Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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DENI GRAS, LEGENDARY CHARACTER OF BREESE, ILLINOIS
THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO LIVED IN AN OLD HOUSE, NEVER TOOK BATHS,
WORE RAGS, (AND) CARRIED TWO POWDER KEGS AS BUCKETS FROM COAL
MINE. (A) SCAVENGER, (SHE) LIVED OFF ANYTHING SHE COULD FIND.
(SHE) ALWAYS HAD A SMILE ON HER FACE. (SHE WAS) PROMINENT BY
HER SILENCE AND ANTI-SOCIALNESS.
(SHE WAS) FOUND IN BED WITH A PARALYTIC STROKE. (SHE) DIED IN
A HOSPITAL SEVERAL YEARS LATER WITHOUT UTTERING A WORD.
THIS DENI GRAS WAS MORE OR LESS FEARED BY THE CHILDREN. SORT OF
TRAGIC IN A WAY. THE WAY IT WAS RELAYED TO ME, SHE MUST HAVE
REALLY BEEN A CHARACTER FITTING FOR DAMON RUNYON NICHE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; ILLINOIS ; BREESE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-02-1968
GRAVE ROBBERS
GRAVE ROBBERS, AFTER HEARING OF A WOMAN RECENTLY BURIED WITH
AN EXPENSIVE RING ON HER FINGER, BREAK INTO THE GRAVE. HOWEVER,
THEY CAN'T GET THE RING OFF, SO THEY BEGIN TO CUT HER FINGER OFF.
UPON THE FLOW OF BLOOD, SHE REGAINS CONSCIOUSNESS.
Submitter comment:
HE LEARNED THIS FROM HIS MOTHER AND ALSO MUCH LATER FROM A FRIEND
WHO IS OF POLISH DESCENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone Precious stone Gem ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
HAUNTED HOUSE STORY
THERE IS A HOUSE IN MARBLEHEAD WHICH IS VACATED FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS
NOW. THERE'S BLOOD IN THE KITCHEN. IF YOU GO BACK TO THE BEDROOM
IN THE BACK WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THIS LITTLE GIRL'S, THERE'S
BLOOD THERE ALSO. THE LITTLE GIRL WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HAD HER
THROAT SLIT, THERE WERE SCREAMS ALL OVER THE HOUSE, AND THE LITTLE
GIRL VANISHED. THAT'S WHY THERE IS BLOOD (FROM HER NECK,
SUPPOSEDLY) ALL TRACKED ALL OVER THE HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
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
THE DEAD GIRL
THERE WAS A MOTHER AND SHE WAS SO SICK. HER LITTLE GIRL HAD JUST
DIED. SHE SAID TO HER HUSBAND: "I JUST HAVE TO HAVE A DOCTOR."
NO SOONER HAD SHE SAID THIS THAN THE DOOR OPENED AND IN CAME THE
DOCTOR. THE FATHER SAID TO HIM: "WE DIDN'T CALL YOU. HOW DID
YOU KNOW TO COME HERE?" THE DOCTOR SAID: "WHY, YOUR LITTLE GIRL
CAME AND GOT ME AND TOLD ME TO HURRY OVER." THIS LITTLE GIRL WAS
DEAD, YOU KNOW, SO THE FATHER THOUGHT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN A
MISTAKE. HE WAS GLAD THE DOCTOR WAS THERE THOUGH. HE WENT TO
THE CLOSET TO HANG UP THE DOCTOR'S COAT. AS HE WAS HANGING IT UP,
HE NOTICED HIS LITTLE GIRL'S COAT THAT HAD BEEN HANGING THERE EVER
SINCE SHE DIED, AND IT WAS ALL WET.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT DOES NOT REMEMBER WHERE SHE HEARD THIS STORY, BUT
KNOWS THAT IT WAS ABOUT 1920.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
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
ANIMAL LEGEND
OFF THE DOWNRIVER END OF BELLE ISLE, THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE
LURKING A GIANT MUSKELLUNGE, WHICH IS ALLEGEDLY RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE UNTIMELY DEMISE OF SEVERAL SMALL CHILDREN AND EQUALLY
SMALL DOGS AND CATS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fish BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
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
DEATH CAR
A FRIEND OF MINE IN HIGH SCHOOL TOLD ME THAT TWO OF HIS FRIENDS,
JOHN ENRIGHT AND MIKE THEROUX, HAD BOUGHT A 1965 CORVETTE FOR
$50. THE REASON THAT IT WAS SO CHEAP IS BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN IN
A FIELD FOR FIVE MONTHS. THE OWNER OF THE CAR WAS LOCKED INSIDE,
AN APPARENT SUICIDE VICTIM. THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THAT THERE WAS
NO WAY TO GET THE SMELL OUT OF THE CAR. THEY HAD RIPPED OUT ALL
OF THE SEATS, SPRAYED DOWN THE CAR WITH AIR REFRESHENERS, BUT TO
NO AVAIL. THE BOYS FINALLY GOT RID OF THE ENGINE FOR $200 AND
BURNED THE CAR'S BODY.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
LEGEND OF THE CUCKOO BIRD
IN SOME REMOTE VILLAGE OF MACEDONIA, WOMEN WILL TELL YOU THAT IF
YOU WAKE UP EARLY IN (THE) MORNING AND HEAR THE SOUND OF THE
CUCKOO BIRD, THERE WILL BE A DEATH OF A CLOSE RELATIVE. TO
AVOID THIS, YOU MUST GET SOME LIQUID OR FOOD INTO YOU BEFORE YOU
HEAR THE CUCKOO. A WOMAN NAMED SOPHIA ONCE WOKE UP EARLY AND,
AS SHE WAS LYING (IN) BED, SHE HEARD THE CUCKOO. THAT DAY SHE
GOT NEWS THAT HER SISTER IN THE NEXT VILLAGE HAD DIED.
Submitter comment: JAMES'S FATHER RELATED THIS STORY TO HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-05-1967
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
CAR KNOCKING LEGEND
IF YOU DRIVE DOWN HOOVER ROAD ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT, SOMEWHERE
NEAR STATE FAIR, YOU WILL HEAR TWO KNOCKS ON YOUR CAR. A GIRL
WAS KILLED BY A CAR THERE, AND SHE HAUNTS THE INTERSECTION.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LAUGHED AND DIDN'T APPEAR TO BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
OCCUPATIONAL JOKE
SURGEONS ARE SO EAGER TO DO ORGAN TRANSPLANTS THESE DAYS THAT BED PATIENTS WHO WANT TO TAKE NAPS FIRST PERCH A SIGN ON THEIR BELLIES SAYING, "I AM ONLY SLEEPING." THIS IS TO DISCOURAGE SURGEONS WHO ARE SAID TO PROWL
AROUND HOSPITAL WARDS AND SNATCH AWAY PATIENTS
WITH THEIR EYES CLOSED--BELIEVING THEM TO HAVE DIED RECENTLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Medicine |
Date learned: 03-22-1970