Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE STORY OF ELLA REED
SHE WAS BORN INTO SLAVERY AND SHE LIVED IN VIRGINIA. SHE HAD A MOTHER
AND A FATHER AND ONE SISTER AND BROTHER. ONE DAY THEY WERE WORKING
IN THE FIELD AND A WHITE COUPLE CAME AND TOOK HER AWAY FROM HER
PARENTS.THEY CRIED AND CRIED. THEY WERE IN A BUGGY AND IT SEEMED
LIKE THEY RODE FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS. SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL AND SHE
GREW UP IN A BIG HOUSE. AND SHE WAS FRAIL AND HER HEALTH WAS BAD.
SHE DIDN,T HAVE TO WORK IN THE FIELDS. SHE WAS A HOUSE SLAVE AND SHE
LEARNED TO DO ALL THE HOUSE WORK. SHE REMEMBERED OFTEN HAVING BAD
HEADACHES AND SHE REMEMBERED THEM CUTTING HER BEHIND THE NECK TO
BLEED HER AND SHE GUESSED IT WAS BECAUSE THE HEADACHES SHE HAD.
SHE WAS A STUBBORN SLAVE AND AS SHE GREW UP THEY WOULD WHIP HER
BECAUSE SHE WOULD NOT SAY PRAY MASSAH TO THEM. SHE LIVED TO BE 101
YEARS OLD AND BEFORE SHE DIED SHE MARRIED JOHN REED AND SHE WAS
PART AFRICAN AND PART INDIAN.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER WAS TOLD THIS STORY IN 1938. I WAS TOLD THIS STORY IN 1970.
ELLA REED WAS MY GREAT GREAT GRANDMOTHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 11-14-1980 ; 00-00-1938
LUKE THE SPOOK
A BOY AND GIRL WERE ON THEIR WAY HOME FROM A
DATE WHEN THEIR CAR RAN OUT
OF GAS IN THE WOODS. THE BOY TOLD THE GIRL TO LOCK THE DOOR WHILE
HE GOT SOME GAS. HE SAID TO BE SURE THE DOORS WERE LOCKED BECAUSE MMTHESE ARE THE WOODS WHERE LUKE THE SPOOK LIVES.
AN HOUR PASSED AND THE
BOY DID NOT RETURN. IT WAS SILENT EXCEPT
FOR THE NOISE OF A BRANCH BANGING
ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR. ANOTHER HOUR WENT BY WHEN A MOTORIST STOPPED
NEXT TO THE CAR AND KNOCKED ON THE WINDOW.
THE GIRL OPENED THE DOOR AND THE
MOTORIST POINTED TO WHAT THE GIRL THOUGHT
WAS A BRANCH. HER BOYFRIEND'S
THROAT HAD BEEN SLIT AND HE WAS HANGING
UPSIDE DOWN FROM A TREE AND HIS
BLOOD WAS DRIPPING ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR.
Submitter comment:
I HAVE HEARD MANY VARIATIONS OF THIS STORY
SINCE I MOVED TO MICHIGAN FROM
NEW ORLEANS AND EACH OF THESE SEEMS TO BE LOCALIZED. IN NEW ORLEANS
IT WAS IN THE WOODS, UP HERE IT WAS IN AN ALLEY.
IN NEW ORLEANS IT WAS THE
BLOOD ON THE ROOF, UP HERE IT WAS HIS RING SCRAPING THE ROOF, BUT THE
GENERAL STORYLINE WAS THE SAME.
Where learned: LOUISIANA ; New Orleans
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: 00001960S
GAMBLING
AMBROSE GIBBS, A GAMBLER DOWN HOME, WOULD BET ON
ANYTHING. IF HE SAW TWO SPARROWS ON THE STREET, HE
WOULD BET ANYBODY WHICH ONE WOULD FLY FIRST. THE MALE
SPARROW WOULD FLY FIRST AND HE COULD RECOGNIZE
THE MALE, SO WOULD ALWAYS BET RIGHT.
Submitter comment: OCCURRED IN HOLLISTER, OHIO
Where learned: OHIO ; HOLLISTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Bird |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
THE SUNTANNED CORPSE
INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT SHE ONCE HAD AS A GUEST IN HER
HOME ONE OF THE MEN WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BURYING
THE DECEASED AT WHITE CHAPEL CEMETERY (TROY, MICH.)
ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE INTERRED AT THE MAUSOLEUM WAS
RECENTLY MOVED TO HOLY SEPULCHRE CEMETERY (SOUTHFIELD,
MICH.) WHEN THE INFORMANT'S FRIEND OPENED
THE VAULT, HE SAID THAT THE CORPSE WAS REPOSING
JUST AS PEACEFULLY AND UNDISTURBED AS IF HE WAS
SLEEPING. BUT THE STRANGEST THING WAS THAT THE
CORPSE HAD A SUNTAN, "JUST AS IF HE WAS OUT PLAYING
GOLF ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON." THIS WAS THE FIRST
TIME IN 25 OR 30 YEARS THAT THE MAN HAD BEEN
TOUCHED SINCE HE HAD DIED!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-29-1971
AFRICAN TRIBE TALE
A CERTAIN BIOLOGY PROFESSOR WAS DELIVERING A LECTURE AT MICHIGAN
STATE ON A TRIBE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. THE SUBJECT UNDER DISCUSSION WAS
THE ABNORMALLY LARGE "PRIVATES" OF THIS TRIBE. TWO PRUDISH SORORITY
GIRLS EMBARRASSED BY THE CRUDE LECTURE ABRUPTLY LEFT THEIR SEATS
AND STARTED FOR THE DOOR. THE PROFESSOR STOPPED THEM WITH THIS
COMMENT, "WHAT'S YOUR RUSH GIRLS, THE
BOAT DOESN'T LEAVE UNTIL MORNING."
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME AS ACTUAL FACT IN 1960.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA
Keyword(s): CLASSROOM HUMOR ; COLLEGE PROFESSOR LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
DEATH OMEN
THE INFORMANT'S THREE YEAR OLD BROTHER APPROACHED HIS MOTHER IN THE
KITCHEN OF THEIR HOME AND ASKED HER, "MOMMA, WHAT'S THAT MAN DOING
STANDING IN THE LIVING ROOM?" SHE SAID, "DON'T BE SILLY, JIMMY."
AGAIN HE SAID, "NO, WHAT'S THAT MAN IN THE BLACK SUIT DOING STANDING
THERE IN THE LIVING ROOM?" WITH THAT SHE GRABBED THE CHILD.,
AND WITHOUT LOOKING IN THE LIVING ROOM, RAN DOWNSTAIRS. THE
MOTHER'S BROTHER DIED THE SAME DAY.
Submitter comment:
YEARS LATER, THE THREE YEAR OLD STILL CONTENDS HE SAW A MAN
STANDING IN THE LIVING ROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
THE DISAPPEARING ACT
IN ENGLAND, MANY YEARS AGO, A CHURCH SOCIAL WAS TAKING PLACE
AND EVERYONE WAS INVOLVED IN PLAYING GAMES. MOST OF THE MEN WERE
PLAYING RUGBY ON A HUGE FIELD. ONE MAN KICKED THE BALL INTO
A FAR CORNER OF THE FIELD AND WENT AFTER IT. HE STARTED TO RUN
AFTER THE BALL AND THAT IS THE LAST ANYONE SAW OF HIM. PEOPLE
THOUGHT THAT HE MIGHT HAVE FALLEN INTO A DITCH OR A HOLE BUT THEY
WENT TO LOOK FOR HIM AND COULD FIND NOTHING AND TO THIS DAY THEY
STILL COULD NEVER FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.
Submitter comment:
MRS. BACON SAID THAT HER MOTHER AND SISTER TOLD HER THIS
STORY IN ENGLAND ABOUT THIRTY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 12-00-1963
THE LADY ON TANGLEWOOD DRIVE
SEVERAL YEARS AGO A GIRL WAS ATTACKED AND KILLED ON BELLE ISLE'S
TANGLEWOOD DRIVE. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE MOTHER WHO SPENT MANY
DAYS LATER LOOKING FOR HER CHILD CAN AT TIMES BE SEEN WALKING
DOWN TANGLEWOOD DRIVE DRESSED IN WHITE WITH AN AXE. SHE IS LOOKING
FOR HER DAUGHTER. THE GIRL WHO WAS KILLED WAS SLAIN WITH AN AXE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM NEIGHBORHOOD RUMORS.
Data entry tech comment: INFORMANT DOES NOT SAY WHETHER THE MOTHER IS A GHOST.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
STORY
THERE WAS A GIRL WHO WENT TO WESTERN ONTARIO COLLEGE AND HER BOY
FRIEND CAME TO PICK HER UP FOR A FORMAL DANCE. HE WAS SITTING
IN THE LIVING ROOM WHICH WAS DIVIDED BY A STAIRWAY. THE PARENTS
COULDN'T SEE THEIR DAUGHTER AS SHE BEGAN COMING DOWN THE STAIRS.
THE GIRL'S SHOE CAUGHT IN HER DRESS AND PULLED IT DOWN TO HER WAIST.
HER DATE SAW THIS AND HER PARENTS DIDN'T AND SO TO DISTRACT
ATTENTION FROM THE GIRL, HE SAID, "OH, LOOK OUT ON THE LAWN. THE
PARENTS LOOKED OUT ON THE LAWN AND THERE WERE TWO DOGS ENGAGED
IN "HANKEY-PANKEY." THE FATHER DIDN'T WANT THIS KIND OF A BOY
TAKING OUT HIS DAUGHTER, THEREFORE FORBAD HIS DAUGHTER GOING OUT
WITH HIM. BUT THE GIRL CALLED HER MOTHER UPSTAIRS AND EXPLAINED
WHAT HAD HAPPENED. EVERYTHING WAS STRAIGHTENED OUT.
Submitter comment: SUSAN LEARNED THE STORY FROM HER GIRL FRIEND LAST YEAR.
Where learned: SUSANS HOME
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 12-25-1964
LEGEND
THERE IS A STORY THAT A COUPLE CAME FROM IRELAND AT A TIME OF
EPIDEMIC WHICH BROKE OUT ON THE SHIP JUST AS THEY REACHED THE
SHORE. THE WIFE WAS PREGNANT AND CAME DOWN WITH THE DISEASE. SHE
WAS QUARANTINED AND TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL. THE HUSBAND WAS DETAINED
ABOARD THE SHIP. THUS THEY BECAME SEPARATED AND FOR TWO YEARS LOOKED
FOR EACH OTHER. THE MAN BECAME FAIRLY PROSPEROUS AND WENT ONE DAY
TO THE POOR IRISH SECTION WHERE HE STOPPED TO EAT. HE WENT INTO A
SMALL PLACE AND THERE FOUND HIS WIFE.
Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS FIRST HEARD BY ANNE IN ADRIAN, MICH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-27-1967
THE WHITE LADY
IT IS SAID THAT THERE IS A WOMAN WHO LIVES ON BELLE ISLE.
SHE LIVES ON MUSHROOMS AND SUCH AND IS VERY FRIENDLY WITH THE DEER
AND OTHER ANIMALS THERE. SHE IS DRESSED ALL IN WHITE AND IF YOU
GO TO BELLE ISLE AND PARK IN A CERTAIN SPOT, YOU CAN SEE HER
WALKING ABOUT.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD OF THIS STORY FROM A BOY SHE USED TO DATE
WHO HAD SUPPOSEDLY GONE TO THIS PARKING SPOT AND HAD SEEN THIS
WOMAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-14-1965
LOGGER'S LEGEND
A MAN NAMED DAVID WARD USED TO OWN A LOT OF LAND AND FORESTS
AROUND WATERS, MICH. HE WAS ABOUT THE RICHEST MAN IN THE AREA.
HE NOTICED THAT SOME OF HIS TREES WERE BEING CUT DOWN SO HE SET
OUT TO CATCH THE THIEF. HE HAD A PRETTY GOOD IDEA WHO IT WAS SO HE
DRESSED UP LIKE AN OLD BUM AND WENT TO THIS PERSON'S HOUSE
AND ASKED IF HE WOULD GIVE HIM A MEAL. THE MAN SAID YES, BUT HE'D
HAVE TO WORK FOR IT, AND HE TOLD WARD TO GO CUT DOWN SOME OF HIS OWN
TREES. (NOT KNOWING, OF COURSE, THAT IT WAS DAVE WARD HE WAS
TALKING TO.) WARD WENT AND CUT THE TREES DOWN AND BROUGHT THEM
BACK TO THE MAN. HE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MAN WAS
GOING TO KEEP THEM. (WARD MIGHT HAVE BEEN RICH BUT HE WAS ALWAYS
FAIR.) WELL, THE MAN PUT THE WOOD IN HIS OWN SHED AND OFFERED WARD
FOOD AND LODGING FOR THE NIGHT. THEN WARD TOLD HIM WHO HE WAS AND HE
MADE THAT MAN WORK FOR HIM FOR THE NEXT SEASON, CUTTING TREES, WITH
NO PAY, ONLY ENOUGH TO EAT AND A PLACE TO LIVE.
Submitter comment: HEARD AROUND GAYLORD, MICH. ABOUT 1930
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Gaylord
Keyword(s): THIEF PUNISHED BY MAN HE STOLE FROM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
THE STORY OF THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY ORIGINATED DURING THE 100
YEARS WAR OF THE TURKS AND HUNGARIANS. A LITTLE BOY WANTED TO
BE A DRUMMER BUT HE WASN'T ALLOWED TO BE. ONE NIGHT HE WENT OUT
AND STARTED TO BEAT ON HIS DRUM. IT JUST HAPPENED THAT THIS WAS THE
SAME NIGHT THE TURKS HAD PLANNED TO ATTACK A
HUNGARIAN HAMLET. THE DRUM AROUSED THE PEOPLE IN TIME FOR THEM
TO NOTICE THE INVASION AND PUT UP A DEFENSE WHICH STARVED (SIC) OFF
THE ATTACK.
Submitter comment: HANK LEARNED AS A CHILD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 12-01-1967
LITTLE JAKE SELIGMAN
LITTLE JAKE SELIGMAN WAS FIVE FEET TALL, MAYBE LESS. HE WAS
A BANKER AND MERCHANT IN SAGINAW DURING THE 1880S. HE WOULD OFFER
LUMBERJACKS A BARGAIN. ONE OF THEM WOULD GET A FREE SUIT IF HE
COULD CATCH A VEST THAT LITTLE JAKE WOULD THROW INTO THE CROWD.
LITTLE JAKE WOULD THROW THE VEST AND THE LUMBERJACKS WOULD FIGHT
OVER THE VEST. THEY WOULD FIGHT SO MUCH THAT ALL THEIR CLOTHES
WOULD BE IN TATTERS. ONE GUY WOULD COME UP IN POSSESSION OF THE
VEST, THE OTHERS WOULD NEED NEW CLOTHES, WHICH THEY WOULD BUY
AT JAKE'S STORE.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS AN EXAMPLE OF WISE MERCHANDISING IF I EVER SAW ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): TRICKSTER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 04-02-1982
THE STATUE OF LITTLE JAKE
THERE WAS AN IRON STATUE MADE OF JAKE SELIGMAN AFTER HE DIED
AND THIS STATUE STOOD FOR MANY YEARS ON TOP OF A BUILDING THAT
JAKE SELIGMAN HAD BUILT. THIS BUILDING WAS THE FIRST IRON FRAME
CONSTRUCTED BUILDING IN SAGINAW. HE WAS UP THERE FOR YEARS,
UNTIL 1942. THE STATUE BLEW DOWN IN A HIGH WIND THEN, AND WAS
USED FOR SCRAP METAL FOR THE WAR EFFORT..
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-02-1982
THE IRISH WAILER
MY UNCLE JOHN CARROLL CAME FROM IRELAND WHERE HE HAD BEEN A
PROFESSIONAL WAILER (A PERSON WHO IS HIRED TO CRY AT FUNERALS).
HE CONTINUED HIS WAILING TRADITIONS AT THE IRISH FUNERALS IN
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO. HIS SISTER, MY MOTHER NORA, AT THE FUNERAL
OF MY AUNT MARY SAID, "JOHNNY IF YOU DARE DO ANY OF THAT WAILING
AT THIS FUNERAL, I'LL BREAK YOUR NECK." HE WASN'T THE FIGHTING
TYPE SO HE JUST PUT ON A SAD FACE AND WALKED AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1913
FAMILY LEGEND HAS IT THAT WHEN MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER
LEFT HIS HOME IN CROATIA, FOR AMERICA, HE PROMISED
HIS GIRL THAT HE WOULD SEND FOR HER WHEN HE HAD
ENOUGH MONEY. HE WORKED AS A CARPENTER, IN CHICAGO,
AND EVENTUALLY SAVED ENOUGH MONEY. HE SENT FOR
HIS LOVE AND WAITED ANXIOUSLY FOR HER ARRIVAL.
WHEN FINALLY HE WENT TO MEET HIS BRIDE-TO-BE
HE FOUND THAT SHE HAD SENT HER SISTER, CATHERINE,
INSTEAD. CATHERINE AND MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER,
MATTHEW SUTE, WERE MARRIED SHORTLY THEREAFTER.
Submitter comment:
IT HAS BEEN SPECULATED THAT POSSIBLY CATHERINE
WAS CUNNING ENOUGH TO TAKE HER OLDER SISTER'S
PLACE WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OR CONSENT OF HER
SISTER. MAYBE THE MONEY FOR THE VOYAGE ARRIVED
AND CATHERINE KEPT IT A SECRET. THEN, SHE USED
IT FOR HERSELF, AND DELIVERED A CONVINCING
STORY TO A BEWILDERED MATTHEW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; OAKLAND COUNTY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 11-00-1983
THE LOTTERY
ON OCTOBER 20, 1981., MY MOTHER WON THE LOTTERY AND HER PRIZE
WAS 2700.00. ON OCTOBER 21, 1981. MY SISTER AND I TRAVELED TO
LANSING TO PICK UP MY MOTHER'S WINNINGS. IT WAS A COOL RAINY
DAY AND I HAD JUST GOTTEN OUT OF CLASS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
I THEN CALLED MY SISTER THOMASINE, WHO ASKED ME TO WAIT FOR MY
YOUNGEST SISTER JANICETTE TO GET OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. I REFUSED,
AND INSISTED THAT DELORES TRAVELED WITH ME. THOMASINE GOT ANGRY.
I DROVE TO DELORES'S HOUSE AND ARRIVED THERE AT 1:00PM. SHE AND
MY NEPHEWS GOT IN THE CAR AND WE HEADED TO LANSING. IT WAS A DAY
TO REMEMBER. IT WAS RAINING VERY HARD, SO THAT I COULD HARDLY SEE
TWO FEET IN FRONT OF ME. ALL THE WAY THERE DELORES HAD CHILLS.
WE REACHED THE LOTTERY BUREAU AND PICKED UP THE CHECK. WE WENT TO THE NEAREST BANK AND CASHED THE CHECK AND PROCEEDED TO
FIND A RESTAURANT FOR A LATE LUNCH. WE WENT TO KENTUCKY FRIED
CHICKEN AND ATE.
I TOLD DELORES THAT IT WAS HER TURN TO DRIVE AND SHE PROCEEDED TO
DO SO, AS WE LEFT THE OUTSKIRTS OF LANSING, DELORES INFORMED ME
THAT "I'M GETTING SICK". SHE FAINTED AND I GRABBED THE WHEEL.
I PLACED ONE FOOT OVER HERS AND STOPPED THE CAR.
AT THAT MOMENT THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I CLIMBED OVER
HER AND OPENED THE DOOR. I GOT COMPLETELY OUT OF THE CAR AND TOOK
HER IN MY ARMS AND TRIED TO REVIVE HER. THE CHILDREN WERE FRANTIC.
DELORES DIED IN MY ARMS AND AT THAT VERY MOMENT IT STARTED TO SNOW.
WE BURIED DELORES ON OCTOBER 27, 1981.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION TO DISCUSS BUT I WANTED TO
SHARE MY EXPERIENCE WITH DELORES WITH THE WORLD.
Where learned: DETROIT ; PARENTS HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 02-20-1984
THE MISSING HEAD
MY GRANDFATHER WORKED IN THE COAL MINES OF WEST VIRGINIA.
AFTER A HARD DAY'S WORK HE AND HIS CO-WORKERS USUALLY
WALKED TO TOWN, TO VISIT THE LOCAL WATERING HOLE.
ONE PARTICULAR NIGHT AROUND 9:30 P.M., MY GRANDFATHER
LEFT THE TAVERN FEELING NO PAIN. AS HE WALKED HOME
DOWN THE RAILROAD TRACKS HE KICKED SOMETHING. HE WALKED
ABOUT 20 PACES BEFORE HE DECIDED TO GO BACK AND SEE WHAT HE
HAD KICKED. AS HE GOT DOWN ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES FEELING
THE GROUND HE GRABBED AHOLD OF SOMETHING HEAVY. HE
LIFTED IT UP TO THE STREET LIGHT---IT WAS A HUMAN HEAD!
HE DROPPED THE HEAD AND CALMLY WALKED HOME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
THIS MAN HAD BROKE HIS LEG IN A CAR ACCIDENT.HE
HAD A FULL LEG CAST. JUST ABOVE HIS KNEE HE
HAD A SEVERE ITCH; TO SCRATCH HIS LEG HE
UNWOUND A WIRE COAT HANGER, AND USED THAT TO SCRATCH
HIS LEG. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF SLIDING THE HANGER
DOWN THE CAST AND SCATCHING HIS LEG HE REALIZED THAT
HE HAD BROKEN THE SKIN. A FEW DAYS LATER HIS TOES
BEGAN TO SWELL SO BAD THAT THE CAST HAD TO BE REMOVED
FROM HIS LEG. WHEN THE DOCTOR REMOVED THE
CAST THE PART OF THE SKIN THAT HAD BEEN BROKEN
WAS HEALED OVER BUT UNDER HIS SKIN WAS A ANT COLONY.
AN ANT CRAWLED IN THE CAST AND LAYED EGGS IN THE
OPEN WOUND ON HIS LEG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect |
Date learned: 02-00-1984