Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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A MAN ACCEPTED A BET OF $200 TO GO INTO A CEMETERY AT NIGHT AND
POUND A STAKE INTO THE GROUND. AS HE WAS POUNDING THE STAKE,
SOMETHING KEPT ON PULLING ON HIS COAT. HE SCREAMED AND DIED. THE
POLICE CAME INTO THE CEMETERY AND FOUND HIS COAT WAS CAUGHT UNDER
THE STAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): FEAR TEST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
LOCAL LEGEND - GREEN MAN
A MAN LIVES IN A NEARBY CITY (LIBRARY) WHO WAS INVOLVED IN AN
ELECTRICAL ACCIDENT. A HIGH VOLTAGE WIRE FELL ACROSS HIS FACE
CAUSING A YELLOW SCAR ACROSS HIS FACE AND THE REST OF HIS FACE TO
TURN GREEN. HE WILL GO OUT IN LOVERS' LANES., AND ROCK THE
CAR FROM SIDE TO SIDE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; BETHEL PARK
Keyword(s): LIBRARY, PENNSYLVANIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1959
BELIEF
TOUCHING ANY PART OF YOUR BODY WHEN YOU SEE A FIRE BY A PREGNANT
MOTHER WILL RESULT IN A BIRTHMARK ON THE CHILD AT THE SPOT WHERE
THE MOTHER TOUCHED HERSELF.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 11-19-1968
LEGEND OF BLOODY MARY
THERE IS A STORY OF A HEADLESS LOVER AT CAMP MIAKONDA, A BOY
SCOUT RESERVATION IN SYLVANIA, OHIO. THE STORY FOLLOWS THAT HER
GRAVE LIES UNDERNEATH THE WATER TOWER AT THE CAMP SITE. WHEN THERE
IS A FULL MOON, SCOUTS ARE WARNED TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR HER. SHE
ROAMS TO SEEK REVENGE ON HER LOVER, WHO BEHEADED HER, BUT CAN NOT
FIND HIM BECAUSE SHE HAS NO EYES.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): HEADLESS GHOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
HOKEY DOKEY
DAISY TELLS THE STORY OF HOW ONE WOMAN PUT A SPELL ON ANOTHER
WOMAN'S DAUGHTER BECAUSE EACH WOMAN WANTED HER DAUGHTER TO MARRY
ONE PARTICULAR FELLOW. ONE WOMAN PUT A PACKAGE IN THE MAILBOX FOR
THE OTHER'S DAUGHTER. IN THIS PACKAGE WAS SOMETHING IN THE FORM OF
A MAN. WHEN THE GIRL OPENED THE PACKAGE, THERE WAS A SPELL CAST ON
HER. THE LITTLE MAN STARTED TALKING TO HER. HE SAID HE CAME IN AND
OUT OF THE KEY HOLE, AND HIS NAME WAS HOKEY DOKEY.
HE WOULD COME IN THROUGH THE KEY HOLE WHISTLING LIKE A MAN. IF
PEOPLE ASKED WHERE HE WAS, HE SAID, IN THE BEDSPRINGS AND ON THE
CEILING. PEOPLE FROM FAR AWAY WOULD COME AND WHEN THE HOUSE GOT
FULL OF PEOPLE, HE WOULD SAY HE WASN'T GOING TO GO UNLESS HE WANTED.
HE STAYED WITH THE GIRL UNTIL SHE FINALLY LOST HER MIND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): MAGIC
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 07-23-1964
THIS HAPPENED ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS. A GIRL WAS WORKING LATE ONE
NIGHT. WHILE SHE WAS GONE SOME BOYS DECIDED TO PLAY A LITTLE TRICK
ON HER. IN A ROCKER IN HER ROOM THEY PLACED A HUMAN ARM BORROWED
FROM THE BIOLOGY ROOM. THEY REMOVED AS MUCH OF THE FORMILDIHIDE AS
POSSIBLE. NOT WANTING TO MISS ANY OF THE FUN THEY HID IN A SIDE
ROOM WAITING FOR THE GIRL TO ARRIVE. SOON SHE CAME HOME, OPENED
THE DOOR AND TURNED ON THE LIGHTS. MUCH TO THE SURPRISE OF THE BOYS
THERE WAS NO SCREAM. THEY WAITED AND WAITED. SOON THEY COULD WAIT
NO LONGER. THEY PUT A CHAIR ON TOP OF A TABLE AND LOOKED THROUGH THE
WINDOW ABOVE THE DOOR. THIS IS WHAT THEY SAW: THE GIRL WAS SITTING
IN THE ROCKER. HER HAIR HAD TURNED COMPLETELY WHITE. SHE WAS
ROCKING BACK AND FORTH CHEWING ON THE ARM.
Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO COLLECTOR ON A HALLOWEEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
"THUMP-DRAG"
MANY YEARS AGO A COUNSELOR AT THE CYO BOYS CAMP WAS WORKING IN
THE CRAFT-HOUSE. HE REACHED UP ON A HIGH SHELF TO GET SOMETHING AND
ACCIDENTALLY KNOCKED A BOTTLE OF ACID OFF THE SHELF. HE FELL TO THE
FLOOR AND HIT HIS HEAD ON A TABLE, AND THE ACID FELL ALL OVER HIS
LEFT LEG.
HE WAS TAKEN TO THE DOCTOR, BUT HE WAS DEAD. THEY BURIED HIM
SOON AFTER--BUT HE WASN'T REALLY DEAD} HE CAME TO WHEN HE WAS BURIED
IN THE COFFIN, AND HE SCRATCHED AND DUG HIS WAY OUT OF THE GRAVE.
THIS "DEAD" COUNSELOR NOW HATED ANYONE AT A CAMP BECAUSE OF THIS
AWFUL THING THAT HAPPENED TO HIM. THE NEXT SUMMER HE CAME BACK TO THE
CYO BOYS CAMP. HE WAS HORRIBLE-LOOKING, AND YOU COULD HEAR HIM COMING
BECAUSE OF THE THUMP-DRAG NOISE HE MADE BECAUSE OF THE ACID THAT
SPILLED ON HIS LEG.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT HE CAME AND KILLED A WHOLE BUNCH OF
CAMPERS AND COUNSELORS, AND THEN DISAPPEARED. BUT FIVE YEARS LATER HE
CAME TO THE CAMP DOWN THE ROAD AND DID THE SAME THING. HE COMES BACK
EVERY FIVE YEARS AND THUMP-DRAGS INTO THE NEXT CAMP DOWN THE ROAD.
AND FIVE YEARS AGO HE CAME TO THE CAMP JUST BEFORE THIS ONE} AND HE
ALWAYS COMES DURING THESE TWO WEEKS} SO LISTEN FOR A THUMP-DRAG
CAREFULLY, BECAUSE HE MAY BE HERE ANY NIGHT}}
Submitter comment: THIS IS A STORY TOLD TO CAMPERS AT CYO GIRLS CAMP, CARSONVILLE, MICH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Fifths Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 10-30-1969
THUMP-DRAG
ABOUT THIRTY YEARS AGO WHEN WHAT IS NOW CYO CAMP FOR GIRLS IN
CARSONVILLE WAS JUST STARTED, IT WAS A BOYS CAMP. MANY OF THE
BUILDINGS THAT ARE THERE NOW WEREN'T EVEN BUILT YET. WHAT IS NOW THE
NATURE NOOK WAS IN THE STOREROOM. A YOUNG CHEMISTRY STUDENT WAS IN
CHARGE OF NATURE. ONCE HE WAS REACHING UP TO A HIGH SHELF TO GET SOME
CHEMICALS FOR AN EXPERIMENT. THE SHELF COLLAPSED AND A BOTTLE OF ACID
SPILLED ALL OVER HIM. HE JUMPED BACK SO QUICKLY THAT HE FELL AND
BROKE HIS LEG. HE LAY ON THE FLOOR WRITHING AND SCREAMING AS THE ACID
BURNED HIS FACE. SOMEONE HEARD HIM AND RAN FOR HELP. SOON A WHOLE
GROUP OF COUNSELORS CAME. WHEN THEY SAW THE ACID BURNING THEY
GRABBED HIM AND DRAGGED HIM TO THE LAKE. EVENTUALLY THEY WERE ABLE
TO STOP THE BURNING BUT BY THIS TIME MOST OF HIS FACE HAD BEEN EATEN
AWAY BY THE ACID, HIS BROKEN LEG WAS HOPELESSLY MANGLED AND THE
UNBEARABLE PAIN HAD MADE HIS MIND SNAP. HE WAS COMMITTED TO A MENTAL
INSTITUTION BUT HE ESCAPED SOON AFTER. PEOPLE IN THE CARSONVILLE
AREA REPORTED SEEING HIM, HIS FACE A REPULSIVE BLOB, LIMPING AROUND.
CHILDREN HEARD HIM WALKING--A THUMP FOLLOWED BY THE DRAG OF HIS
USELESS LEG. ONE NIGHT HE RETURNED TO THE CAMP. HE MET UP WITH A
CAMPER AT THE BIFFY. HE LUNGED TO GRAB THE CHILD BUT TRIPPED AND
FELL, KNOCKING THE CAMPER UNCONSCIOUS. AFTER THAT THE POLICE SET OUT
DRAGNETS TO TRY AND CATCH HIM. THE CAMP REQUIRED THAT ALL CAMPERS
TAKE A BUDDY WHEREVER THEY GO. STILL THUMP-DRAG GOES TO A DIFFERENT
CAVELL, YMCA AND YWCA. EVERY SEVENTH YEAR HE RETURNS TO THIS CAMP,
THE SCENE OF HIS ACCIDENT AND SEEKS REVENGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CYO CAMP ; CARSONVILLE
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
THE ABSENT-MINDED PROFESSOR
DR. JAY SMITH OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT BIOLOGY
DEPARTMENT IS SAID TO HAVE DRIVEN HIS CAR FROM THE
UNIVERSITY TO THE COLLEGE PARK POST OFFICE BRANCH
ONE DAY. WHEN HIS BUSINESS AT THE POST OFFICE WAS
COMPLETED, DR. SMITH WALKED BACK TO THE UNIVERSITY.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, DR. SMITH WENT OUT TO THE PARKING
LOT TO GET INTO HIS CAR AND DRIVE HOME. WHEN HE COULD
NOT FIND THE CAR WHERE HE HAD LEFT IT THAT MORNING,
DR. SMITH CALLED THE POLICE TO REPORT IT STOLEN.
Submitter comment:
HEARD FROM BILL PINTAL, FORMER U. OF D. BIOLOGY
DEPARTMENT TEACHING FELLOW.
Data entry tech comment: THE COLLEGE PARK POST OFFICE BRANCH USED TO BE ON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE HOOK MAN
ONCE THERE WAS A COUPLE PARKED NEAR A MENTAL INSTITUTION.
THEY WERE LISTENING TO SOFT MUSIC ON THE RADIO. THE
PROGRAM WAS INTERRUPTED BY A NEWS FLASH. IT WARNED OF
AN ESCAPEE WHO WAS CRIMINALLY INSANE AND DELIGHTED IN
TAKING YOUNG GIRLS' LIVES.
THE GIRL WAS PANICKED. SHE SAID, "LET'S GET AWAY FROM
HERE." HER BOYFRIEND SAID, "WHY, THERE'S NO THING TO BE
AFRAID OF." SHE PLEADED, "LET'S GO, LET'S GO."
AND IN A FURY, THE BOY STARTED HIS CAR AND PULLED AWAY
QUICKLY. WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT HER HOME, SHE SLID UNDER
THE STEERING WHEEL AND GOT OUT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.
WHEN THE BOY RETURNED TO THE CAR, HE NOTICED (ON THE
GIRL'S SIDE) A HOOK ON THE DOOR HANDLE. APPARENTLY,
IN HIS FAST ACCELERATION, HE HAD RIPPED THE HOOK-MAN'S
HAND OFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
THE HOOK
A YOUNG MAN AND HIS FIANCE DECIDED TO PASS AN EVENING
PARKED ON TOP OF LOVER'S MOUNTAIN. WHILE ATTEMPTING
TO FIND SOME MOOD MUSIC ON THE RADIO, THE YOUNG MAN
TUNED IN THE LOCAL NEWS. IT WAS REPORTED THAT A
PSYCHOPATHIC MURDERER HAD ESCAPED FROM THE NEARBY
PENITENTIARY. THE RADIO ANNOUNCER WARNED ALL PEOPLE
IN THE AREA TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL AS THE ESCAPEE WAS
CONSIDERED EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. A DESCRIPTION OF THE
KILLER WAS GIVEN. HE HAD LOST THE LOWER PORTION OF AN
ARM, AND IT HAD BEEN REPLACED BY A CLAW.
UPON HEARING THE NEWS REPORT, THE YOUNG LADY BECAME
FRIGHTENED AND INSISTED ON BEING TAKEN RIGHT HOME. THIS
ANGERED HER FIANCE WHO SAID SHE WAS ACTING CHILDISH.
SHE PERSISTED, AN ARGUMENT ENSUED, AND THE COUPLE LEFT
LOVERS' MOUNTAIN ANGRY WITH ONE ANOTHER. NOT A WORD
WAS SAID ON THE WAY HOME.
ON ARRIVING AT HER HOME, THE YOUNG LADY LET HERSELF
OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN UP THE WALK TO HER PORCH. WHEN
SHE REACHED THE PORCH, SHE TURNED TO SAY SOMETHING TO
HER INTENDED. WHEN SHE LOOKED AT THE CAR, SHE FAINTED.
SEEING THIS, THE YOUNG MAN RUSHED OUT OF THE CAR TO HER
SIDE. WHEN HE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO REVIVE HER, HE
ASKED HER WHAT HAD HAPPENED. SHE WEAKLY TURNED AND LOOKED
AT THE CAR. HE IMMEDIATELY PALED FOR ON THE HANDLE OF
THE CAR DOOR WAS HANGING A CLAW.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD STORY ON A VISIT TO CALIFORNIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 10-24-1965
TALE
WHILE NECKING AT A FAVORITE 'LOVERS'' SPOT IN NEW JERSEY
A COUPLE HEARD A NEWS BROADCAST ABOUT AN INSANE MAN,
WITH A HOOK FOR A HAND, WHO WAS SEEN WANDERING AROUND
THEIR GENERAL LOCALITY.
BOTH BECAME FRIGHTENED AND DECIDED TO LEAVE QUICKLY.
AFTER TAKING THE GIRL HOME, THE BOY NOTICED A HOOK
CAUGHT IN THE DOOR HANDLE OF THE CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 12-05-1967
HOOK HAND
A BOY AND GIRL IN FLORIDA WENT PARKING IN AN ORANGE
GROVE. THE GIRL WAS FRIGHTENED BY REPORTS SHE'D HEARD
ON THE RADIO. THE POLICE WERE LOOKING FOR A MAN WHO'D
JUST EXCAPED FROM A HOSPITAL FOR THE CRIMINALLY INSANE.
HE HAD A HOOK FOR ONE HAND WITH WHICH HE GOUGED HIS
VICTIMS. THE GIRL WANTED TO GO HOME, BUT HER BOYFRIEND
THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST CRAZINESS. SHE INSISTED THAT HE
TAKE HER HOME, SO ANGRILY, HE STARTED THE CAR. NEITHER
TALKED ALL THE WAY HOME. THE BOY GOT OUT TO OPEN THE
GIRL'S DOOR. AS SHE JUMPED QUICKLY FROM THE CAR, SHE
LOOKED AT THE DOOR HANDLE. MOONLIGHT REFLECTED OFF A
SILVER HOOK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS ; ON A DARK ROAD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
TALE
THERE WAS A YOUNG COUPLE NECKING IN A CAR AT LOVERS' LANE.
THEY HAD THE RADIO TUNED IN TO A NEWS BROADCAST, WHEN
THEY HEARD THAT THERE WAS AN ESCAPEE FROM A MENTAL
INSTITUTION IN THEIR IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE MAN WAS
DANGEROUS, AND COULD BE IDENTIFIED BY A HOOK FOR A RIGHT
HAND.
THE GIRL BECAME FRIGHTENED AND INSISTED THAT THE BOY TAKE
HER HOME. HE WAS ANNOYED WITH HER AND SHOWED IT BY
RACING OUT OF THE PARK.
WHEN HE GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO OPEN THE GIRL'S DOOR,
THOUGH, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A HOOK CAUGHT IN THE
HANDLE OF THE DOOR TO HER SIDE OF THE CAR.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
EVIL EYE
MY MOTHER TELLS ME HER MOTHER, WHO WAS IRISH, WAS VERY
SUSPICIOUS OF PEOPLE WHOM SHE CONSIDERED TO HAVE THE
EVIL EYE. MY MOTHER'S SISTER WAS PRACTICALLY ENGAGED
BUT HER MOTHER WOULDN'T GIVE HER CONSENT BECAUSE SHE
CLAIMED HE HAD THE EVIL EYE. WHEN THE BOY COULDN'T
MARRY MY MOTHER'S SISTER, HE HAD A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN
OR SOMETHING, BUT IN ANY EVENT, HE CAME AFTER MY
GRANDMOTHER WITH A KNIFE. DRESSED ONLY IN A BATHROBE,
HE WAITED OUTSIDE AND WAS GOING TO KILL HER, WHEN SHE
LEFT THE HOUSE. HE DIDN'T KNOW THEN SHE WAS AT CHURCH,
BUT WAS ARRESTED BEFORE HE GOT IN. MY GRANDMOTHER
BELIEVED HE WAS POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL AND COULD NOT
HAVE ENTERED THE CHURCH IF HE HAD WANTED TO.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
I ONCE HAD A HIGH SCHOOL BIOLOGY TEACHER WHO WAS
INFAMOUS. MISS MIDDLETON WAS KNOWN TO STAND ON A TABLE
IN GYM SHOES, BLEW A WHISTLE, POINT AT SOMEONE AND
YELL, "YOU'RE CHEATING." SHE ALSO WOULD NOT MARK
SCHOOL RECORDS CORRECTLY. SHE WOULD PUT DOWN A ZERO
INSTEAD OF THE BETTER GRADE, AS SHE FELT THIS WAS
WORSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MAD MAN
ONE AFTERNOON SOME PEOPLE WERE HAVING A PICNIC. A
RAKE WAS LAYING ON THE GROUND WITH THE TEETH UP AND
ONE OF THE MEN ACCIDENTALLY STEPPED ON IT. IT
WHACKED HIM IN THE CHEST. HE IMMEDIATELY WENT WILD
AND TO THIS DAY ROAMS THE FOREST PRESERVE LIKE A WILD
ANIMAL.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; KANKAKEE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 09-15-1967
THEN THERE WAS THE ABSENT MINDED TEACHER AT JOHN CARROLL
UNIVERSITY (CLEVELAND, OHIO) WHO USED TO GO (TO) THE
LIBRARY FOR HOURS AT A TIME TO READ. ONE DAY, WHILE
ABSORBED IN THOUGHT, HIS NAME WAS PAGED FOR HIM TO GO
TO THE MAIN DESK. UPON HEARING HIS NAME, HE RAISED
HIS HEAD FROM THE DESK AND UTTERED A FEEBLE, "YES,
WHAT IS IT?"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LEGEND
ONCE WHEN A COUPLE WAS PARKED A STORY CAME OVER THE
RADIO ABOUT A MAN WITH A HOOK ON HIS ARM, WHO
MOLESTED THE GIRL OF PARKED COUPLES. THE COUPLE
LEFT AND WHEN THE GUY WENT AROUND TO OPEN HIS DATE'S
CAR DOOR (WHEN THEY GOT TO HER HOUSE) THERE ON THE
DOORKNOB WAS HANGING A HOOK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 11-28-1967
MAN WITH A HOOK HAND
A YOUNG COUPLE WERE PARKED IN A CAR ON A LOVER'S LANE
ONE EVENING, WHEN THEY HEARD ON THE RADIO THAT A
MANIAC WITH A HOOKED HAND HAD JUST ESCAPED. THE GIRL
BECAME FRIGHTENED AND WANTED TO LEAVE. HER DATE GOT
ANGRY AND STARTED THE CAR AND TORE OFF DOWN THE ROAD.
WHEN THEY GOT TO HER HOME, HE WENT AROUND THE CAR TO
OPEN HER DOOR AND FOUND A HOOK DANGLING FROM THE DOOR
HANDLE.
Submitter comment: HEARD AT A PAJAMA PARTY SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00001958 CA.