Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHITE LADY
IN NEW JERSEY AT BRANCHBROOK PARK THERE IS A WINDING,
DARK ROAD. ONE NIGHT A LADY AND HER HUSBAND WERE
DRIVING IN THE PARK, WHEN THEIR CAR SMASHED INTO
A TREE. BOTH PERSONS DIED, BUT THEY ONLY FOUND THE
BODY OF THE HUSBAND. IT IS SAID THAT WHEN IT IS FOGGY
AND MISTY OUT AT NIGHT, YOU CAN SEE THE LADY DRESSED
IN WHITE SEARCHING FOR HER HUSBAND'S BODY.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-15-1969
NEAR CURTIS, OHIO THERE IS A LEGEND OF A WOMAN AND
HER GARDENER LOVER WHO PLOTTED AND KILLED THIS WOMAN'S
HUSBAND. A FEW YEARS AFTER THE MURDER, THE GARDENER
DIED AND THE WOMAN BECAME A VIRTUAL HERMIT. THIS IS
BECAUSE, AS THE LEGEND GOES, HER HUSBAND'S GHOST
SWORE THAT IF SHE EVER LEFT THE HOUSE OR PREMISES,
HE WOULD KILL HER.
Submitter comment: BRIAN LEARNED THIS WHILE ON VACATION NEAR CURTIS, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CURTIS
Keyword(s): FAITHLESSNESS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-15-1967
MAINE INDIANS
THE INDIANS IN MAINE WERE FRIGHTENED BY WHAT THEY BELIEVED
WERE ABOMINABLE SNOW MEN. ACTUALLY IT WAS THE LOGGERS
IN THE AREA WHO USED TO WALK AROUND WITH A SACK OF BLOOD
IN THEIR BOOTS WHICH MADE THE INDIANS BELIEVE
THAT MONSTERS LURKED IN THIS AREA.
Submitter comment:
I PIKCED UP THIS BIT OF TRIVIA AT SUMMER CAMP IN
MAINE WHEN I WAS 12.
Where learned: MAINE
Keyword(s): MONSTERS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: WHEN I WAS 12 ; 11-05-1967
NEW HAMPSHIRE'S SYMBOL
NEW HAMPSHIRE'S SYMBOL IS THE OLD MAN IN THE MOUNTAINS,
WHO BESIDES GETTING THE NAME FROM THE PROFILE THAT IT
GIVES, THERE IS ALSO A LEGEND ALONG WITH IT.
THE INDIANS OF THE AREA NOTICED THIS PROFILE AND
WORSHIPPED IT LIKE A GOD. A RAIDING TRIBE WHO HAD
KILLED SOME OF THE INDIANS WHO WORSHIPPED THIS PROFILE
WERE TURNED TO STONE BY THE GREAT SPIRIT OF THE
PROFILE.
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS IN A BARBERSHOP IN THE WHITE MOUNTAINS.
Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; WHITE MOUNTAINS
Keyword(s): INDIANS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
A FEW YEARS BACK, A BOY AND HIS GIRL WERE ICE SKATING
ON THE OLENTANGY RIVER THAT GOES THROUGH OHIO STATE
UNIVERSITY. THE BOY SLIPPED THROUGH THIN ICE AND
DROWNED, APPARENTLY NOT FINDING THE HOLE HE SLIPPED
THROUGH. SOME SAY HE COMES BACK EVERY WINTER TO TRY
TO FIND THAT HOLE TO CRAWL OUT OF, AND IF YOU SLIP
THROUGH THIN ICE, HE WILL MAKE YOU TAKE HIS PLACE.
IT IS ALSO SAID THAT HIS GIRLFRIEND LEAVES A LUNCH
DOWN BY THE RIVER THAT HE SOMEHOW RETRIEVES.
Where learned: OHIO, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IN A SMALL TOWN IN NEW YORK STATE, A YOUNG ENGINEER
WAS TRYING TO PURCHASE AN OLD TWIN ENGINE AIRPLANE.
THE OWNER TOLD HIM THAT THE PLANE HAD BEEN BURNT
DOWN TO THE SKELETON OF THE PLANE YEARS BEFORE.
THE PLANE BURNT QUICK BECAUSE IT WAS A FABRIC-
COVERED PLANE. THE ENGINEER STARTED THE PLANE UP WITH
THE HELP OF THE OWNER AND THEN HE SAT ALONE IN THE
COCKPIT READING THE GAUGES. SUDDENLY, A MAN WITH AN
OLD BROWN FLIGHT JACKET AND LEATHER HELMET TAPPED
HIM ON THE SHOULDER AND SAID, "GET OUT QUICK, PLANE'S
ON FIRE!" THE ENGINEER JUMPED OUT AND RAN FROM THE
PLANE. WHEN HE TURNED AROUND NOTHING WAS LEFT BUT THE
SMOLDERING SKELETON.
WHEN THE OWNER ASKED HIM WHAT HAPPENED, WHEN HE
RETURNED, THE ENGINEER TOLD THE WHOLE STORY AND
DESCRIBED THE MAN WHO WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. THE
OWNER REPLIED, "THAT SOUNDS LIKE MY BROTHER." THE
ENGINEER THEN ASKED WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM. THE OWNER
THEN SAID, "HE DIED WHEN THE PLANE BURNT THE FIRST
TIME YEARS BEFORE!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; NEW YORK, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): REPEATED TRAGEDY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE TRAPPER
IN ISHPEMING, MICHIGAN, THERE IS A TALE ABOUT A FRENCH-
CANADIAN FUR SELLER WHO WAS FAIRLY RICH. HE ALWAYS
WORE HIGH BLACK BOOTS, A LARGE CAP, AND DRESSED VERY
NICELY. IT IS SAID THAT HE WAS ROBBED AND KILLED ONE
DAY IN HIS CANOE BUT HIS BODY WAS NEVER FOUND.
ABOUT THIRTY YEARS LATER, HIS GREAT GRAND-CHILD WAS
WALKING ON THE BEACH AND SAW AN OVERTURNED CANOE WITH
A PAIR OF BLACK BOOTS COMING OUT FROM UNDER IT. HE
PICKED UP THE CANOE AND SAW A MAN WITH OLD BUT VERY
NICE LOOKING CLOTHES, LONG BLACK BOOTS, AND A LARGE
CAP. HE THOUGHT IT TO BE HIS GREAT GRANDFATHER AND RAN
HOME TO TELL HIS PARENTS. WHEN HIS PARENTS CAME TO SEE,
THE BODY WAS NOT THERE, BUT THE CANOE WAS, WITH A
BLOODY CAP INSIDE. THERE WERE ALSO FOOTPRINTS LEADING
FROM THE CANOE TO THE WOODS. THEY LEFT, BUT CAME BACK
NEXT DAY AND FOUND NOTHING. NOTHING WAS EVER HEARD
ABOUT IT AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; APARTMENT ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; ISHPEMING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-12-1969
THE HEADLESS
IN TOLEDO {OHIO} THERE WAS A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
IN WHICH THE DRIVER LOST HIS HEAD.
NOW ON THE SAME ROAD, YOU CAN SEE ONE HEADLIGHT
COMING AT YOU (USUALLY AROUND MIDNIGHT), BUT
WHEN IT GETS CLOSE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT OUT, IT
DISAPPEARS. IT IS SAID TO BE THE MOTORCYCLIST
LOOKING FOR HIS HEAD.
Where learned: OHIO ; APARTMENT ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-12-1969
THE HITCHHIKER
A TRAVELING SALESMAN WHOSE ROUTE WAS FROM NEW YORK CITY
TO DETROIT {MICHIGAN} TO DAYTON {OHIO}, WAS TRAVELING
DOWN A DIRT ROAD, WHEN HIS HEADLIGHTS PICKED UP THE
FORM OF A MAN IN A LONG COAT, HAT PULLED OVER HIS
EYES, AND WITH VERY SHINY TEETH, HITCHHIKING. OF
COURSE THE SALESMAN DID NOT PICK THIS MAN UP, BECAUSE
HE WAS AFRAID OF WHAT WOULD HAPPEN. THE MAN STOPPED
IN THE FIRST CITY HE GOT TO, AND SPENT THE NIGHT
THERE. THE NEXT DAY, UPON LEAVING THE CITY, HE RAN
INTO THIS SAME HITCHHIKER AGAIN, THESE OCCURANCES
HAPPENED TIME AFTER TIME AND THE SALESMAN WAS STARTING
TO GET WORRIED. AFTER SPENDING THE NIGHT IN ONE CITY,
HE NOTICED THAT HE HADN'T SEEN THE HITCHHIKER UPON
LEAVING THE CITY. THE SALESMAN FELT THAT THE HITCH-
HIKER'S OCCURANCES WERE JUST A COINCIDENCE, WHEN
ALL OF A SUDDEN, HE HEARD A NOISE FROM THE BACK
SEAT, HE TURNED AND THERE SAT THE HITCHHIKER WITH
THOSE PEARL WHITE TEETH GIVING OFF A BIG GRIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORM ROOM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-05-1967
SCHIFF RESERVATION
THE SCHIFF RESERVATION, NOW A BOY SCOUT CAMP, HAS
A STRANGE LEGEND BEHIND IT. IN 1920, THERE WAS A
DAM BEING BUILT, AND A MAN WHO WAS WORKING ON THE
DAM SUPPOSEDLY FELL INTO THE NEWLY POURED CONCRETE
AND WAS BURIED ALIVE. IT IS RUMORED THAT YOU CAN
HEAR HIM SCREAMING FOR HELP ON WINDY NIGHTS.
Submitter comment:
LEE LEARNED THIS ON A BOY SCOUT TRIP IN THE
RESERVATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-25-1967 ; 00001920S
GREEK GHOSTS
BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF GRAVES THAT ARE IN GREECE,
ESPECIALY THOSE OF SOLDIERS, THE GREEKS BELIEVE
THAT THEY CAN HEAR THE CRYING OF THE SOLDIERS IN THE
WIND AT NIGHT.
Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- P535 |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
THE PHANTOM PLEDGE
ONCE THERE WAS A PLEDGE WHO WASN'T VERY A GOOD PLEDGE.
SHE DIDN'T DO EVERYTHING A PLEDGE SHOULD DO.
FRIDAY OF HELL-WEED-END, SHE WAS AT HOME WAITING
FOR A MEMBER TO PICK HER UP. BUT NO ONE EVER CAME.
SHE WAITED AND WAITED, BUT NEVER GOT TO GO TO
HELL-WEEK-END. SHE HASN'T BEEN SEEN SINCE. BUT
EVERY SEMESTER AT HELL-WEEK-END, SHE COMES AND
STANDS ON A HILL AND CRIES AND MOANS THAT SHE NEVER
HAD A HELL-WEKK-END. DO YOU THINK YOU WILL GET
PICKED UP? OR WILL THERE BE ANOTHER PHANTOM PLEDGE?
Submitter comment:
THIS IS TOLD TO THE PLEDGES OF KAPPA BETA GAMMA
SORORITY BEFORE THEY GO UP TO HELL-WEEK-END.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-30-1969
WHITE LADY
AT BELLE ISLE {DETROIT, MICHIGAN} AT THE LOVER'S LANE,
THERE IS SAID TO BE A "WHITE LADY." SHE COMES OUT
DRESSED COMPLETELY IN WHITE. SHE TERRORIZES THE
PEOPLE THERE AT NIGHT. SHE IS SAID TO HAVE A HOOK
FOR ONE HAND. ONE NIGHT A COUPLE WAS JUST LEAVING
WHEN SHE CAME OUT. LATER ON THAT NIGHT, THEY FOUND
A HOOK ON THE CAR. IT WAS ON THE DOOR HANDLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST WITH HOOK FOR HAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-00-1965
LORELEI {WATER NYMPH} SITTING PRETTY
THE LORELEI IS A CLIFF OVERLOOKING THE RHINE.
THERE IS A LEGEND THAT A BEAUTIFUL GIRL SITS THERE
COMBING HER SHINING HAIR WITH A GOLDEN COMB, WHILE
SINGING A BEAUTIFUL SONG. THE SOUND OF HER SONG
WOULD BE CARRIED OVER THE WAVES, LURING SHIPS AND
SAILORS TO THEIR DESTINY--SHIPWRECKED AT HER FEET
ON THE ROCKS.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED IN GERMANY, IN SCHOOL, WHEN SHE WAS VERY
YOUNG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 08-03-1964
THE LORELEI'S SONG {WATER NYMPH}
THERE IS A LEGEND THAT A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN USED TO SIT
ON THE ROCK OF LORELEI, SMILING AT A PASSING BOATMAN.
HE COULDN'T TAKE HIS EYES OFF HER AND HE CRASHED
AGAINST THE ROCKS.
Submitter comment: HEARD IN THE MOVIE, "FRAULEIN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; FRAULEIN ; MOVIE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 08-08-1964
THE SONG OF THE LORELEI {WATER NYMPH}
THERE IS A TALL, BEAUTIFUL CLIFF ON THE RHINE RIVER.
WHEN THE WIND HITS THE SIDE, IT MAKES A SOUND LIKE
SOMEONE SINGING. SAILORS, LOOKING FOR THE SINGER,
WOULD CRASH INTO THE ROCKS.
Submitter comment:
SAW THE CLIFF AND HEARD THE STORY WHILE ON A TOUR
OF EUROPE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; EUROPE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 08-08-1964
A STORY IS TOLD ABOUT A SMALL CHILD BEING HIT BY A
CAR ON TUESDAY NIGHT. THE DRIVER DID NOT STOP,
BUT KEPT ON GOING. AS A REVENGE FOR THIS GIRL'S
DEATH, WHENEVER A CAR DRIVES DOWN THIS STREET IN
DETROIT {MICHIGAN}, AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME ON
TUESDAY, A THUD IS HEARD TWICE ON THE FENDER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LEGEND OF THE BELLE ISLE GHOST
ONCE THERE WAS A LADY WHO WAS TAKING HER DOG FOR A
WALK ON BELLE ISLE. WHILE SHE WASN'T WATCHING HIM,
THE DOG RAN AWAY AND WAS DROWNED IN THE WATER. THE
LADY TRIED TO SAVE HIM AND WAS DROWNED HERSELF.
NOW, SOMETIMES AT MIDNIGHT, A LADY IS SEEN HOLDING
AN EMPTY DOG LEASH AND CALLING FOR HER DOG WHO
WAS DROWNED SO MANY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BELLE ISLE
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 06-00-1970
BELIEF ABOUT A GHOST
MY MOTHER WAS VERY ILL. BECAUSE OF THE LENGTH OF THE
ILLNESS, HER BED WAS PLACED IN THE PARLOR. SOMEBODY
USUALLY SAT WITH HER AT ALL TIMES. THERE WAS A
PIANO IN THE PARLOR. ALL OF A SUDDEN A NOISE CAME FROM
THE PIANO, AS IF A KEY WAS BEING STRUCK.
THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE ROOM AT THE TIME.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT THIS INCIDENT MADE SUCH AN IMPRESSION
UPON HIM AS A CHILD, THAT HE HAS NEVER FORGOTTEN IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS
Keyword(s): SICKROOM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-23-1970
GHOSTS
IN A NEARBY TOWN IN MALTA, THERE WAS ONCE A CHAPEL WHERE
A PRIEST COMMITTED SUICIDE. EVERY YEAR ON THE ANNIVER-
SARY OF HIS DEATH, PEOPLE CLAIMED THEY HEARD BELLS TOLL
AND THE PRIEST APPEARED TO SAY MASS AND THEN WOULD
DISAPPEAR. HE KEPT APPEARING EVERY YEAR BECAUSE
PEOPLE HAD GIVEN HIM MONEY IN ORDER TO SAY MASSES.
HE WOULD KEEP REAPPEARING YEARLY UNTIL ALL THE MASSES
WERE SAID.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; MALTA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-08-1970