Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B442 returned 143 results.
LEGEND
THERE IS A STORY ABOUT THE HORSE BY THE NAME OF DOLLY, EACH DAY THE
NUNS AT THE CONVENT AT ADRIAN TOOK DOLLY ALONG THE SAME ROUTE. ONE
DAY AFTER MAKING THE USUAL TRIP THE NUNS WERE DELAYED. THE TIME OF
DEPARTURE ARRIVED AND PASSED. DOLLY LEFT, WENT DOWNTOWN MADE ALL OF
THE USUAL STOPS AND RETURNED TO HER PLACE IN TIME FOR HER MEAL AT THE
USUAL TIME.
Submitter comment: THE NUNS AT THE DOMINICAN CONVENT AT ADRIAN TELL THIS ONE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-03-1967
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE LEGEND GOES, THAT IF ONE WENT OUT AT MIDNIGHT
ONE WOULD SEE THE CATTLE PRAYING ON THEIR KNEES. HOWEVER, ONE HAD TO
GO AT EXACTLY THE RIGHT MINUTE TO SEE THIS PHENOMENON. INFORMANT
REMEMBERS GOING TO THE BARN EVERY YEAR ON CHRISTMAS EVE WITH HER
BROTHERS AND SISTER TO SEE THIS. THEY WERE ALWAYS DISAPPOINTED
BECAUSE THEY MISSED THE RIGHT MOMENT.
Submitter comment:
AROUND 1900 IN A SETTLEMENT OF POLISH AND SLAVIC IMMIGRANTS
IN MANITOBA, CANADA.
UNCERTAIN OF ORIGIN. PROBABLY POLISH OR SLAVIC.
Data entry tech comment: TM B251.1.2.3 COWS KNEEL...
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 12-18-1963
POLISH DRAGON LEGEND
A LONG TIME AGO IN POLAND THERE WAS A TERRIBLE DRAGON, AND
EVERY MONTH HE FORCED THE PEOPLE TO BRING HIM A YOUNG GIRL TO
EAT. THE PEOPLE WERE VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS AND SO THEY WENT TO THEIR
KING KRAKUS AND ASKED HIM TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS DRAGON. KRAKUS
THOUGHT ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME AND
FINALLY HE KILLED A SHEEP AND FILLED IT WITH TAR AND SULPHUR. HE
PUT THE SHEEP IN FRONT OF THE CAVE WHERE THE DRAGON LIVED AND
THE DRAGON CAME OUT AND BEGAN TO DEVOUR THE SHEEP, BUT THE TAR AND
SULPHUR BURNED TERRIBLE AND MADE HIM VERY THIRSTY. AND SO HE RAN TO
THE RIVER WISTA AND BEGAN TO DRINK, HE DRANK SO MUCH THAT HE
BECAME VERY HEAVY, FELL INTO THE WATER AND WAS DROWNED.
AND THE PEOPLE PROCLAIMED KRAKUS AS THEIR HERO, AND BUILT
A MONUMENT OUT OF EARTH IN HIS HONOR.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT FROM PAN (PAM?) NOWAK WHO TAUGHT HER POLISH
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
STORY ABOUT THE FITZGERALD
THOMAS FITZGERALD, THE LAST HEIR OF THE FITZGERALD LINEAGE, WAS
ASLEEP UPSTAIRS IN HIS CRIB IN A FAMILY CASTLE IN COUNTY
CORK, IRELAND.
A FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE CASTLE. THERE WAS A PET MONKEY KEPT DOWN IN
THE BASEMENT AND HE WAS THE BABY'S PET. THE MONKEY BROKE HIS CHAINS
AND WENT UPSTAIRS AND PULLED THE BABY OUT OF ITS CRIB. AND HE SAVED
HIM BEFORE THE CASTLE BURNED DOWN. THIS SAVED THE
FITZGERALD FAMILY LINE.
Submitter comment:
HE HEARD IT FROM HIS FATHER. HOWEVER HIS UNCLE LEARNED IT FROM
A HISTORICAL SOURCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 02-00-1967
A CHRISTMAS LEGEND
IN THE EUROPE, ON THE CHRISTMAS TIME, AT MIDNIGHT, THE ANIMALS ARE
TALKIN', THEY SAY THEY WILL BURY THE MASTER. THE MASTER HEARS AND HE
WAS SO SCARED, HE WENT INTO THE HOUSE AND DIED.
NEXT MORNING, THE ANIMALS, PULLED THE WAGON WITH HIS BODY TO CARRY
TO CEMETERY.
Submitter comment:
I RECORDED THIS LITTLE STORY AS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE IN MY
GRANDMOTHER'S EXACT WORDS. MY GRANDMOTHER HAD FIRST HEARD THIS TALE
FROM HER FIRST HUSBAND MANY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 04-08-1965
ONCE THERE WAS A LADY WHO WAS POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL. THEY DID EVERY
THING THEY COULD BUT HE WOULDN'T FREE HER. THE PRIEST CAME TO
EXORCISE HER WHEN SHE WENT TO COMMUNION THE NEXT DAY, HER FACE
TURNED INTO A BLACK CAT'S FACE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE TRUE BECAUSE THE PRIEST AND ALTAR BOYS
SAW IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 04-00-1965
EXORCISM
NOTE: EXORCISM, A COMPLICATED RITE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH INVOLVING
THE CASTING OUT OF DEVILS FROM POSSESSED PERSONS PROVIDES A NATURAL
BIRTHPLACE FOR MANY STRANGE STORIES, ONE WAS TOLD BY MRS. JAMES KEHOE
A GREAT GREAT AUNT OF MINE FROM CLINTON MICHIGAN, I HEARD IT FROM
MOTHER, MRS JAMES KEHOE WAS ONCE PRESENT AT AN EXORCISM IN CLINTON,.
AT THE POINT IN THE GRAVE CEREMONY WHEN THE DEVIL WAS FINALLY CAST
OUT A SMALL CREATURE RESEMBLING A WOODCHUCK WAS SEEN BY THOSE PRESENT
TO RUN ACROSS THE ROOM AND OUT THE DOOR. ALL AGREED THAT IT HAD NOT
BEEN IN THE ROOM BEFORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
THE WHITE LADY
IN A SMALL MEXICAN TOWN THEY SPEAK OF A LADY WHO ROAMS THROUGH
THE STREETS OF THE TOWN LOOKING FOR HER LOVER WHOM SHE KILLED. SHE
WANDERS ONLY ON THE NIGHTS ON WHICH THERE IS A FULL MOON AND THE ONLY
ONES WHO ARE ABLE TO SEE HER ARE THE DOGS WHO BARK AT HER PASSING.
Submitter comment: A GIRL FROM DOUGLAS, ARIZONA RELATED THIS ONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Moon |
Date learned: 10-20-1967
WITCH BELIEF
WHILE LIVING IN ITALY, THE INFORMANT'S GRANDFATHER USED TO SEE
A CERTAIN HORSE CROSSING A CERTAIN CREEK EVERY DAY. ONE DAY THE
HORSE STOPPED AT THE BANK AND DID NOT CROSS, BUT STOOD THAT
WAY, UNMOVING. THIS GRANDFATHER ATTRIBUTED THE HORSE'S REACTION
TO THE PRESENCE OF A WITCH.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT'S GRANDFATHER WAS WHOLLY CONVINCED OF THIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 11-00-1982
GHOST STORY
"ONE NIGHT WHEN I SPENT THE NIGHT AT MY BOYFRIEND'S HOUSE, I KEPT
HEARING STRANGE CAT NOISES. I WAS TOO AFRAID TO GET UP AND LOOK
TO SEE WHERE THE NOISES WERE COMING FROM AND I DIDN'T WANT TO WAKE
UP MIKE, SO I WENT BACK TO SLEEP. IN THE MORNING I ASKED MIKE IF
ANY OF HIS NEIGHBORS HAD A CAT; HE SAID NO. HE SAID THAT HE USED
TO HAVE A CAT THOUGH AND THAT IT HAD DIED. HE SAID THAT IT
PROBABLY CAME BACK TO VISIT HIM."
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT HER BOYFRIEND FIRMLY BELIEVED THIS.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ANIMAL GHOST ; CAT GHOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00001979CA
THERE IS A PLATEAU IN THE NEW MEXICAN ROCKY MOUNTAINS THAT IS SHAPED
LIKE A SKULL. THE STORY GOES THAT COWBOYS WOULD GO UP THERE LOOKING
FOR WILD HORSES THAT THEY HEARD RUNNING UP THERE BUT EVERY TIME THEY
GOT UP THERE THEY FOUND NO HORSES AND NO TRACKS. ONE DAY A NATIVE
COWBOY GOES UP THERE BY HIMSELF AND LATER COMES RACING DOWN, RUSHES
INTO THE ROOM WHERE THEY ARE ALL SITTING, DROPS TO HIS KNEES, AND
PRAYERS FOR HALF AN HOUR STRAIGHT. WHEN HE IS THROUGH HE REFUSES
TO TELL ANYONE WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM UP THERE.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS ON A CAMPING TRIP WHILE HE WAS OUT THERE.
Where learned: NEW MEXICO
James Callow Keyword(s): OCCUPATIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1983 ; 11-00-1987
WHY WE DON'T EAT COWS IN INDIA
THERE WAS A GOD NAMED SHANKER. HE HAD A MESSENGER NAMED COW.
SHANKER WOULD PASS HIS ORDERS DOWN TO THE PEOPLE THROUGH COW.
ONE DAY SHANKER TOLD COW TO TELL THE PEOPLE TO TAKE 3 SHOWERS A
DAY AND EAT 2 MEALS A DAY. COW FORGOT SHANKER'S ORDERS AND TOLD
THE PEOPLE TO TAKE 1 SHOWER A DAY AND EAT 3 MEALS. SHANKER BECAME
SO OUTRAGED THAT HE TURNED COW INTO THE ANIMAL KNOWN AS THE COW.
THE PEOPLE STOPPED EATING COWS FOR FEAR THAT THEY WOULD BE EATING
THEIR MESSENGER OF THE GODS.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HIS FAMILY. HE IS A HINDU. THIS IS A
BASIC HINDU STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
Wild Rat Hunting
One day there was an African guy, who lived in the city. One day
he went to the village for the holidays to visit his three cousin.
His cousins went and stole a neighbor's hunting dog. They went deep
into the bush. They decided to hunt rat. They found an entrance to a
rat hole. This particular rat had three exits. The dog was placed
to guard one hole and two of the cousins were on the other holes.
They proceeded to poke in the hole to get the rat to come out. The
rat jumped out of the hole where the dog was. When it jumped out,
the dog ran one way and the rat went the other way. The four cousins
called the dog to go after the rat. The rat ran up a tree out of the
reach of the boys and the dog. The cousins got angry with the dog
and continued their hunt grudgedly. They found another rat entrance
and this time the rat bit the dog and the dog began running crazily
and screaming, causing the boys to lose another rat. After about
four hours of hunting the boys spotted a big squirrel and once again
the squirrel escaped the dog. The boys were extremely mad and
decided to do something about it. They climbed half way up bamboo
trees (in case the dog tried to bite anyone) while the one who knew
the dog called it as if he was going to reward it. The guy whipped
the dog really good with a large bamboo branch. The dog began to run
around in great pain. The cousin whipped the dog three times. Once
for every catch they lost. Following this incident, the cousin from
the city abandoned the hunt and returned home disgusted. After about
ten hours of hunting they went home with three big rats. This ten
hours according to standards was too long for only three rats. As
tradition goes, the dog was given the insides of the rats to make
sure he stays a good hunting dog.
Submitter comment:
Do not generalize this story to all Africans. All Africans do
not eat rat. Rats in the jungle are different from house rats, which
are not edible.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 08-00-1980
Dog Joke
There was a dog convention going on. The dogs were told to
check in and hang their rear-ends up on the wall for display. The
convention hall caught on fire! Dogs were yelling, "Fire! fire!,
everybody just grab a rear-end and escape!" That's why dogs go
around smelling each other's butts today, they're trying to locate
their own.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Co workers ; Michigan Consolidated Gas Company
James Callow Keyword(s): Origin of animal behavior
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 00001980S
Experience
One day as my friends and I were walking home from school, some
of the older kids approached us and told us we shouldn't walk down
Wisconsin because the pig lady lived on that street and she would
chase you home if you walk past her house. They even went on to
say that she had a face that was half pig and half lady. They
scared me so badly, that from that day forward I either walked down
Ohio or Northlawn to get home, regardless of what exit I came out
of. I didn't realize until I became an adult that the pig lady
everyone was referring to was a lady named Shirley, who had been
badly burned on one side of her face and one time in her life she
led a productive life as an intelligent woman. But, because she
could no longer function in society as we know it to be, she lost
everything she had, including her mind. She wandered the streets
in the neighborhood and because of her appearance, she scared a lot
of people. Upon my realization, I felt sorry for Shirley, because
she and I had one-on-one contact, merely by standing in the same
line in the
grocery store and she always treated me nicely.
Submitter comment: Never judge a book by its cover.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
THIS MAN USED TO BEAT HIS HORSE AND HE WOULD MAKE IT WORK HARD
AND WOULDN'T LET IT REST. WHEN THE HORSE GOT OLD, THE MAN
SHOT IT AND JUST LET IT LAY TO DECAY. IF YOU GO BY THE MAN'S
HOUSE YOU CAN SEE THE HORSE WORKING IN THE FIELDS. THEY SAY
THAT THE HORSE CAME BACK TO LIFE AND KILLED HIS MASTER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
GHOST OF ROSECRAN
MY INFORMANT SPENT 14 YEARS IN WINCHESTER, TENNESSEE, MOST OF
THEM IN THIS OLD CIVIL WAR BUILDING WHICH WAS THE HEAD-
QUARTERS OF ROSECRAN. AT THIS ONE TIME, THE SISTER WHO WAS
IN CHARGE, FELT VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF THESE
SPIRITS. SHE WOULD NOT ALLOW ANY OF THE SISTERS TO SLEEP IN
THIS ROOM. THEY ALL HAD TO SLEEP IN THE DORMITORY. MY
INFORMANT HAD ASKED IF SHE COULD SLEEP ON THE BACK PORCH.
SHE WAS GIVEN PERMISSION. ONE AFTERNOON AS SHE CAME OUT OF
HER ROOM SHE COULD HEAR A SOUND ACROSS IN THE ROOM. SHE FELT
SURE THAT ALL THE SISTERS WERE IN THE CHAPEL AND THAT NO ONE
WAS UPSTAIRS. SHE WENT TO THE CHAPEL TO SEE. ALL THE SISTERS
WERE THERE. SO SHE WENT BACK UPSTAIRS OUTSIDE THE ROOM AND
FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR. A CAT CAME WALKING OUT. THE CAT PROBABLY
GOT IN THROUGH THE WINDOW ON THE BACK PORCH.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
IF YOU SEE A BLACK CAT CROSSING IN FRONT OF YOUR CAR, PUT
AN X ON THE WINDSHIELD.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal BELIEF -- Word Letter BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 06-16-1973
SHE SAID THAT YOU SHOULD NEVER LET A WOMAN COME TO YOUR HOUSE
ON NEW YEAR'S DAY BECAUSE IT BRINGS BAD LUCK. SHE SAID THAT ONE
DAY A LADY CAME TO HER HOUSE ON THIS DAY AND IT MADE HER
CALENDAR THAT SHE LOVED FALL OFF THE WALL AND BURN UP.
ALSO SHE SAID THAT ONE TIME A MAN AND WOMAN CAME TO HER
HOUSE AND A FEW DAYS AFTER THEY HAD GONE, ONE OF HER
DOGS DIED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; FAYETTEVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 07-04-1970
YOU KNOW THERE'S AN OLD SAYING, THAT IF CATS BREATHE IN YOUR
FACE, THEY WILL TAKE YOUR BREATH AWAY. I WOKE UP ONCE WHEN
I WAS A LITTLE BOY AND A CAT WAS BREATHING RIGHT IN MY FACE.
I NEVER HAVE LIKED CATS SINCE THEN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 08-01-1968