Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B429 returned 584 results.
HAUNTED HOUSE
ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO, IN WEST SALEM TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA, A YOUNG
MAN SOON TO BE MARRIED BUILT A HOUSE ON BARRY ROAD FOR HIS BRIDE.
HOWEVER, WHEN THE DAY OF THE WEDDING ARRIVED, THE YOUNG MAN CHANGED
HIS MIND AND STOOD UP HIS INTENDED BRIDE.
THE HOUSE WAS NEVER LIVED IN BY ANYONE AND IS BELIEVED BY
RESIDENTS OF THE AREA TO BE HAUNTED BY THE COUPLE.
Submitter comment:
MY AUNT, FROM WHOM I HEARD THIS STORY, LIVES IN THE AREA OF THE
SUPPOSEDLY HAUNTED HOUSE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE ; WEST SALEM TOWNSHIP
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Other Structure for Private Use BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1964
HAUNTED HOUSE (ST. CLAIR SHORES, MICHIGAN)
IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT ONE JEFFERSON AVENUE NEAR 13 1/2 MILE ROAD
THERE IS A HAUNTED HOUSE. IN 1964 (JUNE), THREE BOYS DECIDED TO
PAY A VISIT TO THE GHOSTS IN THE HOUSE. WHEN THEY GOT TO THE
HOUSE, THEY DECIDED TO GO IN ONE AT A TIME. IF ANYTHING HAPPENED,
THE PERSONS OUTSIDE WOULD CALL FOR HELP. AS THE FIRST BOY
ENTERED, ALL THREE WERE LAUGHING; ABOUT 4 MINUTES LATER THE TWO
OUTSIDE HEARD A TERRIBLE SCREAM. NOT THINKING, ONE OF THE BOYS
RAN IN. THE OTHER RAN FOR HELP. WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVED, THEY
FOUND TWO BOYS UPSTAIRS, DEAD. THEIR HAIR WAS SNOW-WHITE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Date learned: 03-22-1968
KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
THE STREET O'CONNER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN ST. CLAIR SHORES,
MICHIGAN, IS SAID TO BE HAUNTED BY THE GHOST OF AN 8-YEAR-OLD
GIRL WHO WAS DRAGGED TO HER DEATH ON THE BUMPER OF A CAR.
THE DRIVER OF THE CAR HEARD A KNOCKING ON THE BACK OF THE
VEHICLE BUT WAS UNAWARE AT THE TIME WHAT IT WAS. THE GIRL'S
MOTHER CURSED THE STREET SO THAT EVERY TIME A CAR WENT PAST
THE STREET, THE PASSENGERS WOULD HEAR THE KNOCKING.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 00-00-1964
NOT GIVEN
ONCE IN A HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET, A GIRL WAS TAKING A BATH AND
THE DOOR WAS LOCKED. SOMEONE HAD COME IN AND CUT OFF THE GIRL'S
LEG AND HER TONGUE. SHE MADE A NOISE LIKE THIS: BUMP AH-AH,
BUMP AH-AH.
THE BUMP WAS HER TRYING TO WALK AND THE AH-AH WAS HER TRYING TO
TALK. EVEN THOUGH THE GIRL DIED THE MOTHER CONTINUED TO HEAR
THAT SOUND LONG AFTERWARDS.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO ME WHILE WE WERE HAVING RECESS. JUDITH'S MOTHER
TOLD IT TO HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HAUNTED HOUSE
IN BARABOO, WISCONSIN, WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG, THERE WAS A
HAUNTED HOUSE ON OUR BLOCK AND WE KEPT SEEING PEOPLE IN WHITE
WALKING AROUND IN THERE, AND DOGS HOWLING UP THERE AT NIGHT.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE ; BARABOO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
APPALACHIAN LEGEND
THERE WAS ONCE A DOG WHO WAS SUCH A GOOD COON HUNTER THAT HE
COULD TREE ANY COON IN THE AREA. HE'S DEAD NOW, BUT ON CLEAR
NIGHTS YOU CAN STILL HEAR HIM BAYING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 02-26-1970
HAUNTED HOUSE
AT FIFTEEN MILE ROAD AND JEFFERSON THERE WAS SUPPOSEDLY A HAUNTED
HOUSE. IT BURNED DOWN ONE NIGHT, HOWEVER, AND THE OWNER WAS
BURNED WITH IT.
Submitter comment: HE HEARD THIS FROM HIS FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Other Structure for Private Use |
Date learned: 11-03-1967
SPOOK HILL
IN MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, THERE IS A HILL KNOWN AS SPOOK HILL WHICH
IS SAID TO BE HAUNTED. AT THIS HILL, A CAR WHICH AT THE FOOT OF
THE HILL IS AT A COMPLETE STOP, BEGINS TO ROLL BACKWARDS UP THE
HILL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 03-03-1970
HAUNTED COTTAGE
THERE IS A HAUNTED COTTAGE ALONG LAKE ERIE JUST EAST OF ERIE,
PENNSYLVANIA. AN OLD GIANT OF A MAN SUPPOSEDLY LIVED THERE
SOME TIME AGO. THIS MAN KILLED A TRESPASSER AT HIS COTTAGE
(THERE ARE RED STAINS ON THE FLOOR AND WALLS OF THE MAIN ROOM).
HE DUMPED THE BODY IN ERIE AT 32 AND GREENGARDEN AVENUE, AND
THAT STREET SIGN STANDS IN FRONT OF THE COTTAGE. THE OLD MAN'S
SPIRIT PROTECTS THE PLACE FROM TRESPASSERS.
Submitter comment:
ALTHOUGH THE SURROUNDING AREA IS VERY BEAUTIFUL, PEOPLE REFUSE TO
BUILD THERE, AND THE PROPERTY OWNER REFUSES TO SELL THE LAND.
THIS LADY OWNS THE PROPERTY OF THE HAUNTED COTTAGE AND BELIEVES IN
THE STORY. THIS FAMILY OWNS A COTTAGE AT THE SITE OF THE HAUNTED COTTAGE AND
BELIEVE ITS STORY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
LOCAL HAUNTED HOUSE STORY
THERE WAS AN OLD HOUSE NEAR HERE, BUT THIS WAS QUITE A FEW YEARS
AGO, AND PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS HAUNTED BECAUSE THEY WOULD HEAR
NOISES COMING FROM IT AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE A HORRIBLE SMELL
WOULD COME OUT OF THE HOUSE. FINALLY, THEY FOUND AN OLD WOMAN
IN THE BASEMENT WHO HAD BEEN LIVING THERE AND EATING THE RATS
TO KEEP ALIVE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 09-19-1967
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 HITCH-HIKER GIRL
ONE NIGHT IT WAS RAINING VERY HARD. TWO PEOPLE WERE DRIVING DOWN
THE ROAD TOWARD WALLACEBURG. BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THEY SAW A
GIRL DRESSED IN A FORMAL, WAITING FOR A RIDE. THEY STOPPED THE
CAR AND ASKED HER IF THEY COULD GIVE HER A LIFT. SHE GOT IN AND
THEY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NOT A DROP OF WATER ON HER. ON THE
WAY TO WALLACEBURG, ONE OF THE PEOPLE TURNED AROUND TO TALK TO
HER AND SHE WAS GONE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS INFORMATION FROM HER UNCLE, ALEX
MACDONALD, IN ABOUT 1925 IN PORT LAMBTON. HE TOLD HER THAT THIS
HAS HAPPENED TO QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WHILE GOING TO WALLACEBURG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; PORT LAMBTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 05-12-1965 ; 00001925 CA
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 ; 00001920 CA
UPPER PENINSULA, MICHIGAN
THE ROCKS ON THE UPPER PENINSULA ARE CONSIDERED SACRED AND
HAUNTED. THE INDIANS BELIEVED THIS BECAUSE NOTHING LIVES THERE
AND THE VEGETATION IS SPARSE. THE INDIANS ALSO FEARED THIS PLACE
BECAUSE LIGHTNING STRUCK THE ROCKS SO OFTEN.
Submitter comment: MIKE LEARNED THIS FROM HIS RELATIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Natural atmospheric phenomenon |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
STRASBOURG, THE HAUNTED STREET
IN THE EARLY 1950'S A STORY CIRCULATED IN DETROIT ABOUT A HAUNTED
STREET CALLED STRASBOURG. WHENEVER ANYONE WOULD DRIVE THEIR CAR
ON THIS PARTICULAR STREET, A CONSTANT KNOCKING NOISE COULD BE
HEARD. IT SEEMED TO COME FROM EVERYWHERE. SOMETIMES IT SOUNDED
LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE DOOR; THEN IT WOULD COME FROM THE
ROOF.
THE KNOCKING NOISE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE GHOST
OF A YOUNG GIRL WHO HAD BEEN KILLED BY A HIT AND RUN DRIVER.
SHE WAS PERHAPS TEN OR ELEVEN YEARS OLD. AS SHE TRIED TO CROSS
THE STREET, HER COAT WAS CAUGHT BY THE DOOR HANDLE OF A PASSING
CAR. AS THE CAR DRAGGED HER ALONG THE STREET, THE GIRL STARTED
TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR, TRYING TO GET THE DRIVER'S ATTENTION, BUT
SHE FINALLY FELL AND WAS CRUSHED UNDER THE CAR WHEEL. THE CAR
SPED AWAY.
THE GIRL'S FATHER, WHO WAS A GYPSY, PLACED A CURSE ON THE STREET.
HE SAID THAT UNTIL THE DAY THE HIT AND RUN DRIVER WHO KILLED HIS
DAUGHTER WAS CAUGHT, THE SPIRIT OF HIS DAUGHTER WOULD KNOCK ON
EVERY CAR THAT DROVE DOWN STRASBOURG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Date learned: 11-19-1968
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
HAUNTED HOUSE
THE INFORMANT'S HUSBAND CLAIMED THAT HE LIVED IN A HAUNTED HOUSE.
IN THIS HOUSE WERE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS WHERE THE BOYS USED TO
SLEEP. ONE NIGHT, THE INFORMANT'S HUSBAND AWOKE AND SAW A LITTLE
MAN WITH A TURBAN AND A LONG RED ROBE UNROLLING A RUG. HE WOKE
HIS BROTHER AND THEY BOTH WITNESSED THE LITTLE MAN. THEY TOLD
THEIR MOTHER AND SHE WOULD NEVER ALLOW THEM TO SLEEP DOWN THERE
AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
PROSE NARRATIVE
A WOMAN, WHOSE SON MARRIED A GIRL SHE DISLIKED, TOOK ALL HER SON'S
POSSESSIONS FROM HER DAUGHTER-IN-LAW ON HER SON'S DEATH. EACH
NIGHT THEREAFTER AT MIDNIGHT ALL THE FURNITURE AND DISHES IN THE
MOTHER'S HOME WOULD RATTLE FOR ONE HOUR. IT WAS SAID TO BE THE
GHOST OF THE DEAD SON. AT LAST THE MOTHER RETURNED ALL TO HER
WIDOWED DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AND PEACE WAS RESTORED AT NIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 09-23-1969
HAUNTED CABIN
THERE IS AN OLD LOGGING CABIN IN EAST TAWAS ON ONE OF THE BACK
LOGGING ROADS DATING BACK TO AROUND CIVIL WAR TIME, AND THE CABIN
IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE FOR HOW OLD IT IS. THE LEGEND GOES THAT THE
PERSON WHO ONWED THE PLACE DIED IN A STABLE JUST OFF ONE ROOM,
ALONG WITH HIS DOG AND HORSE. PRIOR TO OUR ARRIVAL IN EAST TAWAS
(ABOUT 1953), A GROUP OF PEOPLE APPROACHED THE CABIN. ONE PERSON
FROM THE GROUP OPENED THE TOP PART OF THE DUTCH-DOOR AND CLIMBED
OVER AND INTO THE CABIN. HE SEARCHED THE CABIN AND FOUND THE
BONES OF A HUMAN BEING, A HORSE AND A DOG, IN THE STABLE AREA.
WHEN HE CAME OUT OF THE CABIN HE TOLD THE GROUP WHAT HE HAD FOUND
AND IMMEDIATELY KEELED OVER DEAD. THE GROUP FLED, LEAVING THE
TOP PART OF THE DOOR OPEN AND NO ONE HAS ENTERED THE CABIN SINCE
THEN. ALL THE UTENSILS USED BY THE DEAD OWNER COULD BE SEEN IN
THE CABIN IN 1958--THE TIME WHEN THE INFORMANT WAS THERE. THE
INFORMANT BELIEVES THAT THIS REALLY HAPPENED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST TAWAS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1958