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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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POLLY'S LOVER
IN ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THIS CENTURY A WITHERED WOMAN OF
NINETY WAS BURIED FROM A NOW DESERTED HOUSE IN WHITE
PLAINS, NEW YORK, POLLY CARTER THE NAME OF HER, BUT
"CRAZY POLLY" WAS WHAT THE NEIGHBORS CALLED HER, FOR
SHE WAS ECCENTRIC AND NOT FOND OF COMPANY. AMONG
THE BELONGINGS OF HER HOUSE WAS A TALL CLOCK, SUCH AS
RELIC HUNTERS PRIZE, THAT TICKED SOLEMNLY IN A LANDING
ON THE STAIRS. FOR A TIME, DURING THE REVOLUTION, THE
HOUSE STOOD WITHIN THE BRITISH LINES, AND AS HER FATHER
WAS A COLONEL IN WASHINGTON'S ARMY, SHE WAS LEFT ALMOST
ALONE IN IT. THE BRITISH OFFICERS RESPECTED HER SEX,
BUT THEY HAD AN UNPLEASANT WAY OF RUNNING IN UNANNOUNCED
AND DEMANDING ENTERTAINMENT, IN THE KING'S NAME, WHICH
SHE FELT FORCED TO GRANT. ONE RAINY AFTERNOON THE DOOR
WAS FLUNG OPEN, THEN LOCKED ON THE INSIDE, AND SHE FOUND
HERSELF IN THE ARMS OF A STALWART, HANDSOME LIEUTENANT,
WHO WORE THE BLUE. IT WAS HER COUSIN AND FIANCE.
THEIR GLAD TALK HAD NOT BEEN GOING LONG WHEN THERE CAME
A ROUSING SUMMONS AT THE DOOR. THREE ENGLISH OFFICERS
WERE WAITING ADMITTANCE.
PERHAPS THEY HAD SEEN LAWRENCE CARTER GO INTO THE HOUSE,
AND IF CAUGHT HE WOULD BE KILLED AS A SPY. HE MUST BE
HIDDEN, BUT IN SOME PLACE WHERE THEY WOULD NOT THINK OF
LOOKING. THE CLOCK! THAT WAS THE PLACE. WITH A LAUGH
AND A KISS THE YOUNG MAN SUBMITTED TO BE SHUT IN THIS
NARROW QUARTER, AND THROWING HIS COAT AND HAT BEHIND SOME
FURNITURE, THE GIRL ADMITTED THE OFFICERS, WHO WERE WET
AND MAD AND DEMANDED DINNER. THEY TRAMPED ABOUT THE
BEST ROOM IN THEIR MUDDY BOOTS, TALKING LOUDLY, AND IN
ORDER TO BREAK THE EFFECT OF THE CHILL WEATHER, THEY
PASSED THE BRANDY BOTTLE FREELY. POLLY SERVED THEM WITH
A DINNER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, FOR SHE WANTED TO GET THEM
OUT OF THE HOUSE, BUT THEY WERE IN NO MOOD TO GO, AND THE
BOTTLE PASSED SO OFTEN THAT BEFORE THE DINNER WAS OVER
THEY WERE NOISY AND TIPSY AND WERE USING LANGUAGE THAT
DROVE POLLY FROM THE ROOM.
AT LAST, TO HER RELIEF, SHE HEARD THEM PREPARING TO LEAVE
THE HOUSE, BUT AS THEY WERE ABOUT TO GO, THE SENIOR
OFFICER, LOOKING UP AT THE LANDING, NOW DIM IN THE PALING
LIGHT, SAID TO ONE OF THE OTHERS, "SEE WHAT TIME IT IS."
THE OFFICER ADDRESSED, WHO HAPPENED TO BE THE DRUNKEST
OF THE PARTY, STAGGERED UP THE STAIR AND EXCLAIMED, "THE
DAMNED THING'S STOPPED." THEN, AS IF HE THOUGHT IT A
GOOD JOKE, HE ADDED, "IT'LL NEVER GO AGAIN." DRAWING
HIS SABRE, HE GAVE THE CLOCK A CARELESS CUT AND RAN
THE BLADE THROUGH THE PANEL OF THE DOOR; AFTER THIS THE
THREE PASSED OUT. WHEN THEIR VOICES HAD DIED IN DISTANT
BRAWLING, POLLY RAN TO RELEASE HER LOVER. SOMETHING
THICK AND DARK WAS CREEPING FROM BENEATH THE CLOCK-CASE.
WITH TREMBLING FINGERS SHE PULLED OPEN THE DOOR, AND
LAWRENCE, HER LOVER, FELL HEAVILY FORWARD INTO HER ARMS,
DEAD. THE OFFICER WAS RIGHT; THE CLOCK NEVER WENT AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
YUNK-YUNK HEARD THIS AS AN OLD INDIAN LEGEND. REFER TO
INFORMANTS LIST FOR MORE DETAILS CONCERNING HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MACKINAW ISLAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 09-00-1963
MY GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER, SHAHEEN, WAS A GIANT OF A
MAN. HE WAS THE WONDER OF THE AREA. HE WORKED AT A
MILL, WHICH USED GREAT MILL STONES WHICH WERE CARRIED
BY CAMELS BECAUSE MULES WEREN'T STRONG ENOUGH. AT
CHURCH, THE PRIEST ASKED VILLAGERS TO HELP SHAHEEN MOVE
HIS MILLSTONES INTO PLACE ON THE WALL. WHEN THEY GOT
TO THE MILL, THEY FOUND SHAHEEN HAD ALREADY PUT THE
GREAT STONES IN PLACE AND WAS ALREADY WORKING.
ONCE SHAHEEN FELL INTO THE STREAM BY THE MILL.
NORMALLY, HE COULD SWIM OUT, BUT THE STREAM WAS SWOLLEN
BY THE SPRING THAW. ALSO, HIS LARGE PANTS AND SHOES
DRAGGED HIM TO THE BOTTOM. THE WATER CARRIED HIM 4 MILES
DOWNSTREAM WHERE HE CAUGHT HOLD OF A ROCK IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE STREAM. HE CALLED SO LOUD THAT THE MEN AT THE MILL
FOUR MILES AWAY HEARD HIM AND GOT HELP. HE WAS SO BIG
ONLY HIS STRONG SON COULD CARRY HIM BACK TO THE MILL.
ONCE SHAHEEN WOKE UP AND STARTED TO PUT HIS SHOES ON
WHEN SOMETHING STARTED WIGGLING INSIDE. HE TURNED HIS
SHOES UPSIDE DOWN AND THREE CATS CAME OUT. HIE SHOES
WERE SO BIG THAT HIS GRANDAUGHTER USED TO PLAY "HOUSE"
IN THEM.
SHAHEEN FINALLY DIED AT THE AGE OF 105, A VERY OLD AGE
IN LEBANON IN THOSE DAYS. HE WAS SOUND OF MIND, BUT
FAILED BY HIS GREAT BODY.
HE ASKED TO BE BURIED WITH HIS FATHER, WHO HAD DIED A
LONG TIME BEFORE. YEARS LATER THEY UNEARTHED HIS
BONES TO BE PUT IN HIS OWN GRAVE. HIS BONES PROVED TO
BE 7-1/2 FEET TALL AS MANY PEOPLE WHO SAW THEM ATTESTED.
FROM HIS HIP BONE TO HIS FEET, HE WAS ALMOST AS TALL AS
A NORMAL MAN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; LEBANON
Keyword(s): FAMILY ; Giant ; Legend ; Lore
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
LOST IN A STORM
DURING WORLD WAR I, THREE FRENCH CAPTAINS WERE TAKING
THREE BOATS OUT OF PORT WILLIAM, CANADA, A PORT ALONG
LAKE SUPERIOR, TO FIGHT IN THE WAR. AT THE TIME, THERE
WAS A BAD STORM ON LAKE SUPERIOR AND THE FRENCHMEN
WERE WARNED NOT TO CROSS THE LAKE. THEY LAUGHED
AND SAID THAT THEY WERE NOT AFRAID TO CROSS THAT
LITTLE PUDDLE. THEY WERE NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CANADA ; DETROIT ; PORT WILLIAMS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-12-1968 ; WORLD WAR 1
NEWLYWED STORY
THIS STORY WAS HEARD AT A TIME WHEN THE INFORMANT AND I
WERE IN A SWIRL OF WEDDINGS. WE WERE BOTH 20, BOTH
ENGAGED AND THIS STORY WAS MAKING THE ROUNDS. I HAVE
HEARD IT SINCE AND IT SEEMS TO BE POPULAR WITH THAT
PARTICULAR AGE GROUP AND, OF COURSE, THE INFORMANT
ALWAYS IS SURE IT IS A TRUE STORY.
AN ENGAGED COUPLE, A WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING, FIND
THEMSELVES STRANGELY ALONE. HAVING BEEN CAUGHT UP WITH
THE WEDDING PREPARATIONS, THEY WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY
TO EXCHANGE SENTIMENTS. ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER
AND SOON THEY ARE UPSTAIRS IN THE BEDROOM MAKING LOVE,
RATHER PREMATURELY. THE PHONE RINGS DOWNSTAIRS AND NOT
WANTING TO MISS A MOMENT OF EACH OTHER'S COMPANY, THEY
BOTH, NAKED, GROPE THEIR WAY DOWNSTAIRS IN THE DARK HOUSE.
WHEN THEY REACH THE PHONE, AMIDST MUCH GIGGLING, ETC.
THE LIGHTS GO ON AND THEY ARE SURROUNDED BY THEIR
FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO ARE GIVING THEM A SURPRISE
PARTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
NO WONDER BUSINESS IS DROPPING OFF!
A UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT STUDENT WHO LIVES IN THE
DORMITORIES DOES ODD JOBS FOR {SOMETHING MISSING}
ON SATURDAYS. EVERY SO OFTEN, HE DROPS IN TO TALK
OR TO ASK MY HUSBAND FOR ADVICE ON ACCOUNTING PROBLEMS,
ETC. SUNDAY EVENING WAS JUST THAT KIND OF A DROP-IN
VISIT.
WE TALKED FOR A WHILE AND THEN I SERVED SOME CAKE, COFFEE,
AND ICE CREAM. CONVERSATION AT THE TABLE TURNED TO THE
FACT THAT THERE WERE FEW GOOD EATING PLACES AROUND THE
UNIVERSITY. HE TOLD US THAT EVEN THE TEMPLES, A
RESTAURANT AT LIVERNOIS AND PURITAN, WAS SUPPOSED TO
CLOSE EVERY NIGHT FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 A.M. BECAUSE
THEY COULDN'T GET HELP FOR THAT SHIFT. (THEY HAD BEEN
A 24-HOUR RESTAURANT.) THEN WE TALKED ABOUT HOW THE
TEMPLES HAS RUN DOWN SINCE THE NEW MANAGEMENT TOOK OVER,
ABOUT THE POOR FOOD, POOR SERVICE, ETC.
AFTER COFFEE, OUR STUDENT FRIEND, IN A "BOY-HAVE-I-GOT-
SOMETHING-TO-SAY-THAT-WILL-SHOCK-YOU!" TONE, ANNOUNCED:
"WELL, NOW THAT WE'VE EATEN, I CAN TELL YOU SOMETHING
THAT HAPPENED AT THE TEMPLES. SOME GUYS {U OF D
STUDENTS} TOOK A FORMALDEHYDED FROG OVER THERE AND PUT
IT ON A DISH. YOU KNOW THAT THEY'RE PRETTY SLOPPY, SO
THEY DIDN'T GET AROUND TO CLEANING OFF THE DISH, AND
SOME DRUNK CAME IN AND ATE THE FROG."
"THAT'S NOT TRUE," I EXCLAIMED. "WELL, MRS. PLACHTA,"
HE SAID, 'MY BUDDY TOLD ME IT WAS TRUE, BUT I"M GIVING
YOU SECOND-HANDED {INFORMATION}." AFTER I RECOVERED
FROM MY FEIGNED SHOCK, HE ADDED, "IN FACT, MY ROOMMATE
SAYS THAT THE DRUNK DIED."
Submitter comment:
IF THIS DOESN'T BECOME A U OF D LEGEND, IT WON'T BE
BECAUSE I DIDN'T RECORD IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: 05-23-1965
CRUEL BABYSITTER
IN HARPER WOODS {MICHIGAN} THIS GIRL WENT TO BABYSIT FOR
A FAMILY WITH A SMALL BABY. BEFORE THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD
WERE TO COME HOME, THE SITTER THOUGHT SHE WOULD SURPRISE
THE PARENTS WITH A MIDNIGHT SNACK. SO SHE SET THE TABLE
AND TOOK THE BABY AND BAKED IT AS THE MEAL SHE WOULD
SET FOR THE PARENTS. WHEN THE PARENTS CAME HOME THEY
WERE GREETED WITH A MEAL WHICH THEY DID NOT KNOW WAS
THEIR CHILD. IT WAS LATER FOUND OUT THAT THIS GIRL
WAS TAKING LSD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BABY ; Babysitter ; CANNIBALISM ; Consumption ; DRUGS ; FOOD ; Hallucinogen ; HORROR ; LSD ; Urban Legend
James Callow Keyword(s): HALLUCINOGENIC DRUG
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 04-00-1971
BURIED ALIVE?
I HAD A FRIEND IN GRADE SCHOOL WHO CLAIMED THAT AFTER
HIS GRANDMOTHER HAD BEEN BURIED FOR SOME TIME, THEY
DECIDED FOR SOME REASON TO MOVE HER TO ANOTHER
RESTING PLACE. WHEN THEY OPENED HER COFFIN, THEY
FOUND SCRATCHES ALL OVER THE INSIDE TOP OF THE
COFFIN, AND WOOD UNDERNEATH HER FINGERNAILS. SHE
HAD BEEN THOUGHT DEAD, BUT WAS REALLY BURIED ALIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): PREMATURE BURIAL
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TRUE STORY
SHE ONCE PRAYED FOR A TURKEY FOR THANKSGIVING.
IT CAME IN THE FORM OF A BLACK PIECE OF PAPER ON A
FENCE. THEY GRABBED THE SO-CALLED PAPER, WHICH
SEEMED TO CHANGE INTO A TURKEY. THEY GRABBED IT
AND KILLED IT AND COOKED IT FOR THANKSGIVING.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY HER DAUGHTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MAGIC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BURIED IN THE SAND
SOME BOYS DECIDED TO PULL A JOKE ON A FRIEND AT THE
BEACH AND GAVE HIM SOME SLEEPING PILLS IN A DRINK TO
PUT HIM TO SLEEP. THEN THEY BURIED HIM IN THE SAND
AND PUT RAGS OVER HIS FACE SO THAT HE COULD BREATH.
LATER, THEY RETURNED AND THE WAVES HAD REARRANGED
THE SAND AND THEY COULDN'T FIND THEIR FRIEND. THEY
LOOKED AND LOOKED, BUT HE COULDN'T BE FOUND AND
THEY SAY HE'S STILL THERE SOMEWHERE.
Where learned: BOSTON ; Massachusetts
James Callow Keyword(s): FATAL PRANK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
THERE IS A RED LIGHT ON HAGGERTY ROAD THAT SEEMS TO
CHASE YOU. IT DOESN'T BLINK ON OR OFF OR GET
BIGGER OR SMALLER WHILE YOU DRIVE ALONG THE ROAD,
BUT IT SEEMS AS IF IT FOLLOWS YOU ALL THE WAY DOWN
HAGGERTY ROAD TO A CERTAIN POINT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
IF YOU WEAR A SCAPULAR AROUND YOUR NECK AND DIE WITH
IT ON, YOU WILL GO DIRECTLY TO HEAVEN. HOWEVER,
A STORY TOLD BY AN ELEMENTARY NUN GOES, A COUPLE
WAS IN A CAR NECKING AND PETTING; THEY BOTH HAD
SCAPULARS; ON THE WAY HOME, THE BOY HAD AN
ACCIDENT, IN WHICH HIS HEAD WAS SEVERED FROM HIS
BODY AND THE SCAPULAR WAS HANGING ON A TREE, THIS
INFERRING THAT HE WENT STRAIGHT TO HELL.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD BY A NUN AS A WARNING TO HER STUDENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; LANSING-REILLY
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF TALE AMULET FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-06-1970
HAUNTED HOUSE
ABOUT SIX BLOCKS AWAY FROM ME, ON RUTLAND TWO BLOCKS SOUTH OF
GRAND RIVER, IS A LARGE BROWN BRICK HOUSE THAT HAS BEEN UNOCCUPIED
FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS. OLD-TIME NEIGHBORS SAY THAT AROUND 1935,
A MAN KILLED HIS WIFE THERE BY HITTING HER OVER THE HEAD WITH A
POKER. SHE LAY THERE DEAD FOR DAYS UNTIL SOMEONE FOUND HER. NOW,
AS EVERYONE ON THE BLOCK WILL TESTIFY, ONE CAN SEE HER GHOST LATE
AT NIGHT, WALKING FROM ROOM TO ROOM IN THE HOUSE. SOMETIMES, EVEN
DURING THE DAY TIME, YOU WILL HEAR LOUD, PLAINTIVE SCREAMS AND
CRYING, AND MORE FREQUENTLY, SOUNDS OF A MAN AND WOMAN ARGUING.
I MYSELF, AFTER OBSERVATION, HAVE HEARD STRANGE NOISES AT AND
AROUND THAT HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1967
THE HANGING SHADOW
THERE WAS A BOY IN PITTSBURGH WHO WAS HAVING SEVERE TROUBLE WITH
HIS FAMILY. HE WENT AND HANGED HIMSELF IN A DESERTED HOUSE NEXT
DOOR. THE MOON SHONE ON HIM AND CAST THE SHADOW OF HIM HANGING
ONTO HIS OWN HOUSE. THAT IS HOW HE WAS DISCOVERED. THE HOUSE
HAS BEEN PAINTED AND REPAINTED, BUT YOU CAN STILL SEE THE OUTLINE
OF A BODY HANGING FROM A NOOSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- B680 BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
ROSEMARY
ONCE A GIRL IN PITTSBURGH NAMED ROSEMARY WAS KILLED WHILE BEING
ASSAULTED. HER PARENTS BUILT A STONE MONUMENT WITH HER IMAGE IN
STONE ON IT. IT IS NOW A PLACE OF TEENAGE VENERATION. ANYONE
WHO TOUCHES THE STONE AND THEIR HAND BLEEDS IS NOT A VIRGIN, OR
ANYONE WHO SEES ROSEMARY THERE IS NOT A VIRGIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1968
THE ELMORE GHOST
NOT TOO LONG AGO IN ELMORE, OHIO, A GROUP OF DRUNK TEENAGERS
RAN INTO AND KILLED A POLICEMAN ON A MOTORCYCLE. THIS WAS
WITNESSED BY A PERSON LIVING IN A HOUSE NOT FAR AWAY. THE
PERSON DIED OF SHOCK. IF YOU GO THERE YOU CAN SEE CAR LIGHTS
COMING AT YOU, FEEL THE BUMP-BUMP OF A MOTORCYCLE ON YOUR CAR
HOOD AND SEE A LIGHT MOVE FROM WINDOW TO WINDOW OF THE NOW-
DESERTED HOUSE.
Date learned: 00-00-1968
LEGEND: WHY BURNT CHIPS ALWAYS FLOAT UP ALONG SHORE ON LAKE
SOMEWHERE AROUND THE 1920'S A MAN WHO WAS QUITE RICH SAILED IN HIS
YACHT BETWEEN BENTON HARBOR AND PORT HURON. HIS WIFE HAD DIED,
AND HE WAS VERY DESPONDENT. ONE NIGHT NEAR BENTON HARBOR, HIS
BOAT, WHICH HAD HE AND HIS THREE CREWMEN ABOARD, CAUGHT FIRE.
RESCUE EFFORTS FAILED AND THE BOAT FINALLY SANK OFF GLEN,
MICHIGAN. EVEN TODAY BURNT CHIPS STILL FLOAT UP ALONG THE SHORE
OF THE BIG LAKE.
Data entry tech comment: BENTON HARBOR AND PORT HURON, MICHIGAN, ARE ON LAKE HURON, NOT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
Date learned: 11-00-1968
LEGEND ABOUT THE ORIGIN OF POLAND
THERE WAS AN OLD MAN AND HE LIVED IN ASIA AND HE HAD THREE SONS
WHOSE NAMES WERE LECH, CZECH AND RUS. AND THE OLD MAN DIED AND
HE DIDN'T LEAVE HIS SONS ANYTHING, SO THEY HAD TO GO OUT INTO THE
WORLD TO SEEK THEIR FORTUNES. SO THEY WENT TO EUROPE AND RUS
WENT NORTH AND FOUNDED RUSSIA AND CZECH WENT SOUTH AND FOUNDED
CZECHOSLOVAKIA. LECH KEPT GOING AND NIGHT CAME AND HE FOUND
HIMSELF IN A CIRCLE AROUND A CLEARING AND HE SAID, "I WILL ESTAB-
LISH A COUNTRY AND THIS WILL BE THE SYMBOL ON MY BANNER." AND
THIS IS HOW THE COUNTRY OF POLAND ORIGINATED.
Submitter comment: SHE LEARNED IT FROM PAN NOWAK WHO TAUGHT HER POLISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 03-14-1967
MARBLES ON THE UPSTAIRS FLOOR
THE INFORMANT'S AUNT WAS BORN AND RAISED IN IRELAND. SHE HAD
MOVED TO THE U.S. BUT HAD GONE BACK TO IRELAND AFTER THE DEATH
OF ONE OF HER CHILDREN. WHEN RETURNING TO IRELAND, THEY MOVED
INTO A HOUSE IN WHICH THEY DID NOT USE THE SECOND FLOOR. RETURN-
ING ONE EVENING FROM GOOD FRIDAY DEVOTIONS IN CHURCH, THE AUNT
NOTICED A LIGHT MOVING FROM ONE END OF THE HOUSE TO THE OTHER
ON THE SECOND FLOOR. THEY THOUGHT NOTHING OF THE LIGHT AT FIRST,
UNTIL THEY REALIZED THAT THE LIGHT COULD NOT MOVE FROM ONE END
OF THE HOUSE TO THE OTHER WITHOUT GOING THROUGH A COUPLE OF
WALLS. WHEN THEY RETURNED HOME THEY QUESTIONED THE CHILDREN
ABOUT HAVING BEEN UPSTAIRS. THE CHILDREN CLAIMED THAT THEY HAD
NOT BEEN UP THERE. THE FATHER AND TWO BROTHERS WENT UPSTAIRS
TO LOOK AROUND BUT COULD FIND NOTHING. THE DOG WOULD NOT GO
UPSTAIRS. THAT NIGHT THERE WAS A TYPE OF NOISE ON THE FLOOR
UPSTAIRS. THE NOISES CONTINUED EVERY NIGHT, GETTING LOUDER AND
LOUDER AND TURNING INTO SOFT CRIES AND MOANING. THE AUNT HAD THE
HOUSE BLESSED TWICE WITHIN TWO WEEKS TO RID IT OF THE NOISE.
AFTER SOME TIME AS THE NOISE GOT LOUDER, THE PRIEST WAS AGAIN
CALLED TO BLESS THE HOUSE. THE FAMILY WENT TO TOWN AND LOOKED
UP THE HISTORY OF THE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THE HOUSE. THEY FOUND
THAT THE HOUSE HAD ONCE BEEN OWNED BY A VERY WEALTHY MAN. THIS
MAN'S MAID WENT INSANE AND ONE DAY CHOKED THE TWO LITTLE CHILDREN
TO DEATH BY STUFFING MARBLES DOWN THEIR THROATS. UPON RETURNING
TO THE HOUSE WITH THE PRIEST TO AGAIN BLESS IT, THEY FOUND MARBLES
ON THE UPSTAIRS FLOOR. THESE MARBLES HAD BEEN MAKING THE NOISE
IN THE NIGHT. THE BODIES OF THE TWO CHILDREN HAD BEEN PLACED IN
THEIR TOY CHESTS. THESE CHESTS HAD LONG BEFORE BEEN REMOVED.
Where learned: DETROIT ; IRELAND ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 03-31-1967
THE DEVIL ON SEYBURN
AS A LITTLE GIRL THE INFORMANT LIVED ON SEYBURN IN DETROIT. ON
ONE OF THE CORNERS OF SEYBURN THERE WAS A HOUSE WHICH HAD BEEN
POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL. WHEN THE PRIEST DROVE THE DEVIL FROM THE
HOUSE, HE CHASED IT INTO THE GARAGE. THE DEVIL RAN ACROSS THE
FLOOR UP THE WALL AND HALF WAY ACROSS THE CEILING BEFORE LEAVING.
THERE ARE IMPRINTS OF HIS FOOT IN THE CEMENT FLOOR OF THE GARAGE.
ON THE WALL AND ON THE CEILING THERE ARE HAND AND BELLY PRINTS.
THESE PRINTS CANNOT BE REMOVED WITH PAINT OR BY RECEMENTING THE
FLOOR. THEY ALWAYS REAPPEAR. THE INFORMANT HAS SEEN THE PRINTS
HERSELF.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
MARINE HISTORIC EVENT
THE REASON THAT OFFICERS HAVE X'S ON THE TOP OF THEIR HATS DATES
BACK TO THE BATTLE OF THE BONHOMME RICHARD AND THE SERAPIS. THERE
WERE MARINE SNIPERS IN THE RIGGING AND THEY HAD THE MARINES PUT
X'S ON THEIR HATS SO THEY WOULDN'T GET SHOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 03-08-1972