Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WEDDING CUSTOM
NANCY HONKS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME GONE. AT HER FOURTH WEDDING
RECEPTION THE GROOM IN REMOVING THE GARTER TO THROW TO THE MALE
GUESTS, HE CAME UP WITH A VARICOSE VEIN. THERE WAS NO HONEYMOON.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 02-01-1971
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
MAN WITH A HOOK: TALE
JUST OUTSIDE BOSTON IS A PLACE WHERE COUPLES PARK TO TALK, AND
MANY COUPLES ARE USUALLY THERE IN THEIR CARS. ONE NIGHT ONLY ONE
CAR WAS THERE ON A MOONLESS NIGHT. THE COUPLE HAPPENED TO HEAR
ON THE RADIO THAT AN INMANTE OF AN ASYLUM HAD ESCAPED AND WAS IN
THE AREA. THE REPORT SAID THAT HE WAS MISSING A HAND AND HAD A
HOOK INSTEAD. JUST THEN THEY HEARD A NOISE OUTSIDE AND HURRIEDLY
LEFT THE SPOT. WHEN THEY REACHED THE GIRL'S HOUSE, THE BOY WENT
TO OPEN THE GIRL'S DOOR AND THERE WAS THE HOOK ON THE DOOR HANDLE
ON A BLOODY STUMP.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
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
THE PRESERVED TONGUE
ONE OF HIS (FATHER PLANCK'S) FORMER STUDENTS WAS MAKING OUT WITH
HIS GIRL FRIEND AND THEY STARTED FRENCHING. THERE WAS A SUDDEN
NOISE AND WHEN THE GIRL JUMPED, SHE BIT HER BOY FRIEND'S TONGUE
OFF. FATHER PLAN; THEN PRODUCED THE TONGUE, OR WHAT LOOKED LIKE
THE TONGUE, IN A JAR OF ALCOHOL. "LET THIS BE A LESSON TO YOU
BOYS," HE WOULD THEN PROCLAIM.
Submitter comment:
FATHER PLANCK OF ST. XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL IN LOUISVILLE USED TO TELL
THIS STORY TO HIS BIOLOGY CLASSES.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ; LOUISVILLE ; SAINT XAVIER HIGH SCHOOL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Marriage |
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
RUTA (COMMON NAME FOR GIRLS AMONG LITHUANIANS)
A LONG, LONG TIME AGO, WHEN UNPASSABLE FORESTS STILL EXISTED,
THERE WAS A DUKE THAT GOVERNED LITHUANIA. ALL THE OTHER DUKES
WERE AFRAID OF KARIBUTAS AND BOWED THEIR HEADS TO HIM. KARIBUTAS
WAS BRAVE AND POWERFUL. HE LIVED BETWEEN TWO FORESTS IN HIS
STRONG CASTLE. HE WAS VERY HAPPY WITH HIS WEALTH, RESPECT, BUT
HIS GREATEST JOY WAS HIS ONLY DAUGHTER WHOM HE LOVED VERY MUCH.
THEY CALLED HER RUTA.
RUTA HAPPILY RAN THROUGH THE CASTLE, SINGING LITHUANIAN SONGS.
(SHE) REJOICED AT THE FLOWERS, BIRDS' SINGING, HUNDRED-YEAR-OLD
OAKS' RUSTLING. SHE OFTEN SAT UNDER THE OLD TREES AND LISTENED
TO THEIR RUSTLING. THE DUKE'S DAUGHTER LISTENED TO THE OLD OAKS'
STORIES, AS OLD AS THEMSELVES--AS WELL AS SECRETIVE. SHE DIDN'T
EVEN NOTICE HOW HER JOYFUL DAYS OF YOUTH RAN BY.
WHEN SHE BECAME OF AGE, IMMEDIATELY FROM ALL OVER, RICH YOUNG
PRINCES AND DUKES STARTED COMING AND ASKING HER HAND IN MARRIAGE.
AND RUTA WAS SO BEAUTIFUL THAT ANYONE WHO LOOKED AT HER PROMISED
THAT HE WOULD EVEN GIVE HIS LIFE FOR HER. BUT RUTA WASN'T READY
TO GET MARRIED, SHE DIDN'T WANT TO GET MARRIED, AND THEREFORE,
DIDN'T PROMISE ANYONE.
BUT THE DUKE GOT TIRED OF LIVING ALONE AND DECIDED TO FIND HIMSELF
A SON-IN-LAW. HE FELT THAT HIS STRENGTH WAS WEAKENING, OLD AGE
WAS SETTING IN. HE CALLED RUTA TO HIS SIDE ONE TIME AND TOLD HER
THAT HE WANTS TO HAVE A SON-IN-LAW AND FOR HER, A HUSBAND. HE
SAID THAT SHE SHOULD FORGET ALL HER CHILDISH IDEAS AND THOUGHTS
AND HELP HIM TO FIND HER A HUSBAND. IF SHE DIDN'T FIND ONE IN
SIX MONTHS, THEN HE'LL HAVE TO APPOINT A HUSBAND FOR HER.
RUTA BECAME VERY SAD AFTER HEARING HER FATHER'S PLANS AND ORDERS.
SHE FELL AT HIS FEET AND BEGGED HIM, WITH TEARS IN HER EYES, TO
HAVE PITY ON HER AND NOT TO THROW HER TO A HUSBAND. BUT HER
FATHER TOLD HER THAT SHE MUST DO WHAT SHE IS TOLD.
BUT RUTA CRIED TILL WEAKENED, SHE FELL AT MILDO'S FEET (THE GODDESS
OF PURITY) AND VOWED THAT SHE WOULD KEEP HER VIRGINITY AND BECOME A
PRIESTESS. SHE KNEW THAT HER FATHER WOULD NOT LET HER DO THIS, SO
SHE DECIDED TO RUN AWAY TO ONE OF THE ROMUVAS (HOLY PLACE WHERE AN
ETERNAL FIRE BURNED TO ONE OR TWO OF THE GODS).
ON A WINDING FOREST TRAIL HURRIED A WHITE DRESSED GIRL. HER GOLDEN
HAIR, BEING MUSSED BY A GENTLE BREEZE, FELL ON HER SHOULDERS. THIS
WAS THE PRINCESS RUTA. THROUGH THE FORESTS SHE CAME ALONE TO
ROMUVA AND KNOCKED ON THE GATES. SHE WAITED A LONG TIME, WHEN ONE
OF THE PRIESTS CAME AND RECOGNIZED HER AND WELCOMED HER.
EARLY THE NEXT MORNING, THE SAME PRIEST TOOK RUTA TO THE HIGH
PRIEST. GOD'S SERVANT LISTENED TO HER, HER REASONS THAT BROUGHT
HER TO THIS HOLY PLACE. RUTA TOLD THE STORY OF HER LIFE, HER
FATHER'S DECISION AND FALLING TO HER KNEES, BEGGED THE HIGH PRIEST
TO ACCEPT HER AS A PRIESTESS.
THE HIGH PRIEST LISTENED TO HER COMPLAINTS. HIS WISE FOREHEAD
WRINKLED, HIS FACE CLOUDED OVER, BUT THE PRINCESS'S TEARS SOFTENED
HIS HEART AND WITHOUT THINKING OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN LATER, (HE)
ACCEPTED HER AS A PRIESTESS.
THE DUKE KARIBUTAS WAS SADDENED DEEPLY WHEN HE FOUND OUT THAT HIS
DAUGHTER HAD DISAPPEARED. HE BLINDLY WALKED THROUGH HIS CASTLE,
AS IF HE HAD LOST HIS WEALTH AND PRIDE. THE UNHAPPY FATHER CRIED,
JUST LIKE A MOTHER CRIES THAT HAS LOST HER LAST CHILD. HE ORDERED
EVERYONE TO LOOK FOR HER EVERYWHERE, JUST SO THAT THEY WOULD FIND
HER. THE ONE WHO FINDS HER, HE PROMISED, WOULD RECEIVE GREAT
REWARDS.
THEY SEARCHED FOR HER EVERYWHERE--THE PRINCES' AND DUKES' CASTLES,
THE ORDINARY HUTS, AND EVEN THE ROMUVAS.
ONCE, WHEN THE PRINCESS WAS MINDING THE HOLY FLAME, ONE OF THE
PRIESTS CAME AND TOLD HER THAT SOME OF HER FATHER'S MESSENGERS
HAD COME TO SEARCH FOR HER. RUTA PALED AS MUCH AS FRESHLY WOVEN
LINEN WHEN SHE HEARD THIS, AND RAN OUT INTO THE SACRED FOREST.
THERE SHE FELL UNDER AN OAK TREE AND BITTERLY STARTED TO CRY,
BEGGING THE GODS TO HAVE PITY ON HER AND NOT TO HAND HER OVER TO
HER FATHER.
THE MIGHTY GODS HEARD HER PLEAS AND PITIED HER. BUT THEY DIDN'T
WANT HER TO DEPART FROM THE EARTH WITHOUT LEAVING SOME SORT OF
SIGN, SO THEY TURNED HER INTO A SWEET SMELLING FLOWER.
THE MESSENGERS, LOOKING FOR THE PRINCESS, FOUND THE MAGICAL FLOWER
WHICH SMELLED SWEETLY IN THE WHOLE LAND. THEN THEY UNDERSTOOD
WHAT HAPPENED. IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE PRINCESS, THEY NAMED THAT
FLOWER HER NAME--RUTA.
Submitter comment:
TRANSLATED FROM LITHUANIAN BY RAMUNI STONYS. IN OLD LITHUANIA,
THE PEOPLE WORSHIPPED ANYTHING THAT WAS ALIVE--NOT GOD HIMSELF
DIRECTLY. FOR EXAMPLE, LIGHTNING, THUNDER, WIND, SUN, MOON,
TREES, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious BELIEF -- Marriage |
IF A WEDDING AND FUNERAL PASS EACH OTHER, THIS
WILL MEAN GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Good luck Activities |
Date learned: 09-00-1969
AT ITALIAN WEDDINGS, THEY ALWAYS GIVE ALMONDS AS A
WISH OF GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
HAPPENED IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN AT A WEDDING SHE
ATTENDED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Good luck Food and drink BELIEF -- Good luck Activities |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
A SCOTTISH TRADITION IS THAT WHEN YOU GET MARRIED YOU
ARE SUPPOSED TO KISS A CHIMNEYSWEEP FOR GOOD LUCK--
LIKE IN THE MOVIE, "MARY POPPINS."
Submitter comment:
LEARNED FROM HER NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET,
MRS. MOLLY DICKSON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Good luck Activities |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
IT IS A GOOD LUCK OMEN TO TAKE HOME A PIECE OF
WEDDING CAKE AND SLEEP ON IT, IT IS SUPPOSED TO
BRING YOU GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: FROM FRIENDS..
Where learned: NEIGHBORS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Good luck Food and drink BELIEF -- Good luck Activities |
Date learned: 10-24-1967
THERE WAS A BELIEF IN OLDER FARMING COMMUNITIES WHICH
STILL LINGERS THAT THE PERSON WHO FINDS A RED EAR OF
CORN WILL SOON BE MARRIED. GIRLS SEARCHED FOR THEM.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD THIS BELIEF EXPRESSED AMONG FARMING
FAMILIES ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WHOLE FAMILY IS HELPING
TO HUSK CORN, IT ADDS AN ELEMENT OF SURPRISE.
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; STURGEON LAKE
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage |
BAMBOO MEANS CONSTANCY AND FAITHFULNESS IN JAPAN. IT
IS A GOOD OMEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
COUNT 100 RED CONVERTIBLES (CAR), A LADY IN A PURPLE
DRESS, A MAN IN A GREEN TIE, AND THE FIRST BOY YOU KISS
AFTER THAT YOU WILL MARRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Number P686.3.100 SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 12-04-1967
IF A GIRL TAKES THE LAST PORTION FROM A SERVING BOWL
OR PLATTER, SHE WILL BE AN OLD MAID.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; SPINSTER ; TABLE MANNERS
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. BELIEF -- Number Last events: the last person to the table... |
Date learned: 10-25-1968
IF FOUR PEOPLE CROSS HANDS, WHEN SHAKING HANDS, THERE
WILL BE A WEDDING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Fourths / Quarters Observation BELIEF -- Marriage SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 03-18-1968
IF TWO KNIVES ARE PUT INTO ONE PLACE SETTING, THERE
WILL SOON BE A WEDDING OF SOMEONE YOU KNOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALPENA
Date learned: 10-05-1970
IF A BUTTERFLY FLIES INTO YOUR HOUSE, THAT'S A SIGN OF
AN IMPENDING MARRIAGE.
Where learned: NEWSPAPER ; THE MACOMB DAILY
James Callow Keyword(s): INSECT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: 01-30-1968
WHEN YOU COME OUT OF CHURCH ON YOUR WEDDING DAY, IF YOU
CAN COUNT THE PIGEONS THAT IS HOW MANY CHILDREN
YOU WILL HAVE.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Use of object for determining number of children or sex of unborn |
Date learned: 11-10-1970
HUNGARIAN MARRIAGE PREDICTION
IF IT RAINS THE DAY A PERSON IS BURIED, HIS/HER
SPOUSE WILL GET REMARRIED WITHIN ONE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through |
Date learned: 10-10-1968