Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE LOPEY HORSE
A FARMER HAD A HORSE THAT HE COULDN'T BREAK FOR
RIDING. THE HORSE WOULD REAR UP AND FALL ON ITS
BACK OR ELSE TURN A FOREWARD SOMMERSAULT WHEN
ANYONE TRIED TO RIDE IT. THE FARMER SAID HE WOULD
GIVE FIVE DOLLARS TO ANYONE THAT COULD BREAK HIM.
ONE SUNDAY, I WENT TO WATCH A BUNCH OF BOYS TRY TO
RIDE IT, BUT NONE OF THEM COULD DO IT. I TOLD THE
FARMER THAT IF HE WOULD LET ME TAKE IT HOME, I WOULD
HAVE IT BROKE IN A WEEKS TIME. HE SAID YES AND I
TOOK IT HOME AND PUT HIM TO PLOWING FOR A WEEK. FROM
THEN ON, WHEN ANYONE TRIED TO RIDE IT, ALL HE HAD TO
SAY WAS 'GET UP.' THE HORSE WOULD THINK IT WAS
STILL IN THE PLOW HARNESS AND COULD BE RIDDEN.
Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD AS TRUTH. IT IS NOT A TALL TALE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): BREAKING IN A HORSE ; PERSONAL NARRATIVE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
SCRATCHIN'
A YOUNG COUPLE WAS ON A DATE AND WERE TRAVELING DOWN
A DIRT ROAD. IT WAS DARK OUT AND QUITE WINDY OUT.
AS THE COUPLE WERE DRIVING, THE CAR RAN OUT OF GAS.
THE BOY TOLD HIS DATE THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE
HER AND WALK BACK TO TOWN TO GET SOME GAS. HE TOLD HER
THAT EVERYTHING WOULD BE ALRIGHT BUT LOCK THE DOORS
AFTER HE LEFT AND NOT TO OPEN THE DOORS FOR ANY REASON.
HE LEFT AND THE GIRL STAYED IN THE CAR. SHE WASN'T
AFRAID. SUDDENLY SHE HEARD A SCRATCHING ON THE ROOF
OF THE CAR. SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK, BUT SHE
DARED NOT OPEN THE DOORS. SHE REALLY GOT SCARED.
SO SHE LAID DOWN IN THE CAR TO TRY AND HIDE FROM
WHATEVER IT WAS THAT WAS OUT THERE. ALL THE WHILE
THIS SCRATCHING PERSISTED. THIS KEPT UP FOR OVER AN
HOUR. THEN SUDDENLY SHE HEARD A TAPPING AT THE
WINDOW. THE GIRL SPRANG UP AND SAW A LIGHT IN THE
SIDE WINDOW. IT WAS THE POLICE. THE GIRL WAS RELIEVED
TO SEE THEM AND THANKED THEM. BUT THE OFFICER SAID
HE WAS SORRY AND POINTED UP ABOVE THE CAR. THE GIRL
LOOKED UP AND SAW HER BOYFRIEND HANGING DEAD FROM A
LARGE TREE WITH ONE HAND RUBBING AGAINST THE TOP OF
THE CAR. THE WIND HAD BENT THE LIMBS OF THE TREE
DOWN AND CAUGHT THE BOY UP IN SUCH A WAY THAT HE
COULDN'T MOVE OR YELL. ONLY HIS ONE ARM BARELY REACHED
THE TOP OF THE CAR. THE ONLY THING HE COULD DO WAS
SCRATCH THE TOP OF THE CAR. ALL THE TIME HE WAS
TRYING TO GET THE GIRL TO HELP HIM.
James Callow comment: CALLED "HANGMAN'S ROAD" IN COFFIN & COHEN, <
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
James Callow Keyword(s): CAMPUS HORROR STORY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
BURIED ALIVE?
I HAD A FRIEND IN GRADE SCHOOL WHO CLAIMED THAT AFTER
HIS GRANDMOTHER HAD BEEN BURIED FOR SOME TIME, THEY
DECIDED FOR SOME REASON TO MOVE HER TO ANOTHER
RESTING PLACE. WHEN THEY OPENED HER COFFIN, THEY
FOUND SCRATCHES ALL OVER THE INSIDE TOP OF THE
COFFIN, AND WOOD UNDERNEATH HER FINGERNAILS. SHE
HAD BEEN THOUGHT DEAD, BUT WAS REALLY BURIED ALIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PREMATURE BURIAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FAMILY SAGA
MR. WRIGHT ALSO TOLD STORIES HIS GRANDFATHER TOLD
ABOUT HIMSELF.
GRANDPA ONCE PLANTED A WATERMELON PATCH. THE HOG
GOT INTO IT AND ATE IT ALL UP. SO GRANDPA HAD TO
REPLANT. THEREFORE HE STILL HAD A CROP WHEN EVERY-
BODY ELSE'S WAS GONE. THERE WAS A RAILROAD BEING
BUILT IN THE AREA AT THE TIME. THE RAILROAD WORKERS
CAME INTO THE PATCH AND TOOK SOME WATERMELONS. GRANDPA
SENT HIS SON INTO TOWN TO GET SOME POWDER, THEN HE GOT
HIS MUSKET AND WENT DOWN TO THE PATCH THAT NIGHT. HE
PUT HIS GUN DOWN AND WENT TO SLEEP. THIS WAS A BAD
THING TO DO, FOR THE GUN WAS STOPPED UP ALREADY.
WHEN THE WORKERS CAME THAT NIGHT, GRANDPA AWOKE, TOOK
HIS GUN AND SHOT IT. BUT IT SHOT BACKWARDS, AND
BROKE IN HALF. IT BURNT HIS BEARD AND FACE AND
BROKE SOME TEETH.
THE RAN HOME AND POUNDED ON THE DOOR TO LET HIM IN.
WHEN GRANDMA WENT TO THE FRONT DOOR, HE HAD RUN TO
THE BACK DOOR. WHEN SHE WENT TO THE BACK DOOR, HE
HAD GONE AROUND TO THE FRONT DOOR. WHEN HE FINALLY
ENTERED, HE TOLD HIS FAMILIES THAT "THOSE RASCALS
SHOT ME AND BROKE MY GUN."
ONCE GRANDPA (WHO WAS CALLED UNCLE STEVE BY ALL THE
FOLKS) AND PAPA WENT FISHING. PAPA WAS GREATLY AFRAID
OF SNAKES. WHILE GRANDPA WAS ROWING OUT IN THE LAKE,
A SNAKE FROM AN OVERHEAD TREE FELL DOWN INTO THE BOAT.
PAPA JUMPED OUT OF THE BOAT WHILE GRANDPA HIT AT THE
SNAKE WITH THE PADDLE AND BROKE IT "HALF IN TWO."
AS A RESULT OF PAPA'S JUMPING OUT OF THE BOAT, IT
TURNED OVER AND BOTH HAD TO SWIM TO SHORE.
PAPA WAS SO SCARED OF SNAKES, HE SAW A BUGGY LINE
CURLED UP ON THE GROUND AND HE MISTOOK IT FOR A
SNAKE. HE GOT HIS GUN AND SHOT THE BUGGY LINE TO
PIECES.
AFTER GRANDPA'S FIRST WIFE DIED, HE MARRIED A
WOMAN WHO HAD THREE SONS. AROUND JULY 4TH, WHEN THE
PLOWING WAS DONE, THE BOYS ASKED TO GET SUITS.
SUITS LASTED FIVE OR MORE YEARS BECAUSE THEY WERE
ONLY WORN ON SUNDAYS. THEY HAD BEEN PROMISED A
SUIT FOR A YEAR. FOR SOME REASON, GRANDPA DIDN'T GET
THEM THEIR SUITS. THERE FOLLOWED A BIG FIGHT, AND
THE WIFE AND HER BOYS LEFT HIM.
WELL, GRANDPA MARRIED AGAIN WITHOUT DIVORCING THE
PREVIOUS WIFE.
GRANDPA WAS ALSO A PREACHER. ONE DAY, THE HEAD
MINISTER DELEGATED TO HIM THE JOB TO ACCUSE THE
SINNERS AND EXCLUDE THEM FROM THE CHURCH UNTIL THEY
WERE IN CONDITION TO COME BACK. GAMBLING, BALL
PLAYING, DANCING, ETC.. WERE NOT ALLOWED.
ONE SUNDAY, GRANDPA REALLY GOT ENTHUSIASTIC AND HAD
EXCLUDED FIVE PEOPLE WHEN THE MINISTER SUGGESTED HE
STOP BECAUSE WITH EACH PERSON EXCLUDED HE ALSO LOST
A QUARTER IN THE SUNDAY COLLECTION. BUT GRANDPA
WAS TOO ENTHUSIASTIC, WITH HIS "CHIPS FLY, HEW TO
THE LINE!"
SUDDENLY, SOMEONE GOT UP AND SHOUTED THAT HE (GRANDPA)
HAD TWO LIVING WIVES. (UP TO THIS TIME, GRANDPA
HADN'T CONNECTED HIS CASE WITH THE REGULATION NOT
TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE WIFE. HE HAD FORGOTTEN). THIS
REALLY STOPPED GRANDPA. HE LOOKED UP TO THE SKY
SLOWLY, PUT ON HIS BEAVER HAT, WALKED SILENTLY OUT
OF THE DOOR, GOT HIS HORSE AND WENT HOME. HE DIDN'T
COME BACK FOR THREE MONTHS.
IN 1886 THERE WAS AN EARTHQUAKE. NONE OF THE PEOPLE
KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON. GRANDPA THOUGHT IT WAS AN
OLD MAN ON TOP OF THE HOUSE. HE TOOK A TORCH AND
GRANDMA TOOK A TORCH AND WENT OUTSIDE. HE WENT ONE
WAY AND SHE WENT THE OTHER TO SURROUND THE HOUSE. WHEN
THEY APPROACHED EACH OTHER, THEY THOUGHT THAT THAT
WAS HE. GRANDPA SHOUTED "HE'S AFTER ME!" AND BOTH
RAN AROUND TO THE FRONT WHERE THEY AGAIN RAN INTO EACH
OTHER. GRANDPA SHOUTED "HE'S GOT ME! HE GOT ME!"
THEN HE RAN TO HIS NEIGHBORS "PRAY! PRAY! JUDGMENT!
JUDGMENT!"
WHEN MAMA WAS A GIRL AND SHE AND HER SISTERS WERE
BEING TAKEN OUT BY BOYS, THE BOYS WOULD TREAT THE
GIRLS TO ORANGES, APPLES, BANANAS, AND CANDY.
THE GIRLS GAVE THE TREATS TO UNCLE TOM TO PUT INTO
HIS BIG POCKETS. THEY CAME HOME AND TOLD THEIR
MOTHER THEY WOULD GIVE HER SOME. UNCLE TOM CAME
HOME AN HOUR LATER WITH EMPTY POCKETS. HE HAD BEEN
TREATING OTHER GIRLS HIMSELF WITH THE TREATS.
NATURALLY, THE GIRLS WERE MAD.
ONCE, BROTHER REDGE WANTED TO MAKE SOME HOLES IN
WOOD TO FIX SOMETHING. SO HE HEATED A BOLT TO POUND
IT INTO THE WOOD. MR. SHAW CAME OUT AND SHOUTED
"YOU--------, DON'T KNOW NOTHIN." "LET ME DO IT."
HE WENT TO PICK UP THE BOLT AND IT STUCK TO HIS
HAND. HE GOT REALLY ANGRY AND THREW IT AT REDGE
AND HIS BROTHERS.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
INITIATION
A SORORITY AND FRATERNITY DECIDED TO HOLD THEIR
INITIATION PARTY TOGETHER SO THEY HANDCUFFED THEIR
PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS TO ONE ANOTHER--A GUY TO A GAL--
AND LEFT THEM IN A PICNIC AREA FOR THE AFTERNOON.
THEY EVEN PROVIDED THE PICNIC BASKETS--IN WHICH ALL THE
FOOD HAD BEEN LIBERALLY SPIKED WITH A VERY STRONG
LAXATIVE. MIDWAY THROUGH THE AFTERNOON, THE PROSPEC-
TIVE MEMBERS BEGAN TO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF THE CONTENTS
OF THE PICNIC BASKETS AND TRIED TO HANDLE THE
SITUATION AS DIPLOMATICALLY AND POLITELY AS POSSIBLE--
HANDCUFFED ARMS STRETCHED OVER BUSHES AND AROUND TREES
AS NECESSITY PREVAILED. ONE COED, HOWEVER, NOT HAVING
EATEN MUCH, COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE FIGITINGS OF HER
PARTNER, AND HE, UNAWARE THAT SHE KNEW NOTHING OF HIS
PLIGHT, BEGAN TO PULL DOWN HIS TROUSERS. SHE IMMEDIATELY
SUSPECTED THE WORST AND STARTED TO RUN, TRIPPING THE
POOR BOY AND DRAGGING HIM BEHIND HERSELF.
Submitter comment:
I PRESUME THAT THIS WAS A UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN {ANN
ARBOR, MICHIGAN} INITIATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 10-24-1967
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
KIBITZER
ANY CARD PLAYER WILL TELL YOU A KIBITZER IS THE LOWEST FORM OF
HUMANITY; HE'S CONTINUALLY PEEKING INTO YOUR HAND, SMIRKING AND
GIVING UNNECESSARY ADVICE. KIBITZERS AREN'T NICE. THE NAME
KIBITZER COMES FROM THE WORD KIBITZ, GERMAN FOR LAPWING OR PLOVER.
THIS CREATURE JABBERS INCESSANTLY, BUT CANNOT SING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
JEWISH NARRATIVE: CEMETERY
FOUR MEN WERE BOASTING ABOUT THEIR BRAVERY. THEY FINALLY DECIDED
THAT A FAIR TEST WOULD BE A SOLO TRIP THROUGH THE CEMETERY. TO
PROVE THAT THEY HAD TRAVERSED THE ENTIRE ROUTE THEY WERE TO POUND
STAKES INTO THE GROUND PERIODICALLY. THREE OF THE MEN ENTERED THE
CEMETERY AND MET ON THE OTHER SIDE PROUND OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT.
THE FOURTH NEVER RETURNED.
THE NEXT DAY THE THREE WENT IN SEARCH OF HIM AND FOUND HIM DEAD OF
A HEART ATTACK. HE HAD POUNDED A STAKE INTO THE GROUND AND HAD
INADVERTANTLY PINNED THE TAIL OF HIS COAT TO THE GROUND.
APPARENTLY AS HE GOT UP TO COMPLETE HIS JOURNEY, HE WAS
IMMOBILIZED FROM BEHIND BY THE STAKE AND HE SUFFERED A HEART
ATTACK FROM HIS PANIC.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT RELATED THIS STORY AS ONE THAT EVERY JEWISH BOY
LEARNS ABOUT FALSE BRAVERY AND RESPECT FOR THE DEAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): Aphorism ; BRAVERY ; Fable ; FEAR ; GRAVEYARD ; Jewish ; RESPECT ; Tale
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-24-1967
HAUNTED HOUSE STORY
THERE IS A HOUSE IN MARBLEHEAD WHICH IS VACATED FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS
NOW. THERE'S BLOOD IN THE KITCHEN. IF YOU GO BACK TO THE BEDROOM
IN THE BACK WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THIS LITTLE GIRL'S, THERE'S
BLOOD THERE ALSO. THE LITTLE GIRL WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HAD HER
THROAT SLIT, THERE WERE SCREAMS ALL OVER THE HOUSE, AND THE LITTLE
GIRL VANISHED. THAT'S WHY THERE IS BLOOD (FROM HER NECK,
SUPPOSEDLY) ALL TRACKED ALL OVER THE HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
LOCAL HAUNTED HOUSE STORY
THERE WAS AN OLD HOUSE NEAR HERE, BUT THIS WAS QUITE A FEW YEARS
AGO, AND PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS HAUNTED BECAUSE THEY WOULD HEAR
NOISES COMING FROM IT AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE A HORRIBLE SMELL
WOULD COME OUT OF THE HOUSE. FINALLY, THEY FOUND AN OLD WOMAN
IN THE BASEMENT WHO HAD BEEN LIVING THERE AND EATING THE RATS
TO KEEP ALIVE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 09-19-1967
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 ; INDIAN ; INSTRUCTION ; Native American ; Origin ; Settlement ; 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 ; 00-00-1871
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 STUART: ALTERNATE SPELLING: STEWART
| 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 ; J1849. INAPPROPRIATE ACTION FROM MISUNDERSTANDING -- MISC.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-19-1971 ; 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
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