The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE CROOKED TREE

WASHINGTON PARK IN CHEBOYGAN HOLDS A CURIOUSLY SHAPED RUSSET
TREE WHOSE HUGE LIMBS SPREAD DOWN TOWARD THE GROUND IN A SPIDER
FASHION. HOW IT GOT THIS SHAPE IS THE SUBJECT OF MANY STORIES
RANGING FROM A SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
TO BEING MISUSED BY A BLACKSMITH. THE LATTER TELLS OF A THOUGHT-
LESS BLACKSMITH WHO PILED HIS SCRAP METAL ON TOP OF THE TREE,
WHICH, IN ITS FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL, GREW ITS LIMBS WHEREVER THERE
WAS AN OPENING. CONSEQUENTLY THE TREE HAS ITS PRESENT PECULIAR
PATTERN.
ANOTHER "OLD TIMER" RUMOR ATTRIBUTES ITS SHAPE TO INDIANS WHO,
SEEKING A TRAIL GUIDE, BENT THE YOUNG TREE AS A MARK SHOWING A
TURN POINT IN AN IMPORTANT TRAIL.
WHICHEVER EXPLANATION IS TRUE, IT IS STILL A MYSTERY, BUT ONE
THAT IS OFTEN SPECULATED UPON BY NATIVE INHABITANTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN

Date learned: 07-00-1964

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SPIRIT TABLE

THIS IS A BELIEF IN INDIA. WE HAVE ALSO A TABLE THAT ATTRACTS DEAD
SOULS. THERE ARE MARKINGS ON IT WHICH SPIRITS USE TO COMMUNICATE
WITH A MEDIUM. HANDS ARE USED, PLACED ON IT. IT IS NOT NECESSARY
TO HAVE A MEDIUM, I AM AFRAID MYSELF. SPIRITS ARE LIKE THE FIVE
ELEMENTS, FIRE, EARTH, AIR, WATER, LIGHT--LIKE
VARIOUS GASES ALL WANDERING
AROUND ETERNALLY, LIKE THE ELEMENTS, IT IS POSSIBLE TO BRING
SOULS TO CAPTURE SOULS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; India ; souls ; SUPERSTITION

Date learned: 02-04-1968

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