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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B430 returned 194 results.
A FAMILY BY THE NAME OF BAKER LIVED IN BUCKINGHAM,
QUEBEC ABOUT 45 TO 50 YEARS AGO. THEIR SON HAD BEEN
TAKEN SICK WITH SCARLET FEVER, BUT THE DOCTOR SAID
THAT HE WAS RECOVERING. ONE DAY, DURING THE ILLNESS,
MRS. BAKER WAS IN HER BACKYARD WHEN SHE SAW A FALLING
STAR. IT LANDED BY HER WATERPUMP. SHE TOOK THIS AS
A SIGN OF DEATH. SHE RAN INTO THE HOUSE AND WITHIN
TEN MINUTES HER SON DIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CANADA ; DETROIT ; BUCKINGHAM ; QUEBEC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Star PROSE NARRATIVE -- Celestial body come to earth |
Date learned: 03-22-1972 ; 00-00-1922
FIFTY YEARS AGO IN MASON, QUEBEC THERE LIVED A GIRL OF
FOURTEEN OR FIFTEEN YEARS, NAMED NINE CHARETTE. SHE
HAD A DISEASE THAT OFTEN CAUSED HER TO GO INTO A
TRANCE-LIKE STATE. AFTER ONE TRANCE, SHE WAS PROCLAIMED
DEAD BY HER DOCTOR. SHE WAS THEN BURIED AFTER HER WAKE.
HER MOTHER OFTEN WORRIED THAT SHE HAD NOT BEEN DEAD,
BUT STILL IN A TRANCE. SHE HAD DREAMS OF THE GIRL
SCREAMING AND ONE DAY HEARD HER SCREAM VIOLENTLY AS
SHE DID HER DISHES. MRS. CHARETTE AND HER HUSBAND
CALLED THE UNDERTAKER TO DIG UP HER COFFIN. WHEN THEY
OPENED IT, THEY FOUND THE BODY COMPLETELY TURNED OVER
WITH HER HANDS FULL OF HAIR. SHE HAD BEEN BURIED ALIVE!
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT DECLARES THIS TO BE TRUE AND SHE HERSELF
ATTENDED THE WAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CANADA ; DETROIT ; QUEBEC ; MASSON
Keyword(s): COMA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 03-22-1972 ; 00-00-1922
THERE WAS A STORY AT OLIVET COLLEGE ABOUT THE FRESHMAN
ENGLISH PROFESSOR WHO GRADED EXAMS BY THROWING
THEM DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS; THE "A'S" WERE ON
THE TOP STEP, THE "A-'S" ON THE NEXT, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; OLIVET
Keyword(s): ACADEMIC JOKES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 12-00-1971 ; 00-00-1960
I USED TO TRUST PEOPLE. BUT I LEARNED THE HARD WAY.
ONCE THESE COLOREDS CAME IN AND THEY WERE GETTING
MARRIED THAT NIGHT. THE GIRL PICKED OUT HER COAT
BUT THEY WAS SHORT TEN DOLLARS. SO I GAVE THEM THAT
TEN DOLLARS OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. THE BANK WAS CLOSED
BUT THEY SAID THEY'D BE BACK ON THE WAY TO THE JUDGE.
THEY NEVER CAME BACK AND I JUST DON'T TRUST 'EM
ANYMORE.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THE SAME STORY FROM ANOTHER LADY WHO SOLD COATS
AT ALBERTS ONLY SHE WAS THE LENDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DETROIT AREA ; ALBERTS RETAIL STORE ; MANY LOCATIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PREDICTION OF GRADES
THERE IS A PROFESSOR HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
WHO IS KNOWN TO GIVE OUT HIS GRADES IN THE FOLLOWING
MANNER (FR. HOETTER).
A-ATHLETES
B-BOYS
C-COEDS
D-DISSENTERS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ACADEMIC JOKES, GRADING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE HATCHET MAN
IN SEPTEMBER, 1969, I STARTED AT U. OF D. AS A MATH MAJOR
AND THE PROF FOR MY FIRST MATH CLASS MATH 141 WAS MR.
TRAVIS. ONE DAY HE PROMISED TO TELL US WHY HIS STUDENTS
SUPPOSEDLY CALLED HIM "THE HATCHET MAN." (I HADN'T
HEARD THE NAME APPLIED TO HIM BEFORE THIS TIME, BUT MAYBE
IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS JUST A FIRST TERM FRESHMAN.) HE SAID
THAT HE HAD HAD ONE STUDENT WHO WAS BOUND AND DETERMINED
TO PASS ONE MATH COURSE HE WAS TEACHING, EVEN THOUGH IT
WAS ABOUT THE THIRD OR FOURTH TIME AROUND FOR THE STUDENT.
THE REASON THE STUDENT WAS SO DETERMINED WAS THAT HE
NEEDED THE COURSE TO GRADUATE. FINALLY, HE SUCCEEDED
IN PASSING AND AFTER GRADUATION, HE GAVE TRAVIS A TOKEN
OF HIS APPRECIATION, A GOLD (PAINTED) HATCHET WHICH
TRAVIS SHOWED OUR MATH 141 CLASS.
DURING TERM II 70-71, I FOUND MYSELF ONCE AGAIN SHARING
THREE HOURS A WEEK IN ONE OF THE MATH CLASSES (MATH 431)
TAUGHT BY TRAVIS. HE EVIDENTLY STILL HAD THE HATCHET
SINCE HE TOLD US THE SAME STORY I HAD HEARD IN 1969.
ONCE AGAIN, HE SHOWED US THAT SAME GOLD HATCHET.
Submitter comment:
IN MATH 141 HE GAVE ME A B; IN MATH 431 HE GAVE ME
AN A, SO HE CAN'T BE THAT BAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): UNUSUAL GIFTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-30-1971
THE BEAUTIFUL BABY CORPSE
INFORMANT TOLD ME OF A GUEST THAT SHE HAD IN HER HOME
WHO WORKED FOR THE WILBUR VAULT COMPANY. THIS MAN WAS
A MEMBER OF THE BURYING PARTY AT SEVERAL CEMETERIES.
ONE INCIENT HE SWEARS HE WILL NEVER FORGET WAS ONCE,
WHEN HIS CREW HAD TO BURY THE BODY OF A TWO-YEAR-OLD
BOY WHO HAD JUST RECENTLY PASSED AWAY. WHEN THESE MEN
LAID THE COFFIN ON TOP OF THE NYLON RUNNERS WHICH
SUPPORTED IT, THIS COFFIN SLIPPED OFF THE RUNNERS AND
SOMEHOW THE BABY FELL OUT. WHEN THIS MAN WENT DOWN TO THE
BOTTOM OF THE GRAVE TO RETRIEVE THE CHILD, HE SAID THAT
IT WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BABY THAT HE HAD EVER SEEN.
THIS INFANT SO IMPRESSED HIM (HE HAD A TWO-YEAR-OLD OF
HIS OWN) THAT HE INQUIRED ABOUT THE MANNER IN WHICH
IT HAD DIED. HE FOUND THAT THE BABY HAD UNSCREWED A
BOLT FROM HIS CRIB AND HAD SWALLOWED IT. THE BOLT
LODGED IN THE BABY'S THROAT AND IT WAS RUSHED TO THE
HOSPITAL, BUT THE DOCTORS WERE UNABLE TO SAVE THE
LITTLE BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): INFANT DEATHS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 11-29-1971
THIS IS A STORY ABOUT A WATER-SKIER WHO FELL WHILE SKIING
AND BECAME TANGLED IN THE SEAWEED. BY THE TIME THE BOAT
HAD TURNED AROUND AND REACHED THE SKIER, THE PERSON HAD
ALREADY DROWNED.
I HEARD THIS WHEN I WAS LITTLE AND DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS
TRUE OR NOT. I THINK IT SERVES AS A WARNING TO WATER-
SKIERS TO WATCH OUT FOR SEAWEEK. BEING A WATER-SKIER,
I KNOW THAT IT IS EASY TO BECOME TANGLED IN SEAWEED, BUT
IT IS EASY TO PULL IT OUT IF ONE IS BADLY TANGLED,
DROWNING WOULD NOT BE THAT EASY. BUT KNOWING THE STORY
EVERYTIME I HAVE FALLEN IN SEAWEED, IT SENDS CHILLS
THROUGH ME.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ACCIDENTAL DROWNING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CHAUCER
DR. WOLFF ONCE TOLD HIS CHAUCER CLASS THE STORY OF HIS
YOUNGER DAYS WHEN HE WAS A STUDENT STUDYING CHAUCER
UNDER A JESUIT. IT SEEMED THAT THIS PRIEST LOVED
CHAUCER, BUT HATED THE SMUTTY PARTS. EACH CLASS MEMBER
WAS TO MEMORIZE A GIVEN NUMBER OF LINES IN EACH TALE
OF THE CANTERBURY TALES. WHEN DR. WOLFF WAS REPEATING
ABSOLOM'S ROLE IN A CERTAIN TALE, HE WAS SUDDENLY STOPPED
AND GIVEN AN A BY HIS INSTRUCTOR THE JESUIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PRUDISHNESS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 03-00-1970
DISTILLERY PROSE
THIS ONE HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINA. THERE WAS THIS GUY NAMED LOSS
HONEYCUTT
AND HIS PROFESSION WAS BREEDING BULLS. ON THE SIDE HE RAN A
DISTILLERY. BACK IN THOSE TIMES, I THINK IT WAS THE EARLY 1900{S, AS
FAR AS POLICEMEN AND GUYS LIKE THAT, THEY DIDN'T FIND OUT TOO MUCH
ABOUT
DISTILLERIES, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ILLEGAL AND EVERYTHING. BUT
BY MOUTH OR WHATEVER, THE AUTHORITIES FOUND OUT THAT LOSS WAS RUNNING
THIS DISTILLERY AND MAKING PRETTY GOOD MONEY ON IT. SO ONE DAY TWO
LOCAL
OCAL SHERIFFS DECIDED TO PAY LOSS A VISIT. IT SO HAPPENS THAT THE
POLICE
LICE WERE SEEN GOING IN THERE TO BREAK UP THE STILL AND OF COURSE A
CROWD BEGAN TO GATHER OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE. AND THEY WAITED AND WAITED,
BUT THE TWO SHERIFFS NEVER CAME OUT. THE PEOPLE GOT KIND OF CONCERNED
AND WENT TO THE POLICE STATION AND TOLD THEM THAT THE TWO SHERIFFS
HADN'T COME OUT OF THE HOUSE. SO THE POLICE INVESTIGATED. THEY WENT
INTO THE HOUSE AND DOWN INTO THE BASEMENT WHERE THE STILL WAS LOCATED
AND THERE WAS LOSS MAKING WHISKEY. IT SO HAPPENS THAT LOSS HAD DONE
AWAY WITH THE TWO SHERIFFS AND HAD MADE WHISKEY OUT OF THEM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
Keyword(s): MOONSHINING
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM: PEOPLE DISTILLED INTO WHISKEY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
MURDER PROSE
DOWN SOUTH IN LOUISIANA, THERE WERE THESE TWO CHICKS SPENDING THE
NIGHT
TOGETHER. YOU SEE, ONE OF THE GIRLS' PARENTS RE GONE FOR THE WE
WEEKEND AND SO THE GIRLS WERE STAYING TOGETHER SO THE ONE WOULDN'T BE
ALONE. ANYWAY, IT WAS GETTING LATE AND THEY WERE GETTING READY FOR
BED, WHEN THE GIRL WHO LIVED IN THE HOUSE HEARD SOMETHING DOWNSTAIRS
DOWNSTAIRS IN
THE KITCHEN. SO, SHE WENT DOWN TO SEE WHAT IT WAS. WELL, A LITTLE
WHILE LATER, THE GIRL UPSTAIRS HEARS THIS HORRIBLE SCREAM. SHE GOT
REALLY SCARED BY THIS, SO SCARED SHE DIDN'T EVEN GO DOWNSTAIRS
TO SEE WHAT
HAD HAPPENED. ALL SHE DID WAS GO INTO THE CLOSET AND HIDE. THIS
CLOSET WAS REAL SMALL WITH NO LIGHT. SHE KEPT ON HEARING THESE
STRANGE
NOISES LIKE A SCRAPING SOUND AND THEN A THUD. THIS WENT ON A GOOD
PART OF THE NIGHT. THESE NOISES SCARED HER SO MUCH THAT SHE FINALLY
FAINTED. THE NEXT MORNING THE GIRL WAS AWOKEN BY THE OTHER GIRLS'
PARENTS WHO HAD COME HOME FROM THEIR TRIP. THE PARENTS SAID, "WHAT HA
"WHAT HAPPENED
PENED HERE LAST NIGHT?" SHE TOLD THEM HER STORY ON WHAT HAD HAPPENED
. THEN THE GIRLS' PARENTS TOOK THE OTHER GIRL TO THE TOP OF THE
STAIRS
AND THERE WAS THE OTHER GIRL HALF WAY UP THE STAIRS, DEAD, WITH
HER LEGS CUT OFF. SHE WAS THE ONE CAUSING THE STRANGE NOISES.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE HORROR
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-22-1972
MURDER PROSE
THIS CHICK AND GUY IN CLEVELAND WERE OUT IN THE PARK AND THE
GUY IN THE
CAR THOUGHT HE HEARD NOIS, BUT DIDN'T PAY ANY ATTENTION. THE SE
SECOND TIME HE HEARD IT, HE KNEW IT WAS A NOISE BEING DONE DILIBERATE
DELIBERATELY.
IT KEPT UP AND THE GUY DECIDED TO GET OUT; BY THE WAY, THIS WAS A
CONVERTIBLE. HE TOLD THE GIRL TO LOCK THE DOORS AND GET DOWN ON THE
FLOOR. HE STEPS OUT. SO HE'S OUTSIDE, NOW THIS IS PRETTY LATE AT
NIGHT. SHE GOT PRETTY WORRIED BECAUSE HE DIDN'T COME BACK.
THE NEXT THING
SHE KNOWS IS A FAINT SCRATCHING ON THE TOP OF THE CAR IN A
RHYTHMIC MOTION.
SHE DOESN'T DO ANYTHING, ONLY EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID.
LATER ANOTHER
CAR PULLS UP, SHE COULDN'T SEE WHO IT WAS. THEN SHE SAW A
FLASHLIGHT FLASHING AROUND IN THE CAR. IT WAS A COP. HE SAID
FOR HER
TO GET OUT. THE COP SAID DON'T LOOK BEHIND YOU AND GET INTO
MY CAR.
SHE DID, BUT HER CURIOSITY WAS AROUSED. IT WAS JUST THE BREAK OF
DAWN, SO THERE WAS JUST ENOUGH LIGHT. SO SHE LOOKED BEHIND AND
SAW HER
BOYFRIEND HANGING BY HIS NECK FROM A TREE SWINGING ABOVE THE CAR.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
Keyword(s): LOVERS' PARKING
James Callow Keyword(s): OHIO ; PARKING
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
MURDER PROSE
THERE IS AN APARTMENT OR FLAT AND THESE GIRLS, WELL FIRST
OF ALL IT IS
S IN A FAMILIAR NEIGHBORHOOD LIKE THIS ONE AROUND U OF D, LET'S SAY.
AND IT WOULD BE IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES TO LET'S SAY SOME GIRLS
GOING TO MARYGROVE. O.K., NOW THESE THREE CHICKS LIVE IN AN UPSTAIRS
FLAT.
AND TWO OF THEM HAD DATES THAT NIGHT, SOME WEEKEND NIGHT.
THEY
WENT OUT, AND THERE WAS ONE LEFT IN THE FLAT. SO SHE WAS STUDYING AND
EVERYTHING, BUT YOU KNOW, SINCE IT WAS SUCH A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD OF
COURSE THEY
HAD ALL THE DOORS LOCKED AND EVERYTHING AND THEY WERE VERY
SIDEWALK
STRICT ITH THEIR SECURITY. SO, IT WAS GETTING PRETTY LATE AND SHE W
WASN'T GOING TO WAIT UP FOR HER FRIENDS, SO SHE STARTS TO GO TO BED.
NOW, BEFORE SHE GOES TO BED, SHE HEARS SOME STRANGE NOISES OUTSIDE
LIKE
KE POSSIBLY A SCREAM, BUT SHE WASN'T REALLY SURE THAT'S WHAT IT WAS.
ALTHOUGH, HER CURIOSITY WAS AROUSED AND SHE AT LEAST WAS GOING TO
HAVE
A LOOK. SO SHE WENT TO THE WINDOW AND SHE COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING,
BUT SHE STILL HEARD A LOT OF THRASHING AROUND OUTSIDE. NOW THIS
REALLY
SCARED THE GIRL BUT STILL SHE HAD TO GO DOWN AND SEE WHAT IT WAS.
SO SHE GOES DOWN AND GETS ENOUGH COURAGE TO LOOK OUT AGAIN AND
OPENS THE DOOR. SO SHE GOES OUT. ALONG THE TWO SIDES OF THE
THERE ARE THESE TWO SHRUBS AND OF COURSE THE SIDEWALK IS A
PRETTY
LONG ONE. SHE WALKS DOWN, STILL SCARED BUT ALL THE LIGHTS WERE
ON AND EVERYTHING. SHE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING AND DIDN{T REALLY HEAR
ANYTHING
AND SORT OF EXPECTED IT WAS AN ALLEY CAT OR SOMETHING, BUT THEN,
SHE TURNED AROUND AND STARTED TO WALK BACK AND ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE
HEARD THIS THRASHING SOUND, BUT SHE WAS REALLY SCARED AND SHE WASN'T
GOING TO BOTHER LOOKING BACK. SHE HEARD THE THRASHING SOUND RUNNING
ALL THE WAY UP TO THE HOUSE AND OF COURSE THIS MULTIPLIED IN HER
MIND,
ALL THE EFFECTS OF THIS THING, SO SHE RUNS UP, SHUTS THE DOOR AND
THEN RIGHT AFTER SHE SHUTS THE DOOR, SHE HEARS THIS FAINT SCRATCHING
AT THE DOOR, BUT SHE REALLY COULDN'T TELL WHAT IT WAS. SHE HAD HAD
IT/, SHE RUNS BACK UPSTAIRS SCARED TO DEATH, SHE DIDN'T WANT TO LOOK
LOOK OUT
OUT OR ANYTHING. SO ABOUT FORTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER, HER SECOND ROOMMA
ROOMMATE
CAME IN. HER ROOMMATE WAS JUST OUT OF IT. SHE RUNS UP TO THE GIRL
AND SAID, "WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?" THE GIRL SAID THAT SHE HAD BEEN
THERE ALL NIGHT. SO SHE BRINGS THE GIRL DOWN TO THE DOOR AND
THERE IS
HER OTHER ROOMMATE DOWN ON THE PORCH TH A HATCHET IN HER BACK, WI
WITH ONE HAND ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
Keyword(s): STUDENTS, CLAWING
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
THERE IS AN OLD STORY HANDED DOWN IN THE SPLAIN FAMILY
ABOUT A GREAT-GREAT-GRANDFATHER (ONE OF THE FIRST OF THE
SPLAIN FAMILY TO SETTLE IN WASHINGTON, D. C.) WHO MARRIED
AN "OLD HAG, A STAUNCH RELIGIOUS HAG, BECAUSE HE
WANTED TO GET TO HEAVEN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HOLINESS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00-00-1922
EASY WAY TO GRADE PAPERS
WHEN AN INFORMANT TOLD ME OF HIS CONNECTION WITH STUDENTS
WHO BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS (IS) A UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
PROFESSOR WHO GRADES PAPERS BY THROWING THEM UP THE
STAIRS, I WAS REMINDED OF TWO INSTANCES IN WHICH I
HEARD OF THE SAME LEGEND.
THE FIRST TIME I HEARD THIS STORY (AND BELIEVED IT!) WAS
WHEN I WAS A FRESHMAN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT DOWNTOWN
CAMPUS. I REMEMBER A CLASSMATE OF MINE SAYING HE DIDN'T
WANT TO TAKE A MR. THOMPSON FOR ACCOUNTING BECAUSE HE NEVER
EVEN LOOKED AT THE EXAMINATION PAPERS OR AT THE HOMEWORK
HANDED IN. HE WOULD JUST THROW THE PAPERS UP THE STAIRS
AND THOSE THAT LANDED ON TOP WOULD GET AN A AND THEN THE
GRADES DESCENDED AS DID THE PAPERS. THE BOTTOM PAPERS
WOULD GET FS. THIS WAS ABOUT 1954.
THE SECOND TIME I HEARD THIS AT THE UPTOWN (MC NICHOLS
RD.) CAMPUS. DR. ESPINOSA OF MY SPANISH 55 CLASS TOLD US
THE STORY OF A YOUNG GIRL WHO HAD A DEFECT (I BELIEVE
SHE WAS HUNCHBACKED) BUT WHO WAS A VERY GOOD STUDENT
WHO HAD EARNED ALL A'S IN HER COLLEGE CAREER. ALL
A'S THAT IS, UNTIL A SOCIOLOGY PROFESSOR WHO GRADED BY
THE "THROW THE PAPERS UP AND SEE HOW THEY FALL" METHOD,
GAVE HER A C IN HIS COURSE. DR. ESPINOSA TOLD THIS AS
THE TRUTH, AND TOLD IT QUITE CONVINCINGLY, I MIGHT ADD.
THIS WAS IN ABOUT 1961.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- School |
Date learned: 02-19-1965
INDIAN LEGEND
THE AZTECS LIVED IN SOUTHERN MEXICO AND THE TALTECS,
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TOLTECS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 05-15-1965
THE LEGEND OF THE MAID OF THE MIST HAS BECOME AN IMPORTANT
PART OF THE CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS {NEW YORK}. IT IS BELIEVED
THAT IN THE DAYS OF THE INDIANS, WHO WORSHIPPED THE FALLS
AS A GOD, IN ORDER TO APPEASE THE THUNDERING DEITY, THEY
CHOSE THE PRETTIEST MAIDEN IN THE VILLAGE, PUT HER IN A BOAT
FILLED WITH FRUITS AND MEATS AND SACRIFICED HER TO THE GOD OF
THE THUNDERING WATERS.
Where learned: NOT ON 5 X 8 CARD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
IN THE OLD COUNTRY, AT FUNERALS, IT WAS CONSIDERED
RESPECTFUL FOR SOMEONE TO STAY UP ALL NIGHT WITH THE
BODY. SINCE EVERYONE WOULD RATHER "WHOOP IT UP" AT
THE WAKE, INSTEAD OF STAYING WITH THE BODY, THEY
USUALLY GOT A COBBLER, WHO STAYED UP ALL NIGHT
ANYWAY, WORKING ON HIS SHOES, TO DO THE JOB.
ONE NIGHT, A COUPLE PRANKSTERS DECIDED TO PUT A LIVE
PERSON IN THE COFFIN, INSTEAD OF THE BODY. TOWARDS
THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE "CORPSE" LIFTED ITS
RIGHT LEG. THE COBBLER, WITHOUT THINKING TWICE,
PUSHED IT BACK IN PLACE. A LITTLE WHILE LATER, AN
ARM WENT UP, AND THE COBBLER, SLIGHTLY ANNOYED,
PUSHED IT BACK. BUT THIS KEPT UP ALL NIGHT, UNTIL
THE COBBLER WAS PRETTY EXASPERATED. THE "CORPSE"
FINALLY PUT ITS HEAD UP AND LOOKED AT THE COBBLER.
AT THIS POINT, IN A FIT OF TEMPER, THE COBBLER PICKED
UP HIS HAMMER AND BASHED THE "CORPSE'S" HEAD IN.
THE MAN NOW REALLY WAS A CORPSE.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
James Callow Keyword(s): BLASON POPULAIRE: COBBLERS ARE FEARLESS ; HUMOR ; IRONY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 11-22-1967
TOLD AS A TRUE STORY TO MY INFORMANT:
A YOUNG FELLOW WAS IN A DRIVE-IN IN THAT NEIGHBOR-
HOOD AND WAS TRYING TO SHOW HIS BRAVERY TO HIS GIRL
AND ANOTHER COUPLE IN HIS CAR. HE TOOK A REVOLVER
WITH ONE BULLET IN IT AND HELD IT TO HIS HEAD.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS THE CHAMBER WITH THE LIVE
CARTRIDGE AND HE KILLED HIMSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; COLORADO ; DETROIT ; CORTEZ
James Callow Keyword(s): RISK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
CURVAVASFIADABA (BLOODY WEDDING)
A YOUNG PEASANT BOY AND GIRL FELL IN LOVE IN GREECE
DURING THE OCCUPATION OF THAT COUNTRY BY THE TURKS.
THE GIRL WAS BEAUTIFUL AND THE COUPLE WANTED TO
GET MARRIED, BUT HAD TO GET THE TURKISH OVERSEER'S
PERMISSION FIRST. THE TURKISH OFFICIAL ASKED THE
COUPLE TO COME FOR AN INTERVIEW AT HIS VILLA. WHEN
THE OFFICIAL SAW THE GIRL'S BEAUTY, HE WANTED HER
FOR HIMSELF BUT HIS ADVANCES ON THE GIRL WERE REFUSED
AND THIS INFURIATED THE TURK. THE COUPLE BEGGED
FOR HIS PERMISSION BUT HE REFUSED THEM IN A ROUND-
ABOUT WAY. THE COUPLE DECIDED TO GET MARRIED ANYWAY
AND THE VILLAGE READIED ITSELF FOR THE BIG FEAST.
AFTER THE WEDDING AND AT FEAST, EVERYONE WAS HAPPY.
THE TURK CAME AND THE PEOPLE HOPED THAT HE WOULD GIVE
THE COUPLE HIS BLESSING. WHEN THE TURK CONFRONTED
THE BRIDEGROOM, HE SHOT HIM DEAD AND TRIED TO STEAL
THE BRIDE AWAY. SHE STRUGGLED AND WHILE STRUGGLING
SHE HERSELF WAS KILLED.
THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE STABBED THE OFFICIAL, AND
HIS TROOPS OPEN FIRE ON THE VILLAGERS. THE
REMAINING TROOPS CARRY THE LORD'S BODY AWAY
TO THE VILLAGE FOR HIDING. LATER ON THE TURK IS
BROUGHT BACK TO HIS VILLA AND THE VILLA IS ATTACKED
BY THE PITCHFORK-LADEN PEASANTS AND THEY OBTAIN
VICTORY.
Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS RELATIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-10-1967