Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MEAT PEDDLERS
MANY YEARS AGO BEFORE NASHVILLE HAD A FARMER'S MARKET,
FARMERS FROM NEARBY FARMS WOULD KILL HOGS AND BRING
THE FRESH MEAT TO TOWN TO SELL. THEY WOULD GATHER
NEAR WHAT IS NOW CALLED THE COUNTY COURT HOUSE SQUARE
AND SELL THE FRESH PORK FROM THEIR WAGONS. AS THE DAY
PASSED AND TIME TO GO HOME NEARED, IF THE PORK WAS
NOT ALL SOLD, THE FARMERS MERELY DROVE THE WAGONS
SEVERAL BLOCKS AND SET UP MARKET AGAIN ALONG THE WALL
THAT SURROUNDED THE JEWISH CEMETERY. IN A SHORT TIME
THE WAGONS WERE EMPTY AND THE FARMERS WERE ON THEIR
WAY HOME.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO MR. REGISTER BY THE WELL KNOWN
ATTORNEY, MONTY ROSS, WHO IS NOW NEARING 90 YEARS
OF AGE. MR. ROSS HAS REPEATED THE STORY MANY TIMES.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
THE DISEASE THAT WAS MOST DREADED BY MOTHERS WAS
SCARLET FEVER. I ONCE OVERHEARD MY MOTHER AND MY AUNT
TALKING ABOUT A FAMILY THAT HAD LOST FIVE CHILDREN
DURING ONE EPIDEMIC. THERE WERE ALL KINDS OF IDEAS ABOUT
HOW IT WAS SPREAD. MY AUNT TOLD MY MOTHER A STORY
ABOUT A MAN WHO HAD GONE TO NEW ORLEANS BEFORE THE
WAR AND BROUGHT BACK A FINE FRENCH DOLL FOR HIS LITTLE
GIRL. IT WAS HER FAVORITE THING IN ALL THE WORLD.
ABOUT A YEAR AFTER THAT SHE CAUGHT SCARLET FEVER AND
DIED. THE DOCTOR TOLD HER DADDY TO BURN EVERYTHING
THAT SHE HAD USED OR PLAYED WITH WHILE SHE WAS SICK
BUT HE COULD NOT BEAR TO BURN THE BEAUTIFUL DOLL THAT
SHE HAD LOVED SO MUCH. SO HE TOOK IT AND PUT IT IN A
ROSEWOOD CASKET AND PUT ROSE LEAVES ALL AROUND IT AND
PUT IT BACK IN THE FAR CORNER OF THE ATTIC. HE DIED
SOON AFTERWARD AND EVERYONE FORGOT ABOUT THE BEAUTIFUL
DOLL. ONE DAY HIS GRANDDAUGHTER-IN-LAW WAS RUMMAGING
IN THE ATTIC AND FOUND THE DOLL. NOBODY KNEW WHO HAD
PUT IT THERE. SHE TOOK THE DOLL AND GAVE IT TO HER
LITTLE GIRL. THE LITTLE GIRL BREATHED THE GERMS
THAT STILL CLUNG TO THE DOLL AND TOOK SCARLET FEVER
AND DIED. THEN AN OLD COUSIN REMEMBERED WHERE THE
DOLL HAD COME FROM AND SO THEY BURIED IT WITH THE
LITTLE GIRL SO THAT NOBODY ELSE WOULD CATCH THE
FEVER FROM IT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; WILLIAMSON CO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00001920 CA
THE HEIG'S WOMEN
AT SHEBOSS CEMETERY THERE ARE FIVE LITTLE TOMB ROCKS
WHICH A GENERATION AGO WAS A MYSTERY TO THIS SECTION.
TWO GROWN WOMEN AND THREE CHILDREN (3 GIRLS) APPEARED
ON THE BANK OF CATHEY'S CREEK AND LIVED THEIR LIVES
AND WERE BURIED AT SHEBOSS AND NO ONE EVER KNEW WHERE
THEY CAME FROM. THEY WERE HARD WORKING PEOPLE AND THEIR
CHARACTER WAS ABOVE REPROACH, BUT THEY LIVED OUT THEIR
LIVES THERE AND NEVER TOLD ANYONE WHERE THEY CAME FROM.
THINK THEIR LIVES WERE SOME LIKE RUTH IN THE BIBLE,
THE FARMERS GAVE OF THEIR ABUNDANCE TO THEM. I'VE
HEARD THAT ONE FARMER HAD WHAT HE CALLED THE HEIG'S
WOMEN'S CRIB THAT HE SAVED CORN ON HIS PLACE TO GIVE
TO THEM.
Where learned: HAMPSHIRE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 08-13-1968
HOW AUNT BELLE GOT THE BEAUTIFUL BLACK HORSE
DURING THE BATTLE OF DECEMBER 26, 1864, ACROSS THE HILLS
NEAR THE PRESENT SITE OF THE COAL SPRINGS CHURCH, A
BEAUTIFUL BLACK HORSE BELONGING TO AN OFFICER OF THE
FEDERAL TROOPS WAS BADLY WOUNDED. THE OFFICER GAVE THE
HORSE TO MY AUNT BELLE. SHE CARED FOR THE ANIMAL UNTIL
IT RECOVERED. WHEN IT WAS WELL AGAIN,
SOME OF THE SOLDIERS CAME TO TAKE THE HORSE AWAY FROM HER.
SHE PUT IT IN THE
SMOKEHOUSE AND STOOD IN THE DOORWAY WITH A BUTCHER
KNIFE IN HER HAND, AND ORDERED THEM TO STOP SOME
DISTANCE AWAY, TO COME NO NEARER. THEY LEFT WITHOUT
THE HORSE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PULASKI
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 08-01-1968
WHEN WILL WE GET THERE?
WHEN MY MATERNAL GRANDPARENTS CAME FROM NORTH CAROLINA
TO GILES COUNTY, TENNESSEE, BY WAGON, MY GRANDMOTHER
ASKED MANY TIMES WHEN THEY WOULD STOP AND SELECT A HOME
SITE. MY GRANDFATHER ALWAYS REPLIED, "WHEN THE HIND WHEEL
CATCHES UP WITH THE FRONT ONE, CREECY."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PULASKI
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 08-11-1968
NORWOOD AND HIS TASTE FOR COFFEE
AN ACQUAINTANCE OF MY FATHER'S NAMED NORWOOD LIVED ABOUT
TEN OR TWELVE MILES FROM PULASKI. IT WAS NOT AN UNCOMMON
SIGHT TO SEE HIM WALKING TO AND FROM PULASKI. WHEN ASKED
ABOUT THE TRIP, HE ALWAYS REPLIED, "I STEPPED OVER TO
TOWN TO GET SOME COFFEE FOR BREAKFAST."
ONCE WHEN EATING AT A NEIGHBOR'S HOME, HE PASSED HIS
CUP BACK SEVERAL TIMES FOR MORE COFFEE. THE LADY OF THE
HOUSE SAID TO HIM, "MR. NORWOOD, YOU ARE VERY FOND OF
COFFEE, AREN'T YOU?" "YES MAM, IF I WASN'T I WOULDN'T
BE DRINKING SO MUCH WATER TO GET A LITTLE COFFEE."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PULASKI
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 08-11-1968
PONY
AN INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER
"PONY," WHO LIVED IN THE GOODSPRING COMMUNITY IN THE
LATTER PART OF THE 1880S:
SOME MEN HITCHED A TEAM OF OXEN TO A WAGON. WHEN THE
OXEN WERE COMMANDED TO MOVE, ONE BALKED AND WOULDN'T
MOVE. PONY TOLD THE MEN TO TAKE OUT THE BALKY OX
AND HITCH HIM IN HIS PLACE, WHICH THEY DID. THE OTHER
OX BECAME FRIGHTENED AT PONY AND RAN AWAY, DRAGGING PONY
ALONG WITH IT. WHEN THE MEN WERE FINALLY ABLE TO STOP
THE TEAM, THEY BEGAN TO TAKE THE HARNESS OFF PONY BUT HE
STOPPED THEM SAYING, "TAKE THE OX LOOSE. I'LL STAND."
James Callow comment: COMPARE "SUT LOVINGOOD'S DADDY ACTING HOSS" BY G. W. HARRIS
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PULASKI
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 08-11-1968
PONY
AN INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER
"PONY," WHO LIVED IN THE GOODSPRING COMMUNITY IN THE
LATTER PART OF THE 1880S:
ONE NIGHT AS PONY SAT ASLEEP IN A STRAIGHT CHAIR, TILTED
BACK AGAINST THE DOOR POST, WITH HIS MOUTH OPEN, A LARGE
BUG FLEW INTO HIS MOUTH. HE CHEWED DOWN ON THE BUG AND
SAID, "NOW WATCH WHICH WAY YOU GO NEXT TIME."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PULASKI
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 08-11-1968
PONY
AN INCIDENT IN THE LIFE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTER
"PONY," WHO LIVED IN THE GOODSPRING COMMUNITY IN THE
LATTER PART OF THE 1880S:
IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS MOTHER DIED, PONY SAID TO HIS
BROTHER, "MOM'S AS DEAD AS SHE WILL EVER BE, LET'S 'VIDE
(DIVIDE). THE BIG CHEST IS MINE."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PULASKI
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 08-11-1968
LEGEND-HUMAN BEING
A POPULAR LEGEND OF MY HOMETOWN EDGEFIELD, S.C., IS ABOUT A
WOMAN, BECKY COTTON CALLED THE "DEVIL IN PETTICOATS." PARSON
MASON WROTE OF THE WOMAN, FIRST CALLING HER BY THIS TERM. WEEMS
IS FAMOUS FOR BEING THE AUTHOR OF THE FIRST BIOGRAPHY OF GEORGE
WASHINGTON INCLUDING THE CHERRY TREE EPISODE. WEEMS PREACHED IN
EDGEFIELD FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND WAS FAMOUS FOR HIS FIRE AND
BRIMSTONE SERMONS. HIS WRITING OF BECKY COTTON WAS THE SUBJECT OF
SIN AND DAMNATION. ALLEDGEDLY SHE KILLED TWO HUSBANDS AND THROUGH
THEIR BODIES IN A POOL NEAR HER HOME. AFTER THE TRIAL, IN WHICH
SHE WAS PROVEN INNOCENT BECAUSE OF HER CAPTIVATING BEAUTY, HER
BROTHER KILLED HER ON THE TOWN SQUARE WITH A BRICK.
Submitter comment:
THERE IS NO PROOF THAT SHE ACTUALLY DID LIVE - THERE IS NO GRAVE
AND THE FAMILY RECORDS ARE LOST.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING ERRORS WERE CORRECTED
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; EDGEFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 07-00-1972
LEGEND OF FALLING ROCK
ONCE UPON A TIME THIS OLD INDIAN CHIEF WAS GETTING READY TO DIE.
HE HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN HIS TWO SONS WHITE FEATHER AND FALLING
ROCK AS TO WHO WOULD BECOME CHIEF. SO HE PLANNED THIS LONG RACE
AND ABOUT 30 DAYS LATER WHITE FEATHERS RETURNED. HE BECAME
CHIEF. BUT FALLING ROCK NEVER RETURNED. INDIANS STILL
TO THIS DAY LOOK FOR FALLING ROCK. THEY HAVE POSTED
SIGNS ALONG CERTAIN HIGHWAYS WHERE THEY SUSPECT HE MIGHT
BE SEEN. THE SIGNS READ, WATCH FOR FALLING ROCK.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; JOHNSON CITY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 07-00-1973
INDIAN LEGEND
THE INDIANS OF THE NORTHWEST ONLY FISHED IN CREEKS.
SOME STRANGERS CAME ALONG--THERE WERE SIXTEEN OF THEM.
THEY WERE STRANGE LOOKING, FOR THEY WERE TALL WITH BLUE
EYES AND BLOND HAIR. THEY HAD METAL WEAPONS. THEY
TAUGHT THE INDIANS HOW TO BUILD BOATS AND HOUSES AND
HOW TO HUNT FOR WHALES. LEGEND SAYS THAT THESE WERE
VIKINGS WHO CAME OVER WITH LEIF ERIKSEN--THEY WENT DOWN
THE GREAT LAKES, UP THE FOX RIVER TO THE MISSISSIPPI,
THEN UP INTO CANADA. A FEW YEARS AGO A VIKING SHIP
WAS FOUND THERE; ALSO A STONE TABLET WITH VIKING
WRITING ON IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GEOGRAPHY ; INSTRUCTION ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Origin ; Viking
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 05-15-1965
BACK TO THE HOUSE THAT HE AND HIS WIFE LIVED IN
AND EVER SINCE HE HAS NEVER TURNED ON ANY LIGHTS AND HE
LIVES THERE. THERE IS ELECTRICAL WIRES HOOKED UP TO
THE HOUSE AND EVERYTHING.
Data entry tech comment: SOMETHING MISSING HERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
ON GROSSE ILE THERE WAS A HERMIT WHO LIVED IN AN OLD
HOUSE WITHOUT ELECTRICITY. PEOPLE WOULD GO TO HIS
HOUSE, PARK IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HE WOULD COME OUT AND
TELL STORIES ABOUT "THE OLD DAYS." HIS NAME WAS
LOONEY ROONEY. THE HOUSE WAS HIDDEN DOWN A DARK, UNLIT
ROAD AND HE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE ALWAYS FIRED SEVERAL
SHOTS INTO THE AIR, TO SHOW THAT HE DID NOT WANT ANY
TROUBLEMAKERS, AS YOUR CAR APPROACHED.
Submitter comment:
THE FACT THAT THIS IS A LEGEND IS THAT NO ONE THAT I
HEARD THIS STORY FROM ACTUALLY SAW HIM. I HAVE HEARD
IT FROM MANY PEOPLE SINCE I HAVE LIVED ON GROSSE ILE--
PEOPLE MY OWN AGE AS WELL AS FROM MY DAD.
ABOUT 1968 I READ IN THE LOCAL PAPER THAT A MAN WHOSE
LAST NAME WAS ROONEY DIED. HE HAD NO FAMILY LIVING
ON THE ISLAND HERE, BUT IT IS STILL QUESTIONABLE
WHETHER ANY OF THE ESCAPADES REALLY HAPPENED, BECAUSE
EVERYONE I TALKED TO WERE "TOO AFRAID" TO EVEN GO
NEAR HIS HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE ILE
Keyword(s): RECLUSE, STORY-TELLER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-15-1970
SOORACKS
"SOORACKS" WAS A WORKING MAN OF VERY CLEAN HABITS WHO
LIVED IN THE EAST END OF DUNDEE, SCOTLAND, ABOUT 100
YEARS AGO. HE WOULD COME INTO TOWN EVERY TUESDAY AND
FRIDAY WITH A BASKET SUSPENDED FROM HIS NECK WITH A
SUPPLY OF WATER AND "SOORACKS." WHEN HE HAD GATHERED
AN AUDIENCE, HE GAVE A SHORT LECTURE ON THE HARMFUL
CONSUMPTION OF RED MEAT AND THEN DISTRIBUTED HIS
VEGETABLES AMONG THE BOYS AND GIRLS. NO PAYMENT WAS
ASKED FOR. "SOORACKS" WAS AN EARLY PIONEER OF
VEGETARIANISM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SCOTLAND ; DUNDEE
Keyword(s): EATING HABITS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 01-28-1971
THE LAIRD OF LENOX
A VERY THIN MAN WITH WHITE, SIGHTLESS EYES, RED SKINNED,
AND DRESSED IN STUART-TARTAN, EKED OUT A LIVING BY
BLOWING ON A BIG TIN WHISTLE. NOBODY EVER KNEW THE
TUNES THAT THE "LAIRD" PLAYED, BUT ALWAYS BEFORE
BEGINNING HIS RECITAL, HE WOULD REMARK: "WHO GAVE
ME THIS LONESOME WHISTLE?" "AH, I MIND NOO! THE
LAIRD OF LENNOX."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MUSICIAN, FLUTE BLIND MAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 01-28-1971
IN THE EARLY 18TH CENTURY IN WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA,
THERE WERE SOME WEALTHY FAMILIES WHO OWNED LARGE
PLANTATIONS. ONE OF THESE PLANTATIONS WAS THE SHIRLEY
PLANTATION OWNED BY THE CARTER FAMILY. ONE OF THE
LADIES OF THIS PLANTATION SUSPECTED HER HUSBAND OF
HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH A WOMAN WHO WAS VISITING A
NEIGHBORING PLANTATION. HER NAME WAS MARY WILLING,
A MEMBER OF A PROMINANT PHILADELPHIA FAMILY. MR.
CARTER WOULD ALWAYS SAY HE WAS GOING OVER TO THE
NEIGHBORING PLANTATION TO PLAY CARDS. ONE EVENING,
MRS. CARTER, WHILE SEARCHING IN A LARGE WARDROBE
CABINET FOR A LETTER FROM MARY TO MR. CARTER, WHICH WOULD
PROVE MR. CARTER'S GUILT, TOPPLED THE CABINET ON HER AND
SHE DIED. SOON AFTER, MR. CARTER MARRIED MARY WILLING.
THIS RESULTED INTO A SCANDAL IN WHICH MARY WILLING
CAME TO BE CALLED "WILLING MARY" BY THE TOWNSPEOPLE AND
PLANTATION OWNERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-14-1971
UNDERTAKER
THIS MAN OWNED A FUNERAL HOME AND HIS BUSINESS WAS
ALWAYS SLOW. HE GOT MOST OF HIS CUSTOMERS BY WATCHING
FOR ANY MISHAP THAT LOOKED LIKE DEATH WAS NEXT. ONCE
A MAN COLLAPSED ON THE STREET BECAUSE HE WAS TOO DRUNK.
THE UNDERTAKER TOOK HIM FOR DEAD AND PUT HIM IN THE
PARLOR WITH INTENTIONS OF EMBALMING HIM THE NEXT MORNING.
THE NEXT MORNING, HE WENT IN TO PREPARE THE SUPPOSED
CORPSE, HOWEVER, THE DRUNK HAD SLEPT OFF HIS CONDITION
AND AWAKENED SHOCKED TO FIND HIMSELF IN A FUNERAL PARLOR.
HE JUMPED UP AND RAN OUT THE DOOR AS THE UNDERTAKER
WAS COMING IN. THE UNDERTAKER YELLED AT HIM AS HE RAN
PAST--HEY! COME BACK HERE, YOU'RE DEAD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN HIS HOME
TOWN, TUSKALOOSA, ALABAMA (1928).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; TUSCALOOSA
Keyword(s): DRUNKARD, MISTAKE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00-00-1928
AXE-MURDER HOLLOW IN ERIE , PENNSYLVANIA.
A GUY AND HIS GIRL WERE DRIVING ALONG A VERY LONELY
STRETCH OF ROAD WHEN THEY RAN OUT OF GAS. THE GUY GOT
OUT TO WALK TO THE GAS STATION AND TOLD THE GIRL TO
LOCK ALL THE DOORS AND NOT OPEN THEM FOR ANYONE.
QUITE A LONG TIME PASSED, AND SHE WAS GETTING WORRIED
AND SCARED. ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE HEARD A CLAWING NOISE
ON THE ROOF AND WAS FRIGHTENED EVEN MORE, BUT SHE STILL
DID NOT GET OUT. FINALLY, SHE FELL ASLEEP. THE NEXT
MORNING SHE WAS AWAKENED BY THE POLICE, WHO INSTRUCTED
HER TO WALK TO THE SQUAD CAR WITHOUT TURNING AROUND.
BUT SHE WAS CURIOUS AND TURNED AROUND ONLY TO SEE HER
BOYFRIEND DANGLING FROM HIS FEET ABOVE THE CAR WITH
HIS HANDS ON THE ROOF MAKING A CLAWING SOUND AND HIS
HEAD HAD BEEN CHOPPED OFF WITH AN AXE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 03-01-1972
WHEN THE NICHOLSON BRIDGE, NICHOLSON, PENNSYLVANIA
WAS BEING CONSTRUCTED, A BLACK LARORER WAS SUPPOSEDLY
TO HAVE FALLEN INTO THE WET CONCRETE AND SUNK INTO IT
BEFORE HE COULD BE RETRIEVED. HE WAS LEFT THERE AND
HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED. THE STORY GOES THAT HE
WAS BURIED ALIVE IN THE 7TH PILLAR OF THE RAILROAD
BRIDGE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001950S LATE