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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for M247.6 returned 95 results.
SLEEPY HOLLOW STORY
ONE NIGHT A YOUNG COUPLE WENT TO SLEEPY HOLLOW TO MAKE OUT. WHEN
THEY WERE READY TO LEAVE, THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE BOY WENT TO
GET HELP AND THE GIRL LOCKED ALL THE DOORS, CURLED UP, AND FELL
FAST ASLEEP. SOMETIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT SHE WOKE UP TO
A SCRATCHING SOUND ON THE ROOF, LIKE A TREE BRANCH BRUSHING ACROSS
THE ROOF IN THE WIND. THE NEXT MORNING THE COPS CAME AND WOKE HER
UP. WHEN SHE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, SHE SAW HER BOYFRIEND HANGING
ABOVE THE CAR, SHOES GONE AND HIS TOENAILS SCRAPING THE ROOF.
VARIATION: THE SOUND WAS A THUMPING AND THE BOY'S HEELS WERE
BUMPING ON THE ROOF.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Date learned: 10-00-1968
KNOCK KNOCK STREET
LOCATED ON ROBERT JOHN STREET IN GROSSE POINTE. WHEN A CAR IS
DRIVEN OVER IT, A KNOCKING SOUND IS MADE. THE STORY BEHIND IT
IS THAT A BOY WAS TAKING HIS GIRLFRIEND ON ROBERT JOHN AND WHEN
HE DROPPED HER OFF, HER COAT GOT CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND HE DROVE
OFF WITH HER HANGING FROM THE DOOR. SHE KNOCKED ON HIS DOOR TO
TELL HIM SHE WAS THERE, BUT WHEN HE FINALLY STOPPED, SHE WAS
DEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
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
CAR FOR SALE
IT WAS A CADILLAC IN THE UPPER PENINSULA SIX OR SEVEN YEARS AGO.
SOMEONE HAD GONE HUNTING AND GOT LOST IN THE WOODS LOOKING FOR
FRIENDS. HE WAS 50-ISH. IT WAS A NEW CAR--A '53 OR '54 CADILLAC.
HE WANDERED AND GOT COLD AND FELL ASLEEP AND WAS ASFIXIATED AND
WAS IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS TO A YEAR. IT WAS A BRAND NEW
CAR AT THE TIME. IT HAPPENED DURING DEER SEASON--ABOUT NOVEMBER--
AND THE CAR WAS FOUND IN APRIL OR MAY.
THEY TOOK OUT THE UPHOLSTERY AND TOOK A TORCH TO THE METAL TO KILL
THE SMELL. THE CAR WAS OFFERED FOR $500. SOMEONE ASKED ME IF I
WOULD BUY IT BUT I NEVER HEARD ANY MORE FROM HIM. THEY COULDN'T
ERADICATE THE SMELL FROM THE METAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
CAR FOR SALE
A THUNDERBIRD WAS ON SALE FOR $500--IT WAS AFTER THE FOUR-PASSEN-
GERS CAME OUT, SO AFTER 1958. A WOMAN HAD GONE TO CALIFORNIA AND
HER HUSBAND CAME HOME AFTER DRIVING HER TO THE AIRPORT. HE
ENTERED THE GARAGE WHICH OPENED WITH REMOTE CONTROL. HE DIED OF
A HEART ATTACK AND WAS LEFT IN THERE FOR EITHER THREE DAYS OR
WEEKS--I CAN'T REMEMBER. WHEN HIS WIFE CAME BACK SHE WAS IN THE
HOSPITAL BEING TREATED FOR SHOCK, I GUESS. ONE OF HER NURSES (WHO
IS THE DAUGHTER OF ONE OF MY DAD'S EMPLOYEES) WAS TOLD ABOUT THE
CAR. YOU REALLY COULDN'T SMELL IT UNLESS YOU WERE TOLD ABOUT IT;
BUT THEY STILL HAD TROUBLE SELLING IT. THE NURSE COULDN'T BUY IT
BECAUSE SHE WAS BLIND AND HAS SUGAR DIABETES. THIS HAPPENED TWO
OR THREE YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
CAR FOR SALE
A PERSON BOUGHT THAT CAR AND EVERY TIME HE CLOSED THE WINDOWS THE
STENCH INSIDE THE CAR WOULD BE SO STRONG YOU COULDN'T GET IN THE
CAR--LIKE ON A WARM DAY. THIS STILL HAPPENED YEARS AFTERWARDS.
Submitter comment:
I, THE COLLECTOR, TOLD THEM ABOUT THE CAR WHICH THE OWNER COULD NOT
SELL BECAUSE A PERSON WHO HAD DIED IN IT WAS LEFT IN IT FOR SOME
TIME AND THE ODOR REMAINED. IT PROMPTED THE FOLLOWING:
HEARD THIS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
THE HAUNTED STREET
IN DETROIT--STRASBURG. SHE HEARD THE STORY OF A LITTLE GIRL BEING
HIT BY A CAR AND KILLED WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
KNOCK-KNOCK ROAD
THERE'S A CERTAIN ROAD AT BELLE ISLE CALLED KNOCK-KNOCK ROAD.
IT'S BEEN SAID THAT AN OLD WOMAN IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE LOST HER
DAUGHTER THERE. LATE AT NIGHT YOU CAN HEAR HER LOOKING FOR HER
DAUGHTER. AS CARS GO BY OVER A CERTAIN ROAD, YOU CAN HEAR HER
KNOCK ON THE WINDOW AS SHE LOOKS FOR HER DAUGHTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
THE LEGEND OF STRASBURG STREET OR "KNOCK-KNOCK" STREET
SOMEONE ONCE TOLD ME A STORY ABOUT AN INCIDENT WHICH SUPPOSEDLY
OCCURRED ON STRASBURG STREET IN DETROIT. THERE WAS A TERRIBLE
ACCIDENT ON THIS STREET ONE NIGHT IN WHICH A LITTLE THREE-YEAR-
OLD GIRL WAS KILLED AND HER BODY BADLY DISMEMBERED. THE POLICE
SEARCHED THE AREA FOR HER REMAINS BUT FAILED TO LOCATE ONE OF
HER ARMS. NOW THE STORY HAS IT THAT WHEN YOU DRIVE DOWN STRASBURG
STREET AT NIGHT, IF YOU ARE VERY QUIET, YOU CAN HEAR A KNOCKING ON
THE SIDE OF YOUR CAR. FOR THIS REASON STRASBURG STREET IS KNOWN
AS KNOCK-KNOCK STREET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE
Date learned: 03-31-1970
VAN DECORATING IN DETROIT
SINCE 1970 IT HAS BECOME A WIDESPREAD FAD IN THE DETROIT
AND SURROUNDING METROPOLITAN AREAS TO DECORATE VANS TO SUIT
THE PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER OF THE OWNER.
THIS HAS TAKEN ON A NEW ASPECT IN AUTOMOBILE CIRCLES AND HAS
BECOME A MONEY-MAKING VENTURE FOR MANY. THE VANS ARE
PAINTED WITH CUSTOM DESIGNS THAT COST $300.00 OR
MORE, THE INTERIORS ARE CARPETED AND FREQUENTLY CONTAIN A BED, SMALL
REFRIGERATOR
AND NUMEROUS OTHER COMFORTS OF HOME. THEY INVARIABLY ALSO
HAVE A SOPHISTICATED STEREO SYSTEM, AND HIGHLY POLISHED CHROME
WHEELS, IT HAS BECOME THE STATUS SYMBOL TO DRIVE ONE OF THESE
VANS INSTEAD OF THE LUXURY CARS CURRENTLY PRODUCED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE VAN
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 11-11-1974
IF ONE NOTICES A RAMBLER TRAVELLING AHEAD OF YOU IN TRAFFIC, THE
BEST COURSE OF ACTION IS TO FIND ANOTHER ROUTE QUICKLY,
FOR RAMBLERS
(ABOUT 99 %) ARE KNOWN TO TRAVEL ON THE AVERAGE ABOUT 15 MPH UNDER
THE SPEED LIMIT AND TEND TO CONFUSE TRAFFIC TO AN ABSURD DEGREE.
IT IS THOUGHT THAT ALMOST 85% OF RAMBLERS, ANCIENT THOUGH THEY BE,
ARE STILL TRYING TO MAKE IT HOME FROM THE SHOWROOM.
Submitter comment: THIS BELIEF WAS DERIVED THROUGH YEARS OF OBSERVATION.
James Callow comment:
RAMBLER=SMALL AMERICAN MOTORS CAR
CK[ AUTOMOBILE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
Date learned: 09-22-1972
BECAUSE OF THE HIGH WORK ABSENTEEISM ON FRIDAYS AND MONDAYS
(DAYS SURROUNDING WEEKENDS, AND OR HOLIDAYS AND THEREFORE
MANY TEMPORARY SUBSTITUTE WORKERS) AUTOMOBILES MADE
ON THESE DAYS ARE SUBJECT TO CONSIDERABLY MORE DEFECT
POSSIBILITIES.
Submitter comment: SOME PEOPLE ARE SO SUPERSTITIOUS ABOUT THIS THAT THEY REFUSE
James Callow comment: INCOMPLETE ITEM
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Work Commerce Business BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 12-00-1971
IF YOU DO NOT LET YOUR CAR WARM UP BEFORE DRIVING, YOU ARE GOING TO
GET STUCK.
Submitter comment:
GET STUCK MEANS YOUR CAR WILL EITHER BREAK DOWN OR YOU WILL BE
STRANDED IN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
Date learned: 02-00-1979
VEHICLE SOUNDS REPRESENTED IN THAI LANGUAGE (AMBULANCE)
"IN THAILAND THERE IS A JOKE ABOUT THE SOUND THE SIREN ON AN
AMBULANCE MAKES. THE THAIS JOKE ABOUT 'DAI-NEH, DAI-NEH!'
WHICH SOUNDS LIKE TTHE SIREN AND MEANS 'SURELY DEAD' OR THE
SOUND 'DAI-LAO, DAI-LAO!' WHICH MEANS 'DEAD ALREADY.'"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
RACING DRIVERS WON'T HAVE A GREEN CAR. GREEN IS AN
UNLUCKY COLOR. A GREEN RACING CAR IS CALLED THE
"DEATH CAR."
Where learned: SCHOOL
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck Objects |
Date learned: 03-05-1968
IF A TRAIN GOES OVER YOU WHILE YOU'RE IN AN UNDERPASS, BAD
LUCK WILL COME.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
Date learned: 05-13-1969
IT IS BAD LUCK TO PAINT A RACE CAR GREEN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-20-1973
TALE
A MAN HAD JUST PURCHASED A NEW CAR. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR TWO
WEEKS, HE DISCOVERED AN AWFUL RATTLE IN THE DOOR. TAKING IT TO
A GARAGE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, HE DISCOVERED AN EMPTY
COKE BOTTLE WAS LODGED IN THE DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): COKE=COCA COLA: BRAND NAME FOR SOFT DRINK.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
THE ELMORE GHOST
NOT TOO LONG AGO IN ELMORE, OHIO, A GROUP OF DRUNK TEENAGERS
RAN INTO AND KILLED A POLICEMAN ON A MOTORCYCLE. THIS WAS
WITNESSED BY A PERSON LIVING IN A HOUSE NOT FAR AWAY. THE
PERSON DIED OF SHOCK. IF YOU GO THERE YOU CAN SEE CAR LIGHTS
COMING AT YOU, FEEL THE BUMP-BUMP OF A MOTORCYCLE ON YOUR CAR
HOOD AND SEE A LIGHT MOVE FROM WINDOW TO WINDOW OF THE NOW-
DESERTED HOUSE.
Date learned: 00-00-1968
NOT GIVEN
MY BROTHER ONCE TOLD ME THAT A YOUNG COUPLE WAS PARKED ON AN OPEN
FIELD NEAR JACKSON, MICHIGAN. THEY HEARD OVER THE RADIO THAT A
CONVICT HAD ESCAPED FROM THE STATE PRISON AND THAT HE COULD BE
IDENTIFIED BY A HOOK IN PLACE OF AN ARM. AT THAT POINT THE COUPLE
LEFT AND WHEN THE YOUNG MAN GOT OUT OF HIS CAR TO TAKE HIS DATE
TO HER DOOR, HE FOUND A HOOK ATTACHED TO HIS CAR-DOORKNOB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN