Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B478 returned 313 results.
DEAD MAN'S HILL
THERE IS A HILL FIVE MILES OUTSIDE OF ELMIRA, MICHIGAN WHICH IS
REFERRED TO BY LOCAL INHABITANTS AS "DEAD MAN'S HILL" BECAUSE
SOME TIME DURING THE LOGGING DAYS OF THE TURN OF THE CENTURY
THERE WAS A TRAGIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING SEVERAL DEATHS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THE TALE OF THE HILL IN 1960 WHEN HE AND HIS
HIS FAMILY MOVED TO GAYLORD, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Gaylord
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
THE LEGEND OF PRIEST'S LEAP
AN IRISH PRIEST WAS SAYING MASS IN THE HOMES OF THE PEOPLE LIVING
ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN IN COUNTY KERRY. THE BRITISH FOUND OUT ABOUT
THIS AND CAME AFTER THE PRIEST. THEY CHASED THE PRIEST FOR A
WHILE AND HAD HIM CORNERED, ABOUT TO BE CAPTURED. THE PRIEST,
BEING ON TOP OF THIS MOUNTAIN, HAD NO WHERE TO GO. SO HE GAVE
HIS HORSE A SWIFT KICK AND HE LEAPED FROM THE MOUNTAIN, OVER
BANTRY BAY, AND LANDED TWENTY MILES AWAY IN COUNTY CORK. IF YOU
GO DOWN THE ROAD, 1/4 OF A MILE OUT OF THE CITY OF BANTRY, YOU
WILL STILL SEE A ROCK ALONG THE SIDE WITH THE HOOF PRINTS OF THE
HORSE AND THE SIGN OF THE WHIP THAT ARE STILL THERE TODAY.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAW THE HOOF PRINTS AND THE SIGN OF THE WHIP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Curse |
THE LEGEND OF KILMACMOGUE
IN THE 11TH CENTURY THERE WAS A VERY PROSPEROUS AND BEAUTIFUL
CHURCH IN COUNTY CORK. BUT DURING THE REVOLUTION, WHEN THE
IRISH CATHOLICS WERE BEING PERSECUTED, THE CHURCH WAS DESTROYED.
AFTER THE END OF THE REVOLUTION, THERE WAS A MAN WHO HAD A WIFE
AND FOUR SONS, BUT COULD NOT AFFORD TO RAISE THE CHILDREN. SO
HE TOOK THEM TO THE RIVER BANKS AND PREPARED TO DROWND THEM IN
THE OVANE RIVER. A PRIEST SAW WHAT THE MAN WAS PLANNING TO DO
AND HE TOOK THE BOYS AND RAISED THEM. WHEN THE BOYS GREW UP
THEY ALL BECAME PRIESTS AND THEY REBUILT THE 11TH CENTURY CHURCH.
THUS THE CHURCH IS NAMED KILMACMOQUE, MEANING CHURCH OF THE
YOUNG SON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
MILWAUKEE'S ORIGIN
THERE WAS A MILL AND IN THE MILL THERE WAS A WALK AND ON THE WALK
THERE WAS A KEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
BEAR-MAN LEGEND
THIS STORY CONCERNS THE NAMING OF A NEARBY CHEBOYGAN LAKE WHICH
IS NOW KNOWN AS DEVEREAUX LAKE. THE NAME IS A FAMILY NAME
BELONGING TO MANY NATIVES OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN, ESPECIALLY IN THE
CHEBOYGAN VICINITY. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT CERTAIN WHICH FAMILY IS
THE GENUINE DESCENDANT OF "OLD MAN DEVEREAUX," NUMEROUS PERSONS
CLAIM HIM AS THEIR ANCESTOR.
THIS SOUGHT AFTER PERSONAGE LIVED APPROXIMATELY SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS
AGO. TOWARDS THE END OF AN APPARENTLY LONG LIFE, HE LIVED ALONE
AND HAD THE FUNNY HABIT OF CARRYING AROUND WITH HIM AN UNLOADED
MUSKET. ONE DAY WHILE HE WAS PICKING BERRIES NEAR A LAKE, HE WAS
CONFRONTED BY A LARGE BEAR. IT IS NOT QUITE CLEAR WHAT ENSUED
(VERSIONS VARY), BUT THERE DID TAKE PLACE A TREMENDOUS HAND-TO-
HAND STRUGGLE, LASTING FOR A LONG TIME (ALSO VARIES). EVENTUALLY,
BOTH WORN OUT AND DEATHLY EXHAUSTED, THE OLD MAN LAY DOWN NEAR
THE WATER WHILE THE BEAR RETREATED TO A NEARBY KNOLL. THERE, IN
THEIR RESPECTIVE PLACES, THEY WENT TO MEET THEIR MAKER. AND SO
THEY NAMED THE BODY OF WATER AFTER THE OLD GENTLEMAN, DEVEREAUX
LAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
AGAIN?
THE STORY SURROUNDING THE NAME OF CHEBOYGAN, MICHIGAN, IS USUALLY
CONNECTED WITH AN INDIAN FAMILY RESIDING IN THE AREA. THE FATHER
IS GENERALLY AN IMPORTANT CHIEF BUT SOMETIMES IS REPORTED AS A
COMMON HUNTER. HIS WIFE HAD SEVERAL CHILDREN, ALL OF WHOM WERE
BOYS. ALTHOUGH HE WAS VERY PLEASED, HE WISHED THEIR NEXT CHILD
TO BE A GIRL. HOWEVER, THE NEWBORN WAS AGAIN A BOY. WHEN TOLD OF
THE BIRTH, THE FATHER REPORTEDLY REPLIED, "SHE A BOY AGAIN?"
THIS ANSWER WAS CONSEQUENTLY ELIDED INTO THE NAME, "CHEBOYGAN."
Submitter comment:
THE STORY HAS BEEN TOLD TO ME FROM MANY NATIVES OF THIS NORTHERN
MICHIGAN TOWN, AS WELL AS TOURISTS WHO HAVE VISITED THE SURROUND-
ING AREA, SO FOR THIS REASON, NO LONE INFORMANT HAS BEEN SINGLED
OUT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DEVIL'S KITCHEN
ON MACKINAC ISLAND IN MICHIGAN, THERE IS A CAVE-LIKE HOLE IN THE
SIDE OF A HUGE BOULDER. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE DEVIL AND WITCHES
USED THIS CAVE TO CONJOUR UP THEIR EVIL SPELLS. THE CAVE IS THUS
CALLED "DEVIL'S KITCHEN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
INDIAN LEGEND
LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE COMMANDER OF FORT MACKINAC IN THE LATE
18TH CENTURY FELL IN LOVE WITH AN INDIAN GIRL, AND SHE WITH HIM.
HE WAS THROWN TO HIS DEATH FROM A BLUFF, NOW NAMED ROBINSON'S
FOLLY, BY A JEALOUS INDIAN BRAVE.
Submitter comment:
HE DID DIE THIS WAY, BUT SOME SAY THAT INTOXICATION, NOT INFATUA-
TION, WAS THE REAL CAUSE OF HIS DOWNFALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
INDIAN LEGEND
ACCORDING TO INDIAN MYTHS, SUGAR LOAF ROCK ON MACKINAC ISLAND IS
SO NAMED BECAUSE IT WAS ONCE AN IMMENSE BEE HIVE, EVERY CRACK OF
WHICH WAS FULL OF HONEY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 01-30-1968
LEGEND
THERE IS A LEGEND AT KISSING ROCK ON THE GROUNDS OF WEST POINT
THAT IF A FELLOW TAKES HIS HAT OFF AND THE GIRL HE IS WITH REFUSES
TO KISS HIM, THE ROCK WILL FALL AND KILL HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 12-05-1967
THE DEVIL'S PUNCH BOWL
NEAR THE LAKES OF KILLARNEY, THERE IS A PLACE CALLED "THE DEVIL'S
PUNCH BOWL." WHEN CROMWELL'S SOLDIERS RAIDED THE HOLY MONASTERY
OF MUCKROSS ABBEY, THE DEVIL WAS SO DELIGHTED THAT HE JUMPED UP
FROM HELL, TOOK A BIG BITE OUT OF THE GROUND, AND JUMPED BACK TO
HELL AGAIN. IF YOU VISIT KILLARNEY, YOU CAN SEE THE PLACE ON THE
GROUND--THE DEVIL'S THREE FRONT TEETH DUG INTO THE GROUND, LEAVING
THEIR MARK THERE FOREVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
COLLEEN BAWN ROCK
THERE IS A SPELL OVER ONE OF THE LAKES OF KILLARNEY. COLLEEN
BAWN (FAIR-HAIRED GIRL) WAS COUNT O'DONOGHUE'S DAUGHTER.
O'DONOGHUE WAS A FIERCE WARRIOR WHO JEALOUSLY DEFENDED KILLARNEY
FROM NEIGHBORING WARRIORS IN CORK. COLLEEN BAWN FELL IN LOVE
WITH A WARRIOR FROM CORK, AND SHE WANTED TO MARRY HIM. O'DONOGHUE
WAS SO FURIOUS THAT HE HAD HIS SOLDIERS TAKE HER OUT ON THE LAKE
TO BE THROWN ON A ROCK SO THAT SHE WOULD DIE OF HUNGER. SHE WAS
HEARD WAILING FOR MILES AROUND. THE PEOPLE COULD SEE HER FROM
THE SHORE, BECAUSE SHE WAS DRESSED IN A LONG WHITE DRESS.
FINALLY, COLLEEN DIED ON THE ROCK, WHICH IS NOW CALLED COLLEEN
BAWN ROCK. TO THIS DAY, IT IS DANGEROUS TO ROW YOUR BOAT AROUND
THE ROCK, BECAUSE COLLEEN'S SPIRIT IS UNDER THE LAKE. THE
CURRENTS ON THE LAKE ARE FROM HER SIGHING. WHEN SHE GETS ANGRY,
IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE OUT ON THE LAKE, YOU CAN GET DROWNED--THIS
HAPPENED TO THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN HER SPELL. ALSO, ON
RAINY NIGHTS WHEN THE FOG HOVERS OVER THE LAKE, COLLEEN BAWN
HAS BEEN SEEN WALKING ON THE WATER, TRYING TO REACH THE SHORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1970
HOW SOONERS GOT THEIR NAME
THE NAME SOONERS WAS GIVEN TO OKAHOMANS WHEN THE CIMMARON STRIP
WAS OPENED. IT WAS THE LAST AREA OF FREE LAND GIVEN BY THE
GOVERNMENT, SO MANY PEOPLE JOINED THE RUSH FOR LAND. THE FIRST
ONES THERE GOT THE LAND BECAUSE THEY GOT THERE SOONER AND HAVE
BEEN CALLED SOONERS EVER SINCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
HOW MUSKEGON GOT ITS NAME
WHITE MEN COMING TO THE LAKE MICHIGAN AREA BROUGHT GUNS TO TRADE
WITH THE INDIANS. ONE INDIAN WHO WAS VERY PROUD OF HIS NEW GUN
WAS OUT IN HIS CANOE WHEN A STRONG CURRENT OVERTURNED THE BOAT.
WHEN THE INDIAN REACHED SHORE HE POINTED TO THE WATER AND SAID
SADLY, "MUSKIE GONE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Water craft or boat propelled by human, wind, mechanical or other force |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
HOW CHEYBOYGAN GOT ITS NAME
MANY YEARS AGO IN THE CHEYBOYGAN, MICHIGAN, AREA THERE WAS AN
INDIAN WHO HAD TEN SONS. HE AND HIS WIFE WERE HOPING FOR A GIRL.
WHEN THE ELEVENTH CHILD WAS BORN THE INDIAN WENT INTO HIS TENT
AND ASKED IF THEY HAD FINALLY HAD A GIRL. "NO," SAID THE WIFE,
"SHE BOY AGAIN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 06-00-1965
LEGEND
AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY THERE IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION IN
HONOR OF THE ORANGE HORSE. EVERY YEAR DURING FALL TERM, STUDENTS
HAVE A SLEEP-IN AT BESSY HALL IN HONOR OF THEIR COMPATRIOTS WHO
STAGED A SLEEP-IN IN PROTEST OF THE ENGLISH DEPARTMENT FIRING
THREE OUTSPOKEN TEACHERS. THIS PROTEST WAS NICK-NAMED THE ORANGE
HORSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
PIANO MOUNTAIN, SHRUB OAK, NEW YORK
THE STORY BEHIND THE NAMING OF PIANO MOUNTAIN GOES SOMETHING LIKE
THIS: ONCE THERE WAS A MAN WHO OWNED A MOUNTAIN AND BESIDES
OWNING THIS MOUNTAIN, HE ALSO HAD A DAUGHTER WHO WANTED TO OWN
A PIANO. SINCE THE MAN HAD NO PIANO, HE HAD TO FIND SOMEONE WHO
DID. THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAD A PIANO WAS A FARMER. SO FOR THE
PIANO, THE MAN TRADED THE MOUNTAIN, AND SO TODAY IT IS KNOWN AS
PIANO MOUNTAIN.
Submitter comment: PATRICK LEARNED THIS WHILE LIVING AT SHRUB OAK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-12-1967
YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN
YPSILANTI IS SUPPOSED TO BE NAMED AFTER A GENERAL WHO FOUGHT IN
THE WAR BETWEEN THE GREEKS AND TURKS.
Submitter comment: MIKE LEARNED THIS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
NEW HAMPSHIRE'S WHITE MOUNTAINS
NEW HAMPSHIRE'S WHITE MOUNTAINS GOT THE NAME OF WHITE MOUNTAINS
BECAUSE OF THE CRYSTALS FOUND NEAR THE MOUNTAINS AND THE
BRILLIANCE OF THE CRYSTALS GAVE THE IMPRESSION OF WHITENESS.
Submitter comment:
I PICKED THIS UP IN A BARBER SHOP NEAR THE WHITE MOUNTAINS ONE
SUMMER.
Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
NEW PROVIDENCE, NEW JERSEY
NEW PROVIDENCE WAS ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS TURKEY TOWN IN THE 17TH
CENTURY. IN THE 18TH CENTURY, A BALCONY IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
FELL DOWN DURING A SUNDAY SERVICE, BUT NO ONE WAS HURT. SINCE THE
PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH FELT THAT THIS WAS AN ACT OF PROVIDENCE,
THEY NAMED THE TOWN, NEW PROVIDENCE.
Submitter comment:
LEE LEARNED THIS WHILE LIVING IN NEW PROVIDENCE DURING HIS JUNIOR
HIGH YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 09-25-1967