Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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GHOST HILL
MY INFORMANT WORKED AT CAMP SEMECONON OUTSIDE BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA
ONE SUMMER AND TOLD ME OF THIS OLD LADY THAT LIVED ON TOP OF THIS
VERY HIGH HILL WITH HER BROTHER WHO WAS ALSO AGED. ON THE WAY TO
THIS OLD LADY'S LOG CABIN THERE WAS AN OLD GRAVE YARD JUST OFF THE
PATH ABOUT 3/4 UP THE HILL. SOME OF THE TOMBSTONES WERE DATED IN
THE LATE 1700'S. THE OLD LADY WOULD TALK ABOUT HOW THE SPIRITS
OF THE PEOPLE BURIED IN THIS GRAVEYARD WOULD START YELLING AND EVEN
FIGHTING AMONG THEMSELVES. THE LADY SEEMED TO BELIEVE IN WHAT SHE
WAS SAYING AND EVERY TIME MY INFORMANT WOULD ASK HER BROTHER ABOUT
THESE THINGS, HE WOULDN'T SAY A WORD AND SEEMED TO GET FRIGHTENED
WHENEVER THE SUBJECT WAS BROUGHT UP.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery |
Date learned: 11-07-1968
HAUNTED HOUSE
THERE WAS A HAUNTED HOUSE AT GRATIOT AND HARPER IN DETROIT IN THE
1930'S. A FAMILY LIVED IN IT BUT WERE SCARED OUT BY THE GHOST.
THE GHOST WOULD TAKE TOBACCO OUT OF THE POCKET OF THE FATHER OF
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
VOICES
ON THE COAST OF RHODE ISLAND, THERE ARE CONCRETE BUNKERS AND PILL-
BOXES LEFT OVER FROM WWII THAT WERE USED TO DEFEND THE COAST.
PEOPLE SAY THAT ONE CAN HEAR THE VOICE OF THE RADIO MAN AND THE
VOICES OF THE MEN THAT WERE STATIONED THERE.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ENDWELL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation War |
Date learned: 10-05-1968
HAUNTED HOUSE
IN MORRILTOWN BOTTOMS, ARKANSAS, THERE WAS A HAUNTED HOUSE IN
WHICH ONE ROOM WAS HAUNTED. A FAMILY HAD MOVED IN IN THE
BEGINNING OF SUMMER. TWO OF THE CHILDREN WOULD SLEEP IN THE
FRONT ROOM OF THE HOUSE AND EVERY NIGHT THE GHOST OF THIS ROOM
WOULD PULL THE BLANKET OFF THE TWO KIDS. THE FAMILY COULD ONLY
TAKE IT FOR ONE SUMMER BEFORE THEY MOVED OUT, (AND THE HOUSE WAS)
NEVER TO BE LIVED IN AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
CHILDHOOD BELIEF
CHILDREN WHO LIVED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND PASADENA BETWEEN
SECOND AND THIRD STREETS IN DETROIT BELIEVED THAT A MAN WHO LIVED
IN ONE OF THE HOUSES HAD KILLED HIS WIFE, CAUSING THE HOUSE TO BE
HAUNTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-10-1967
LEGEND
IN ST. MARY'S COUNTY, MARYLAND, ON A WINDING ROAD DURING WORLD WAR
II, THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH A CAR, GOING OVER A BRIDGE,
CRASHED. IN THIS ACCIDENT, A BABY WAS KILLED INSTANTLY AND THE
MOTHER DIED LATER IN THE HOSPITAL. IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF YOU
DRIVE OVER THIS BRIDGE AT NIGHT, YOU CAN HEAR THE BABY CRYING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Bridge BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-13-1969
THE HAUNTED HOUSE
ON LAKESHORE DRIVE NEAR THE DODGE RESIDENCE, THERE IS AN OLD
RAMBLING HOUSE WHICH PEOPLE BELIEVE IS A HAUNTED HOUSE. IT IS
A LARGE BUILDING WITH MANY ROOMS, A BALCONY, KITCHENS AND ITS OWN
MONEY VAULT. SOME FRIENDS OF MINE VISITED THIS PLACE DURING THE
NIGHT AND AS THEY WERE LEAVING, THE BOY WHO WAS THE LAST TO LEAVE
BELIEVED HE HAD FELT TWO HANDS AT HIS NECK WHILE HE WAS EXITING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
HAUNTED HOUSE
THE HOUSE AT 16511 MUIRLAND IN DETROIT IS SAID TO BE HAUNTED.
STRANGE NOISES HAVE BEEN HEARD AND IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT
POSTERS ON THE WALLS HAVE BEEN RIPPED IN HALF, SUPPOSEDLY BY
AN UNSEEN FORCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1964
NOT GIVEN
IN BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, THERE WAS A PONTIAC, BUICK AND CADILLAC
DEALERSHIP, GUY F. JOHNSON. THIS AUTO COMPANY IN THE 1930'S GOT
HOLD OF A CAR SUPPOSEDLY OWNED BY A GANGSTER WHO WAS MURDERED
IN THIS CAR. THE CAR CHANGED HANDS MANY TIMES UNTIL A YOUNG
COUPLE, NEEDING A CAR, BOUGHT IT. THE PREVIOUS OWNERS NEVER
EXPLAINED WHY THEY HAD RETURNED THE AUTO. APPARENTLY, WHEN A
SINGLE PERSON WOULD DRIVE THE CAR, THERE WAS A DISTINCT ODOR OF
CIGAR SMOKE. A PAIR OF EYES WOULD APPEAR IN THE MIRROR. THE
COUPLE RETURNED THE CAR AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. NO ONE
KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-17-1972
LEGEND
MY FATHER (MR. KELLY) HAD A RACE HORSE THAT HE USED TO
PRACTICE EVERY NIGHT. ONE NIGHT AS HE WAS COMING HOME
AT DUSK, A MAN POPPED UP NEXT TO HIM, ON THE ROAD.
MY FATHER SAID, "HELLO, HOW ARE YOU," AND "WHAT DO YOU
WANT" BUT THE MAN NEVER ANSWERED. HE JUST KEPT WALKING
ALONG SIDE. HIS FACE COULDN'T BE SEEN FOR HE WALKED
SIDEWAYS. SUDDENLY, HE DISAPPEARED. WHEN MY FATHER GOT
HOME, HE WAS PALE AND HAD A HEADACHE. TWO DAYS LATER
THE HORSE DIED. THIS HAD BEEN A SIGN OF DEATH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT CLAIMS THIS TO BE TRUE. IT HAPPENED IN
BUCKINGHAM, QUEBEC {CANADA} ABOUT 50-60 YEARS AGO.
INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT THIS HAPPENED IN BUCKINGHAM , QUEBEC 50-60 YRS
AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CANADA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-24-1972
LEGEND
THERE WAS A MAN NAMED MR. BOUCHER WHO DIED IN BUCKINHAM,
QUEBEC {CANADA} ABOUT 45-50 YEARS AGO. BEFORE HE DIED,
HE REQUESTED TO SEE HIS SON, AND SAID IF HE DID NOT,
THAT HE WOULD TORTURE HIS WHOLE WAKE. THE SON ARRIVED
TOO LATE.
THE INFORMANT ATTENDED THE FUNERAL-WAKE AT THE DECEASED'S
HOME.
A KNOCK CAME AT THE DOOR, SOMEONE OPENED IT BUT NO ONE
WAS THERE. THIS WAS REPEATED CONSTANTLY THROUGHOUT THE
WAKE. IT WAS MR. BOUCHER GETTING HIS REVENGE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS AT THIS WAKE.
BIRMINGHAM, QUEBEC
BOUCHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-22-1972
SNAKE LEGEND
IN ONE VILLAGE IN ITALY, THERE WAS THIS LARGE POOL OF
WATER FROM WHICH THE VILLAGERS USED TO DRAW THEIR
WATER. HOWEVER, A SNAKE BEGAN COMING DOWN FROM THE
MOUNTAINS EVERY DAY BETWEEN 11 AND 12 TO USE THIS
POOL TO DRINK. IN FACT, THE SNAKE USED THIS POOL SO
REGULARILY THAT THERE WAS A BEATEN DOWN PATH FROM THE
MOUNTAIN TO THE POOL MADE BY THE SNAKE. THE SNAKE'S
BODY LOOKED LIKE THAT OF A SMALL CHILD, WHILE ITS HEAD
WAS A STANDARD-LOOKING SNAKE HEAD. THE PEOPLE WERE
IMMENSELY AFRAID OF THIS SNAKE. THERE WAS ONE MAN
WHO SAID HE WOULD KILL THE SNAKE. HE GOT A GUN AND SOME
ROPE, AND CLIMBED UP IN A CHESTNUT TREE NEAR THE SNAKE
PATH. HE TIED HIMSELF AROUND THE TREE AND WAITED.
WHEN THE SNAKE CAME BETWEEN 11 AND 12 O'CLOCK THE MAN SHOT
THE SNAKE, BUT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY KILL IT. INDEED,
THE SNAKE BEGAN JUMPING UP AT THE MAN IN THE TREE.
HE WAS TERRIFIED BUT FINALLY THE SNAKE DIED. THE MAN
WAS SO SCARED THAT HIS HAIR FELL OUT AND HE WAS
BEGINNING TO DIE. HE WENT TO THE PRIEST FOR ABSOLUTION
BUT THE PRIEST REFUSED TO ABSOLVE THE MAN, BUT INSTEAD
ADMONISHED HIM FOR KILLING THE SNAKE BECAUSE HE SAID
THE SNAKE WAS ACTUALLY THE SOUL OF A DEAD PERSON WHO
CAME BACK AS A SNAKE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT ALONE.
Submitter comment:
TABU AGAINST KILLING SNAKE WITH THE BODY OF A CHILD. PRIEST REFUSES
ABSOLUTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
GHOST STORY
A STREET NEAR OUR HUSE, ROBERTJOHN, IS REPORTED TO HAVE
A THUMPING NOISE WHENEVER A CAR PASSES OVER A CERTAIN
PORTION OF IT. THIS IS SAID TO HAVE RESULTED FROM AN
ACCIDENT WHERE A PERSON WAS RUN OVER, AND THEN
STUFFED INTO THE TRUNK OF THE CAR (OUT OF FEAR, PROBABLY,
OF THE PERSON HITTING HIM); HOWEVER, HIS ARM DID NOT
MAKE IT INTO THE TRUNK AND AS THE CAR DROVE AWAY, THE
ARM KEPT HITTING THE STREET, CAUSING THE THUMP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: CA00001970
KNOCK, KNOCK ROAD
THERE IS A ROAD IN GROSSE POINTE WOODS, MICHIGAN THAT IS
CALLED "KNOCK-KNOCK ROAD" (ROBERT JOHN ROAD IS THE REAL
NAME). SUPPOSEDLY WHEN THE HOMES WERE JUST BEING BUILT,
OUT THERE, A GIRL WAS RUNNING ACROSS THE STREET AND A
TRUCK HIT HER. HER ARM WAS SEVERED OFF AND FLEW INTO
A NEARBY FIELD AND WHENEVER A CAR DRIVES BY THE SPIRIT
OF THE GIRL MAKES THE ARM KNOCK ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR.
Submitter comment: THE SEVERED ARM OF GHOST KNOCKS ON CARS.
Data entry tech comment: ON KNOCK, KNOCK ROAD-ROBERT JOHN ROAD-IN GROSSE POINTE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 05-00-1967
THE LEGEND OF THE HEADLESS MAN
IN MISHAWAKA, INDIANA, THERE ARE RAILROAD TRACKS RUNNING
THROUGH THE CITY UPON WHICH THE NEW YORK CENTRAL TRAINS
USUALLY TRAVEL. THEY USUALLY GO ABOUT 90 MPH SO WHEN A
TRAIN COMES, YOU'D BETTER STOP. THE FOLLOWING IS A LEGEND
WHICH IS TOLD ABOUT THESE TRACKS:
IN THE OLD DAYS, A RAILROAD WORKER IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN
INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON THESE TRACKS IN WHICH HE LOST
HIS HEAD AND IMMEDIATELY WAS KILLED. SINCE THEN, MANY
PEOPLE IN THE AREA SWEAR THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A HEADLESS
FIGURE ROAMING UP AND DOWN THE TRACKS. IT IS THOUGHT
TO BE THIS RAILROAD WORKER LOOKING FOR HIS HEAD.
Submitter comment:
HEADLESS GHOST OF DECAPITATED WORKER ROAMS RAILROAD TRACKS IN
MISHAWAKA, INDIANA, LOOKING FOR HIS HEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 03-04-1972
LEGEND
DOWN THE OLD MILL ROAD IN CEDAR SPRINGS {MICHIGAN}, EARLY
IN THE 1960S, THERE WAS AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT INVOLVING
A YOUNG COUPLE. THE MAN WAS KILLED INSTANTANIOUSLY, THE
YOUNG WOMAN, HOWEVER, HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF SURVIVING
THE IMMEDIATE ACCIDENT. BLEEDING AND HALF IN A STATE OF
SHOCK, SHE STARTED WANDERING DOWN THE DARK ROAD IN THE
DIRECTION OF HELP ONLY TO COLLAPSE AND ALSO DIE IN THE
ROAD. NOW SHE WANDERS THE ROAD IN THE FORM OF A SPIRIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CEDAR SPRINGS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 07-00-1969
GHOST STORY
TEXT KEYPUNCHED IN NOVEMBER, 1972--ALSO IN 5X8 FILE CABINET
WHEN I WAS IN LOUISIANA, A FRIEND OF MINE TOLD ME A STORY THAT HE
CLAIMS
HAPPENED TO HIM. THIS FRIEND OF MINE USED TO LIVE IN THE
PHILIPPINES.
WHILE HE WAS THERE HE HEARD STORIES ABOUT THIS STREET THAT WAS
DESERTED. ON THIS STREET THERE WAS AN OLD HOUSE. APPARENTLY, A GIRL
WAS ONCE RAPED AND KILLED THERE. ANYWAY, WHENEVER ANY CARS WENT DOWN
THIS STREET, YOU COULD ALWAYS SEE THE GHOST OF THE GIRL HITCHING A
RIDE.
SO, ONE NIGHT HE SAID THAT HE AND A FEW FRIENDS WERE OUT DRINKING
AND BEFORE THEY KNEW IT, THEY WERE ON THIS STREET. IN THE DISTANCE
HE SAID THEY COULD SEE THE GIRL'S GHOST STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
STREET. ALL THEY COULD DO IS HOLD ON TO EACH OTHER AND STEP ON THE
GAS. HE SAID THAT THEY DROVE THROUGH IT AND AS IT PASSED THROUGH THE
CAR THEY COULD FEEL SOMETHING LIKE A BREEZE GO THROUGH THE CAR.
Where learned: LOUISIANA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-04-1972
DOG GHOST
THERE WAS A PATHWAY LEADING FROM INFORMANT'S MOTHER'S
HOUSE TO HER HOUSE (INFORMANT'S). SHE WAS ACCUSTOMED
TO GOING THROUGH THE PATHWAY AT ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT.
ONE NIGHT SHE WAS RETURNING HOME WHEN SHE ENCOUNTERED
A HUGE SNOW WHITE DOG, ABOUT SIX FEET TALL ON ALL
FOUR LEGS, ACROSS THE PATHWAY. IT FRIGHTENED HER SO
BAD HER HAIR STOOD STRAIGHT UP ON HER HEAD. SHE RAN
HOME AFTER THE DOG DISAPPEARED. LATER SHE FELT THIS
WAS A WARNING NOT TO TRAVEL THE PATHWAY AT NIGHT, SO
SHE DIDN'T ANY MORE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A TRUE TALE. TOLD BY MY MOTHER. IT
HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 1935 IN WINSTON SALEM, NORTH
CAROLINA.
WOMAN FRIGHTENED BY A LARGE WHITE DOG. HER HAIR STANDS ON END, AND
SHE INTERPRETS APPEARANCE OF DOG AS GHOSTLY WARNING TO AVOID
THAT PATH
INFORMANT SAYS THIS IS TRUE; IT HAPPENED TO HER MOTHER IN 1935 IN
WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA
Where learned: WINSTON SALEM ; NORTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: CA00001956 ; 00-00-1935
GHOST STORY
IN LINCOLN TOWNSHIP HALL OF HURON COUNTY {MICHIGAN}
IF YOU DRIVE BY AT NIGHT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SEE A
GHOST.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT DOESN'T BELIEVE IT BECAUSE EVERY TIME
HE GOES BY HE DOESN'T SEE ANY GHOST. BUT HE CLAIMS
THE SUPERSTITION STILL.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP HALL OF HURON COUNTY , MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARBOR BEACH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-04-1971
LAST RITES
INFORMANT SWEARS THIS IS TRUE. AT LAST RITES A VERY
GOOD FRIEND OF A PRIEST'S WAS TOLD BY HIM THAT IF SHE
GOT TO HEAVEN TO LET HIM KNOW. TWO WEEKS LATER
THERE WAS A KNOCK ON HIS OFFICE DOOR AND THIS LADY'S
SPIRIT INFORMED THE PRIEST SHE HAD GOTTEN TO HEAVEN.
Submitter comment: DEAD PERSON LETS LIVING KNOW OF ARRIVAL IN HEAVEN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-22-1971