Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE GHOST OF RESTON
RESTON, VIRGINIA, NEAR WASHINGTON, D. C., IS NOW A NEW TOWN
BUT WAS ONCE THE SITE OF A BEAUTIFUL MANSION, ALSO KNOWN AS
RESTON. A YOUNG GIRL WITH LONG BLONDE HAIR LIVED HERE LONG
AGO. SHE WAS COURTED BY A MAN WHO BECAME INSANELY JEALOUS AND
IN A FIT OF ANGER, KILLED AND DECAPITATED HER, TAKING THE HEAD
WITH HIM IN HIS FLIGHT. THE HEADLESS BODY WAS BURIED ON THE
GROUNDS OF RESTON, BUT THE HEAD WAS NEVER DISCOVERED. SEARCHING
FOR HER HEAD, THE "GHOST OF RESTON" HAUNTED THE MANSION UNTIL
IT WAS DEMOLISHED.
WITHOUT A HOUSE OR HEAD NOW, SHE CONTINUES TO HAUNT LONELY ROADS
AND WOODS NEAR THE TOWN OF RESTON, AND HAS RECENTLY APPEARED
TO SEVERAL CARLOADS OF TEENAGERS, WHO HAVE MADE A HOBBY OF
"GHOSTWATCHING." SHE SEEMS ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN BLONDE GIRLS
LIKE HERSELF, FOR WHEN A CAR CONTAINING A BLONDE PARKED NEAR HER
HAUNTS, SHE NOT ONLY APPEARED BUT DREW CLOSE TO THE CAR AND TRIED
TO ENTER THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE GIRL INSIDE SCREAMED AND
THE GHOST DISAPPEARED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DORM ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-12-1969
A HOUSE IN CLIFTON FORGE, VIRGINIA WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HAUNTED.
IT WAS SAID THAT A MAN AND HIS WIFE USED TO LIVE IN THE HOUSE.
THE MAN DIED MYSTERIOUSLY AND DISAPPEARED. HE WAS THOUGHT TO BE
BURIED ON THE HILL JUST ABOVE THE HOUSE. HIS WIFE DIED ABOUT A
YEAR AFTER HE DID AND IT IS SAID THAT SHE HAUNTS THE HOUSE
AND CARRIES A LIGHT UPON THE HILLSIDE LOOKING FOR HER HUSBAND'S
GRAVE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
IN MT. CRAWFORD, VIRGINIA, THIS STORY IS OFTEN TOLD. THERE
WAS A REAL OLD LADY THAT LIVED IN A LOG CABIN. SHE WAS VERY
SUPERSTITIOUS AND EVERYONE AROUND THOUGHT THAT SHE WAS A WITCH.
SHE HAD A CAT THAT WOULD CLIMB ON TOP OF AN OLD BOARD FENCE
EVERY NIGHT AND WOULD MAKE A WHOLE LOT OF NOISE.
SO ONE NIGHT, THESE BOYS TOOK THE CAT AND CUT OFF HIS CLAWS,
SO THAT HE WOULDN'T CLIMB THE FENCE.
THEY DIDN'T HEAR ANYMORE ABOUT THE CAT. HOWEVER, WHEN SOMEONE
WENT TO VISIT THE OLD LADY, SHE WAS SITTING IN HER ROCKING
CHAIR. ALL OF HER FINGERS WERE CUT OFF AT THE ENDS AND SHE
HAD RAGS WRAPPED AROUND THEM.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; VIRGINIA ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; MOUNT CRAWFORD ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Angel PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
MY GRANDMOTHER SAID THAT SHE LIVED IN A HOUSE BETWEEN MIDDLEBROOK
AND GREENVILLE, VIRGINIA. THE MAN WHEN SHE MOVED IN SAID NOT TO
PAY ANY ATTENTION TO WHAT SHE HEARD IN THE HOUSE, BUT SHE DID.
ONE MORNING, THEY WERE SETTING AT THE TABLE EATING WHEN UPSTAIRS
IN THE ROOM WHERE HIS WIFE HAD A SPINNING WHEEL, SHE HEARD THE
WHEEL SPINNING. SHE WENT UP INTO THE ROOM BUT THE WHEEL WAS TIED
UP JUST LIKE IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN. HIS WIFE HAD DIED IN THIS HOUSE
AND THEY COULD HEAR HER CHINA WASH BOWL RATTLE MANY TIMES AND
NOBODY COULD HAVE GOTTEN IN THE ROOM BECAUSE THEY KEPT IT LOCKED.
THEY DID NOT LIVE IN THAT HOUSE VERY LONG.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS GHOSTLY NOISE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
ONCE THERE WAS A LADY WHO WAS BURIED ALIVE. AFTER BEING BURIED
TWO DAYS, SOMEONE DUG UP THE GRAVE. THEY OPENED THE COFFIN AND
THE CLOTH WAS TORN OUT. HER FINGERNAILS WERE ALL GONE FROM
SCRATCHING AND THEY WERE BLEEDING.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
Date learned: 03-07-1969
THESE PEOPLE WENT DRIVING NEAR ROANOKE, VIRGINIA. THEY STOPPED
THE CAR AND WERE SITTING THERE, WHEN A HAND REACHED OUT AND
CAUGHT HOLD OF THE HANDLE OF THE CAR DOOR OUTSIDE. A HAND WAS
ALL THEY COULD SEE. IT WAS ALL BLOODY AND TORN UP. THEY TOOK
OFF AS FAST AS THEY COULD, BUT THE HAND FELL OFF AND THEY
COULDN'T FIND IT.
THEY FOUND OUT THE NEXT DAY THAT A MAN HAD BEEN KILLED WHERE THEY
WERE THAT NIGHT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
James Callow Keyword(s): GHOST HAUNTS SCENE OF ACCIDENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
THIS BOY WAS GOING TO HIS COUSIN'S TO GO FISHING WITH THEM.
WHEN HE GOT OFF THE TRAIN, NOBODY WAS THERE TO MEET HIM, SO HE
TOLD THE TRAINMASTER THAT HE WOULD WALK. THE TRAINMASTER THEN
SAID, "BEWARE OF JACOB MARLEY." THE BOY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT
HE MEANT, BUT HE STARTED WALKING TOWARD HIS COUSIN'S HOUSE. IT
WAS RAINING AND THUNDERING WHEN HE HAD SET OUT. HE HADN'T BEEN
WALKING VERY LONG WHEN HE HEARD A WAGON AND HORSES BEHIND HIM.
HE SAW AN OLD MAN DRIVING AN OLD WAGON. WHEN THE WAGON CAME
NEARER, HE YELLED OUT, "CAN I HAVE A RIDE?" NO ANSWER CAME
FROM THE MAN, SO THE BOY JUMPED ON.
WHEN HE WAS NEARING HIS COUSIN'S HOUSE HE SAID, "I GET OFF HERE,"
BUT THE WAGON KEPT GOING. HE JUMPED OFF, BUT HE HAD LEFT HIS
SUITCASE ON THE WAGON. HE WENT IN AND TOLD HIS COUSINS ALL ABOUT
WHAT HAPPENED. THEY SAID, "YOU MUST OF BEEN RIDING WITH JACOB
MARLEY."
THIS IS THE STORY THEY TOLD HIM:
ONE NIGHT, IT WAS THUNDERING AND LIGHTENING, AND IT WAS RAINING
VERY BAD. JACOB MARLEY WAS DRIVING HIS CARRIAGE ALONG THAT SAME
ROAD THAT NIGHT. THERE WAS A SHARP RIGHT TURN ABOVE THEIR
HOUSE, AND MARLEY HAD GONE OVER THE CLIFF.
THE NEXT MORNING THEY WENT DOWN TO THE CLIFF AND FOUND HIS
SUITCASE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
James Callow Keyword(s): GHOST HAUNTS SCENE OF ACCIDENT.
Date learned: 03-07-1969
THIS BOY IN SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA WAS DATING A GIRL WHO LIVED NEXT
TO A GRAVEYARD. THEY USED TO WALK THROUGH IT AT NIGHT AND LOOK
AT THE TOMBSTONES.
ONE NIGHT, WHILE THEY WERE WALKING, HE SAW THAT A GRAVE HAD
BEEN DUG UP BUT SHE PAID NO ATTENTION TO IT. HE FELT SOMETHING
GRAB HIS SHOULDER AND HE STARTED RUNNING TOWARD HOME. HE
DIDN'T FIND OUT WHAT IT WAS AND HE NEVER CALLED ON THE GIRL
AGAIN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
THIS MAN USED TO BEAT HIS HORSE AND HE WOULD MAKE IT WORK HARD
AND WOULDN'T LET IT REST. WHEN THE HORSE GOT OLD, THE MAN
SHOT IT AND JUST LET IT LAY TO DECAY. IF YOU GO BY THE MAN'S
HOUSE YOU CAN SEE THE HORSE WORKING IN THE FIELDS. THEY SAY
THAT THE HORSE CAME BACK TO LIFE AND KILLED HIS MASTER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
WHEN SETTLERS WERE PUSHING INWARD, ONE FAMILY BY THE NAME OF
MOON, SETTLED IN ALBERMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, ALONG THE JAMES
RIVER. AFTER THE CIVIL WAR, THE HOUSE BECAME UNINHABITED, IN
TIME TO BECOME FAMOUS FOR THE MOON GHOST. THERE ON DARK, STORMY
NIGHTS, MANY WEIRD TALES ORIGINATED BY PASSING TRAVELERS.
ONE PERSON WHO DIDN'T BELIEVE IN GHOSTS, DECIDED TO PROVE HIS
POINT. WITH A LAMP AND BOOK, HE SETTLED DOWN FOR A BORING NIGHT.
JUST THEN, A LARGE CAT WALKED INTO THE ROOM. THE CAT ACTED REAL
SOCIABLE, AND JUMPED ON THE TABLE. HE SAID TO THE MAN, "THERE
DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANYONE BUT YOU AND ME HERE TONIGHT." THIS
WAS TOO MUCH FOR THE MAN, SO HE SAID, "IN A MINUTE, THERE WON'T BE
ANYONE HERE BUT YOU."
HE THEN RAN FOR THE DOOR. HE WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT THE MOON
GHOST.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
GHOST OF ROSECRAN; POLTERGEIST
FOUR SISTERS WERE TEACHING IN WINCHESTER, TENNESSEE, IN AN OLD
SCHOOL BUILDING THAT USED TO BE THE HEADQUARTERS OF ROSECRAN.
TWO SISTERS WERE IN THE SISTERS' ROOM AND THEY COULD HEAR THE
SOUND OF FEET DRAGGING, AND THE SOUND OF FINGERS POPPING. THIS
BUILDING HAD BEEN USED AS A PLACE TO HANG SPIES DURING THE
CIVIL WAR. ONE OF THE SISTERS SAID, "I HEAR FEET DRAGGING AND
SHUFFLING, DO YOU?" "YES," SHE HEARD IT TOO. THEY HEARD IT A
SECOND TIME. THEY WENT TO ANOTHER SISTER AND ASKED HER. SHE
DID HAVE A HEAVY FOOT; SHE SAID THAT SHE HADN'T. THIS SISTER
HAD HAD EXPERIENCES WITH THE SPIRITS ALSO. SHE SAID SHE KNEW
HOW TO GET RID OF THEM. SHE SAID TO SAY, "IN THE NAME OF GOD,
WHAT DO YOU WANT, AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE." ALSO TAKE HOLY
WATER, WHICH IS A SACRAMENTAL IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, AND
SPRINKLE IT AROUND AS YOU SAY THIS. THE SISTER WHO WAS MY
INFORMANT, SAID THAT SHE WASN'T GOING TO SAY "WHAT DO YOU WANT?"
BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T WANT TO FIND OUT. BUT SHE DID SAY, "IN THE
NAME OF GOD MAY YOU REST IN PEACE." THEN THE NOISE STOPPED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): EXORCISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A COUPLE ON VACATION, WHO HAD
TRAVELED ALL DAY AND FINALLY CAME UPON AN OLD TOWN. AS THEY
WERE WALKING THROUGH THE TOWN, THEY CAME UPON THE OLDEST
HOUSE THEY HAD EVER SEEN. WHEN THEY WERE MET BY AN OLD
COUPLE WHO OFFERED TO FEED THEM AND LET THEM SLEEP IN THE
UPSTAIRS OF THE HOUSE. THE NEXT MORNING, WHEN THE VISITORS
WOKE UP, IT WAS STILL VERY EARLY, SO THEY LEFT A SILVER
DOLLAR ON THE SMALL MARBLE TABLE IN THE ROOM FOR THE OWNERS
OF THE HOUSE. WHEN THE TWO OF THEM STOPPED DOWN THE STREET
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL PAST THE OLD TOWN, THEY ASKED
THE GASOLINE STATION ATTENDANT WHO IT WAS THAT LIVED IN THE
OLD HOUSE IN THE DESERTED TOWN BACK THERE. THE MAN TOLD THEM
THAT THAT TOWN AND HOUSE HAD BURNED DOWN OVER A HUNDRED YEARS
AGO AND THERE WAS NO LONGER ANYONE LIVING THERE. SO, THE
COUPLE WENT BACK, AND SURE ENOUGH THERE WAS NOTHING BUT
GREEN GRASS AND TREES GROWING ALL AROUND THE AREA WHERE THEY
HAD JUST BEEN. THE STRANGE THING ABOUT IT WAS THAT WHEN
THEY WENT TO GET A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PLACE WHERE THEY
HAD SPENT THE NIGHT, THEY FOUND THE MARBLE TABLE WITH
THE SILVER DOLLAR ON IT STILL STANDING THERE, ALTHOUGH IT
WAS ALL ALONE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
AFTER AN OLD LADY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD DIED, THE BOYS WHO HAD
HATED HER WHILE SHE WAS LIVING, TOLD ONE OF THE LITTLE GIRLS
OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THEY WOULD GIVE HER $25.00 IF SHE
WOULD GO STICK A FORK IN THIS LADY'S GRAVE. ONE NIGHT AS SHE
WENT TO GET HER $25.00, SHE TOOK THE FORK WITH HER AND
QUICKLY STABBED IT IN HER GRAVE. HOWEVER, AS SHE TURNED
TO RUN AWAY, SHE FELT A TUG AT HER SKIRT. NOT REALIZING THAT
THE FORK HAD CAUGHT SOME OF HER SKIRT, SHE THOUGHT IT WAS THE
LADY GRABBING HER AND SHE DIED OF A HEART ATTACK ON THE GROVE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): DEATH FROM FRIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 07-01-1970
JUDY FRANK CLAIMED THAT THERE IS A GHOST LIVING ON GILLETTE 4TH
FLOOR. ON TWO OCCASIONS THIS FOLLOWING UNEXPLAINABLE
PHENOMENON TOOK PLACE:
JUDY SAID THAT A YEAR BEFORE (1967) SHE HAD BEEN VISITING
A GIRL IN HER ROOM AND THEN SHE LEFT IT AND WENT BACK TO HER
OWN ROOM. ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER SHE RETURNED TO THE FIRST
ROOM AND KNOCKED ON THE DOOR LIKE SHE ALWAYS DID (A PARTICULAR
KNOCK WHICH IS VERY COMMON: DA DADA DA DA (PAUSE) DA DA)
AND SHE HEARD HER FRIEND SAY "COME IN." SHE TRIED THE
DOOR AND IT WAS LOCKED, SO SHE KNOCKED AGAIN, THIS TIME
LEAVING OFF THE LAST "DA DA" WHICH SHE HEARD SOMEONE TAP OUT
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS HER
FRIEND PLAYING AROUND WITH HER. SO SHE DECIDED TO KEEP
PLAYING. SHE'D KNOCKED THAT COMMON LITTLE KNOCK AND ALWAYS
LEFT OFF THE LAST "DA DA" AND SHE'D HEAR THOSE LAST "DA DA'S"
COME FROM THE OTHER SIDE. FINALLY THE GIRL OPENED THE DOOR
FOR JUDY. JUDY SAID TO HER THAT IT WAS ABOUT TIME SHE OPENED
IT AND STOPPED PLAYING AROUND. THE OTHER GIRL DIDN'T KNOW
WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT. JUDY ASKED HER IF IT WAS NOT SHE
WHO FINISHED THE "DA DA'S" AND THE GIRL SAID "NO." THEN THEY
BOTH GOT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE DOOR AND KNOCKED WITHOUT
FINISHING. THE DOOR RAPPED "DA DA" BACK. JUDY AND HER
FRIEND THOUGHT THERE MUST BE AN EXPLANATION. THEY WALKED
IN THE ROOM IN SEARCH OF SOMEONE HIDING, BUT THERE WASN'T
ANYONE. THEY WENT OUTSIDE THE CLOSED DOOR AND KNOCKED AGAIN
AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. THEY GOT OTHERS TO WITNESS IT.
THE DOOR WOULD KNOCK ALL NIGHT BUT NEVER DID AGAIN. JUDY
NOW BELIEVES IN GHOSTS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-00-1968
MRS. LOLA CRAWLY OF NORTH CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI RELATED TO
MRS. RUTH WALKER THE FOLLOWING BELIEF.
DOCTORS EIGHTY YEARS AGO TRAVELED BY HORSE AND BUGGY. IF
A BIRD TOOK SHELTER UNDER THE FRINGE OF THE BUGGY, IT WAS
BELIEVED TO BE SOMEBODY'S SPIRIT. "THIS USUALLY OCCURRED
ON DARK RAINY NIGHTS," EXPLAINED MRS. WALKER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NORTH CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Bird |
Date learned: 07-00-1968
HAINTS
SOME PEOPLE MET TWO PEOPLE IN A BUGGY ONE NIGHT. ONE OF THE
PEOPLE LOOKED LIKE A STIFF, YE MIGHT SAY, AND THEY KNEW IT
WAS A DEAD PERSON. ANYWAY, THEY GOT RIGHT EVEN WITH 'EM AND
THEY JUST VANISHED AWAY.
THIS WAS SAID TO HAVE HAPPENED, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER "HAINTS,"
AT A CERTAIN POINT OUTSIDE OF PLEASANT SHADE, AND ONE OF MY
GREAT UNCLE'S SONS LIVES THERE NOW.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): SPIRIT SPECTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 07-06-1973
HAINTS
A NEIGHBOR IN PLEASANT SHADE, RIDING HOME FROM COURTIN' ONE
NIGHT, WAS SURPRISED TO HAVE HIS HORSE STOP. HE COULDN'T GET
THE HORSE TO GO FORWARD AT ALL, AND THE HORSE NEVER WOULD GO
PAST THAT SPOT AGAIN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): SPIRIT SPECTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 07-06-1973
A MAN AND HIS WIFE HAD A LITTLE GIRL AND A LITTLE BOY. THE OLD
WOMAN LOVED THE LITTLE BOY THE BEST, & THE OLD MAN LOVED THE
LITTLE GIRL THE BEST. THIS OLD WOMAN JUST HATED HER, SO SHE
WAS GONNA KILL HER. SHE WAITED 'TIL THE OLD MAN AN' THE BOY
WERE WORKIN', AND' THE LITTLE GIRL STAYED THERE. SO, SHE
COME OUTSIDE, SHE KILLED THE LITTLE GIRL, AN' DRESSED THE
MEAT OUT, Y' KNOW, AN' SAVED IT FOR FOOD. THE LITTLE BOY,
WHEN HE CAME IN, SHE TOLD HIM SHE HAD SOME CHICKEN BONES, Y'
KNOW, SHE WANTED HIM TO GO OUT UNDER THE PALM TREE & BURY
THE BONES. GOT READY TO GO TO THE TABLE, THE FATHER SAID,
"WHERE'S JULIE?" SHE SAID, "OH, I DON'T KNOW, SHE WENT OUT
TO A NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE TO PLAY. HERE, EAT THIS MEAT." SHE
WASN'T HUNGRY, THOUGH, SO HE ATE IT. THAT NIGHT THE LITTLE
GIRL STILL WASN'T THERE, AN' HE ASKED WHERE SHE WAS, AN'
SHE SAID, "SHE DECIDED TO STAY WITH SOME O' THE FOLKS, SO
A WOMAN TOLE ME." THAT NIGHT, LATE IN THE NIGHT, THEY HEARD
SOMETHIN' SAY, "MAMA KILLED ME, / PAPA EAT ME, / BROTHER
BURIED MY LITTLE BONES / UNDER THE PALM TREE." SHE SAID,
"WHAT IS THAT?" HE SAID HE DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING. SO, AFTER
A WHILE EVERYTHING GOT QUIET, AN' AGAIN THEY HEARD IT:
(REPEAT THE SONG). THEN FINALLY THE MAN HEARD IT. HE GOT
SO HE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WAS IT ALL ABOUT. HE WENT UNDER
THE PALM TREE, AN' THERE WAS THE BONES, AN' HE SAW WHAT
HAD HAPPENED. SO THEY HUNG THE OLD WOMAN--HANGED HER--'TILL
SHE DIED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 07-06-1973
A FRIEND'S EXPERIENCE (RELATED AS A TRUE STORY)
THERE WAS A FRIEND OF OURS, HE STUTTERED--REALLY STUTTERED.
HE SAID THAT THERE WAS A 'HAINT' SOMEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY.
ANYWAY, THERE WAS A CERTAIN PLACE THEY COULD GO, AN', UH,
THEY DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING, BUT THEY COULD JUST SENSE SOMETHIN',
AN' THE DOG WOULD EVEN GET SCARED, Y'KNOW. SO THIS PARTICULAR
TIME HE WENT OUT, AN', UH, HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS--HE
COULD HEAR IT, BUT HE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. AN', UH, THE DOG
STARTED TO THE HOUSE, AN' HIM RIGHT AFTER IT, Y'KNOW, THE
DOG WAS SO SCARED HE KNEW THERE HAD TO BE SOMETHIN', AN' HE SAID,
"THET DOG WAS GOIN' JUST AS FAST AS HE COULD, AN' ME RIGHT AFTER
HIM," HE SAID, "WHEN THET DOG HIT THE BOTTOM DOORSTEP I HIT
THE TOP ONE! EVERY TIME OL' BOUNCE'S FEET HIT THE GROUND THEY
WENT MUGWUMP!"
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): SPIRIT SPECTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man SPEECH -- Phonology Phonetics |
Date learned: 07-06-1973
MY FATHER TOLD ME A STORY ABOUT HIS GREAT GRANDMOTHER. SHE WAS
VERY RELIGIOUS BUT NONE OF HER SONS WOULD JOIN THE CHURCH. ONE
NIGHT AFTER SHE DIED, HER SONS HEARD A SCREAM. THEY RAN OUT
TO THE FIELDS AND FOUND HER PRAYING AND SCREAMING, ASKING
THE LORD TO MAKE HER SONS GO TO CHURCH. THEY HEARD THUNDER
AND SHE DISAPPEARED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CLASS ASSIGNMENT ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-07-1969