.' THIS LITTLE
MAN HELPED IN MAKING IMPORTANT DECISIONS . MANY OF THE CITIZENS
SAW HIM FROM TIME TO TIME. HE WAS LAST SEEN IN 1806 DURING THE
DETROIT FIRE AND IN 1943 DURING THE RACE RIOTS. AT THAT TIME,
SOME CITIZENS SAW HIM, OPENLY SOBBING, WALKING THE STREETS
OF DOWNTOWN. BILL GORMAN HEARD THIS, I WOULD THINK, FROM TRADITIONAL
SOURCES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): Cadillac ; Detroit ; ETYMOLOGY ; FESTIVAL ; FRENCH ; Gnomme Rouge ; Legend ; Nain Rouge ; Origin ; RACE ; Riots

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name

Date learned: 07-08-1964

View just this record

JAMAICAN SPIRIT BELIEF

NEVER HIT A BLACK DOG AT NIGHT BECAUSE IT MIGHT BE A GHOST. THERE
WERE GUYS WHO WOULD STONE STRAY DOGS UNTIL ONE NIGHT THEY SAW A BLACK
DOG. THEY THREW STONES AT IT BUT SOON FELT TNE STONES COMING BACK
AT THEM NO MATTER WHERE THEY WOULD GO. THE STONES JUST KEPT
FOLLOWING THEM. THEY ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL.

Submitter comment: DONALD LEE LEARNED THIS ITEM IN BUFF BAY, JAMAICA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL COLOR

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Mammal

Date learned: 10-31-1975

View just this record

LEGEND

THERE IS A CATHOLIC CEMETERY IN TOLEDO, IT,S THE BIGGEST CEMETERY
IN TOLEDO. IN THE MID 20S, WHEN GYPSIES WERE STILL A BIG THING,
THERE WAS SUPPOSEDLY A GYPSY QUEEN THAT DIED. SO THE GYPSIES HELD
A BIG BURIAL FOR HER, WITH ALL THE RITES AND FEASTS AND PARTYING-
DOWN. THEY INTERRED HER BODY IN A BIG MAUSOLEUM WITH BEAUTIFUL
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS. THE QUEEN HAD DIED IN CHILDBIRTH. SO ANYWAY
THERE ARE SPECIAL NIGHTS EVERY MONTH' I DON,T KNOW WHAT THE NIGHTS
ARE, WHERE YOU CAN SUPPOSEDLY SEE THE SHADOW OF A WOMAN WALKING A
CHILD AND HEAR A CHILD CRYING. ONE NIGHT MY DAD TOOK ME TO THE
CEMETERY. AGAINST THE FLICKERING LIGHT OF CANDLES, I SAW THE SVELTE
SHADOW OF A WOMAN PACING BACK AND FORTH AND HEARD A BABY CRYING. WE
WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY. THE MAUSOLEUM HAD GATES WHICH CLOSED OFF
THE FRONT, AND HUGE IRON DOORS WHICH WERE SHUT. WE CHECKED THE
GATES AND THEY HAD BEEN WELDED OR RUSTED SHUT, SO THERE WAS NO WAY
ANYONE COULD GET INSIDE.

Submitter comment: IF THE INFORMANT SAID HE SAW THE SHADOW AND HEARD THE CHILD, HE DID.
HE IS NOT GIVEN TO EXAGGERATING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal

View just this record

LEGEND

IN MEXICO WHEN SOMEONE DIES, YOU CAN APPROACH A CERTAIN GROUP AND
THEY WILL GIVE A MASS FOR THAT PERSON FOR 30 STRAIGHT DAYS. THIS IS
SO THE PERSON WILL GO TO HEAVEN. BUT YOU CAN'T MISS A DAY OF THOSE
30 DAYS. MY UNCLE DIED IN SAN PANCHO, AND HIS SISTER-IN-LAW WAS IN
THE GROUP. SO THEY PRAYED FOR HIM. THE SISTER-IN-LAW IS REALLY
OLD AND EVERYONE KNOWS SHE IS DYING. ON THE 30TH DAY OF THE MASS,
SHE FELT SOMEONE COME UP AND TOUCH HER ON THE SHOULDER. SHE TURNED
AND THE PERSON SAID, " MUCHAS GRACIAS. TE ESPERO?" WHICH MEANT,
THANK YOU' SHOULD I WAIT FOR YOU? THEN HE WALKED AWAY. SHE DIDN,T
SEE HIS FACE, BUT SHE KNEW IT WAS MY UNCLE BY THE WAY HE WAS BUILT.
EVERYONE IN TOWN KNOWS THIS AND BELIEVES IT, TOO.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT KNOWS THIS IS TRUE AND BELIEVES IN IT COMPLETELY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Prayer
BELIEF -- Number P686.1.30
SPEECH -- To Be Seen

Date learned: 11-00-1975

View just this record

LEGEND

THERE WAS A GUY WHO USED TO BEAT UP HIS WIFE ALL OF THE TIME.
WHEN HE DIED, SHE HAD NIGHTMARES THAT HE CAME BACK TO HER. AFTER
TWO NIGHTS OF DREAMS LIKE THIS, SHE WENT TO HER PRIEST AND TOLD HIM
ABOUT THE DREAMS. THE PRIEST DIDN'T BELIEVE HER. SHE TOLD HIM THAT
HER HUSBAND KEPT SAYING, "I WANT TO TALK TO YOU," AND HIS FACE HAD
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FLAMES. SO THE PRIEST GAVE HER SOME PAPER AND
TOLD HER TO PUT IT ON THE DESK. THEN NEXT TIME HER HUSBAND
APPEARED SHE SHOULD TELL HIM TO WRITE ON THE PAPER WHAT HE WANTED
TO TELL HER. SO NEXT TIME HER HUSBAND CAME, SHE TOLD HIM TO WRITE
HIS MESSAGE DOWN. HE TRIED TO WRITE IT DOWN AND THE PAPER BURNED
UP BECAUSE HIS ARMS WERE SURROUNDED BY FLAMES, TOO. IT WAS USELESS.
SO YOU KNOW WHERE HE WAS FROM. HE WAS CONDEMNED. EVERYONE IN TOWN
KNEW THIS STORY. IT HAPPENED IN SAN PANCHO, IN MEXICO.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS A STORY WHICH WAS TOLD AS IF IT WERE TRUE, AND NOT JUST A
LEGEND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

James Callow Keyword(s): HELL ; NIGHTMARE

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck
Q522 Q522.13

Date learned: 11-00-1975

View just this record

GHOST BELIEF

THE REASON FOR GHOSTS IS THAT WHEN PEOPLE DIE A VIOLENT DEATH
THEY DO
NOT KNOW THAT THEY HAVE DIED, SO THEY GO ABOUT DOING ALL THE
THINGS THEY DID WHEN ALIVE. THE ONLY WAY TO PUT THEM TO REST, IS
TO TELL A GHOST THAT IT IS DEAD.

Submitter comment:

THIS WAS TOLD TO ME WHEN IN HIGH SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 18055 PARKSIDE ; Welton, Pattie

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; GHOST ; Haunt ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 09-26-1970

View just this record

GHOST STORY

IN WHISKEY HOLLOW, NEW YORK A CERTAIN MAN WAS ARRESTED AND
PLACED IN THE LOCAL JAIL. (REASON UNKNOWN.) HE WAS LEFT THERE
AND EVERYONE FORGOT ABOUT HIM. HE FINALLY DIED THERE. SOON AFTER
PEOPLE BEGAN TO SEE HIS GHOST CALLING TO BE LET OUT. EVEN TODAY
PARENTS WARN THEIR CHILDREN TO BEWARE THE GHOST OF WHISKEY HOLLOW.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; Critz, Mark

Keyword(s): GHOST ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 10-14-1970

View just this record

A LEGEND OF MORTAL SIN

A BOY COMMITS HIS FIRST MORTAL SIN AND GOES TO HELL. AS THE PRIEST
IS PREPARING TO SAY THE FUNERAL MASS FOR THE BOY, SOME
INVISIBLE FORCE
SNATCHES THE STOLE FROM HIS HAND; AND A VOICE SAYS, "DON'T SAY MASS
FOR ME."

Submitter comment: THREE YEARS AGO, WHILE IN THE CONVENT, I HEARD THE INFORMANT TELL
THIS STORY DURING EVENING RECREATION. SISTER JOHN, A NATIVE OF
NEWFOUNDLAND, HAS BEEN POSTULANT MISTRESS IN THE WAUWATOSA PROVINCE
OF THE CARMEL OF THE DIVINE HEART FOR ALMOST TEN YEARS.

Where learned: SAINT JOSEPH CONVENT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 00-00-1962

View just this record

KING KAHMAI MAI

IN HAWAII, ON THE ISLAND OF PAUI, THERE IS AN UPSIDE DOWN WATERFALL,
AND THIS IS CAUSED BY THE TRADEWINDS, WHICH PUSH THE FALLING WATERS
UPWARD. THE LEGEND BEHIND THIS DEALS WITH KING KAHMAI MAI, WHO WAS
KING OF THE ISLAND MANY YEARS AGO. IT IS SAID THAT HE DROVE ALL THE
PAGANS OFF THE ISLAND, AND THOSE THAT DID NOT LEAVE WERE SACRIFICED
TO THE GODS BY BEING PUSHED OFF THIS WATERFALL. WHEN ALL OF THE
PAGANS HAD LEFT THE ISLAND, THE KING VOWED THAT NO OTHER MAN WOULD
BE ABLE TO DIE BY JUMPING OFF THIS WATERFALL. UP TO THIS DAY THERE
HAS BEEN NOBODY KILLED FROM JUMPING OFF THE WATERFALL BECAUSE OF THE
STRONG TRADEWINDS, AND THEY SAY THAT THE TRADEWIND IS ACTUALLY
KING KAHMAI MAI FULFILLING HIS PROMISE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 14120 E 7 MILE RD ; A&P FOOD STORE

Keyword(s): DEAD KING RETURNS AS WIND TO PREVENT SUICIDE FROM WATERFALL.

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Running water

Date learned: 04-03-1970

View just this record

THE HEADLESS MOTORCYCLIST

ON A CERTAIN COUNTRY ROAD JUST OUTSIDE OF FREMONT, OHIO THERE IS
A SMALL BRIDGE. IT IS SAID THAT IF YOU GO THERE AT NIGHT AND BLINK
YOUR LIGHTS THREE TIMES AND THEN HONK YOUR HORN THREE TIMES, YOU WILL
SEE A SINGLE LIGHT COMING FROM BEHIND YOU AND YOU WILL HEAR THE SOUND
OF A MOTORCYCLE. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE GHOST OF A MAN WHO WAS
BEHEADED BY A WIRE STRETCHED ACROSS THE BRIDGE WHILE HE WAS RIDING
HIS MOTORCYCLE ONE NIGHT.

Where learned: OHIO ; FREMONT

Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS LIGHT

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

View just this record

prev | items
| next

Back to Top