Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HAUNTED HOUSE
THERE IS A HOUSE DOWN THE BLOCK FROM MINE WHICH HAS BEEN
CONSIDERED HAUNTED FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. IT IS A SMALL,
TYPICAL LITTLE BRICK HOME, RATHER DARK IN APPEARANCE BUT NOT THE
LEAST FORBODING. UNTIL ONE HEARS THE STRANGE CIRCUMSTANCES
SURROUNDING THE HISTORY OF THIS HOUSE, THAT IS. OVER TEN YEARS
AGO, A MIDDLE AGED COUPLE LIVED THERE. THE MAN WAS VERY STRANGE.
I CAN REMEMBER AS A CHILD WATCHING HIM WALK TO THE BUS STOP,
ALWAYS WEARING THE SAME BROWN SUIT, THE SAME BROWN HAT, AND WALKING
THE SAME SHUFFLING WALK. NEIGHBORS GOSSIPED CONSTANTLY ABOUT HIM,
BUT SINCE HE BOTHERED NO ONE, NOR DID HIS WIFE, HE WAS FOR THE MOST
PART IGNORED. THEN ONE DAY, POLICE CARS WERE PARKED IN FRONT OF
THE COUPLE'S LITTLE HOME. IT SEEMS THE WOMAN'S DEAD BODY HAD
BEEN FOUND LOCKED IN A CLOSET...SHE HAD BEEN HUNG. IT WAS AN
UNSOLVED MURDER, HOWEVER THE NEIGHBORS ALWAYS HAD THEIR SUSPICIONS.
IT SEEMS THE ROPE AROUND THE DEAD WOMAN'S NECK HAD BEEN TIED INTO
A STRANGE AND INTRICATE KNOT, FREQUENTLY USED BY SAILORS ON BOARD
A SHIP, THE OLD MAN WAS KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN IN THE NAVY.
THE OLD MAN CONTINUED HIS LIFE JUST AS BEFORE, EVERYDAY WALKING TO
WORK IN THE SAME SUIT, AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED TO ALTER HIS LIFE
IN THE SLIGHTEST. HOWEVER, WE CHILDREN WERE INFORMED NEVER TO GO
NEAR THIS HOUSE, WHICH OF COURSE MADE US ALL THE MORE CURIOUS. ONE
DAY, WE WERE SCROUNGING AROUND THE MAN'S GARAGE, WHEN WE FOUND A
BOX OF OLD ROPES BURIED FAR BACK IN A CORNER. SCREAMING, WE RAN
FROM THE GARAGE.
A FEW YEARS AFTER THIS HAPPENED, SIRENS WERE HEARD SCREAMING DOWN
THE STREET LATE IN THE NIGHT. FLASHING RED FIRE TRUCKS WERE
SPRAYING WATER OVER THE LITTLE HOUSE. LATER, IT WAS MADE KNOWN
THE STRANGE LITTLE OLD MAN WAS DEAD. HE HAD BURNED TO DEATH IN HIS
FAVORITE EASY CHAIR. NO ATTEMPT WAS MADE BY HIM TO GET OUT, THE
FIRE HAD BEEN DELIBERATELY SET, AND ALL DOORS TO THE HOUSE (INCLUDIN
DOORS INTO THIS FRONT ROOM HAD BEEN BOLTED.
THIS MAY AT FIRST APPEAR TO BE JUST A SAD STORY OF TWO LONELY OLD
PEOPLE, WITH PERHAPS A RATHER NEUROTIC TWIST. HOWEVER, AFTER MANY
UNSUCCESSFUL YEARS OF TRYING TO RENT OR SELL THIS HOME, THE HOUSE
HAS FINALLY BEGUN TO BE OCCUPIED BY A CONSTANTLY CHANGING STRING OF
WIFE NEVER SPEAKS TO ANYONE. THE CHILDREN ARE ALSO STRANGE...THEY
QUIETLY TO WORK EVERY DAY WEARING THE SAME SUIT (BROWN), AND THE
PEOPLE WHO IN MANY WAYS RESEMBLE THE OLD COUPLE...THE HUSBAND GOES
LOVE TO PLAY WITH ROPES.
AND THIS IS A TRUE STORY.
WOULD NEVER PLAY WITH THE OTHER CHILDREN, NEVER LAUGH, AND SEEM TO
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
James Callow Keyword(s): SUICIDE BY BURNING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
PLAYS CARDS WITH DEVIL
ABOUT FIVE OR SIX GENERATIONS AGO IN IRELAND, A GREAT GRANDFATHER
OF THE ROBINSON CLAN, WAS MOST KNOWN FOR HIS LOVE OF GAMBLING
WITH CARDS. ONE DAY ON SOME BACK IRISH ROAD, OUR GREAT-GREAT
(SEVERAL MORE GREATS) GRANDFATHER MET A STRANGER SITTING ON THE
STILE. IMMEDIATELY GRANDFATHER INVITED THE STRANGER TO A GAME OF
CARDS. THE STRANGER ACCEPTED AND THE TWO BEGAN TO PLAY. THE
STRANGER REPEATEDLY WON HAND AFTER HAND UNTIL OUR ANCESTOR WAS
OUT OF MONEY. THE STRANGER SEEING THIS OFFERED TO MAKE ONE FINAL
WAGER; ALL THE MONEY AGAINST GRANDFATHER'S SOUL. THE WAGER SO
SHOOK HIM THAT HE DROPPED HIS CARDS TO THE GROUND. UPON BENDING TO
PICK THEM UP HE SAW THAT THE STRANGER HAD CLOVEN HOOVES. NOW, I'M
SURE YE ARE THE DEVIL, HE SAID, AND WITH THAT HE MADE A SOLEMN OATH
NEVER TO GAMBLE AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-05-1971
FOOD-VEGETABLE
IN THE OLD WEST A MAN ORDERED FRIED POTATOES CUT VERY THIN. WHEN
THE COOK BROUGHT OUT THE POTATOES, THE MAN COMPLAINED THAT THEY
WERE NOT THIN ENOUGH. THE COOK GOT SO MAD THAT HE RETURNED TO THE
KITCHEN AND CUT UP THE POTATOES RAZOR THIN AND FRIED THEM UP.
THE MAN THOUGHT THEY WERE DELICIOUS. THUS THE POTATO CHIP.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; NEWARK
Keyword(s): ORIGIN OF A FOOD ; ORIGIN OF A SNACK: THE POTATO CHIP
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Process Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal |
LEGEND
THERE IS A STORY THAT ON KELLY'S ISLAND IN OHIO WHEN IN THE EARLY
1800'S THE CEMETERY WAS FIRST BEGINNING TO BE FIXED, SOMEHOW ONE
OF THE MEN WORKING ON THIS AREA GOT INTO A FIGHT WITH HIS BOSS AND
IN HIS ANGER HE SAID THAT HE WAS GLAD HE WASN'T GOING TO BE BURIED
IN THAT PLACE.
A FEW MONTHS LATER THIS SAME MAN WAS WORKING ON A HOUSE THAT FELL
ON HIM. HE WAS THE FIRST TO BE BURIED AT THE CEMETERY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; FALSE ASSUMPTION. ASSUMPTION PROVES FALSE. ; IRONY ; PROPHECY REVERSED. WISH REVERSED. OPPOSITE COMES TRUE. ; TEMPTING FATE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
THE HAUNTED HOUSE
THERE WAS A HOUSE WHICH SEEMED TO BE HAUNTED. THERE WERE RATTLING
CHAINS, HOWLING, FOOTSTEPS, ETC. FOR THIS REASON NO ONE WOULD LIVE
NEAR THERE. THE COUNTY OFFERED A REWARD OF 1,000 DOLLARS FOR ANYONE
WILLING TO SPEND ONE NIGHT IN THE HOUSE AND SOLVE ITS MYSTERY. A
SEMINARIAN VOLUNTEERED. THAT NIGHT AT ABOUT MIDNIGHT, HE FELT THE
ENTIRE HOUSE SHAKE. CHAINS BEGAN TO RATTLE SOMEWHERE DOWNSTAIRS,
AND A PATHETIC MOANING RESOUNDED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE HOUSE, THE
SOUNDS CAME CLOSER AND CLOSER UNTIL THEY SEEMED TO BE RIGHT OUTSIDE
OF THE DOOR OF THE ROOM WHERE THE SEMINARIAN WAS WAITING. AS THE
DOOR OPENED, THE MAN CROUCHED BEHIND A TABLE BY THE WALL. A FIGURE
IN HUMAN SHAPE, WHITE AND TRANSPARENT, WALKED INTO THE ROOM. THE
SEMINARIAN ASKED WHO IT WAS, AND THE FIGURE REPLIED THAT HE WAS A
SOUL FROM PURGATORY WHO HAD TO HAUNT THE HOUSE UNTIL HE COULD GET
INTO HEAVEN. THE MAN THEN SAID THAT HE WOULD PRAY FOR THE SOUL, IF
HE WOULD STOP HAUNTING THE HOUSE. THE SOUL AGREED. WHEN THE SEMI-
NARIAN LEFT THE HOUSE THE NEXT MORNING, HE DISCOVERED THAT HIS
HAIR HAD TURNED WHITE FROM FEAR.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT CLAIMED THAT SHE HAD HEARD THIS STORY, AS TRUE, FROM
SOMEONE WHO KNEW THE SEMINARIAN.
Where learned: SAINT JOSEPH CONVENT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1962
BLOOD STAINS
ONE OF THE INFORMANT'S NEIGHBORS AT ONE TIME HAD LIVED IN NEW JERSEY
THE HOUSE IN WHICH SHE LIVED CONTAINED A BLOOD STAIN ON THE LIVING
ROOM FLOOR. A MURDER HAD BEEN COMMITTED IN THE HOUSE SEVERAL YEARS
BEFORE. THE BLOOD STAIN COULD NOT BE REMOVED EITHER BY SCRUBBING,
SANDING, OR ANYTHING ELSE. THE ONLY SOLUTION IN ALL THE YEARS THAT
SHE LIVED THERE WAS TO COVER IT UP WITH A RUG.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER NEIGHBOR.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
THE HAUNTED STREET
ONCE THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH A MAN WAS HIT BY A CAR AND
KILLED. WHENEVER ANYONE PASSED OVER THE SPOT WHERE HE WAS KILLED,
SOMETHING WOULD KNOCK ON THE CAR.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY FROM AN IRISH GIRL SHE WORKS WITH
NAMED MARY COYNE. MARY CLAIMED THAT SHE HAD HEARD THIS STORY BACK
IN IRELAND ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO AND SHE CLAIMED THAT IT WAS A TRUE
STORY. I HAVE INCLUDED IT, ALTHOUGH IT IS WIDESPREAD IN THE U.S.,
BECAUSE OF HER CLAIM THAT SHE HEARD IT IN IRELAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; STUDENT UNION
James Callow Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-10-1964 ; 00-00-1957
NIGHT WALKER
THE VILLA LOUIS IN PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WISCONSIN IS A LARGE MANSION
BUILT BY A RICH FRENCH FUR TRAPPER IN THE ERA OF THE FUR TRAPPERS.
HE LIVED THERE WITH HIS WIFE AND WHEN HE DIED HE WAS BURIED STAND-
ING UPRIGHT ON A HIGH BLUFF OVERLOOKING THE WISCONSIN AND MISSISSIPP
RIVERS. HIS WIFE CONTINUED TO LIVE IN THE MANSION UNTIL ONE DAY
SHE FELL DOWN THE STEPS AND STARTED THE HOME ON FIRE WHEN THE
KEROSINE LAMP SHE WAS CARRYING STARTED THE HOME ON FIRE WHEN IT
FELL. SHE DIED IN THE FIRE, THE PEOPLE SAVED THE MANSION FROM BEING
DESTROYED BY THE FLAMES. PEOPLE SAY THAT IF ONE IS AT THE HOUSE
AT NIGHT ONE CAN SEE A LIGHT TRAVELLING SLOWLY DOWN THE FRONT HALLWA
STEPS AS SHE DID ON THE NIGHT OF HER DEATH.
Where learned: IOWA ; DAVENPORT
Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
STRANGE LIGHT
JUST OUTSIDE PITTSBURG THERE REMAINS THE RUINS OF A LARGE COLONIAL
MANSION AND SOME STABLES. THE FAMILY THAT HAD LIVED THERE WERE
VERY RICH YET THE ENTIRE FAMILY WAS KILLED ONE BY ONE BY A STRANGE
EPIDEMIC THAT SWEPT THROUGH THE HOUSE. AS A MEMBER WOULD DIE HE
WOULD BE BURIED THIRTY YARDS BEHIND THE MANSION IN A SMALL WOODED
AREA. THE ENTIRE FAMILY WAS BURIED THERE AND OVER THIS ENTIRE
BURIAL AREA WAS PLACED A MOSAIC PATIO. IF ON PASSING THIS SPOT AT
NIGHT YOU WILL SEE A GLOWING, BLUE LIGHT COMING FROM THIS MOSAIC
PATIO.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-07-1968
LEGENG OF POLAND
DURING WORLD WAR II THE GERMANS BOMBED THE TOWN OF CHESTOCHOWA.
THE CHURCH IN THAT TOWN WAS HIT, BUT THE STATUE OF THE BLESSED
MOTHER WAS NOT TOUCHED WHILE EVERYTHING AROUND IT WAS DEMOLISHED.
IT IS CONSIDERED A MIRACLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
HAUNTED STREET
THERE IS A STREET IN DETROIT WHERE A LITTLE GIRL WAS KILLED AS SHE
CROSSED THE STREET. IN THE ACCIDENT, HER ARM WAS TORN OFF. IT IS
SAID THAT IF YOU GO ON THIS STREET AND PARK THE CAR AFTER 9:00 P.M.
THE HAND OF THE GIRL WILL KNOCK ON THE BACK BUMPER OF YOUR CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-20-1968
HAUNTED HOUSE
IN 1946 A HOUSE ON BENITEAU STREET NEAR HARDING AND CANFIELD IN
DETROIT, WAS SAID TO BE POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL. BECAUSE THE HOUSE
HAD BEEN DAMAGED BY FIRE, THE CITY CONDEMNED THE BUILDING. ONE
DAY TWO CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WENT TO EXAMINE THE HOUSE, WHICH WAS
TO BE DESTROYED THE NEXT WEEK. ON ENTERING THE BUILDING BOTH OF
THE MEN WENT INTO CONVULSIONS, AND WERE HOSPITALIZED FOR SEVERAL
WEEKS. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE HOUSE WAS NOT DESTROYED UNTIL MANY
YEARS LATER.
Where learned: A&P FOOD STORE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-03-1970 ; 00-00-1946
DEATH
A MAN AND WOMAN WERE TO BE MARRIED. THE MAN AS A SURPRISE FOR HIS
FUTURE WIFE BOUGHT AND FURNISHED A HOUSE. SHORTLY BEFORE THE WEDDIN
THE BRIDE-TO-BE DIED. THE MAN GRIEF STRICKEN LOCKED UP THE HOUSE
AND LEFT IT EXACTLY AS IT WAS. HE HAS PEOPLE COME TO CUT THE GRASS
BUT AS FAR AS EVERYONE KNOWS HE HAS NEVER COME BACK, THAT WAS 25
YEARS AGO. THE HOUSE IS FOUND ON RUTLAND ONE BLOCK OFF GRAND RIVER.
IT IS CONSIDERED HAUNTED BY THE NEIGHBORS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
GRANNY BEGAN: WHEN I WAS YOUNG AND READY TO GET MARRIED I THRILLED
TO THE UTMOST. THINGS WERE GOING ALONG VERY WELL WHEN ABOUT THREE
WEEKS BEFORE MY WEDDING MY MOTHER HAD A SUDDEN STROKE. SHE WAS
CONFINED TO HER BED. IT WAS ABOUT A WEEK LATER WHEN I HAD JUST
FINISHED MY FINAL FITTING OF MY WEDDING GOWN. I WAS GOIN' BACK TO
MY ROOM AND WHEN I GOT TO THE STEPS I SAW A BRIGHT LIGHT FROM ABOVE.
I WENT UP THERE AND SAW THE BLESSED MOTHER STANDING THERE. SHE
JUST LOOKED AT ME AND THEN TO MY MOTHER'S ROOM. I WALKED INTO MY
MOTHER'S ROOM WITH MY WEDDING DRESS ON. MOTHER HAD NEVER SEEN IT
BEFORE AS I WAS GOING TO SURPRISE EVERYONE. SHE SAW ME AND GAVE A
FAINT SMILE. I TURNED AND LEFT THE ROOM. ONCE OUTSIDE, I SAW
THAT THE BLESSED VIRGIN WAS GONE. I WENT TO MY ROOM AND LATER THAT
EVENING WHEN I LOOKED IN ON MOTHER I FOUND THAT SHE HAD DIED WITH
THAT SAME FAINT SMILE ON HER FACE. IT WAS THE BLESSED MOTHER THAT
TOLD ME TO GO AND LET HER SEE ME IN MY WEDDING GOWN.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME DURING ONE OF GRANNY'S FRONT PORCH TALKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
MYSTERIOUS STREET
STRASBURG AVENUE, LOCATED IN FRONT OF VON STEUBEN JR. HIGH SCHOOL
ON THE EAST SIDE OF DETROIT, IS CLAIMED TO BE THE SITE OF AN AUTO
ACCIDENT WHICH KILLED A YOUNG GIRL. THE GIRL SUPPOSEDLY KNOCKS ON TH
CARS AS THEY DRIVE OVER IT AS A WARNING. SHE WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN
CARRIED ALONG BY A DRIVER WHO DIDN'T HEAR HER POUNDING ON THE SIDE
OF THE CAR.
Submitter comment:
AN ARTICLE APPEARED IN THE SUNDAY MAGAZINE SUPPLEMENT TO ONE OF
DETROIT'S NEWPAPERS ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO ON THIS SUBJECT.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): GHOSTS ; PLACE NAMES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
URBAN BELIEF TALE
THERE IS A STORY TOLD OF A YOUNG GIRL KILLED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT
ON THE HIGHWAY IN NORTHERN MEXICO. THE ACCIDENT WAS PARTICULARLY
GRUESOME. THE GIRL'S FATHER ENCOUNTERED LEGAL DIFFICULTIES WITH
RESPECT TO TRANSPORTING THE BODY AS IT MEANT THAT IT WOULD PASS
THROUGH STATE LINES. TO OVERCOME THIS, HE CARRIED THE BODY ON HIS
LAP ON AN AIRPLANE, SO THAT SHE WOULD BE BURIED IN HER HOMETOWN.
Submitter comment:
THE GIRL DID EXIST, AND SHE DID DIE IN THE STATED MANNER, BUT THE
REST OF THE STORY IS QUESTIONABLE.
Where learned: MEXICO ; CD VALLES
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1977
A LOCAL LEGEND ABOUT DEVIL WORSHIP IN VERACRUZ
A COMMON STORY IN VERACRUZ IS ABOUT A PRISON FOR WOMEN WHERE THE
DEVIL IS WORSHIPPED. IN THIS PRISON IS A LARGE MURAL OF THE DEVIL
AND HIS EYES GLOW; AND IF YOU PUT A CIGARETTE IN
HIS MOUTH HE'LL SMOKE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): PAINTING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-00-1980
IN GERMANY MY MOM AND DAD SHOPPED AT A LOCAL BUTCHER. LATER MY MOM
FOUND OUT HE GOT SOME OF HIS MEAT FROM HUMANS. MY MOM WOULD NOT
EAT MEAT FOR A LONG TIME AFTER THAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business Food Drink -- Meat BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
THE LAST VISIT TO PUTU TOWN
NO ONE EVER WALKS BY PUTU TOWN AT NIGHT. VISITORS CLAIMED
THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A MYSTERIOUS COUPLE WALKING NEAR THE TOWN,
BUT, NONE OF THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE CERTAIN. HOWEVER, WHAT IS
CERTAIN IS THAT NO ONE WHO HAS EVER VISITED THIS TOWN SURVIVED.
PUTU TOWN IS LOCATED IN KRU COAST TERRITORY WHERE MY FATHER
WAS BORN AND REARED. IT IS ABOUT ONE HUNDRED MILES AWAY
FROM MONROVIA, THE CAPITAL CITY OF LIBERIA. IT IS A LOVELY PLACE
TO VISIT BECAUSE OF ITS FARMS AND HUTS. APART FROM ITS SCENERY,
IT DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF MODERN FACILITIES, SUCH AS BIG
AND MODERN BUILDINGS AND TRANSPORTATION AS IT DOES IN MONROVIA.
GBEH AND FODAY WORKED AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL NEAR PUTU TOWN. THEY
ENJOYED THEIR WORK. THEY BOTH LOVE PEOPLE. BECAUSE OF THEIR
SIMILAR INTEREST, THEY DECIDED TO VISIT PUTU TOWN ONE DAY.
THEY WERE BOTH ADVISED NOT TO VISIT PUTU TOWN. THIS WAS ALSO THE
TIME FOR GBEH'S RETURN TO GERMANY FOR FURTHER STUDIES.
AS THE TIME FOR GBEH'S RETURN ABROAD GREW CLOSER, FODAY SPENT
MORE AND MORE TIME WITH GBEH. THEY LIVED NEAR PUTU TOWN.
THE NIGHT BEFORE GBEH WAS ABOUT TO DEPART, THEY MADE
THEIR JOURNEY TO PUTU TOWN. THEY WERE NEVER SEEN ALIVE AGAIN
AFTER THEIR VISIT. LATER, THEIR BODIES WERE FOUND IN GRANDCESS.
HOW THEIR BODIES CAME TO PUTU TOWN, NO ONE REALLY KNOWS.
THE POLICE DISCOVERED THAT THEY HAD NOT BEEN ROBBED, FOR THE
GOING AWAY GIFT THAT FODAY HAD INTENDED ON GIVING GBEH WAS
STILL IN HIS POCKET. GBEH'S WATCH WHICH WAS MADE OF PURE
GOLD WAS STILL ON HER WRIST. HOWEVER, WITH THE AUTOPSIES
PERFORMED, NO INDIVIDUAL OR MEDICAL EXPERT COULD DETERMINE THE
EXACT CAUSE OF THEIR UNTIMELY DEATH. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MYSTERY.
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THEIR DEATH PROVED FUTILE.
THEY STILL REMEMBER THE SWEET AND INNOCENT SMILE AND LAUGH OF
GBEH. COULD SUCH A HAPPY AND FINE COUPLE TAKE THEIR OWN LIVES?
OR HAD THEY? FOR WHAT IS LIFE WITHOUT GENUINE LOVE? PUTU TOWN WILL
FOREVER KEEP THEIR TRUE SECRET.
THEIR DEATH IS STILL A MYSTERY TO THE PEOPLE OF GRANDCESS.
Submitter comment:
I WAS TOLD BY MY GREAT AUNT THAT WAS HOW PUTU TOWN RECEIVED
ITS NAME AND RECOGNITION.
MY 69 YEARS OLD AUNT NARRATES THIS STORY A LOT. WHATEVER HER
MOTIVES ARE, I REALLY DON'T KNOW. I CAN ONLY SPECULATE. ALSO,
AUNTY WUSU TELLS THIS STORY A LOT PROBABLY TO MAKE US AWARE
OF THE DANGERS OF LIFE. AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE FOR PEOPLE NOT
TO HAVE TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN EVERYONE HE/SHE MEETS UNTIL
PROVEN TRUSTWORTHY.
Where learned: LIBERIA ; GRAND CESS ; KRU COAST TERRITORY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
GREEK RUINS
THERE ARE MANY RUINS IN GREECE, AND SOME ARE UNDERGROUND. FOR
EXAMPLE, ONE FAMILY'S LAND HAD VERY INTERESTING ARTICLES BENEATH. ONE
TIME SOMEONE WAS DIGGING AND CAME UP WITH WHAT LOOKED LIKE A BATHTUB,
AND IT WAS. OFFICIALS BOUGHT IT WHEN THEY DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS
PART OF A HOUSE. TODAY IT IS CALLED NESTOR'S PALACE AND BECAUSE IT IS
A NATIONAL EXHIBIT, YOU CAN SEE THE BASE OF THE MANSION WITH ANCIENT
PLUMBING AND OTHER THINGS.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS ANOTHER ONE OF MY FAVORITE ONES. THE FACT THAT IT
ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO MY NEIGHBOR, IT GAVE ME A FEELING OF EXCITE-
MENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Architecture BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1980