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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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GIRL STOLEN BY THE FAIRIES
ONE NIGHT THIS MAN WAS WALKING ALONG IN THE FOREST AND HE SAW
THREE MEN COMING CARRYING A COFFIN. (THERE ARE USUALLY FOUR MEN
WHO CARRY A COFFIN ON THEIR SHOULDERS IN IRELAND.) SO HE WENT
UP AND PUT HIS SHOULDER TO THE PLACE WHERE THE FOURTH MAN SHOULD
HAVE BEEN. WELL, THEY STOPPED AND HE SAT DOWN TO REST AND FELL
ASLEEP. WHEN HE WOKE UP THE THREE MEN WERE GONE BUT THE COFFIN
WAS THERE, AND HE OPENED IT AND THERE WAS A BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN
IT. SHE WAS STILL ALIVE SO HE TOOK HER HOME WITH HIM, BUT SHE
COULDN'T TALK. WELL, SOME TIME LATER HE WAS WALKING THROUGH THE
SAME WOODS AND HE HEARD THESE VOICES TALKING. "IT WAS RIGHT HERE.
HE TOOK HER AWAY FROM US," THEY SAID. "IT'S TOO BAD HE DOESN'T
KNOW THAT SHE HAS A PIN IN HER EAR AND IF HE TAKES IT OUT SHE'LL
BE ABLE TO HEAR AND TO TALK." SO HE RAN HOME, AND SURE ENOUGH,
THERE WAS A PIN IN HER EAR AND WHEN HE TOOK IT OUT SHE BEGAN TO
TALK.
Submitter comment: MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS IN BELFAST, IRELAND, ABOUT 1915.
Where learned: IRELAND ; BELFAST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Woman BELIEF -- Body part Senses Ears, noise in ear BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001915 CA
THE LEGEND OF THE LESZEKS AND POPIELS
AFTER THE DEATH OF WANDA, THE LEGENDARY HEROINE AND RULER OF
CRACOW, THERE RULED A GROUP OF TWELVE PALATINES. THEY FEARED
THAT SOME ENEMY WAS APPROACHING FROM RUMORS THAT WERE GOING AROUND
IN THE COUNTRYSIDE. THE ENEMY WAS SCARED OFF BY THE FORESIGHT
AND INGENUITY OF A YOUNG GOLDSMITH, LESZEK.
ON THE BUSHES AND TREES HE HUNG UP THE SHIELDS, SHINY ONES, AND
HELMETS OF THE ARMY. WHEN THE ENEMY SAW THE MULTITUDE OF THESE
SHIELDS AND HELMETS FROM FAR OFF, THEY QUICKLY LEFT, AFRAID OF
THE "LARGE ARMY" THAT AWAITED THEM. ABOUT 760 A.D. LESZEK BEGAN
HIS REIGN. HE IS ALSO KNOWN AS PRZEMYSTAIN, "AN INGENIOUS
PERSON."
WHEN LESZEK DIED, HE LEFT NO SON. THE KINGDOM, THEREFORE, HELD
A HORSE RACE TO SEE WHO WOULD BE THE NEXT RULER. THERE WERE
FIFTEEN OR SO BRAVE VOLUNTEERS. ONE SCHEMING PARTICIPANT COVERED
THE ROAD OF THE RACE WITH NAILS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE RACE. HE
DREW HIMSELF A PATH IN THE SAND SO THAT HE COULD FOLLOW WITHOUT
HURTING HIS OWN HORSE. ANOTHER PARTICIPANT DISCOVERED THE TRICK
AND PUT IRON HORSE SHOES ON HIS OWN HORSE. HE WON THE RACE AND
BECAME LESZEK II.
AFTER SEVERAL RULERS CAME POPIEL I WHO TRANSFERRED THE CAPITOL
OF POLAND FROM CRACOW TO GNIEZNO, FROM WHICH THE KINGDOM ORIGINA-
TED. HE THEN TRANSFERRED, IT IS SAID, TO THE CITY OF KRUSZWICZ
NEAR THE LAKE OF GOPLO. IT WAS HIS SON, POPIEL II, WHO WAS A
VERY GLUTTONOUS AND WEAK CHARACTER. IT IS SAID THAT HE WAS BALD
AND HAD A THICK BEARD CALLED "CHWOSTEK." HE HAD A GERMAN WIFE
WHO WAS SAID TO BE WICKED AND CRUEL, AND WHO TEMPTED HER HUSBAND
OFTEN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SITUATIONS AND DO WRONG.
IT WAS A CUSTOM AMONG THE SLAVS TO NAME THEIR SONS AFTER THEIR
SEVENTH BIRTHDAY. HIS HAIR WAS THEN CUT FOR THE FIRST TIME
AND A BIG FEAST WAS HELD WITH FRIENDS AND RELATIVES. POPIEL II
HELD SUCH A FEAST FOR HIS SON. MANY PEOPLE WERE INVITED.
AT THIS SAME TIME, TWO PILGRIMS CAME TO HIS CASTLE ASKING FOR
REFUGE, BUT POPIEL AND HIS WIFE ANGRILY CHASED THEM OUT. IN THE
EYES OF THE POLISH AND THE SLAVS IN GENERAL, SUCH BREAKING OF THE
LAWS OF HOSPITALITY WAS A SERIOUS CRIME. POPIEL SOON PAID FOR
IT.
IT IS SAID THAT THE TWO PILGRIMS WERE REALLY TWO ANGELS. OTHERS
SAY THEY WERE THE SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS ON A MISSION. BUT
THIS INCIDENT DID NOT CHANGE POPIEL. HE CONTINUED IN HIS DRUNKEN
REVELRIES AND CRIMES ONLY TO ESCAPE THE PANGS OF HIS GUILTY CON-
SCIENCE.
FINALLY, WITH COUNSEL OF HIS WIFE, HE HELD A FEAST FOR ALL HIS
RELATIVES IN ORDER TO "MAKE UP" FOR THE TIMES HE DID THEM WRONG.
HE REALLY BELIEVED THAT THESE PEOPLE WERE THE CAUSE OF HIS GUILTY
FEELINGS. AT THIS FEAST, HE POISONED EVERYONE.
IMMEDIATELY HIS PUNISHMENT FOLLOWED. FROM THE BODIES OF THE DEAD
CAME OUT HUNDREDS OF MICE. THESE MICE CHASED POPIEL AND HIS WIFE.
THEY TRIED TO HIDE IN A TOWER, BUT DID NOT SUCCEED AND WERE EATEN
UP BY THE MICE AS WELL AS WERE HIS PEOPLE. THIS TOWER, CALLED
"MICE TOWER" OR "THE TOWER OF POPIEL," STANDS IN THE CITY OF
KRUSZIVICA, POLAND.
Submitter comment:
THESE LEGENDS I'VE KNOWN SINCE CHILDHOOD DAYS FROM MY PARENTS AS
WELL AS FROM MY LESSONS IN POLISH HISTORY I TOOK FROM MRS. HELEN
CHMIELEWSKI OF DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NARRATIVE (TOLD IN FIRST PERSON)
MY DAD HAD A NIECE HE HAD QUARRELED WITH, YEARS BEFORE HE HAD
PASSED ON. SHE HAD TOLD HIM IF HE DIES BEFORE SHE DOES, SHE'LL
TURN HER BACK TOWARD HIM. SO BEFORE MY DAD COULD DIE, WE HAD TO
CALL HER AND AS SOON AS SHE ENTERED THE HOUSE MY DAD DIED PEACE-
FULLY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
HAUNTED CABIN
THERE IS AN OLD LOGGING CABIN IN EAST TAWAS ON ONE OF THE BACK
LOGGING ROADS DATING BACK TO AROUND CIVIL WAR TIME, AND THE CABIN
IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE FOR HOW OLD IT IS. THE LEGEND GOES THAT THE
PERSON WHO ONWED THE PLACE DIED IN A STABLE JUST OFF ONE ROOM,
ALONG WITH HIS DOG AND HORSE. PRIOR TO OUR ARRIVAL IN EAST TAWAS
(ABOUT 1953), A GROUP OF PEOPLE APPROACHED THE CABIN. ONE PERSON
FROM THE GROUP OPENED THE TOP PART OF THE DUTCH-DOOR AND CLIMBED
OVER AND INTO THE CABIN. HE SEARCHED THE CABIN AND FOUND THE
BONES OF A HUMAN BEING, A HORSE AND A DOG, IN THE STABLE AREA.
WHEN HE CAME OUT OF THE CABIN HE TOLD THE GROUP WHAT HE HAD FOUND
AND IMMEDIATELY KEELED OVER DEAD. THE GROUP FLED, LEAVING THE
TOP PART OF THE DOOR OPEN AND NO ONE HAS ENTERED THE CABIN SINCE
THEN. ALL THE UTENSILS USED BY THE DEAD OWNER COULD BE SEEN IN
THE CABIN IN 1958--THE TIME WHEN THE INFORMANT WAS THERE. THE
INFORMANT BELIEVES THAT THIS REALLY HAPPENED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAST TAWAS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
HAUNTED ROAD
THERE IS A BACK ROAD IN PONTIAC, MICHIGAN AND ON A WINDY, RAINY
NIGHT, A GIRL AND HER BOYFRIEND WERE DRIVING DOWN IT AND HIS CAR
BROKE DOWN. THERE WERE RUMORS OF MONSTERS IN THE AREA, SO THE
BOYFRIEND TOLD THE GIRL TO LAY ON THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT SEAT,
WHILE HE WENT AND GOT HELP. WHILE LAYING ON THE FLOOR, SHE HEARD
SCRATCHING, FOOTSTEPS, AND A THUMPING NOISE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES
LAYING ON THE FLOOR OF THE CONVERTIBLE, SHE FELT SOMETHING
DRIPPING ON HER ARM, BUT SHE WAS TOO SCARED TO MOVE IN ORDER TO SEE
WHAT IT WAS. AFTER A LONG, LONG TIME, SHE HEARD THE CARDOOR OPEN,
SOMEONE GRABBED HER, SHE SCREAMED, TURNED AROUND, AND A POLICEMAN
WAS THERE TRYING TO CALM HER DOWN. HE HELPED HER OUT OF THE CAR
AND TOLD HER NOT TO LOOK BACK AT THE CAR, BUT GO DIRECTLY TO THE
POLICE CAR. HOWEVER, SHE DID TURN AROUND AND SHE SAW THE BODY
OF HER BOYFRIEND, ALL CUT UP, LAYING ON TOP OF THE CAR ROOF, AND
HIS BLOOD WAS DRIPPING THROUGH A SLIT IN THE ROOF. SHE LOOKED
DOWN AT HER WRIST AND THERE WERE BLOOD DROPS ON HER ARM. NOW IF
YOU DRIVE DOWN THIS ROAD ON A RAINY, WINDY NIGHT, WHAT YOU THINK
IS RAIN IS REALLY BLOOD AND THE ROAD IS CALLED "BLOOD ROAD."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Date learned: 00-00-1965
CAVES OF THE BLOODY CHIEFS
THE PICTURED ROCKS EXTEND EASTWARD ALONG THE LAKE SUPERIOR SHORE-
LINE FROM MUNISING. SOME OF THE VARIOUS FORMATIONS IN THE ROCKS
ARE NAMED. THE CAVES OF THE BLOODY CHIEFS ARE SO NAMED BECAUSE
INDIAN CHIEFS SUPPOSEDLY TORTURED THEIR VICTIMS THERE. THEY
WOULD BE BOUND AND LEFT FOR THE WAVES TO DASH THEM TO PIECES. THE
ROCK OF THE CAVES IS BRIGHTLY COLORED BY MINERAL SEEPAGE, MOSTLY
IRON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
HERMIT ISLAND TREASURE
ON HERMIT ISLAND, ONE OF THE APOSTLE GROUP IN LAKE SUPERIOR, A
SHORT DISTANCE OUT OF BAYFIELD, WISCONSIN, IS BURIED A BRITISH
PAYROLL. IT WAS BURIED TO KEEP IT FROM HOSTILE INDIANS, WHO
RAIDED THE OUTPOST AND MASSACRED ALMOST ALL OF THE TROOPS
STATIONED THERE. TWO MEN SURVIVING TOLD OF THE BURIAL OF THE
MONEY BUT DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE OFFICERS BURIED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NO GRASS ON THE GRAVE: TALE
THE GREAT-GRANDFATHER OF MY INFORMANT WAS ALLEGEDLY UNJUSTLY
ACCUSED OF MURDERING HIS WIFE. HE SWORE HE WAS INNOCENT UP TILL
THE TIME OF HIS EXECUTION NEAR BOSTON.
UNTIL THIS DAY, NO GRASS GROWS ON THAT GRAVE, THOUGH IT HAS BEEN
RE-SODDED SEVERAL TIMES.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
OCCURANCE AT A WAKE
THE INFORMANT'S GRANDMOTHER GREW UP ON A FARM IN LITHUANIA. WHEN
SHE WAS A CHILD, SHE WAS TAKEN TO A NEIGHBORING FARM FOR A
FUNERAL. THE GROWN-UPS WERE TALKING IN THE KITCHEN WHILE THE
CHILDREN WERE IN THE PARLOUR WHERE THE MAN WAS LAID OUT WITH A
SHEET COVERING THE BODY. SUDDENLY THE BODY BEGAN TO SIT UP AND
THE CHILDREN ALL SCREAMED. IT TURNED OUT THAT THE MAN HAD DIED
IN THAT ROOM.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
CHILDHOOD BELIEF
CHILDREN WHO LIVED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND PASADENA BETWEEN
SECOND AND THIRD STREETS IN DETROIT BELIEVED THAT A MAN WHO LIVED
IN ONE OF THE HOUSES HAD KILLED HIS WIFE, CAUSING THE HOUSE TO BE
HAUNTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-10-1967
NARRATIVE
IN 1917 IN POLAND HER MOTHER LIVED ON A FARM. ONE NIGHT THEY
HEARD THE CATTLE IN THE BARN SCREECHING. IT WAS AN UNUSUAL CRY,
SO THEY RAN OUT TO SEE WHAT THE MATTER WAS. ALL THE CATTLE WERE
DEAD AND THE STRANGE THING ABOUT IT WAS THAT THE HIDE ON ALL THE
CATTLE WAS MATTED UNDER THEIR NECKS. AFTER THAT THEY HUNG HUGE
SICKLES ABOVE THE BARN DOORS TO WARD OFF THE EVIL SPIRITS AND
THEY NEVER HAD TROUBLE AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Husbandry Farming Ranching BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SLEEPY HOLLOW STORY
ONE NIGHT A YOUNG COUPLE WENT TO SLEEPY HOLLOW TO MAKE OUT. WHEN
THEY WERE READY TO LEAVE, THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE BOY WENT TO
GET HELP AND THE GIRL LOCKED ALL THE DOORS, CURLED UP, AND FELL
FAST ASLEEP. SOMETIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT SHE WOKE UP TO
A SCRATCHING SOUND ON THE ROOF, LIKE A TREE BRANCH BRUSHING ACROSS
THE ROOF IN THE WIND. THE NEXT MORNING THE COPS CAME AND WOKE HER
UP. WHEN SHE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, SHE SAW HER BOYFRIEND HANGING
ABOVE THE CAR, SHOES GONE AND HIS TOENAILS SCRAPING THE ROOF.
VARIATION: THE SOUND WAS A THUMPING AND THE BOY'S HEELS WERE
BUMPING ON THE ROOF.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Date learned: 10-00-1968
KNOCK KNOCK STREET
LOCATED ON ROBERT JOHN STREET IN GROSSE POINTE. WHEN A CAR IS
DRIVEN OVER IT, A KNOCKING SOUND IS MADE. THE STORY BEHIND IT
IS THAT A BOY WAS TAKING HIS GIRLFRIEND ON ROBERT JOHN AND WHEN
HE DROPPED HER OFF, HER COAT GOT CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND HE DROVE
OFF WITH HER HANGING FROM THE DOOR. SHE KNOCKED ON HIS DOOR TO
TELL HIM SHE WAS THERE, BUT WHEN HE FINALLY STOPPED, SHE WAS
DEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CAR FOR SALE
IT WAS A CADILLAC IN THE UPPER PENINSULA SIX OR SEVEN YEARS AGO.
SOMEONE HAD GONE HUNTING AND GOT LOST IN THE WOODS LOOKING FOR
FRIENDS. HE WAS 50-ISH. IT WAS A NEW CAR--A '53 OR '54 CADILLAC.
HE WANDERED AND GOT COLD AND FELL ASLEEP AND WAS ASFIXIATED AND
WAS IN THE CAR FOR ABOUT 8 MONTHS TO A YEAR. IT WAS A BRAND NEW
CAR AT THE TIME. IT HAPPENED DURING DEER SEASON--ABOUT NOVEMBER--
AND THE CAR WAS FOUND IN APRIL OR MAY.
THEY TOOK OUT THE UPHOLSTERY AND TOOK A TORCH TO THE METAL TO KILL
THE SMELL. THE CAR WAS OFFERED FOR $500. SOMEONE ASKED ME IF I
WOULD BUY IT BUT I NEVER HEARD ANY MORE FROM HIM. THEY COULDN'T
ERADICATE THE SMELL FROM THE METAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
CAR FOR SALE
A THUNDERBIRD WAS ON SALE FOR $500--IT WAS AFTER THE FOUR-PASSEN-
GERS CAME OUT, SO AFTER 1958. A WOMAN HAD GONE TO CALIFORNIA AND
HER HUSBAND CAME HOME AFTER DRIVING HER TO THE AIRPORT. HE
ENTERED THE GARAGE WHICH OPENED WITH REMOTE CONTROL. HE DIED OF
A HEART ATTACK AND WAS LEFT IN THERE FOR EITHER THREE DAYS OR
WEEKS--I CAN'T REMEMBER. WHEN HIS WIFE CAME BACK SHE WAS IN THE
HOSPITAL BEING TREATED FOR SHOCK, I GUESS. ONE OF HER NURSES (WHO
IS THE DAUGHTER OF ONE OF MY DAD'S EMPLOYEES) WAS TOLD ABOUT THE
CAR. YOU REALLY COULDN'T SMELL IT UNLESS YOU WERE TOLD ABOUT IT;
BUT THEY STILL HAD TROUBLE SELLING IT. THE NURSE COULDN'T BUY IT
BECAUSE SHE WAS BLIND AND HAS SUGAR DIABETES. THIS HAPPENED TWO
OR THREE YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
CAR FOR SALE
A PERSON BOUGHT THAT CAR AND EVERY TIME HE CLOSED THE WINDOWS THE
STENCH INSIDE THE CAR WOULD BE SO STRONG YOU COULDN'T GET IN THE
CAR--LIKE ON A WARM DAY. THIS STILL HAPPENED YEARS AFTERWARDS.
Submitter comment:
I, THE COLLECTOR, TOLD THEM ABOUT THE CAR WHICH THE OWNER COULD NOT
SELL BECAUSE A PERSON WHO HAD DIED IN IT WAS LEFT IN IT FOR SOME
TIME AND THE ODOR REMAINED. IT PROMPTED THE FOLLOWING:
HEARD THIS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
LEGEND
IN ST. MARY'S COUNTY, MARYLAND, ON A WINDING ROAD DURING WORLD WAR
II, THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH A CAR, GOING OVER A BRIDGE,
CRASHED. IN THIS ACCIDENT, A BABY WAS KILLED INSTANTLY AND THE
MOTHER DIED LATER IN THE HOSPITAL. IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF YOU
DRIVE OVER THIS BRIDGE AT NIGHT, YOU CAN HEAR THE BABY CRYING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Bridge BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
ORDINARY TALE
ONE EVENING TWO BOYS AND A GIRL WENT OUT TO A CEMETERY IN
ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN. THEY WENT TO INSPECT THE TOMBS. BUILT IN
THE SIDE OF A HILL WAS THE TOMB OF MARY DUNN; THE BOYS CONSPIRED
TO LOCK UP THE GIRL IN THIS TOMB OVERNIGHT. WHEN THEY CAME BACK
IN THE MORNING, THEY FOUND HER DEAD WITH A FRIGHTENED EXPRESSION
ON HER FACE. SINCE THEN IRON BARS HAVE BEEN PLACED ACROSS THE
ENTRANCE AND THE TOMB OF MARY DUNN HAS BECOME A HISTORICAL MARKER
OF LOVER'S LANE IN ROCHESTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
BURIED ALIVE
THIS HAPPENED IN A CONCENTRATION CAMP NOT TOO LONG AGO. ALL THE
PRISONERS WHO WERE KILLED OR DIED WERE BURIED IN TWOS. A MAN
WAS GOING TO BE KILLED SO HE PRETENDED THAT HE WAS DEAD. HE HAD
MADE A DEAL WITH THE DOCTOR TO DIG HIM UP AFTER 15 MINUTES WHEN
EVERYONE HAD LEFT. THE DOCTOR GAVE HIM SOME MATCHES TO LIGHT SO
THAT HE WOULDN'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK. AFTER THE MAN WAS BURIED,
HE WAITED 5, THEN 10, THEN 15 MINUTES AND THE DOCTOR STILL HADN'T
COME TO DIG HIM UP. HE LIT HIS LAST MATCH AND TURNED TO THE BODY
NEXT TO HIM ONLY TO FIND THAT THE BODY NEXT TO HIM WAS THE DOCTOR.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS AT A PAJAMA PARTY FROM ONE OF HER FRIENDS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
BALL OF FIRE
A MAN WAS FOUND DEAD IN HIS BEDROOM WITH HIS THROAT CUT AND HIS
WRISTS CUT. NO ONE WOULD EVER SLEEP IN THE ROOM WHERE THE MAN
DIED BECAUSE A BALL OF FIRE APPEARED UNDER THE BED. IT WOULD
COME OUT FROM UNDER THE BED AND HIT THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE ROOM
AND THEN RETURN TO ITS RESTING PLACE.
THEY THOUGHT THAT THE MAN HAD BEEN MURDERED, BUT THEY WERE NEVER
ABLE TO FIND THE MURDERER.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A
CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Air Weather Fire PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 08-11-1964