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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BLACK BART
WESTERN STAGE COACH ROBBER WITH OVER 30 ROBBERIES TO HIS
CREDIT. RETIRED BY WELLS FARGO WITH A PENSION OF $200
A MONTH TO PROTECT THEIR COMPANY.
Where learned: OHIO ; PEMBERVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 10-14-1971
INDIAN PETE-1
"INDIAN PETE," THE ONLY NAME I EVER KNEW HIM BY, WAS A
CHARACTER THAT WOULD HAVE A GOOD SUBJECT FOR AN AUTHOR.
WE WERE TOLD HE WAS A WHITE BOY THAT WAS CAPTURED AND
RAISED BY THE INDIANS. WHEN I KNEW HIM, HE LIVED WITH
THE INDIANS AND DRESSED IN THE TRADITIONAL INDIAN
FASHION. THE STORIES ABOUT THE NUMBER OF SCALPS HE
HAD, I AM SURE, WERE EXAGGERATED. WHENEVER HE WOULD
COME RIDING HIS BLACK AND WHITE PONY INTO TOWN, IT
WAS REASON FOR MOST MOTHERS TO BRING THEIR CHILDREN IN
TO THEIR HOUSES, BUT MY OLDER BROTHER AND I WOULD
ALWAYS RUN TO MEET HIM AS HE NEVER FAILED TO GIVE US
A RIDE ON HIS PONY. UNFORTUNATELY, THESE RIDES WOULD
COME TO AN END, AS SOON AS HE WOULD SEE MY MOTHER, AS
SHE, LIKE MOST WOMEN IN THE TOWN, WAS AFRAID OF HIM.
THE ONLY REASON FOR THIS FEAR THAT I COULD SEE, WAS HIS
GREAT DESIRE TO GET DRUNK AND START SHOOTING HIS GUN IN
THE AIR AS HE RODE UP AND DOWN THE MAIN STREET. THIS
HABIT LED HIM TO THE TOWN JAIL WHICH BECAME HIS SECOND
HOME. AFTER ONE OF THESE SHOOTING SPREES, IF HE
COULD RIDE OUT OF TOWN BEFORE BEING ARRESTED, NOTHING
WAS DONE ABOUT HIM, BUT IF HE DID NOT RIDE FAST
ENOUGH, IT WAS THE TOWN JAIL FOR INDIAN PETE, UNTIL
HE SLEPT IT OFF.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; PEORIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 11-01-1971
POLLY'S LOVER
IN ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THIS CENTURY A WITHERED WOMAN OF
NINETY WAS BURIED FROM A NOW DESERTED HOUSE IN WHITE
PLAINS, NEW YORK, POLLY CARTER THE NAME OF HER, BUT
"CRAZY POLLY" WAS WHAT THE NEIGHBORS CALLED HER, FOR
SHE WAS ECCENTRIC AND NOT FOND OF COMPANY. AMONG
THE BELONGINGS OF HER HOUSE WAS A TALL CLOCK, SUCH AS
RELIC HUNTERS PRIZE, THAT TICKED SOLEMNLY IN A LANDING
ON THE STAIRS. FOR A TIME, DURING THE REVOLUTION, THE
HOUSE STOOD WITHIN THE BRITISH LINES, AND AS HER FATHER
WAS A COLONEL IN WASHINGTON'S ARMY, SHE WAS LEFT ALMOST
ALONE IN IT. THE BRITISH OFFICERS RESPECTED HER SEX,
BUT THEY HAD AN UNPLEASANT WAY OF RUNNING IN UNANNOUNCED
AND DEMANDING ENTERTAINMENT, IN THE KING'S NAME, WHICH
SHE FELT FORCED TO GRANT. ONE RAINY AFTERNOON THE DOOR
WAS FLUNG OPEN, THEN LOCKED ON THE INSIDE, AND SHE FOUND
HERSELF IN THE ARMS OF A STALWART, HANDSOME LIEUTENANT,
WHO WORE THE BLUE. IT WAS HER COUSIN AND FIANCE.
THEIR GLAD TALK HAD NOT BEEN GOING LONG WHEN THERE CAME
A ROUSING SUMMONS AT THE DOOR. THREE ENGLISH OFFICERS
WERE WAITING ADMITTANCE.
PERHAPS THEY HAD SEEN LAWRENCE CARTER GO INTO THE HOUSE,
AND IF CAUGHT HE WOULD BE KILLED AS A SPY. HE MUST BE
HIDDEN, BUT IN SOME PLACE WHERE THEY WOULD NOT THINK OF
LOOKING. THE CLOCK! THAT WAS THE PLACE. WITH A LAUGH
AND A KISS THE YOUNG MAN SUBMITTED TO BE SHUT IN THIS
NARROW QUARTER, AND THROWING HIS COAT AND HAT BEHIND SOME
FURNITURE, THE GIRL ADMITTED THE OFFICERS, WHO WERE WET
AND MAD AND DEMANDED DINNER. THEY TRAMPED ABOUT THE
BEST ROOM IN THEIR MUDDY BOOTS, TALKING LOUDLY, AND IN
ORDER TO BREAK THE EFFECT OF THE CHILL WEATHER, THEY
PASSED THE BRANDY BOTTLE FREELY. POLLY SERVED THEM WITH
A DINNER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, FOR SHE WANTED TO GET THEM
OUT OF THE HOUSE, BUT THEY WERE IN NO MOOD TO GO, AND THE
BOTTLE PASSED SO OFTEN THAT BEFORE THE DINNER WAS OVER
THEY WERE NOISY AND TIPSY AND WERE USING LANGUAGE THAT
DROVE POLLY FROM THE ROOM.
AT LAST, TO HER RELIEF, SHE HEARD THEM PREPARING TO LEAVE
THE HOUSE, BUT AS THEY WERE ABOUT TO GO, THE SENIOR
OFFICER, LOOKING UP AT THE LANDING, NOW DIM IN THE PALING
LIGHT, SAID TO ONE OF THE OTHERS, "SEE WHAT TIME IT IS."
THE OFFICER ADDRESSED, WHO HAPPENED TO BE THE DRUNKEST
OF THE PARTY, STAGGERED UP THE STAIR AND EXCLAIMED, "THE
DAMNED THING'S STOPPED." THEN, AS IF HE THOUGHT IT A
GOOD JOKE, HE ADDED, "IT'LL NEVER GO AGAIN." DRAWING
HIS SABRE, HE GAVE THE CLOCK A CARELESS CUT AND RAN
THE BLADE THROUGH THE PANEL OF THE DOOR; AFTER THIS THE
THREE PASSED OUT. WHEN THEIR VOICES HAD DIED IN DISTANT
BRAWLING, POLLY RAN TO RELEASE HER LOVER. SOMETHING
THICK AND DARK WAS CREEPING FROM BENEATH THE CLOCK-CASE.
WITH TREMBLING FINGERS SHE PULLED OPEN THE DOOR, AND
LAWRENCE, HER LOVER, FELL HEAVILY FORWARD INTO HER ARMS,
DEAD. THE OFFICER WAS RIGHT; THE CLOCK NEVER WENT AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
YUNK-YUNK HEARD THIS AS AN OLD INDIAN LEGEND. REFER TO
INFORMANTS LIST FOR MORE DETAILS CONCERNING HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MACKINAW ISLAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 09-00-1963
MIDNIGHT SKULKER
HE IS SOME MYSTERIOUS PERSON OR BEING WHO COMES AROUND
THE CAMPUS UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT, LEAVING MESSAGES
IN STRANGE PLACES, TO THE EFFECT THAT THE "MIDNIGHT
SKULKER" WAS HERE. HE LEFT A SYMBOL (REPRODUCED BELOW)
AND ONCE LOOTED THE VARSITY NEWS OFFICE LAST YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THE MIDNIGHT SKULKER HAS BEEN AROUND
FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS.
Data entry tech comment: DRAWING OF AN UPRIGHT ARROW WITH A CIRCLE IN THE MIDDLE,
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 04-03-1967
A SLAVERY TIME STORY
A STORY TOLD MR. WRIGHT WHEN HE WAS A BOY AT THE TURN
OF THE CENTURY.
LOTS OF PEOPLE STAYED IN THE WOODS AND LIVED IN
CAVES AND AT NIGHT CAME OUT TO STEAL CHICKENS AND HOGS,
ETC. THEY WOULD GO UP TO A MAN'S HOUSE AND GRAB A
TURKEY AT ROOST. DOGS WERE KEPT TO TRACK THE THIEVES,
WHO WERE BAREFOOTED. BUT THE PEOPLE COULD OUTRUN
DOGS IN THOSE DAYS. THEY WOULD RUN TO THE FENCE, JUMP
OVER IT; THEY WOULD TAKE A CERTAIN WEED AND HIT THEIR
FEET WITH IT. THE DOGS COULDN'T TRAIL THE THIEVES
ANY LONGER BUT WOULD JUST WHINE AT THE FENCE.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
BRITISH INTELLIGENCE LEARNED THAT HITLER HAD HIRED A
GREAT ASTROLOGER AND WAS PLANNING HIS MOVES ON WHAT
HIS HOROSCOPE SAID. THE BRITISH THEN HIRED THEIR
OWN ASTROLOGER WHO READ HITLER'S STARS AND TOLD
BRITISH INTELLIGENCE WHAT DAYS HAD BEEN SHOWN
FAVORABLE FOR A MOVEMENT OF FORCES. IN ONE QUICK
MOVE THE ALLIES HAD REVERSED THE SITUATION THROUGH
THE USE OF A MAN OF THE HEAVENS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 10-31-1969
QUITE PREVALENT AMONG THE EMPLOYEES AND SUPERVISORS OF
THE SEARS STORE IN LINCOLN PARK, MICHIGAN WAS THIS "GET
RICH QUICK" SCHEME THROUGH USE OF THE FOLLOWING CHAIN-
LETTER. THIS WAS COLLECTED JAN. 14, 1967.
1. YOU GIVE $37.50 BY HAND, TO THE PERSON GIVING YOU
THIS LIST OF NAMES. HE GIVES YOU A $25.00 SAVINGS BOND
IN THE NAME OF THE PERSON WHOSE NAME IS FIRST ON THE
LIST YOU HAVE PURCHASED. 2. DON'T USE THE MAIL TO SEND YOUR LETTER. IT IS ILLEGAL
TO DO THIS. 3. MAKE TWO (2) IDENTICAL COPIES OF THIS LETTER, ELIMINATING
THE TOP NAME AND ADDING YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO THE
BOTTOM. THUS THE NUMBER TWO BECOMES ONE AND YOUR
NAME BECOMES NUMBER TEN. 4. THE NAME ON THE BOND IS THE SAME AS THE NAME ON THE
TOP OF THE LIST YOU HAVE JUST PURCHASED. MAIL THE
BOND AT ONCE TO THE PERSON WHOSE NAME IS ON THE BOND.
IT IS LEGAL TO DO THIS. 5. PURCHASE FROM THE BANK TWO (2) $25.00 SAVINGS BONDS
MADE OUT TO THE PERSON WHOSE NAME COMES FIRST ON THE
LIST YOU HAVE JUST MADE OUT. YOU SELL EACH LIST WITH
THE BONDS ATTACHED FOR $37.50 AND YOU HAVE YOUR MONEY
BACK. 6. WHEN YOUR NAME REACHES THE TOP OF THE LIST, YOU SHOULD
HAVE RECEIVED $38,000 IN SAVINGS BONDS, WHICH WILL BE
WORTH $50,000 IN SEVEN YEARS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE.
THIS CAMPAIGN IS SURE BECAUSE EACH PERSON WILL HASTEN
TO GET HIS MONEY BACK, THUS MOVING YOUR NAME UP THE
LIST. THIS ALSO BENEFITS THE COUNTRY BY THE SALE OF
SAVINGS BONDS. 7. THIS LIST IS NOT VALID UNLESS A BOND IS ATTACHED,
PAYABLE TO THE PERSON WHO IS NUMBER ONE ON THE LIST.
RESPONSIBLE LEGAL TALENT HAS ADVISED THAT THIS
PROCEDURE OF SELLING GOVERNMENT BONDS IS NOT ILLEGAL.
FOLLOWING THESE INSTRUCTIONS WAS A LIST OF NAMES
WHICH I WAS ASKED TO OMIT. ALL THE PEOPLE LISTED
WERE FROM THE LINCOLN PARK, ALLEN PARK {MICHIGAN}
AREA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 01-14-1967
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
ROSEMARY
ONCE A GIRL IN PITTSBURGH NAMED ROSEMARY WAS KILLED WHILE BEING
ASSAULTED. HER PARENTS BUILT A STONE MONUMENT WITH HER IMAGE IN
STONE ON IT. IT IS NOW A PLACE OF TEENAGE VENERATION. ANYONE
WHO TOUCHES THE STONE AND THEIR HAND BLEEDS IS NOT A VIRGIN, OR
ANYONE WHO SEES ROSEMARY THERE IS NOT A VIRGIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1968
THE ELMORE GHOST
NOT TOO LONG AGO IN ELMORE, OHIO, A GROUP OF DRUNK TEENAGERS
RAN INTO AND KILLED A POLICEMAN ON A MOTORCYCLE. THIS WAS
WITNESSED BY A PERSON LIVING IN A HOUSE NOT FAR AWAY. THE
PERSON DIED OF SHOCK. IF YOU GO THERE YOU CAN SEE CAR LIGHTS
COMING AT YOU, FEEL THE BUMP-BUMP OF A MOTORCYCLE ON YOUR CAR
HOOD AND SEE A LIGHT MOVE FROM WINDOW TO WINDOW OF THE NOW-
DESERTED HOUSE.
Date learned: 00-00-1968
MARBLES ON THE UPSTAIRS FLOOR
THE INFORMANT'S AUNT WAS BORN AND RAISED IN IRELAND. SHE HAD
MOVED TO THE U.S. BUT HAD GONE BACK TO IRELAND AFTER THE DEATH
OF ONE OF HER CHILDREN. WHEN RETURNING TO IRELAND, THEY MOVED
INTO A HOUSE IN WHICH THEY DID NOT USE THE SECOND FLOOR. RETURN-
ING ONE EVENING FROM GOOD FRIDAY DEVOTIONS IN CHURCH, THE AUNT
NOTICED A LIGHT MOVING FROM ONE END OF THE HOUSE TO THE OTHER
ON THE SECOND FLOOR. THEY THOUGHT NOTHING OF THE LIGHT AT FIRST,
UNTIL THEY REALIZED THAT THE LIGHT COULD NOT MOVE FROM ONE END
OF THE HOUSE TO THE OTHER WITHOUT GOING THROUGH A COUPLE OF
WALLS. WHEN THEY RETURNED HOME THEY QUESTIONED THE CHILDREN
ABOUT HAVING BEEN UPSTAIRS. THE CHILDREN CLAIMED THAT THEY HAD
NOT BEEN UP THERE. THE FATHER AND TWO BROTHERS WENT UPSTAIRS
TO LOOK AROUND BUT COULD FIND NOTHING. THE DOG WOULD NOT GO
UPSTAIRS. THAT NIGHT THERE WAS A TYPE OF NOISE ON THE FLOOR
UPSTAIRS. THE NOISES CONTINUED EVERY NIGHT, GETTING LOUDER AND
LOUDER AND TURNING INTO SOFT CRIES AND MOANING. THE AUNT HAD THE
HOUSE BLESSED TWICE WITHIN TWO WEEKS TO RID IT OF THE NOISE.
AFTER SOME TIME AS THE NOISE GOT LOUDER, THE PRIEST WAS AGAIN
CALLED TO BLESS THE HOUSE. THE FAMILY WENT TO TOWN AND LOOKED
UP THE HISTORY OF THE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THE HOUSE. THEY FOUND
THAT THE HOUSE HAD ONCE BEEN OWNED BY A VERY WEALTHY MAN. THIS
MAN'S MAID WENT INSANE AND ONE DAY CHOKED THE TWO LITTLE CHILDREN
TO DEATH BY STUFFING MARBLES DOWN THEIR THROATS. UPON RETURNING
TO THE HOUSE WITH THE PRIEST TO AGAIN BLESS IT, THEY FOUND MARBLES
ON THE UPSTAIRS FLOOR. THESE MARBLES HAD BEEN MAKING THE NOISE
IN THE NIGHT. THE BODIES OF THE TWO CHILDREN HAD BEEN PLACED IN
THEIR TOY CHESTS. THESE CHESTS HAD LONG BEFORE BEEN REMOVED.
Where learned: DETROIT ; IRELAND ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 03-31-1967
THE AXEMAN
A GROUP OF THE INFORMANT'S FRIENDS WHEN IN HIGH SCHOOL USED TO
PASS THE BLOOMFIELD ESTATES CEMETERY ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL EVERY
MORNING. EACH MORNING IN THE CEMETERY WAS A MAN WHO CARRIED AN
AXE STANDING AT HIS WIFE'S GRAVE. THE GROUP OF TEENAGERS CALLED
HIM "CHARLIE THE AXEMAN." THEY USED TO TEASE HIM EVERY MORNING
UNTIL ONE DAY ONE OF THE FELLOWS FOUND THIS AXE WEDGED THROUGH
THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THERE WAS NO FURTHER TEASING AFTER THAT.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM THIS GROUP OF FRIENDS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 03-31-1967
NOT GIVEN
MY BROTHER ONCE TOLD ME THAT A YOUNG COUPLE WAS PARKED ON AN OPEN
FIELD NEAR JACKSON, MICHIGAN. THEY HEARD OVER THE RADIO THAT A
CONVICT HAD ESCAPED FROM THE STATE PRISON AND THAT HE COULD BE
IDENTIFIED BY A HOOK IN PLACE OF AN ARM. AT THAT POINT THE COUPLE
LEFT AND WHEN THE YOUNG MAN GOT OUT OF HIS CAR TO TAKE HIS DATE
TO HER DOOR, HE FOUND A HOOK ATTACHED TO HIS CAR-DOORKNOB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
KNOCK, KNOCK STREET
I CAN REMEMBER HEARING THIS TALE ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS AGO.
APPARENTLY A YOUNG GIRL RETURNING HOME FROM HOLY COMMUNION
WAS STRUCK DOWN BY A HIT-AND-RUN MOTORIST. THE GIRL WAS
KILLED INSTANTLY; HER HAND, HOWEVER, WAS SEVERED FROM HER
BODY AND NEVER FOUND. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE STREET FROM
THAT MOMENT ON HAS MADE A KNOCKING SOUND (SUPPOSEDLY THE
SEVERED HAND KNOCKING ON THE STREET).
Submitter comment:
I CAN VAGUELY REMEMBER TAKING A RIDE TO THE SCENE AND ACTUALLY
HEARING SOMETHING. I BELIEVE THE NAME OF THE STREET WAS
STRASSBURG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NOT GIVEN
ONCE IN A HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET, A GIRL WAS TAKING A BATH AND
THE DOOR WAS LOCKED. SOMEONE HAD COME IN AND CUT OFF THE GIRL'S
LEG AND HER TONGUE. SHE MADE A NOISE LIKE THIS: BUMP AH-AH,
BUMP AH-AH.
THE BUMP WAS HER TRYING TO WALK AND THE AH-AH WAS HER TRYING TO
TALK. EVEN THOUGH THE GIRL DIED THE MOTHER CONTINUED TO HEAR
THAT SOUND LONG AFTERWARDS.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME WHILE WE WERE HAVING RECESS. JUDITH'S MOTHER
TOLD IT TO HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LEGEND
THERE IS A GRAVEYARD IN MIDLAND, MICHIGAN, THAT HAS A STRANGE
VISITOR EVERY TEN YEARS. HE IS A TALL, LEAN, HOODED FIGURE WITH
LONG NOSE, SUNKEN EYES, AND BONY FINGERS. EVERY TIME HE VISITS,
HE MURDERS TWO KIDS, WHO HAPPEN TO WANDER THROUGH THE CEMETERY
AT THE SAME TIME.
HIS APPEARANCE HAS BEEN REGULAR FOR THIRTY YEARS, I.E., HE HAS
COME THREE TIMES, THE MOST RECENT BEING A FEW MONTHS BACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery |
Date learned: 12-02-1967
HAUNTED COTTAGE
THERE IS A HAUNTED COTTAGE ALONG LAKE ERIE JUST EAST OF ERIE,
PENNSYLVANIA. AN OLD GIANT OF A MAN SUPPOSEDLY LIVED THERE
SOME TIME AGO. THIS MAN KILLED A TRESPASSER AT HIS COTTAGE
(THERE ARE RED STAINS ON THE FLOOR AND WALLS OF THE MAIN ROOM).
HE DUMPED THE BODY IN ERIE AT 32 AND GREENGARDEN AVENUE, AND
THAT STREET SIGN STANDS IN FRONT OF THE COTTAGE. THE OLD MAN'S
SPIRIT PROTECTS THE PLACE FROM TRESPASSERS.
Submitter comment:
ALTHOUGH THE SURROUNDING AREA IS VERY BEAUTIFUL, PEOPLE REFUSE TO
BUILD THERE, AND THE PROPERTY OWNER REFUSES TO SELL THE LAND.
THIS LADY OWNS THE PROPERTY OF THE HAUNTED COTTAGE AND BELIEVES IN
THE STORY. THIS FAMILY OWNS A COTTAGE AT THE SITE OF THE HAUNTED COTTAGE AND
BELIEVE ITS STORY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
THE HOOK
A COUPLE WAS PARKING ONE NIGHT IN A FOREST PRESERVE. THEY LOOKED
UP AND SAW A MAN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE BOY STARTED THE
MOTOR AND THEY TORE OUT OF THERE. ON THE WAY HOME THEY HEARD ON
THE RADIO THAT A MAN WITH A HOOK INSTEAD OF A HAND HAD ESCAPED
FROM PRISON. WHEN THE COUPLE ARRIVED HOME, THEY FOUND A HOOK
HANGING ON THE CAR DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 01-19-1968
A POLISH TALE
THERE IS POLISH TALE THAT TELLS ABOUT A PEASANT WHO WALKS ALL
THE WAY FROM POSNAN TO KOZIMIERZ, POLAND, WHERE THE KING
(KAZIMIERZ THE GREAT, 1300'S) RESIDED. THE PEASANT WANTS TO
COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LORD OF HIS MANOR WHO HAD KIDNAPPED HIS
WIFE RIGHT FROM THE WEDDING PROCESSION ON THE ROAD. HE HADN'T
SEEN HER SINCE THE KIDNAPPING.
WHEN THE PEASANT REACHES KOZIMIERZ, HE STOPS AT THE MARKET PLACE
WELL TO REST. AMONG THE MERCHANTS IN THE CROWD IS THE KING, WHO
STOPS AND QUESTIONS THE PEASANT. HE THEN EXPLAINS HIS COMPLAINT
AND PURPOSE. THE KING TAKES HIM TO THE CHURCH FOR THE NIGHT
WHERE THE PRIEST HAS THE PEASANT DRAW HIS COMPLAINT ON PAPER, AS
ALL COMPLAINTS WOULD BE ATTENDED TO THE NEXT DAY BY THE KING AND
VISITING LORDS. THE PEASANT DRAWS THE ROAD AND THE MANOR AROUND
IT.
AT THE POINT WHERE THE WIFE WAS TAKEN, THE PRIEST DREW A SKULL.
MEANWHILE, THE KING WAS RETURNING TO HIS CASTLE DOWN THE ROAD.
ON THIS SAME ROAD WAS ARRIVING THE LORD OF THE MANOR IN POZNAN
TO VISIT THE KING. HE APPROACHED WITH MUCH MUSIC AND FESTIVITY
IN ORDER TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION. ON THE ROAD NEAR THE CASTLE
THE LORD NOTICED IN THE DARK A FORM MOVING ALONG. THINKING IT
WAS SOME PEASANT IN THE WAY, HE CALLS THE PEDESTRIAN A BUM AND
WANTS TO HIT HIM. JUST THEN, THE FORM, WHO WAS REALLY THE KING,
ORDERS THE LORD TO STOP AND IDENTIFIES HIMSELF.
THE NEXT DAY THE COMPLAINTS WERE BEING EXAMINED BY THE KING AND
LORDS AND THE COMPLAINT OF THE PEASANT CAME UP. THE KING EX-
PLAINED THE PICTURE BY SAYING THAT A LORD HAD KILLED THE WIFE OF
A PEASANT ON THE ROAD, INDICATED BY THE SKULL. EVERYONE WAS
SHOCKED BY THE ACTION. THE KING ASKED EACH LORD WHAT PUNISHMENT
SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN FOR THE CRIME, AND WHEN HE CAME TO (THE)
GUILTY LORD, HE SAID THE PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE STARVATION. THE
KING THEN ANNOUNCED THAT THE LORD HAD COMMITTED (IT) HIMSELF, AND
THUS THE LORD WAS THROWN INTO THE DUNGEON BENEATH THE CASTLE TOWER
WITH ONLY SOME BREAD AND WATER, WHERE HE SOON DIED.
Submitter comment: MY GRANDFATHER REMEMBERS THIS TALE FROM HIS CHILDHOOD DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
THE HOOK
A TEENAGE COUPLE WAS OUT ON A DATE. THE BOY PULLED ONTO AN OLD
DIRT ROAD AND STOPPED SO THAT THEY COULD DO SOME NECKING. AS THE
BOY AND GIRL PROCEEDED, THEY HEARD A NEWS BULLETIN ON THE RADIO
WHICH SAID THAT A DANGEROUS CONVICT HAD ESCAPED FROM PRISON AND
WAS IN THE VICINITY THE COUPLE WERE PARKED. IT ALSO SAID THAT THE
CONVICT HAD A STEEL HOOK FOR ONE HAND. THE GIRL WANTED TO LEAVE
BUT THE BOY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE AGRAID OF. SO THEY
STAYED UNTIL THEY HEARD THE NEWS BULLETIN AGAIN. THE GIRL
INSISTED THAT THE BOY TAKE HER HOME. THE BOY AGREED AND DROVE
OFF. THE BOY PULLED IN FRONT OF THE GIRL'S HOME AND WENT AROUND
TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR TO OPEN THE DOOR FOR HIS DATE. AS
HE REACHED FOR THE DOOR HANDLE HE SUDDENLY JUMPED BACK STARTLED,
FOR ON THE DOOR HANDLE DANGLED AN IRON HOOK LIKE THAT DESCRIBED
AS THE HAND OF THE CONVICT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1967