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UP THE RIVER FROM OUR HOUSE IN MATHEWS, VIRGINIA IS A DARK,
SHADED CREEK WHICH WE WERE TOLD WAS HAUNTED. THERE WAS AN OLD
DESERTED HOUSE BY THE CREEK AND WHEN OWLS MADE NOISES AT NIGHT,
WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS GHOSTS. WHENEVER WE WENT BOAT RIDING
IN THE EVENING, WE WOULD NEVER GO NEAR THAT CREEK.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; MATHEWS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Running water

Date learned: 04-05-1969

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TRADITION

NUNS DON'T HAVE TO PAY TO RIDE BUSES AND TROLLEYS IN NEW
ORLEANS, BECAUSE OF THE EPIDEMICS OF YELLOW FEVER THEY ACTED
AS NURSES, A LOT OF THEM DIED. THE CITY ALLOWS THIS AS GRATITUDE
FOR THEIR SERVICE

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; KILMARNOCK

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Religious hero
BELIEF -- P439

Date learned: 11-30-1972

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In 1967, a composite picture of our sorority sisters fell off
the lounge wall. The crash awakened the girls and they ran from
their bedrooms to the lounge. They found that the crack in the
glass only cut across one face on the picture. It was later found
that this sorority sister's fiance was killed in a car accident at
the exact time that the picture had fallen. His car clock stopped
running upon impact which was the same time that the girls had
been awakened by the picture crashing to the floor.

Submitter comment: I pledged this sorority in 1969 and was told this by my
sorority sisters. The glass had been replaced and the picture
still hung on the wall. The sorority sister whose face was marred
by the crack had transferred to a different university following
her fiance's death.

Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; West Liberty State College ; West Liberty

Subject headings: Observation
Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 00-00-1969

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THERE IS A STATUE ON CAMPUS OF GENERAL GEORGE MORGAN
JONES, LOCAL CIVIL WAR HERO. IT IS SAID THAT IF A
VIRGIN WALKS BY HIM, HE WILL DRAW HIS SWORD.

Submitter comment: IT DOESN'T WORK.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; LYNCHBURG

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 00001964-1968

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COLLEGE TRADITION

THERE IS A STATUE ON CAMPUS OF GENERAL GEORGE MORGAN JONES,
LOCAL CIVIK WAR HERO. IT IS SAID THAT IF A VIRGIN WALKS BY
HIM, HE WILL DRAW HIS SWORD (IT DOESN' WORK).

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; LYNCHBURG

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Legend

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MY MOTHER TOLD ME ABOUT A DUMB SUPPER THAT HER GRANDMOTHER
ATTENDED. MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER, SARAH HOLBROOK, LIVED IN
TAZEWELL COUNTY, VIRGINIA. SHE AND SOME OF HER GIRLFRIENDS
HAD A "DUMB SUPPER." THE IDEA WAS TO COOK A MEAL WITH
NONE OF THE GIRLS SPEAKING A WORD. THEN AT MIDNIGHT, THEY
SAT DOWN AND ATE THE MEAL, STILL WITHOUT SPEAKING. MY
GREAT-GRANDMOTHER WAS FIFTEEN YEARS OLD AT THE TIME AND I
SUPPOSE THE OTHER GIRLS WERE ABOUT THE SAME AGE, SO THIS WAS
NO EASY JOB. IF YOU DID THIS, THE NEXT MAN YOU SAW WOULD
BE YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND.
MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER'S FATHER RAN AN INN, AND PEOPLE GOING
WEST WOULD STOP THERE BEFORE GOING ON THROUGH THE CUMBERLAND
GAP AND ON INTO THE BLUE GRASS REGION OF KENTUCKY OR THE
NASHVILLE BASIN. GABRIEL VAUGHAN AND HIS TWO BROTHERS EACH
HAVING A WAGON FILLED WITH SUPPLIES STOPPED THERE.
GABRIEL WAS THE FIRST MAN SARAH SAW. SHE MARRIED HIM THE
NEXT DAY AND THEY LEFT FOR KENTUCKY. WHEN THEY WERE GOING
DOWN THE BIG SANDY VALLEY, THEIR WAGON GOT IN A MUDHOLE AND THE
AXLE BROKE WHEN THEY PULLED IT OUT. GABE DECIDED TO STAY
THERE IN FLOYD COUNTY. ONE BROTHER WENT ON TO MISSOURI AND
THE OTHER FINALLY ENDED UP IN CALIFORNIA, ACCORDING TO A
COUSIN OF OURS WHO HAS TRACED THE FAMILY TREE. MY GREAT-
GRANDMOTHER WAS OVER NINETY WHEN SHE DIED AND I REMEMBER
HER SITTING IN HER POKE BONNET AND LONG DRESSES ROCKING.
SHE WAS SENILE AND SLAPPED AT ANY OF US YOUNGER ONES
WHO WENT NEAR HER. SHE COULD SPELL UNCOMMONLY LONG WORDS,
AND U SUPPOSE SHE TOLD MY MOTHER THIS STORY BEFORE SHE
GOT SO OLD.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; TAZEWELL COUNTY

Subject headings: 862 Use of object for determining future spouse
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
Food Drink -- Manner of preparation
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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SAYING

SOMEONE WHO IS VERY OUTGOING: "HE NEVER MEETS A STRANGER."

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; MONROE

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim

Date learned: 11-30-1972

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OFFICIAL REQUEST

THERE WAS ONCE A MAN AND A WOMAN WHO HAD TWELVE SONS, AND THE
THIRTEENTH WAS ON THE WAY. THE FIRST TWELVE HAD BEEN NAMED
AFTER THE APOSTLES AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE NAME FOR THIS
ONE WOULD BE. BY THE TIME HE ARRIVED THEY HAD DECIDED TO NAME
HIM CHRIST--CHRIST MURPHY.
AFTER A FEW YEARS CHRIST MURPHY STARTED TO SCHOOL. ONE DAY
IN SECOND GRADE THE BISHOP WAS VISITING. HE SAID TO THE TEACHER,
"SISTER, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE SING. HOW ABOUT
THAT LITTLE BOY THERE," POINTING OUT LITTLE MURPHY.
"CHRIST MURPHY CAN'T SING," SHE PROTESTED.
"WELL, GODAMMIT, HE CAN TRY, CAN'T HE?"

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAS NO RECORD OF WHERE HE FIRST HEARD THE JOKE.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; WOODSTOCK

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite

Date learned: 09-12-1967

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OFFICIAL REQUEST

THERE WAS ONCE A MAN AND A WOMAN WHO HAD TWELVE SONS, AND THE
THIRTEENTH WAS ON THE WAY. THE FIRST TWELVE HAD BEEN NAMED
AFTER THE APOSTLES AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE NAME FOR THIS
ONE WOULD BE. BY THE TIME HE ARRIVED THEY HAD DECIDED TO NAME
HIM CHRIST--CHRIST MURPHY.
AFTER A FEW YEARS CHRIST MURPHY STARTED TO SCHOOL. ONE DAY
IN SECOND GRADE THE BISHOP WAS VISITING. HE SAID TO THE TEACHER,
"SISTER, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ONE OF YOUR PEOPLE SING. HOW ABOUT
THAT LITTLE BOY THERE," POINTING OUT LITTLE MURPHY.
"CHRIST MURPHY CAN'T SING," SHE PROTESTED.
"WELL, GODAMMIT, HE CAN TRY, CAN'T HE?"

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAS NO RECORD OF WHERE HE FIRST HEARD THE JOKE.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; WOODSTOCK

Subject headings: 686 Specific number by specific number being described
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite

Date learned: 09-12-1967

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BACK IN THOSE DAYS (THE EARLY 20'S) WHEN
SOMEONE DIED, THE FAMILY PREPARED THE BODY FOR
VIEWING. THE CASKET WAS SET IN THE "PARLOR"(TODAY'S
LIVING ROOM"). PENNIES WERE PUT ON THE EYES TO
KEEP THEM FROM POPPING OPEN. THIS HAPPENED AT A
FRIEND OF MY FATHER'S FUNERAL: AFTER VIEWING
THE BODY EVERYONE WENT INTO THE KITCHEN FOR COFFEE.
WHILE THE COFFEE WAS BEING SERVED THREE BOYS FROM
TOWN SNUCK INTO THE PARLOR, TOOK THE PENNIES OFF
THE OLD MAN'S EYES, AND PROPPED HIM UP WITH A STICK.
AFTER COFFEE THE FAMILY WALKED SLOWLY BACK INTO THE
PARLOR. THEY WERE TERRIFIED TO SEE THE OLD MAN
SITTING UP WITH HIS EYES OPEN, THEY THOUGHT HE HAD
COME BACK TO LIFE!

Submitter comment: RESURRECTION
RESUSITATION

Where learned: DETROIT ; WEST VIRGINIA

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 02-00-1984

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GAME

KILLER BALL. THIS IS LIKE DODGE BALL. ANY NUMBER CAN PLAY
THE PLAYERS DIVIDE INTO TWO EQUAL TEAMS AND LINE UP FACING EACH
OTHER. THEY MUST BE ALONG A WALL. BALLS ARE DISTRIBUTED AMONG THEM.
THE OBJECT IS TO HIT YOUR OPPONENT WITH THE BALL. IF YOU ARE HIT
YOU ARE OUT OF THE GAME. THE TEAM WITH THE MOST PLAYERS LEFT
AT THE END WINS.

Submitter comment: THIS GAME WAS PLAYED BY TEENAGERS AND VERY FORCEFUL. OFTEN THE
OBJECT WAS TO SEE HOW HARD YOU COULD HIT YOUR OPPONENT.
ALL BALLS ARE THROWN AT THE SAME TIME. THERE ARE RULESAGAINST
HITTING TOO HARD OR ABOVE THE WAIST BUT THEY ARE MOSTLY IGNORED.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; CHESAPEAKE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement

Date learned: 00-00-1975

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NEW YEAR'S EVE

ALL CHURCH BELLS WOULD RING AT MIDNIGHT.

Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Week Day Hour

Date learned: 00-00-1924

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JACK ROCKS

THE CHILD WOULD SPREAD OUT SMALL ROCKS OR STONES. HE WOULD THEN
PICK UP AS MANY STONES AS HE COULD BEFORE THE BALL BOUNCED A
SECOND TIME.

Submitter comment: STONES WERE USED INSTEAD OF METAL JACKS BECAUSE THE FAMILY
WAS TOO POOR AND COULD NOT AFFORD TO BUY METAL JACKS.

Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN

Subject headings: Favorites
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Toy

Date learned: 00-00-1926

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LEAP FROG

SEVERAL CHILDREN WOULD GET DOWN ON THEIR HANDS AND KNEES FORMING
A LINE. THE LAST CHILD IN THE LINE WOULD GET UP AND JUMP OVER
THE OTHER CHILDREN. HE WOULD THEN GET DOWN ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES.
THE CHILD AT THE END OF THE LINE WOULD THEN DO THE SAME.

Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN

James Callow Keyword(s): VAULTING

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics

Date learned: 00-00-1925

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LITHUANIAN-AMERICAN CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE TRADITIONAL EVENING MEAL CONSISTED OF
CHRISTMAS WAFERS, SAUERKRAUT SOUP, PORRIDGE, FISH, PEAS, BREAD,
AND BUTTER.

Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals

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YOU SHOULD ALWAYS LEAVE A CRUST OF BREAD ON YOUR PLATE FOR
THE GOOD FAIRIES, OTHERWISE THEY WILL LEAVE YOUR HOME.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; Roanoke

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome

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SPIRIT LEGEND

THE RILEY FAMILY IS THOUGHT TO HAVE HAD A VERY RELIGIOUS
ANCESTER WHO HAD BECOME A NUN AND SPENT HER LIFE IN THE
CONVENT PRAYING FOR THE SOULS OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY. WHEN
SHE DIED, EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY WAS CERTAIN THAT SHE
IMMEDIATELY WENT UP TO HEAVEN FOR HER ETERNAL REWARD.
HER FATHER, PATRICK'S GRANDFATHER, DIED SEVERAL YEARS AFTER
THE DAUGHTER. HIS DEATH TOOK PLACE IN HIS OWN HOME, FOR
HE HAD LAIN DOWN TO TAKE A REST ON THE COUCH IN THE LIVING
ROOM WHEN A HEART ATTACK CAME UPON HIM AND HE DIED.
THE LEGEND GOES, THAT AT THE EXACT MOMENT OF HIS DEATH,
THE DRAPERIES IN THE LIVING ROOM OF HIS HOME ROSE UP INTO
THE FORM OF PRAYING HANDS, THOUGHT TO BE THOSE OF THE
DAUGHTER UP IN HEAVEN PRAYING FOR THE QUICK JOURNEY OF
HER OWN FATHER TO JOIN HER.

Submitter comment: DRAPERIES FORM PRAYING HANDS BETOKEN PRAYING HANDS OF DEAD NUN
FOR HER FATHER AT THE MOMENT OF HIS DEATH.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; ARLINGTON

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 00-00-1963

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SPIRIT LEGEND

THE RILEY FAMILY IS THOUGHT TO HAVE HAD A VERY RELIGIOUS
ANCESTER WHO HAD BECOME A NUN AND SPENT HER LIFE IN THE
CONVENT PRAYING FOR THE SOULS OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY. WHEN
SHE DIED, EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY WAS CERTAIN THAT SHE
IMMEDIATELY WENT UP TO HEAVEN FOR HER ETERNAL REWARD.
HER FATHER, PATRICK'S GRANDFATHER, DIED SEVERAL YEARS AFTER
THE DAUGHTER. HIS DEATH TOOK PLACE IN HIS OWN HOME, FOR
HE HAD LAIN DOWN TO TAKE A REST ON THE COUCH IN THE LIVING
ROOM WHEN A HEART ATTACK CAME UPON HIM AND HE DIED.
THE LEGEND GOES, THAT AT THE EXACT MOMENT OF HIS DEATH,
THE DRAPERIES IN THE LIVING ROOM OF HIS HOME ROSE UP INTO
THE FORM OF PRAYING HANDS, THOUGHT TO BE THOSE OF THE
DAUGHTER UP IN HEAVEN PRAYING FOR THE QUICK JOURNEY OF
HER OWN FATHER TO JOIN HER.

Submitter comment: DRAPERIES FORM PRAYING HANDS BETOKEN PRAYING HANDS OF DEAD NUN
FOR HER FATHER AT THE MOMENT OF HIS DEATH.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; ARLINGTON

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 00-00-1963

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IF A PERSON PARTICIPATES IN THREE WEDDING CEREMONIES DURING
A ONE-YEAR PERIOD, THE NEXT CEREMONY WILL BE HIS OR HER OWN
WEDDING.

Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; BECKLEY

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Marriage
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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OCEAN GHOST

HOUSE ON THE WATER, AT THE BAY.
SHE HAD NEVER BEEN OUT OF THE HOUSE FOR YEARS.
SHE DIED IN THE HOUSE--THE BODY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE
HOUSE--FOR THE FIRST TIME.
THEY BURIED HER BEHIND THE HOUSE.
HER GHOST IS SEEN GETTING UP AND WALKING AROUND.

James Callow comment:

A LINE SEEMS TO BE MISSING HERE.

Where learned: VIRGINIA ; KILMARNOCK

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal

Date learned: 11-27-1972

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