Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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GHOST IN THE ROAD
THERE IS A ROAD, NOT FAR FROM WHERE I USED TO LIVE, THAT MY FRIENDS
AND I ALWAYS USED TO GO TO. IT WAS WHERE THE GHOST IN THE ROAD WAS.
THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT AND A LITTLE HILLY AND WAS DIMLY LIT WITH A
COUPLE OF STREET LIGHTS. WHEN COMING DOWN THE ROAD, AT A CERTAIN
SPOT, YOU COULD SEE THE GHOST, CLAD IN A LONG WHITE ROBE. SOME
PEOPLE SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A LADY IN A WHITE GOWN. OTHERS THOUGHT
IT LOOKED LIKE JESUS CHRIST. WHEN DRIVING CLOSER TO THE GHOST, IT
SEEMED TO BE WALKING TOWARDS YOU. THEN IT WOULD DISAPPEAR.
Submitter comment:
WHAT IT REALLY WAS, WAS AN OIL SLICK ON THE ROAD. THE LIGHT FROM THE
STREET LIGHT SHONE ON IT IN SUCH A WAY AS TO CREATE THE IMAGE OF A
PERSON. SINCE THEN, THOUGH, THE ROAD HAS BEEN RESURFACED AND THE
GHOST NO LONGER CAN BE SEEN.
Where learned: CALIFORNIA ; PLACENTIA
James Callow Keyword(s): DISBELIEF
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
Entry filtered.
DEATH
WHEN MY GREAT GRANDFATHER DIED THE FRONT GATE OF HIS HOUSE STARTED
SWINGING BACK AND FORTH ALONE. WHEN MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER DIED HER
ROCKING CHAIR STARTED ROCKING BY ITSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
HAUNTED CHURCH
ON ALL SOUL'S DAY IN THE EVENING, A WOMAN WAS WALKING
BY A CHURCH THAT
WAS ALL LIT UP. SHE WENT IN TO PRAY. SHE HEARD A NOISE AND LOOKED UP
AND SAW A LOT OF PEOPLE WALKING AROUND. SHE KNEW SOME OF THE PEOPLE
BUT THEY HAD DIED A YEAR AGO. A FRIEND CAME AND TOLD HER SHE WAS NOT
WELCOME THERE, BUT TO GET AWAY SHE HAD TO WRAP HER COAT AROUND HER
SHOULDERS AND RUN OUT. SHE DID SO BUT THE SPIRITS GRABBED HER COAT.
THE NEXT DAY SHE TOLD THE PRIEST THE STORY. THEY WENT TO THE CEMETERY
AND FOUND HER COAT SHREDDED ALL OVER THE GRAVES.
James Callow comment:
COMPARE "THE VANISHING HITCHHIKER"
CN[ FOERSTNER, SCOTT 701049
C1[ 16714 FISCHER RD
C2[ LAKEWOOD, OHIO 14410
DNC[ 1,389
******************** C FILE 1 ********************
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
Date learned: 11-25-1973
LEGENDS OF ROGUES' HOLLOW
ROGUES' HOLLOW IS A SMALL, ISOLATED AREA OF LAND LOCATED ABOUT
TWO MILES SOUTH OF DOYLESTOWN, OHIO, WHICH HAS A GREAT DEAL OF OLD
RUMORS AND LEGENDS ABOUT IT. THE FEW LISTED HERE ARE ALL THAT I
REMEMBER HEARING, BUT EVERY NOW AND THEN YOU HEAR SOMETHING ELSE
ABOUT IT WHICH PEOPLE DECLARE TO BE TRUE ALSO. AS FAR AS I KNOW,
NONE OF THESE LEGENDS HAVE BEEN PROVEN OR DISPROVEN.
1--JESSE JAMES WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HIDDEN OUT IN THE CAVES AT
ONE TIME
2--A MAN WHO WORKED IN A MILL IN ROGUES' HOLLOW WAS SUPPOSED
TO HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN THE WATER WHEEL AND KILLED INSTANTLY. EVER
SINCE, HE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HAUNTED THE MILL. EVENTUALLY IT WAS
BURNED DOWN (FACT), AND THIS IS ALSO ATTRIBUTED TO THE GHOST. ONE
VERSION SAYS THAT HE DID THIS BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS GOING TO BUY IT.
3--IF YOU STAND IN A CERTAIN PLACE AT MIDNIGHT, YOU CAN HEAR
THE SOUND OF A BABY CRYING.
4--IF YOU STAND NEAR THE RAILROAD TRACKS AT MIDNIGHT, YOU CAN
HEAR THE SOUND OF A TRAIN COMING DOWN THE TRACK, THOUGH THERE IS NO
TRAIN,
5--AN OLD BEARDED HERMIT, OR HIS GHOST, LIVES IN THE COAL MINES
AND WILL TRY TO KILL ANY TRESPASSERS WITH HIS PICK.
6-- MANY MINERS WERE ONCE KILLED IN A CAVE-IN, AND THEIR GHOSTS
STILL WORK THERE TODAY.
Submitter comment:
ROGUES' HOLLOW IS A POPULAR PLACE FOR FAMILIES AND SIGHTSEERS
ON SUNDAYS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE LEAVES ARE CHANGING COLOR, BUT
DURING THE WEEK, TEENAGERS MAKE UP THE BIGGEST PART OF THE CROWD.
GROUPS OF BOYS, OR BOY-GIRL GROUPS ARE THERE DAY AND NIGHT EXPLORING
THE MINES AND HOPING TO SEE SOMETHING SUPERNATURAL.
A GREAT MAJORITY OF PEOPLE DO SEEM TO BELIEVE AT LEAST A FEW OF
THE SUPERSTITIONS ABOUT ROGUES' HOLLOW, AND SOME CLAIM TO HAVE WIT-
NESSED THEM EITHER FIRST-HAND OR VICARIOUSLY. THE TWO BELIEFS ABOUT
THE BABY AND THE TRAIN SEEM TO BE THE ONES BEST KNOWN, AS WELL AS
THE ONES MOST BELIEVED.
Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS SOUNDS
Date learned: 10-00-1973
I HAD A DREAM ONE NIGHT THAT I WAS HUNTING WITH MY BROTHER IN THE
WOODS. HE WAS ABOUT 100 YARDS AHEAD OF ME WHEN I SAW HIM STUMBLE AND
THEN A SPIRIT GOT OUT OF HIS BODY, WAVED TO ME, THEN DISAPPEARED IN
THE WOODS. THEN I WOKE UP. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE HUNTING IN THE
SAME WOODS WITH MY NEPHEW, I RECEIVED WORD THAT MY BROTHER HAD DIED
ONLY A MILE FROM WHERE WE WERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MEMORATE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Dreams Foretelling a death |
Date learned: 10-29-1972
WHILE HITCHHIKING IN 1936, WE WERE GOING TO NEW YORK. WE HAD GOTTEN
A RIDE FROM A FARMER BUT HE HAD TO LEAVE US ON THE OPEN ROAD. MY
FRIEND AND I DECIDED TO REST ON A BLUFF WHERE WE COULD SEE IF ANY
CARS WERE COMING. WE WERE THERE FOR A WHILE WHEN WE HEARD FOOTSTEPS.
THE MOON WAS FULL AND WE WERE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T SEE ANYBODY ON THE
ROAD. AN OLD MAN WAS WALKING TOWARD US. AFTER EXCHANGING GREETINGS,
HE ASKED IF WE WERE HUNGRY. HE THEN OFFERED US A COCONUT HE GOT
FROM A FARMER. HE SLOWLY WALKED AWAY AND DISAPPEARED FROM OUR SIGHT.
I CLIMBED TO THE TOP OF THE BLUFF ONLY TO FIND A CEMETERY. SCARED,
WE WENT TO THE ROAD AND HITCHED A RIDE TO A DINER. THERE THE SHERIFF
WAS DESCRIBING AN OLD MAN, THE ONE WE MET. HE HAD BEEN DEAD FOR
FOUR WEEKS. WHEN WE HEARD THIS, WE FAINTED. AFTER TELLING WHAT
HAPPENED TO THE SHERIFF, HE TOLD US THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME IT
HAD HAPPENED IN TWO WEEKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MEMORATE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-29-1972
WHEN MY YOUNGER BROTHER AWOKE DURING THE NIGHT, HE MISTAKENLY
ENTERED THE CLOSET AND SCREAMED. WHEN THE FAMILY ARRIVED, HE TOLD
THEM THAT A LADY DRESSED IN WHITE HAD REACHED OUT TO PAT HIM ON
THE HEAD. TWO DAYS LATER, THE FAMILY RECEIVED A TELEGRAM THAT THE
BOY'S GRANDMOTHER HAD DIED IN POLAND THE SAME NIGHT THE LADY IN
WHITE APPEARED IN THE CLOSET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 10-29-1972
THE LEGEND OF STRASBURG STREET
ONE DAY ABOUT 12 YEARS AGO, A GIRL RIDING A
BICYCLE WAS KILLED BY A HIT AND RUN DRIVER WHILE ON
STRASBURG STREET, ON DETROIT'S EAST SIDE. THE MAN WAS
CAUGHT AND TILL THIS DAY YOU CAN HEAR A THUMPING NOISE
ON THAT STREET--PEOPLE SAY IT IS THE DEAD GIRL.
Submitter comment: VICKY LIVES IN THE AREA AND IS A FIRM BELIEVER IN THE STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
THE GHOST OF HEADLINE
SHORTLY AFTER HEADLINE OPENED, CREAKING DOORS, ODD NOISES,
SUDDEN GUSTS OF AIR AND FLICKERING LIGHTS WERE ATTRIBUTED TO
A SPIRIT WHO MADE OUR BUILDING HIS HOME.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT AND I WORK IN THE BUILDING. SEVERAL OF OUR
FRIENDS FORMED A GROUP THAT HELD WEEKLY MEETINGS
IN WHICH THE GHOST WAS CONTACTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
OCEAN GHOST
HOUSE ON THE WATER, AT THE BAY.
SHE HAD NEVER BEEN OUT OF THE HOUSE FOR YEARS.
SHE DIED IN THE HOUSE--THE BODY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE
HOUSE--FOR THE FIRST TIME.
THEY BURIED HER BEHIND THE HOUSE.
HER GHOST IS SEEN GETTING UP AND WALKING AROUND.
James Callow comment:
A LINE SEEMS TO BE MISSING HERE.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; KILMARNOCK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-27-1972
HAUNTED STREET
A STREET NEAR OUR HOUSE, ROBERTJOHN, IS REPORTED TO HAVE A
"THUMPING" 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;
HOWEVER, ONE ARM DIDN'T QUITE MAKE IT IN AND AS THE CAR DROVE
AWAY, THE ARM KEPT HITTING THE STREET, CAUSING THE THUMPING,
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
James Callow Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001960S
GHOST
MY AUNT SAID THAT ONE DAY HER AND HER FATHER WERE WALKING THROUGH
THE GRAVEYARD ON THEIR WAY TO THE THEATER DOWNTOWN. BEFORE THEY
CAME TO THE EDGE OF THE CORNER STONES. MY AUNT SAID SHE TOLD MY
GRANDFATHER THAT SHE DID NOT SEE A MAN STANDING BY THE STONE. HOW-
EVER, MY GRANDFATHER INSISTED THAT HE SAW THE MAN. HE TOLD MY AUNT
THAT WHEN HE STOOPED DOWN SHE WAS TO LOOK OVER HIS LEFT SHOULDER.
SHE DID AND SURE ENOUGH SHE DID SEE THE MAN. SHE SAID SECONDS LATER
THE FIGURE VANISHED RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR EYESIGHT.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
GHOST PROSE
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: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-04-1972
GHOST PROSE
THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO ME BY A FRIEND IN LOUISIANA WHO HAD LIVED IN
THE PHILIPPINES BEFORE HE CAME TO THE SOUTH. HE TOLD ME A STORY OF A
GIRL WHO WAS MURDERED UNDER THIS BRIDGE. THE GIRL WOULD HANG OUT UNDER
THE BRIDGE AND WHEN A CAR WENT BY, SHE WOULD TRY TO
STOP THE CAR BY
STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. NOW, THIS BRIDGE WAS
OUT IN THE
COUNTRY AND IT WASN'T USED VERY MUCH. WELL, IT SO HAPPENS THAT MY
FRIENDS' COUSIN HAD JUST BOUGHT A NEW SPORTS CAR AND WAS OUT JOY
RIDING
IN THE COUNTRY WITH THE TOP DOWN. AS HE WENT OVER THE BRIDGE, HE
SAW THE GIRL, BUT KEPT RIGHT ON GOING. THE NEXT THING HE KNOWS IS
THAT
THE GIRL WAS SITTING IN THE CAR IN THE SEAT NEXT TO HIM. ALL THE
GUY COULD DO IS STEP ON THE GAS AND DRIVE LIKE HECK AS FAR AWAY FROM
THE BRIDGE AS HE COULD AS FAST AS HE COULD. NOW, MY FRIEND CLAIMS
THAT
GIRL WHO WAS MURDERED UNDER THIS BRIDGE. THE GIRL WOULD
HANG OUT UNDER THE
HALF BEFORE IT DISAPPEARED INTO THIN AIR.
Where learned: LOUISIANA
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-30-1972
BELIEFS
TURKS AFTER THEY DIE RETURN TO HAUNT CHRISTIANS.
THERE WAS NOISE UNDER OUR HOUSE WHERE WE KEPT THE HORSES.
MY MOTHER WENT DOWN TO LOOK BUT SHE SAW NO ONE AND SHE LOCKED
THE DOOR. WHEN SHE WENT TO SEE THE HORSES IN THE MORNING,
SHE FOUND A DEAD TURK'S BODY. THEY ONLY LIVE AT NIGHT TO
HAUNT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-00-1972
THE BLUE ROOM
WHEN THE FRENCH HELD THE ISLAND OF MALTA, A FRENCH SOLDIER TRIED
TO MARRY A MALTESE GIRL. WHEN SHE REFUSED, HE LOCKED HER IN A BLUE
ROOM AT THE TOP OF A GREAT HOUSE. SHE JUMPED OUT THE WINDOW.
NOW ANYONE SLEEPING IN THAT ROOM SEES HER GHOST JUMPING OUT THE
WINDOW.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): NATIONALISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-21-1975
THE GHOST OF MALTA
THE GHOST OF MALTA VISITED LARRY'S AUNT AND TOLD HER SHE WOULD FIND
THREE BAGS OF GOLD UNDER THE CELLAR STAIRS IN A WEEK. SHE WENT
AROUND TELLING EVERYONE, AND SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE BECAUSE WHEN
SHE LOOKED UNDER THE STAIRS THERE WAS ONLY THREE BAGS OF COAL.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-21-1975
GHOST OF MALTA
THE GHOST DIDN'T LIKE LARRY:S AUNT. WHEN SHE WAS A BABY, THE GHOST
WOULD TAKE HER BOTTLE AWAY FROM HER AND PUT IT IN ANOTHER ROOM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-21-1975
SAMA DAVA
SAMA DAVA LITERALLY MEANS 'ALONE MAIDENS' IN BULGARIAN. THESE
ARE YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL GIRLS WHO HAVE BEEN ABDUCTED BY EVIL
SPIRITS AND TAKEN INTO THE WOODS. HERE THEY REMAIN IMMORTAL,
AS THEY TRY TO TEMPT YOUNG SHEPHERD BOYS INTO JOINING THEM. THE
SAMA DAVA RETURN TO MORTAL WOMEN, IF THEIR SPECIAL CLOTHING IS
STOLEN BY SOME FORTUNATE MAN.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAID PEASANTS GAVE US THE EXPLANATION OF THE SAMA
DAVA TO EXPLAIN THE DISSAPPEARANCE OF YOUNG GIRLS AND SHEPHERD
BOYS IN RURAL AREAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ETIOLOGICAL ; TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Supernatural Being |
Date learned: 03-21-1970