Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B437 returned 155 results.
ONE-ARMED HOOK MAN
THERE WAS THIS GUY AND GIRL OUT PARKED ON LOVERS' LANE. THEY
HAPPENED TO HEAR A REPORT ON THE RADIO ABOUT A ONE-ARMED MAN
(HE HAD A HOOK FOR HIS OTHER HAND) WHO HAD ATTACKED AND KILLED A
FEW GIRLS LATELY. THE GUY OF COURSE DIDN'T TAKE THIS ACCOUNT TOO
SERIOUSLY AND HE DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO SCARE THE GIRL. SO HE
STARTED TELLING HER ALL SORTS OF GORY STORIES ABOUT THE HOOK MAN.
THE GIRL STARTED TO REALLY GET SCARED, AND THEN SHE THOUGHT SHE
HEARD SOMETHING OUT IN THE FIELD. WELL, SHE WAS ABOUT READY TO
GO INTO HYSTERICS, SO FINALLY THE GUY THOUGHT IT WAS TIME TO GO.
WHEN HE GOT TO HER HOUSE AND WENT TO LET HER OUT OF THE CAR, HE
JUST ABOUT FAINTED. FOR THERE ON THE DOOR HANDLE WAS HANGING A
LONG SILVER HOOK WITH BLOOD DRIPPING FROM THE BUTT OF IT.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A STORY WHICH USED TO BE PASSED AROUND THE HIGH SCHOOL
CROWD IN LANSING. IT IS TOLD AS IF IT HAD ACTUALLY HAPPENED, AND
IT IS EVEN LOCALIZED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DENI GRAS, LEGENDARY CHARACTER OF BREESE, ILLINOIS
THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO LIVED IN AN OLD HOUSE, NEVER TOOK BATHS,
WORE RAGS, (AND) CARRIED TWO POWDER KEGS AS BUCKETS FROM COAL
MINE. (A) SCAVENGER, (SHE) LIVED OFF ANYTHING SHE COULD FIND.
(SHE) ALWAYS HAD A SMILE ON HER FACE. (SHE WAS) PROMINENT BY
HER SILENCE AND ANTI-SOCIALNESS.
(SHE WAS) FOUND IN BED WITH A PARALYTIC STROKE. (SHE) DIED IN
A HOSPITAL SEVERAL YEARS LATER WITHOUT UTTERING A WORD.
THIS DENI GRAS WAS MORE OR LESS FEARED BY THE CHILDREN. SORT OF
TRAGIC IN A WAY. THE WAY IT WAS RELAYED TO ME, SHE MUST HAVE
REALLY BEEN A CHARACTER FITTING FOR DAMON RUNYON NICHE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; ILLINOIS ; BREESE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-02-1968
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
THE HOOK
THIS LEGEND IS POPULAR AMONG TEENAGERS AND I'D LIKE TO RECITE ONE
VERSION THAT I HAVE HEARD. ONE NIGHT, A TEENAGE COUPLE WENT TO A
LOCAL LOVERS' LANE FOR THE OPOPORTUNITY TO BE ALONE. ON THIS SAME
NIGHT, THE GIRL HAD HEARD ON THE RADIO THAT AN INMATE OF A NEARBY
ASYLUM HAD ESCAPED AND THAT HE WAS A HOMICIDAL MANIAC, AND THAT HE
HAD ONLY ONE HAND AND ON THE OTHER HAND THERE WAS A HOOK.
THE COUPLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR A WHILE, LISTENING TO THE RADIO
AND DRINKING BEER. THE GIRL, ALL OF A SUDDEN, HAD A STRANGE
INTUITION THAT THERE WAS DANGER AROUND AND THAT THEY SHOULD LEAVE.
NATURALLY, THE BOY REASSURED HER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY
ABOUT, BUT SHE PERSISTED AND PERSISTED, UNTIL THE BOY LOST HIS
PATIENCE, PULLED THE GEAR SHIFT INTO FIRST AND LEFT THE LANE.
HE TOOK THE GIRL HOME AND CONTINUOUSLY REMINDED THE GIRL THAT SHE
WAS CRAZY TO THINK THAT THE FIEND WAS ANYWHERE AROUND THE LANE.
WHEN THEY REACHED HER HOUSE, HE GOT OUT TO LET HER OUT AND ON THE
REAR DOOR HANDLE THERE WAS A STRANGE OBJECT HANGING THERE--A HOOK.
Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
TALE
WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL IN EUCLID, OHIO, THERE WAS A STORY
MAKING THE ROUNDS ABOUT A COUPLE WHO HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE
LOCAL LOVER'S LAND IN METROPOLITAN PARK. IT SEEMS THEY HAD
THE RADIO ON AND HEARD A NEWS REPORT ABOUT A PROWLER WHO HAD
KILLED SEVERAL YOUNG COUPLES THAT HE HAD FOUND IN PARKED CARS.
HE WAS AN ESCAPEE FROM ONE OF THE VETERANS' HOSPITALS. HE WAS
A VETERAN OF WW II OR KOREA, THIS VARIES. ANYWAY, HIS HANDS HAD
BEEN BLOWN OFF WHEN A BOMB THAT HE WAS DEACTIVATING WENT OFF.
HE HAD HOOKS ON HIS WRISTS INSTEAD OF HANDS. HIS MIND HAD
SNAPPED WITH THE SHOCK AND HE WAS CONFINED IN A MENTAL WARD,
UNTIL HE ESCAPED. THE GIRL BECAME FRIGHTENED AND INSISTED HER
BOYFRIEND TAKE HER HOME IMMEDIATELY. HE REVVED UP THE MOTOR,
BACKED UP AND TOOK OFF FOR HOME. WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR
AT HER HOUSE AND WENT OVER TO OPEN HER DOOR, HE NOTICED SOMETHING
HANGING ON THE BACK BUMPER OF THE CAR. HE TOOK HIS GIRL IN AND
CAME BACK TO INVESTIGATE. WHAT HE HAD SEEN WERE TWO HOOKS LOCKED
ON THE BUMPER, THE TYPE USED AS SUBSTITUTES FOR AMPUTATED HANDS.
HE VAGUELY REMEMBERED A SLIGHT JARRING OF THE CAR AS HE BACKED
UP AND TOOK OFF AT TOP SPEED OUT OF METROPOLITAN PARK.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
BUCK TEETH
WHEN WE WAS DOWN SOUTH (MOUNT IDA, ARKANSAS), THERE WAS A FRIEND
OF MINE USED TO TELL ABOUT A FELLA HE KNEW. HE HAD BUCK TEETH
SO BAD HE COULD EAT CORN ON THE COB THROUGH A SCREEN DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue |
Date learned: 07-01-1964
HAUNTED ROAD
THERE IS A BACK ROAD IN PONTIAC, MICHIGAN AND ON A WINDY, RAINY
NIGHT, A GIRL AND HER BOYFRIEND WERE DRIVING DOWN IT AND HIS CAR
BROKE DOWN. THERE WERE RUMORS OF MONSTERS IN THE AREA, SO THE
BOYFRIEND TOLD THE GIRL TO LAY ON THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT SEAT,
WHILE HE WENT AND GOT HELP. WHILE LAYING ON THE FLOOR, SHE HEARD
SCRATCHING, FOOTSTEPS, AND A THUMPING NOISE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES
LAYING ON THE FLOOR OF THE CONVERTIBLE, SHE FELT SOMETHING
DRIPPING ON HER ARM, BUT SHE WAS TOO SCARED TO MOVE IN ORDER TO SEE
WHAT IT WAS. AFTER A LONG, LONG TIME, SHE HEARD THE CARDOOR OPEN,
SOMEONE GRABBED HER, SHE SCREAMED, TURNED AROUND, AND A POLICEMAN
WAS THERE TRYING TO CALM HER DOWN. HE HELPED HER OUT OF THE CAR
AND TOLD HER NOT TO LOOK BACK AT THE CAR, BUT GO DIRECTLY TO THE
POLICE CAR. HOWEVER, SHE DID TURN AROUND AND SHE SAW THE BODY
OF HER BOYFRIEND, ALL CUT UP, LAYING ON TOP OF THE CAR ROOF, AND
HIS BLOOD WAS DRIPPING THROUGH A SLIT IN THE ROOF. SHE LOOKED
DOWN AT HER WRIST AND THERE WERE BLOOD DROPS ON HER ARM. NOW IF
YOU DRIVE DOWN THIS ROAD ON A RAINY, WINDY NIGHT, WHAT YOU THINK
IS RAIN IS REALLY BLOOD AND THE ROAD IS CALLED "BLOOD ROAD."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Date learned: 00-00-1965
PAYROLL TREASURE
VARIOUS TALES TELL ABOUT A "POT OF GOLD" BURIED ON DRUMMOND
ISLAND, MICHIGAN, BY A BRITISH COMMISSARY OFFICER TO INSURE ITS
SAFETY. HOWEVER, DURING HIS STAY ON THE ISLAND, HE HAD SO MUCH
TO WORRY ABOUT THAT HE BECAME MENTALLY DERANGED AND AS A RESULT
WAS UNABLE TO RECALL THE LOCATION OF HIS HIDDEN TREASURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
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
WITCHED
ACCORDING TO MY FATHER, THERE WAS A FAMILY THAT LIVED ON A FARM
NOT FAR FROM THE FARM MY FATHER LIVED ON IN CENTER RIDGE, ARKANSAS
IN WHICH A SON WAS BORN THAT WAS VERY THIN. AS THE MONTHS WORE
ON, THE CHILD DID NOT GET ANY FATTER. THEY SAY THAT HIS ARMS WERE
NO LARGER THAN A MAN'S THUMB. A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE CHILD WAS
BORN, HE DIED. THE FOLKS SAY THAT THE BOY HAD BEEN HEXED BY A
WITCH OR, IN OTHER WORDS, THE BOY WAS WITCHED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 10-30-1968
MAN WITH A HOOK: TALE
JUST OUTSIDE BOSTON IS A PLACE WHERE COUPLES PARK TO TALK, AND
MANY COUPLES ARE USUALLY THERE IN THEIR CARS. ONE NIGHT ONLY ONE
CAR WAS THERE ON A MOONLESS NIGHT. THE COUPLE HAPPENED TO HEAR
ON THE RADIO THAT AN INMANTE OF AN ASYLUM HAD ESCAPED AND WAS IN
THE AREA. THE REPORT SAID THAT HE WAS MISSING A HAND AND HAD A
HOOK INSTEAD. JUST THEN THEY HEARD A NOISE OUTSIDE AND HURRIEDLY
LEFT THE SPOT. WHEN THEY REACHED THE GIRL'S HOUSE, THE BOY WENT
TO OPEN THE GIRL'S DOOR AND THERE WAS THE HOOK ON THE DOOR HANDLE
ON A BLOODY STUMP.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
GERMAN TALE
THERE ONCE WAS A VILLAGE CALLED RALLINGEN IN SWITZERLAND. THOUGH
THE TOWN ITSELF WAS VERY PRETTY, ITS INHABITANTS WERE STINGY
PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T BELIEVE IN CHARITY. ONE DAY A DWARF VISITED
THE VILLAGE BUT NONE OF THE PEOPLE WOULD LET HIM INTO THEIR HOMES.
ONLY ONE OLD COUPLE WHO WERE VERY POOR OPENED THEIR HOUSE TO HIM.
IN ANGER, THE DWARF DENOUNCED THE UNCHARITABLENESS OF RALLINGEN
AND, CLIMBING A HILL BEHIND THE TOWN, HE JUMPED ON A LARGE ROCK
AND RODE IT DOWN THE HILL TO THE TOWN. EVERY HOUSE EXCEPT THAT
OF THE OLD COUPLE WAS COMPLETELY WIPED OUT BY THE ROCK AND THE
PEOPLE WERE PUNISHED FOR THEIR LACK OF CHARITY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT IS AN AMERICAN GIRL WHOSE PARENTS ARE FROM GERMANY.
HER FATHER LEARNED IT AS A YOUNG BOY IN GERMANY AND TOLD IT TO
HER WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 10-06-1963
SLEEPY HOLLOW STORY
AN OLD MAN LIVED ALONE BY SLEEPY HOLLOW AND HE OWNED THIS BIG DOG,
ALMOST A WOLF, REALLY. ONE NIGHT A CAR FULL OF DRINKERS STOPPED
IN THE HOLLOW AND SETTLED DOWN TO SOME HEAVY DRINKING. AFTER A
WHILE, ONE GUY GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO WALK AROUND. IN THE MORNING
THE OTHER GUYS FOUND HIM LYING A FEW FEET FROM THE CAR, HIS FACE
AND NECK TERRIBLY TORN UP. HE MUMBLED OUT A STORY ABOUT A GIANT
DOG ATTACKING HIM.
Submitter comment:
THE PERSON WHO TOLD THIS STORY HAD SCARS ALL OVER HIS FACE AND
TOLD IT ABOUT HIMSELF.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
THE LEGEND OF THE HEADLESS MAN
IN MISHAWAKA, INDIANA, THERE ARE RAILROAD TRACKS RUNNING
THROUGH THE CITY UPON WHICH THE NEW YORK CENTRAL TRAINS
USUALLY TRAVEL. THEY USUALLY GO ABOUT 90 MPH SO WHEN A
TRAIN COMES, YOU'D BETTER STOP. THE FOLLOWING IS A LEGEND
WHICH IS TOLD ABOUT THESE TRACKS:
IN THE OLD DAYS, A RAILROAD WORKER IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN
INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON THESE TRACKS IN WHICH HE LOST
HIS HEAD AND IMMEDIATELY WAS KILLED. SINCE THEN, MANY
PEOPLE IN THE AREA SWEAR THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A HEADLESS
FIGURE ROAMING UP AND DOWN THE TRACKS. IT IS THOUGHT
TO BE THIS RAILROAD WORKER LOOKING FOR HIS HEAD.
Submitter comment:
HEADLESS GHOST OF DECAPITATED WORKER ROAMS RAILROAD TRACKS IN
MISHAWAKA, INDIANA, LOOKING FOR HIS HEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 03-04-1972
THUMP-DRAG
ONCE THERE WAS A COUNSELOR WHO WENT TO REACH FOR SOMETHING
IN THE NATURE HUT AND SPILLED ACID ON HIS FACE. HE TRIED
TO GET TO THE LAKE TO WASH HIS FACE, ON THE WAY DOWN HE
BROKE HIS LEG. HE IS SAID TO WALK THROUGH THE CAMP NOW.
AT NIGHT YOU CAN HEAR THE THUMP-DRAG OF HIS LEG AND CAN
SEE HIS FACE IN THE WINDOW OF THE NATURE HUT.
Submitter comment:
FACE OF CAMP COUNSELOR IS SCARRED BY ACID. CALLED THUMP-DRAG BECAUSE
OF HIS BROKEN LEG. CAN STILL BE SEEN AND HEARD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 03-10-1972