Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B433 returned 145 results.
UNCLE SAM
AROUND MY HOMETOWN OF MILFORD WE BELIEVE
THAT UNCLE SAM CAME FROM THE MILFORD
AREA (MASON, N.H.). HE LIVED HERE BEFORE GOING
INTO THE MEAT PROCESSING BUSINESS IN UPPER
STATE NEW YORK WHERE DURING THE REVOLUTION, HE
PROCESSED PORK FOR WASHINGTON'S ARMY. ON
THE CASKS OF PORK HE WOULD STAMP U.S.
AND FROM THIS UNCLE SAM WAS DERIVED.
Submitter comment:
I LEARNED THIS FROM VARIOUS PEOPLE IN MY AREA, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER
WHO EXACTLY THEY WERE.
Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
EINSTEIN AND THE RAIN LEGEND
EINSTEIN WAS THE GREATEST SCIENTIST THAT EVER LIVED,
BUT HE DID NOT HAVE THE HORSE SENSE TO COME IN OUT OF THE
RAIN. HE WAS THE GREATEST MATHEMATICIAN EVER, BUT FLUNKED
ARITHMETIC IN GRADE SCHOOL.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED BY THE KEY PUNCHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BATTLE CREEK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
COLLEGE LEGEND
GEORGE EXPLAINED TO ME ABOUT A JESUIT PHILOSOPHY PROFESSOR AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT WHOSE ONLY TEST IN A COURSE ON CONTEMPORARY
PHILOSOPHYY CONSISTED OF ONE QUESTION " WHY " HE ONLY GAVE ONE A
IN A CLASS OF 60 TO THE STUDENT WHO REPLIED VIA THE BLUEBOOK
" WHY NOT? "
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 09-00-1966
IN WORLD WAR I GENERAL DOMBROWSKI IS CONSIDERED A GREAT HERO
FOR SAVING HIS TROOPS' LIVES IN A BATTLE AGAINST GERMANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 12-00-1977
ADMIRATION
A POPULAR STORY IS ABOUT A POLISH HERO NAMED CASIMIR THE GREAT.
CASIMIR WAS A REAL KING WHO DEFEATED POLAND'S ENEMIES ON BOTH THE
EASTERN AND WESTERN BORDERS.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 04-14-1979
DINNER KNIVES
THE REASON THAT THE DINNER KNIFE IS ROUNDED AT THE TIP
IS THAT WHEN COLUMBUS WAS COMING TO AMERICA, HE HAD THE SHARP TIP
OF HIS CREW'S KNIVES CUT OFF BECAUSE BECAUSE HE WAS AFRAID OF THE MU
James Callow comment: MUTINY ? MUTINEERS ?
Where learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food |
Date learned: 11-16-1968
MEDICAL SCHOOL LEGEND
THERE WAS THIS TEACHER AT JEFFERSON, HE MUST BE DEAD NOW, WHO WROTE
ON THE BLACKBOARD WITH BOTH HIS LEFT HAND AND HIS RIGHT HAND AT THE
SAME TIME. THE THINGS HE WROTE WOULD BE FROM TWO DIFFERENT TRAINS O
THOUGHT.
Submitter comment:
STORY TOLD TO ME BY MY FATHER FROM WHEN HE WENT TO THOMAS JEFFERSON
MEDICAL SCHOOL IN PHILADELPHIA. THIS STORY IS TOLD IN COMPLETE
SERIOUSNESS BUT I DON'T BELIEVE A WORD OF IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
James Callow Keyword(s): AMBIDEXTERITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1936 ; 09-00-1979
NED OF THE HILLS
IN THE WORDS OF JIM LAMB, WHEN WE WERE LITTLE GRANDPA LAMB USED TO
TELL US THE STORY OF NED OF THE HILLS. NED WAS A REVOLUTIONARY HERO
WAY BACK IN HISTORY. OH, THIS IS A SAD, SAD STORY. NED WENT UP TO
THE HILLS OF IRELAND TO ESCAPE THE POLICE. THE ENGLISH HAD PUT A
PRICE ON HIS HEAD. ONE NIGHT HE STAYED WITH A COBBLER. THE COBBLER
CUT OFF HIS HEAD BECAUSE THE ENGLISH, YOU SEE, HAD PUT A PRICE ON HI
ACTUAL HEAD. THE COBBLER BROUGHT THE HEAD IN ONLY TO FIND THE PRICE
HAD BEEN LIFTED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IRISH LEGEND OF THE SECULAR HERO NED OF THE HILLS WAS TOLD BY M
GRANDPA LAMB TO HIS CHILDREN IN DEARBORN. GRANDPA LAMB, BEING FROM
IRELAND, WAS A GREAT STORYTELLER AND HE TOLD THE LEGEND OF NED OF TH
HILLS MANY TIMES TO MY UNCLE JIMMY LAMB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1939 ; 11-22-1979
THE HUGE BLACK MAN
THERE IS A STORY AMONG TRUCK DRIVERS THAT TELL OF A TERRIBLE
ACCIDENT ON U.S. ROUTE 22-30 IN THE LAUREL MOUNTAINS OF PENNSYLVANIA
A GASOLINE TRUCK HAD COLLIDED WITH A STEEL CARRIER AND THE DRIVER
OF THE GASOLINE TRUCK WAS TRAPPED INSIDE A BURNING CAB. THE
COLLISION HAD SMASHED THE DOOR MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO
ESCAPE. QUITE A FEW PEOPLE GATHERED TO WATCH AND TRY TO HELP BUT
IT WAS DARK AND THE ONLY LIGHT WAS THAT FROM THE BURNING TRUCK.
JUST THEN A HUGE BLACK MAN CAME STRIDING OUT OF THE WOODS AND WALKED
UP TO THE BURNING TRUCK. HE GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE AND TORE THE
WHOLE DOOR OFF OF THE TRUCK AND CARRIED THE DRIVER TO SAFETY. THEN
THE HUGE BLACK MAN DISAPPEARED INTO THE WOODS AND HAS NEVER BEEN
SEEN SINCE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ACCIDENTS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
JOHNNY REEFERSEED (NARCOTICS' LEGENDARY CHARACTER)
AN IMAGINARY CHARACTER WHO IS PICTURED AS A HEAVILY BEARDED GUY
SMOKING A MARIJUANA CIGARETTE. THE FREAKS (HIPPY-TYPE MARIJUANA
SMOKERS) LOOK UPON HIM AS THEIR KING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST DETROIT ; COLLECTED IN EAST DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 09-20-1969
LYNDEN BANES JOHNSON HAS ONLY ORDERED A GRAVE FOR THREE DAYS.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): GHOSTS ; PRESIDENTS (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)
James Callow Keyword(s): CONFIDENCE
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
LEGEND
LONG AGO, IN A CAVE IN A HIGH ROCKY HILL RUNNING ABOVE THE RIVER
VISTULA, A GREAT AND TERRIBLE DRAGON LIVED WHOSE FIERY BREATH GUSHED
FORTH LIKE A FOUNTAIN OF HISSING STEAM FROM HIS WIDE NOSTRILS, AND
WHO UTTERED MONSTROUS, UNEARTHLY SOUNDS, UNLIKE THOSE OF ANY BEAST
OF THE FOREST.
MANY BRAVE KNIGHTS HAD BEEN SENT TO SLAY THE DRAGON, BUT ALL
HAD PERISHED IN THE ATTEMPT.
PRINCE CRACUS WAS BRAVE AND KIND. HE KILLED A FAT SHEEP, FILLED
IT WITH SULPHUR. THE DRAGON ATE THE BAIT, DRANK HALF A RIVER AND
EXPLODED. THE CITY OF CRACOW WAS FOUNDED WHERE THE DRAGON EXPLODED.
THE PRINCE ERECTED A FORTRESS ON THE DRAGON'S HILL, WHERE AFTERWARDS
WAWEL CASTLE WAS BUILT, THE HOME OF THE KING OF POLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE FARMS
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND: POLAND ; SUPERNATURAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 10-02-1968
LEGEND OF THE MAIDEN OF THE MIST
THERE ONCE WERE THREE DRAGONS THAT LIVED UNDERNEATH NIAGRA FALLS. AT
THE TIME THE TUSCARERIES, A TRIBE OF INDIANS IN NORTHWEST NEW YORK
LIVED IN THE VICINITY. THE DRAGONS WOULD GET HUNGRY AND COME UP AT
NIGHT AND ATTACK AND EAT SOME OF THE BRAVES OF THE TRIBE. THE
TUSCARERIES, SEEING THEIR TRIBE DWINDLING, WANTED TO APPEASE THE
DRAGONS. SO TO SATISFY THE DRAGONS ( DRAGONS' ) APPETITE THEY WOULD
LOAD UP A CANOE OF GOOD FOODS AND SEND IT DOWN THE NIAGRA RIVER
TOWARD THE FALLS. THIS TOO FAILED TO SATISFY THE DRAGONS AND AGAIN
THEY ATTACKED THE TRIBE TO EAT BRAVES. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO
KEEP THE DRAGONS HAPPY, THE CHIEF AND THE MEDICINE MAN DECIDED TO
SACRIFICE A MAIDEN TO THE DRAGONS IN HOPES OF STOPPING THESE ATTACKS.
SO THE INDIANS FORMED ALL THE MAIDENS OF THE TRIBE IN ONE CIRCLE AND
SHOT AN ARROW INTO THE AIR FROM THE CENTER OF THIS CIRCLE. WHOEVER
THE ARROW LANDED CLOSEST TO WOULD BE THE SACRIFICE. IT HAPPENED THAT
THE SACRIFICE TURNED OUT TO BE LELAWELLA, THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER. THE
INDIANS SENT THE GIRL, STARK NAKED, WITH A BIG SUPPLY OF GOOD FOOD IN
A CANOE TOWARDS THE FALLS. (IT IS AT THIS POINT THAT THE SOURCE COULD
NOT REMEMBER ANY MORE DETAILS AND FINISHED WITH GENERALITIES) OVER
THE FALLS SHE WENT BUT SOME BRAVES RESCUED HER AND IN DOING SO SLEW
THE DRAGON. THEY WENT BACK TO THE VILLAGE AND HAD A BIG CELEBRATION,
THAT TODAY IS CELEBRATED IN NIAGRA FALLS, NEW YORK, AS THE FEAST OF
THE "MAIDEN OF THE MIST."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND ; NIAGARA FALLS ; SUPERNATURAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 11-05-1968
FATHER: WHY AT YOUR AGE, GEORGE WASHINGTON WAS
ALREADY A FULL-FLEDGED SURVEYOR!
SON: AND AT YOUR'S, HE WAS PRESIDENT!
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time |
Date learned: 11-20-1968
STAGE FRIGHT
TO ALLEVIATE HER STAGE FRIGHT, HELEN HAYES WOULD LOOK
OUT AT THE AUDIENCE FROM BEHIND THE CURTAIN AND
CALL THE AUDIENCE ALL SORTS OF CRUEL AND VULGAR NAMES.
Data entry tech comment: UNDER HER BREATH, WE ASSUME.
Where learned: DRAMA ; ENGLISH TEACHER
James Callow Keyword(s): ACTRESS=HELEN HAYES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
STAGE FRIGHT
SARAH BERKARDT (BERNHARDT) MANAGED TO GET OVER HER STAGE
FRIGHT BY PEEKING THROUGH A TINY HOLE IN THE CURTAIN
SHORTLY BEFORE THE PLAY WAS TO BEGIN AND IMAGINE, SO
STRONGLY THAT SHE COULD REALLY PICTURE, EVERYONE IN
THE AUDIENCE WAS NAKED. SHE, HOWEVER, WOULD BE IN
COSTUME. IT WORKED EVERY TIME.
Where learned: DRAMA ; ENGLISH TEACHER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ON ST. NICHOLAS' DAY (DEC.6) CHILDREN RECEIVED A VISIT FROM ST.
NICHOLAS. HE WAS NEVER SEEN BY THE CHILDREN BUT THEY ALWAYS HEARD A
LOUD BANG AS THE DOOR SLAMMED WHEN HE LEFT.
IF THE CHILDREN HAD BEEN
GOOD DURING THE YEAR, HE THREW IN A BAG CANDY, APPLES, AND ORANGES.
IF THEY WERE BAD, THEY RECEIVED A SWITCH. BEFORE ST. NICHOLAS
ARRIVED THEY WROTE LETTERS TO THE CHRIST CHILD LISTING THREE
THINGS, NEVER MORE, WHICH THEY WANTED FOR CHRISTMAS AND ST. NICHOLAS
PICKED UP THE LETTERS WHEN HE LEFT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT RECALLS THE CUSTOM FROM HER OWN CHILDHOOD IN KENOSHA,
WISCONSIN. SAYS IT WAS AN IMPORTANT EVENT IN THE LIVES OF
THE CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY WHO WERE OF GERMAN EXTRACTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas |
Date learned: 01-16-1964
LIVING LEGEND
VINCE LOMBARDY IS REGARDED BY MANY FOOTBALL FANS AS A MIRACLE
MAN. NATURALLY, SINCE HE PERFORMS MIRACLES, IT IS LOGICAL THAT
HE WOULD BE LIKENED TO GOD. IT SEEMS THAT VINCE RETURNED HOME
ONE COLD NIGHT IN GREEN BAY. HIS WIFE HAD ALREADY RETIRED, SO HE
JUST CRAWLED INTO BED. HIS WIFE AWOKE AND EXCLAIMED "GOD ARE
YOUR FEET COLD." VINCE TURNED OVER AND SAID, "THAT'S ALL RIGHT,
HONEY. WE'RE HOME NOW. YOU CAN CALL ME VINCE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOTBALL JOKE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
SIR WALTER RALEIGH LEGEND
A LEGEND AMONG PIPE SMOKERS THAT WAS PASSED ON TO MY BROTHER
INVOLVES A TEST GIVEN TO SIR WALTER RALEIGH.
RALEIGH WAS ASKED TO GUESS THE WEIGHT OF PIPE SMOKE
FROM A SINGLE BOWL OF TOBACCO. HE ASTOUNDED EVERYONE BY SIMPLY
WEIGHING THE TOBACCO BEFORE SMOKING IT AND THE ASHES AFTER HE WAS
DONE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00001970S
STORY OF ROB BACKUS
I HEARD THIS STORY FROM A GUY NAMED ROB BACKUS IN 1969. HE LIVED
IN A HOUSE WHERE I SPENT A LOT OF TIME. ROB TOLD A STORY ONE TIME
ABOUT HOW HE GOT OUT OF THE U.S. NAVY. ROB WAS A SEAMAN ON A
NAVY SHIP AND HE WAS GROWING MORE DISCONTENTED WITH LIFE IN THE
NAVY. ONE DAY HE WENT TO A MUSIC STORE AND BOUGHT A SAXOPHONE.
THE NEXT DAY IN THE EARLY MORNING BEFORE REVILLE HE CLIMBED TO
THE TOP OF THE MAST OF THE SHIP. WHEN THE SAILORS WERE ASSEMBLED
FOR REVILLE HE STARTED BLOWING ON THE SAXOPHONE. THEY FINALLY
GOT HIM TO COME DOWN, AND SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, HE WAS DISCHARGED
FROM THE NAVY. HE HAD NEVER PLAYED A SAXOPHONE BEFORE THAT DAY.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY HAPPENED DURING THE VITENAM WAR ERA, AND IT WAS
GRATIFYING TO ME TO KNOW THAT ONE PERSON THAT I KNEW HAD BEEN ABLE
TO SAVE HIS LIFE FROM THE PERILS OF VIETNAM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
James Callow Keyword(s): FEIGNED INSANITY TO GET OUT OF MILITARY SERVICE.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1969