Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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MONOLOGUE
THERE ONCE LIVED A YOUNG INDIAN GIRL CALLED NO ONE'S MAIDEN, FOR
SHE HAD NO PARENTS AND LIVED WITH THE WITCHDOCTOR AND HIS MEAN
WIFE. NO ONE'S MAIDEN WORKED TOO HARD TO PLAY OR DANCE AND NO
MAN WISHED HER FOR SHE HAD NO DOWRY. ONE NIGHT THE WITCH DOCTOR
TOLD HER TO GO FOR A WALK, SO SHE SAT BY THE LAKE AND GAZED AT
THE MOON. SHE SANG A SONG ABOUT HOW LONELY SHE WAS AND TOLD THE
MOON SHE WAS SORRY FOR HIM BECAUSE HE WAS LONELY TOO. THE INDIANS
CALLED THE MOON NANNY. SHE TOLD NANNY SHE WOULD LIKE TO VISIT
HIM AND CHEER HIM UP. THE MOON BEGAN TO SHINE AND A SILVER PATH
CAME DOWN FOR NO ONE'S MAIDEN TO VISIT ON. THE MOON CALLED HER
NANNY MAYEY, WHICH MEANS MOON PATH. FOR TWO NIGHTS SHE VISITED
THE MOON BUT ON THE SECOND NIGHT WAS SEEN BY HER PEOPLE. SHE
RETURNED TO THEM AS NANNY MAYEY AND WAS ADORED BY ALL. EVEN NOW,
HOWEVER, NANNY THROWS DOWN THE SILVER PATH TO REMIND PEOPLE OF
NANNY MAYEY.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Date learned: 00-00-1970
NOT GIVEN
STORY ABOUT GUY WHO WAS STUCK IN THE THUNDER BAY AREA OF CANADA
FOR 41 DAYS BECAUSE HE COULDN'T GET A RIDE.
Submitter comment:
STORY TOLD AT YOUTH HOSTEL IN AREA AND BELIEVED. IT SEEMS
USUALLY TAKES ABOUT 2 DAYS TO GET A RIDE ANYWAY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ISOLATED, VAST AREA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Earth PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 07-00-1971
LUMPY LUMPKIN STREET
A MAN WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET ONE NIGHT AND UNKNOWINGLY STRUCK DOWN A YOUNG GIRL.
THE GIRL, CAUGHT IN THE REAR FENDER, WAS DRAGGED ALONG FOR SOME DISTANCE; AND ALL THE
WHILE SHE BEAT ON THE FENDER, BUT THE DRIVER HEARD IT AND STOPPED TOO LATE--THE GIRL WAS DEAD.
NOW WHENEVER SOMEONE DRIVES ALONG THAT PARTICULAR STRETCH OF LUMPKIN STREET, HE HEARS A THUMPING
NOISE AT THE REAR OF HIS CAR. THE STREET HAS BEEN PATCHED AND EVEN REPAVED, BUT TO NO AVAIL.
THE THUMPING CONTINUES. THE STREET IS HAUNTED.
Submitter comment:
DETROIT'S LUMPKIN STREET IS SUPPOSEDLY HAUNTED NOW AS A RESULT OF
THE FOLLOWING INCIDENT:
INFORMANT DOESN'T RECALL WHERE HE HEARD THE LEGEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
Date learned: 10-23-1965
LEGEND OF A NAME
IT IS TOLD THAT ABOUT FIFTY YEARS AGO THERE WAS A DETROIT STREETS
AND RAILWAYS BUS STOP ON GRAND RIVER PAST FARMINGTONN THAT WAS
KNOWN AS NO. VI. IT OFTEN WAS REFERRED TO AS NOVI, SO WHEN A
CITY WAS ESTABLISHED THERE IT TOOK ON THE NAME OF THIS DEPOT,
THAT IS, NOVI, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RATTLESNAKE ON A TEXAS PLATEAU
A FEW YEARS AGO, I WAS DRIVING A GROUP OF BOYS ON A TRIP DOWN TO
MEXICO CITY, AND ONE DAY I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT TWO HUNDRED MILES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
CENTIPEDES ARE POISONOUS
I WAS GOING THROUGH TEXAS AND I SAW A MASS OF LITTLE BROWN THINGS
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE, BUT THEY
LOOKED A LITTLE LIKE CHOCOLATE BARS WITH LEGS. I DIDN'T KNOW
THEY WERE POISONOUS THEN, SO I PICKED UP ONE AND HELD IT IN MY
HAND FOR A FEW SECONDS, BUT IT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO ME.
THEN WHEN I GOT A LITTLE FARTHER ON DOWN THE ROAD AT THE NEXT
GAS STATION, I ASKED THE ATTENDANT WHAT THE LITTLE CREATURES WERE,
BECAUSE I KNEW THEY WEREN'T CHOCOLATE BARS. THE ATTENDANT TOLD ME
THEY WERE POISONOUS, SO AFTER THAT I DIDN'T PICK UP ANY MORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
BOTTOMLESS LAKE
IN THE EARLY NINETEEN HUNDREDS, A HORSE AND BUGGY STOOD AT THE TOP
OF SAND DUNES OVERLOOKING GRAND SABLE LAKE IN THE U.P. (UPPER
PENINSULA). THE HORSE WAS STARTLED BY SOMETHING AND RAN DOWN THE
DUNE AND INTO THE LAKE. NO TRACE OF EITHER HORSE OR BUGGY HAS
EVER BEEN FOUND.
Submitter comment:
SHE LEARNED THIS UPON SEEING SABLE LAKE FOR THE FIRST TIME (AROUND
1957) AS A VERIFICATION FOR THE DEPTH OF THE LAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND MARAIS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Still water Small body. Lake, pond.... BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001957 CA
DEAD MAN'S HILL
THERE IS A HILL FIVE MILES OUTSIDE OF ELMIRA, MICHIGAN WHICH IS
REFERRED TO BY LOCAL INHABITANTS AS "DEAD MAN'S HILL" BECAUSE
SOME TIME DURING THE LOGGING DAYS OF THE TURN OF THE CENTURY
THERE WAS A TRAGIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING SEVERAL DEATHS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THE TALE OF THE HILL IN 1960 WHEN HE AND HIS
HIS FAMILY MOVED TO GAYLORD, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Gaylord
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
EXPLANATION OF NAME, "MURDER HILL"
THERE IS A STRETCH OF NARROW, WINDING ROAD ON THE SIDE OF A HILL
JUST OUTSIDE OF LITTLE VALLEY, NEW YORK. SIGNS AT EACH END OF THIS
LONG ROAD CALL IT "MURDER HILL."
ONE EXPLANATION OF THE NAME IS THE FACT THAT A FATAL ACCIDENT
COULD EASILY HAPPEN THERE.
ANOTHER EXPLANATION IS A LEGEND THAT A MAN KILLED HIS WIFE AND
THEN HIMSELF IN A HOUSE NOT FAR FROM THE ROAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NEW YORK ; FRANKLINVILLE
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Murder Hill ; Origin ; Urban Legend
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- S478 |
Date learned: 06-00-1968
Entry filtered.
THE CARPENTER'S ROAD LEGEND
TWO COUPLES WENT TO THE PROM AND THEN OUT TO PARK ON CARPENTER'S
ROAD, WHICH IS A DESERTED ROAD IN THE WOODS OF BEAVERCREEK. WHILE
NECKING, THEY HEARD A KNOCKING AND SCRATCHING NOISE OUTSIDE. ONE
OF THE BOYS WENT OUT TO CHECK IT OUT. AND AFTER A LONG WORRISOME
WAIT DURING WHICH HE HADN'T RETURNED, THE SECOND BOY LEFT. AGAIN
AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, THEY STILL HADN'T RETURNED, SO ONE GIRL WENT
FOR HELP WHILE THE OTHER WAITED. THE LAST GIRL FINALLY LEFT AND
FOUND THE POLICE. AFTER A LONG SEARCH, THE THREE WERE FOUND. THE
TWO BOYS WERE ENTIRELY CHEWED UP, BLOODY AND JUST TOTALLY MUTILA-
TED. THE GIRL, WITH HER HAIR, ONCE BRUNETTE, NOW HAD STARK WHITE
HAIR STANDING ON END AND HAD DIED OF FRIGHT. NOW NOBODY KNOWS
IF THIS IS TRUE BUT NO ONE GOES THERE UNLESS HE'S LOOKING FOR A
SCARE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 12-02-1969
LEGEND
THERE IS A LEGEND AT KISSING ROCK ON THE GROUNDS OF WEST POINT
THAT IF A FELLOW TAKES HIS HAT OFF AND THE GIRL HE IS WITH REFUSES
TO KISS HIM, THE ROCK WILL FALL AND KILL HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 12-05-1967
PROSE NARRATIVE
A WOMAN, WHOSE SON MARRIED A GIRL SHE DISLIKED, TOOK ALL HER SON'S
POSSESSIONS FROM HER DAUGHTER-IN-LAW ON HER SON'S DEATH. EACH
NIGHT THEREAFTER AT MIDNIGHT ALL THE FURNITURE AND DISHES IN THE
MOTHER'S HOME WOULD RATTLE FOR ONE HOUR. IT WAS SAID TO BE THE
GHOST OF THE DEAD SON. AT LAST THE MOTHER RETURNED ALL TO HER
WIDOWED DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AND PEACE WAS RESTORED AT NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 09-23-1969
NARRATIVE (TOLD IN FIRST PERSON)
MY DAD HAD A NIECE HE HAD QUARRELED WITH, YEARS BEFORE HE HAD
PASSED ON. SHE HAD TOLD HIM IF HE DIES BEFORE SHE DOES, SHE'LL
TURN HER BACK TOWARD HIM. SO BEFORE MY DAD COULD DIE, WE HAD TO
CALL HER AND AS SOON AS SHE ENTERED THE HOUSE MY DAD DIED PEACE-
FULLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-19-1969
MYSTERY STREET
THE INFORMANT RELATES BEING TOLD THAT "STRASBURG," A STREET ON THE
EAST SIDE OF DETROIT, WAS A MYSTERY STREET. HE SAID THAT A GIRL
WAS RUN OVER BY A CAR IN 1962 AND THAT THE DRIVER REFUSED TO STOP.
THE GIRL BEAT CONTINUOUSLY ON THE TRUNK UNTIL THE DRIVER STOPPED.
WHEN THE DRIVER DID STOP, THE GIRL WAS DEAD. NOW, EVERY TIME A
CAR GOES DOWN STRASBURG, IT GOES THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
Date learned: 03-15-1967
THE HAUNTED STREET
IN DETROIT--STRASBURG. SHE HEARD THE STORY OF A LITTLE GIRL BEING
HIT BY A CAR AND KILLED WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 10-26-1969
OLD POLISH STORY: TIRED TRAVELER
A CERTAIN TRAVELER HAD STOPPED AT MANY INNS TO FIND SHELTER FOR
THE NIGHT BUT HAD NO SUCCESS IN FINDING A ROOM. FINALLY, HE
AGREED TO AN INNKEEPER'S BARN. WHEN HE ENTERED, HE SAW THERE
WAS NO PLACE FOR HIM TO RECLINE. HE SAW ONLY SOME HOOKS WHERE
THE TOOLS WERE HUNG. HE PROMPTLY DISASSEMBLED HIMSELF AND PUT
AN ARM ON ONE HOOK, A LEG ON ANOTHER, AND SO ON.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 01-20-1968
HAUNTED HOUSE
ABOUT SIX BLOCKS AWAY FROM ME, ON RUTLAND TWO BLOCKS SOUTH OF
GRAND RIVER, IS A LARGE BROWN BRICK HOUSE THAT HAS BEEN UNOCCUPIED
FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS. OLD-TIME NEIGHBORS SAY THAT AROUND 1935,
A MAN KILLED HIS WIFE THERE BY HITTING HER OVER THE HEAD WITH A
POKER. SHE LAY THERE DEAD FOR DAYS UNTIL SOMEONE FOUND HER. NOW,
AS EVERYONE ON THE BLOCK WILL TESTIFY, ONE CAN SEE HER GHOST LATE
AT NIGHT, WALKING FROM ROOM TO ROOM IN THE HOUSE. SOMETIMES, EVEN
DURING THE DAY TIME, YOU WILL HEAR LOUD, PLAINTIVE SCREAMS AND
CRYING, AND MORE FREQUENTLY, SOUNDS OF A MAN AND WOMAN ARGUING.
I MYSELF, AFTER OBSERVATION, HAVE HEARD STRANGE NOISES AT AND
AROUND THAT HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1967
MONOLOGUE
THERE ONCE LIVED A YOUNG INDIAN GIRL CALLED NO ONE'S MAIDEN, FOR
SHE HAD NO PARENTS AND LIVED WITH THE WITCHDOCTOR AND HIS MEAN
WIFE. NO ONE'S MAIDEN WORKED TOO HARD TO PLAY OR DANCE AND NO
MAN WISHED HER FOR SHE HAD NO DOWRY. ONE NIGHT THE WITCH DOCTOR
TOLD HER TO GO FOR A WALK, SO SHE SAT BY THE LAKE AND GAZED AT
THE MOON. SHE SANG A SONG ABOUT HOW LONELY SHE WAS AND TOLD THE
MOON SHE WAS SORRY FOR HIM BECAUSE HE WAS LONELY TOO. THE INDIANS
CALLED THE MOON NANNY. SHE TOLD NANNY SHE WOULD LIKE TO VISIT
HIM AND CHEER HIM UP. THE MOON BEGAN TO SHINE AND A SILVER PATH
CAME DOWN FOR NO ONE'S MAIDEN TO VISIT ON. THE MOON CALLED HER
NANNY MAYEY, WHICH MEANS MOON PATH. FOR TWO NIGHTS SHE VISITED
THE MOON BUT ON THE SECOND NIGHT WAS SEEN BY HER PEOPLE. SHE
RETURNED TO THEM AS NANNY MAYEY AND WAS ADORED BY ALL. EVEN NOW,
HOWEVER, NANNY THROWS DOWN THE SILVER PATH TO REMIND PEOPLE OF
NANNY MAYEY.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Date learned: 00-00-1970
NOT GIVEN
STORY ABOUT GUY WHO WAS STUCK IN THE THUNDER BAY AREA OF CANADA
FOR 41 DAYS BECAUSE HE COULDN'T GET A RIDE.
Submitter comment:
STORY TOLD AT YOUTH HOSTEL IN AREA AND BELIEVED. IT SEEMS
USUALLY TAKES ABOUT 2 DAYS TO GET A RIDE ANYWAY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ISOLATED, VAST AREA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Earth PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 07-00-1971