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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
IRISH LEGEND
IT SEEMS THAT MY GRANDMOTHER KNEW A WOMAN IN IRELAND WHO TOLD HER
THE STORY OF HER SON. ONE DAY WHEN THE LITTLE BOY WAS BEING CHASTISED
HE RAISED HIS HAND IN ANGER TO HIS MOTHER. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE
LITTLE BOY DIED. A FEW DAYS AFTER HE WAS BURIED HIS MOTHER WAS CALLED
TO THE GRAVE SITE. THERE WAS THE LITTLE BOY'S HAND STICKING UP OUT
OF THE GROUND. A PRIEST WAS SUMMONED AND AFTER A SERIES OF RITUALS
AND APPLICATIONS OF HOLY WATER THE HAND RECEDED INTO THE GROUND. THIS
INCIDENT OF COURSE WAS AN EXAMPLE FOR THE TOWNSPEOPLE OF WHAT
HAPPENS TO CHILDREN WHO DO NOT RESPECT THEIR PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BODY PART
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1937
AFRICAN TRIBE TALE
A CERTAIN BIOLOGY PROFESSOR WAS DELIVERING A LECTURE AT MICHIGAN
STATE ON A TRIBE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. THE SUBJECT UNDER DISCUSSION WAS
THE ABNORMALLY LARGE "PRIVATES" OF THIS TRIBE. TWO PRUDISH SORORITY
GIRLS EMBARRASSED BY THE CRUDE LECTURE ABRUPTLY LEFT THEIR SEATS
AND STARTED FOR THE DOOR. THE PROFESSOR STOPPED THEM WITH THIS
COMMENT, "WHAT'S YOUR RUSH GIRLS, THE
BOAT DOESN'T LEAVE UNTIL MORNING."
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME AS ACTUAL FACT IN 1960.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
Keyword(s): CLASSROOM HUMOR ; COLLEGE PROFESSOR LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
MILK SNAKE FABLE
IN MEXICO, THE MYTH IS EVEN WILDER. THERE THEY BELIEVE THAT THE MILK
SNAKE LURKS IN HOUSES TO STEAL THE MILK FROM EXPECTANT MOTHERS.
Data entry tech comment: THERE ARE TWO MORE FROM THE SAME SOURCE.
Where learned: THE DETROIT NEWS MAGAZINE ; MILK
Keyword(s): REPTILES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal |
Date learned: 02-26-1967
IF YOU SHUDDER ANGELS ARE WALKING OVER YOUR GRAVE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): PREMONITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
A DIABOLICAL POSSESSION
THERE WAS A GIRL WHO ENTERED A CONVENT SOMEWHERE
IN EUROPE. SHE SEEMED
TO ACT SO STRANGELY THAT THE EXTIRE COMMUNITY WONDERED. ONE
EVENING SHE WALKED UP THE WALL AND SLITHERED ACROSS THE CEILING LIKE
A SNAKE. ON THE FOLLOWING MORNING SHE WAS DISMISSED AND AS SHE LEFT
THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR SHE DECLARED THAT SHE HAD GIVEN HER SOUL TO
THE DEVIL.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT CLAIMS TO HAVE OBTAINED THIS INFORMATION FROM
ANOTHER SISTER WHO IN TURN CLAIMED TO HAVE SEEN THE INCIDENT
DESCRIBED ABOVE.
Where learned: SAINT JOSEPH CONVENT
Keyword(s): POSSESSION BY THE DEVIL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 00-00-1962
FATHER BAKER'S MIRACLE
THIS IS A TRUE STORY ABOUT FATHER BAKER'S MIRACLE. FATHER BAKER HAD A
LITTLE CHURCH IN BUFFALO NEW YORK. HE WANTED TO BUILD A NEW CHURCH,
BUT THERE WAS NO MONEY. ONE DAY AFTER CELEBRATING MASS HE TOLD THE
ALTAR BOYS TO FOLLOW THEM. STILL DRESSED IN THE GARB OF THE CHURCH
FATHER BAKER POINTED TO A PLACE IN AN EMPTY FIELD AND SAID "DRILL
HERE FOR OIL," BUT EVERYONE KNEW THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE AREA. ON HIS
INSISTANCE THEY DRILLED, FOUND OIL LESS THAN FIFTY FEET DOWN,
AND THUS FINANCED THE CHURCH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS A MEMBER OF FATHER BAKER'S PARISH WHERE THE STORY
IS TOLD.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
James Callow Keyword(s): PRIEST AS OIL WITCH ; WATER WITCH: OIL WITCH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
DEAD MAN SITS UP
THERE WAS A MAN THAT DIED IN A CHAIR SITTING UP AND WHEN
THEY PUT HIM IN THE CASKET, THEY HAD TO TIE HIM DOWN TO MAKE HIM LIE
FLAT. WHEN THEY WERE HAVING A WAKE FOR HIM AND WERE DRINKING OUT
OF A JUG, THE MAN SAT UP IN THE COFFIN.
EVERYONE ELSE TOOK OFF FOR PARTS UNKNOWN SO THAT THE DEAD MAN WAS
ALONE.
Submitter comment:
MR. YOUNT BELIEVED THIS TO BE TRUE AS EVERYONE ELSE KNEW
THE MAN AND ALSO BELIEVED IT.
HAPPENED IN HOLLISTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): POST-MORTEM REFLEX
James Callow Keyword(s): DEATH WATCH OR WAKE ; RIGOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
HAUNTED HOUSE AT MEMPHIS MICHIGAN
THE HAUNTED HOUSE AT MEMPHIS, MICHIGAN WAS DESERTED FOR 20 YEARS.
BUT YET EVERY MONDAY DIRRENCE (SIC) CLOTHES ARE REPORTED TO BE SEEN
HANGING ON A CLOTHESLINE. BONES ARE REPORTED ALSO SEEN IN THE
BASEMENT.
Submitter comment: FROM GRANDFATHER
Where learned: LIVING ROOM
James Callow Keyword(s): PHANTOM WASHING OF CLOTHES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 10-05-1967
WHAT'S ON THE MENU?
ONE DAY A WOMAN SENT HER SON TO THE STORE TO BUY SOME LIVER.
ON THE WAY TO THE STORE THE BOY PASSED A CEMETERY. HE REMEMBERED
SOMEONE IN TOWN HAD RECENTLY DIED, SO BEING A LAZY BOY, HE
DECIDED NOT TO GO TO THE STORE BUT TO DIG UP THE GRAVE AND TAKE
THE MAN'S LIVER OUT. AFTER ALL WHO WOULD KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?
HE TOOK THE LIVER HOME AND HIS MOTHER DIDN'T NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE
IN THE LIVER. SHE PREPARED IT FOR SUPPER AND THEN THEY BOTH ATE IT.
THAT NIGHT WHEN THE BOY WENT TO SLEEP HE HEARD A VOICE, "I'M COMING
UP ONE STAIR. I'M COMING UP TWO STAIRES (SIC). WHERE'S MY LIVER?"
THE BOY
FROZE IN HIS BED. HE COULDN'T MOVE A MUSCLE. "I'M COMING UP THREE
STAIRS, I'M IN THE HALLWAY." "I'M OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR, I WANT
MY LIVER." "I'M IN YOUR BEDROOM," SUDDENLY THE VOICE YELLED,
"I GOT YOU."
Submitter comment: SHE HEARD THIS STORY WHEN SHE WAS SMALL AT CAMP.
Data entry tech comment: GRABBING GESTURE ACCOMPANIES END OF STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): JUMP STORY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 10-20-1967
FLYING SAUCER BELIEF
"DRIVE DOWN ROUTE 20 NORTHWEST OF FREMONT, OHIO FOR ABOUT EIGHT
MILES UNTIL YOU COME TO COUNTY ROAD 19. PROCEED FIVE MILES ON
THIS ROAD UNTIL YOU CROSS A TWO LANE BRIDGE. GO A QUARTER MILE
BEYOND THE BRIDGE AND TURN RIGHT INTO A
FARMER'S FIELD.
IN THE FIELD FACING EAST, DRIVE IN A 360 DEGREE CIRCLE,
THERE IS A CREEK WITH A BRIDGE OVER IT. CROSS THE CREEK AND END UP
PARK, TURN OFF THE MOTOR AND TURN OFF EVERYTHING. BLINK THE LIGHTS
ON AND OFF THREE TIMES. A LIGHT APPEARS FROM THE EAST AND FLIES
DIRECTLY AT YOU AND THEN OVER YOU AND HEADS TOWARDS THE WEST. THIS
LIGHT IS IN THE FORM OF A BALL AND NEVER FAILS TO APPEAR AS LONG AS
THE LIGHTS ARE BLINKED ON AND OFF THREE TIMES."
THIS HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY MANY OF THE CONTRIBUTOR'S FRIENDS BUT THE
CONTRIBUTOR HAS NEVER SEEN IT AND ADMITS HE HASN'T
"... THE GUTS TO GO OUT
AND SEE IT." HE DOES, HOWEVER, SERIOUSLY BELIEVE IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS SUPERNATURAL LIGHT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Fire |
Date learned: 10-12-1967
THE DISAPPEARING ACT
IN ENGLAND, MANY YEARS AGO, A CHURCH SOCIAL WAS TAKING PLACE
AND EVERYONE WAS INVOLVED IN PLAYING GAMES. MOST OF THE MEN WERE
PLAYING RUGBY ON A HUGE FIELD. ONE MAN KICKED THE BALL INTO
A FAR CORNER OF THE FIELD AND WENT AFTER IT. HE STARTED TO RUN
AFTER THE BALL AND THAT IS THE LAST ANYONE SAW OF HIM. PEOPLE
THOUGHT THAT HE MIGHT HAVE FALLEN INTO A DITCH OR A HOLE BUT THEY
WENT TO LOOK FOR HIM AND COULD FIND NOTHING AND TO THIS DAY THEY
STILL COULD NEVER FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.
Submitter comment:
MRS. BACON SAID THAT HER MOTHER AND SISTER TOLD HER THIS
STORY IN ENGLAND ABOUT THIRTY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 12-00-1963
STORY
THERE WAS A GIRL WHO WENT TO WESTERN ONTARIO COLLEGE AND HER BOY
FRIEND CAME TO PICK HER UP FOR A FORMAL DANCE. HE WAS SITTING
IN THE LIVING ROOM WHICH WAS DIVIDED BY A STAIRWAY. THE PARENTS
COULDN'T SEE THEIR DAUGHTER AS SHE BEGAN COMING DOWN THE STAIRS.
THE GIRL'S SHOE CAUGHT IN HER DRESS AND PULLED IT DOWN TO HER WAIST.
HER DATE SAW THIS AND HER PARENTS DIDN'T AND SO TO DISTRACT
ATTENTION FROM THE GIRL, HE SAID, "OH, LOOK OUT ON THE LAWN. THE
PARENTS LOOKED OUT ON THE LAWN AND THERE WERE TWO DOGS ENGAGED
IN "HANKEY-PANKEY." THE FATHER DIDN'T WANT THIS KIND OF A BOY
TAKING OUT HIS DAUGHTER, THEREFORE FORBAD HIS DAUGHTER GOING OUT
WITH HIM. BUT THE GIRL CALLED HER MOTHER UPSTAIRS AND EXPLAINED
WHAT HAD HAPPENED. EVERYTHING WAS STRAIGHTENED OUT.
Submitter comment: SUSAN LEARNED THE STORY FROM HER GIRL FRIEND LAST YEAR.
Where learned: SUSANS HOME
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 12-25-1964
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
AUTOGRAPH BOOK SIGNATURE
YOURS TILL NEL BLOWS HER NOSE ON YOUR HOSE.
Submitter comment: FOLLOWING IS FROM INFORMANT'S JUNIOR HIGH AUTOGRAPH BOOK, 1929 TO 1933.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; GLENSHAW ; 15116 ; 107 PARK LANE DR
Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP PROMISE ; INTERNAL RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: 00-00-1933
AUTOGRAPH BOOK SIGNATURE
YOURS TILL TO-MORROW.
PROMISE
Submitter comment: FOLLOWING IS FROM INFORMANT'S JUNIOR HIGH AUTOGRAPH BOOK, 1929-1933
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; GLENSHAW ; 15116 ; 107 PARK LANE DR
Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
AUTOGRAPH BOOK SIGNATURE
YOURS TILL COWS MILK.
Submitter comment: FOLLOWING IS FROM INFORMANT'S JUNIOR HIGH AUTOGRAPH BOOK, 1929-1933
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; GLENSHAW ; 15116 ; 107 PARK LANE DR
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; FRIENDSHIP ; PROMISE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: 00-00-1929
AUTOGRAPH BOOK RHYME
YOURS TILL AUSTRIA GETS HUNGARY AND FRIED TURKEY IN GREECE.
Submitter comment: FOLLOWING IS FROM INFORMANT'S JUNIOR HIGH AUTOGRAPH BOOK, 1929-1933
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; GLENSHAW ; 15116 ; 107 PARK LANE DR
Keyword(s): COUNTRY ; FRIENDSHIP ; PROMISE ; PUN
James Callow Keyword(s): FOOD ; PUN ON HUNGRY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
AUTOGRAPH ENTRY
BUTTER IS FAT
AND SO IS CHEESE.
HOW ABOUT A HUG OR A SQUEEZE?
Submitter comment: FOLLOWING IS FROM INFORMANT'S JUNIOR HIGH AUTOGRAPH BOOK, 1929-1933
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; GLENSHAW ; 15116 ; 107 PARK LANE DR
Keyword(s): FOOD ; PROPOSITION ; RHYME: ABB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: 00-00-1929
SIGNATURE
YOURS TILL NIAGRA FALLS,
Submitter comment:
THIS SIGNATURE WAS USED BY SUE MCANINCH TO THE VERSE IN KATHY'S
AUTOGRAPH BOOK (SEE C760).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 3487 Buckingham ; 48224
Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP ; LOCATION ; PUN
James Callow Keyword(s): NIAGARA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: 11-06-1971