Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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A POLISH TALE
THERE IS POLISH TALE THAT TELLS ABOUT A PEASANT WHO WALKS ALL
THE WAY FROM POSNAN TO KOZIMIERZ, POLAND, WHERE THE KING
(KAZIMIERZ THE GREAT, 1300'S) RESIDED. THE PEASANT WANTS TO
COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LORD OF HIS MANOR WHO HAD KIDNAPPED HIS
WIFE RIGHT FROM THE WEDDING PROCESSION ON THE ROAD. HE HADN'T
SEEN HER SINCE THE KIDNAPPING.
WHEN THE PEASANT REACHES KOZIMIERZ, HE STOPS AT THE MARKET PLACE
WELL TO REST. AMONG THE MERCHANTS IN THE CROWD IS THE KING, WHO
STOPS AND QUESTIONS THE PEASANT. HE THEN EXPLAINS HIS COMPLAINT
AND PURPOSE. THE KING TAKES HIM TO THE CHURCH FOR THE NIGHT
WHERE THE PRIEST HAS THE PEASANT DRAW HIS COMPLAINT ON PAPER, AS
ALL COMPLAINTS WOULD BE ATTENDED TO THE NEXT DAY BY THE KING AND
VISITING LORDS. THE PEASANT DRAWS THE ROAD AND THE MANOR AROUND
IT.
AT THE POINT WHERE THE WIFE WAS TAKEN, THE PRIEST DREW A SKULL.
MEANWHILE, THE KING WAS RETURNING TO HIS CASTLE DOWN THE ROAD.
ON THIS SAME ROAD WAS ARRIVING THE LORD OF THE MANOR IN POZNAN
TO VISIT THE KING. HE APPROACHED WITH MUCH MUSIC AND FESTIVITY
IN ORDER TO MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION. ON THE ROAD NEAR THE CASTLE
THE LORD NOTICED IN THE DARK A FORM MOVING ALONG. THINKING IT
WAS SOME PEASANT IN THE WAY, HE CALLS THE PEDESTRIAN A BUM AND
WANTS TO HIT HIM. JUST THEN, THE FORM, WHO WAS REALLY THE KING,
ORDERS THE LORD TO STOP AND IDENTIFIES HIMSELF.
THE NEXT DAY THE COMPLAINTS WERE BEING EXAMINED BY THE KING AND
LORDS AND THE COMPLAINT OF THE PEASANT CAME UP. THE KING EX-
PLAINED THE PICTURE BY SAYING THAT A LORD HAD KILLED THE WIFE OF
A PEASANT ON THE ROAD, INDICATED BY THE SKULL. EVERYONE WAS
SHOCKED BY THE ACTION. THE KING ASKED EACH LORD WHAT PUNISHMENT
SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN FOR THE CRIME, AND WHEN HE CAME TO (THE)
GUILTY LORD, HE SAID THE PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE STARVATION. THE
KING THEN ANNOUNCED THAT THE LORD HAD COMMITTED (IT) HIMSELF, AND
THUS THE LORD WAS THROWN INTO THE DUNGEON BENEATH THE CASTLE TOWER
WITH ONLY SOME BREAD AND WATER, WHERE HE SOON DIED.
Submitter comment: MY GRANDFATHER REMEMBERS THIS TALE FROM HIS CHILDHOOD DAYS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
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
JAMES BROTHERS' MONEY
IT IS SAID THAT THE MONEY THE JAMES BROTHERS STOLE FROM THE FAMOUS
STATE FAIR ROBBERY IS BURIED BETWEEN LONE ROCK AND ROCKVIEW ON A
FARM (THE INFORMANT CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT FARM, BUT KNOWS THE
MAN--"OLD DYNAMITE" HE'S CALLED--WHO DOES). THIS IS SOUTH OF
CHAFFEE, MISSOURI, BETWEEN CHAFFEE AND ORAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange |
NO GRASS ON THE GRAVE: TALE
THE GREAT-GRANDFATHER OF MY INFORMANT WAS ALLEGEDLY UNJUSTLY
ACCUSED OF MURDERING HIS WIFE. HE SWORE HE WAS INNOCENT UP TILL
THE TIME OF HIS EXECUTION NEAR BOSTON.
UNTIL THIS DAY, NO GRASS GROWS ON THAT GRAVE, THOUGH IT HAS BEEN
RE-SODDED SEVERAL TIMES.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
MYSTERY STREET
THE INFORMANT RELATES BEING TOLD THAT "STRASBURG," A STREET ON THE
EAST SIDE OF DETROIT, WAS A MYSTERY STREET. HE SAID THAT A GIRL
WAS RUN OVER BY A CAR IN 1962 AND THAT THE DRIVER REFUSED TO STOP.
THE GIRL BEAT CONTINUOUSLY ON THE TRUNK UNTIL THE DRIVER STOPPED.
WHEN THE DRIVER DID STOP, THE GIRL WAS DEAD. NOW, EVERY TIME A
CAR GOES DOWN STRASBURG, IT GOES THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
Date learned: 03-15-1967
BALL OF FIRE
A MAN WAS FOUND DEAD IN HIS BEDROOM WITH HIS THROAT CUT AND HIS
WRISTS CUT. NO ONE WOULD EVER SLEEP IN THE ROOM WHERE THE MAN
DIED BECAUSE A BALL OF FIRE APPEARED UNDER THE BED. IT WOULD
COME OUT FROM UNDER THE BED AND HIT THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE ROOM
AND THEN RETURN TO ITS RESTING PLACE.
THEY THOUGHT THAT THE MAN HAD BEEN MURDERED, BUT THEY WERE NEVER
ABLE TO FIND THE MURDERER.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A
CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Air Weather Fire PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 08-11-1964
NOT GIVEN
IN BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, THERE WAS A PONTIAC, BUICK AND CADILLAC
DEALERSHIP, GUY F. JOHNSON. THIS AUTO COMPANY IN THE 1930'S GOT
HOLD OF A CAR SUPPOSEDLY OWNED BY A GANGSTER WHO WAS MURDERED
IN THIS CAR. THE CAR CHANGED HANDS MANY TIMES UNTIL A YOUNG
COUPLE, NEEDING A CAR, BOUGHT IT. THE PREVIOUS OWNERS NEVER
EXPLAINED WHY THEY HAD RETURNED THE AUTO. APPARENTLY, WHEN A
SINGLE PERSON WOULD DRIVE THE CAR, THERE WAS A DISTINCT ODOR OF
CIGAR SMOKE. A PAIR OF EYES WOULD APPEAR IN THE MIRROR. THE
COUPLE RETURNED THE CAR AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. NO ONE
KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-17-1972
KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
ON A DARK, FOGGY NIGHT SOME YEARS AGO ON A STREET NEAR MY HOME
(I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME ANYMORE), A BOY WAS RUN OVER BY A CAR
AND KILLED. THE HIT AND RUN DRIVER WAS NEVER FOUND. FROM THAT
TIME ON, ANYTIME MY FRIENDS AND I WERE RIDING DOWN THE STREET,
STRANGE NOISES CAME FROM BENEATH THE CAR. WE BELIEVED THAT THIS
BOY WHO WAS KILLED WAS BOTHERING PEOPLE BECAUSE THE KILLER WAS
NEVER FOUND. THE NOISE WAS NOT THE FAULT OF A DEFECTIVE CAR,
SINCE THIS NOISE WOULD ONLY OCCUR ON THIS PARTICULAR STREET.
THE NICKNAME FOR THIS STREET WAS KNOCK-KNOCK STREET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-31-1970
THE MONK
IN A SMALL NORTHERN TOWN IN ITALY, HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS LIVED THE
MONKS. THE MONKS WERE VERY RICH AND ALWAYS SAVED THEIR MONEY IN A
SMALL SACK, AND CONTINUOUSLY PRAYED THAT SOMEDAY THEY WOULD BE ABLE
TO GO TO HEAVEN.
THE ROBBERS OF ITALY WERE ALWAYS TRYING
TO STEAL THE MONK'S MONEY. ONE
DAY, A ROBBER GOT A TERRIFIC IDEA ON HOW HE WOULD STEAL ONE OF THE
MONK'S MONEY. THE MONK'S NAME WAS FATHER FRANCO.
THIS ROBBER PLAYED A GUITAR AND HE WAS ALSO A SINGER. ONE DAY HE SAW
A MONK PRAYING IN HIS ROOM. THE ROBBER CLIMBED ON THE ROOF ABOVE THE
MONK'S ROOM AND BEGAN TO SING, "FATHER FRANCO, FATHER FRANCO, COME UP
TO HEAVEN."
FATHER FRANCO HEARING THIS, THOUGHT IT WAS GOD CALLING, AND PREPARED TO GO TO HEAVEN. FATHER FRAN
ANSWERED, "LORD, LORD, I AM READY." THE ROBBER HEARING THIS SAID, "FATHER FRANCO, FIRST YOU MUST GIVE UP YOUR SMALL SACK OF MONEY." FATHER FRAN
ANSWERED, "I'LL DO ANYTHING TO GO TO HEAVEN." SO THE ROBBER PUT A HOLE IN THE ROOF AND LOWERED A ROPE DOWN. HE THEN SAID, "FATHER FRAN
PUT THE SACK OF MONEY ON THE BOTTOM OF THE ROPE, AND I'LL PULL IT UP TO HEAVEN FOR YOU." FATHER FRAN
DID AS HE WAS INSTRUCTED, AND NOW PREPARED HIMSELF FOR ENTRY INTO HEAVEN. FINALLY, THE ROBBER LOWERED THE ROPE DOWN AGAIN AND SAID, "FATHER FRANCO,
TIE THE ROPE AROUND YOUR NECK AND I'LL PULL YOU UP INTO HEAVEN." FATHER FRANCO, AS HOLY AS HE WAS, PUT THE ROPE AROUND HIS NECK AND ANSWERED, "LORD, I
AM READY, TAKE ME." WHEN THE ROBBER HEARD THIS HE PULLED ON THE ROPE AND HUNG FATHER FRANCO.
Submitter comment: FROM ITALY IN THE EARLY 1900S
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 10-00-1973
LEGENDS OF ROGUES' HOLLOW
ROGUES' HOLLOW IS A SMALL, ISOLATED AREA OF LAND LOCATED ABOUT
TWO MILES SOUTH OF DOYLESTOWN, OHIO, WHICH HAS A GREAT DEAL OF OLD
RUMORS AND LEGENDS ABOUT IT. THE FEW LISTED HERE ARE ALL THAT I
REMEMBER HEARING, BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN YOU HEAR SOMETHING ELSE
ABOUT IT WHICH PEOPLE DECLARE TO BE TRUE ALSO. AS FAR AS I KNOW,
NONE OF THESE LEGENDS HAVE BEEN PROVEN OR DISPROVEN.
1--JESSE JAMES WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HIDDEN OUT IN THE CAVES AT
ONE TIME
2--A MAN WHO WORKED IN A MILL IN ROGUES' HOLLOW WAS SUPPOSED
TO HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN THE WATER WHEEL AND KILLED INSTANTLY. EVER
SINCE, HE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HAUNTED THE MILL. EVENTUALLY IT WAS
BURNED DOWN (FACT), AND THIS IS ALSO ATTRIBUTED TO THE GHOST. ONE
VERSION SAYS THAT HE DID THIS BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS GOING TO BUY IT.
3--IF YOU STAND IN A CERTAIN PLACE AT MIDNIGHT, YOU CAN HEAR
THE SOUND OF A BABY CRYING.
4--IF YOU STAND NEAR THE RAILROAD TRACKS AT MIDNIGHT, YOU CAN
HEAR THE SOUND OF A TRAIN COMING DOWN THE TRACK, THOUGH THERE IS NO
TRAIN,
5--AN OLD BEARDED HERMIT, OR HIS GHOST, LIVES IN THE COAL MINES
AND WILL TRY TO KILL ANY TRESPASSERS WITH HIS PICK.
6-- MANY MINERS WERE ONCE KILLED IN A CAVE-IN, AND THEIR GHOSTS
STILL WORK THERE TODAY.
Submitter comment:
ROGUES' HOLLOW IS A POPULAR PLACE FOR FAMILIES AND SIGHTSEERS
ON SUNDAYS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE LEAVES ARE CHANGING COLOR, BUT
DURING THE WEEK, TEENAGERS MAKE UP THE BIGGEST PART OF THE CROWD.
GROUPS OF BOYS, OR BOY-GIRL GROUPS ARE THERE DAY AND NIGHT EXPLORING
THE MINES AND HOPING TO SEE SOMETHING SUPERNATURAL.
A GREAT MAJORITY OF PEOPLE DO SEEM TO BELIEVE AT LEAST A FEW OF
THE SUPERSTITIONS ABOUT ROGUES' HOLLOW, AND SOME CLAIM TO HAVE WIT-
NESSED THEM EITHER FIRST-HAND OR VICARIOUSLY. THE TWO BELIEFS ABOUT
THE BABY AND THE TRAIN SEEM TO BE THE ONES BEST KNOWN, AS WELL AS
THE ONES MOST BELIEVED.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS SOUNDS
Date learned: 10-00-1973
IN THE 1920'S MY UNCLES , ALONG WITH SOME FRIENDS OF THEIR'S, WENT
OUT TO PLAY PRANKS ON HALLOWEEN AND WOULD TIP OVER PEOPLES OUTHOUSES.
THERE WAS ONE THAT SAT AT THE TOP OF A SMALL RISE IN THE LAND.
THIS ONE THEY TURNED OVER LIKE SOME OTHERS THEY HAD DONE EARLIER AND
WERE SURPRISED TO HEAR YELLS COMING OUT OF THE OUTHOUSE AS IT ROLLED
OVER DOWN THE HILL. THE OLD MAN WHO HAD BEEN INSIDE AT THE TIME,
DID NOT GET PHYSICALLY HURT, BUT HE DID RECOGNIZE THE VOICE OF ONE
OF MY UNCLES.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 09-20-1972
Entry filtered.
THE FOLLOWING IS A FLIM-FLAM TECHNIQUE ONE STUDENT USES TO GET INTO
SOLD OUT EVENTS SUCH AS CONCERTS OR ATHLETIC CONTESTS: THE CORNER OF
A TWENTY DOLLAR BILL IS CUT OFF AND CAREFULLY ATTACHED BY SOME SORT
OF GLUE TO THE CORNER OF A ONE DOLLAR BILL. THE CURENCY IS THEN
FOLDED FOUR OR FIVE TIMES SO THAT JUST THE CORNER SHOWING THE $20
IS EXPOSED. THIS "TWENTY" IS OFFERED TO THE TICKET TAKER WHO-BECAUSE
HE DOES NOT WANT TO CALL ATTENTION TO HIMSELF-USUALLY POCKETS THE
BILL QUICKLY WITHOUT CAREFUL EXAMINATION. THE STUDENT THEN SCAMPERS
INTO THE STADIUM OR ARENA TO SEE THE SCHEDULED EVENT AT BARGAIN
PRICES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DISHONESTY ; EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
A STORY USED TO CIRCULATE AROUND THE AUTO PLANT ABOUT WHAT WAS DONE
BY SOME ANGERED FACTORY EMPLOYEE TO AN OVERBEARING FOREMAN. EVERYONE
HATED THE FOREMAN WHO WAS ALWAYS ON THE BACKS OF THE WORKERS TO WORK
HARDER AND FASTER, AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY MEN LOSING THEIR
JOBS. ONE DAY THE FOREMAN WAS FOUND DEAD IN THE PAINT ROOM WHERE HE
HAD BEEN SPRAYED BY MANY COATS OF ENAMEL AND THEN BAKED ALIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE ; MURDER ; RETALIATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale |
Date learned: 10-00-1975
STAGE FRIGHT
TO ALLEVIATE STAGE FRIGHT, HELEN HAYES WOULD LOOK OUT AT THE
AUDIENCE FROM BEHIND THE CURTAIN AND CALL THE AUDIENCE ALL
SORTS OF CRUEL AND VULGAR NAMES.
Where learned: OUR LADY OF MERCY HIGH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): ACTRESS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
SNEAKY
THERE WAS A GUY WO RETIRED HERE AT FORD'S SOME YEARS AGO. FOR A
LONG TIME BEFORE HIS RETIREMENT, HE USED TO GO THROUGH THE PLANT
GATES WITH A WHEELBARROW FULL OF SAW DUST. THE GUARDS WOULD SIFT
THROUGH THE SAWDUST, BUT THEY NEVER FOUND ANYTHING, SO THEY WOULD
LET HIM GO. THIS WENT ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. THEN THE DAY OF HIS
RETIREMENT CAME. AFTER THE TRADITIONAL DINNER AND HONORS AND
SPEECHES, THE MAN LEFT THE COMPANY.
BEFORE HE DID, HOWEVER, ONE OF HIS
FELLOW EMPLOYEES ASKED HIM WHAT HE WAS TAKING OUT WITH ALL THOSE
WHEELBARROWS THAT HE HAD BEEN TAKING THROUGH THE GATES ALL THIS
TIME. HE ANSWERED VERY SERIOUSLY, "WHEELBARROWS."
Submitter comment:
(I HEARD THIS STORY, TOLD AS BEING TRUE, FROM MAC MCLAIN AT
THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN DEARBORN WHEN I WORKED THERE IN 1955-569)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): OCCUPATIONAL STORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 05-00-1965
BABYSITTER
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO IN YPSILANTI A HIGH SCHOOL GIRL WAS BABY -
SITTING WHEN SHE GOT A STRANGE PHONE CALL. A DEEP VOICE WARNED,
" BE READY. I'M COMING TO KILL YOU." NATURALLY SHE WAS FRIGHTENED
BUT SHE TRIED TO TELL HERSELF THAT IT WAS JUST A FRIEND TRYING TO
SCARE HER. TEN MINUTES LATER THE PHONE RANG AGAIN. " BE READY,
I'M COMING TO KILL YOU." SHE WAS REALLY GETTING SCARED NOW. WHILE
SHE TRIED TO THINK OF WHAT TO DO, THE PHONE RANG AGAIN AND THE
VOICE DELIVERED THE SAME THREAT. SHE CALLED THE OPERATOR AND
ASKED HER TO TRACE THE CALL. MINUTES LATER THE PHONE RANG AGAIN
" THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING. NOW I'M GOING TO KILL YOU," HE SAID.
AS SHE HUNG UP THE OPERATOR CALLED BACK AND TOLD HER TO GET OUT OF
THE HOUSE BECAUSE IT CAME FROM A PHONE UPSTAIRS.
Submitter comment:
WHEN I WORKED AT CYO CAMP DURING THE SUMMER OF 1970 THERE WAS RARELY
A GROUP OF CAMPERS THAT DID'
A GROUP OF CAMPERS THAT DIDN'T COME UP WITH THIS STORY.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
URBAN TALE
IT WAS SAID THAT A GIRL MARRIED A DEAD MAN IN THE FUNERAL PARLOR
JUST BEFORE HE WAS BURIED. HE WAS KILLED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT ONE
NIGHT, AT THE SAME TIME SHE FOUND OUT THAT SHE WAS PREGNANT WITH HIS
BABY. SHE TOLD HER MINSTER WHAT HAD HAPPEN AND NOW THE BABY WOULD
NOT HAVE A LAST NAME. THE MINISTER SUGGESTED THAT SHE MARRY THE
BOY IN THE FUNERAL PARLOR SO THAT THE BABY WOUL BE CONSIDERED
LEGITIMATE AND HAVE A PROPER LAST NAME. THE MINISTER OFFICIATED AT
THE CEREMONY, AND IT WAS SAID TO BE LEGAL IN THE EYES OF THE STATE.
Submitter comment:
THIS TALE WAS SPUN BY SCHOOLGIRLS TO SHOW WHAT COULD HAPPEN TO THEM
IF THEY BECAME PREGNANT.
FUNCTION
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
INDONESIAN LEGEND
"KUNTIL ANAK", TRANSLATED IT IS THE "STEALER OF THE CHILD";
SHE IS AN OLD LADY WHO STEALS NEW BORN BABIES FROM OUT
OF THEIR CRIBS. SHE HAS A HOLE IN HER BACK, SHE LIVES IN
THE RUBBER TREES, AND HAS A VERY DISTINCTIVE LAUGH. IT
SOUNDS LIKE THAT OF A WITCH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 04-00-1979 ; 00001930-1950
FOLK TALE
IT WAS TOLD TO THE ALTAR BOYS AT OUR LADY QUEEN OF APOSTLES
CATHOLIC CHURCH THAT IF THEY WORE THE CHASUBLE USED AT MASS THEY
WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO GET IT OFF. THE NUNS TOLD THE STORY OF ONE
SUCH ALTAR BOY WHO TO THIS DAY WAS STILL WEARING THAT CHASUBLE AND
WAS LOCKED AWAY IN A HOSPITAL SO NOBODY COULD SEE HIM. SOME NUNS SAI
IT WAS A MORTAL SIN WHICH COULD NEVER BE FORGIVEN.
Submitter comment:
THE REASON THIS WAS SPREAD WAS BECAUSE THE CHASUBLES IN THOSE
DAYS WERE QUITE EXPENSIVE AND THE PRIESTS AND SISTERS DID NOT
WANT ALTAR BOYS PLAYING WITH THEM AS IF THEY WERE NOT SACRED AT ALL
AND TURNING THEM INTO COSTUMES LIKE THOSE USED ON HALLOWEEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1979