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"THE JAM ON GERRIES ROCK" MM
1. MM
COME ALL YOU YOUNG BOLD SHANTY BOYS, AND LIST WHILE I RELATE
THIS CONCERNING A YOUNG SHANTY BOY, AND HIS UNTIMELY FATE
CONCERNING A YOUNG SHANTY BOY SO MANLY, TRUE AND BRAVE
'TWAS ON THE JAM AT GERRIES ROCK, HE MET HIS WATERY GRAVE MM
2. MM
'TWAS ON ONE SUNDAY MORNING, AS YOU WILL QUICKLY HEAR
THE LOGS WERE PILED UP MOUNTAIN HIGH, WE COULD NOT KEEP THEM
CLEAR
OUR FOREMAN SAYS, "TURN OUT BRAVE BOYS, WITH HEARTS DEVOID OF
FEAR
WE'LL BREAK THE JAM AT GERRIES ROCK, AND FOR EDMORE TOWN WE'LL
STEER MM
3. MM
NOW SOME OF THEM WERE WILLING, WHILE OTHERS THEY WERE NOT
TO WORK ON JAMS ON SUNDAYS, THEY DID NOT THINK WE OUGHT
BUT FIVE OF OUR BRAVE CANADIAN BOYS, DID VOLUNTEER TO GO
TO BREAK THE JAM ON GERRIES ROCK, WITH THEIR FOREMAN JACK
MONROE MM
4. MM
THEY HAD NOT ROLLED OFF MANY LOGS, 'TILL THEY HEARD A CLEAR
VOICE SAY
"I'D HAVE YOU BOYS BE ON YOUR WATCH, FOR THIS JAM WILL SOON
GIVE WAY"
THESE WORDS WERE SCARCELY SPOKEN TILL THE MASS DID BREAK AND GO
IT CARRIED OFF THOSE FIVE BRAVE BOYS, AND THEIR FOREMAN YOUNG
MONROE MM
5. MM
WHEN THE REST OF OUR BRAVE SHANTY BOYS, THE SAD NEWS CAME TO
HEAR
IN SEARCH OF THEIR DEAD COMRADES, TO THE RIVER THEY DREW NEAR
WHILE SEARCHING FOR THE BODIES, WHICH FLOATING DOWN DID GO
ALL CRUSHED AND BLEEDING BY THE BANK, WAS THAT OF YOUNG MONROE MM
6. MM
THEY DRAGGED HIM FROM HIS WATERY GRAVE, BRUSHED BACK HIS RAVEN
HAIR
THERE WAS ONE FAIR FORM AMONG THEM, WHOSE SAD CRIES RENT THE
AIR
THERE WAS ONE FAIR FORM AMONG THEM, A GIRL FROM SAGINAW TOWN
WHOSE MOANS AND CRIES AROSE TO THE SKIES FOR HER TRUE LOVE
WHO'D GONE DOWN MM
7. MM
FAIR CLARA WAS A NOBLE GIRL, THE RIVERMAN'S TRUE FRIEND
WHO WITH HER WIDOWED MOTHER, LIVED AT THE RIVER'S BEND
THE WAGES OF HER OWN TRUE LOVE, THE BOSS TO HER DID PAY
THE SHANTY BOYS MADE UP FOR HER, A GENEROUS PURSE NEXT DAY MM
8. MM
THEY BURIED HIM MID SORROWS DEEP, 'TWAS ON THE FIRST OF MAY
COME ALL YOU YOUNG SHANTY BOYS, AND FOR YOUR COMRADE PRAY
ENGRAVED UPON A HEMLOCK TREE WHICH, BY THE GRAVE DID GROW
WAS THE NAME AND DATE OF THIS SAD FATE, OF OUR SHANTY BOY
MONROE MM
9. MM
FAIR CLARA DID NOT LONG SURVIVE, HER HEART WAS FILLED WITH
GRIEF
AND SCARCELY SIX MONTHS AFTER, DEATH CAME TO HER RELIEF
AND WHEN THE TIME HAD PASSED AWAY AND SHE WAS CALLED TO GO
HER LAST REQUEST WAS GRANTED TO BE LAID BY YOUNG MONROE MM
10. MM
COME ALL YOU YOUNG BOLD SHANTY BOYS, I'D HAVE YOU CALL AND SEE
TWO GREEN MOUNDS BY THE RIVER SIDE, WHERE GROWS THE HEMLOCK
TREE
THE SHANTY BOYS CLEARED FOR THE SPOT, BUT THE LOVERS THEY LAY
LOW
THERE'S HANDSOME CLARA VERNON, AND HER TRUE LOVE JACK MONROE MM MM
THIS WAS A TRUE HAPPENING. MY GRANDFATHER KNEW OF IT AT THE
TIME IT HAPPENED. YEARS AGO, IN THE LUMBERING DAYS, WHEN A
TRAGEDY WOUULD HIT, SOME ONE USUALLY MADE UP A SONG ABOUT IT. MM
THE JAM, WHICH IS SANG OF IN THE SONG THE JAM ON GERRIES ROCK,
WAS WHEN THE LOGS WHICH WERE BEING FLOATED DOWN THE RIVER,
WOUULD JAM UP. THE CAUSE OF THIS WOULD BE THAT ONE OR TWO
LOGS WOULD TURN SIDEWAYS, INSTEAD OF FLOATING END FIRST DOWN
THE RIVER. YOU SEE THE MEN WOULD CUT THESE LOGS IN THE WIN-
TER TIME, AND THEY WERE HAULED BY SLEIGH TO A RIVER AND PILED
ON THE BANK, AND THEN IN THE SPRING, WHEN THE ICE MELTED IN
THE RIVERS, AND THE WATER WAS HIGH, THE LOGS WERE DUMPED INTO
THE RIVER AND FLOATED DOWN STREAM TO A LUMBER MILL, WHERE THEY
WERE SAWED INTO LUMBER. I SAW THIS ALL HAPPEN WHEN I WAS A
CHILD AT MICHELSON, HERE IN ROSCOMMON COUNTY.
Submitter comment:
IT IS INTERESTING THAT THIS INFORMANT BELIEVES THAT THIS
INCIDENT HAPPENED IN MICHIGAN AND THAT HER GRANDFATHER KNEW
IT. MANY OTHER ACCOUNTS OF THIS SAME INCIDENT IN VERY SIMILAR
SONGS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN OTHER LUMBERING AREAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
James Callow Keyword(s): LUMBERJACK ; SYMPATHETIC DEATH
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad, Song, Verse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- FO50 BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00001930S
KRAKOWIAK (POLISH DANCE)
LIKE THE AMERICAN SQUARE DANCE.
Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; NOT GIVEN ; HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; LETTER ; OHIO ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; AUTOGRAPH BOOK ; GROSSE POINTE ; HARPER WOODS ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; WARREN ; JAPAN ; RUSSIA ; GRAND RAPIDS ; SHIPLE HALL ; GARDEN CITY ; ROYAL OAK ; TOLEDO ; TRENTON ; FARMINGTON ; KALAMAZOO ; CANADA ; ONTARIO ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; MAIL ; INDIANA ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; TOLD AT HOME ; FERNDALE ; SOUTHFIELD ; TENNESSEE ; MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL ; HAMTRAMCK ; DEARBORN ; MINNESOTA ; ILLINOIS ; NEW YORK ; FLORIDA ; KOREA ; WISCONSIN ; NEW HAMPSHIRE ; STUDENT UNION ; READING ; AUSTRALIA ; Sylvania ; Sterling Heights ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; OAK PARK ; SOUTHGATE ; STURGEON LAKE ; REDFORD ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; ROSEVILLE ; LINCOLN PARK ; TRAVERSE CITY ; HUNTINGTON WOODS ; PONTIAC ; TROY ; PORT CHESTER ; SOUTH AMERICA ; BROOKVILLE ; MONTREAL ; SEOUL ; NORTH OLMSTED ; EASTOWN THEATER ; ERIE ; University of Notre Dame ; FRANKLINVILLE ; TORONTO ; TOLD AT ; TOLD BY ; TOLD IN ; SCRANTON ; MONROE ; GLENVIEW ; MOSCOW ; GULLEY ; FINLAND ; HARBOR BEACH ; HOUGHTON LAKE ; Hudson Lake ; 1962 ; INDIANAPOLIS ; JONESBORO ; KANSASVILLE ; LEXINGTON ; MASSILLON ; MAUCH CHUNK ; MELVINDALE ; MILFORD ; NEW ROCHELLE ; NIAGARA FALLS ; PANAMA CITY ; PATAGONIA ; ARGENTINA ; RESIDENCE HALL ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; TOLD AT HONORS HOUSE ; AMERICAN HISTORY CLASS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance |
Every second weekend of August has been the standing time of
our family gathering, we refer to it as the Hejka (my maiden name)
Round-Up. We all go up to my parents' home and we pitch our tents
on their property to camp and have a good time. Each year someone
is in charge of organizing the activities, such as golfing,
fishing, hiking, swimming, eating and of course the campfires and
just plain relaxing and enjoyment by all. This is a great idea to
have the same date every year so that everyone knows well enough in
advance to be able to participate.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August |
Date learned: 00-00-1989
Living in Northern Michigan, a means of heating our home was by
using a wood burning stove. My parents live up there now by
themselves and we often try to help them prepare their wood pile
for the long cold winter. The wood has to be cut and stacked,
however, some logs have to chopped or split. On one fall weekend,
several of us from the family were up there to help with the wood.
My oldest sister was there splitting the wood most of the weekend.
A month later the big news in our family was that my sister was now
pregnant after many years of trying to get pregnant. From then on
my Father has always kidded that it was the splitting of the wood
that had gotten her pregnant. Now during our wood working weekends
only those that my parents want to get pregnant are allowed to
split wood, no girlfriends or finances are allowed. This has been
a standing joke with our family, the miraculous results of
splitting wood, pregnancy.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
Keyword(s): POST HOC
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
You can use health and beauty aides as laundry spot removers.
I learned that shampoo is a very good spot remover especially for
grease. The other product that can be used is hairspray to remove
ink stains.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
Keyword(s): Household hints
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 00-00-1987
My sister and I went to a youth rally when we were in high
school. At the rally we were taught that to grow psychologically
a person needs eight hugs a day plus many other facts that I now
cannot recall. When we came home our parents asked us at the
dinner table what we had learned; we told them about the eight hugs
needed to grow. My dad told us that he could do better than that,
so he has given us twelve hugs plus three for good luck. My
parents live up north and we often communicate by phone or by
letter; on the phone we count to twelve, then to three to give our
hugs to each other. In written communication, we write 12+3 to
give our hugs. This is a tradition that our whole family now
practices to give each other hugs and emotional support.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
Keyword(s): Family folklore
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple 686 Eighths / Eight Favorites BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Gesture SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
FISHY FISHY IN THE BROOK
COME AND BITE MY LITTLE HOOK
DAD WILL CATCH YOU
IF HE CAN
MOM WILL FRY YOU
IN A PAN
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT FIRST HEARD THIS FROM HER PARENTS WHILE ON
VACATION IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN. THEY WOULD SING IT WHEN
THEY WENT FISHING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
Keyword(s): FISHING
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest |
Date learned: 00001930S
JACK HAGGERTY
MY NAME IS JACK HAGGERTY, FROM GREENVILLE I CAME.
MY VIRTUE'S DEPARTED, AT LAST I PROCLAIM.
THE STRONG DARTS OF CUPID HAVE CAUSED ME MUCH GRIEF.
MY HEART'S TORN ASUNDER, I GET NO RELIEF. MM MM
MY STORY I'LL TELL YOU WITHOUT NO DELAY,
HOW A SWEET LITTLE LASSIE, MY HEART STOLE AWAY.
SHE WAS THE BLACKSMITH'S OWN DAUGHTER, ON THE FLAT RIVER SIDE
AND I ALWAYS INTENDED TO MAKE HER MY BRIDE. MM MM
I WORKED ON THE RIVER, I EARNED QUITE A STEAK.
I WAS STEADFAST AND STEADY, I NE'ER PLAYED THE RAKE.
FROM TOP BAR TO HOUSE TOP, I WAS VERY WELL KNOWN.
THEY CALLED ME JACK HAGGERTY, THE PRIDE OF THE TOWN. MM MM
ONE DAY ON THE RIVER, A LETTER I RECEIVED.
IT CAME FROM MY TRUE LOVE, FROM ME SHE WAS RELIEVED.
SHE'D MARRIED AN OLD LOVE, SHE HAD LONG TIME DELAYED
AND THE NEXT TIME I'D SEE HER, SHE'D NOT BE A MAID. MM MM
TO HER MOTHER JANE TUCKER, I LAY ALL THE BLAME.
SHE CAUSED HER TO FORSAKE ME, GO BACK ON MY NAME.
SHE CAST OFF THE LOGGER, THAT GOD WOULD SOON TIE
AND LEFT ME A WANDERER TO THE DAY THAT I DIE. MM MM
SO ITS FAREWELL FLAT RIVER, FOR ME THERE'S NO REST.
I'LL SHOULDER MY PEEVE, AND I WILL GO WEST.
I'LL GO TO MUSKEGON, SOME COMFORT TO FIND
AND I'LL LEAVE THIS FLAT RIVER AND ITS GAY GIRLS BEHIND. MM MM
COME ALL YOU BOLD RAFTMEN, WITH HEARTS KIND AND TRUE.
DON'T DEPEND ON A WOMAN, YOU'LL GET LEFT IF YOU DO.
BUT IF YOU EVER MEET ONE WITH DARK CHESTNUT CURL,
JUST REMEMBER JACK HAGGERTY AND THE FLAT RIVER GIRL. MM MM
THE SONG JACK HAGGERTY WAS ABOUT A YOUNG MAN FROM OVER BY
THE GREENVILLE AND GRAND RAPIDS AREA. HIS GIRL, THAT HE
THOUGHT HE WAS TO MARRY, RAN OFF AND MARRIED ANOTHER. SO
THIS SONG WAS FORMED AS A WARNING TO THE OTHER RIVER BOYS
TO BEWARE OF WHAT THE GIRLS MIGHT DO TO THEM. AT THAT AGE
IN HISTORY, MANY EVENTS AND LORE WERE LEFT BEHIND IN THE
FORM OF SONGS OR POEMS.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A VERY POPULAR VERSION OF A VERY POPULAR LUMBER-
JACK BALLAD. THERE ARE ABOUT SIX OTHER VERSIONS OF THIS
SHANTY-BOY BALLAD. IT IS MOST COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE FLAT
RIVER GIRL."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
Keyword(s): LINE 91900 STAKE FOR STEAK ; LINE 94300 RAFTSMEN FOR RAFTMEN
James Callow Keyword(s): LUMBERJACK
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C230 |
Date learned: 00001930S
THE GARRISH RAILROAD
COME ALL YOU THAT FOLLOW LUMBERING, OH GOD IT'S ALL FOR GAIN
AND THINK OF YOUR DEAD COMRADE, WHO LIES SLEEPING IN HIS GRAVE.
FOR HE WAS THE NOBLEST YOUNG MAN, CUT DOWN IN ALL HIS BLOOM.
'TWAS ON THE GARRISH RAILROAD, HE MET HIS FATAL DOOM. MM MM
'TWAS ON ONE THURSDAY MORNING, THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF JUNE.
THIS YOUNG MAN WHO WAS WITH US, WAS AS FRESH AS A ROSE IN
BLOOM.
IT WAS HIS WILL TO MAKE THIS FATAL RIDE, IN ANSWER TO GOD'S
CALL.
'TWAS BETWEEN TWO LOADED CARS OF LOGS, HE MET WITH HIS
FATAL FALL. MM MM
THOSE WHO WERE COMING BEHIND HIM, THEY SAW HIS CRUSHING FATE.
THEY HURRIED TO ASSIST HIM, BUT ALAS', THEY WERE TOO LATE.
WHEN THEY SAW HIS MANGLED BODY, IT STRUCK THEIR HEARTS WITH
FEAR.
AND THE LAST WORDS THAT HE UTTERED WERE, "OH, MY MOTHER DEAR." MM MM
TWO DOCTORS CALLED, THEY CAME IN HASTE, BUT IT WAS TO NO AVAIL
FOR GOD'S CALL CAME, IT WAS FULFILLED, ALL EARTHLY POWERS
MUST FAIL.
THEY WATCHED HIS HEAVY BREATHING, WHILE THE TEARS STOOD IN HIS
EYES
FOR THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, POOR FELLOW HE MUST DIE. MM MM
THE LUMBER WAGON WAS HIS HEARSE, THE LUMBERING SOUND HIS KNELL.
LIKE HE, HIMSELF, WHO QUICKLY SIGHED, IT FLOURISHED AND SOON
DIED.
THE LOFTY PINES HIS MOURNERS WERE, WHILE THROUGH THEM SUNSHINE
PEEP.
THEY TRAIL LONG WITH THEIR COMRADE, TO HIS EVERLASTING SLEEP. MM MM
NO MOTHER'S CRIES NOR SIGHS WERE HEARD, NO SISTER'S TEARS WERE
SHED,
NO FATHER THERE TO SAY, "ALAS, AND NOW MY SON IS DEAD,"
NO FLOWERS SCATTERED ON HIS GRAVE, NO FUNERAL SERMON PRAYED,
NO TOMBSTONE THERE TO MARK THE PLACE, WHERE THIS LUMBERING
BOY WAS LAID. MM MM
THIS YOUNG MAN'S MOTHER, SHE WILL WAIT, HER SON'S COMING TO
APPEAR,
BUT SHE WILL WATCH AND WAIT IN VAIN, FOR FOOTSTEPS SHE WILL
NOT HEAR
UNTIL SHE GETS TO THAT FAIR LAND, WHERE TRUTH AND PEACE SHE'LL
SEE
TO REST IN PEACE AND HAPPINESS, THROUGH OUT ETERNITY. MM MM
NELSON SMITH WAS THE YOUNG MAN'S NAME, FROM CANADA HE CAME O'ER
TO MEET WITH HIS UNTIMELY DEATH, ALAS LIKE MANY MORE.
WE HOPE HE IS IN PARADISE, WHERE CALM HIS REST WILL BE
TO REST WITH GOD IN HAPPINESS, THROUGH OUT ETERNITY. MM MM
THIS SONG, THE GARRISH RAILROAD, HAPPENED TO A CANADIAN
BOY, AND MY GRANDFATHER, FRANK DAVIS, WAS THERE AND SAW IT
HAPPEN WHEN THE BOY WAS CRUSHED BETWEEN TWO CARS OF LOGS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
James Callow Keyword(s): FATALISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C230 |
Date learned: 00001930S
MICHIGAN-I-O
COME ALL YOU JOLLY LUMBERMEN,
WHEREVER YOU MAY BE,
I PRAY YOU PAY ATTENTION
AND LISTEN UNTO ME.
'TIS OF SOME JOLLY LUMBERMEN
WHO DID AGREE TO GO
AND SPEND THE WINTER PLEASANTLY
IN MICHIGAN-I-O. MM
'TWAS EARLY IN THE SEASON,
THE FALL OF 'SIXTY-THREE,
A PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL
ONE MORNING CAME TO ME.
SAID HE, "MY BRISK YOUNG FELLOW,
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO
AND SPEND A WINTER PLEASANTLY
IN MICHIGAN-I-O?" MM
THEN I MADE HIM THIS REPLY
AND UNTO HIM DID SAY,
"MY GOING OUT TO MICHIGAN
DEPENDS UPON THE PAY.
IF YOU WILL PAY GOOD WAGES
AND PASSAGE TO AND FRO,
I THINK I'LL GO ALONG WITH YOU
TO MICHIGAN-I-O." MM
'TWAS BY THIS KIND PERSUASION
THAT HE HIRED QUITE A TRAIN,
TWENTY-FIVE OR THIRTY,
BOTH YOUNG AND ABLE MEN.
WE HAD A PLEASANT VOYAGE,
THE WAY WE HAD TO GO,
AND WE LANDED SAFE IN SAGINAW
IN MICHIGAN-I-O. MM
BUT HERE OUR PLEASURES ENDED,
AND TROUBLES THEY BEGAN.
WAYNE AND BRIGHT'S AGENTS
THEY CAME A-SAILING IN
AND LED US TO A COUNTRY--
THE WAY I DO NOT KNOW--
UP THE TOBACCO RIVER
IN MICHIGAN-I-O. MM
TO TELL HOW WE DID SUFFER
IS BEYOND THE ART OF MAN;
TO GIVE A GOOD DESCRIPTION
I'LL DO THE BEST I CAN:
OUR BOARD THE DOGS WOULD LAUGH AT;
OUR BED IT WAS THE SNOW.
GOD GRANT THERE IS NO MEANER PLACE
THAN MICHIGAN-I-O. MM
BUT NOW THE WINTER'S OVER,
AND HOMEWARD WE ARE BOUND;
AND IN THIS CURSED COUNTRY
NO LONGER WE'LL BE FOUND.
WE'LL GO BACK TO OUR SWEETHEARTS,
TELL OTHERS NOT TO GO
TO A GOD-FORSAKEN COUNTRY
CALLED MICHIGAN-I-O.
Submitter comment:
MRS. TOWNE HEARD THIS SONG FROM SOMEONE IN HOUGHTON LAKE.
SHE DOES NOT REMEMBER WHO IT WAS, HOWEVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
James Callow Keyword(s): DISCONTENT ; LUMBERJACK
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- C230 Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Serious condemnation Scorn Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ill humor Ridicule Mockery |
Date learned: 00001930S
MY MOTHER USED TO MAKE POULTICES OF PINE PITCH TO HELP MY
FATHER'S BAD BACK. SHE SAID THAT IF YOU PLACED IT LOW DOWN
ON THE BACK, IT WOULD WORK ITS WAY UP TO WHERE THE PAIN WAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00001930S
"DID THE LUMBERJACKS HAVE ANY FESTIVALS?"
"THEY HAD ONLY TWO FESTIVALS. THE FIRST CAME IN THE SPRING
WHEN THE ICE MELTED. DURING THE WINTER, ALL THE LOGS HAD BEEN
BROUGHT BY SLEIGH TO THE RIVER BANK. THEN IN THE SPRING THEY
WOULD DUMP THE LOGS IN THE RIVER, AND FLOAT THEM DOWN THE
STREAM TO A LUMBER MILL, WHERE THAY WERE SAWED INTO LUMBER.
AFTER ALL THIS WORK WAS DONE, THE LUMBERJACKS AND THEIR
FAMILIES WOULD HAVE A BIG CELEBRATION. THERE WOULD BE LOG-
ROLLING, LOG CLIMBING, LOG CUTTING, AND AXE THROWING CONTESTS
DURING THE DAY, AND SQUARE DANCING AND OTHER PARTY FESTIVITIES
AT NIGHT. THE OTHER FESTIVAL WOULD BE THE FOURTH OF JULY.
ON THIS HOLIDAY THEY WOULD HAVE FIREWORKS AND A PARTY DURING
NIGHT. BESIDES FOR THESE TWO DAYS, THERE WERE NO OTHER
HOLIDAYS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July 4 Independence Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 00001930S
"DID THE LUMBERJACKS HAVE ANY RELIGION MRS. TOWNE?"
"WELL, THE LUMBERJACKS DID BELIEVE IN GOD, BUT THEY DID NOT
HAVE A CHURCH. I DO REMEMBER ONE TIME, THOUGH, WHEN A
MINISTER DID COME TO OUR LUMBERING CAMP. FOR A WHILE HE WAS
QUITE SUCCESSFUL IN CONVERTING AND BAPTISING THE LUMBERJACKS.
HIS SUCCESS ENDED, HOWEVER, WHEN THE LUMBERJACKS FOUND OUT
THAT THE WOMAN HE WAS LIVING WITH WAS NOT HIS WIFE. THEY RAN
THAT MINISTER OUT OF TOWN AND NEVER LISTENED TO ANY MORE
TRAVELING MINISTERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00001930S
PINE TAR WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST NEEDED THINGS FOR A LUM-
BERJACK. THEY USED IT TO KEEP BUGS AND MOSQUITOES AWAY.
THAT REMINDS ME OF A FUNNY STORY. ONE TIME THE MATTER BOY AND
BILL CRAIG WERE IN A TAR PAPER SHANTY WHEN A CYCLONE HIT.
WELL THAT CYCLONE HIT THAT TAR PAPER SHANTY AND PICKED IT UP
AND TURNED IT AROUND. FINALLY, IT BROUGHT IT BACK DOWN TO
EARTH AND SET THE FRONT WHERE THE BACK WAS BEFORE. WELL, THE
MATTER BOY CAME OUT AND HE WAS O-K. WHEN HE ASKED BILL IF HE
WAS HURT, BILL TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS CUT UP PRETTY BAD AND WAS
BLEEDIN SOMETHIN AWFUL. WELL, WHEN THE MATTER BOY WENT IN TO
SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH BILL, HE SAW THAT BILL WAS NOT HURT
BUT WAS ONLY COVERED WITH PINE TAR THAT HAD SPILLED FROM A
SHELF ABOVE HIS HEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
James Callow Keyword(s): LUMBERJACK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect PROSE NARRATIVE -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 00001930S
THE MEN NEVER (OR ONLY VERY SELDOMLY) TOOK BATHS AT LUMBER
CAMPS. THIS, OF COURSE, RESULTED IN THE MEN HAVING LICE. THE
COMMON CURE FOR HEAD LICE WAS TO MIX LARD WITH KEROSENE AND
WASH THE HAIR WITH THIS MIXTURE. THE CURE FOR BODY LICE, I
DO NOT REMEMBER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00001930S
I REMEMBER THAT MY FATHER AND MY MOTHER WORE WHAT THEY CALLED
A BAG OF FETTI AROUND THEIR NECKS TO HELP CURE A SORE THROAT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS BAG OF FETTI WAS, BUT I DO KNOW THAT IT
SMELLED REALLY BAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
James Callow Keyword(s): ASAFETIDA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00001930S
MY MOTHER USED TO BE KNOWN ACROSS THE TOWN FOR THE CURE FOR
PNEUMONIA. SHE USED THIS CURE EFFECTIVELY ON SEVERAL
PATIENTS. SHE WOULD FRY ONIONS IN A MIXTURE OF VICKS VAPOR
RUB, PEP OIL, QUININE, AND LARD. SHE WOULD MAKE POULTICES
OUT OF THIS MIXTURE AND PUT THEM ON THE PATIENT'S CHEST.
THESE POULTICES HAD TO BE HOT, THOUGH. SO, SHE WOULD MAKE
A FEW OF THEM AND KEEP THEM IN THE OVEN. SHE WOULD KEEP
PUTTING A NEW POULTICE ON AS SOON AS THE OLD ONES GOT COLD.
Submitter comment:
IT IS INTERESTING THAT MRS. TOWNE THOUGHT THAT HER MOTHER
WAS AS GOOD AS ANY NURSE OR DOCTOR. SHE SWEARS THAT HER
MOTHER SUCCESSFULLY CURED PNEUMONIA MANY TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00001930S
MY MOTHER USED TO MIX WHISKEY WITH ROCK SALT TO HELP CURE A
A SPRAINED ANKLE. SHE USED TO RUB THIS MIXTURE ON THE
SWOLLEN ANKLE TO HELP BRING THE SWELLING DOWN. SHE WAS QUITE
SUCCESSFUL WITH THIS SOLUTION AND USED IT TO HELP MY FATHER GO
TO WORK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 00001930S
BOTTOMLESS LAKE BELIEF
WHEN ON VACATION AT HOUGHTON LAKE, MY FATHER TOLD ME THAT
THERE WAS A LAKE NEARBY WHICH HAD BEEN SOUNDED BUT BOTTOM WAS NEVER
FOUND. (PROBABLY HIGGINS LAKE.)
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS PROBABLY HIGGINS LAKE, WHICH IS 135 DEEP.
U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS GEODETIC SURVEY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
Keyword(s): Bottomless Lake ; Higgins Lake ; Houghton Lake ; Lake ; Legend
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Still water Small body. BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
ANOTHER CURE THAT MY MOTHER USED TO GIVE MY FATHER WAS FOR
SORES. THIS CURE WAS CALLED A BAGBON. WHAT THIS WAS I DO NOT
KNOW, BUT IT WAS A MIXTURE OF LARD AND CARBOLIC ACID.
Submitter comment:
MRS. TOWNE'S FATHER WAS ABLE TO COME HOME EACH DAY AFTER WORK,
BECAUSE HIS FAMILY LIVED CLOSE TO THE LUMBERING CAMP. MOST
LUMBERJACKS DID NOT ENJOY THIS LUXURY. IN FACT MRS. TOWNE
KNEW ONE LUMBERJACK WHO WALKED TWENTY MILES HOME AFTER WORK
ON SATURDAY AND THEN WALKED TWENTY MILES BACK THE NEXT DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00001930S