The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GHOSTS

IN THIS SMALL OHIO FARMING TOWN, THERE IS THE LEGEND THAT
ONE NIGHT AT SUNDOWN, A MAN WAS OUT IN HIS FIELD PICKING
UP THE DEBRIS FROM A FENCE HE HAD JUST PUT UP. HE SAW
HIS COUSIN COMING WHOM HE RECOGNIZED BECAUSE OF THE
BOOTS HE HAD ON AND THE LANTERN HE WAS CARRYING. HE
SAID HELLO TO HIM AND HIS COUSIN MERELY NODDED AND
KEPT GOING. THE FIRST MAN THEN WENT HOME AND HIS
MOTHER TOLD HIM SHE WAS GOING TO HIS COUSIN'S BECAUSE
HE HAD JUST DIED. THE MAN EXCLAIMED IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE
BECAUSE HE HAD JUST SEEN HIM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-20-1968

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ONCE AGAIN, WHEN I WAS 12 YEARS OLD, I WAS OUT WALKING
ONE DAY. I HAD A NEW DRESS ON, AND I FELT PROUD. I
LOOKED AT MYSELF, BECAUSE WE ONLY GOT A NEW DRESS EVERY
2 OR 3 YEARS. I WAS SITTING IN CHURCH THAT SAME DAY
AND MY MOTHER HOLLERED AT ME, WHEN I STARTED LOOKING
AT MYSELF. WHEN WE WENT HOME, MOTHER SAID, "WHAT
DID YOU HAVE, YOU WERE WALTZING AROUND." I SAID,
"NO, I WASN'T." MOTHER SAID, "YOU WERE ADMIRING
YOURSELF." I SAID THAT I WAS SEEING IF MY DRESS WAS
STRAIGHT IN THE BACK. I GOT SICK THAT NIGHT. MOTHER
SAID IT WAS THE EVIL EYES BECAUSE I WAS SHOWING OFF.
AN OLD LADY SAID PRAYERS OVER ME AND I GOT BETTER.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS UNSURE AS TO WHETHER THIS IS REALLY TRUE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK

Date learned: 02-06-1972

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MY FAMILY IS FROM THE SOUTH, ONCE I REMEMBERED MY UNCLE
TELLING ME, AS HE WAS WALKING DOWN THE ROAD, ON HIS
WAY HOME, HE TURNED AROUND AND LOOK{ED} IN BACK OF
HIM AND HE SAW A DOG. EVERYTIME HE TURNED AROUND, THE
DOG GOT BIGGER AND BIGGER. MY UNCLE SAID HE TOOK
OFF RUNNING.

Submitter comment: THIS DOG WAS A HANK AND HANKS ARE GHOSTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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THE RAILROAD CROSSING

A FEW YEARS AGO, MY HUSBAND WAS HITCHHIKING HOME FROM
DOWN SOUTH. HE WAS IN KENTUCKY AT THE TIME. HE WAS
WALKING OVER A RAILROAD TRACK. AS HE GOT TO THE OTHER
SIDE, HE HEARD A TRAIN COME BY. HE TURNED TO LOOK, AND
HERE WAS A MAN STANDING ON THE TRACK. THE TRAIN CAME BY
AND KNOCKED HIM DOWN. IT KILLED HIM. JACK (HER HUSBAND)
RAN INTO THE TOWN TO GET HELP. HE WENT AND TOLD THE
SHERIFF WHAT HAD HAPPENED. HE WOULDN'T GO BACK TO LOOK.
HE ONLY LAUGHED AT JACK SAYING THIS HAPPENS EVERY YEAR
AT THIS TIME. YOU SEE, THE MAN GOT HIT BY THAT TRAIN
YEARS AGO, AND EVERY YEAR SINCE THEN, AT THE EXACT
TIME IT HAPPENED, IT HAPPENS ONCE AGAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 06-30-1964

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GHOST STORY OF BONITSIA, GREECE

THERE WAS AN EVIL OLD WOMAN LIVING IN THIS TOWN. SHE
WAS A RECLUSE, EXCEPT FOR HER DAUGHTER WHO LIVED AND
TOOK CARE OF HER. THE OLD WOMAN WAS VERY JEALOUS OF
ANYBODY WHO EVEN DREAMED OF TAKING THE GIRL AWAY.
THERE WAS A BOY IN THIS TOWN WHO MANAGED TO TAKE THE
GIRL AWAY. HE WAS VERY MUCH IN LOVE WITH HER AND
PERSUADED HER TO LEAVE HER MOTHER AND TO GO LIVE WITH
HIM AND HIS FAMILY. EVENTUALLY, THE OLD WOMAN DIED
AND ALL WAS FORGOTTEN.
ONE WINTER, WHEN THE HUSBAND WAS ALONE, HE HEARD A KNOCK
ON THE DOOR, BUT WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR ONLY THE WIND
WAS THERE. HE THEN HEARD A TAPPING ON THE WINDOW AND
THERE AT THE WINDOW, HE COULD SEE A WHITE FACE IN A
BLACK SHROUD CURSING HIM. THIS WAS, OF COURSE, THE
DEAD MOTHER. THE MAN CALLED OUT THE SOLDIERS AND THEY
SAW THE APPARITION AND SHOT IT. NEXT DAY, THEY COULD SEE
BLOOD STAINS ON THE GROUND. IN BONASTIA, TODAY, THE
CURSE OF THE OLD WOMAN CAN BE HEARD IN THE WIND ON
COLD WINTER NIGHTS.

Submitter comment: JAMES'S GRANDFATHER TOLD HIM THIS STORY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; GREECE

Date learned: 10-10-1967

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THE LEGEND OF ZAMORA

AN OLD POLISH LEGEND HAS IT THAT WHEN A PERSON IS GOING
TO BED, HIS SHOES SHOULD BE PLACED IN A POSITION SO THAT
THE TOES OF THE SHOES SHOULD BE POINTED TOWARDS THE MIDDLE
OF THE BED. IF YOU DO THIS, A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN COMES
INTO YOUR ROOM WHILE YOU ARE SLEEPING AND ACTUALLY GETS
INTO BED WITH YOU AND STARTS TO MAKE LOVE TO YOU. IN
REALITY, HOWEVER, SHE IS A WITCH AND NOT A BEAUTIFUL
WOMAN. SHE IS AN OLD WOMAN FROM YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD. THE
POINT OF THE LEGEND IS THAT YOU SHOULD NOT POINT YOUR
TOES OF YOUR SHOES TOWARDS THE MIDDLE OF THE BED, AND IF
YOU DO THIS, YOU WILL SLEEP IN PEACE.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE NEIGH-
BORHOOD OF THIRTY-SECOND STREET AND BUCHANAN RIGHT HERE
IN DETROIT {MICHIGAN}. A PRIEST HAS CLAIMED THAT HE
STAYED UP ONE NIGHT AND ACTUALLY SAW THE WITCH ENTER
INTO SOMEONE'S ROOM. THE PRIEST IS FROM ST. FRANCIS
PARISH AND HE CLAIMS TO HAVE SEEN THIS SIGHT SOME
THIRTY OR FORTY YEARS AGO.
MR. SOSNOWSKI SAID THAT HE HEARD THAT THIS STORY HAPPENED
MANY TIMES IN POLAND TO HIS GREAT-GRANDFATHER AND THAT HE
EVENTUALLY WENT INSANE FROM ITS EFFECTS. HE ALSO CLAIMS
THAT HIS GRANDMOTHER KNEW OF THE PRIEST WHO ACTUALLY SAW
ZAMORA.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-00-1963 ; 00001933 CA.

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LITHUANIAN GHOST STORY

THIS STORY WAS RELATED TO MY GRANDMOTHER BY MY GREAT UNCLE
MICHOLAS TAUJANSKAS WHO EXPERIENCED THIS TALE IN
APPROXIMATELY 1914 AS A SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD YOUTH. HE
WAS AN ORGANIST AT THE LOCAL VILLAGE PARISH.
A PASTOR'S YOUNG HOUSEKEEPER HAD STRANGLED (BY DRINKING
SOME SULFURIC ACID) HER CHILD AND HAD COMMITTED SUICIDE.
THEY BURIED HER BUT THAT WAS NOT THE END. AS SOON AS
THE PRIEST PUT OUT THE LIGHT FOR THE NIGHT AND SAT DOWN
BY HIS STOVE TO WARM HIMSELF IN THE WINTER TIME HE
WOULD BE PULLED AROUND THE ROOM IN HIS CHAIR. IF HE LAY
DOWN IN BED, HE WOULD {BE} PUSHED OUT OF BED, AND THE
WHOLE ROOM WOULD BE COMPLETELY OVERTURNED. BUT IF A CANDLE
OR LIGHT WAS LIT, THE SPIRIT DISAPPEARED. THE SPIRIT ALSO
LEFT AT THE MIDNIGHT, JUST BEFORE THE FIRST COCK'S
CROW. THE PRIEST TRIED EVERY METHOD KNOWN TO THE CATHOLIC
RELIGION TO EXORCISE THE SPIRIT OUT OF THE ROOM, BUT EVERY-
THING FAILED. THIS LASTED THREE OR FOUR YEARS, AND AS
A RESULT, THE FIRST PRIEST LEFT THE PARISH AND A SECOND
YOUNG PRIEST DIED OF FRIGHT. A THIRD PRIEST CAME AND
DURING HIS TENURE SOME PEOPLE WERE BURYING A PERSON NEXT
TO THE HOUSEKEEPER AND NOTICED A TUNNEL LEAVING THROUGH
THE CASKET AND GOING TO THE SURFACE OF THE GROUND. SO
THE CASKET WAS DUG UP AND UNCOVERED. THE HOUSEKEEPER
WAS TURNED ON HER SIDE AND HER CLOTHES WERE ALL RUMPLED.
SO THE PRIEST SUGGESTED THAT THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEKEEPER
BE CUT OFF AND PLACED BETWEEN HER LEGS. THIS WAS DONE
AND THE STRANGE HAPPENINGS STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. THE
PURPOSE OF THE BEHEADING WAS SO THE GHOST COULD NOT
REACH ITS HEAD AND THUS ESCAPE THROUGH THE TUNNEL.

Submitter comment: THE PERSON RELATING THIS STORY ACTUALLY BELIEVED IT.
INFORMANT VISITING UNITED STATES FROM LITHUANIA FOR
APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; LITHUANIA

Date learned: 01-18-1968 ; 00-00-1914

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NACKEN

NAKEN IS A MALE BEING. HE IS ALMOST ALWAYS NAKED AND
HE SITS IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREAM OR IN A BIG LAKE
PLAYING A VIOLIN OR A HARP AND TRYING TO ENTICE PEOPLE
WOMEN MOSTLY, DOWN IN THE WATER. SOMETIMES HE IS
SAID TO BE EVIL, SOMETIMES ONLY A LONELY AND UNBLESSED
SPIRITUAL BEING.

Where learned: SWEDEN

Date learned: 01-21-1968

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CHOPPING WOOD

DURING THE EARLY 1800S, IT WAS THE FATHER'S JOB TO KEEP
THE WOODBIN FILLED. THIS BIN WAS USUALLY LOCATED IN THE
KITCHEN. THIS JOB WAS ONE OF THE MANY THAT MY MOTHER'S
GRANDFATHER PERFORMED FAITHFULLY. ON THE NIGHT OF
THE DAY THAT HE DIED, HIS WIFE CLAIMS SHE DISTINCTLY
HEARD HIM CHOP THE WOOD, CARRY IT INTO THE HOUSE, AND
DEPOSIT IT IN THE BIN.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN THROUGH OUT FAMILY FOR
GENERATIONS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

Date learned: 07-00-1964 ; 00001800S

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DREAM

THIS MOTHER'S GRANDFATHER HAD A BEST FRIEND WITH WHOM HE
WAS INSEPARABLE. THEY PROMISED EACH OTHER THAT WHOEVER
DIED FIRST WOULD RETURN TO THE OTHER IN A DREAM AND
TELL HIM HOW IT WAS. THIS FRIEND DIED FIRST, BEFORE
THE GRANDFATHER, AND APPEARED TO HIM AND SAID THAT
HEAVEN WAS FANTASTICALLY BEAUTIFUL. HE MENTIONED
BOYHOOD FRIENDS WHOM HE SAW THERE AND SAID THEY HAD TO
WORK 24 HOURS A DAY AND HAD A HARD TIME. HE ALSO
MENTIONED THAT ONCE YOU WERE DEAD, YOU COULD NEVER
RETURN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE

Date learned: 02-20-1970

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IN LAKEWOOD, INHABITED BY STAUNCH CATHOLIC-IRISH-AMERICANS
ANY LEGEND CONCERNING THE DEVIL OR HELL WAS BELIEVED AND
KEPT ALIVE BY WORD OF MOUTH. THE OLD ANGLE, LOCATED IN
THE PARISH OF ST. PATRICK'S ON GROVE, PICKED UP THE
LAKEWOOD LEGENDS AND TRANSMITTED THEM THROUGHOUT THE
PARISH. THE {ST.} PATRICK'S WAS COMPRISED MOSTLY OF
IMMIGRANTS WHILE LAKEWOOD WAS SECOND AND THIRD GENERATION
IRISH. THERE WAS ALWAYS A BIT OF RIVALRY BETWEEN THE TWO
SECTORS TO SEE WHO COULD COME UP WITH THE BEST LEGENDS.
MOST OF THE TIME ST. PAT'S WAS IN THE LEAD, BECAUSE EVERY
DAY THERE WERE NEW PEOPLE FROM IRELAND MOVING INTO THE
NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEY BROUGHT WITH THEM MORE TALES FROM
THE OLD COUNTRY.
THIS TIME, THOUGH, THE LAKEWOOD CROWD HAD ST. PAT'S BEAT.
THERE WAS A FAMILY THAT LIVED ON GIEL AVENUE JUST OFF
CLIFTON BLVD. THE FAMILY CONSISTED OF A FATHER, MOTHER
AND FOUR CHILDREN. THE FATHER WORKED ON THE RAILROAD
AS DID MANY IRISH-AMERICANS. HIS WIFE TOOK CARE OF THE
HOUSE AND CHILDREN. THERE WAS ONE DIFFERENCE. THE MOTHER
WAS INCREDIBLY CRUEL AND OFTEN PUNISHED THE CHILDREN FOR
NO APPARENT REASON. THE NEIGHBORS TALKED QUITE A BIT ABOUT
HER BEING POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL. ONE NEIGHBOR WAS A
RELATIVE OF MY FATHER AND TOLD THE STORY OFTEN ABOUT THE
NIGHT THEIR SUSPICIONS WERE CONFIRMED. THE MOTHER HAD DIED
SOME ILLNESS NOT ESPECIALLY UNUSUAL IN THOSE DAYS OF
LITTLE MONEY OR MEDICAL HELP. THE WAKE AND BURIAL OVER,
EVERYONE HAD RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES. THE FATHER SAT STILL
IN HIS KITCHEN. A HOUSE AWAY, MY RELATIVE SAT WITH HIS
PARENTS. HIS FATHER LOOKED UP AND GLANCED OUT THE WINDOW
TO THE KITCHEN WINDOW NEXT DOOR. HIS GAZE WAS ARRESTED
BY A STRANGE LIGHT THAT SEEMED TO ILLUMINATE THE KITCHEN.
THINKING FIRST OF FIRE, HE AND HIS SON DASHED ACROSS THE
YARD AND UP THE BACK STEPS OF THE HOUSE. BY THE TIME THEY
REACHED THE INSIDE OF THE KITCHEN THE LIGHT WAS GONE AND THE
FATHER SAT WHERE THEY HAD LEFT HIM, NOW IN A STATE OF SHOCK.
HE POINTED DUMBLY TO THE WOODEN TABLE. THERE, BURNED INTO
THE SURFACE WAS THE UNMISTAKEABLE PRINT OF A WOMAN'S HAND.
HE SPOKE ONLY HIS WIFE'S NAME OVER AND OVER. SHE WAS, IT
SEEMS, WITH THAT SPIRIT WHO HAD POSSESSED HER. SHE HAD
APPEARED, HELD UP HER HAND, PLACED IT ON THE TABLE AND
DISAPPEARED.
THE TABLE IS SUPPOSEDLY LOCKED IN THE BASEMENT OF ST.
JOHN'S CATHEDRAL IN CLEVELAND. IF EVER ANYONE TRIES TO ASK
QUESTIONS OF THE BISHOP OR OTHER CLERGY THERE, ONE IS
MERELY ANSWERED WITH A VAGUE REFERENCE TO IRISHMEN BEING
THE BEST STORYTELLERS IN THE WORLD.

Where learned: OHIO ; LAKEWOOD ; CLEVELAND

Date learned: 00001913-1968

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ONE OF THE MOST FRIGHTENING STORIES MY FATHER EVER TOLD ME
ABOUT BANSHEES WAS THIS ONE. IT SCARED ME MORE THAN ANY
OF THE REST BECAUSE IT WAS ABOUT MY GREAT-GREAT GRANDFATHER.
SOMEHOW THOSE STORIES AREN'T QUITE SO FRIGHTENING WHEN
THEY ARE ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE.
GRANDPA DIED A VERY OLD MAN. HE WAS BEING TAKEN CARE OF BY
HIS DAUGHTER, NELLIE, WHO WAS MY PATERNAL GRANDMOTHER.
HE WAS REFERRED TO BY THE CHILDREN, MY FATHER AND UNCLES,
AS "BLIND GRANDPA." CATARACTS HAD TAKEN HIS SIGHT EARLY
IN HIS SIXTIES. BESIDES BEING VERY OLD AND BLIND,
GRANDPA WAS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE THAT WARM SPRING DAY,
AS HE SAT ROCKING IN THE FRONT PARLOR. SUDDENLY, HE
LET OUT A YELL TO NELLIE.
"NELLIE, COME IN HERE, GET THIS DOG OUT OF HERE, GET
HIM OUT." NELLIE CAME RUNNING. SHE WAS SO SURPRISED AT
HER FATHER'S OUTBURST THAT SHE DIDN'T STOP TO THINK
THAT HE COULDN'T HAVE SEEN ANY DOG EVEN IF THERE WAS
ONE, WHICH THERE WASN'T BECAUSE THE MC GRAWS DIDN'T
OWN A DOG THEN. SHE TRIED TO CALM HER FATHER, BUT HIS
AGITATION ONLY GREW AND SHE CALLED HER SISTERS-IN-LAW
FROM NEXT DOOR TO COME OVER WHILE SHE WENT FOR THE DOCTOR.
SHE NEEDN'T HAVE BOTHERED. WHEN SHE CAME BACK OUT INTO
THE PARLOR WITH KIT AND JO, BLIND GRANDPA WAS DEAD. HE
WAS SITTING IN THE ROCKER WITH HIS EYES CLOSED AND HE WAS
DEAD. NEXT TO HIM, JUST OUTSIDE THE SCREEN DOOR SAT A
HUGE BLACK LABRADOR. WHILE KIT, JO AND NELLIE STOOD
THERE IN HORROR, HE THREW BACK HIS HEAD AND HOWLED, THEN
TURNED AND DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW. A THOROUGH SEARCH OF
THE NEIGHBORHOOD PRODUCED NO DOG NOR ANYONE WHO CLAIMED
SEEING SUCH A DOG EVER AROUND THERE. SOME HAD HEARD THE
HOWL, OTHERS HADN'T OR REFUSED TO ADMIT IT. MY FATHER
REMEMBERED IT AS DID HIS BROTHER CHARLES, BOTH OF WHOM
HAD BEEN IN LORRAINE, OHIO WHILE THEIR GRANDFATHER WAS
DYING IN THE FRONT PARLOR OF THE FAMILY HOUSE IN CLEVELAND.
THE WAIL OF THE BANSHEE IS HEARD BY THOSE MEANT TO HEAR
IT AND IS NEVER EVER FORGOTTEN.

Where learned: OHIO ; LAKEWOOD ; OHIO, ASSUMED ; CLEVELAND

Date learned: 00001913-1968

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ONE TIME A YOUNG MAN WENT TO AN EVENING MASS AND FELL
ASLEEP DURING THE SERMON. HE SLEPT THROUGH THE REST
OF THE MASS AND WHEN HE FAINLLY AWOKE, IT WAS LATE AT
NIGHT AND HE HAD BEEN LOCKED IN BY THE SEXTON WHO DID
NOT SEE HIM ASLEEP IN THE PEW. HE TRIED THE DOORS.
JUST THEN, THE CLOCK STRUCK TWELVE, AND WHEN HE TURNED
AROUND, HE SAW A PRIEST AT THE ALTAR WHO WAS BEGINNING
TO SAY MASS.
SINCE THIS YOUNG MAN WAS AN ALTAR BOY, HE WENT UP AND
SERVED MASS. WHEN MASS WAS OVER, HE ASKED THE PRIEST
WHY HE WAS SAYING MASS SO LATE AT NIGHT. THE PRIEST SAID
THAT HE HAD ACCEPTED OFFERINGS FOR MASSES WHEN HE WAS
ALIVE, BUT THAT HE DIED WITHOUT HAVING A CHANCE TO SAY
ALL OF THE MASSES THAT HE PROMISED. HE SAID THAT HE HAD
TO REMAIN IN PURGATORY UNTIL HE SAID ALL OF THE MASSES
THAT HE PROMISED, AND THAT HE WAS EVEN NOW IN PURGATORY.
WHEN THE BOY SAID THAT IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE HE WAS ON
FIRE, THE PRIEST PLACED HIS HAND ON THE WALL. WHEN HE
REMOVED HIS HAND, A BLACK IMPRINT OF HIS HAND WAS BURNED
INTO THE WALL. THEN THE PRIEST VANISHED.
THE BLACK PRINT OF THE PRIEST'S HAND REMAINS ON THE
CHURCH WALL TO THIS DAY.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY 7TH GRADE TEACHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; LEXINGTON

Date learned: 10-07-1969

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GHOST MAKES LAST APPEARANCE

THE CARSON FAMILY WAS MADE UP OF EIGHT CHILDREN.
LAWRENCE'S FATHER WAS A CONSTRUCTION WORKER ON THE NIGHT
SHIFT. ONE NIGHT, AT ABOUT TEN O'CLOCK, AS THE CHILDREN
WERE GOING UPSTAIRS TO PREPARE FOR BED, THEY SAW A
FAMILIAR FIGURE AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS. LAWRENCE,
LEADING THE WAY UP WITH A CANDLE IN HIS HAND, APPROACHED
THE FIGURE TO SEE IT BETTER IN THE LIGHT. IT WAS HIS
FATHER; AN INSTANT LATER THE FIGURE DISAPPEARED. AT
10:15 A MAN CAME TO THE HOUSE; IT WAS HIS FATHER'S BOSS.
THE MAN REPORTED THAT THE FATHER HAD FALLEN TO HIS
DEATH OFF A LADDER ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES AGO.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: 02-03-1968

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MY GRANDMOTHER TOLD MY MOTHER A STORY ABOUT HER FRIEND
ONE NIGHT AS THIS FRIEND WAS SLEEPING, SHE WAS
AWAKENED BY THE SOUND OF BELLS RINGING FOR CHURCH.
SHE GOT UP AND IT WAS STILL DARK OUTSIDE. SHE WENT
TO CHURCH AND SHE SAW ONE OF HER DEAD RELATIONS, SINCE
THE MASS WAS BEING CELEBRATED FOR THE REPOSE OF HIS
SOUL.
THE SPIRIT CONFRONTED THE WOMAN THAT SHE SHOULD GO
HOME IMMEDIATELY. HE CAUTIONED HER TO RUN HOME,
THROWING HER COAT OFF AS SHE RAN AND NOT TO LOOK BACK.
THE NEXT DAY WHEN SHE WENT BACK TO CHURCH, SHE FOUND
THE COAT SHE HAD LEFT BEHIND TORN TO SHREDS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 03-21-1970

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TWO SISTERS WERE HOME ALONE FOR THE NIGHT AND HAD
RETIRED TO BED. THEY HEARD A STRANGE NOISE DOWNSTAIRS
AND THE BRAVE ONE DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE. SHE
RETURNED SHORTLY, AND GOT INTO BED. WHEN HER SISTER
QUESTIONED HER, SHE MADE NO SOUNDS THE OTHER SISTER
GOT OUT OF BED TO SEE WHAT WAS THE MATTER WITH HER
AND FOUND HER SISTER LYING IN BED, HAIR TURNED WHITE
AND BODY COLD AS ICE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): HAIR TURNED WHITE FROM FRIGHT.

Date learned: 12-06-1967

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A NUN DIED RATHER SUDDENLY, BEFORE SHE EVER HAD THE TIME
TO RETURN THE MONEY SHE HAD RECEIVED AS A GIFT TO THE
CONVENT'S COMMUNITY FUND. SINCE THE VOW OF POVERTY
IS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT TO NUNS, IT APPEARED THAT HER
SOUL COUNT NOT REST.
OTHER NUNS PASSING HER ROOM COULD HEAR MOANS AND CHAINS
RATTLING, UNTIL ONE WAS BRAVE ENOUGH TO INVESTIGATE.
SHE RETURNED THE MONEY, AND THE MOANS SUBSIDED.

Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS ONE FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Date learned: 12-06-1967

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A GIRL RETURNING FROM A PARTY WAS OFFERED A RIDE BY
TWO FELLOWS DRIVING HOME FROM THE SAME PARTY. SHE
ACCEPTED, AND WHEN SHE LEFT THE CAR, THE BOYS SAID
THEY WOULD WAIT FOR A LIGHT TO APPEAR IN THE DARK
HOUSE, TO BE CERTAIN SHE WAS SAFE. SHE TOLD THEM
NOT TO BOTHER.
IGNORING THE LAST COMMENT, THEY WAITED QUITE A WHILE,
AND STILL NO LIGHT APPEARED. SO THEY WENT TO THE
DOOR AND KNOCKED. AN OLDER COUPLE APPEARED, APPARENTLY
AWAKENED FROM THEIR SLEEP. AFTER BEING TOLD THE
SITUATION, THEY EXPLAINED THAT THEIR DAUGHTER HAD
DIED TEN YEARS AGO, THAT DAY, IN A CAR ACCIDENT,
RETURNING FROM A PARTY. THEY FELT THAT THIS WAS HER
REMINDER TO THEM TO PRAY THE PRAYERS THEY HAD PLEDGED
FOR HER, TO GET HER SOUL OUT OF PURGATORY.

Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS STORY FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): VANISHING HITCHHIKER

Date learned: 12-06-1967

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SOME FRIENDS OF THE INFORMANT WERE DRIVING THROUGH
CANADA, TO EXPO' 67 THIS SUMMER, WHEN THEY SAW A NUN
WAITING FOR A RIDE. THEY OFFERED HER ONE, WHICH
SHE ACCEPTED. THEY HAD QUITE AN AVID CONVERSATION
DURING THE TRIP TO HER CONVENT. AT ONE POINT, THEY
NOTICED SHE STOPPED TALKING, AND, ON LOOKING IN THE
BACK SEAT, THEY SAW THAT SHE HAD DISAPPEARED.
THEY DROVE TO HER CONVENT ANYWAY TO EXPLAIN THE
SITUATION. THERE, THEY FOUND OUT THAT THE NUN HAD
BEEN DEAD FOR THREE YEARS.

Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND

James Callow Keyword(s): VANISHING HITCHHIKER

Date learned: 11-23-1967

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GHOST STORY

IN A SMALL VILLAGE IN GREECE, AN OLD MAN DIED AND IT
WAS FOUND THAT HIS GHOST WAS ROAMING THE COUNTRYSIDE.
TO DISPEL THE GHOST, A BRAVE YOUNG MAN NAMED
KAFMAN TOLD THE VILLAGERS THAT HE WOULD STAY
BY THE OLD MAN'S GRAVE TO SEE IF THE GHOST WOULD
APPEAR. KAFMAN WORE A LONG, HOODED CAPE WHICH TOUCHED
THE GROUND, AND WHEN HE KNELT, THE CAPE SPREAD AROUND
HIM. BY AND BY, HE STARTED TO IMAGINE THINGS AND
HE STABBED AT THE DARKNESS WITH HIS DAGGER AND IT
STUCK INTO THE GROUND PIERCING THE CAPE. AS KAFMAN
STARTED TO LEAVE, HE FELT THE JERK OF THE CAPE
PINNED TO THE GROUND AND DIED OF A HEART ATTACK.

Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS FATHER.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): FEAR TEST DEATH FROM FRIGHT

Date learned: 10-10-1967

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