Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
THE STREET O'CONNER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN ST. CLAIR SHORES,
MICHIGAN, IS SAID TO BE HAUNTED BY THE GHOST OF AN 8-YEAR-OLD
GIRL WHO WAS DRAGGED TO HER DEATH ON THE BUMPER OF A CAR.
THE DRIVER OF THE CAR HEARD A KNOCKING ON THE BACK OF THE
VEHICLE BUT WAS UNAWARE AT THE TIME WHAT IT WAS. THE GIRL'S
MOTHER CURSED THE STREET SO THAT EVERY TIME A CAR WENT PAST
THE STREET, THE PASSENGERS WOULD HEAR THE KNOCKING.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 00-00-1964
SHOOTING A HAT
I WAS HUNTING IN THE LOWER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN WITH A GROUP OF
FOUR OTHER MEN. WE LINED UP FIFTY YARDS FROM EACH OTHER AND
WALKED DUE NORTH. WE SAW A RUSTLING IN THE LEAVES. I WENT UP
TO THE SPOT AND SHOT, AND THEN A HAT CAME FLYING OUT OF THE
LEAVES. I'D HIT ONE OF MY COMPANIONS WHO HAD STRAYED OFF. SO
NOW I REFUSE TO HUNT IN THE LOWER PENINSULA, BECAUSE THERE ARE
TOO MANY HUNTERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY CLASS
Keyword(s): CROWDED CONDITIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
NOT GIVEN
THERE WAS A SHRINE TO THE BLESSED MOTHER ON THIS MOUNTAIN IN
ITALY. IT WAS A VERY SACRED PLACE. THERE THE STATUE WAS ENCASED
IN GLASS. ONE DAY SOME BOYS WERE PLAYING "BOTCHES" (LIKE BOWLING)
AND ONE OF THE BALLS ROLLED NEAR THE GLASS CASE, THE NEXT ONE
ROLLED AND BROKE THE GLASS AT THE FEET OF THE STATUE. THE FEET
OF THE STATUE STARTED BLEEDING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS COLLECTOR'S MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
THE CARPENTER'S ROAD LEGEND
TWO COUPLES WENT TO THE PROM AND THEN OUT TO PARK ON CARPENTER'S
ROAD, WHICH IS A DESERTED ROAD IN THE WOODS OF BEAVERCREEK. WHILE
NECKING, THEY HEARD A KNOCKING AND SCRATCHING NOISE OUTSIDE. ONE
OF THE BOYS WENT OUT TO CHECK IT OUT. AND AFTER A LONG WORRISOME
WAIT DURING WHICH HE HADN'T RETURNED, THE SECOND BOY LEFT. AGAIN
AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, THEY STILL HADN'T RETURNED, SO ONE GIRL WENT
FOR HELP WHILE THE OTHER WAITED. THE LAST GIRL FINALLY LEFT AND
FOUND THE POLICE. AFTER A LONG SEARCH, THE THREE WERE FOUND. THE
TWO BOYS WERE ENTIRELY CHEWED UP, BLOODY AND JUST TOTALLY MUTILA-
TED. THE GIRL, WITH HER HAIR, ONCE BRUNETTE, NOW HAD STARK WHITE
HAIR STANDING ON END AND HAD DIED OF FRIGHT. NOW NOBODY KNOWS
IF THIS IS TRUE BUT NO ONE GOES THERE UNLESS HE'S LOOKING FOR A
SCARE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
HAUNTED CHAPEL
ON 21 MILE ROAD AND SUGARBUSH ROAD, THERE IS A SMALL CHAPEL. IT
WAS BUILT OVER THE SITE OF ANOTHER CHAPEL WHICH COLLAPSED YEARS
AGO. IT IS SAID THAT WHEN IT FELL, IT BURIED THE CARETAKER. HIS
DOG, A BIG GERMAN SHEPHERD, NEVER LEFT THE SPOT AND DIED ON THE
SPOT FROM STARVATION. PEOPLE TO THIS DAY CLAIM TO HEAR A DOG
BARKING IN THE AREA AT NIGHT OR EVEN AT TIMES, SEE A MAN AND DOG
WALKING TOGETHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Holy placeChurchTemple BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
THE OLD HOUSE LEGEND
ANOTHER LOCAL LEGEND WITH MUCH EVIDENCE TO PROVE ITS AUTHENTICITY
IS AN OLD HOME JUST EAST OF THE CAMPUS. THOUGH IT NO LONGER
STANDS, IT WAS SHROUDED IN MANY TREES, OFF THE ROAD--AND WAS AN
IMPORTANT STOP IN THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD DURING THE DAYS PRIOR
TO THE CIVIL WAR. HERE, NEGRO SLAVES WHO HAD FLED THE SOUTH WERE
RECEIVED AND FED, AND SENT ON THEIR WAY TO CASSOPOLIS, MICHIGAN.
THIS EXPLAINS THE LARGE NUMBER OF NEGRO FARMERS IN THAT AREA OF
MICHIGAN, NEGROES WHO HAVE OWNED LAND FOR MANY YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
GHOSTLY LIGHT
IN BOSTON, IT IS SAID THAT THERE ARE NIGHTS WHEN THE LIGHT CAN BE
SEEN FROM THE NORTH CHURCH--THE CHURCH FROM WHICH CAME THE SIGNAL
BY LIGHT THAT THE BRITISH WERE COMING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): PAUL REVERE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Sign Color |
TALE
WHEN PAT'S PARENTS FIRST LIVED IN THEIR NEW HOUSE, THEY COULD
HEAR MOANS AND CRIES IN THEIR BEDROOM. THEY LATER FOUND OUT
THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD DIED AND REMAINED THERE FOR SEVERAL
DAYS UNTIL FOUND. THE MOANS CONTINUED UNTIL THE NAME OF THE
PREVIOUS OWNER WAS REMOVED FROM THE MAILBOX.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
LEGEND
THERE WAS A LEGEND AT MY HIGH SCHOOL IN CLEVELAND, NOTRE DAME
ACADEMY, THAT A NUN WAS BURIED UNDER A LOOSE SLAB OF MARBLE IN
THE MAIN HALLWAY, AND NOISE DISTURBED HER. THEREFORE, WE WERE
TO REMAIN QUIET IN THE HALLS.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
THE MAIDEN TOWER
THE MAIDEN TOWER IS A PART OF THE WALL AROUND VISBY, GOTLAND, AND
IS ASSOCIATED WITH A PEASANT'S DAUGHTER WHO BETRAYED THE CITY FOR
THE LOVE OF THE DANISH KING, VALDEMAR. AS A PUNISHMENT, SHE IS
SAID TO HAVE BEEN IMMURED ALIVE IN THE TOWER.
Where learned: SWEDEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
LONG LOST FRIENDSHIP
INFORMANT FLEW TO AUSTRALIA DURING COMBAT DUTY. FOR TWO WEEKS
THEY WERE ALLOWED TO GO SOMEPLACE IN THE EAST. THIS WAS DURING
BOB HOPE'S CHRISTMAS SHOW IN VIETNAM. DURING "SILENT NIGHT" IT
STARTED RAINING REALLY HARD SO INFORMANT PUT HIS COAT ON A GUY
WHO WAS WOUNDED IN BOTH LEGS. AND FINALLY, AT THE END, INFORMANT
REALIZED THIS WOUNDED SAILOR HAD BEEN A REALLY GOOD BUDDY OF HIS
IN HIGH SCHOOL. INFORMANT HADN'T SEEN HIM FOR A LONG TIME AND
HAD NO IDEA HE WAS EVEN IN THE SERVICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
FOLK TALE
THIS IS SAID TO HAVE HAPPENED IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN SOME 25 YEARS
AGO. LATE ONE NIGHT FOUR YOUNG MEN WHO WERE DRIVING ALONG IN A
CAR STOPPED BY A BRIDGE AS A MYSTERIOUS LIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE
CAUGHT THEIR ATTENTION. THREE OF THEM WALKED TO THE OTHER SIDE
WHILE THE OTHER WAITED. SINCE THEY WERE GONE FOR A LONG TIME AND
THE LIGHT HAD DISAPPEARED, THE FOURTH MAN WENT LOOKING FOR THEM
AND FOUND ALL THREE DEAD AND THEIR BODIES BADLY MUTILATED. HE
WENT TO GET HELP AND WHEN THEY RETURNED TO THE BRIDGE, THE LIGHT
WAS AGAIN THERE. AS THEY STARTED ACROSS, THE LIGHT STARTED COMING
RAPIDLY TOWARD THEM. A SHORT WHILE LATER A PASSERBY CAME UPON A
NUMBER OF MUTILATED BODIES ON THE BRIDGE. ALL THE MEN WERE DEAD
EXCEPT ONE, WHO TOLD HIM ABOUT THE LIGHT BUT DIED BEFORE HE COULD
EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. TO THIS DAY, THE LIGHT WAS NEVER
SEEN AGAIN AND NO ONE HAS SOLVED THE MYSTERY OF THESE MURDERS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 11-05-1969
MACEDONIA
ALL OVER THE GREEK COUNTRYSIDE, THERE ARE MANY GRAVES. THIS IS
BECAUSE OF THE MANY WARS THAT HAVE BEEN FOUGHT HERE, AND FROM
THESE GRAVES COME THE GHOST STORIES THAT THE PEOPLE BELIEVE.
Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- War ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
OAK ISLAND, NOVA SCOTIA
ON THIS ISLAND, THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE IMMENSE TREASURE. MANY
PROSPECTORS HAVE TRIED TO FIND IT BY BUILDING MINING SHAFTS. AT
ONE TIME, THE PROSPECTORS HIT A SLAB OF WOOD AND FOUND SOME GOLD.
BUT SINCE THEN, THE PROSPECTORS HAVE HAD BAD LUCK, THEIR SHAFTS
HAVE MYSTERIOUSLY FLOODED AND NO GOLD HAS TURNED UP. IN ADDITION,
THERE HAVE BEEN INCIDENTS OF CRIME ON THE ISLAND, (AND) A FEW
PROSPECTORS HAVE EVEN BEEN KILLED.
Submitter comment: I READ THIS IN "TRUE" MAGAZINE A FEW YEARS BACK.
Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone Gold Silver Copper BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-13-1967
THE FLAG OF MACEDONIA
THE FLAG OF MACEDONIA IS BLACK AND RED BECAUSE THE COUNTRY'S
HISTORY HAS BEEN SHROUDED IN THE BLOOD AND DESPAIR OF THE PEOPLE.
THIS HAS BEEN LEGEND SINCE ALEXANDER THE GREAT CURSED MACEDON.
Submitter comment: JIM LEARNED THIS FROM HIS GRANDPARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Curse BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 10-15-1967
JOCKEY HOLLOW, NEW JERSEY
AT THIS PLACE, THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMY UNDER WASHINGTON SPENT A
BITTER WINTER HERE. THE WINTER WAS SUPPOSED TO BE WORSE THAN THE
ONE AT VALLEY FORGE. THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A LEGEND THAT THE
HOLLOW IS HAUNTED BECAUSE ALL OF THE MEN IN THE HOSPITAL DIED AND
THEIR SPIRITS GUARD THE HOLLOW. ALSO, EVERY FEBRUARY 5, SOMEONE
IS SUPPOSED TO BE KILLED THERE.
Submitter comment: LEROY LEARNED THIS WHILE VACATIONING NEAR THE HOLLOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 5 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
STRASBOURG, THE HAUNTED STREET
IN THE EARLY 1950'S A STORY CIRCULATED IN DETROIT ABOUT A HAUNTED
STREET CALLED STRASBOURG. WHENEVER ANYONE WOULD DRIVE THEIR CAR
ON THIS PARTICULAR STREET, A CONSTANT KNOCKING NOISE COULD BE
HEARD. IT SEEMED TO COME FROM EVERYWHERE. SOMETIMES IT SOUNDED
LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE DOOR; THEN IT WOULD COME FROM THE
ROOF.
THE KNOCKING NOISE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE GHOST
OF A YOUNG GIRL WHO HAD BEEN KILLED BY A HIT AND RUN DRIVER.
SHE WAS PERHAPS TEN OR ELEVEN YEARS OLD. AS SHE TRIED TO CROSS
THE STREET, HER COAT WAS CAUGHT BY THE DOOR HANDLE OF A PASSING
CAR. AS THE CAR DRAGGED HER ALONG THE STREET, THE GIRL STARTED
TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR, TRYING TO GET THE DRIVER'S ATTENTION, BUT
SHE FINALLY FELL AND WAS CRUSHED UNDER THE CAR WHEEL. THE CAR
SPED AWAY.
THE GIRL'S FATHER, WHO WAS A GYPSY, PLACED A CURSE ON THE STREET.
HE SAID THAT UNTIL THE DAY THE HIT AND RUN DRIVER WHO KILLED HIS
DAUGHTER WAS CAUGHT, THE SPIRIT OF HIS DAUGHTER WOULD KNOCK ON
EVERY CAR THAT DROVE DOWN STRASBOURG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Date learned: 11-19-1968
LEGEND
THERE IS A HOUSE IN DETROIT THAT IS SUPPOSEDLY THE HAUNTED HOUSE
TO END ALL HAUNTED HOUSES. IT WAS BUILT BY A RATHER WELL-TO-DO
MAN WHO HAD A WIFE AND DAUGHTER. IT'S LOCATED ON HUBBELL JUST
PAST PURITAN. NEXT TO THE HOUSE HE BUILT A CHAPEL. IT'S ONE OF
THOSE SMALL STONE FAMILY AFFAIRS. BEFORE THE CHAPEL WAS COMPLETED
HIS WIFE DIED. HE HAD HER BURIED UNDER THE ALTAR. SHORTLY AFTER
THIS SAD EVENT, THE ARMS OF THE MADONNA ON THE SIDE ALTAR, WHICH
HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN RAISED, WERE NOW DOWN TOWARD THE GROUND. NO
CRACKS IN THE MARBLE COULD BE FOUND, NO CONCRETE REASON FOR THE
PHENOMENON. (PARDON THE PUN.) AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE AND
THE EPISODE OF THE MADONNA, HIS DAUGHTER WAS KILLED IN SOME TRAGIC
MANNER. HER BODY WAS INTERRED BENEATH THE ORGAN. SINCE THEN THE
MAN HAS MOVED TO FLORIDA, BUT NEIGHBORS HAVE REPORTED STRANGE
HAPPENINGS IN THE VICINITY OF THE CHAPEL AND HOUSE. ONE WOMAN
ACROSS THE STREET HAS REPORTED SEEING A WHITE FIGURE ROAMING ABOUT
IN THE TREES BESIDE THE CHAPEL.
THE CHAPEL IS A FAVORITE SPOT FOR NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN TO EX-
PLORE, USUALLY IN LARGE GROUPS IN BROAD DAYLIGHT AND NEVER ON
HALLOWEEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
FARM HOUSE LEGEND
ONE NIGHT WHEN WE WERE UP NORTH WE DECIDED TO GO DRINKING, SO WE
STOPPED AT THIS OPEN CLEARING IN THE WOODS. THERE WAS A FARM
HOUSE ACROSS THE FIELD; WE COULD SEE THE LIGHT. IT WAS A LARGE
FLOOD LIGHT. WELL, AFTER A WHILE WE LOOKED AND THAT LIGHT HAD
MOVED. AT LEAST, WE THOUGHT IT DID. BUT IT COULDN'T HAVE, SO
WE DIDN'T MAKE ANYTHING OF IT. BUT LATER ON, THAT LIGHT HAD
MOVED AGAIN. WE SAT THERE AND WATCHED IT CIRCLE US UNTIL IT
WENT BACK TO WHERE IT STARTED FROM AND STOPPED. WE FIGURED WE'D
HAD ENOUGH TO DRINK AND GOT THE HELL OUT OF THERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
FOLLOW THAT DREAM
THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL CHURCH IN HAWAII WHOSE WALLS ARE COVERED WITH
PAINTINGS IN BEAUTIFUL WATER COLOR. THERE IS A LEGEND WHICH SAYS
THAT A YOUNG PRIEST WAS SENT TO THE ISLAND MANY YEARS AGO TO BUILD
THE CHURCH. ONCE BUILT, HOWEVER, HE COULDN'T GET THE NATIVES TO
ATTEND. HE HAD A DREAM IN WHICH HE SAW HIMSELF PAINTING. HE TOOK
IT AS A SIGN FROM GOD, AND NEXT DAY HE BEGAN PAINTING PICTURES
NEAR HIS CHURCH. THE NATIVES, CURIOUS, WOULD COME EACH DAY AND
WATCH HIM, EVENTUALLY ACCEPTING HIM AS THEIR FRIEND. THE
PAINTINGS STILL HANG IN THE CHURCH.
Submitter comment: HEARD AT SCHOOL SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Art Craft |
Date learned: 08-08-1964