Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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LEGEND
IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA THERE IS A LAKE CALLED "MC LAC," IN THE
MIDDLE OF WHICH IS A GLASS HILL THAT SHINES BRILLIANTLY IN THE
SUN. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE INDIANS BUILT THIS HILL TO HONOR
THE SUN GOD. FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS THEY CARRIED THESE CRYSTAL
ROCKS OUT TO THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE BY MEANS OF CANOES. A ROCK
WAS OFFERRED BY THE ENTIRE TRIBE WHENEVER A FAVOR WAS GRANTED
BY THE SUN GOD. THEY CONTINUED THIS RITUAL UNTIL THE HILL WAS
FAR ENOUGH OUT OF THE WATER TO REFLECT THE SUN'S GOODNESS BY
GIVING BACK ITS LIGHT.
Submitter comment:
SISTER KATERI'S FATHER TOLD THIS STORY TO HER WHEN SISTER WAS A
YOUNGSTER:
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; MINNEAPOLIS ; SOUTH SAINT PAUL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Sun PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mineral |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
INDIAN LEGEND
THERE WAS A FAMINE IN THE LAND AND THE TRIBES DECIDED TO MAKE
A SACRIFICE OF THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER TO THE SERPENT WHO WAS
CAUSING ALL THE TROUBLE. A BRAVE WAS IN LOVE WITH THE GIRL, SO
AFTER THE SERPENT KILLED HER, HE WENT AFTER THE SNAKE. BOTH
WERE KILLED, AND THE SNAKE FELL INTO THE RIVER. THE WATER
WASHED OVER IT AND FORMED NIAGRA FALLS.
Submitter comment: PETER HEARD THIS STORY IN ST. IGNACE FROM AN OLD ALGONQUIN:
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: 05-15-1965
PIESTUPYS -- A LITHUANIAN FOREST
WHILE MY FATHER WAS A LITTLE BOY, HE HEARD VARIOUS TALES
TOLD ABOUT THIS FOREST. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE HAUNTED;
FOR IN THERE, THE DUKE OF LITHUANIA (VYTAUTAS)
PUNISHED THE ENEMY OF LITHUANIA. IT IS TOLD THAT THE
GHOSTS OF THOSE KILLED BY HIM OR ANY OF THE SOULS THAT
AREN'T AT PEACE (SUCH AS SUICIDES, MURDERS, THOSE
MANGLED TO DEATH BY THE WOLVES AND THE WILD MAD DOGS)
HAUNT THIS FOREST AND TRY TO REVENGE THEIR DEATHS BY
SCARING THE PASSERSBY TO DEATH.
MY FATHER SPEAKING: {COLLECTOR'S FATHER} 1). ONE OF THE
TALES TOLD IS THAT FIERY PILLARS ROSE UP. THEY WALKED
DOWN A WAYS ON THE SHORE OF SVENTOJI (A RIVER IN
LITHUANIA) AND DISAPPEARED. ONE OF THE OLDER MEN IN
OUR VILLAGE SAID THAT IS THE ANCIENT GOLD AND
SILVER. AND WHERE THOSE POLES, PILLARS, RISE UP OR
DISAPPEAR, THAT'S WHERE THE MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO BE
BURIED.
ME: DO YOU THINK THIS IS TRUE?
FATHER: NO, IT COUL'VE BEEN ANYTHING; REFLECTIONS
OF SOME SORT OR EVEN THE RUSSIAN SPIES WITH THEIR
TORCHES. IT COULD'VE BEEN A NUMBER OF THINGS.
ME: ARE MOST OF THE STORIES REVOLVE ABOUT THINGS?
NOT PEOPLE OR ANIMALS?
FATHER: OH, THEY SAY THAT THERE ARE MANY STRANGE
THINGS HAPPENING IN THAT FOREST. FOR ONE, THERE WAS THE
TIME...
2) ONE OF THE MEN IN THE TOWN WENT TO THE MARKET TO SELL
HIS GOODS. AFTER BEING DELAYED IN TOWN, HE HAD TO COME
HOME LATE AT NIGHT AND TO CROSS THAT FOREST. MOREOVER,
THE MOON WAS OUT. HE WAS RIGHT BY WHERE THE BRIDGE
WAS SAINT JOHN'S CROSS...AND HE SEES: BY SAINT JOHN'S
CROSS, THERE WERE DANCING YOUNG GIRLS DRESSED IN WHITE
AND SEEMED AS IF THEY WERE FLOATING ON AIR. BUT THEN
HE LOOKED TO THE OTHER SIDE AND HE SAW A NAKED MAN
ROLLING AND LAUGHING IN THE SNOW. HE (THE FARMER)
SAID THAT EVERY HAIR ON HIS HEAD STOOD ON END AND SPED
HOME LIKE HE NEVER HAD BEFORE! HE WONDERED FOR A LONG
TIME AFTER THAT HOW HE MANAGED TO "ESCAPE" ALIVE THAT
NIGHT.
ME: DID YOU BELIEVE HIM?
FATHER: ALL US YOUNGER KIDS DID, WE WERE TOO YOUNG.
OF COURSE, IT COULD'VE BEEN HIS IMAGINATION.
ME: DID YOU HEAR ANY OTHER STORIES ABOUT PIESTUPYS?
FATHER: YES, BUT VERY VERY SHORT ONES.
FOR EXAMPLE, SOMEONE SAID THAT THEY SAW AND HEARD A
BLACK PONY RUNNING ALONG THE SLOPES OF THE FOREST.
OR SOMETIMES OTHERS SAY THAT THEY'VE SEEN A GRAY OLD
GOAT BLEETING {BLEATING} UNDER A TREE.
ME: BUT WHAT IS IT MAINLY THAT SCARED THE PEOPLE
SO MUCH?
FATHER: WELL, THERE IN THE FOREST, THREE THIEVES HUNG
THEMSELVES AND THEY'RE BURIED UNDER SOME PINE TREES
SIDE BY SIDE. AND THE PEOPLE USED TO SAY THAT THEY
STARTED ARGUING WHO ROBBED MORE PEOPLE AND WHO STOLE
THE MOST RICHES, AND AFTER A WHILE, THEY HAD RISEN ALL
THE OTHER DEAD AND TAKEN SIDES. BUT IT WAS REALLY OF
THOSE THREE THIEVES THAT EVERYONE WAS AFRAID OF.
ME: WERE YOU EVER IN THAT FOREST AND HAVE SOMETHING
HAPPEN TO YOU?
FATHER: YES, RIGHT BEFORE EASTER, MY YOUNGER SISTER
AND I HAD TO GET UP IN THE DARK TO GO TO RECOLLECTIONS.
AND FROM OUR VILLAGE TO THE TOWN AND CHURCH WAS TO GO
THROUGH THE FOREST. SO WE SET OUT...STILL DARK. I
HAD NEVER REALLY THOUGHT MUCH OF THOSE STORIES I HAD
HEARD, BUT NOW THEY ALL CAME BACK VIVIDLY. SO HALF
WAY THERE, I PICKED OUT LONG STRONG PIECES OF WOOD FOR
MY SISTER AND I TO PROTECT OURSELVES--MAINLY FROM THE
DOGS.
WE HAD PASSED HALF OF THE FOREST PEACEFULLY, BUT SUDDENLY
UP AHEAD, WE SAW A THING COMING--IT HAD A HUMAN SHAPE
AND WALKED LIKE A HUMAN. WE BOTH THOUGHT IT WAS ONE OF
THE DEAD, SO WE BOTH SAT DOWN HUGGING EACH OTHER, HOPING
THAT THE THING WOULD PASS. SUDDENLY, I HEARD THE THING
REAL CLOSE BY AND SHUT MY EYES. BUT THEN IT GAVE US THE
LITHUANIAN GREETING: "MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU." AND
MY SISTER ANSWERED! IT TURNED OUT TO BE A MIDDLE-AGED
WOMAN DRESSED IN A WHITE FUR COAT! SHE ASKED US IF WE
WERE GOING TO CHURCH AND THEN JUST WENT ON HER WAY.
ME: DIDN'T YOU THINK IT COULD'VE BEEN A SPIRIT?
FATHER: I WAS LITTLE THEN, BUT I KNEW A REAL PERSON
WHEN I SAW ONE! AFTER THAT, I WALKED ON AS BRAVELY
AS EVER AND WAS NEVER SCARED TO GO IN THERE AGAIN!
ME: WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER PEOPLE? DID YOU TELL THEM
WHAT HAPPENED?
FATHER: OH, SURE! BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY DON'T
USUALLY PICK ON LITTLE KIDS.
ME: WERE THERE ANY OTHER INCIDENTS ABOUT THAT FOREST?
FATHER: OH, SURE! I THINK SO-CALLED HAPPENINGS WERE
REPORTED ALL THE TIME UP TO THE TAKEOVER IN 1941. BUT
I DOUBT IT IF MANY OF THE PEOPLE BELIEVED THE STORIES
UP TILL THEN!
ME: DO YOU KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THE FOREST NOW?
FATHER: THE LAST I HEARD WAS THAT HALF OF IT IS
DESTROYED. BY BOMBINGS AND SHELLING AND THE RUSSIANS
DID CUT DOWN MANY, MANY TREES FOR THEIR OWN USE.
Where learned: SOUTHFIELD ; LITHUANIA ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): TROUBLED SPIRITS ANIMALS WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FORMING MICHIGAN
ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.
Submitter comment:
THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation BELIEF -- Creator |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
SLEEPING BEAR DUNES
HOW THE SLEEPING BEAR DUNES (IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN) GOT THEIR
NAME: ONCE THERE WAS A GIANT BEAR AND HER TWO CUBS, AND THEY
HAD TO SWIM ACROSS LAKE MICHIGAN TO GET SOME FOOD BECAUSE THEY
WERE STARVING. THEY SWAM AND THEY SWAM, BUT IT WAS A LONG, LONG
WAY. SO ONE OF THE CUBS COULDN'T GO ANY FURTHER AND IT SANK TO
THE BOTTOM. BUT THE MAMA BEAR AND THE OTHER CUB KEPT ON SWIMMING.
FINALLY THE OTHER CUB TIRED AND SANK TO THE BOTTOM ALSO. WELL,
THE MAMA BEAR KEPT ON COMING AND SHE FINALLY MADE IT TO THE
MICHIGAN SHORE. SO SHE JUST LAID HERSELF DOWN TO WAIT FOR HER
CUBS. WELL, THE SAND CAME AND BLEW OVER HER AND SHE IS STILL
LIVING THERE TODAY, LOOKING OUT OVER THE LAKE FOR HER CUBS. AND
YOU CAN STILL SEE THOSE CUBS TODAY, ONLY THEY HAVE BEEN COVERED
BY LAND ALSO AND THEY NOW LOOK LIKE TWO ISLANDS. WHERE THAT
MOTHER BEAR LIES IS NOW CALLED THE SLEEPING BEAR SAND DUNES.
Data entry tech comment: THE TWO CUBS ARE SAID TO HAVE FORMED THE NORTH AND SOUTH MANITOU
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
HOW MOUNTAINS CAME TO BE
LONG, LONG AGO, THE EARTH WAS SMOOTH AND FLAT AND EVEN ALL OVER.
BUT ONE DAY, SHE AROSE AND WANTED TO TALK TO THE SKY. WHEN THE
FIRST OF THEM WERE FINISHED TALKING, THE EARTH TOOK LEAVE OF
THE SKY AND STARTED TO RETURN. BUT SHE DID NOT RETURN HOME
EVERYWHERE. SOME PARTS OF HER BECAME TIRED ON THE WAY AND HAD
TO STOP WHERE THEY WERE, WITHOUT COMPLETING THE DESCENT. THESE
ARE THE HILLS AND THE MOUNTAINS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
BOSNIA IS A VERY ROCKY PLACE AND THE MYTH THAT THE PEASANT FOLK
HAVE TO EXPLAIN THIS IS THAT GOD WAS TROTTING ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
CARRYING TWO LARGE SACKS. ONE WAS FILLED WITH ROCKS AND THE OTHER
WITH GOOD EARTH. WHILE TROTTING ACROSS BOSNIA, THE SACK CONTAIN-
ING ROCKS RIPPED AND THE ROCKS SPILLED OVER THE LAND.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD FROM GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SPOOK HILL
IN MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, THERE IS A HILL KNOWN AS SPOOK HILL WHICH
IS SAID TO BE HAUNTED. AT THIS HILL, A CAR WHICH AT THE FOOT OF
THE HILL IS AT A COMPLETE STOP, BEGINS TO ROLL BACKWARDS UP THE
HILL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 03-03-1970
INDIAN PROPHECY
INDIANS ON MACKINAC ISLAND BELIEVE THAT THE LARGE CRACK ON THE
SURFACE OF THE ISLAND FORESHADOWS AN INDIAN PROPHECY THAT THE
ISLAND WILL CRACK IN TWO AND SINK ENTIRELY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: 01-30-1968
ORIGINS
THERE WAS A BIG FLOOD IN PAUL BUNYAN'S CAMP IN THE NORTH WOODS.
TO GET RID OF THE WATER, HE DUG A LONG DITCH, WHICH BECAME THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER. THE DIRT HE THREW OVER HIS SHOULDER BECAME
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
KEEWEENAU PENINSULA
AN INDIAN LEGEND EXISTS THAT STATES THAT THE GREAT BEAVER CUT THE
CHANNEL BETWEEN THE MAINLAND AND THE ISLAND THAT EXISTED THERE.
Submitter comment: MIKE LEARNED THIS WHILE ON VACATION THERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
THE GIANT'S CAUSEWAY
THERE WAS AN IRISHMAN NAMED FINN MC COUL--HE WAS A GIANT OF A
MAN--WHO USED TO SHOUT ACROSS THE IRISH SEA TO A SCOTSMAN, DARING
HIM TO FIGHT. ONE DAY HE TOLD THE SCOTSMAN TO COME ACROSS AND
HE'D REALLY GIVE HIM A GOOD FIGHT. THE SCOTSMAN SAID HE WOULD,
BUT HE COULDN'T SWIM. SO FINN MADE A STONE CAUSEWAY ACROSS THE
IRISH SEA AND THE SCOTSMAN CAME OVER. FINN BEAT HIM, OF COURSE.
Submitter comment:
THIS CAUSEWAY REALLY EXISTS. THERE IS A PATH OF HUGE STONES
JUTTING OUT INTO THE IRISH SEA, BUT NOT COMPLETELY CROSSING IT
AND IT IS CALLED "GIANT'S CAUSEWAY."
MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS STORY IN BELFAST, IRELAND ABOUT 1915.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00001915 CA ; 01-13-1964
RELIGIOUS
THERE IS A CHURCH ON A HIGH HILL IN MALTA. THERE IS A CAVE UNDER-
NEATH THIS CHURCH. ONE DAY A GIRL WENT DOWN (INTO) THE CAVE AND
NEVER RETURNED. HER SISTER WENT TO FIND HER AND SHE NEVER
RETURNED. ALTOGETHER SEVEN SISTERS WERE LOST. THE CAVE WAS
THEN BOARDED UP BUT PEOPLE STILL VISIT THERE. NO ONE KNOWS
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GIRLS BUT MANY FEEL THEY HAVE DROWNED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
HAWAIIAN LEGEND
IT IS THE LEGEND IN HAWAII THAT AT A CERTAIN WINDY PLACE IN THE
MOUNTAINS CALLED THE PALI, KING KAMAIAMAIA AND HIS GREAT ARMY
PUSHED THE ARMY OF THE LOCAL ISLAND ENEMY OFF THE OPPOSITE CLIFF
AND TODAY THERE STILL REMAINS THE SCRAPED LOOK ON THE SIDE OF THE
MOUNTAIN WHERE THEY ENEMY FELL OFF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation War |
Date learned: 01-30-1968
FROM CORTEZ, COLORADO:
THERE IS A MOUNTAIN CALLED "INDIAN HEAD," SHAPED LIKE AN INDIAN
LYING ON HIS BACK. THE INDIANS BELIEVE THAT SOMEDAY THE HUGE
INDIAN WILL RISE UP AND KILL ALL THE WHITE MEN AND GIVE THE LAND
BACK TO THE INDIANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
LEGEND
IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA THERE IS A LAKE CALLED "MC LAC," IN THE
MIDDLE OF WHICH IS A GLASS HILL THAT SHINES BRILLIANTLY IN THE
SUN. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE INDIANS BUILT THIS HILL TO HONOR
THE SUN GOD. FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS THEY CARRIED THESE CRYSTAL
ROCKS OUT TO THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE BY MEANS OF CANOES. A ROCK
WAS OFFERRED BY THE ENTIRE TRIBE WHENEVER A FAVOR WAS GRANTED
BY THE SUN GOD. THEY CONTINUED THIS RITUAL UNTIL THE HILL WAS
FAR ENOUGH OUT OF THE WATER TO REFLECT THE SUN'S GOODNESS BY
GIVING BACK ITS LIGHT.
Submitter comment:
SISTER KATERI'S FATHER TOLD THIS STORY TO HER WHEN SISTER WAS A
YOUNGSTER:
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; MINNEAPOLIS ; SOUTH SAINT PAUL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Sun PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mineral |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
INDIAN LEGEND
THERE WAS A FAMINE IN THE LAND AND THE TRIBES DECIDED TO MAKE
A SACRIFICE OF THE CHIEF'S DAUGHTER TO THE SERPENT WHO WAS
CAUSING ALL THE TROUBLE. A BRAVE WAS IN LOVE WITH THE GIRL, SO
AFTER THE SERPENT KILLED HER, HE WENT AFTER THE SNAKE. BOTH
WERE KILLED, AND THE SNAKE FELL INTO THE RIVER. THE WATER
WASHED OVER IT AND FORMED NIAGRA FALLS.
Submitter comment: PETER HEARD THIS STORY IN ST. IGNACE FROM AN OLD ALGONQUIN:
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: 05-15-1965