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FIRE BALL
OUTSIDE OF LAMBERTVILLE (MISSOURI), THERE IS A FARM WHERE A NEGRO
FAMILY WAS SHARECROPPING (ABOUT 30 OR SO YEARS AGO). ALMOST EVERY
NIGHT AFTER DARK, THEY'D SEE A BALL OF FIRE COME OUT OF THE FIELD,
ROLL ACROSS THE YARD AND DISAPPEAR AT THE CORNER OF THE FENCE
POLE. THIS SCARED THE FAMILY AND THEY SOON MOVED OUT, LEAVING THE
HOUSE ABANDONED. THE LOCAL YOUTHS TOOK THE FIREBALL AS A SIGN
THAT TREASURE WAS BURIED ON THE PROPERTY. ONE NIGHT THEY DETER-
MINED TO SNEAK OVER AND DIG IT UP. THEY WENT BUT WERE TOO SCARED
TO DIG AND THEY SOON LEFT. THEY HOWEVER DIDN'T SEE THE FIRE BALL.
(THE INFORMANT WAS ONE OF THESE YOUTHS.)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Air Weather Fire PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
JAMES BROTHERS' MONEY
IT IS SAID THAT THE MONEY THE JAMES BROTHERS STOLE FROM THE FAMOUS
STATE FAIR ROBBERY IS BURIED BETWEEN LONE ROCK AND ROCKVIEW ON A
FARM (THE INFORMANT CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT FARM, BUT KNOWS THE
MAN--"OLD DYNAMITE" HE'S CALLED--WHO DOES). THIS IS SOUTH OF
CHAFFEE, MISSOURI, BETWEEN CHAFFEE AND ORAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange |
OCCURANCE AT A WAKE
THE INFORMANT'S GRANDMOTHER GREW UP ON A FARM IN LITHUANIA. WHEN
SHE WAS A CHILD, SHE WAS TAKEN TO A NEIGHBORING FARM FOR A
FUNERAL. THE GROWN-UPS WERE TALKING IN THE KITCHEN WHILE THE
CHILDREN WERE IN THE PARLOUR WHERE THE MAN WAS LAID OUT WITH A
SHEET COVERING THE BODY. SUDDENLY THE BODY BEGAN TO SIT UP AND
THE CHILDREN ALL SCREAMED. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE MAN HAD DIED
IN THAT ROOM.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
CHILDHOOD BELIEF
CHILDREN WHO LIVED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND PASADENA BETWEEN
SECOND AND THIRD STREETS IN DETROIT BELIEVED THAT A MAN WHO LIVED
IN ONE OF THE HOUSES HAD KILLED HIS WIFE, CAUSING THE HOUSE TO BE
HAUNTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-10-1967
THE GIRL AND THE ANTS
A GIRL WENT TO THE BEACH AND FELL ASLEEP THERE. LATER IN THE DAY,
AFTER SHE HAD BEEN AWAKENED TO GO HOME, HER CHEEK BEGAN TO ITCH.
THIS ITCH CONTINUED, NO MATTER HOW MUCH SHE SCRATCHED.
EVENTUALLY HER PARENTS NOTICED HER CONSTANT SCRATCHING OF HER
CHEEK AND ATTEMPTED TO BREAK HER OF A "BAD HABIT." YET SHE CON-
TINUED TO INSIST THAT HER CHEEK ITCHED. SO THEY ASSIGNED HER TO
A REST HOME WHERE HER HANDS WERE TIED DOWN AND SHE COULDN'T
SCRATCH HER CHEEK.
A FEW MONTHS LATER, WHEN HER MOTHER WAS VISITING HER, THE GIRL
ASKED THE MOTHER TO RELEASE HER HAND FOR JUST A MINUTE. THE
MOTHER GAVE IN TO HER DAUGHTER'S PLEADING AND DID SO. IMMEDIATELY
THE GIRL SCRATCHED HER CHEEK VIOLENTLY, TEARING OFF THE TOP LAYER
OF SKIN. THE WHOLE INSIDE OF HER CHEEK WAS FILLED WITH ANTS--
SHE HAD HOUSED A LIVING ANT COLONY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect BELIEF -- Body part Senses Head, physiognomy, face |
Date learned: 00001957 CA
LEGEND
LEGEND SAYS THAT THE KELLEY MANSION ON KELLY'S ISLAND IN OHIO
WAS THE LAST STATION IN THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD DURING THE
CIVIL WAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Permanent and Temporary Dwelling |
Date learned: 11-03-1967
GERMAN TALE
THERE ONCE WAS A VILLAGE CALLED RALLINGEN IN SWITZERLAND. THOUGH
THE TOWN ITSELF WAS VERY PRETTY, ITS INHABITANTS WERE STINGY
PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T BELIEVE IN CHARITY. ONE DAY A DWARF VISITED
THE VILLAGE BUT NONE OF THE PEOPLE WOULD LET HIM INTO THEIR HOMES.
ONLY ONE OLD COUPLE WHO WERE VERY POOR OPENED THEIR HOUSE TO HIM.
IN ANGER, THE DWARF DENOUNCED THE UNCHARITABLENESS OF RALLINGEN
AND, CLIMBING A HILL BEHIND THE TOWN, HE JUMPED ON A LARGE ROCK
AND RODE IT DOWN THE HILL TO THE TOWN. EVERY HOUSE EXCEPT THAT
OF THE OLD COUPLE WAS COMPLETELY WIPED OUT BY THE ROCK AND THE
PEOPLE WERE PUNISHED FOR THEIR LACK OF CHARITY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT IS AN AMERICAN GIRL WHOSE PARENTS ARE FROM GERMANY.
HER FATHER LEARNED IT AS A YOUNG BOY IN GERMANY AND TOLD IT TO
HER WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
GERMAN TALE
FOR MANY YEARS, THE DEVIL HAD HIS OWN WAY IN THE LOVELY VALLEY
OF VAUDAI. ONE YEAR, HOWEVER, SOME OF THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE
BUILT A CHUCH. THE DEVIL WAS VERY ANGRY AND TRIED TO DESTROY
THE CHURCH BUT MORE AND MORE CHURCHES WERE BUILT AND THE DEVIL
WAS FORCED TO LEAVE THE VALLEY AND LIVE UP IN THE ROCKY HEIGHTS
OF THE ALPS WHERE IT WAS TOO COLD TO BUILD A CHURCH. THOUGH HE
TRIED MANY MEANS OF WIPING OUT THE CHURCHES, THEY STILL REMAINED
AND REALIZING HIS DEFEAT, THE DEVIL WENT BACK IN MISERY TO THE
ROCKY CRAGS WHICH WERE HIS NEW HOME. AND WHEN THE DEVIL THINKS
BACK ON HIS HAPPY DAYS IN THE VALLEY, A TERRIBLE FREEZING WIND
BLOWS THROUGHOUT VAUDAI AND MAKES ALL THE CHURCH DOORS RATTLE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT IS AN AMERICAN GIRL WHOSE PARENTS ARE FROM GERMANY.
HER FATHER LEARNED IT AS A YOUNG BOY IN GERMANY AND TOLD IT TO
HER WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon |
Date learned: 10-06-1963
INDIAN LEGEND
THERE WAS A FAMINE IN THE LAND AND THE TRIBES DECIDED TO MAKE
A SACRIFICE OF THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER TO THE SERPENT WHO WAS
CAUSING ALL THE TROUBLE. A BRAVE WAS IN LOVE WITH THE GIRL, SO
AFTER THE SERPENT KILLED HER, HE WENT AFTER THE SNAKE. BOTH
WERE KILLED, AND THE SNAKE FELL INTO THE RIVER. THE WATER
WASHED OVER IT AND FORMED NIAGRA FALLS.
Submitter comment: PETER HEARD THIS STORY IN ST. IGNACE FROM AN OLD ALGONQUIN:
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: 05-15-1965
ORDINARY TALE
ONE EVENING TWO BOYS AND A GIRL WENT OUT TO A CEMETERY IN
ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN. THEY WENT TO INSPECT THE TOMBS. BUILT IN
THE SIDE OF A HILL WAS THE TOMB OF MARY DUNN; THE BOYS CONSPIRED
TO LOCK UP THE GIRL IN THIS TOMB OVERNIGHT. WHEN THEY CAME BACK
IN THE MORNING, THEY FOUND HER DEAD WITH A FRIGHTENED EXPRESSION
ON HER FACE. SINCE THEN IRON BARS HAVE BEEN PLACED ACROSS THE
ENTRANCE AND THE TOMB OF MARY DUNN HAS BECOME A HISTORICAL MARKER
OF LOVER'S LANE IN ROCHESTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
PETOSKEY STONE
THESE STONES ARE A FOSSILIZED CORAL (HEXAGONARIA) WHICH CONSIST
OF A CYLINDRICAL GEOMETRIC LATTICE OF SIX-SIDED CORAL STEMS ABOUT
A QUARTER INCH ACROSS WITH A SMALL CIRCLE INSIDE EACH ONE. THE
FOSSILS ARE A HARD ROCK WHICH TAKES AN EXCELLENT POLISH AND IS
COMMONLY USED IN SOUVENIR JEWELRY, ETC. UNOFFICIALLY MICHIGAN'S
STATE STONE, IT CAN BE FOUND IN GRAVEL PITS AND SHORES FROM
HIGGINS LAKE TO THE LOWER U.P. (UPPER PENINSULA). NAMED FOR
PETOSKEY, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-30-1968
THE HAUNTED HOUSE
ON LAKESHORE DRIVE NEAR THE DODGE RESIDENCE, THERE IS AN OLD
RAMBLING HOUSE WHICH PEOPLE BELIEVE IS A HAUNTED HOUSE. IT IS
A LARGE BUILDING WITH MANY ROOMS, A BALCONY, KITCHENS AND ITS OWN
MONEY VAULT. SOME FRIENDS OF MINE VISITED THIS PLACE DURING THE
NIGHT AND AS THEY WERE LEAVING, THE BOY WHO WAS THE LAST TO LEAVE
BELIEVED HE HAD FELT TWO HANDS AT HIS NECK WHILE HE WAS EXITING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
NAMES
AYERS, MORISON: THIS IS A SCOTTISH NAME. THE FIRST WAS A LAST
NAME OF A CLAN WHO MERGED WITH THE MORISON CLAN. THIS WAS PASSED
DOWN THROUGHOUT THE FAMILY FOR MORE THAN 8 GENERATIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
HAUNTED HOUSE
THE HOUSE AT 16511 MUIRLAND IN DETROIT IS SAID TO BE HAUNTED.
STRANGE NOISES HAVE BEEN HEARD AND IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT
POSTERS ON THE WALLS HAVE BEEN RIPPED IN HALF, SUPPOSEDLY BY
AN UNSEEN FORCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1964
NOT GIVEN
IN BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, THERE WAS A PONTIAC, BUICK AND CADILLAC
DEALERSHIP, GUY F. JOHNSON. THIS AUTO COMPANY IN THE 1930'S GOT
HOLD OF A CAR SUPPOSEDLY OWNED BY A GANGSTER WHO WAS MURDERED
IN THIS CAR. THE CAR CHANGED HANDS MANY TIMES UNTIL A YOUNG
COUPLE, NEEDING A CAR, BOUGHT IT. THE PREVIOUS OWNERS NEVER
EXPLAINED WHY THEY HAD RETURNED THE AUTO. APPARENTLY, WHEN A
SINGLE PERSON WOULD DRIVE THE CAR, THERE WAS A DISTINCT ODOR OF
CIGAR SMOKE. A PAIR OF EYES WOULD APPEAR IN THE MIRROR. THE
COUPLE RETURNED THE CAR AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. NO ONE
KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-17-1972
NOT GIVEN
A HITCHHIKER IS THUMBING IN TEXAS; HE GETS PICKED UP BY A GUY
IN A CADILLAC. THEY START TALKING WHEN THE RIDER NOTICES A
PAIR OF THICK GLASSES ON THE SEAT.
"ARE THOSE YOURS?"
"YES."
"SHOULDN'T YOU BE WEARING THEM FOR DRIVING?"
"NO, I'VE GOT THE WINDSHIELD GROUND TO MY PRESCRIPTION."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
MONONAGHELA RIVER
THE LEGEND IS THAT A CHIEF OF AN INDIAN TRIBE NAMED THE RIVER
AFTER HIMSELF. THE TRIBE WAS OF FIERCE WARRIORS AND RULED ALONG
MOST OF THE RIVER BEFORE THE LAND WAS EVER SETTLED.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT USED TO LIVE ON THIS RIVER AS A CHILD IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-07-1970
PICK UP A PIN AND YOU'LL HAVE GOOD LUCK THAT DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Good luck Sharp objects |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
SEE A PIN AND PICK IT UP,
ALL DAY LONG YOU'LL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Verse without Music BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Good luck Sharp objects |
Date learned: 12-00-1967
IF YOU SEE A PIN, PICK IT UP FOR GOOD LUCK,
FOR IF YOU LEAVE IT LIE, YOU'LL BE
SORRY BYE AND BYE.
Submitter comment: LEARNED WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD FROM HER PLAYMATES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Sharp objects |
Date learned: 03-25-1967