Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P429 returned 446 results.
"LADY IN WHITE"
IN THE WOODS ON BELLE-ISLE, ONE
COULD GO TO A TREE STUMP MARKED
CR + TL. STOP YOUR CAR, FLASH YOUR
LIGHTS THREE TIMES, SHUT THEM OFF, GO
OUTSIDE TO YOUR LEFT FRONT TIRE, KICK
IT THREE TIMES, GO BACK INTO YOUR CAR
AND BEEP YOUR HORN THREE TIMES. THE
LADY IN WHITE WILL APPEAR TO YOU. DO THIS
ONLY AT THE BEWITCHING HOUR.
Submitter comment:
TOLD AT A TEENAGE HOMECOMING PARTY.
IT WAS SAID THAT THE LADY IN WHITE WAS
A GIRL WHO GOT KILLED BY HER BOYFRIEND ON
HOMECOMING AND (HE) STUFFED HER IN THE TREE STUMP
AND MARKED THEIR INITIALS. SHE WAS WEARING
A WHITE GOWN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MIDNIGHT
Date learned: 00-00-1985
DURING A FUNERAL, IF THE DEAD PERSON
SUDDENLY OPENS HIS EYES, HE IS
LOOKING OVER WHO CAME TO SEE HIM.
THE EYES HAVE TO BE SOWN TOGETHER
IN ORDER FOR THEM TO REMAIN SHUT.
IF THE DEAD PERSON SUDDENLY AROSE FROM
HIS CASKET HE WANTS TO GET OUT, OR
HIS SPIRIT HAS LEFT HIM. HE NEEDS
TO BE PUSHED BACK DOWN OR ONE WILL
HAVE TO WAIT TILL HE LIES DOWN HIMSELF.
Submitter comment:
THESE ARE OLD FUNERAL STORIES THAT
HAVE BEEN TOLD TO JOE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001960S
WHEN EVERY ONE PASSES A FUNERAL
OR A CEMETERY, ONE IS SUPPOSED
TO CROSS THEMSELVES.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SUPPOSED TO LET THE DEPARTED
SOULS GO TO HEAVEN FASTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001960S
IF YOU WANT TO COMMUNICATE WITH
THE DEAD WRITE A LETTER, PUT IT
IN A BOWL OF WATER AND PUT IT UNDER
YOUR BED; IF YOU DO THIS THE DEAD
PERSON YOU WANT TO COMMUNICATE WITH
WILL COME AND READ THE LETTER.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT STATED HER GRANDMOTHER
TOLD HER HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH
THE DEAD.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; SAN DIEGO
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
MARK TOLD ME ABOUT THE BELIEF THAT IF YOU DRIVE DOWN
PARKLAND STREET IN DEARBORN HEIGHTS AT A CERTAIN SPEED
WITH YOUR WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN, YOU WILL HEAR THE SCREAMS
AND POUNDING OF SOMEONE WHO WAS ONCE RUN OVER ON THAT STREET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS SOUNDS, NOISES
James Callow Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
I HEARD THE STORY FROM SOMEWHERE, I DON'T RECALL WHERE, ABOUT
THE GIRL WHO WAS RUN OVER BY A TRUCK ON THE STREET CALLED
STRASBURG IN DETROIT. NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES THAT STREET
HAS BEEN RESURFACED YOU CAN STILL HEAR THE GIRL POUNDING
UNDERNEATH YOUR CAR AS YOU DRIVE DOWN THAT STREET BECAUSE
WHEN SHE WAS RUN OVER SHE WAS TRAPPED BENEATH THE TRUCK AND
WITNESSES SAW HER POUNDING AND SCREAMING UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK
AS THE TRUCK DRAGGED HER DOWN THE STREET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY SOUNDS FROM SCENE OF ACCIDENT
James Callow Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
"SLEEPY HOLLOW"
A MADMAN ESCAPED FROM A MENTAL INSTITUTION. HE WAS RUNNING
AND REACHED AN OLD BRIDGE ON SLEEPY HOLLOW ROAD. THE MADMAN
THEN KILLED ANOTHER MAN AND HUNG HIM FROM THE BRIDGE. IF
ANYONE GOES TO THE BRIDGE ON HALLOWEEN NIGHT, HE WILL SEE
THE MAN HANGING FROM THE BRIDGE, AND IF HE STAYS VERY LONG,
THE MADMAN WILL APPEAR AND TRY TO KILL HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1985
HALLOWEEN IS CELEBRATED MUCH THE SAME IN GREECE AS IT IS
IN THE UNITED STATES, EXCEPT IN THE UPPER PENNISULA. ARTA, AS
IT IS CALLED, FEARS ALL HALLOWS EVE. PEOPLE DO NOT LEAVE THEIR
HOMES FOR FEAR THAT SPIRITS WILL OVERTAKE THEM AND DESTROY THEM.
THIS IS THE ONE NIGHT OF THE YEAR THAT PERSONS FROM ARTA BELIEVE
SPIRITS ROAM FREE. THESE SPIRITS CAN BE RESTORED TO LIFE IF
THEY CAN FIND A LIFE TO REPLACE THEM IN THE LAND OF THE DEAD.
GOAT'S BLOOD IS PAINTED ON EVERY FRONT DOOR IN THE SIGN OF
A CROSS TO WARD AWAY THESE EVIL SPIRITS. A LARGE MEAL IS
EATEN THAT NIGHT, FOR THE VILLAGERS BELIEVE THAT THE SPIRITS
CANNOT LIFT A LIVING PERSON AND CARRY HIM OFF IF HE IS FILLED
WITH FOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; WHERE I FIRST HEARD THIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1948
GHOST OF SOUMI COLLEGE
NINA WAS A DORM STUDENT AT SOUMI COLLEGE. SOUMI IS A SMALL
COLLEGE IN HANCOCK, MICHIGAN IN THE UPPER PENINSULA, IN COPPER
COUNTRY. THE GIRL'S DORM AT SOUMI WAS BUILT IN 1869;
THE DORM BUILDING WAS ONCE USED FOR CLASSES, SERVICES, AND
LIVING QUARTERS. ONE DARK LONELY NIGHT, A GROUP OF STUDENTS
GATHERED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE DORM, OLD MAIN. THEY
STARTED TO EXCHANGE STORIES OF STRANGE HAPPENINGS. THEY
ALL HAD STRANGE EXPERIENCES ON THE FIRST FLOOR. THAT
NIGHT, UNEXPLAINED KNOCKING ON ALL WALLS IN DISORDERED
TIME SEQUENCES SCARED
NINA AND HER ROOMMATE, VICKY. THEY WAITED UP THE FOLLOWING
NIGHT, AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME GHOSTLY OCCURRENCE. IN
OTHER FIRST FLOOR DORM ROOMS, SHADES POPPED OPEN, AND
SHELVES FELL OFF THE WALLS. ONE STUDENT FELT A BREEZE
BRUSH PAST HER, AND SAW A DARK SHADOW. ONE GIRL WAS
AWAKENED BY A STRANGE SENSATION; SHE FELT A TUGGING
AT HER COLLAR. SHE EXPERIENCED THIS THREE TIMES. THERE
WERE REPORTS OF VAGUE SOUNDS LIKE MUFFLED VOICES, AND
FEELINGS OF PRESSURE AND HEAT. ONE TIME, NINA'S
ROOMMATE SAW A VISION OF AN OLD MAN IN A DERBY HAT
STANDING IN A MIST. ANOTHER GIRL SAW AN IMAGE OF A BLACK
COFFIN. NINA VISITED A PRIEST, AND GOT SOME HOLY WATER.
NINA AND HER ROOMMATE SPRINKLED THE WATER IN THE FIRST
FLOOR DORM ROOMS, AND THEN HEARD POUNDING ALL OVER THE
ROOMS, AS IF "SOMEONE WAS MAD AT WHAT WE WERE DOING."
VICKY INVESTIGATED OLD MAIN IN THE COLLEGE'S ARCHIVES.
SHE FOUND THAT THERE WAS ONCE AN OLD PASTOR NAMED
UHAU NIGHTGANDER. IN HIS PHOTOGRAPH, HE WAS WEARING A
DERBY. OLD MAIN ONCE CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND THE COLLEGE HAD TO
REBUILD. WHEN UHAU DIED, THE FUNERAL WAS HELD ON THE
FIRST FLOOR OF OLD MAIN. THE VAGUE VOICES WERE THOUGHT TO
BE THE CONGREGATION OF THE FUNERAL SERVICE. ALL OCCURRENCES
SEEMED TO BE EXPLAINED BY THE HISTORICAL FACTS VICKY
UNCOVERED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HANCOCK
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-00-1984
ONE OF THE GREATEST TERRORS FEARED BY THE IBO TRIBE IN NIGERIA
IS THE OGBANJE, A CHANGELING, WHICH IS A CHILD THAT CONSTANTLY
DIES AND RETURNS TO ITS MOTHER TO BE BORN AGAIN. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE
TO SAVE THE CHILD FROM DYING. MUTILATION OF THE CORPSE MAY
TERRIFY THE CHILD'S SPIRIT INTO STAYING AWAY FROM THE MOTHER,
BUT THIS DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF THE
CHILD BEING BORN AGAIN BEARING THE SCARS OF THE MUTILATION
ON ITS BODY. THE ONLY TO SAVE THE CHILD IS TO FIND THE
IYI-UWA, THE ENCHANTED OBJECT THAT MAINTAINS THE CHILD'S
SOUL, AND DESTROY IT. THEN THE CHILD WILL NOT DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-13-1987
THE VANISHING HITCHHIKER
THERE IS A STORY THAT HAS BEEN AROUND AS LONG AS I CAN
REMEMBER. IT IS SAID TO BE TRUE BUT NO ONE KNOWS FOR
SURE. IT IS A STORY ABOUT A LADY GHOST WHO HITCHHIKES
A RIDE FROM PASSING CARS. THE EVENT USUALLY TAKES PLACE
BETWEEN 3 A.M. AMD 6 A.M. AND IT USUALLY HAPPENS TO
DOCTORS ON THEIR WAY TO WORK(THERE IS A HOSPITAL NEARBY).
THEY WILL SEE A YOUNG GIRL HITCHING A RIDE. THEY WILL
PICK THE GIRL UP, SHE WILL GET INTO THE BACK SEAT OF
THE CAR. SHE IS WEARING A WHITE DRESS AND HAS LONG
LONG HAIR. SINCE IT IS EARLY MORNING, IT USUALLY COLD
OUTSIDE. THE DOCTOR USUALLY OFFERS HIS COAT TO THE
WOMAN. HE THEN DRIVES HER TO THE ADDRESS WHICH SHE GAVE
HIM (WHICH IS RIGHT NEAR THE HOSPITAL). WHEN HE GETS THERE
SHE IS GONE AND SO IS HIS COAT. THE PERSON WHO PICKED
THE GIRL UP WILL USUALLY GET OUT OF THE CAR AND GO UP
TO THE HOUSE TO SEE IF THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE KNOW THE
GIRL WHICH THEY DESCRIBE. WHOEVER ANSWERS THE DOOR SAYS
YES, AND THAT SHE HAS BEEN DEAD FOR ? YEARS. THEY TELL THE
PERSON WHERE HER GRAVE IS. THE CEMETERY IS RIGHT ACROSS
THE WAY FROM THE HOSPITAL. WHEN THE PERSON GETS TO
THE GRAVESITE, THEIR COAT IS FOUND ON THE GRAVESTONE.
Submitter comment:
I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE OF THE INFORMANT, BUT THIS STORY
HAS BEEN AROUND AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER. MANY PEOPLE
SWEAR THAT IT IS TRUE. AND EVERYTIME IT DOES HAPPEN,
THE STORY ALWAYS IS THE SAME. ONE STRANGE THING THAT
NO ONE UNDERSTANDS IS THAT IT IS USUALLY A MALE THAT
PICKS HER UP, NEVER A FEMALE.
Where learned: HOME ; ILLINOIS
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1974 ; 00-00-1974
THE GHOST LOOKING FOR HER GRAVE
THERE IS JEWISH CEMETERY BY MY HOUSE THAT WAS MOVED YEARS
AGO SO THAT A NEW HIGHWAY COULD BE BUILT. THEY DUG EVEYTHING UP
AND MOVED IT ABOUT A MILE BACK. THE HIGHWAY WAS BUILT AS
PLANNED. AFTER THE HIGHWAY WAS BUILT, MANY PEOPLE
BEGAN TO SEE THE IMAGE OF A YOUNG WOMAN WALKING THE HIGHWAY.
THIS SAME WOMAN WAS ALSO SEEN WALKING AROUND WHERE THE GRAVE
NOW IS. IT WAS SAID THAT THE YOUNG WOMAN MUST HAVE BEEN
BURIED IN THE CEMETERY AND LOST HER GRAVE WHEN THEY
MOVED THE CEMETERY. SHE NOW WANDERS AROUND LOOKING FOR
HER GRAVE.
Submitter comment:
HE SAID THAT THE STORY HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME
AND THAT A CLOSE FRIEND OF HIS HAS EVEN SEEN THE GHOST.
Where learned: ILLINOIS
Keyword(s): LOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1972 ; 10-00-1987
THE MAN WITH LEPROSY
IN THE TOWN OF ARECIBO THERE USED TO LIVE A MAN WITH LEPROSY.
HE LIVED IN THE MOUNTAINS AND USED TO COME TO SELL CHICKEN.
LONG AFTER HE DIED AND UP UNTIL TODAY, MANY PEOPLE
FROM THE VILLAGE CAN SEE HIM WALKING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN WITH
CHICKENS TO SELL.
Submitter comment:
SHE SAYS THAT THE STORY IS TRUE AND THAT MANY OF HER
RELATIVES HAVE SEEN THE GHOST.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
Keyword(s): ARECIBO, PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00001960S ; 11-00-1987
OLD SAUN JUAN
OLD SAUN JUAN IS A FORT THAT IS SURROUNDED BY HIGH WALLS
TO PROTECT THE PUERTO RICANS FROM ATTACK
WHEN THEY WERE AT WAR, THE MAN WHO STOOD LOOK-OUT IN THE
TOWER SAW THE GHOSTLY FIGURE OF A WOMAN. EVERY TIME
THEY WERE GOING TO BE ATTACKED THE WOMAN WOULD APPEAR
AND WARN THEM OF THE INVADERS. THE NAME OF THE WOMAN
WAS GARRITA.
Submitter comment: SHE SAID THAT THIS FOLKTALE WENT AROUND ALL OF THE VILLAGES.
Where learned: HOME ; PUERTO RICO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00001960'S ; 11-00-1987
THE CAVE IN ARECIBO
THERE IS CAVE THAT IS CLOSE TO THE OCEAN WHERE INDIANS
USED TO LIVE. THERE ARE MANY INDIAN DRAWINGS ON THE WALLS.
IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR, WHEN
THE CROPS ARE DUE FOR HARVEST, IF YOU GO INTO THE CAVE
YOU CAN HEAR THE HARVEST CHANTS OF THE INDIANS
WHO ONCED LIVED THERE.
Submitter comment: SHE HAS VISITED THIS CAVE, BUT HEARD NO NOISES.
Where learned: PUERTO RICO
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY VOICES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Formation |
Date learned: 00001960S ; 11-00-1987
WHEN MY FATHER WAS 4 YRS OLD HE LOOKED
OUT THE KITCHEN WINDOW AND SAW THE FACE
OF A BABY BOY AND LATER ON HIS MOTHER
GAVE BIRTH TO A BABY BOY THAT LOOKED JUST LIKE
THE BABY IN THE VISION MY FATHER SAW.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001980S
PLUG YOUR EARS WHEN YOU PASS A CEMETERY SO THE DEAD WON'T SPEAK TO
YOU.
Date learned: 11-00-1975 ; 11-00-1975
The ghost of Knute Rockne, a past Notre Dame football player,
is thought to guide Notre Dame's football team during the
games.
Where learned: INDIANA ; University of Notre Dame ; South Bend
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- School |
IN ORDER TO MAKE MEDICINES DISTASTEFUL TO THE DEMONS
OCCUPYING A SICK PERSON'S BODY, ANCIENT EGYPTIAN
PHYSICIANS USED DUNG AND BLOOD AS INGREDIENTS OF THEIR
PRESCRIPTIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 10-01-1988
WHENEVER YOU PASS A CEMETERY YOU SHOULD HOLD YOUR
BREATH SO IT DOESN'T GET SUCKED OUT OF YOU BY THE
SPIRITS OF THE DEAD BURIED THERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |