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ORIGIN OF IRELAND
IRELAND BEGAN WHEN A TEAR OF HOPE FELL FROM HEAVEN INTO THE
SEA. THIS FORMED THE EMERALD ISLE. THE COLOR GREEN HERE IS
A SIGN OF HOPE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; Claus, Maureen
Keyword(s): COLOR ; Emerald Isle ; ETYMOLOGY ; Green ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Legend ; Lore
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
THE SHOPPER
WHEN I WAS WORKING AT THE J.L. HUDSON COMPANY AT NORTHLAND CENTER,
I NOTICED AN UNUSUAL WOMAN SHOPPER. SHE WAS A MIDDLE AGED WOMAN
WHO PUSHED A BABY BUGGY THROUGHOUT THE STORE. HOWEVER, THERE WAS
NO BABY INSIDE OF THE BUGGY. INSTEAD, IN THE BUGGY, WERE HER
MOST PRIZED POSSESSIONS. WHENEVER SHE WENT SHOPPING SHE LOADED
UP HER BUGGY AND TOOK OFF.
I INQUIRED ABOUT THIS STRANGE BEHAVIOR AND WAS TOLD BY THE WOMAN WHO
HAD BEEN WORKING AT HUDSON'S FOR MANY YEARS THAT THIS WOMAN WAS
ONCE ROBBED. AND, IN ORDER TO BE SURE THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN
AGAIN, SHE TOOK ALL HER VALUABLES WITH HER WHEREVER SHE WENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR
James Callow Keyword(s): DEPARTMENT STORE LEGEND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
LEGEND
LONG AGO, IN A CAVE IN A HIGH ROCKY HILL RUNNING ABOVE THE RIVER
VISTULA, A GREAT AND TERRIBLE DRAGON LIVED WHOSE FIERY BREATH GUSHED
FORTH LIKE A FOUNTAIN OF HISSING STEAM FROM HIS WIDE NOSTRILS, AND
WHO UTTERED MONSTROUS, UNEARTHLY SOUNDS, UNLIKE THOSE OF ANY BEAST
OF THE FOREST.
MANY BRAVE KNIGHTS HAD BEEN SENT TO SLAY THE DRAGON, BUT ALL
HAD PERISHED IN THE ATTEMPT.
PRINCE CRACUS WAS BRAVE AND KIND. HE KILLED A FAT SHEEP, FILLED
IT WITH SULPHUR. THE DRAGON ATE THE BAIT, DRANK HALF A RIVER AND
EXPLODED. THE CITY OF CRACOW WAS FOUNDED WHERE THE DRAGON EXPLODED.
THE PRINCE ERECTED A FORTRESS ON THE DRAGON'S HILL, WHERE AFTERWARDS
WAWEL CASTLE WAS BUILT, THE HOME OF THE KING OF POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE FARMS
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND: POLAND ; SUPERNATURAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 10-02-1968
SAINT MAGNUS - APOSTLE OF THE ALLGAU
IN FUSSEN THERE IS A WATERFALL WHICH IS SPRING-FED FROM TYROL.
THE WATER FROM THE FALL FLOWS INTO A VERY NARROW GORGE.
ONE DAY ST. MAGNUS, THE APOSTLE OF THE ALLGAU, WAS BEING CHASED
BY HIS ENEMIES. THEY CORNERED HIM ABOVE THE WATERFALL. ST. MAGNUS HAD
TWO CHOICES: JUMP AND DROWN IN THE RUSHING WATERS OR BE CAPTURED BY
HIS ENEMIES. HE JUMPED AND MADE IT ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE GORGE.
TODAY, THERE STILL EXISTS A FOOTPRINT IN THE ROCK WHERE ST.
MAGNUS LANDED. NO MATTER WHAT MAN TRIES TO STEP INTO IT OR WHAT SIZE
SHOE HE WEARS, HIS SHOE WILL FIT THE FOOTPRINT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS LEGEND ; SAINT'S LEGEND: SAINT MAGNUS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-10-1968
LEGEND OF THE MAIDEN OF THE MIST
THERE ONCE WERE THREE DRAGONS THAT LIVED UNDERNEATH NIAGRA FALLS. AT
THE TIME THE TUSCARERIES, A TRIBE OF INDIANS IN NORTHWEST NEW YORK
LIVED IN THE VICINITY. THE DRAGONS WOULD GET HUNGRY AND COME UP AT
NIGHT AND ATTACK AND EAT SOME OF THE BRAVES OF THE TRIBE. THE
TUSCARERIES, SEEING THEIR TRIBE DWINDLING, WANTED TO APPEASE THE
DRAGONS. SO TO SATISFY THE DRAGONS ( DRAGONS' ) APPETITE THEY WOULD
LOAD UP A CANOE OF GOOD FOODS AND SEND IT DOWN THE NIAGRA RIVER
TOWARD THE FALLS. THIS TOO FAILED TO SATISFY THE DRAGONS AND AGAIN
THEY ATTACKED THE TRIBE TO EAT BRAVES. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO
KEEP THE DRAGONS HAPPY, THE CHIEF AND THE MEDICINE MAN DECIDED TO
SACRIFICE A MAIDEN TO THE DRAGONS IN HOPES OF STOPPING THESE ATTACKS.
SO THE INDIANS FORMED ALL THE MAIDENS OF THE TRIBE IN ONE CIRCLE AND
SHOT AN ARROW INTO THE AIR FROM THE CENTER OF THIS CIRCLE. WHOEVER
THE ARROW LANDED CLOSEST TO WOULD BE THE SACRIFICE. IT HAPPENED THAT
THE SACRIFICE TURNED OUT TO BE LELAWELLA, THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER. THE
INDIANS SENT THE GIRL, STARK NAKED, WITH A BIG SUPPLY OF GOOD FOOD IN
A CANOE TOWARDS THE FALLS. (IT IS AT THIS POINT THAT THE SOURCE COULD
NOT REMEMBER ANY MORE DETAILS AND FINISHED WITH GENERALITIES) OVER
THE FALLS SHE WENT BUT SOME BRAVES RESCUED HER AND IN DOING SO SLEW
THE DRAGON. THEY WENT BACK TO THE VILLAGE AND HAD A BIG CELEBRATION,
THAT TODAY IS CELEBRATED IN NIAGRA FALLS, NEW YORK, AS THE FEAST OF
THE "MAIDEN OF THE MIST."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND ; NIAGARA FALLS ; SUPERNATURAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 11-05-1968
A GRAVE MATTER
IN THE EARLY NINETEENTH CENTURY, THE DAUGHTER OF A WEALTHY
KENTUCKY LANDOWNER CONTRACTED A FEVER, FELL INTO A COMA, AND WITHIN
TWO DAYS PASSED AWAY. ON THE FOLLOWING DAY SHE WAS BURIED IN THE
FAMILY CEMETERY. HER BODY WAS ADORNED IN BEAUTIFUL GARMENTS AND
PRECIOUS GEMS WERE PLACED ABOUT HER ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL CUSTOM.
ON THE NIGHT OF HER BURIAL, TWO GRAVE-ROBBERS EXUMED THE CASKET.
THEY OPENED THE LID AND WERE IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING ONE OF HER
EARRINGS WHEN, IT WAS ALLEGED, SHE AWAKENED FROM HER COMA. THE
SURPRISED GRAVE-ROBBERS IMMEDIATELY GRABBED A SHOVEL AND STRUCK THE
SCREAMING GIRL ACROSS THE BACK OF HER HEAD. THEY THEN LOWERED THE
CASKET INTO THE PIT AND RECOVERED THE HOLE.
THIS STORY BECAME A LEGEND OVER THE COURSE OF THE FOLLOWING
ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY-FIVE YEARS UNTIL FINALLY IN THE 1920'S LOCAL
OFFICIALS, IN AN EFFORT TO REPUDIATE THE TALE, OPENED THE GRAVE.
THEY FOUND THE REMAINS OF THE YOUNG LADY LYING FACE DOWN WITH THE
REAR OF HER SKULL BASHED IN.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD TALE WHILE A RESIDENT OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF TALE ; LOCAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 10-23-1965
WISCONSIN KILLER
A MAN IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN WAS INVOLVED AND SUSPECTED IN A
NUMBER OF DISAPPEARANCES IN THE VICINITY. THE POLICE CAME TO HIS HOME
AND AFTER A BRIEF STAY, ONE OF THEM NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE
FURNITURE IN THE HOUSE WAS UPHOLSTERED IN HUMAN SKIN. LATER
INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT HIS COOKIE JAR WAS FILLED WITH HUMAN FINGERS
AND TOES.
Where learned: DETROIT ; 2822 EWALD CIRCLE ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND ; URBAN BELIEF TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 02-03-1968
THUMP-DRAG
ABOUT THIRTY YEARS AGO WHEN WHAT IS NOW CYO CAMP FOR GIRLS IN
CARSONVILLE WAS JUST STARTED, IT WAS A BOYS CAMP. MANY OF THE
BUILDINGS THAT ARE THERE NOW WEREN'T EVEN BUILT YET. WHAT IS NOW THE
NATURE NOOK WAS IN THE STOREROOM. A YOUNG CHEMISTRY STUDENT WAS IN
CHARGE OF NATURE. ONCE HE WAS REACHING UP TO A HIGH SHELF TO GET SOME
CHEMICALS FOR AN EXPERIMENT. THE SHELF COLLAPSED AND A BOTTLE OF ACID
SPILLED ALL OVER HIM. HE JUMPED BACK SO QUICKLY THAT HE FELL AND
BROKE HIS LEG. HE LAY ON THE FLOOR WRITHING AND SCREAMING AS THE ACID
BURNED HIS FACE. SOMEONE HEARD HIM AND RAN FOR HELP. SOON A WHOLE
GROUP OF COUNSELORS CAME. WHEN THEY SAW THE ACID BURNING THEY
GRABBED HIM AND DRAGGED HIM TO THE LAKE. EVENTUALLY THEY WERE ABLE
TO STOP THE BURNING BUT BY THIS TIME MOST OF HIS FACE HAD BEEN EATEN
AWAY BY THE ACID, HIS BROKEN LEG WAS HOPELESSLY MANGLED AND THE
UNBEARABLE PAIN HAD MADE HIS MIND SNAP. HE WAS COMMITTED TO A MENTAL
INSTITUTION BUT HE ESCAPED SOON AFTER. PEOPLE IN THE CARSONVILLE
AREA REPORTED SEEING HIM, HIS FACE A REPULSIVE BLOB, LIMPING AROUND.
CHILDREN HEARD HIM WALKING--A THUMP FOLLOWED BY THE DRAG OF HIS
USELESS LEG. ONE NIGHT HE RETURNED TO THE CAMP. HE MET UP WITH A
CAMPER AT THE BIFFY. HE LUNGED TO GRAB THE CHILD BUT TRIPPED AND
FELL, KNOCKING THE CAMPER UNCONSCIOUS. AFTER THAT THE POLICE SET OUT
DRAGNETS TO TRY AND CATCH HIM. THE CAMP REQUIRED THAT ALL CAMPERS
TAKE A BUDDY WHEREVER THEY GO. STILL THUMP-DRAG GOES TO A DIFFERENT
CAVELL, YMCA AND YWCA. EVERY SEVENTH YEAR HE RETURNS TO THIS CAMP,
THE SCENE OF HIS ACCIDENT AND SEEKS REVENGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CYO CAMP ; CARSONVILLE
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
THE TALE OF THE HODAG
A LUMBERJACK IN RHINELANDER, WISCONSIN MADE UP THIS TALE. HE, WHILE
IN THE WOODS DEVELOPED AN IMAGENARY ( IMAGINARY ) MONSTER. WHEN HE
TOLD THE PEOPLE IN THE TOWN, THEY DIDN"T BELIEVE HIM, SO HE GOT A
BEARSKIN, TUSKS, AND HORNS AND MADE THE MONSTER. HE PUT IT IN A CAVE
AND CALLED THE TOWNFOLK OUT TO SEE IT. THEY BELIEVED HIM FROM THEN
ON. PEOPLE FROM A MUSEUM CAME AND DISCOVERED THE HOAX. THE TOWN STILL
USES THE HODAG AS ITS MASCOT.
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
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
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
GREEN M&M CANDIES MAKE A PERSON HORNY.
CHILDREN AND EVEN ADULTS WOULD ALWAYS SCRAMBLE TO GET THE
PRECIOUS FEW GREEN M&M'S IN A BAG OF THE CANDIES SO THAT
THEY MIGHT HAVE BETTER LUCK FINDING OR STAYING WITH A MATE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): APHRODISIAC ; CANDY ; COLOR ; Green ; Sexuality ; Urban Legend
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXUALLY AROUSED = HORNY ; SLANG
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001976CA
Etymology
Origin of Name:
Hungry Mother State Park gets its name from the little boy who is said to have been found wandering through the park (which was at the time only pasture) crying and saying "Hungry, Mother." Later the child's mother was found dead.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: Hull, Linda
Keyword(s): CHILD ; Dead ; ETYMOLOGY ; HUNGRY ; Legend ; MOTHER ; NAME ; Origin ; Pasture
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
JOHNNY APPLESEED
JOHNNY APPLESEED WAS TO HAVE STAYED OVERNIGHT AT
THEIR FARM HOUSE. FOR LETTING HIM SLEEP THERE, HE
PLANTED AN APPLE TREE IN THEIR FRONT YARD. WHICH IS
STILL THERE TODAY.
Submitter comment:
DERBY'S FARM HOUSE HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN TO THEM FROM
PAST GENERATIONS. IT IS LOCATED ABOUT TWO MILES
NORTHEAST FROM CARSONVILLE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; CARSONVILLE ; 2 MILES NORTHEAST
Keyword(s): LEGENDARY FIGURE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
JOHNNY APPLESEED
JOHNNY APPLESEED WAS TO HAVE STAYED OVERNIGHT AT
THEIR FARM HOUSE. FOR LETTING HIM SLEEP THERE, HE
PLANTED AN APPLE TREE IN THEIR FRONT YARD. WHICH IS
STILL THERE TODAY.
Submitter comment:
DERBY'S FARM HOUSE HAS BEEN HANDED DOWN TO THEM FROM
PAST GENERATIONS. IT IS LOCATED ABOUT TWO MILES
NORTHEAST FROM CARSONVILLE, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; CARSONVILLE ; 2 MILES NORTHEAST
Keyword(s): LEGENDARY FIGURE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 05-00-1963
Faerie: Elves and Time Travellers
There is no such thing as "a fairy," but rather "Faerie" is a place - a half-remembered world perhaps existing in another dimension. "Faerie" was inhabited not by faeries but by elves. These Elves were not diminutive, but tall, pale, thin and fair. They were especially noted for their grey eyes. They are unable to touch iron: suggesting that these were early time-travellers unable to come in contact with magnetic sources without "grounding out" of the earthly dimension.
Data entry tech comment:
Collector stamped a home address stamp onto the card in the place of "collector data."
Stamp reads: Mrs.W.E. Givens, Jr.
They then crossed out the Prefix and first initials [Mrs. W.E.] of the name, and wrote an indecipherable scrawl over the suffix [Jr.]. This scrawl may possibly be Rev. or Esq.
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original Boggs number P400 was crossed out and P423 was substituted.
Where learned: WALES ; Givens, T S ; 4/72 ; ABERYSTWYTH
Keyword(s): Attributes ; Dimension ; Elf ; Elves ; Faerie ; Fairy ; IRON ; Legend ; Lore ; METAL ; MYTH ; Physics ; Time-Traveler
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Scare Stories
44
1) Teenage Couple driving in the country, run out of gas.
2) Hear drip, drip, drip - its blood.
28
1) Next door neighbors in love.
2) Girl wore a yellow ribbon around her neck that she wouldn't take off.
3) She untied it, her head fell off.
1
1) Two children home alon eon Halloween see a ghost.
2) Turns out to be their uncle in costume
Data entry tech comment:
No information listed on card. Omitted: Collector data, informant date.
Unknown meaning of numbers preceeding each story.
Bogg Number added by TRD
James Callow comment:
18400 Praire
Corner of Pickford and Praire
Where learned: UNKNOWN
Keyword(s): Car ; Costume ; Drip ; Fable ; HALLOWEEN ; Ribbon ; Scary ; Stories ; SYMBOLISM ; Urban Legends ; Yellow Ribbon
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Prose Narrative |
THERE IS A LEGEND THAT SAYS THAT ONE OF THE MOUNTAINS IN
COUNTY SLIGO, IRELAND HAS A LUMP IN THE MIDDLE AND THE PEOPLE
SAY THAT ONE DAY THE DEVIL TOOK A BITE OF THE MOUNTAIN AND SPIT
IT AT CASHEL.
Submitter comment:
KATHY HEARD THIS FROM AN IRISHMAN WHILE HITCH-HIKING FROM CORK
TO LIMERICK IN IRELAND. CASHEL IS A ROCK ABOUT THREE HUNDRED FEET
HIGH WITH A RUIN OF A CASTLE AND CATHEDRAL ON IT. I BELIEVE IT WAS
ONCE THE SEAT OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS BUT AM NOT SURE. I DO NOT KNOW
IF THE MAN WHO TOLD KATHY BELIEVED IT BUT KATHY DOESN'T.
Data entry tech comment:
Additional (non-numbered) Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
[Please make a copy. Label it B472] - handwritten at the bottom of the card.
The original Boggs Number [P400] is crossed out and B425 and B472 are written next to it.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PARTY ; Bieke, Kathy
Keyword(s): Castle ; Cathedral ; DEVIL ; GEOLOGY ; IRELAND ; IRISH BELIEF ; MOUNTAIN ; NATURE ; Pagan ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS LEGEND ; Rock ; Rock Formation
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: UNKNOWN
Entertainment: Gambling
In poker, a full house - aces and eights- is a Dead Man's Hand. Supposedly Wild Bill Hickok had this hand when he died.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] crossed out/ replaced with current classifications
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Began, Edward
Keyword(s): Aces ; CARDS ; Dead Man's Hand ; DEATH ; Eights ; Entertainment ; Hero ; Legend ; NUMBERS ; Outlaw ; Poker, Gambling ; Wild West
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Secular hero BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Entertainment: Gambling
Belief:
Aces and Eights - this is the Dead Man's Hand. Wild Bill Hickok was killed in a poler game with this hand.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] was written twice and crossed out each time/replaced with current classifications
Where learned: SCHOOL ; St Jean, David
Keyword(s): Aces ; CARDS ; Dead Man's Hand ; DEATH ; Eights ; Entertainment ; Hero ; Legend ; NUMBERS ; Outlaw ; Poker, Gambling ; Wild West
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Secular hero BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Folk etymology |
Ethnic: Irish
Some more: when these men arrived they would not work either - it seems the air strip went over a large mound and this is Ireland is recognized as a grave yard for the "Little People" and to disturb it is unheard of. So to this day the strip is still uncompleted. [sic]
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs and BN added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Card was located in a pile marked with [?].
Where learned: UNKNOWN
Keyword(s): Airport ; Airstrip ; BELIEF ; BURIAL ; ETHNIC ; GRAVEYARD ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Legend ; Little People ; Mound ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |