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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BACK IN THOSE DAYS (THE EARLY 20'S) WHEN
SOMEONE DIED, THE FAMILY PREPARED THE BODY FOR
VIEWING. THE CASKET WAS SET IN THE "PARLOR"(TODAY'S
LIVING ROOM"). PENNIES WERE PUT ON THE EYES TO
KEEP THEM FROM POPPING OPEN. THIS HAPPENED AT A
FRIEND OF MY FATHER'S FUNERAL: AFTER VIEWING
THE BODY EVERYONE WENT INTO THE KITCHEN FOR COFFEE.
WHILE THE COFFEE WAS BEING SERVED THREE BOYS FROM
TOWN SNUCK INTO THE PARLOR, TOOK THE PENNIES OFF
THE OLD MAN'S EYES, AND PROPPED HIM UP WITH A STICK.
AFTER COFFEE THE FAMILY WALKED SLOWLY BACK INTO THE
PARLOR. THEY WERE TERRIFIED TO SEE THE OLD MAN
SITTING UP WITH HIS EYES OPEN, THEY THOUGHT HE HAD
COME BACK TO LIFE!
Submitter comment:
RESURRECTION
RESUSITATION
Where learned: DETROIT ; WEST VIRGINIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-00-1984
BUDDHA'S SPECIAL DISH (A THAI STORY)
"WHILE BUDDHA WAS TRYING TO ACHIEVE NIRVANA (THE ULTIMATE STAGE
IN THE BUDDHIST'S LIFE), HE WAS UNABLE TO THINK BECAUSE OF HIS
HUNGER FROM FASTING SO LONG. A GIRL MADE A SPECIAL DISH OF FOOD
MADE FROM GREEN RICE THAT RESEMBLED A GREEN, MILKY LIQUID. SHE
GAVE THE DISH TO BUDDHA TO DRINK AND AFTER HE DRANK IT HE WAS
ABLE TO REACH NIRVANA."
Submitter comment:
THAIS BELIEVE THIS FOOD CAN HELP THE MONKS DO THE SAME AS LORD
BUDDHA.
BUDDHISTS BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD ONLY EAT TWO MEALS (NO DINNER)
SO THAT THEY'LL KNOW HUNGER. THE "MILK" IS DRUNK TO EASE THEIR
HUNGER.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal Food Drink -- Drink |
Date learned: 02-00-1984
INDIAN GHOST STORY
WHEN I WAS A SMALL BOY IN ST. LOUIS MISSOURI, MY GRANDPARENTS OWNED
A FARM THAT USED TO BE OWNED BY INDIANS. THEY SAID THAT AN INDIAN
DIED IN THE HOUSE THAT USED TO BE ON THE LAND. AFTER THE INDIAN
DIED SOME OTHER PEOPLE MOVED IN. THE HOUSE MUST HAVE BEEN HAUNTED
BY THE DEAD INDIAN BECAUSE EVERYTIME PEOPLE WOULD TRY TO SLEEP
THEIR BLANKETS WOULD BE TORN OFF OF THEM. ONE DAY A MAN WHO
LIVED THERE DECIDED THAT THE INDIAN WOULD NOT TEAR OFF HIS
BLANKET WHILE HE WAS TRYING TO SLEEP. SO THAT NIGHT HE DECIDED THAT
HE WAS GOING TO HANG ONTO HIS BLANKET REAL HARD. WELL, WHEN HE GOT
INTO BED THAT NIGHT THE GHOST STARTED TO TEAR OFF HIS BLANKET. THE
MAN HUNG ONTO THE BLANKET REAL HARD BUT THE GHOST WAS TOO STRONG
FOR HIM. THE GHOST TORE THAT MAN'S BLANKET RIGHT OFF AND THE MAN
FELL RIGHT ONTO THE FLOOR. WELL, IT WAS MANY YEARS AFTER THAT
THAT MY GRANDPARENTS BOUGHT THAT LAND. THEY SAID THAT NOTHING REAL
STRANGE EVER HAPPENED TO THEM EXCEPT FOR ONE TIME. ONE DAY MY
GRANDPARENTS WERE WORKING IN THEIR COTTONFIELD NEAR THE HOUSE.
THEY HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE PEOPLE RUNNING DOWN THE ROWS
OF COTTON. THEY DIDN'T BOTHER TO LOOK UP BECAUSE THEY FIGURED
THAT IT WAS JUST ONE OF US BOYS. WHEN THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND
CLOSER THEY DID LOOK UP THEN TO SEE WHAT WE WANTED. BUT THERE
WASN'T ANYONE THERE. THEY LOOKED ALL AROUND BUT THEY COULDN'T
FIND ANYONE. NONE OF BOYS DID IT SO WE STILL DON'T WHO OR WHAT
WAS IN THE COTTONFIELD.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT LOUIS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1946
GHOST STORY
"AFTER MY GRANDFATHER DIED STRANGE THINGS HAPPENED AROUND MY
HOUSE (DOORS STARTED POPPING OPEN, STRANGE NOISES, ETC.). MY
OLDER SISTER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MY GRANDFATHER."
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
GHOST STORY
"A GUY WAS TAKING HIS GIRLFRIEND HOME FROM A PARTY LATE ONE NIGHT.
THEY WERE GOING REAL FAST BECAUSE SHE WAS ALREADY LATE. THEY TOOK
A SHORT CUT AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THEY SAW A MAN. HIS HEAD
AND FACE WERE BLEEDING SO THE GUY STOPPED (HE WAS DRIVING REAL
FAST SO WHEN HE STOPPED, HE WAS BEHIND THE MAN). HE GOT OUT TO SEE
IF THE MAN WAS ALL RIGHT, BUT THE MAN HAD DISAPPEARED."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY FROM HER BOYFRIEND WHO WAS FROM
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. HE SAID THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF GHOST
STORIES GOING AROUND THERE BECAUSE OF AND ABOUT DEAD SLAVES.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ROAD GHOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001979CA
GHOST STORY
"A FRIEND OF MY BOYFRIEND'S MOVED INTO A HOUSE THAT USED TO BE
OWNED BY A COLONEL IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY. ONE NIGHT WHEN MY
BOYFRIEND'S FRIEND'S PARENTS WERE OUT OF TOWN, MY BOYFRIEND WENT
OVER THERE TO SPEND THE NIGHT. HIS FRIEND WAS AFRAID OF THE HOUSE.
HE SAID THAT HE HEARD WEIRD NOISES ALL THE TIME. SO, THE TWO OF
THEM MADE AN AGREEMENT; THEY WOULD SLEEP IN SEPARATE BEDROOMS AND
IF EITHER OF THEM HEARD OR SAW ANYTHING, THEY WOULD WRITE IT DOWN
AND SHOW IT TO EACH OTHER (THIS WAS ACTUALLY IN FUN BECAUSE THEY
DIDN'T REALLY EXPECT TO SEE OR HEAR ANYTHING). HOWEVER, AS THEY
WERE GOING UP TO THEIR ROOMS, THEY SAW A MAN DRESSED IN A
CONFEDERATE'S UNIFORM. EACH OF THEM RAN INTO A ROOM AND WROTE
DOWN WHAT THEY SAW--THEY SAW THE SAME THING. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THEY
SPENT THE NIGHT AT MY BOYFRIEND'S HOUSE THAT NIGHT."
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): CONFEDERATE GHOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001979CA
LADY IN CEMETERY
"THIS HAPPENED IN THE SHAMOKIN CEMETERY. MY BROTHERS GAVE
A FEAR TEST TO A FRIEND OF THEIRS NAMED ADAM. THEY
TOLD HIM TO WALK ALONG THE CEMETERY TO SEE HOW BRAVE HE IS.
MY BROTHERS WENT WITH HIM FOR PROOF. WHEN THEY WERE NEXT
TO THE CEMETERY, THEY SAW A WHITE GHOST SHAPED LIKE A LADY
FLOATING NEAR THEM. ADAM SAW IT FIRST AND JUST FROZE. MY
BROTHERS SAID THAT SHE FLOATED THROUGH THE FENCE. THEN SHE
FLOATED TO A GRAVE AND SUNK DOWN INTO IT. THE THREE OF THEM
RAN RIGHT HOME."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT YEARS LATER WHEN SHE WENT BACK HOME
FOR A VISIT, SHE VISITED ADAM. HE SAID THAT THE LADY GHOST
HAUNTED HIM FOR MANY YEARS AFTER THE NIGHT OF HIS FEAR TEST.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SHAMOKIN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001937CA
IN JUNCTION CITY, OHIO, THE STREETS RUN IN A PECULIAR
MANNER. THIS IS BECAUSE THE CLARK BROTHERS, THE ORIGINAL
DESIGNERS OF JUNCTION CITY, HAD A FIGHT WHILE DESIGNING THE TOWN,
AND SETTLED THEIR DISPUTE BY DRAWING A LINE RIGHT DOWN THE
MIDDLE OF THE TOWN(POPLAR STREET). EACH BROTHER THEN DESIGNED
THEIR HALF OF THE TOWN. THAT IS WHY TO THIS DAY, NONE OF THE
CROSS STREETS MEET. EVEN THE STATE ROUTE THAT RUNS THROUGH TOWN
DOES NOT MEET IN THE MIDDLE OF JUNCTION CITY.
Submitter comment:
THIS FOLK BELIEF WAS COMMUNICATED TO BRIAN WHILE GROWING UP
IN JUNCTION CITY, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-02-1984 ; 00001960S
THERE WAS A FAMILY WE MET IN 1973 IN SAO PAULO.
THEY HAD MOVED INTO A HOUSE THAT ALWAYS HAD BAD LUCK.
ALL THE LOCAL PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE KNEW ABOUT THE BAD
LUCK WITH THIS HOUSE. THEY COULD NEVER KEEP A MAID
FOR VERY LONG. THEIR CHILDREN WERE ALWAYS SICK AND
HAVING PROBLEMS. THEY LIVED WITHOUT A MAID FOR
THREE YEARS. AFTER HAVING ALL THESE PROBLEMS THEY
FINALLY HIRED A WITCH FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY TO
COME IN AND EXORCISE THE HOUSE. AT SEVEN IN THE
EVENING A LADY COMES WITH HER FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD
DAUGHTER. THE WHOLE FAMILY WAS HOME. THE WITCH
STARTS PERFORMING A RITUAL AND CHANTING AND THE
DAUGHTER WENT INTO A TRANCE. THE DAUGHTER THEN
TOOK ON THE IDENTITIES OF THREE MEN AND THREE WOMEN
WHO HAD LIVED IN THE HOUSE AT DIFFERENT TIMES. SHE
REINACTED EACH PERSONALITY. HER VOICE SOUNDED LIKE A
MAN'S VOICE AT TIMES WHEN SHE TOOK ON A MAN'S
PERSONALITY. THIS LASTED FOR SEVERAL HOURS.
AT FOUR IN THE MORNING THE GIRL STARTED
VOMITTING AND WENT INTO SOME SORT OF CONVULSIONS.
ABOUT AN HOUR LATER THE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER
LEAVE SAYING THAT THE HOUSE HAD BEEN CLEANSED OF
ALL THE EVIL SPIRITS. AT EIGHT IN THE MORNING
A MAID CAME TO THE DOOR LOOKING FOR WORK. EVER
SINCE THEN THEY HAD NO MORE HOUSEHOLD PROBLEMS
OR TRAUMAS AMONG THE FAMILY. THE MAID THAT CAME
ON THAT DAY THE WITCH HAD BEEN THERE STAYED.
THE MAN THAT LIVED IN THE HOUSE WITH HIS FAMILY
WAS THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF EASTMAN KODAK.
Where learned: BRAZIL ; SOUTH AMERICA ; SAO PAULO
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
WHATEVER YOU DO YOU SHOULD NEVER HARM ANOTHER
PERSONS ANIMAL. PEOPLE HAVE STRONG BONDS WITH
THEIR ANIMALS, SOME PEOPLE WILL EVEN KILL YOU
ABOUT THEIR ANIMALS. I KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE
BECAUSE MY MOTHER TOLD ME ABOUT A WOMAN AND THE
LOVE SHE HAD FOR HER HORSE. WELL, THIS WOMAN HAD
HER HORSE TEN YEARS BEFORE SHE TOOK A HUSBAND. THAT
OLE HORSE WAS REALLY MEAN. TIME CAME WHEN THAT HORSE
KICKED THAT WOMAN'S HUSBAND, SO THE HUSBAND SHOT THE
HORSE. WELL, THAT WOMAN DIDN'T TAKE THE DEATH OF HER
HORSE EASY. AFTER SHE FOUND OUT WHAT HER HUSBAND DID
SHE TOOK A PIECE OF LOG AND CRACKED HER HUSBAND'S SKULL
AND HE DIED. THERE IS A LESSON TO BE LEARNED, NEVER
HARM ANYONE'S ANIMAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CRUELTY TOWARD ANIMALS ; THERIONICIDE HOMICIDE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
WHEN WE WERE YOUNGER, AND WHEN WE WERE UP NORTH, WE USED
TO WALK DOWN TO THE CANDY STORE. IT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF
OUR DAY. OUR OLDER COUSINS TOLD US THAT IN THE WOODED
AREA, ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WAS AN OLD, OLD, TRUCK
AND CAMPER. SO ON THE WAY TO THE STORE THEY TOOK US BY IT.
THE CAMPER WAS SET BACK IN THE WOODS A LITTLE BIT, BUT
THE TRUCK LOOKED LIKE IT HAD CRASHED RIGHT OFF THE ROAD.
IT WAS REALLY SPOOKY LOOKING. MY COUSINS SAID THAT A REAL
OLD LADY USED TO LIVE IN THE CAMPER. ONE NIGHT SHE RAN
OUT OF HER CAMPER AND SCARED THE TRUCK DRIVER AND HE
CRASHED OFF THE ROAD. EVERYONE OF US BELIEVED THE STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALBRIGHT SHORES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1985 ; 00-00-1973
THE LEGEND OF REDFORD POOL.
ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO WHEN THE REDFORD PUBLIC POOL HAD A 25 FOOT
HIGH DIVING PLATFORM THERE WAS THIS ADVENTUROUS MAN WHO
WISHED TO DIVE OFF THE 25 FOOT PLATFORM. AFTER A BIT OF
NEGOTIATION THE LIFE GUARD AT THE POOL ALLOWED THE MAN
TO DIVE OFF THE HIGH DIVE. WELL, IT HAPPENED TO BE A VERY
WINDY DAY THAT DAY AND JUST AS THE MAN LEAPED OFF THE HIGH
DIVE A HUGE GUST OF WIND CAME BY AND SAILED HIM ACROSS
THE POOL AND DASHED HIS GUTS ALL OVER THE SIDEWALK.
Submitter comment: THIS STORY IS TO BE TAKEN AS TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
IT USED TO SCARE ME WHEN I THOUGHT OF IT.
I WAS FOLLOWING IN SOMEBODY'S FOOTSTEPS WHEN THEY
TURNED INTO LIKE DOUBLE HOOVES AND DISAPEARED INTO
A CAVE OR SOMETHING. THAT USED TO SCARE ME WHEN
I WAS LITTLE. I WAS AFRAID TO PICTURE IT. HOOVES REALLY
SCARED ME, LIKE WALKING IN THE DARK.
Submitter comment: SHE WAS VERY WITHDRAWN IN THIS SUBJECT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Animal |
IT WAS AN OVERCAST, WINDY, GOTHIC-TYPE EVENING. MY GIRL
LAURA, WAS BORED, SO WE BRAINSTORMED AS TO WHAT TO DO.
SUDDENLY, I REMEMBERED HOW MY BOSS TOLD ME HE USED TO VISIT
A CEMETERY WHERE "STRANGE THINGS HAPPENED." BEING THE
ADVENTURESOME KIND-OF-GUY WHICH I AM, I MENTIONED "THE
TOMB," AND ACTED AS IF I WAS FRIGHTENED OF GOING. SHE
IMMEDIATELY FELL FOR MY SPOOKINESS, AND WANTED TO GO TO
"THE TOMB." I EGGED HER ON ABOUT HOW STRANGE OCCURRENCES
HAPPENED REGULARLY, ESPECIALLY ON COLD, DARK NIGHTS. SHE
JUMPED IN, JOKING THAT WE MIGHT NEVER MAKE IT BACK ALIVE.
SHE LAUGHED, I LAUGHED, AND WE DROVE ON, NORTHWARD.
WE ARRIVED JUST BEFORE THE WITCHING HOUR, AND I MADE SURE
TO LET HER KNOW THAT THE GHOULS WOULD SURELY BE OUT TONIGHT.
YES, WE WERE HAVING A GRAND TIME, ENJOYING EACH OTHER'S WIT.
I WARNED HER, SHE TEASED ME, AND I TURNED INTO THE ANCIENT
BURIAL PLACE. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS BELOW FREEZING YET
THE HILLY ROADWAY WAS QUITE MUDDY. MY COMPACT CAR WAS
SLIDING, MY GAS PEDAL WAS SLIPPING, AND MY GIRLFRIEND
WAS LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY. AS THE HIGH BEAMS HIT THE GATE,
WE NEARLY DID TOO; FOR THE ONE LANE OPENING WAS HALF
WAY CLOSED. WE QUICKLY DECIDED THAT THE SPIRITS MUST
HAVE FORGOTTEN TO CLOSE IT. WE GIGGLED, I STOPPED, AND
SHE HOPPED OUT TO OPEN THE DOOR TO HELL. THERE WAS ONLY
ONE WAY IN, AND THE ENTRANCE WAS ALSO THE EXIT. THE
ENTIRE LOT WAS FENCED IN, IF NOT BY GRAVESTONES, THEN BY
THE PERIMETER'S CYCLONE FENCE. LAURA EASED THE GIANT
STEEL GATE FORWARD AND I EASED THE SMALL CAR FORWARD. WE
WERE OBSESSED BY OUR OWN LAUGHTER, NOT KNOWING WHY.
AFTER RIDING THROUGH EXTREMELY NARROW PASSAGEWAYS, A
MASSIVE MASOLEUM CAME INTO VIEW. A BIZZARE FOGGY MIST
INSTANTLY BEGAN TO FALL. MY GIRL LOOKED AT ME, I LOOKED AT
HER, AND WE SIMULTANEOUSLY LOCKED OUR DOORS. I HAD A SICK
GUT-FEELING, SHE STILL HAD HER SENSE OF HUMOR, AND WE
BOTH WANTED TO LEAVE. WE LAUGHED. AS I ZIG-ZAGGED TOWARDS
THE END, LAURA SAID, "I THINK THE GATE'S SHUT." WE THOUGHT
WE HAD SCARED OURSELVES, SO WE CHUCKLED OUR LAST. THEN....
.........................................................
..................B*A*N*G.....S*M*A*S*H...
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TWO HUGE MONSTERS WERE ON MY WINDSHIELD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
POUNDING, SCRATCHING; SCREAMING, SMASHING; YELLING,
CHANTING; THEY WERE DEVIL CREATURES IN HUMAN FORM.
IN UNISON THEY SAID "WE'RE GOING TO KILL YOU!" WE FROZE
AFTER YELLING IN TERROR! (THE LARGER MONSTER RESEMBLED
THE MAN FROM A JAMES BOND MOVIE CALLED "JAWS." (THEREFORE
I WILL REFER TO HIM AS "JAWS.")
JAWS SAID,"I WANT YOUR BLOOD; YOU'RE DEAD!" I GUNNED THE
ENGINE, AND FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, MY CAR STALLED OUT. WE
WERE TRAPPED IN THE CEMETERY. THERE WAS NO WAY TO ESCAPE.
THE GATE WAS SHUT, THE NIGHT WAS OLD, AND THE CAR WAS DEAD.
JAWS, BY THIS TIME, WAS TRYING TO ENTER MY CAR; BY WAY
OF THE HOOD. HE WAS OVER SIX FEET TALL AND A BIT STOCKY. THE
OTHER MONSTER WAS NOT AS HOMELY, BUT HE SCREAMED A BIT
LOUDER. AS THE CREATURES CONTINUED TO POUND ON MY CAR, MY
TERROR BEGAN TO CHANGE INTO ANGER. SUDDENLY, THE MONSTERS
RELEASED MY AUTO FROM THEIR GRASP AND BEGAN TO FIGHT EACH OTHER.
AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE UGLIER OF THE TWO SEEMINGLY WON
THE BATTLE, AND THE LOSER LAID MOTIONLESS MIDWAY BETWEEN MY
CAR AND THE LOCKED GATE. DURING OUR INTERMISSION, OR "THE
BRAWL," IS WHEN WE FIRST NOTICED THE LARGE DAGGER ON MY
HOOD. THEN, WITH THE LOUD ONE DEAD, JAWS CAME BACK SCREAMING
AND DENTING. THAT WAS IT! I HAD HAD ENOUGH. I ROLLED MY
WINDOW DOWN AN INCH, AND TRIED TO BARGAIN WITH THE
DEMONMAN. HE GOT MADDER, STUCK HIS MITTEN PAWS INSIDE MY
WINDOW, AND TRIED TO PEEL IT OFF MY DOOR. I WAS SO UPSET THAT
I SURPRISED ALL THREE "LIVE" BEINGS (INCLUDING MYSELF) BY
STEPPING OUT OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE. I GREETED THE MONSTER AND
HE GRABBED MY COLLAR. I WAS YELLING AT HIM, AND HE WAS
THROWING ME AROUND THE PLOTS. HE STOPPED DEMANDING BLOOD, AND
STARTED DEMANDING MONEY. AT THIS TIME, MY COMPANION
NEITHER JAWS NOR MYSELF SAW HER. SHE SAFELY RETURNED INTO MY
CAR. MEANWHILE, JAW'S PAWS CLINGED TO MY NECK AND LIFTED ME
TOWARDS THE HEAVENS. FINALLY, HE THREW ME BACK TO THE WET,
EARTHEN GRAVE FLOOR. NOW I HAD A CHANCE TO REACH MY WALLET.
ALL I HAD WAS A FIVE DOLLAR BILL. HE SNARLED, BUT STILL TOOK
IT. HE TRIED TO MAKE ME FAINT BY PANTING ON ME, BUT SOME-
HOW I BROKE LOOSE. I HAD A SLIGHT CHANCE TO MAKE IT BACK TO
MY CAR.................................................
............................................................
I SLIPPED, HE TRIPPED. HE DASHED, I PASSED. I REACHED, HE
SCREECHED. HE SPAT, I SAT................................
I GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE AND PULLED. SOMETHING WAS WRONG.
I SLOWLY LOOKED UP TO SEE THE UGLY FACE WHICH WAS BLOCKING MY
ESCAPE. HE QUIT MOANING, AND FOR THE LAST TIME MY EYES
CONTACTED HIS BLOODSHOT EYES. HE BEGAN A MANIACAL LAUGH AS
SOMETHING LIGHTLY LANDED ON MY LAP. HE BACKED AWAY, SHE TURNED
OVER THE ENGINE, AND I SHUT THE DOOR. I LOOKED AT HER
AND HER FRIGHTENED EYES TOLD ME TO GET THE STUPID CAR MOVING.
I FLOORED THE PEDAL, NOT REMEMBERING TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION
INTO DRIVE. LAURA SHIFTED AND WE MOVED! WE DROVE PAST THE
DEAD MONSTER AND THROUGH THE GATE. THE FOG WAS THICK.
LAURA TOOK THE WAD OFF MY LAP AND FOUND THAT IT WAS THE
FIVE SPOT. THEN, WE BOTH NOTICED THAT THE BLADE WAS STILL ON
MY HOOD. I WANTED THAT RELIC. AS I SLOWED OUR VEHICLE DOWN,
THE KNIFE DISAPEARED INTO THE FOG.........................
Submitter comment: I SOLD MY CAR. I AM NO LONGER SEEING LAURA. THIS IS TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LAKEVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
ABOUT MAYBE 1:30 P.M., NO, 2:00 P.M. THIS AFTERNOON I SAW
A VERY PECULIAR SIGHT. I WAS ABOUT FIVE MILES NORTHEAST
OF ALMONT, OUT ON A SLIGHTLY PAVED ROAD. IT WAS EXTREMELY
FOGGY OUT. I HEARD THE NOISE OF THE APPROACHING VEHICLE
LONG BEFORE IT CAME INTO SIGHT. I HAD MY CAR ON THE
SHOULDER, BECAUSE I WAS TAKING STILL PHOTOGRAPHS OF NEARBY
RUIN SITES. ANYHOW, THE DISTANCE OF SIGHT WAS NOT CLEAR TO
ME, AND I HEARD BEFORE I SAW. I WAS NEARLY STRUCK BY A GUY
IN A BIG GREEN CAR. LUCKILY, IT WENT RIGHT BY, BUT NO
ONE WAS DRIVING. THE GUY WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I SAW
THE EMPTY STEERING WHEEL. IT DISAPPEARED INTO THE FOG. IT
WAS A FRIGHTENING DAY. THIS IS THE TRUTH.
Submitter comment:
JAMES TOLD ME HE TOOK A PICTURE OF THIS GHOSTDRIVER.
WHEN THE PRINT WAS DEVELOPED ONLY FOG SHOWED UP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): DRIVERLESS AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
02011986 SD[ 02011986
ONE NIGHT, A MAN WAS DRIVING IN THE ELMWOOD CEMETERY. SUDDENLY,
A LADY WALKED OUT OF NOWHERE, SHE WAS DRESSED IN A FLOWING
WHITE GOWN. THE MAN ASKED HER WHAT SHE WAS DOING IN
A "NICE PLACE LIKE THIS." SHE SAID SHE WAS LOOKING FOR A RIDE
HOME. THE MAN OBLIGED. THEY INSTANTLY WERE ATTRACTED TO EACH
OTHER. THE MAN, UPON ARRIVING AT HER HOUSE, ASKED IF HE
COULD TAKE HER OUT THE NEXT NIGHT. SHE AGREED.
WHEN THE MAN ARRIVED AN OLD WOMAN ANSWERED THE DOOR. SHE TOLD
HIM THAT THE GIRL HE SAW THE PREVIOUS EVENING DIED TEN
YEARS AGO. THE MAN WENT INTO SHOCK AND IS NOW A RESIDENT
AT NORTHVILLE.
Submitter comment:
I MET THIS GIRL (THE INFORMANT) AS SHE WAS PEERING OVER MY
SHOULDER READING MY ITEM #16. SHE IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME HER TALE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ENGINEERING BUILDING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
IN THE BARRIO (CORK TOWN), THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS WOULD
GATHER TOGETHER, AND GO TO THE COUNTRY. THEY WOULD TRY
TO EARN EXTRA MONEY PICKING CROPS IN THE SUMMER WHILE
SCHOOL WAS OUT. ONE GROUP WENT UP TO TRAVERSE CITY,
MICHIGAN TO PICK THE CHERRY CROPS. THEY BUNKED IN SHACKS
WHERE THE PICKERS WERE HOUSED, OUT IN THE COUNTRY.
ONE STILL, QUIET, BLACK SUMMER NIGHT FRAN HEARD A SCREAMING
OR CRYING WOMAN. FRAN ASKED HER BROTHER ERNIE TO
INVESTIGATE. ERNIE WOULDN'T GO, HE WAS SCARED TOO. IT
WASN'T A WOLF, AND IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN A DEER OR RACCOON.
THE CRYING LASTED FOUR TO FIVE MINUTES; THEN IT WOULD STOP.
AN HOUR LATER THE CRYING WOULD START AGAIN FOR ABOUT
FIVE MINUTES. THE NEXT DAY, FRAN AND ERNIE ASKED ABOUT THE
CRYING WOMAN. THEY WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS ONCE A MURDER
IN A COTTAGE NEARBY, AND THAT YOU HEAR THE CRYING ONCE A
MONTH. THE RESIDENTS OF THE AREA HAVE BECOME USED TO THE
CRYING SOUND. THE POLICE WERE TIRED OF COMING OUT TO
INVESTIGATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
A MAN WAS WALKING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD ONE NIGHT WHEN HE SAW
A HOTEL IN THE DISTANCE. FEELING TIRED, HE DECIDED TO STOP FOR
THE NIGHT.
"CAN I HELP YOU?" ASKED THE INNKEEPER AS THE MAN WALKED
INTO THE LOBBY.
"I COULD USE A ROOM," THE MAN REPLIED.
"I GOT ONE ROOM LEFT," ANSWERED THE INNKEEPER. "MY
DAUGHTER'S SLEEPING IN THERE, BUT I'LL LET YOU HAVE IT ANYWAY,
SO DON'T YOU GET NO IDEAS."
THE MAN AGREED, AND PICKED UP THE KEY. WHILE UNDRESSING
FOR BED, HE NOTICED THAT THE INNKEEPER'S DAUGHTER WAS QUITE
BEAUTIFUL, SO HE FIGURED THAT A GOOD-NIGHT KISS COULDN'T
HURT.
HE AWOKE THE NEXT MORNING, AND AS HE CHECKED OUT, HE ASKED THE
INNKEEPER WHY HIS MOUTH HAD BECOME FULL OF RICE WHEN HE KISSED
HIS DAUGHTER.
"YOU PEOPLE NEVER LISTEN," SIGHED THE INNKEEPER. "THAT
WASN'T RICE. IT WAS MAGGOTS. MY DAUGHTER'S BEEN DEAD FOR
SEVEN YEARS."
Submitter comment:
I REPEATED THE STORY TO TWO FRIENDS. BOTH HAD ALREADY
HEARD A SIMILAR VERSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-00-1980 ; 07-00-1980
THE FIFTEEN STEPS
A COUPLE MOVED INTO A TWO-STORY BRICK HOUSE NEAR THE
EDGE OF TOWN. THEY SLEPT IN A ROOM DOWNSTAIRS, WHILE
THEIR YOUNG DAUGHTER SLEPT UPSTAIRS.
ONE NIGHT, THEIR DAUGHTER HEARD A MOANING AT THE FOOT OF THE
STAIRS. "KATHY, I'M AT THE FIRST STEP, AND I'M GOING TO KILL
YOU."
THE NEXT MORNING, SHE TOLD HER PARENTS, WHO DIDN'T BELIEVE HER.
THEY THOUGHT THAT SHE WAS JUST SEEING TOO MUCH TV AND HAVING
NIGHTMARES.
THAT NIGHT, THE VOICE CAME AGAIN, ANNOUNCING THAT IT WAS ON
THE SECOND STEP, AND THAT IT WAS GOING TO KILL HER.
AND SO IT WENT ON, FOR FIFTEEN NIGHTS, UNTIL THE VOICE
ISSUED A NEW WARNING.
"KATHY, I'M PAST YOUR DOORWAY, AND NOW I'M BY YOUR BEDSIDE,
AND NOW I'M GOING TO KILL YOU."
THE TERRIFIED GIRL TOLD HER PARENTS THE NEXT MORNING, BUT
THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE HER. THAT NIGHT, THEY GAVE HER PLENTY OF WARM
MILK TO HELP HER SLEEP.
THE FAMILY WAS NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN. THE SHERIFF'S
DEPARTMENT FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF FOUL PLAY. TO THIS DAY, THE
DISAPPEARANCE OF THE FAMILY REMAINS A MYSTERY.
Submitter comment:
DANIEL AND ME WERE WALKING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD, WHEN WE
PASSED A DESERTED HOUSE. HE TOLD ME THE ABOVE STORY, AND ANOTHER PERSON WE MET ALONG THE WAY BACK TO OUR GRANDMOTHER'S
PLACE CONFIRMED THE STORY. I JUST ASKED ABOUT IT OUT OF
CURIOSITY WHEN HE ASKED ME FOR THE TIME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NORTH BRANCH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
PRESTON TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A JAPANESE FAMILY
WHO WERE BUDDHISTS, BUT WERE GOING TO CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY
IN A FEW MONTHS. THEY HAD A STATUE OF BUDDHA IN THEIR HOUSE,
AND EVERY NIGHT THE EYES BEGAN TO GLOW. THEY WOULD SEE
SEVERAL BODIES AROUND THEIR HOUSE, AND THE DECOMPOSING
CORPSE OF A YOUNG CHILD WOULD ASK THEM WHY THEY WANTED TO
BECOME CHRISTIANS. THEY ASKED A PRIEST HOW TO STOP IT,
AND HE TOLD THEM TO REMOVE THE STATUE FROM THEIR HOUSE.
THEY DID AND THEY HAVE HAD NO SUCH INCIDENTS SINCE THEN.
Submitter comment:
PRESTON SAYS THAT THIS FAMILY LIVED ACROSS THE STREET
FROM HIM IN HIS OLD NEIGHBORHOOD, AND HE HAS LOST CONTACT
WITH THEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1982 ; 11-13-1987