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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THUMP DRAG
THERE WAS A COUNSELOR AT CAMP NAMED JERRY. HE WAS BOSSY TO ABOUT
THREE CHILDREN. ONE DAY, AFTER A CAMP MOVIE, ONE OF THE CHILDREN TOOK
A CLUB AND HIT JERRY ON THE HEAD. THEN THEY TIED HIM UP AND POURED GAS
OVER HIM. THEY LIT A MATCH AND PRETENDED THEY WOULD IGNITE HIM. HALF OF
HIS BODY WAS BURNT. THE NEXT YEAR THE SAME CAMPERS CAME BACK. DURING THE
WINTER SOME OF THE FOOD AND SUPPLIES WERE STOLEN. THE DOCTOR THOUGHT IT
WAS A BEAR. THE CHILDREN CONFESSED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IT WAS BELIEVED THAT
JERRY WENT INSANE. ONE DAY THEY HEARD A THUMP AND A DRAG. THIS WAS THE SOUND
THAT JERRY MADE BECAUSE HIS
LEG WAS BURNED. ONE DAY HE WALKED INTO A CABIN AND TOOK ONE OF THE
THREE CHILDREN. THE COUNSELOR HEARD THE NOISE AND CAME RUNNING. THUMP
DRAG DROPPED THE CHILD. THE COUNSELOR DECIDED TO GET THUMP DRAG. THEY
FOLLOWED HIM TO A SEWER AND SAW BLOOD AND BONES ALL OVER. THUMP DRAG
SMASHED THE HEADS OF TWO COUNSELORS. ONE COUNSELOR SHOT HIM BUT THUMP
DRAG DISAPPEARED. ONE YEAR LATER HE WAS FOUND DEAD BY A FARMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): BEOWULF ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
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
GIRLS DORM PROSE
NOW THIS IS IN A GIRLS DORM SOMEWHERE DOWN SOUTH AND THIS GIRL WAS
CONSTANTLY
SCARED. SO ALL THE GIRLS IN THE DORM WOULD PLAY TRICKS ON
HER
THEY WOULD SCARE H WHILE SHE WAS TALKING TO HER BOYFRIEND OR
JUMP OUT OF THE BUSHES WHEN SHE WAS WALKING AT NIGHT. SO AS SHE
CONSTANTLY BECAME MORE PARANOID, THE GIRLS WOULD SCARE HER MORE AND
MORE. SO ONE NIGHT THEY WERE STUDYING LATE IN THE CHEMISTRY LAB. IN
THE LAB THERE WAS A SKELETON. SO THIS GIRL WAS OUT ON A DATE AND WAS
COMING HOME LATE AND WAS COMING INTO THE LAB AFTER THE DATE. SO,
AFTER HER DATE SHE WENT TO THE LAB. THE OTHER GIRLS WANTED TO SEE
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THEY HUNG THE SKELETON IN THE DOORWAY IN A WAY
IN WHICH IT WOULD FALL ON HER. WHEN THEY FELT ENOUGH TIME HAD PASSED
BY, THEY WENT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. WHEN THEY GOT THERE, THEY SAW
THEIR FRIEND SITTING ON THE FLOOR, HER HAIR HAD TURNED WHITE, HER
FACE WAS DISFIGURED AND SHE WAS CHEWING ON ONE OF THE SKELETON'S
BONES.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
THE HOOK
THIS OCCURS ON A DARK AND WINDRY NIGHT. A COUPLE HAD GONE
OUT PARKING NEAR AN INSANE ASYLUM. THEY WERE GETTING
READY TO LEAVE, AND TURNED ON THE RADIO JUST IN TIME TO
HEAR THAT A PERSON HAD ESCAPED FROM THE NEARBY ASYLUM.
HE COULD BE IDENTIFIED BY A HOOK, INSTEAD OF A HAND. THE COUPLE
LEFT AND WHEN THE BOY WENT TO THE OTHER SIDE
OF THE CAR TO OPEN THE DOOR, AND HANGING THERE WAS THE HOOK. THE
COUPLE NEVER PARKED AGAIN.
Where learned: AUSTRALIA ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Dating Courtship BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 12-00-1968
THE HOOKED HAND
A GUY AND HIS GIRL WERE PARKED IN HIS CAR IN A DESERTED AREA.
LISTENING TO THE RADIO, THEY HEARD A GUY HAD ESCAPED FROM A NEARBY
INSANE ASYLUM. THE ESCAPEE HAD A HOOK FOR ONE OF HIS HANDS. THE
GIRL GOT REALLY SCARED AND SAID SHE WANTED TO LEAVE. HER BOYFRIEND
SAID NO, EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. SHE INSISTED AGAIN AND AGAIN HE SAID
NO. ON MORE TIME SHE SAID' "COME ONE, I,M REALLY SCARED." HER
BOYFRIEND GOT REALLY MAD, JAMMED ON THE CAR AND THE CAR JERKED OFF.
WHEN THEY GOT TO HER HOUSE, HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND WALKED OVER TO
HER SIDE TO OPEN HER DOOR. HANGING FROM THE DOOR HANDLE ON HER
DOOR WAS A HOOK.
Submitter comment:
EVEN THOUGH I HAVE TOLD THIS STORY DOZENS OF TIMES, IT NEVER FAILS TO
TERRIFY ME. AS I TYPE THIS I AM LOOKING OVER MY SHOULDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): THREE REQUESTS FROM GIRL
Date learned: CA00001967
LEGEND
IF YOU NEED MONEY, ONE WAY TO GET IT IS TO WRITE A LETTER TO A DEAD
RELATIVE. ADDRESS THE ENVELOPE AND STAMP IT JUST LIKE YOU WERE
MAILING THE LETTER. THEN PUT IT ON TOP OF A GLASS OF WATER AND
PLACE THEM UNDER YOUR BED. WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN IS THAT THE
RELATIVE WILL COME BACK TO YOU AND TELL YOU THE NUMBERS FOR THE
NUMBERS RACKET THE NEXT DAY. SO A LADY DID THIS, SHE WROTE TO HER
DEAD BABY SISTER AND PUT THE LETTER ON A GLASS OF WATER UNDER HER
BED. SHE WOKE UP DURING THE NIGHT WHEN SHE FELT SOMEONE GETTING
INTO BED WITH HER. SHE LOOKED AND IT WAS THE BODY OF AN ADULT WITH
THE HEAD OF HER BABY SISTER. SHE RAN OUT OF THE HOUSE AND RAN
DOWN THE STREET SCREAMING. AND SHE'S BEEN CRAZY EVER SINCE.
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY INFORMANT LEARNED THIS STORY, THE PERSON WHO TOLD IT TO HER
WARNED HER TO BE SURE NOT TO TRY IT. SHE THINKS IT,S A SILLY STORY,
BUT SHE WON'T TRY TO DISPROVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): DECAPITATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
THE WISE COP
A COP NAMED DOOLY ARRESTED A GUY AND WAS HOLDNG HIM UNTIL THE
PIE-WAGON ARRIVED. THE GUY TOOK OFF HIS HAT AND TOSSED IT A FEW
YARDS AWAY, SAYING "LEMME GET MY HAT." BUT DOOLY SAID, "OH NO YA
DON'T, I AIN'T THAT DUMB. YOU STAY RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE,
I'LL GET IT MYSELF."
DOOLEY LET THE GUY GO AND THE GUY PROMPTLY TOOK OFF, LAUGHING.
Submitter comment:
JOHN L. CONROY LEARNED THIS STORY IN WATERBURY, CONN. AROUND 1916.
HE SAID THAT DOOLY WAS MENTIONED IN MANY STORIES AROUND WATERBURY,
BUT THIS WAS THE ONLY ONE HE COULD RECALL.
Data entry tech comment: THERE IS ONE MORE SIMILAR STORY IN THE 5X8 FILE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
IDENTICAL TWINS - BOTH ILL
I KNOW OF A SET OF IDENTICAL TWINS - ONE GOT TUBERCULOSIS AND HAD
TO BE SENT TO A SANATARIUM FOR A SHORT TIME. ALL THE TIME SHE WAS
GONE, HER TWIN SISTER WAS SICK AT HOME.
Submitter comment: HEARD AT WORK - SEARS ROEBUCK CO. THEY USED TO WORK THERE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
FOLK TALE
SOME KIDS PLAYING A JOKE ON A GIRL HUNG AN ARM ( FROM A DEAD BODY)
FROM THE THE GIRL'S PULL - CORD IN THE GIRL'S ROOM. WHEN THEY CAME
BACK IN THE MORNING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED, SHE WAS SITTING IN THE
CLOSET CHEWING ON THE ARM, HAVING GONE CRAZY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 11-00-1969
TALE
A FEW YEARS AGO, SOMEPLACE IN MICHIGAN, A BOY AND A GIRL WERE PARKED
OUT NEAR A DESERTED FARM HOUSE. WHILE THEY WERE LISTENING TO THE
RADIO THE NEWS FLASH ANNOUNCED THAT A DESPERATE KILLER HAD ESCAPED
FROM A NEARBY PENITENTIARY. ONE OF THE ITEMS IN HIS DESCRIPTION WAS
THAT HE HAD A HOOK FOR A RIGHT HAND. THE GIRL GOT SCARED AND THEY
LEFT FOR HOME. WHEN THE BOY WENT TO LET THE GIRL OUT AT HOME HE
FOUND THE HOOK ON THE DOOR HANDLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
TALE
THERE IS A STORY OF A WOMAN WHO OPENED A CAN OF TOMATO SOUP AND
POURED IT INTO A POT. BUT ALONG WITH THE SOUP CAME A WHOLE MOUSE.
SINCE THEN THE WOMAN HAS TO TAKE PILLS IN ORDER TO EAT ANY FOOD.
Submitter comment: COOKING AND CANNING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
THUMP-DRAG
A STAFF MEMBER WAS PUTTING AWAY SUPPLIES IN THE STORAGE ROOM AND A
BOTTLE OF ACID FELL OFF THE TOP SHELF ONTO HIS FACE AND HE FELL
AND BROKE HIS LEG. HE RAN AS WELL AS HE COULD TO THE LAKE TO RELIEVE
THE PAIN. HE ALWAYS SWORE HE WOULD GET REVENGE ON THE CAMP EVEN
THOUGH IT WASN'T THE CAMP'S
FAULT. EVER SINCE THAT INCIDENT HAPPENED
THERE HAS BEEN ONE VICTIM TAKEN AWAY EVERY SEVEN YEARS. WE FIGURED
OUT THAT THE REASON WHY IT WAS EVERY SEVEN YEARS WAS BECAUSE IT WAS
HIS SEVENTH YEAR AS A CAMP MAINTENANCE MAN WHEN IT HAPPENED. NO ONE
KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM AFTER HE GOT HURT. HIS VICTIMS ARE
USUALLY TAKEN FROM THE JUNIOR UNIT CABINS AND THE CAMPERS IN THE
WOODS CABINS CAN HEAR THE THUMP-DRAG (BECAUSE HE HAD TO HAVE HIS
LEG AMPUTATED) WHEN HE COMES BACK BUT NO ONE CAN EVER CATCH HIM. SO
IF YOU HEAR THE THUMP-DRAG LET US KNOW BECAUSE THIS IS THE SEVENTH
YEAR.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS TOLD TO CAMPERS AT CYO (CATHOLIC YOUTH
ORGANIZATION) CAMP IN PORT SANILLAC, MICHIGAN.
THIS STORY IS TOLD TO THE OLDER CAMPERS BECAUSE THEY LIKE TO HEAR
SCARY STORIES RIGHT BEFORE GOING TO BED. IT HAS BEEN A CAMP CUSTOM
TO DO SO. FRIENDS OF MINE WHO WERE CAMPERS THAT WERE ALSO CAMP
COUNSELORS HEARD VARIATIONS OF THIS STORY WHEN THEY WERE CAMPERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Port Sanilac
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
YELLOW MIKE
BACK IN 1940 THERE WAS A TRAIN WHICH WAS PASSING THROUGH HASTINGS,
MICHIGAN DURING THE NIGHT. A LARGE CRATE WHICH WAS ON THIS TRAIN
FELL OUT OF THE DOOR OF ONE OF THE BOX CARS. A MAN WHO WAS KNOWN AS
MIKE WENT TO SEE WHAT WAS IN THE BOX. AS HE LIT A MATCH AND LOOKED
INSIDE THE BOX, HE SAW A CREATURE WHICH LOOKED LIKE A MAN BUT IT WAS
TOTALLY COVERED WITH LONG YELLOW HAIR. BECAUSE OF THIS IT WAS NAMED
YELLOW MIKE. THE NEXT DAY YELLOW MIKE WAS PUT IN THE HASTINGS'
INSANE ASYLUM. TWO DAYS LATER THE ASYLUM CAUGHT FIRE. SOME OF THE
PATIENTS WERE SAVED AND MANY WERE BURNED TO DEATH. NOBODY SAW
YELLOW MIKE COME OUT, SO THEY FIGURED THAT HE HAD BEEN BURNED TO
DEATH. THE NEXT MORNING FARMERS IN THE AREA REPORTED FINDING
THEIR CATTLE AND OTHER LIVESTOCK LITERALLY TORN APART AND THAT
THERE WAS YELLOW HAIR LYING AROUND. ALSO A LADY SAID THAT HER SON
AND HIS GIRLFRIEND HAD NOT YET RETURNED FROM THEIR DATE. THE TWO
WERE LATER FOUND IN AN AREA BY GUN LAKE WHICH IS CALLED DEVILS' SOUP
BOWL.(IT IS A WELL VISITED SPOT BY PARKERS). THEIR BODIES WERE
TORN APART AS IF SOME ANIMAL HAS GOTTEN AHOLD OF THEM. THERE WAS
ONLY YELLOW HAIR LYING AROUND AND UNDER THE BOY'S FINGERNAILS
THERE WAS YELLOW HAIR. IMMEDIATELY TWENTY MEN WERE STATIONED AT
DEVILS' SOUP BOWL. EIGHTEEN MEN WERE STATIONED AT THE LOW GRADED
SIDE AND THE OTHER TWO AT THE STEEP GRADED SIDE BECAUSE THEY
FIGURED IF YELLOW MIKE WAS IN THERE HE WOULD COME OUT ON THE LOW
GRADED SIDE. THEIR ORDERS WERE TO SHOOT TO KILL AND NOT WOUND
HIM. IF HE WERE TO BE WOUNDED HE WOULD BECOME WORSE THAN HE ALREADY
WAS. ONE OF THE EIGHTEEN SAW YELLOW MIKE AND FIRED BUT HE ONLY
WOUNDED HIM. ONE OF THE TWO FROM THE OTHER SIDE RAN OVER TO SEE
WHAT WAS HAPPENING. WHEN HE DIDN'T RETURN THE OTHER GUY WENT OVER
TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. WHEN HE GOT THERE HE FOUND NINETEEN
MUTILATED BODIES. HIS FRIEND WAS JUST BARELY ALIVE AND THE LAST
THING HE SAID WAS THAT IT WAS YELLOW MIKE AND HE'S WOUNDED. ALL
NINETEEN WERE BURIED ON A HILL NEAR BY NOW CALLED GRAVES' HILL
AND THERE IS A BOULDER OVER EACH GRAVE. WELL THEY FIGURED YELLOW
MIKE WOULD DIE AS A WOUNDED SO THEY DIDN'T BOTHER TO TRACK HIM
DOWN. HASTING LATER ON STARTED GETTING REPORTS FROM JACKSON,
MICHIGAN AND EVEN FARTHER SOUTH OF ANIMALS BEING KILLED AND
FINDING YELLOW HAIR BY THEM. IT SEEMS EVEN UP TO THIS DAY THAT
YELLOW MIKE COMES NORTH FOR THE SUMMER AND GOES SOUTH DURING
MICHIGAN'S COLD SEASON. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS TRUE YOU
CAN GO TO HASTING'S CITY LIBRARY AND UNDER THE HISTORY OF THE
CITY OF HASTING YOU WILL FIND THIS TALE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): PLACE NAMES, MURDER ; VIOLENT DEATHS
James Callow Keyword(s): DEVIL'S SOUP BOWL, MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
OUR FAMILY DOCTOR HAS A LARGE BIRTH MARK ON THE SIDE OF HIS FACE.
IT WAS SAID THAT WHILE HIS MOTHER WAS PREGNANT WITH HIM THERE
WAS A FIRE AND HIS MOTHER RAISED HER HAND TO HER FACE. THIS
CAUSED THE BIRTH MARK ON HIS FACE IN THE SAME PLACE WHERE THE
MOTHER HAD TOUCHED HER FACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): MARKS BROUGHT ABOUT BY FEAR.
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTAGIOUS MAGIC ; HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
THE CATFISH FISHERMAN
THE INFORMANT TOLD THE STORY OF A MAN WHO HAD LOST A HAND AND HAD
A HOOK IN ITS PLACE. HE USED TO FISH ON THE MISSISSIPPI FOR
CATFISH AND WHEN HE'D CATCH ONE, HE'D GET IT ALONGSIDE THE BOAT,
GAFF IT WITH HIS HOOK AND HAUL IT IN. WELL, ONE DAY HE GOT ONE
THAT WAS JUST A LITTLE TOO BIG. HE HAD IT ALONGSIDE THE BOAT;
BUT WHEN HE GAFFED IT TO HAUL IT IN, IT PULLED HIM UNDER AND
DROWNED HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MUNISING
Keyword(s): ACCIDENT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 08-00-1966
THE HUNCHBACK
AN IRISH WOMAN WAS BAKING BREAD. HER HUSBAND CAME HOME ON NIGHT
AND STATED THAT SHE WOULDN'T FINISH HER TASK BY 12 MIDNIGHT. SHE
SAID, IF THE DEVIL COMES AND STANDS IN THIS DOOR, I'M GOING TO
FINISH THIS BREAD TONIGHT} WHILE SHE WAS BAKING, A LOG FROM THE
FIREPLACE FLEW OUT AND HIT HER ON HER BACK. THAT IS HOW THE
HUNCHED BACK CAME TO BE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD AT COLLECTORS HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed Food Drink -- Manner of preparation Process BELIEF -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 03-15-1970
NARRATIVE
A LADY WAS SUPPOSEDLY TO HAVE GIVEN BIRTH TO A FREAK CHILD THAT
RESEMBLED A TYPE OF FISH OR FROG. IT WAS BORN WITH SLIMY, SCALY
SKIN. THE DOCTOR WAS DECIDELY NOT GOING TO SHOW THE CHILD TO HER
FOR FEAR TI WOULD HARM HER. THE CHILD ONLY LIVED FOR A DAY.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
DESERTED CHILD
THERE WAS A PREGNANT WOMAN. WHEN THE BABY WAS BORN HER HUSBAND
DIED. SHE BLAMED THE BABY AND LOCKED HIM UP IN THE ATTIC. THE
CHILD WAS ALWAYS BY THE WINDOW AND USED TO WATCH THE FIRE-ENGINES
PASS BY. THE WOMAN NEVER OPENED THE DOOR TO THE ATTIC AND EVEN
FED HIM THROUGH THE DOOR. ONE DAY THE WOMAN HAD COMPANY AND
FORGOT TO LOCK THE DOOR. THE BOY WAS TWELVE YEARS OLD AT THIS
TIME AND HE ESCAPED FROM THE ATTIC AND HOPPED DOWN THE STREET
LIKE A KANGAROO AND SCREAMED WRRRRRRR... JUST LIKE A FIRE-ENGINE.
THIS IS TRUE.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM A GIRLFRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): STRANGE CHILDREN
James Callow Keyword(s): INTERNMENT CONFINEMENT ; ISOLATION ; SOLITUDE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
THE DOG
TWO WOMEN WERE COMING HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT, WHEN THEY HEARD ON
THE RADIO THAT A PSYCHOPATHIC MANIAC HAD ESCAPED FROM THE STATE
MENTAL HOSPITAL. ONE OF THE WOMEN, WHO LIVED WITH HER PARENTS,
ASKED THE OTHER, WHO LIVED ALONE WITH HER GERMAN SHEPARD DOG, IF
SHE WOULD LIKE TO STAY AT HER HOUSE FOR THE NIGHT. THE WOMAN
REFUSED SAYING THAT SHE WAS SAFE WITH HER DOG. WHEN SHE ARRIVED
HOME, SHE WAS GREETED BY HER DOG AND WENT TO BED. DURING THE
NIGHT SHE HEARD HER DOG YELP SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WHEN SHE PUT HER
HAND DOWN BY THE SIDE OF THE BED, WHICH IS WHERE HER DOG USUALLY
SLEPT, SHE FOUND THAT HER DOG WAS STILL THERE. SHE REASSURED HER-
SELF BY PETTING THE DOG SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN SHE WOKE UP THE
FOLLOWING MORNING, SHE NOTICED THAT HER DOG WAS MISSING. SHE
FINALLY WENT INTO THE BATHROOM TO WASH UP, AND THERE SHE DISCOVERED
HER DOG HANGING DEAD FROM THE SHOWER. THERE WAS A SCREAM. SHE HAD
REALIZED THAT SHE HAD BEEN PETTING THE MANIAC INSTEAD OF HER DOG ALL
NIGHT.
Submitter comment: . I HEARD THIS ON A HUNTING TRIP ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): VIOLENT DEATH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
PAJAMA PARTY STORY
ONCE THERE WERE TWO GIRLS WHO DECIDED TO SPEND A WEEKEND AT A
COTTAGE WHICH BELONGED TO THE PARENTS OF ONE OF THE GIRLS. THIS
COTTAGE WAS NEAR AN INSANE ASYLUM. THE FIRST NIGHT THEY WERE
THERE, ONE OF THE GIRLS WENT TO BED EARLY, BUT THE OTHER DECIDED
TO STAY UP AND SIT IN THE ROCKING CHAIR.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE FIRST GIRL WOKE UP AND THOUGHT SHE
HEARD COUNTING: FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO, FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE.
SHE WAS TOO SLEEPY TO THINK MUCH OF IT, SO SHE FELL BACK TO SLEEP
AGAIN SHE WOKE TO HEAR: EIGHT HUNDRED NINETY-SIX, EIGHT HUNDRED
NINETY-SEVEN. BUT AGAIN SHE FELL ASLEEP.
IN THE MORNING SHE WOKE UP AND THE COUNTING WAS STILL GOING ON.
SHE GOT OUT OF BED AND WENT IN THE OTHER ROOM TO FIND A MAN SITTING
IN THE ROCKING CHAIR, WITH THE OTHER GIRL'S HEAD IN HIS LAP. HE WAS
PULLING OUT HER HAIR AND COUNTING EACH STRAND. WHEN HE SAW THE FIRS
GIRL HE STARTED CHASING HER, CALLING HOW MANY HAIRS DO YOU HAVE ON
YOUR HEAD?
HOW MANY HAIRS DO YOU HAVE ON YOUR HEAD?
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): MURDER, FEAR
James Callow Keyword(s): DECAPITATION ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR