Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B429 returned 584 results.
THE GHOST OF KILLARNEY
TIM, DIRECTOR OF CAMP KILLARNEY, AND OTHERS TELL
A REMARKABLY SIMILAR STORY ABOUT A SO-CALLED
"KILLARNEY GHOST."
MANY YEARS AGO, AN OLD GUY'S WIFE IS KILLED BY
WOLVES AND HER HAIR RIPPED FROM HER SKULL. OLD
GUY GOES BERSERK, DROWNS HIMSELF IN LAKE KILLARNEY.
NOW HIS BERSERK GHOST, EVERY NIGHT AT 12 COMES
EERILY FROM THE LAKE, LOOKING FOR HER HAIR TO PASTE
IT BACK ON. BUT HE'LL EVEN TRY TO PULL ANYBODY'S
HAIR OUT AS THEY SLEEP. SINCE YOUNGER GHOSTS ARE
RELATIVELY POWERLESS, HE CAN SO FAR ONLY MUSS HAIR
UP. THE AMAZING PROOF FOR THE VERITABILITY OF
THIS STORY IS THE FACT THAT PEOPLE IN THE AREA DO,
INDEED, FIND THEIR HAIR DISARRANGED IN THE
MORNINGS!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CAMBRIDGE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 07-00-1969
IN ELMORE, OHIO THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A HEADLESS
MOTORCYCLE DRIVER WHO COMES AT YOU WHEN YOU BLINK
YOUR LIGHTS AND BLOW YOUR HORN THREE TIMES ON A CERTAIN
BRIDGE IN ELMORE.
Submitter comment: HEARD IT FROM FRIENDS WHO WENT OUT THERE.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Number Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
GHOST STORY OF DROWNED WOMAN
THERE IS A LEGEND OF A WOMAN AND HER DOG WHO DROWNED
OFF SULLIVAN'S POINT, ON EAGLE LAKE IN SOUTHWESTERN
MICHIGAN. HER GHOST IS SAID TO BE SEEN VERY OFTEN,
AND SHE IS USUALLY MOANING IN SORROW. A DOG IS OFTEN
SEEN ALSO ROAMING THE BEACHES FOR ITS MASTER. THIS
DOG HAS A COLLAR WITH THE NAME OF THE DEAD WOMAN
ON IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; EAGLE LAKE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00001956-1957
HAUNTED HOUSE
ONCE, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, A MAN LIVED BY HIMSELF IN
A HOUSE IN THE SOUTHSIDE OF CHICAGO. HIS LEGS
WERE BADLY MAULED AND HE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE
THEM AMPUTATED. ONE WAS TAKEN OFF BUT THE MAN
KILLED HIMSELF BEFORE THE OTHER LEG COULD BE TAKEN
OFF. HE WAS BURIED IN THE BASEMENT AND TO THIS
DAY A ONE-LEGGED GHOST HAUNTS THAT HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
IN WESTERN CANADA PEOPLE BELIEVE IN THE LEGEND OF
THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE
HALF MAN, HALF ANIMAL OF ENORMOUS SIZE. NOONE HAS AC-
TUALLY SEEN IT, BUT PEOPLE CLAIM TO HAVE BROUGHT
BACK HAIR AND FOOTPRINTS FROM IT.
EVEN TODAY A LOT OF MONEY IS SPENT ON RESEARCH OF
THIS THING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CANADA ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MONSTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
GERMAN GRAVEYARD
IN A GRAVEYARD IN GERMANY, THERE WERE STRANGE
LIGHTS SHINING. THE PEOPLE SAID IT WAS THE
PEOPLE BURIED THERE WALKING AROUND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; WARREN
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY LIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
GHOST OF BELLE ISLE {DETROIT, MICHIGAN}
A GIRL WAS RAPED AND KILLED ON BELLE ISLE AND NOW
HER MOTHER HAUNTS BELLE ISLE TO PROTECT THE LOVERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
GHOST RAIDERS
IN GERMANY WHEN THE WIND HOWLS THROUGH THE WHITE
MOUNTAINS, IT IS THE GHOST RAIDERS RIDING THROUGH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
SCREAMING MEEMIE
ACCORDING TO KAREN, SCREAMING MEEMIE IS REALLY AND
TRULY A GHOST WHO HAUNTS A SMALL BRIDGE OUTSIDE OF
TIFFIN, OHIO. EVERY NIGHT AT MIDNIGHT, KIDS PARKED
IN THE LOVERS' LANE NEAR THE BRIDGE CAN HEAR HER.
IT SEEMS THAT HER LOVER WENT BERSERK AND MURDERED MISS
MEEMIE (?) THERE ONE NIGHT. SUPPOSEDLY SHE'S TRYING
TO WARN OTHER GIRLS AWAY BECAUSE THE GUY STILL LURKS
AROUND THERE. WE VISITED THE SCENE TO GLEAN EVIDENCE;
FOUND A VERY SPOOKY LITTLE BRIDGE, BUT NOTHING ELSE
PARTICULARLY.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 08-12-1969
THE TOMBS
THE LOCATION OF THIS SIGHT IS SOMEWHERE IN A
GRAVEYARD ALONG 26 MILE ROAD IN ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN.
IT IS SUPPOSEDLY HAUNTED BY A BLIND GHOST WHO WALKS
WITH THE AID OF A CANE AND IS ALWAYS ACCOMPANIED
BY HIS "GHOST" DOG. MOREOVER, IF ANYONE KISSES
HIS TOMB, LOCATED IN THE CEMETERY, THREE TIMES, HE
WILL DIE. THREE PEOPLE HAVE MET THIS FATE ALREADY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT GAVE VERY SKETCHY DETAILS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROCHESTER HILLS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE WHITE LADY
THIS LEGEND FIRST CAME TO BE KNOWN ABOUT TEN YEARS
AGO. REPORTED SIGHTINGS WERE AT "GREEN HILLS"
(NICKNAME GIVEN TO 200 ACRES OF RAILROAD LAND,
WITH DENSE FOLIAGE, ON RYAN ROAD BETWEEN SIX MILE
ROAD AND NEVADA {DETROIT, MICHIGAN}). WHEN THIS LAND
WAS CLEARED AND LEVELED, THE "WHITE LADY"
CONVENIENTLY MOVED TO BELLE ISLE {DETROIT, MICHIGAN}.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
PINK LADY
THERE IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF THE PINK LADY EVERY
HALLOW'S EVE AT THE GIRL'S BOARDING SCHOOL IN
WISCONSIN THAT I WENT TO FOR HIGH SCHOOL. ALL OF THE
UPPERCLASSMEN (WOMEN) GIVE THE FRESHMEN GORY TALES
OF THE PINK LADY. ONE TALE IS THAT A SENIOR TOOK SOME
FRESHMEN UP TO SHOW THEM THE BELL TOWER, AND WHILE
SHE WAS UNDER THE BELL, THEY RANG IT UNTIL SHE WENT
NUTS AND JUMPED OUT OF THE TOWER. NOW SHE COMES BACK
EACH YEAR AND CARRIES OFF SELECTED FRESHMEN AND SOME
COME BACK BLOODY AND BRUISED, WHILE SOME OTHERS DON'T
COME BACK AT ALL. AFTER ALL THE FRESHMEN ARE
THOROUGHLY SCARED OVER THESE TALES OF THE PINK LADY,
HALLOW'S EVE NIGHT ARRIVES, AND THE SENIOR CLASS
PRESIDENT AND THE SENIORS FROM THE PRESENT YEAR AND
YEAR BEFORE ARE IN A CANDLELIGHT PROCESSION AND WALK
THROUGH THE FRESHMEN DORMS CHANTING SONGS. THE
SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT, DRESSED IN A LONG, PINK DRESS,
ADDRESSES THE FRESHMEN AND TELLS THEM TO BE LOYAL TO
THEIR SCHOOL AND TO GOD.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A VERY OLD TRADITION AT SINSINAWA.
Where learned: WISCONSIN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DURING WORLD WAR II, MOANS WERE HEARD COMING FROM
CHRIST'S GRAVE IN JERUSALEM. IT WAS FELT THAT HE DID
NOT APPROVE OF THE WAR.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
THERE IS A LEGEND CONCERNING DETROIT'S BELLE ISLE.
A "WHITE LADY" APPEARS ON THE ISLAND AT EVERY FULL
MOON AND WANDERS THROUGH THE WOODS. SHE IS DRESSED
ALL IN WHITE, HENCE HER NAME. SHE IS THE MOTHER
OF A GIRL WHO WAS MURDERED THERE, WHILE PARKING
WITH A FELLOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 12-05-1967
VANISHING HITCHHIKER VARIANT
THERE WAS A YOUNG COUPLE WHO LOVED EACH OTHER VERY MUCH.
SUDDENLY THE YOUNG MAN DIED. THE GIRL WAS OVERWROUGHT
WITH GRIEF AND MOURNED FOR HIM FOR A LONG TIME. BUT
ONE SATURDAY NIGHT SHE DECIDED TO GO TO A LOCAL DANCE.
ON THE WAY TO THE DANCE, SHE PASSED THE CEMETERY WHERE
HER LOVER WAS BURIED. SHE CRIED OUT TO HIM, "PLEASE
COME OUT AND GO TO THE DANCE WITH ME." THEN SHE
CONTINUED ON TO THE DANCE.
WHILE SHE WAS DANCING WITH ONE OF THE BOYS IN THE
DANCE HALL, SHE SAW HER DEAD LOVER STANDING IN THE
DOORWAY. SURPRISED AND HAPPY AT THE SAME TIME, SHE
STARTED TO DANCE WITH HIM. THEY DANCED AND DANCED,
AND HE KEPT ON DANCING AS IF IT WAS THE FIRST DANCE.
SHE WAS COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED, BUT HE KEPT ON
DANCING. SUDDENLY THE COCK CROWED, AND HE SPOKE,
"IT IS MY BAD LUCK, AND YOUR GOOD FORTUNE!" THEN
HE VANISHED.
THE GIRL DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO AND SHE WAS
AFRAID TO LEAVE HER HOUSE. BUT ONE DAY SHE HAD TO
GO BY THE CEMETERY AGAIN. THIS TIME HER LOVER
CHASED HER AND SHE RAN FOR HER LIFE TO A WITCH'S
HOUSE. THE WITCH TOLD HER TO CLIMB UP ON TOP OF
THE STOVE; THEN SHE PROCEEDED TO CAST A SPELL BY
MAKING SIGNS OF THE CROSS AND SAYING CERTAIN MAGIC
FORMULAS. HER LOVER COULD NOT BREAK THE SPELL TO
REACH HER. SO THE WITCH GAVE HIM A TASK OF TAKING
OUT ALL THE HEMP SEEDS SHE HAD SCATTERED IN A POT OF
ASHES. HE PROCEEDED TO DO THIS, AND WAS DOING IT WHEN
THE COCK CROWED. HE EXCLAIMED AGAIN, "IT IS MY
MISFORTUNE, AND YOUR BAD LUCK, AND NOW YOU MAY HAVE
LEARNED TO LET THE DEAD REST." HE DISAPPEARED AND SHE
NEVER SAW HIM AGAIN.
James Callow comment: THIRD TO LAST LINE: GOOD LUCK?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; LITHUANIA
Keyword(s): DANCING GHOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-25-1968
PONDLILLY LOOKOUT POINT
PONDLILLY LOOKOUT POINT IS LOCATED IN WATERLOO
RECREATION AREA NEAR JACKSON, MICHIGAN. THERE USED TO
BE A FORT LOCATED ON THIS POINT; IT WAS SITUATED ON
A VERY STEEP, ALMOST UNSCALABLE RIDGE. IN THE MIDDLE
OF A HUGE BLIZZARD ONE DAY, INDIANS SCALED THE RIDGE
AND MASSACRED ALL THOSE IN THE FORT.
TO THIS DAY, ONE CAN SUPPOSEDLY HEAR THE SOUND OF
INDIANS RUNNING ALONG THE RIDGE DURING ANY SNOW STORM.
Submitter comment:
MIKE SAYS THAT THERE IS ANOTHER VERSION WHICH SAYS
YOU CAN HEAR A HORSEMAN RIDING ALONG THE RIDGE DURING
A BLIZZARD. HE IS SAID TO BE RACING TO WARN THOSE IN
THE FORT OF THE ATTACK.
MIKE SAYS THAT THERE IS JUST SUCH A SOUND DURING A
SNOWSTORM, BUT BEING MORE LOGICALLY-MINDED,
ATTRIBUTES IT TO THE SNOW FALLING INTO THE THICK
GROWTH OF MAPLE TREES WHICH CHOKE THE SLOPE BELOW
THE RIDGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; JACKSON
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-10-1968
FLOATING NUN LEGEND
IN EARLIER TIMES, IN THE SACRED HEART ORDER FOR NUNS,
WHEN THE STRICTNESS WAS MUCH GREATER THAN NOW, THERE
WAS ONE PARTICULAR NUN AMONG THIS GROUP WHO BECAME A
HAUNTING FIGURE TO ALL OF THAT ORDER'S CONVENTS AND
SCHOOLS. SHE WAS SAID TO HAVE LOOKED IN A MIRROR
(A PROFANE ACT) WHICH WAS A PROHIBITED ACT. BECAUSE
OF HER VANITY SHE WAS CURSED, AND WHEN SHE DIED, SHE
WAS CONDEMNED TO ROAM THE HALLS OF THE SACRED HEART
INSTITUTIONS. TO THIS DAY, SHE IS SEEN OFTEN,
ALTHOUGH THERE IS SPECULATION THAT AT SOME OF THE ALL-
GIRLS SCHOOLS, SOPHOMORES IMPERSONATE THIS WELL
KNOWN GHOST FIGURE IN HOPES OF SCARING THE NEW
FRESHMEN LATE AFTER ALL ARE ASLEEP.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BATTLE CREEK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-13-1968
IN THE SECTION OF THE METROPOLITAN PARK OF CLEVELAND,
OHIO KNOWN AS "CEDAR POINT HILL," A YOUNG ENGAGED
COUPLE WAS PARKED. THEY HEARD A NEWSCAST WARNING
THOSE IN THE AREA TO BEWARE OF THREE VICIOUS MUGGERS
ACTIVE THAT WEEK. THE GIRL BECAME FRIGHTENED AND WISHED
TO LEAVE. HER FIANCE REASSURED HER AND WENT OUT TO CHECK
AROUND THE CAR. HE TOLD HER TO HIDE UNDER THE BLANKET
ON THE BACKSEAT FLOOR UNTIL HE KNOCKED THREE TIMES.
SHE WAITED...AND WAITED...AND WAITED, HEARING NO SOUND
OTHER THAN OCCASIONAL SCRAPE ON THE ROOF, CAUSED BY A
LOW HANGING BRANCH. AFTER ABOUT FORTY-FIVE MINUTES,
SHE SAW SEVERAL LIGHTS AND HEARD MUCH TALKING.
LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW SHE SAW POLICE CARS. THE
POLICE HELPED HER OUT, INSTRUCTING HER NOT TO LOOK
UP. SHE LOOKED ANYWAY AND SAW HER FINACE HANGING FROM
THE BRANCH ABOVE THE CAR, HIS HEELS TAPPING THE ROOF.
HIS TONGUE HAD BEEN CUT OUT, AS ALSO HAD HIS HEART.
THE MURDERERS WERE NEVER FOUND, BUT ON STORMY NIGHTS,
THE YOUNG MAN TAPS ON THE CAR ROOFS IN CEDAR POINT
VALLEY TO WARN LOVERS OF ANY DANGER.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
JACK O'LANTERN
THE SOUL OF SOMEONE CONDEMNED TO WANDER FOR HAVING MOVED
OR ALSO FOR HAVING DISREGARDED A BOUNDARY MARK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT JUST REMEMBERS HEARING THIS LEGEND, MANY
YEARS AGO.
Where learned: DETROIT ; COULD NOT REMEMBER WHERE OR WHEN LEARNED
Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS LIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-30-1970
ONCE TWO WOMEN WERE IN THE HAUNTED HOUSE WITH A BABY.
THE BABY WAS IN A ROOM BY ITSELF IN A CRADLE. WHEN
THE WOMEN WENT TO CHECK ON THE BABY, IT WAS REMOVED
FROM THE CRADLE AND LYING ON THE FLOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-08-1970