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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B425 returned 77 results.
TALE
WE HAVE THIS ROAD CALLED BURNS ROAD AND THE DEVIL LIVES ON BURNS
ROAD. IT WAS A FAVORITE FOR PEOPLE TO GO PARKING UNTIL ONE NIGHT
THIS COUPLE PARKED THERE. THEIR CAR RAN OUT OF GAS OR THAY HAD
TROUBLE AND THE BOY SAID HE WOULD GO GET HELP AND SAID, "YOU STAY
HERE AND LOCK THE DOORS." THE BOY WAS GONE A LONG TIME AND THE GIRL
BEGAN TO HEAR ALL THIS RUSTLING AND STUFF BEHIND HER. SHE DIDN'T
LOOK BACK BUT STAYED IN THE CAR AND FELL ASLEEP. SHE HEARD SOME
SCRATCHING BEHIND HER AND JUST FREAKED OUT OR SOMETHING. THE POLICE
WOKE HER UP AND TOLD HER TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND NOT TO LOOK BEHIND
HER. BUT SHE DID AND SAW THE BODY OF HER BOYFRIEND. HE WAS TRYING
TO CLAW AT THE CAR AND HIS WHOLE BODY WAS MANGLED. SO PEOPLE SAY THE
DEVIL LIVES ON BURNS ROAD. OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HEARD STRANGE NOISES
AND HAVE SEEN HIS GHOST UP THERE IN THE EVENINGS.
Submitter comment:
BURNS ROAD IS IN OR NEAR AVON, OHIO. JOFRAN HEARD THIS STORY AS
A CHILD FROM HER SISTERS OR HER FRIENDS. SHE BELIEVED IT AT FIRST
BUT CONSIDERS IT A STORY NOW. THE ROAD ITSELF IS SPOOKY AND GIVES
ONE AN EERIE FEELING ACCORDING TO JOFRAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: CA00001968
RED MAN
I REMEMBER AT OUR FAMILY PICNIC IN DEARBORN IN 1974,
MY UNCLE TOLD ME THE STORY ABOUT NAIN ROUGE. NAIN ROUGE WAS
A LITTLE RED FACED MIDGET WHO PATROLED THE BANKS OF THE ROUGE
RIVER FOR HUMANS. IF HE FOUND ANY HE WOULD CUT OFF THEIR HEADS
AND POUR THEIR BLOOD INTO THE RIVER. THAT IS WHY TO THIS DAY
THE ROUGE RIVER IS RED IN COLOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size BELIEF -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Running water Large current. |
Date learned: 00-00-1974
A MARRIED WOMAN GOT PREGNANT BUT DIDN'T WANT THE CHILD. SHE
HATED THE FACT THAT SHE WAS PREGNANT AND HATED HER UNBORN CHILD.
WHEN THE CHILD WAS BORN IT JUMPED OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE DOCTOR.
IT WAS RED AND LOOKED LIKE A REAL LITTLE DEVIL.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD BY A JESUIT PRIEST, FATHER BOSCO, FROM A
SMALL TOWN IN LOUISIANA. FATHER BOSCO SAID THE MOTHER OF THE
CHILD WAS A MEMBER OF HIS PARISH AND THAT THIS REALLY HAPPENED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size |
Date learned: 02-17-1979 ; 00001940'S
LEGEND OF THE FORTRESS
IT IS SAID THAT IN THE COLONIAL TIMES THERE WAS A SOLDIER OVERLOOKING
THE COAST FROM A LOOKOUT TOWER IN THE SPANISH FORTRESS OF EL MORRO.
THIS PARTICULAR SOLDIER WAS DRINKING AND GAMBLING AND SOLD HIS SOUL
TO THE DEVIL IF HE WOULD WIN THE BET. HE LOST AND SUDDENLY
DISAPPEARED LEAVING NO TRACE. UNTIL TODAY IT IS SAID THAT THE DEVIL
TOOK HIM AWAY.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO ; SAN JUAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
THERE IS A LEGEND THAT SAYS THAT ONE OF THE MOUNTAINS IN
COUNTY SLIGO, IRELAND HAS A LUMP IN THE MIDDLE AND THE PEOPLE
SAY THAT ONE DAY THE DEVIL TOOK A BITE OF THE MOUNTAIN AND SPIT
IT AT CASHEL.
Submitter comment:
KATHY HEARD THIS FROM AN IRISHMAN WHILE HITCH-HIKING FROM CORK
TO LIMERICK IN IRELAND. CASHEL IS A ROCK ABOUT THREE HUNDRED FEET
HIGH WITH A RUIN OF A CASTLE AND CATHEDRAL ON IT. I BELIEVE IT WAS
ONCE THE SEAT OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS BUT AM NOT SURE. I DO NOT KNOW
IF THE MAN WHO TOLD KATHY BELIEVED IT BUT KATHY DOESN'T.
Data entry tech comment:
Additional (non-numbered) Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
[Please make a copy. Label it B472] - handwritten at the bottom of the card.
The original Boggs Number [P400] is crossed out and B425 and B472 are written next to it.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PARTY
Keyword(s): Castle ; Cathedral ; DEVIL ; GEOLOGY ; IRELAND ; IRISH BELIEF ; MOUNTAIN ; NATURE ; Pagan ; RELIGION ; RELIGIOUS LEGEND ; Rock ; Rock Formation
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: UNKNOWN
THE DEVIL'S HOLE ROAD LEGEND.
" THE AREA IN WHICH I LIVE USED TO BE ALL SWAMPY. THE INDIANS
BELIEVED THAT WHEN AN INDIAN OR WHITE MAN WENT INTO THE AREA AND DID
NOT RETURN THAT THE DEVIL HAD CAPTURED HIM. SO THAT IS HOW DEVIL'S
HOLE ROAD GOT ITS NAME. "
Where learned: OHIO ; PEMBERVILLE
Keyword(s): CAPTURED BY DEVIL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
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
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
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
A LOCAL LEGEND ABOUT SEEING THE DEVIL.
THERE IS A STORY OF A WOMAN WHO IS WALKING DOWN A DESERTED ROAD AT
NIGHT AND MEETS A WELL DRESSED MAN. UPON LOOKING INTO HIS EYES
SHE SEES FIRE. SHE USUALLY PASSES OUT AND IS FOUND DEAD
BURNT TO A CRISP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 04-00-1980
ONCE THERE WAS A LADY WHO WAS POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL. THEY DID EVERY
THING THEY COULD BUT HE WOULDN'T FREE HER. THE PRIEST CAME TO
EXORCISE HER WHEN SHE WENT TO COMMUNION THE NEXT DAY, HER FACE
TURNED INTO A BLACK CAT'S FACE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE TRUE BECAUSE THE PRIEST AND ALTAR BOYS
SAW IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 04-00-1965
A DIABOLICAL POSSESSION
THERE WAS A GIRL WHO ENTERED A CONVENT SOMEWHERE
IN EUROPE. SHE SEEMED
TO ACT SO STRANGELY THAT THE EXTIRE COMMUNITY WONDERED. ONE
EVENING SHE WALKED UP THE WALL AND SLITHERED ACROSS THE CEILING LIKE
A SNAKE. ON THE FOLLOWING MORNING SHE WAS DISMISSED AND AS SHE LEFT
THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR SHE DECLARED THAT SHE HAD GIVEN HER SOUL TO
THE DEVIL.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT CLAIMS TO HAVE OBTAINED THIS INFORMATION FROM
ANOTHER SISTER WHO IN TURN CLAIMED TO HAVE SEEN THE INCIDENT
DESCRIBED ABOVE.
Where learned: SAINT JOSEPH CONVENT
Keyword(s): POSSESSION BY THE DEVIL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 00-00-1962
EXORCISM
NOTE: EXORCISM, A COMPLICATED RITE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH INVOLVING
THE CASTING OUT OF DEVILS FROM POSSESSED PERSONS PROVIDES A NATURAL
BIRTHPLACE FOR MANY STRANGE STORIES, ONE WAS TOLD BY MRS. JAMES KEHOE
A GREAT GREAT AUNT OF MINE FROM CLINTON MICHIGAN, I HEARD IT FROM
MOTHER, MRS JAMES KEHOE WAS ONCE PRESENT AT AN EXORCISM IN CLINTON,.
AT THE POINT IN THE GRAVE CEREMONY WHEN THE DEVIL WAS FINALLY CAST
OUT A SMALL CREATURE RESEMBLING A WOODCHUCK WAS SEEN BY THOSE PRESENT
TO RUN ACROSS THE ROOM AND OUT THE DOOR. ALL AGREED THAT IT HAD NOT
BEEN IN THE ROOM BEFORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
THE GIRL WHO WENT TO THE DANCE
THERE WAS A GIRL WHO WANTED TO GO TO A DANCE, BUT HER PARENTS
DIDN'T WANT HER TO GO. SHE WENT ANYWAY. AT THE DANCE SHE MET A
HANDSOME STRANGER AND DANCED ALL NIGHT WITH HIM. AT MIDNIGHT SHE
LOOKED DOWN AND SAW THAT THE STRANGER HAD CLOVEN HOOVES. HE
DRAGGED HER OUTSIDE AND STARTED TO RISE IN THE AIR WITH HER, MMCARRYING HER BY ONE HAND. THE PEOPLE FROM THE DANCE RUSH
OUT, FALL ON THEIR KNEES AND START TO PRAY THE CREDO. THE DEVIL
DROPS HER AND SHE IS SAVED.
Submitter comment: THE APPARENT MORAL OF THE STORY IS ALWAYS OBEY YOUR PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 04-02-1982
SOME SPIRITS TAKE THE APPEARANCE OF VERY BEAUTIFUL WOMEN, BUT THE
ONLY WAY TO RECOGNIZE THEM IS TO LOOK AT THEIR FEET; THEY HAVE A
HUMAN FOOT AND A ANIMAL FOOT. AND OF COURSE IF YOU DON'T NOTICE
THAT THEY WILL HARM YOU.
Submitter comment:
ONE DAY A GUY PICKED UP TWO GIRLS THAT WERE STANDING BY THE ROAD
WHEN GOING TO A PARTY, AND WHILE THEY WERE IN THE CAR HE DECIDED
TO HAVE A CIGARETTE. AS SOON AS HE CRACKED THE MATCH, THE TWO
GIRLS DISAPPEARED AND HE HEARD THEIR VOICES SAYING THAT HE WAS
LUCKY. APPARENTLY THEY WERE AFRAID OF THE FIRE FROM THE MATCH.
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
THE JERSEY DEVIL
"MY DAD LIVED IN NEW JERSEY ON A FARM. HE SAID THAT EVERY
TIME AFTER IT RAINED, YOU COULD SEE STRANGE FEET AND TAIL
MARKS IN THE MUD. MANY PEOPLE SAW THIS AND WERE BECOMING
WORRIED ABOUT WHAT COULD BE MAKING THESE MARKS. ONE NIGHT
MANY OF THE FARMSMEN AND MY DAD DECIDED TO WAIT FOR THIS
CREATURE. NO ONE HAD EVER SEEN THIS ANIMAL AND IT ONLY
CAME OUT IN THE EARLY MORNING AFTER IT RAINED. SO ALL OF
THE MEN WENT OUT IN THE MORNING AND WAITED FOR THE ANIMAL
BY THE SWAMP. ONE MAN LEFT TO GO TO THE BATHROOM. HE WAS
GONE FOR A LONG TIME, SO ANOTHER MAN WENT TO LOOK FOR HIM.
WHEN HE FOUND THE MAN, HE WAS LAYING ON THE GROUND
UNCONSCIOUS. WHEN THE MAN RECOVERED, HE SAID THAT THE
"JERSEY DEVIL" HIT HIM ON THE HEAD WITH HIS HAND. HE SAID
THAT THE DEVIL HAD A VERY UGLY MAN'S FACE, HORNS ON THE
TOP OF HIS HEAD, A MAN'S BODY DOWN TO HIS WAIST, THE REST OF
HIM WAS A SNAKE'S BODY EXCEPT FOR TWO HUMAN LEGS. THEY
ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THIS DEVIL."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT YOU CAN CALL THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
AND THEY WILL TELL YOU THE STORY ABOUT THE "JERSEY DEVIL."
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SHAMOKIN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
LESSON
"THIS IS A LESSON ABOUT NOT MINDING YOUR PARENTS TOLD
TO ME BY MY MOTHER: ONCE THERE WERE TWO BOYS DOING THEIR
HOMEWORK, A GOOD BOY AND A BAD BOY. THEIR MOM CALLED THEM
TO COME AND EAT THEIR SUPPER, THE GOOD BOY WENT BUT THE BAD
BOY STAYED TO DO HIS HOMEWORK. AFTER DINNER WHEN THE BOYS
WENT BACK TO THEIR ROOM, THE GOOD BOY FOUND HIS HOMEWORK HAD
BEEN COMPLETED IN GOLD BY ANGELS. WHEREAS, THE BAD BOY FOUND
THAT THE EDGES OF HIS PAPER HAD BEEN BURNED AND THAT HIS
HOMEWORK HAD BEEN COMPLETED ALL WRONG IN RED INK. THE DEVIL
HAD COME TO DO THE BAD BOY'S HOMEWORK."
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; CARTERET
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Angel PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 00001973CA
MY GRANDMA TOLD ME ABOUT THE SUPERSTITION ABOUT
HANGING A RED RIBBON ON A PRETTY BABY'S CRIB
TO WARD OFF BAD SPIRITS. RED IS SUPPOSED
TO KEEP THE DEVIL AWAY.
MY GRANDMA TOLD ME THIS STORY:
WHEN HER SISTER WAS BORN A FRIEND
OF THEIR MOTHER'S WOULD COME TO
THEIR HOUSE AND THE BABY, SHIRLEY, WOULD
SCREAM, OTHERWISE SHE WAS A GOOD BABY.
FINALLY ANOTHER FRIEND OF THEIR MOTHER'S
CAME TO THE HOUSE AND LOOKED AT SHIRLEY
AND TOLD THEM THAT SHE HAD KNOBS ON
THE BACK OF HER HEAD WITH FUZZIES
ON THEM. THIS LADY TOLD THEM TO
CUT OFF THE FUZZIES AND BURY THEM
ONE BY ONE AND PRAY.
WHEN ALL THE FUZZIES WERE CUT OFF
SHIRLEY WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THE LADY
FRIEND WHO HAD HELPED TOLD THEM THAT
SHIRLEY HAD BEEN BEWITCHED BY THE MOTHER'S FRIEND.
SHE TOLD THEM TO PUT A RED RIBBON ON
SHIRLEY TO KEEP HER SAFE FROM THE DEVIL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001920CA
"THE NEW JERSEY DEVIL"
THE NEW JERSEY DEVIL IS A CREATURE BORN OF A WITCH IN THE
MID-1800'S. IT WAS BORN WITH THE BODY OF A NORMAL BABY,
EXCEPT THAT IT HAD WINGS, A FORKED TONGUE, HORNS, AND A TAIL.
IT HISSED AT THE MID-WIFE, WHO IMMEDIATELY HAD A HEART ATTACK
AND DIED. THE DEVIL THEN FLEW UP THE CHIMNEY. IT GREW TO
ADULTHOOD, AND NOW HAS THE FACE OF LUCIFER. TODAY, IT LIVES IN
THE PINE BARRENS OF WEST CENTRAL NEW JERSEY. IT IS STILL
SEEN TODAY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER, WHO WOULD
SCARE HIM BY THREATENING TO TAKE HIM TO THE PINE BARRENS.
EVERY SO OFTEN, ARTICLES APPEAR IN NEW JERSEY NEWSPAPERS
ABOUT SIGHTINGS OF THE DEVIL. THIS IS ALSO THE SOURCE OF THE
NAME OF THE NEW JERSEY DEVILS HOCKEY TEAM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 11-00-1985
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN AND WIFE WHO LIVED OUT IN THE
COUNTRY. ON FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS, HE WOULD DRINK. HE WOULD
THEN COME HOME, AND BEAT HIS WIFE. HE LEFT THE HOUSE ONE
OF THESE NIGHTS, AND STARTED TO WALK DOWN THE ROAD.
HE TRIED TO HITCHHIKE A RIDE. A DRIVER WITH A HORSE AND
WAGON CAME BY, AND PICKED HIM UP. THEY TALKED, AND SLOWLY
THE MAN STARTED TO NOTICE THE DRIVER. HE WAS WEARING BLACK
CLOTHES AND A BLACK HAT. AFTER A WHILE, HE LOOKED DOWN
AND SAW THAT THE MAN HAD ONE REGULAR FOOT, AND ONE HOOVED
FOOT. THE DRIVER KNEW THE MAN NOTICED THE FOOT AND REALIZED
WHO HE WAS, THE DEVIL. THE DRIVER SAID, "IF I EVER FIND OUT
YOU HAVE BEATEN YOUR WIFE AGAIN, I WILL TAKE YOU FOR ANOTHER
RIDE, AND NO ONE WILL EVER FIND YOU AGAIN. THE MAN NEVER
BEAT HIS WIFE AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 00-00-1950