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THE WHITE LADY
IT IS SAID THAT THERE IS A WOMAN WHO LIVES ON BELLE ISLE.
SHE LIVES ON MUSHROOMS AND SUCH AND IS VERY FRIENDLY WITH THE DEER
AND OTHER ANIMALS THERE. SHE IS DRESSED ALL IN WHITE AND IF YOU
GO TO BELLE ISLE AND PARK IN A CERTAIN SPOT, YOU CAN SEE HER
WALKING ABOUT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD OF THIS STORY FROM A BOY SHE USED TO DATE
WHO HAD SUPPOSEDLY GONE TO THIS PARKING SPOT AND HAD SEEN THIS
WOMAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-14-1965
LOGGER'S LEGEND
A MAN NAMED DAVID WARD USED TO OWN A LOT OF LAND AND FORESTS
AROUND WATERS, MICH. HE WAS ABOUT THE RICHEST MAN IN THE AREA.
HE NOTICED THAT SOME OF HIS TREES WERE BEING CUT DOWN SO HE SET
OUT TO CATCH THE THIEF. HE HAD A PRETTY GOOD IDEA WHO IT WAS SO HE
DRESSED UP LIKE AN OLD BUM AND WENT TO THIS PERSON'S HOUSE
AND ASKED IF HE WOULD GIVE HIM A MEAL. THE MAN SAID YES, BUT HE'D
HAVE TO WORK FOR IT, AND HE TOLD WARD TO GO CUT DOWN SOME OF HIS OWN
TREES. (NOT KNOWING, OF COURSE, THAT IT WAS DAVE WARD HE WAS
TALKING TO.) WARD WENT AND CUT THE TREES DOWN AND BROUGHT THEM
BACK TO THE MAN. HE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MAN WAS
GOING TO KEEP THEM. (WARD MIGHT HAVE BEEN RICH BUT HE WAS ALWAYS
FAIR.) WELL, THE MAN PUT THE WOOD IN HIS OWN SHED AND OFFERED WARD
FOOD AND LODGING FOR THE NIGHT. THEN WARD TOLD HIM WHO HE WAS AND HE
MADE THAT MAN WORK FOR HIM FOR THE NEXT SEASON, CUTTING TREES, WITH
NO PAY, ONLY ENOUGH TO EAT AND A PLACE TO LIVE.
Submitter comment: HEARD AROUND GAYLORD, MICH. ABOUT 1930
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Gaylord
Keyword(s): THIEF PUNISHED BY MAN HE STOLE FROM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
THE STORY OF THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY ORIGINATED DURING THE 100
YEARS WAR OF THE TURKS AND HUNGARIANS. A LITTLE BOY WANTED TO
BE A DRUMMER BUT HE WASN'T ALLOWED TO BE. ONE NIGHT HE WENT OUT
AND STARTED TO BEAT ON HIS DRUM. IT JUST HAPPENED THAT THIS WAS THE
SAME NIGHT THE TURKS HAD PLANNED TO ATTACK A
HUNGARIAN HAMLET. THE DRUM AROUSED THE PEOPLE IN TIME FOR THEM
TO NOTICE THE INVASION AND PUT UP A DEFENSE WHICH STARVED (SIC) OFF
THE ATTACK.
Submitter comment: HANK LEARNED AS A CHILD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
LITTLE JAKE SELIGMAN
LITTLE JAKE SELIGMAN WAS FIVE FEET TALL, MAYBE LESS. HE WAS
A BANKER AND MERCHANT IN SAGINAW DURING THE 1880S. HE WOULD OFFER
LUMBERJACKS A BARGAIN. ONE OF THEM WOULD GET A FREE SUIT IF HE
COULD CATCH A VEST THAT LITTLE JAKE WOULD THROW INTO THE CROWD.
LITTLE JAKE WOULD THROW THE VEST AND THE LUMBERJACKS WOULD FIGHT
OVER THE VEST. THEY WOULD FIGHT SO MUCH THAT ALL THEIR CLOTHES
WOULD BE IN TATTERS. ONE GUY WOULD COME UP IN POSSESSION OF THE
VEST, THE OTHERS WOULD NEED NEW CLOTHES, WHICH THEY WOULD BUY
AT JAKE'S STORE.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS AN EXAMPLE OF WISE MERCHANDISING IF I EVER SAW ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRICKSTER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 04-02-1982
THE STATUE OF LITTLE JAKE
THERE WAS AN IRON STATUE MADE OF JAKE SELIGMAN AFTER HE DIED
AND THIS STATUE STOOD FOR MANY YEARS ON TOP OF A BUILDING THAT
JAKE SELIGMAN HAD BUILT. THIS BUILDING WAS THE FIRST IRON FRAME
CONSTRUCTED BUILDING IN SAGINAW. HE WAS UP THERE FOR YEARS,
UNTIL 1942. THE STATUE BLEW DOWN IN A HIGH WIND THEN, AND WAS
USED FOR SCRAP METAL FOR THE WAR EFFORT..
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-02-1982
THE IRISH WAILER
MY UNCLE JOHN CARROLL CAME FROM IRELAND WHERE HE HAD BEEN A
PROFESSIONAL WAILER (A PERSON WHO IS HIRED TO CRY AT FUNERALS).
HE CONTINUED HIS WAILING TRADITIONS AT THE IRISH FUNERALS IN
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO. HIS SISTER, MY MOTHER NORA, AT THE FUNERAL
OF MY AUNT MARY SAID, "JOHNNY IF YOU DARE DO ANY OF THAT WAILING
AT THIS FUNERAL, I'LL BREAK YOUR NECK." HE WASN'T THE FIGHTING
TYPE SO HE JUST PUT ON A SAD FACE AND WALKED AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1913
FAMILY LEGEND HAS IT THAT WHEN MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER
LEFT HIS HOME IN CROATIA, FOR AMERICA, HE PROMISED
HIS GIRL THAT HE WOULD SEND FOR HER WHEN HE HAD
ENOUGH MONEY. HE WORKED AS A CARPENTER, IN CHICAGO,
AND EVENTUALLY SAVED ENOUGH MONEY. HE SENT FOR
HIS LOVE AND WAITED ANXIOUSLY FOR HER ARRIVAL.
WHEN FINALLY HE WENT TO MEET HIS BRIDE-TO-BE
HE FOUND THAT SHE HAD SENT HER SISTER, CATHERINE,
INSTEAD. CATHERINE AND MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER,
MATTHEW SUTE, WERE MARRIED SHORTLY THEREAFTER.
Submitter comment:
IT HAS BEEN SPECULATED THAT POSSIBLY CATHERINE
WAS CUNNING ENOUGH TO TAKE HER OLDER SISTER'S
PLACE WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT OF HER
SISTER. MAYBE THE MONEY FOR THE VOYAGE ARRIVED
AND CATHERINE KEPT IT A SECRET. THEN, SHE USED
IT FOR HERSELF, AND DELIVERED A CONVINCING
STORY TO A BEWILDERED MATTHEW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; OAKLAND COUNTY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
THE LOTTERY
ON OCTOBER 20, 1981., MY MOTHER WON THE LOTTERY AND HER PRIZE
WAS 2700.00. ON OCTOBER 21, 1981. MY SISTER AND I TRAVELED TO
LANSING TO PICK UP MY MOTHER'S WINNINGS. IT WAS A COOL RAINY
DAY AND I HAD JUST GOTTEN OUT OF CLASS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
I THEN CALLED MY SISTER THOMASINE, WHO ASKED ME TO WAIT FOR MY
YOUNGEST SISTER JANICETTE TO GET OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. I REFUSED,
AND INSISTED THAT DELORES TRAVELED WITH ME. THOMASINE GOT ANGRY.
I DROVE TO DELORES'S HOUSE AND ARRIVED THERE AT 1:00PM. SHE AND
MY NEPHEWS GOT IN THE CAR AND WE HEADED TO LANSING. IT WAS A DAY
TO REMEMBER. IT WAS RAINING VERY HARD, SO THAT I COULD HARDLY SEE
TWO FEET IN FRONT OF ME. ALL THE WAY THERE DELORES HAD CHILLS.
WE REACHED THE LOTTERY BUREAU AND PICKED UP THE CHECK. WE WENT TO THE NEAREST BANK AND CASHED THE CHECK AND PROCEEDED TO
FIND A RESTAURANT FOR A LATE LUNCH. WE WENT TO KENTUCKY FRIED
CHICKEN AND ATE.
I TOLD DELORES THAT IT WAS HER TURN TO DRIVE AND SHE PROCEEDED TO
DO SO, AS WE LEFT THE OUTSKIRTS OF LANSING, DELORES INFORMED ME
THAT "I'M GETTING SICK". SHE FAINTED AND I GRABBED THE WHEEL.
I PLACED ONE FOOT OVER HERS AND STOPPED THE CAR.
AT THAT MOMENT THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I CLIMBED OVER
HER AND OPENED THE DOOR. I GOT COMPLETELY OUT OF THE CAR AND TOOK
HER IN MY ARMS AND TRIED TO REVIVE HER. THE CHILDREN WERE FRANTIC.
DELORES DIED IN MY ARMS AND AT THAT VERY MOMENT IT STARTED TO SNOW.
WE BURIED DELORES ON OCTOBER 27, 1981.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION TO DISCUSS BUT I WANTED TO
SHARE MY EXPERIENCE WITH DELORES WITH THE WORLD.
Where learned: DETROIT ; PARENTS HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 02-20-1984
THE MISSING HEAD
MY GRANDFATHER WORKED IN THE COAL MINES OF WEST VIRGINIA.
AFTER A HARD DAY'S WORK HE AND HIS CO-WORKERS USUALLY
WALKED TO TOWN, TO VISIT THE LOCAL WATERING HOLE.
ONE PARTICULAR NIGHT AROUND 9:30 P.M., MY GRANDFATHER
LEFT THE TAVERN FEELING NO PAIN. AS HE WALKED HOME
DOWN THE RAILROAD TRACKS HE KICKED SOMETHING. HE WALKED
ABOUT 20 PACES BEFORE HE DECIDED TO GO BACK AND SEE WHAT HE
HAD KICKED. AS HE GOT DOWN ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES FEELING
THE GROUND HE GRABBED AHOLD OF SOMETHING HEAVY. HE
LIFTED IT UP TO THE STREET LIGHT---IT WAS A HUMAN HEAD!
HE DROPPED THE HEAD AND CALMLY WALKED HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
THIS MAN HAD BROKE HIS LEG IN A CAR ACCIDENT.HE
HAD A FULL LEG CAST. JUST ABOVE HIS KNEE HE
HAD A SEVERE ITCH; TO SCRATCH HIS LEG HE
UNWOUND A WIRE COAT HANGER, AND USED THAT TO SCRATCH
HIS LEG. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF SLIDING THE HANGER
DOWN THE CAST AND SCATCHING HIS LEG HE REALIZED THAT
HE HAD BROKEN THE SKIN. A FEW DAYS LATER HIS TOES
BEGAN TO SWELL SO BAD THAT THE CAST HAD TO BE REMOVED
FROM HIS LEG. WHEN THE DOCTOR REMOVED THE
CAST THE PART OF THE SKIN THAT HAD BEEN BROKEN
WAS HEALED OVER BUT UNDER HIS SKIN WAS A ANT COLONY.
AN ANT CRAWLED IN THE CAST AND LAYED EGGS IN THE
OPEN WOUND ON HIS LEG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect |
Date learned: 02-00-1984
GHOST STORY
"I COME FROM A VERY OLD TOWN IN NEW JERSEY THAT WAS
SETTLED BEFORE THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. IT WAS ISOLATED
AND THE PEOPLE THERE WERE VERY STRICT. THERE WAS
A CURFEW AND OTHER VERY STRICT LAWS. THERE WAS ALSO A
TRUANT OFFICER THAT EVERYONE CALLED 'OLD NED.' OLD
NED WOULD RIDE AROUND THE STREETS AT NIGHT AT A CERTAIN
TIME OF CURFEW AND COLLECT ALL OF THE LITTLE CHILDREN
THAT WERE STILL OUT PLAYING AND HE WOULD SCOLD THEM
OR TAKE THEM HOME OR TAKE THEM TO JAIL. THE CHILDREN
WOULD GET INTO TROUBLE BY THEIR PARENTS. HE WAS A
ROTTEN, MEAN OLD MAN. AND IT IS SAID THAT AT CERTAIN
TIMES OF THE NIGHT YOU CAN STILL HEAR OLD NED RIDING
AROUND THE STREETS YELLING AT THE KIDS." CN[ CHRISTIAN, SHIRLEY 832917
C1[ 1780 CASGRAIN
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; CARTERET
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00001973CA
URBAN BELIEF TALE--LADY WITH SPIDER BITE
ONE DAY, A LADY WAS WORKING AT FARMER JACKS. SHE WAS GIVEN THE
TASK OF PUTTING CRATES ON THE SHELVES. AS SHE WAS ARRANGING A
CRATE, SHE GOT BIT ON THE FOREHEAD BY A SPIDER. THE LADY THOUGHT
NOTHING OF IT AND CONTINUED WORKING. A WEEK LATER HER FOREHEAD
HAD A HUGE BUMP ON IT ABOUT THE SIZE OF A GOLFBALL. AS THE LADY
WAS ARRANGING THE CRATES AGAIN, ONE SLIPPED AND HIT HER RIGHT
ON HER BUMP ON HER FOREHEAD. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, A MILLION
LITTLE SPIDERS CAME CRAWLING OUT OF THE BUMP. TERRIFIED, THE
LADY FAINTED AND HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS WIDESPREAD IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. EVERYONE HAS
HEARD ABOUT IT AND BELIEVES IT TO BE TRUE.
James Callow comment: FARMER JACKS IS A GROCERY STORE CHAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
URBAN BELIEF TALE--BUGS IN CANDY BARS
WHAN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL, MY ENGLISH TEACHER WENT TO GET A
CANDY BAR OUT OF THE MACHINES ON HER STUDY HOUR. SHE CHOSE A
REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUP AND UNWRAPPED IT. SUDDENLY WE ALL
HEARD A SCREAM FROM THE HALL. MY TEACHER HAD BITTEN INTO THE
CHOCOLATE ONLY TO TASTE SOMETHING FOUL. THERE WERE TONS OF
WHITE MAGGOTS ALL OVER THE CANDY. MY TEACHER WENT HOME SICK.
Submitter comment:
A WEEK AFTER THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED, MY TEACHER RECEIVED TWO
FREE CASES OF CANDY FROM HERSHEY'S WITH A LONG APOLOGY.
SHE GAVE EVERY BAR OF CANDY AWAY AND REFUSES TO EAT IT EVER AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
WHATEVER YOU DO YOU SHOULD NEVER HARM ANOTHER
PERSONS ANIMAL. PEOPLE HAVE STRONG BONDS WITH
THEIR ANIMALS, SOME PEOPLE WILL EVEN KILL YOU
ABOUT THEIR ANIMALS. I KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE
BECAUSE MY MOTHER TOLD ME ABOUT A WOMAN AND THE
LOVE SHE HAD FOR HER HORSE. WELL, THIS WOMAN HAD
HER HORSE TEN YEARS BEFORE SHE TOOK A HUSBAND. THAT
OLE HORSE WAS REALLY MEAN. TIME CAME WHEN THAT HORSE
KICKED THAT WOMAN'S HUSBAND, SO THE HUSBAND SHOT THE
HORSE. WELL, THAT WOMAN DIDN'T TAKE THE DEATH OF HER
HORSE EASY. AFTER SHE FOUND OUT WHAT HER HUSBAND DID
SHE TOOK A PIECE OF LOG AND CRACKED HER HUSBAND'S SKULL
AND HE DIED. THERE IS A LESSON TO BE LEARNED, NEVER
HARM ANYONE'S ANIMAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CRUELTY TOWARD ANIMALS ; THERIONICIDE HOMICIDE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
THE LEGEND OF REDFORD POOL.
ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO WHEN THE REDFORD PUBLIC POOL HAD A 25 FOOT
HIGH DIVING PLATFORM THERE WAS THIS ADVENTUROUS MAN WHO
WISHED TO DIVE OFF THE 25 FOOT PLATFORM. AFTER A BIT OF
NEGOTIATION THE LIFE GUARD AT THE POOL ALLOWED THE MAN
TO DIVE OFF THE HIGH DIVE. WELL, IT HAPPENED TO BE A VERY
WINDY DAY THAT DAY AND JUST AS THE MAN LEAPED OFF THE HIGH
DIVE A HUGE GUST OF WIND CAME BY AND SAILED HIM ACROSS
THE POOL AND DASHED HIS GUTS ALL OVER THE SIDEWALK.
Submitter comment: THIS STORY IS TO BE TAKEN AS TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
"SHINEYMAN"
THE SHINEYMAN WAS A JUNKMAN, NO, CAN'T SAY THAT CAUSE THEY'RE NOT THE SAME. HE WAS MORE OF A CELEBRITY. HE ALWAYS WORE A FUNNY OLD HAT. HE HAD LARGE TRINKETS AND USED BROOMS HANGING FROM HIS WAGON. HE ALWAYS TOOTED A FUNNY HORN. I THOUGHT HE WAS A KIDNAPPER BECAUSE HE WAS UGLY, DIRTY, AND SMELLY. HE WAS A REGULAR AND HAD HIS OWN ROUTE. EVERYDAY HE WOULD COME UP AND DOWN GRANDMA'S ALLEY AND PICK UP OLD CARPETS, AND OTHER USED OBJECTS WHICH PEOPLE HAD DISCARDED I DON'T KNOW HOW HE GOT HIS TITLE BUT WE JUST CALLED HIM THE SHINEYMAN, AND NEVER ASKED WHY.
APPARENTLY, EACH NEIGHBORHOOD HAD ITS OWN SHINEYMAN.
Submitter comment: PRONOUNCED "SHEE-NEE"
Where learned: DETROIT ; MOTHERS GRANDMOTHERS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): SHEENY MAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00001940S
"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 |
"AGNUS DUKE"
YOU HAVE TO SEE AGNUS TO SEE HER. BELIEVING HER IS A
DIFFERENT STORY. SHE WAS CREATED BY JAMES WITH HELP FROM
HIS MOTHER. AGNUS DUKE IS A PERFORMER WHO CAN'T HOLD A
TUNE, MUCH LESS SING ONE. SHE STARRED IN HER FIRST VIDEO
UNDER THE POINTLESS PRODUCTIONS LABEL, WHICH WAS OUT IN
APRIL OF 1985. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS BANNED FROM NETWORK
TELEVISION BEFORE ITS FIRST SCHEDULED AIR DATE. UNFORTUNATELY,
POINTLESS PRODUCTIONS IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF SHOOTING
A NEW, BIOGRAPHICAL-FEATURE FILM ALL ABOUT AGNUS. IT WILL
BE OUT IN APRIL OF 1986. HER LIFE HAS SO MUCH VALUABLE LORE
IN IT THAT I WILL NOT BEGIN TO ENTER IT NOW. FRANKLY, I AM
COMPUTER TERMINALLY ILL, SO I WON'T FINISH IT NOW EITHER.
INSTEAD, I WILL SUBMIT THE TAPES INTO THE FOLKLORE ARCHIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00-00-1984
NO FUTURE
THERE ONCE WAS A FORTUNE TELLER WHO READ PALMS. SHE NEVER SPOKE OF
ANY BAD OCCURENCES SHE SAW, ONLY GOOD ONES. ONE DAY A BEAUTIFUL
YOUNG GIRL WALKED IN AND REQUESTED HER PALM BE READ. THE FORTUNE
TELLER ATTEMPTED TO READ HER PALM BUT COULD NOT AND SHE WAS VERY
PUZZLED. "I CAN'T SEEM TO READ YOUR PALM, I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED
THIS BEFORE." THE GIRL, FURIOUS, LEFT THE HOME OF THE PALM READER.
AS THE GIRL WAS CROSSING THE STREET TO GET TO HER CAR,
ALL OF A SUDDEN OUT OF NOWHERE A CAR APPEARED AND STRUCK
HER DOWN DEAD. THE FORTUNE TELLER COULD NOT READ HER PALM
BECAUSE THE YOUNG GIRL HAD NO FUTURE TO READ.
| Subject headings: | Prophet / Seer / Soothsayer Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
On February 16, 1970 a baby girl was born,
bringing tremendous joy to her parents, Charlie
and Rosemary. They named her Stephanie. The
Millers typified the perfect family. They lived
in a small ranch house in Dearborn, close to the
Allen Park and Melvindale borders. This home was
the picture of gaiety and happiness, abundant with
plenty of flowers in the garden, and the sound of
a baby's laughter. "It was a family right out of
a storybook, all they needed was a white picket
fence...," reminisced Rosemary's sister Claire.
Every story must have an ending, though, and
this one happened to be tragic instead of happy.
On September 3, 1972, Rosemary died, and Charlie's
life was shattered. "If it had not been for
Stephanie, he would have fell off the deep end
right then," commented Claire. It was a horrible
tragedy for everyone concerned.
Charles dedicated all his energy and love on
Stephanie after Rosemary's death, really spoiled
her, and never let her out of his sight. He
even called her Rosie sometimes. In this way,
Stephanie became her father's entire world.
Nearly three years had passed after Rosemary's
death, when yet another tragedy took place as told
by Claire:
It was a real foggy and rainy day, just like
in those late night movies, and Charles and
Stephanie were playing inside. Well, as far
as I figured it, something happened that made
him (Charles) mad at Stephanie. Anyhow, he
yelled at her, which he rarely did, and she
ran outside, right into the street. There
was this big truck coming, one of those
dump trucks. Anyhow, Stephanie ran right
in front of it. It weren't his (the truck
driver's) fault. He slammed on his brakes,
but the road being wet and all... well she
was hit and killed right away.
Stephanie's death not only altered Charles' life,
but Charles himself. According to Claire, he ceased to
speak of anything coherently, and just sat around
rambling on and on about his lost daughter. "Then
one day, he got up, got dressed, and announced he
was going shopping," related Claire.
When he returned from his excursion, he had
purchased a plastic life-sized doll, which from then
on became his daughter Stephanie. Charles set the doll
in front of the picture window to show everyone that
she was still alive. "He was insane with guilt; he
just reverted to a fantasy world, because he could
not deal with the reality," explained Claire.
Charles formed a daily ritual of dressing, feeding
and playing with his substitute for Stephanie, and
has kept this up religiously for over nine years.
But, there is yet another twist to this sad story:
He (Charles) claims that every rainy day at 5 p.m.,
the time of Stephanie's death, you can actually hear
the tires of the truck screeching and squealing.
He runs to the window with the doll to make sure she
stays inside. But what gets me, is that others that
are in the area at that time have claimed that
they heard sounds also...
The flower gardens are now barren, and the house
seems dead in itself. The only visible sign of life
is a motionless child in the window, and the faint
sounds of tires screeching in the distance, believe
it or not.
Submitter comment:
I was able to speak with "Charles" himself, but his
sister-in-law who has lived with him since his wife's
death, helped fill me in on the details of this
story. I was also asked to leave out the actual
names of the people involved for discretion's sake.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT AREA
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 02-00-1984