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MYSTERIOUS DEATH
JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY OF LARAMIE, IT HAD BEEN REPORTED THAT WITCHES
WERE HOLDING SABBATHS FREQUENTLY. ONE NIGHT A STUDENT FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING AND HIS DATE WERE DRIVING IN THE AREA NEAR
WHERE THESE SABBATHS HAD TAKEN PLACE. ABOUT ONE-HALF MILE FROM
THE AREA, HE RAN OUT OF GAS. THE NEAREST GAS STATION WAS ONE MILE
AHEAD. HE TOLD HIS DATE TO STAY IN THE CAR AND LOCK THE DOORS
UNTIL HE GOT BACK. ABOUT TWO HOURS LATER, A CAR DROVE UP BEHIND
HER. THEY TOLD HER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR, BUT NOT TO LOOK UP.
SEEING THAT IT WAS THE POLICE, SHE DID SO. HER BOYFRIEND'S BODY
WAS HANGING FROM A TREE RIGHT ABOVE THE CAR.
Where learned: Wyoming ; LARAMIE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
NOT GIVEN
UNCLE JOE WOKE IN THE MORNING WITH HIS BED OUTSIDE, AND HE WAS
SLEEPING IN IT THAT NIGHT. THERE WAS NO WAY OF GETTING THE BED
OUT WITHOUT DISASSEMBLING IT. HE HAD BEEN SPOOKED, AND FROM THAT
DAY ON, WAS CROSS-EYED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
WITCHES
DOWN IN JAMAICA, THERE IS A LARGE PLANTATION HOUSE WHICH IS FALLING
APART AND NOT ONE JAMAICAN WILL GET NEAR IT. IF THEY DO, THEY ARE
CURSED AND WILL DIE A VIOLENT DEATH. THE LADY WHO OWNED IT WAS
CALLED THE WHITE WITCH OF ROSE HALL. SHE HAD THREE JAMAICANS FOR
HER HUSBANDS. SHE HAD EACH ONE KILLED AND BURIED UNDER A PALM
TREE.
Submitter comment:
I SAW THE HALL AND THE THREE GRAVES AND OUR GUIDE WAS NOT A
JAMAICAN, BUT RATHER A SPANIARD. NOT ONE JAMAICAN WOULD GET NEAR
IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE LIMP
YEARS AGO WHEN MY MOTHER-IN-LAW LIVED IN GREECE, SHE HUNG HER
CLOTHES ON THE LINE TO DRY. WHEN SHE TOOK THEM IN, SHE DISCOVERED
THAT HER SLIP WAS FULL OF HOLES. IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAD TAKEN
A KNIFE TO IT. NOT REALIZING WHAT HAD HAPPENED, SHE BURNED IT.
LATER A FRIEND TOLD HER SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS, AS THE SLIP
WAS A SIGN TO HER THAT SOMETHING ELSE WOULD HAPPEN. SURE ENOUGH,
ABOUT A WEEK LATER A GIPSEY CAME TO HER HOME. SHE ASKED MY MOTHER-
IN-LAW FOR SOMETHING RED. SINCE SHE WAS VERY FRIGHTENED, SHE
DIDN'T GIVE HER ANYTHING. THE LADY SAID BECAUSE OF THIS SOMETHING
VERY TERRIBLE WOULD HAPPEN. THEN A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER, MY
BROTHER-IN-LAW STARTED LIMPING. THEY TOOK HIM TO MANY, MANY
DOCTORS, AND NONE COULD FIND OUT WHY HE LIMPED. I KNOW HIM TODAY,
AND HE STILL HAS THAT LIMP. THEY STILL DO NOT KNOW WHY. MY
MOTHER-IN-LAW SAYS THE GIPSEY LADY CURSED HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
LEGEND--SKINNING A WITCH
FOR A LONG TIME, THE NEGRO AND HIS "YALLER-'OOMAN" LIVED HAPPILY
AS MAN AND WIFE IN THEIR CABIN NEAR THE SWAMP. BUT THE MAN BEGAN
TO NOTICE A STRANGE THING ABOUT HIS WIFE. SHE WAS ALWAYS GONE
AFTER MIDNIGHT. HE DECIDED TO PLAY POSSUM AND WATCH HER. SHE GOT
UP, RAKED RED-HOT COALS ONTO THE GRIDIRON AND PULLED OUT THE
SPINNING WHEEL. THEN SHE SAT OVER THE COALS AND BEGAN TO SPIN OFF
HER SKIN UNTIL IT WAS ALL GONE AND SHE HAD TURNED INTO A LARGE
YELLOW CAT. SHE THREW THE SKIN UNDER THE BED AND LOPED OFF. THE
MAN DECIDED TO TAKE CARE OF HIS WITCH-WIFE. HE GOT UP AND POURED
HER SKIN FULL OF SALT AND PEPPER. WHEN THE WOMAN RETURNED, SHE
JUMPED INTO HER SKIN AND LET OUT A SHRIEK. THEN SHE FELL DOWN AND
DIED.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HORSE
MY MOTHER TOLD ME THE STORY THAT SHE BELIEVES TRUE ABOUT AN OLD
WIDOW IN AUSTRIA. THIS WIDOW HAD NO CHILDREN, AND SO SHE HIRED
AN ORPHAN BOY TO FARM HER LAND. SHE DIDN'T PAY HIM MUCH, BUT SHE
GAVE HIM FOOD AND A BED. HE WAS A VERY BIG, HUSKY FELLOW WHEN HE
STARTED TO WORK, BUT SOON HE GREW THIN AND VERY WEAK. HE WAS FAIL-
ING SO MUCH IN HEALTH THAT THE NEIGHBORS BEGAN TO SUSPECT THAT
SOMETHING WAS WRONG. THEY THOUGHT THAT THE OLD LADY WAS A WITCH,
AND THAT SHE WAS IN SOME WAY HARMING THE BOY. THEY SET A TRAP FOR
HER, AND SURE ENOUGH, THEY DISCOVERED THAT EVERY NIGHT AFTER THE
BOY WENT TO SLEEP, THE WIDOW TURNED HIM INTO A HORSE AND HAD HIM
WORK HER FARM. A FEW MINUTES BEFORE IT WAS TIME FOR HIM TO WAKE
UP, SHE WOULD CHANGE HIM BACK TO A BOY. THIS WAS THE REASON WHY
HE WAS SO WEAK, HE WAS WORKING TOO HARD AND GETTING NO SLEEP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
WITCHES' COUNCIL
BETWEEN APRIL 30 AND MAY 1 IN THE BROCNEN MOUNTAINS IN GERMANY,
THE WITCHES GATHER FOR A COUNCIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
NOT GIVEN
ALL THE WIZARDS AND WITCHES OF ENGLAND GATHERED JUST OUTSIDE LONDON
WHEN HITLER WAS THREATENING AN INVASION. THEY USED THEIR ULTIMATE
POWERS, WHICH MEANT INDUCING THEIR LIFE FORCE TO CONJURE UP THE
HIGHEST POWER. THIS ACTION IS SAID TO HAVE SAVED ENGLAND BY STOP-
PING HITLER'S ADVANCE. HOWEVER, MANY MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL DIED
BECAUSE THEY USED SO MUCH OF THEIR ENERGY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS NINETEEN YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
TIMELY STORM
WHEN THE SPANISH ARMADA WAS THREATENING THE BRITISH ISLES, ALL THE
ENGLISH WITCHES GATHERED AND CONJURED THE STORM WHICH WRECKED THE
SPANISH FLEET.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS NINETEEN YEARS OLD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-31-1969
THE GYPSY AND THE FRECKLES
WHEN MY GREAT-GREAT-GRANDMOTHER WAS A SMALL CHILD, SHE HAD FRECKLES
COVERING HER FACE, NECK, AND ARMS. THEY WERE VERY LARGE AND UGLY.
HER MOTHER TOOK HER TO THE DOCTORS TO HAVE THEM REMOVED, BUT THE
GIRL BEGGED HER MOTHER AS A LAST RESORT TO GO AND SEE THE GYPSY.
THE GYPSY WORKED ALL DAY ON A SPECIAL SOLUTION THAT SMELLED
TERRIBLE. THE SOLUTION WAS APPLIED TO THE FRECKLES WITH A TOWEL.
WHEN THE TOWEL WAS REMOVED, THE FRECKLES WERE GONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 694 CLINTON ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
LEGEND
THERE IS A HOUSE, OR WAS WHEN WE WERE KIDS, ON SAN JUAN IN DETROIT.
IN THIS HOUSE LIVED AN OLD LADY WHO WAS A WITCH. IF YOU EVER WENT
INTO HER BACK YARD, SHE WOULD TAKE YOU INTO HER HOUSE AND EAT YOU
ALIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK ; 24310 BERKLEY ; 48237
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 03-28-1970
NOT GIVEN
IN THE PHILLIPINES, A "WITCH WITH A DOLL" OR VOODOO PRIESTESS IS
CALLED A MANGKULKULAM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
WITCH
ONE NIGHT I HAPPENED TO WAKE UP. LIGHT FROM THE MOON WAS SHINING
IN THE WINDOW ACROSS THE ROOM. I LOOKED OVER TO THE BED MY TWO
BROTHERS WERE SLEEPING IN. IN BETWEEN MY BROTHERS WAS A WITCH. I
RUBBED MY EYES TO SEE IF I WAS DREAMING, BUT THE WITCH WAS STILL
THERE. THE WITCH TURNED HER HEAD COMPLETELY AROUND WITHOUT MOVING
HER BODY. THEN SHE MOVED TOWARD THE FIREPLACE TO GET OUT OF THE
MOONLIGHT. THEN SHE DISAPPEARED. THE NEXT DAY I TOLD OTHER PEOPLE
ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS AN OLD WOMAN THAT LIVED IN THE
SETTLEMENT. I KNEW THE OLD WOMAN. EVERY TIME I MET HER ON THE
ROAD AFTER THAT, I'D SAY TO MYSELF, "THERE'S THAT OLD WITCH," AND
SHE WOULD PASS AND NEVER LOOK OR SPEAK A WORD TO ME. BUT EVERY
TIME I WOULD MEET HER ON THE ROAD ON THE WAY BACK FROM TOWN AND NOT
THINK THAT TO MYSELF, SHE WOULD STOP AND TALK AND BE AS FRIENDLY AS
CAN BE. THIS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES. EVERY TIME I WOULD SAY
TO MYSELF, "THERE'S THAT OLD WITCH," SHE WOULDN'T EVEN LOOK AT ME,
BUT IF I DIDN'T SAY THAT TO MYSELF, SHE WOULD STOP AND TALK TO ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
NARRATIVE
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY A LADY LIVING IN PENNSYLVANIA (1934). SHE
WAS 16 AT THE TIME AND PREGNANT WITH HER FIRST CHILD. CHILDREN
IN THOSE DAYS WERE DELIVERED AT HOME. NEXT DOOR TO HER LIVED A
MRS. FLORENTINE MCADAMS. SHE WAS THE TOWN MIDWIFE WHO ASSISTED
THE HICK DOCTOR, DOCTOR DICKINSON. USUALLY SHE WENT TO ALL
DELIVERIES, BUT HIS LADY DIDN'T WANT HER AROUND. HER MOTHER HELPED
HER INSTEAD, AND THE BABY WAS BORN PREMATURELY, WEIGHING THREE
POUNDS. HER MOTHER AND HUSBAND TOOK CARE OF THE CHILD TO KEEP HIM
ALIVE. THIS LADY SAID THAT AFTER THE BABY WAS BORN, EACH TIME SHE
LAID IN BED, THE HEAD PART PRESSED DOWN AND SHE FELT AS IF SHE'D
FALL OUT OF BED. HER MOTHER CAME IN WHEN SHE CALLED, BUT SHE SAID
SHE SAW NO ONE IN THE HOUSE. AFTER THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES,
THEY PROPPED EACH CORNER OF HER BED UP WITH PILLOWS ON A HUGE
MAHOGANY CHAIR, BUT STILL IT SAGGED. WHEN HER MOTHER SLEPT WITH
HER, SHE FELT THE SAME THING. THE NEXT NIGHT THEY PUT RAZOR BLADES
ABOVE THE BEDROOM DOOR. IT NEVER HAPPENED AFTER THAT. A FEW DAYS
LATER, MR. MCADAMS TOLD MR. SASNOWSKI THAT MRS. MCADAMS WAS VERY
ANGRY BECAUSE SHE COULDN'T ASSIST HIS WIFE IN HER BIRTH. BOTH MEN
HAD SEEN HER TURN FROZEN STIFF IN A TRANCE. SHE WAS FROZEN SOLID
AND HAD NO FOOD OR MOVEMENT FOR THREE DAYS. THIS ALWAYS WAS DONE
WHEN SHE WANTED SOMETHING TO HAPPEN. SHE WENT INTO THIS TRANCE
WHEN SHE WAS TOLD SHE COULDN'T ASSIST THE DOCTOR AND SHE CAME OUT
OF THIS ONLY AFTER THE RAZOR BLADES WERE PUT ABOVE THE DOORS. MRS.
SASNOWSKI BELIEVES THAT THE EVIL SPIRITS HAD MADE HER BED SAG AFTER
MRS. MCADAMS WENT INTO THIS TRANCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 910 VAN DYKE ; 48234
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TALE
A BOY AND HIS SISTER ARE WALKING THROUGH A FOREST AND THEY CAME TO
A STREAM. THE BOY BENDS OVER TO TAKE A DRINK BUT THE GIRL TELLS
HIM NOT TO BECAUSE IT'S ENCHANTED. HE DIDN'T LISTEN TO HER AND HE
TURNED INTO A DEER. SHE TOOK A LITTLE BELL AND PUT IT AROUND HIS
NECK AND THEY WENT TO LIVE IN A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
FOR A LONG TIME EVERYBODY TRIES TO KILL THE DEER BECAUSE IT IS
SUCH A BEAUTY. ONE DAY THE OLD KING DIED AND HIS YOUNG SON BECAME
KING. HE DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO CAPTURE THE DEER AND HAVE HIM
FOR A BANQUET. SO HE SENT OUT SPIES TO FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS THAT
THE DEER ALWAYS DISAPPEARED TO. THE SPIES SAID THAT THE DEER
ALWAYS WENT INTO A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
ONE DAY THE GIRL HAD GONE OUT TO GET SOME FOOD. WHEN SHE CAME
BACK SHE SAW THAT THERE HAD BEEN A STRUGGLE IN THE COTTAGE AND THE
LITTLE BELL WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR. SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
BUT A BIRD TOLD HER THAT THE DEER HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE CASTLE FOR
A BANQUET. SHE HURRIED TO THE KING, FORCED HER WAY PAST ALL THE
GUARDS, AND TOLD THE YOUNG KING THE WHOLE STORY. HE SAID, "HOW
CAN YOU PROVE IT?" SO SHE ASKED HIM TO TAKE HER TO THE DEER.
WHEN THE DEER SAW HER HE RUSHED RIGHT UP AND STARTED LICKING HER.
HE HAD BEEN MEAN TO EVERYONE ELSE SO THE KING KNEW SHE WAS TELLING
THE TRUTH. THE KING SENT OUT HIS SPIES TO CATCH THE OLD WITCH WHO
HAD ENCHANTED THE FOREST. THEY CAUGHT HER AND JUST BEFORE THEY
KILLED HER, HER IRON NOSE FELL OFF. AS SOON AS IT DID THE DEER
WAS CHANGED INTO A BOY AGAIN. THE KING DECIDED TO MARRY THE GIRL
AND THAT'S THE END OF THE STORY.
Submitter comment:
MISS DAMIN'S HUNGARIAN GRANDMOTHER TOLD HER THIS TALE WHEN SHE
WAS A YOUNG GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNGARY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
DEVIL'S KITCHEN
ON MACKINAC ISLAND IN MICHIGAN, THERE IS A CAVE-LIKE HOLE IN THE
SIDE OF A HUGE BOULDER. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE DEVIL AND WITCHES
USED THIS CAVE TO CONJOUR UP THEIR EVIL SPELLS. THE CAVE IS THUS
CALLED "DEVIL'S KITCHEN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
OMEN
IF YOU SEE A BULL FROG, IT'S A WITCH BRINGING A CURSE. YOU SHOULD
PUT THE FROG ON A BOARD (FULCRUM) AND HIT IT INTO THE AIR, SENDING
THE CURSE AWAY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT GOT THIS FROM HER MOTHER WHEN INFORMANT WAS A CHILD.
SHE SAID SHE NEVERR DID THE ACTION DESCRIBED BECAUSE SHE WAS TOO
AFRAID OF THE FROG TO PICK IT UP. SHE JUST RAN AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; 7632 WESTMINSTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
WITCHED
ACCORDING TO MY FATHER, THERE WAS A FAMILY THAT LIVED ON A FARM
NOT FAR FROM THE FARM MY FATHER LIVED ON IN CENTER RIDGE, ARKANSAS
IN WHICH A SON WAS BORN THAT WAS VERY THIN. AS THE MONTHS WORE
ON, THE CHILD DID NOT GET ANY FATTER. THEY SAY THAT HIS ARMS WERE
NO LARGER THAN A MAN'S THUMB. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE CHILD WAS
BORN, HE DIED. THE FOLKS SAY THAT THE BOY HAD BEEN HEXED BY A
WITCH OR, IN OTHER WORDS, THE BOY WAS WITCHED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
JOHN AND MARGARET
JOHN AND MARGARET HAD A FATHER AND A STEPMOTHER. THE STEPMOTHER
TOOK THEM INTO THE FOREST AND THE CHILDREN KNEW THAT SHE WAS
GOING TO LEAVE THEM THERE. SO THE BOY SCATTERED CRUMBS OF
BREAD ALONG THE WAY SO THEY COULD FIND THEIR WAY BACK. THE
STEPMOTHER DID LEAVE THEM AND WENT BACK HOME.
HOWEVER, THE BIRDS ATE THE BREAD CRUMBS AND THE CHILDREN COULDN'T
FIND THEIR WAY BACK HOME. THEY WALKED AROUND AND AROUND ON
CIRCLES INSIDE THE FOREST TRYING TO FIND THEIR WAY HOME. THEN THE
CHILDREN SAW A VERY NICE HOUSE MADE OF CAKES. TORTS, COOKIES,
THE WITCH CAME CAME OUT SAYING, "WHO IS TAKING APART MY
HOME? DO NOT BE AFRAID, COME TO ME AND I WILL GIVE YOU
SOMETHING TO EAT." SHE FED THEM AND TREATED THEM VERY
WELL. LATER SHE LIT THE OVEN==THE OVEN WAS LARGE- AND WHEN IT
WAS HOT SHE TOLD THE BOY TO SIT ON THE WOODEN SHOVEL. BUT THE BOY
SAID, "I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SIT DOWN ON IT. WILL YOU
SHOW ME HOW TO DO IT?". AND AS SHE WAS GOING TO
SHOW HIM, HE PUSHED HER INTO THE OVEN.
THEY WERE HAPPY AND WENT HOME AND LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT NEVER HEARD OF HANSEL AND GRETEL. SHE HEARD THIS STORY
FROM HER OLDER SISTER WHILE IN POLAND.
THIS IS TRANSLATED FROM POLISH
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; POLAND ; Sterling Heights ; GOWARCZOW
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
SEVENTH BOOK OF MOSES
STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SEVENTH BOOK OF MOSES. THESE
PEOPLE PERFORM DEEDS OF WITCHCRAFT. MY GRANDMOTHER KNEW A LADY WHO
POSSESSED THIS BOOK. THE LADY TOLD MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER SHE HAD TO
SAY GOOD BYE TO HER SEWING MACHINE. MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER REFUSED. THE
SEWING MACHINE THEN WALKED WITH HER UNTIL SHE SAID GOOD BYE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Magic Book |
Date learned: 11-15-1973