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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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KNOCK, KNOCK STREET
I CAN REMEMBER HEARING THIS TALE ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS AGO.
APPARENTLY A YOUNG GIRL RETURNING HOME FROM HOLY COMMUNION
WAS STRUCK DOWN BY A HIT-AND-RUN MOTORIST. THE GIRL WAS
KILLED INSTANTLY; HER HAND, HOWEVER, WAS SEVERED FROM HER
BODY AND NEVER FOUND. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE STREET FROM
THAT MOMENT ON HAS MADE A KNOCKING SOUND (SUPPOSEDLY THE
SEVERED HAND KNOCKING ON THE STREET).
Submitter comment:
I CAN VAGUELY REMEMBER TAKING A RIDE TO THE SCENE AND ACTUALLY
HEARING SOMETHING. I BELIEVE THE NAME OF THE STREET WAS
STRASSBURG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE DEER THAT CAN'T BE SHOT
A HUNTER WHO RAN OUT OF AMMUNITION SPIED A YOUNG BUCK A FEW YARDS
AHEAD OF HIM. INNOVATING, HE PICKED UP THREE CHERRY PITS FROM THE
SCRAPS OF THE LUNCH HE HAD JUST CONSUMED. HE SHOT THE BUCK AT
ALMOST POINT BLANK RANGE BUT NOTHING HAPPENED.
THE NEXT YEAR THIS SAME HUNTER WENT OUT WITH TWO OTHER FRIENDS.
DURING THE COURSE OF THEIR HUNT, THEY SAW A BUCK WITH CHERRIES
GROWING FROM HIS ANTLERS. ALL THREE OF THEM ATTEMPTED TO SHOOT,
BUT THEIR GUNS JAMMED SIMULTANEOUSLY.
TO THIS DAY THE BUCK STILL ROAMS THE UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN;
NO ONE IS ABLE TO SHOOT HIM.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS STORY ON MY FIRST HUNTING TRIP ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO.
I CAN'T REMEMBER THE INFORMANT'S NAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 00001970 CA
HAUNTED HOUSE
THE HOUSE IN WHICH DAISY, HER SISTERS AND BROTHERS, HER MOTHER
AND FATHER LIVED WAS A TEN ROOM HOUSE WITH SIXTEEN WINDOWS. IT
WAS BUILT BY A RICH OLD MAN WHO WAS THOUGHT BY THE FAMILY TO HAVE
LEFT SOME MONEY SOMEWHERE IN THE HOUSE. THE OLD MAN DIED, LEAVING
HIS MONEY, WHICH HE WANTED FOR POOR PEOPLE.
THE MOSES FAMILY MOVED INTO THIS HOUSE TO SHARE CROP THE FARM. THE
OLD MAN, AFTER HE DIED, TRIED TO COME BACK AND TELL THEM WHERE THE
MONEY WAS. HE FIRST ATTEMPTED TO FRIGHTEN THEM AWAY. AFTER HE
COULDN'T SUCCEED, HE CAME BACK IN MANY FORMS. THE FIRST WAS AS A
BABY CRYING. AND, EVERY TIME THE MOON WOULD CHANGE, HE WOULD COME
IN DIFFERENT FORMS: MULE AND WAGON AND A HORSE AND BUGGY WOULD
APPEAR TO COME ACROSS THE CEILING OF THE HOUSE. STILL, HE
COULDN'T FRIGHTEN THEM AWAY. BUT WHEN THE SOUND OF A BABY CRYING
CAME FROM UNDER THE PORCH AND CARRIED ON FOR THREE WEEKS, THE
MOSES FAMILY FINALLY LEFT.
DAISY SAID THE OLD MAN DIDN'T WANT PEOPLE TO FIND THE MONEY, AND
SINCE THEY WOULD IF THEY LIVED THERE, HE NEVER LET PEOPLE LIVE
THERE LONG BECAUSE OF HIS FRIGHTENING WAYS. THREE FAMILIES HAVE
ATTEMPTED TO LIVE THERE SINCE THE MOSES FAMILY.
Submitter comment: ORIGIN: CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Date learned: 07-23-1964
SINGING CHAIRS
HEATMAN CABIN IS AN OLD RELIC OF A LOG CABIN LOCATED NEAR
HARRISON, MICHIGAN. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE OLD LUMBERMAN WHO
USED TO LIVE THERE JUST COULDN'T MAKE A LIVING WORTH MUCH BY
CUTTING TREES. SO HE USED HIS EXPERIENCE WITH LOGS TO MAKE
ROCKING CHAIRS. BUT THESE WEREN'T JUST ORDINARY ROCKING CHAIRS;
THEY WERE SINGING ROCKING CHAIRS.
THIS LEGEND IS STILL TOLD TODAY ABOUT THE OLD HEATMAN CABIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-10-1968
LITTLE BOY
IN MANNPISSE, IRELAND THERE IS A STATUE OF A LITTLE BOY URINATING.
THE STORY HAS IT THAT A LITTLE BOY WAS LOST AND HIS FATHER LOOKED
ALL OVER FOR HIM. THE FATHER SAID THAT IF HE FOUND THE LITTLE
BOY, HE WOULD BUILD A STATUE OF THE LITTLE BOY DOING WHATEVER THE
FATHER FOUND HIM DOING. THE LITTLE BOY WAS FOUND URINATING AND
A STATUE WAS BUILT.
Where learned: OHIO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Monument |
Date learned: 12-01-1969
NOT GIVEN
STORY ABOUT GUY WHO WAS STUCK IN THE THUNDER BAY AREA OF CANADA
FOR 41 DAYS BECAUSE HE COULDN'T GET A RIDE.
Submitter comment:
STORY TOLD AT YOUTH HOSTEL IN AREA AND BELIEVED. IT SEEMS
USUALLY TAKES ABOUT 2 DAYS TO GET A RIDE ANYWAY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ISOLATED, VAST AREA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Earth PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 07-00-1971
HAUNTED STREET
ON TUMBLEWOOD ROAD IN DETROIT, IF YOU DRIVE DOWN IT, YOU WILL
HEAR SOMEONE KNOCKING ON YOUR CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
Date learned: 01-00-1968
THE HEN-PECKED DEVIL
SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS AGO THE MAYOR OF HAMBURG, GERMANY,
CONTRACTED TO HAVE A BRIDGE BUILT OVER THE ELBE. THE CONTRACTOR
PROMISED TO HAVE THE JOB COMPLETED BY A CERTAIN DATE, BUT,
BECAUSE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, HE WAS HOPELESSLY BEHIND SCHEDULE.
SINCE THE BUILDER KNEW THAT THE MAYOR WOULD NOT FULFILL HIS END
OF THE CONTRACT UNLESS THE BRIDGE WAS COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE
SPRING FESTIVALS, HE MADE A PACT WITH THE DEVIL FOR ITS COMPLE-
TION. THE DEVIL WOULD COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION IN RETURN FOR THE
SOUL OF THE FIRST PERSON TO CROSS THE BRIDGE.
WHEN THE BRIDGE WAS COMPLETED AND TO BE DEDICATED, THE MAYOR AND
BUILDER ARGUED WITH ONE ANOTHER ABOUT WHO SHOULD BE THE FIRST TO
WALK ACROSS THE SPAN. THE MAYOR, SUSPECTING SOMETHING WAS AMISS
BECAUSE OF THE JOB'S RAPID COMPLETION, INSISTED THAT THE BUILDER
PROCEED FIRST. IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS, THE BUILDER HAD TUCKED
A HEN UNDER HIS COAT. WHEN HE APPROACHED THE MIDWAY MARK OF THE
BRIDGE WHERE THE DEVIL WAS LURKING BEHIND A COLUMN, HE THREW THE
HEN OUT TO HIM. THE DEVIL SEIZED THE BIRD, BUT WHEN HE SAW THAT
HIS CATCH WAS ONLY A HEN, HE THREW IT DOWN IN DISGUST. THE
DEVIL'S ANGER WAS SUCH THAT THE HEN WENT CLEAN THROUGH THE BRIDGE,
AND TO THIS DAY THERE IS A HOLD IN THE BRIDGE WHICH WILL NOT BE
FILLED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD TALE FROM A GERMAN PHILOSOPHY PROFESSOR AT
GANNON COLLEGE, ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE ; GANNON COLLEGE
Date learned: 10-23-1965
HAUNTED HOUSE
ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO, IN WEST SALEM TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA, A YOUNG
MAN SOON TO BE MARRIED BUILT A HOUSE ON BARRY ROAD FOR HIS BRIDE.
HOWEVER, WHEN THE DAY OF THE WEDDING ARRIVED, THE YOUNG MAN CHANGED
HIS MIND AND STOOD UP HIS INTENDED BRIDE.
THE HOUSE WAS NEVER LIVED IN BY ANYONE AND IS BELIEVED BY
RESIDENTS OF THE AREA TO BE HAUNTED BY THE COUPLE.
Submitter comment:
MY AUNT, FROM WHOM I HEARD THIS STORY, LIVES IN THE AREA OF THE
SUPPOSEDLY HAUNTED HOUSE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE ; WEST SALEM TOWNSHIP
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Other Structure for Private Use BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1964
LEGEND: PROHIBITION
THERE IS A METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH ON THE CORNER OF GARLAND
AND JEFFERSON IN DETROIT. DURING THE YEARS OF PROHIBITION THE
PASTOR THERE WAS REVEREND STIDGER, KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC AS AN
ARDENT PROHIBITIONIST. ON TOP OF HIS CHURCH WAS A REVOLVING
CROSS THAT WAS ILLUMINATED AND COULD BE SEEN FROM THE RIVER.
IT IS ALLEGED THAT WHEN THIS CROSS WAS LIT AND REVOLVING, THIS
WAS A SIGNAL TO THE RUM-RUNNERS ON THE RIVER CONCERNING WHETHER
THE GUARDS WERE ON DUTY OR NOT, SO THAT THEY COULD MOVE THE
CONTRABAND ACROSS THE RIVER.
Submitter comment:
MY GRANDFATHER (MR. VAN ANTWERP) HAS TOLD ME OTHER STORIES OF THE
RUM-RUNNING DURING PROHIBITION. HE SAYS HE KNOWS FOR A FACT IT
WAS GOING ON, BUT AS TO WHETHER THE CROSS ON THE CHURCH HAD ANY-
THING TO DO WITH IT, HE THINKS IT WAS ONLY A RUMOR. HE DID SAY
THAT IT POSSIBLY COULD HAVE HAPPENED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert |
HAUNTED HOUSE (ST. CLAIR SHORES, MICHIGAN)
IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT ONE JEFFERSON AVENUE NEAR 13 1/2 MILE ROAD
THERE IS A HAUNTED HOUSE. IN 1964 (JUNE), THREE BOYS DECIDED TO
PAY A VISIT TO THE GHOSTS IN THE HOUSE. WHEN THEY GOT TO THE
HOUSE, THEY DECIDED TO GO IN ONE AT A TIME. IF ANYTHING HAPPENED,
THE PERSONS OUTSIDE WOULD CALL FOR HELP. AS THE FIRST BOY
ENTERED, ALL THREE WERE LAUGHING; ABOUT 4 MINUTES LATER THE TWO
OUTSIDE HEARD A TERRIBLE SCREAM. NOT THINKING, ONE OF THE BOYS
RAN IN. THE OTHER RAN FOR HELP. WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVED, THEY
FOUND TWO BOYS UPSTAIRS, DEAD. THEIR HAIR WAS SNOW-WHITE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Date learned: 03-22-1968
KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
THE STREET O'CONNER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN ST. CLAIR SHORES,
MICHIGAN, IS SAID TO BE HAUNTED BY THE GHOST OF AN 8-YEAR-OLD
GIRL WHO WAS DRAGGED TO HER DEATH ON THE BUMPER OF A CAR.
THE DRIVER OF THE CAR HEARD A KNOCKING ON THE BACK OF THE
VEHICLE BUT WAS UNAWARE AT THE TIME WHAT IT WAS. THE GIRL'S
MOTHER CURSED THE STREET SO THAT EVERY TIME A CAR WENT PAST
THE STREET, THE PASSENGERS WOULD HEAR THE KNOCKING.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 00-00-1964
SHOOTING A HAT
I WAS HUNTING IN THE LOWER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN WITH A GROUP OF
FOUR OTHER MEN. WE LINED UP FIFTY YARDS FROM EACH OTHER AND
WALKED DUE NORTH. WE SAW A RUSTLING IN THE LEAVES. I WENT UP
TO THE SPOT AND SHOT, AND THEN A HAT CAME FLYING OUT OF THE
LEAVES. I'D HIT ONE OF MY COMPANIONS WHO HAD STRAYED OFF. SO
NOW I REFUSE TO HUNT IN THE LOWER PENINSULA, BECAUSE THERE ARE
TOO MANY HUNTERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY
Keyword(s): CROWDED CONDITIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
NOT GIVEN
THERE WAS A SHRINE TO THE BLESSED MOTHER ON THIS MOUNTAIN IN
ITALY. IT WAS A VERY SACRED PLACE. THERE THE STATUE WAS ENCASED
IN GLASS. ONE DAY SOME BOYS WERE PLAYING "BOTCHES" (LIKE BOWLING)
AND ONE OF THE BALLS ROLLED NEAR THE GLASS CASE, THE NEXT ONE
ROLLED AND BROKE THE GLASS AT THE FEET OF THE STATUE. THE FEET
OF THE STATUE STARTED BLEEDING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS COLLECTOR'S MOTHER.
Data entry tech comment: "BOTCHES" = BOCCI BALL?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 10-14-1965
THE CARPENTER'S ROAD LEGEND
TWO COUPLES WENT TO THE PROM AND THEN OUT TO PARK ON CARPENTER'S
ROAD, WHICH IS A DESERTED ROAD IN THE WOODS OF BEAVERCREEK. WHILE
NECKING, THEY HEARD A KNOCKING AND SCRATCHING NOISE OUTSIDE. ONE
OF THE BOYS WENT OUT TO CHECK IT OUT. AND AFTER A LONG WORRISOME
WAIT DURING WHICH HE HADN'T RETURNED, THE SECOND BOY LEFT. AGAIN
AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, THEY STILL HADN'T RETURNED, SO ONE GIRL WENT
FOR HELP WHILE THE OTHER WAITED. THE LAST GIRL FINALLY LEFT AND
FOUND THE POLICE. AFTER A LONG SEARCH, THE THREE WERE FOUND. THE
TWO BOYS WERE ENTIRELY CHEWED UP, BLOODY AND JUST TOTALLY MUTILA-
TED. THE GIRL, WITH HER HAIR, ONCE BRUNETTE, NOW HAD STARK WHITE
HAIR STANDING ON END AND HAD DIED OF FRIGHT. NOW NOBODY KNOWS
IF THIS IS TRUE BUT NO ONE GOES THERE UNLESS HE'S LOOKING FOR A
SCARE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 12-02-1969
HAUNTED CHAPEL
ON 21 MILE ROAD AND SUGARBUSH ROAD, THERE IS A SMALL CHAPEL. IT
WAS BUILT OVER THE SITE OF ANOTHER CHAPEL WHICH COLLAPSED YEARS
AGO. IT IS SAID THAT WHEN IT FELL, IT BURIED THE CARETAKER. HIS
DOG, A BIG GERMAN SHEPHERD, NEVER LEFT THE SPOT AND DIED ON THE
SPOT FROM STARVATION. PEOPLE TO THIS DAY CLAIM TO HEAR A DOG
BARKING IN THE AREA AT NIGHT OR EVEN AT TIMES, SEE A MAN AND DOG
WALKING TOGETHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Holy placeChurchTemple BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-30-1968
THE OLD HOUSE LEGEND
ANOTHER LOCAL LEGEND WITH MUCH EVIDENCE TO PROVE ITS AUTHENTICITY
IS AN OLD HOME JUST EAST OF THE CAMPUS. THOUGH IT NO LONGER
STANDS, IT WAS SHROUDED IN MANY TREES, OFF THE ROAD--AND WAS AN
IMPORTANT STOP IN THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD DURING THE DAYS PRIOR
TO THE CIVIL WAR. HERE, NEGRO SLAVES WHO HAD FLED THE SOUTH WERE
RECEIVED AND FED, AND SENT ON THEIR WAY TO CASSOPOLIS, MICHIGAN.
THIS EXPLAINS THE LARGE NUMBER OF NEGRO FARMERS IN THAT AREA OF
MICHIGAN, NEGROES WHO HAVE OWNED LAND FOR MANY YEARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
GHOSTLY LIGHT
IN BOSTON, IT IS SAID THAT THERE ARE NIGHTS WHEN THE LIGHT CAN BE
SEEN FROM THE NORTH CHURCH--THE CHURCH FROM WHICH CAME THE SIGNAL
BY LIGHT THAT THE BRITISH WERE COMING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): PAUL REVERE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 01-23-1968
TALE
WHEN PAT'S PARENTS FIRST LIVED IN THEIR NEW HOUSE, THEY COULD
HEAR MOANS AND CRIES IN THEIR BEDROOM. THEY LATER FOUND OUT
THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD DIED AND REMAINED THERE FOR SEVERAL
DAYS UNTIL FOUND. THE MOANS CONTINUED UNTIL THE NAME OF THE
PREVIOUS OWNER WAS REMOVED FROM THE MAILBOX.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
LEGEND
THERE WAS A LEGEND AT MY HIGH SCHOOL IN CLEVELAND, NOTRE DAME
ACADEMY, THAT A NUN WAS BURIED UNDER A LOOSE SLAB OF MARBLE IN
THE MAIN HALLWAY, AND NOISE DISTURBED HER. THEREFORE, WE WERE
TO REMAIN QUIET IN THE HALLS.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-06-1967