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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HAUNTED HOUSE
WE HAD A DOG AND AT TIMES THE DOG WOULD ACT LIKE HE SAW SOMEONE,
WHOM HE DID NOT SEE. HE WOULD BARK OR GROWL AND HIS HAIR
WOULD STAND UP. I WOULD BE SO SCARED I WOULD PUT HIM OUT SIDE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 10-30-1971
DEATH FESTIVAL
DURING THE DEATH FESTIVAL IN LIBERIA THE DRUMMERS
ARE AT THEIR BEST. ONE CAN DISTINQUISH THE TRIBE
WHO IS CELEBRATING A DEATH BY THE DRUM TUNES.
THE KRU TRIBE OF WHICH I AM A MEMBER USE A KEROSENE
DRUM WHICH PRODUCES A VERY ANNOYING SOUND TO HEAR.
IT SOUNDS LIKE TEN BABIES SCREAMING TOGETHER.
THE VAI TRIBE USES A GROUND HAND DRUM WHICH IS PITCHED
VERY HIGH. THE BASSA AND KPELLE PEOPLE USE A BIG BASS
UPON WHICH LEATHERED COVERED STICKS ARE USED. ALONG WITH
THE DRUMMERS COMES THE DANCERS. THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DRUMMERS
DEPENDS ON HOW IMPORTANT THE DECEASED WAS IN THE VILLAGE
OR THE COMMUNITY. A LOT OF LIQUOR IS THEN CONSUMED AND A
GIGANTIC FEAST IS PROVIDED AT THE EXPENSE
OF THE DECEASED'S RELATIVES AND CLOSE FRIENDS. AT THE BURIAL
AND AGAIN, DEPENDING ON HIS IMPORTANCE IN THE VILLAGE
AND COMMUNITY, THE DECEASED'S VALUABLE BELONGINGS WILL
BE PLACED IN HIS GRAVE. THE BELONGINGS USUALLY
CONSISTS OF CLOTHING, JEWELRIES AND FOOT WEAR. PALM OIL AND
PUSSAVA ARE PLACED ON THE THE DECEASED'S GRAVE BI- MONTHLY
TO APPEASE THE SPIRIT OF THE DEAD.
Submitter comment:
DEATH IS CELEBRATED BECAUSE THE KRU, BASSA , KPELLE AND
OTHER TRIBAL PEOPLE IN LIBERIA BELIEVE THAT THE DECEASED'S
TROUBLES ON EARTH HAS FINISHED.
THERE SHOULD BE SADNESS AT BIRTH AND CELEBRATION AT DEATH.
Where learned: LIBERIA ; MONROVIA
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
PIDGIN ENGLISH IN LIBERIA
JUST NOW: RECENTLY, SOON
DASH: GIFT
MOON: MONTH
MEAT: ANYTHING ANIMAL
LOCK: CLOSE, SEAL
LEF: LEAVE IT ALONE
PASS: FATHER, MORE THAN
PART: OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION
FOR: TO
SOFTLY: QUIETLY
SMALL: FAIR SIZED
PLAY: PARTY OR CELEBRATION
FREN: FRIEND
PROPER: REALLY
VEX: ANGRY, ANGER
CHOP: EAT
NUN : NO
YEA: YES
SORRY: REGRET
IT FINI: THE END,
Where learned: LIBERIA
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Vocabulary |
Date learned: 00001960S
AUTOGRAPH VERSE
I LOVE YOU A BUSHEL
I LOVE YOU A PECK
IF YOU DON'T LOVE ME
I'LL BREAK YOUR NECK
Submitter comment: FROM INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK 1956
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): IRREGULAR TWO-STRESS METER ; RHYME: ABCB ; THREAT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Humorous allusion to love |
Date learned: 00-00-1956
AN AUTOGRAPH
THE ROSES ARE WILTED,
THE VIOLETS ARE DEAD,
THE SUGAR BOWL'S EMPTY,
AND SO IS YOUR HEAD.
Submitter comment:
I GOT THIS FROM MY AUTOGRAPH BOOK.
IT WAS WRITTEN BY DAVE. IN 1961
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HIGHLAND PARK
Keyword(s): INSULT ; PARODY OF " ROSES ARE RED..." ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
Date learned: 11-11-1967 ; 00-00-1961
AUTOGRAPH BOOK MATERIAL
ROSES ARE RED,
VIOLETS ARE BLUE,
THE SHORTER THE DRESS,
THE BETTER THE VIEW.
Data entry tech comment: THIS SHOULD GO DOWN AS A CLASSIC IN THE ANNALS OF AUTOGRAPH MATERIAL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): OBSERVATION ; PARODY OF " ROSES ARE RED..." ; RHYME: ABCB ; SEX
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Roses are red and other such associations |
Date learned: 04-18-1971
AUTOGRAPH VERSE.
WHEN EVENING PULLS THE CURTAIN DOWN
AND PINS IT WITH A STAR
REMEMBER THAT I AM YOUR FRIEND
NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WOMAN WHO WISHES TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, PERMITTED ME
TO COLLECT THESE VERSES FROM HER AUTOGRAPH BOOK. THE VERSES
WERE ENTERED BY HER HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES IN 1939.
Where learned: UNKNOWN
Keyword(s): FRIENDSHIP: GOOD WISHES ; RHYME: ABCB
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Friendship |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
THE MOSQUITO STORY
DO YOU KNOW THAT ONLY THE FEMALE MOSQUITOES BITE?
DO YOU KNOW WHY? A LONG TIME AGO NGOC TAM AND HIS
WIFE NHAM DIEP LIVED ON A SMALL FARM. TAM TENDED THE
RICE FIELDS AND DIEP RAISED SILKWORMS. DIEP WAS A
DAYDREAMER. SHE HAD VISIONS OF ONE DAY LIVING IN A
LARGE HOUSE WITH MANY SERVANTS TO WAIT ON HER. SHE
HATED TO WORK.
ONE DAY DIEP BECAME ILL WHILE TAM WAS OUT WORKING IN THE
FIELDS. WHEN TAM GOT HOME DIEP WAS DEAD. AS TAM WAS
SAYING PRAYERS FOR HER, A VISION CAME TO HIM. THE
VISION TOLD TAM TO TAKE DIEP'S BODY BY BOAT TO THE
ENCHANTED MOUNTAIN IN THE SEA.
AFTER MANY DAYS OF ROWING TAM REACHED THE MOUNTAIN.
HE CARRIED DIEP UP THE STEEP PATH TO A LOVELY FIELD
OF FLOWERS AND LAID HER DOWN. AS HE KNELT BESIDE HER
A WRINKLED, GRAY HAIRED OLD MAN WITH SPARKLING EYES
APPEARED. THE OLD MAN ASKED TAM TO STAY IN THIS PLACE
AND BECOME A DISCIPLE. BUT TAM SAID HE LOVED DIEP
VERY MUCH AND WANTED HER BACK...SO THE OLD MAN TOLD
TAM TO MAKE A SMALL CUT ON HIS FINGER AND LET THREE
DROPS OF HIS BLOOD FALL ON DIEP. WHEN THIS WAS DONE
DIEP AWOKE TO THE WORLD OF THE LIVING AGAIN.
THE OLD MAN TOLD HER WHAT HAD HAPPENED. HE SAID SHE
MUST BE FAITHFUL, OBEDIENT AND WORK VERY HARD OR SHE
WOULD BE PUNISHED. THEN THE OLD MAN WAS GONE AND TAM
AND DIEP RETURNED TO THEIR BOAT. ON THE WAY HOME THEY
STOPPED AT A VILLAGE TO BUY SUPPLIES.
WHILE DIEP WAS WAITING FOR TAM AT THE DOCK, A LARGE
ELEGANT BOAT CAME IN. THE OWNER --A RICH MERCHANT--
ASKED DIEP ABOARD FOR A CUP OF TEA WHILE HIS SERVANTS
REPAIRED THE SAILS. THE MERCHANT TOLD DIEP SHE WAS
VERY BEAUTIFUL AND ASKED HER TO SAIL OFF WITH HIM AND
BECOME HIS WIFE. THESE WERE THE THINGS DIEP HAD ALWAYS
WANTED, SO SHE SAID YES AND DID NOT TELL THE MERCHANT
ABOUT TAM.
WHEN TAM RETURNED DIEP WAS GONE AND AN OLD SAILOR TOLD
HIM WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND WHERE THE MERCHANT LIVED.
TAM WAS VERY ANGRY. HE SET OUT FOR THE MERCHANT'S
HOME AND IN A FEW DAYS HE FOUND IT. HE TOLD A SERVANT
HE WANTED TO SEE THE MASTER AND HE WOULD WAIT IN THE
GARDEN. WHEN HE GOT TO THE GARDEN, HE CAME UPON DIEP
CUTTING SOME FLOWERS. DIEP WAS VERY SURPRISED TO
SEE TAM HERE IN THIS PLACE. SHE SAID SHE WAS HAPPY AND
WOULD NOT LEAVE.
TAM SAID HE DID NOT WANT HER BACK, HE ONLY WANTED HIS
THREE DROPS OF BLOOD. DIEP WAS GREATLY RELIEVED AND
MADE A SMALL CUT ON HER FINGER WITH THE FLOWER KNIFE.
TAM HELD OUT HIS ARM AND DIEP LET THE BLOOD FALL ON IT.
WHEN THE THIRD DROP FELL DIEP'S BEAUTY WAS GONE AND
SHE BEGAN TO SHRINK UNTIL SHE WAS THE SIZE OF A
MOSQUITO. THAT WAS DIEP'S PUNISHMENT. SHE BEGAN
BUZZING AROUND TAM'S HEAD AND IT SOUNDED AS IF SHE
WAS SAYING, "GIVE ME BACK THE BLOOD, I AM SORRY, I
AM SORRY."
TAM RAN BACK TO HIS BOAT AND ROWED FOR MANY DAYS UNTIL
HE FOUND THE ENCHANTED MOUNTAIN AGAIN. AFTER HE HAD
BECOME A DISCIPLE HE ASKED THE OLD MAN ABOUT DIEP.
AND THE OLD MAN SAID THAT DIEP AND ALL THE FEMALE
MOSQUITOES WHO CAME AFTER HER WOULD CONTINUE TO
SEARCH FOR THE THREE DROPS OF BLOOD. THEN HE SAID,
"AND THIS SHALL BE A REMINDER TO ALL PEOPLE TO LIVE
CLEANLY, BE OBEDIENT AND WORK HONESTLY." AND SO IT
HAS BEEN EVER SINCE.
Where learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
WHY THE ROBIN'S BREAST IS RED.
THE ROBIN WAS FLYING BY AT THE CRUCIFICTION OF CHRIST AND FLEW DOWN
TO PULL A THORN OUT OF CHRIST. IN THE PROCESS HE GOT BLOOD ON HIS
BREAST AND IT HAS BEEN THERE EVER SINCE.
Data entry tech comment: SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CRUCIFICTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
HOW THE ROBIN GOT ITS RED BREAST.
WHEN CHRIST WAS SUFFERING ON THE CROSS, AND BLOOD TRICKLED DOWN
HIS FOREHEAD DUE TO THE SHARP THORNS OF HIS CROWN, A ROBIN FLEW BY
THE LORD'S HEAD AND TOOK PITY ON HIM. THE BIRD WONDERED HOW HE COULD
ALLEVIATE OUR LORD'S PAIN. HE THOUGHT HE WOULD TRY AND REMOVE AT
LEAST ONE OF THE THORNS FROM HIS FOREHEAD. AS HE TUGGED AT THE
THORN IT, IN TURN, PIERCED HIS BREAST--AND EVER SINCE THE ROBIN BEAR
THE MARK OF A RED BREAST DUE TO ITS HEROIC DEED.
Data entry tech comment: GRAMMAR CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Animal Life PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
THE ORIGIN OF MANKIND
THREE MEN WENT BEFORE THE GREAT WENDAY TO TELL HIM OF THEIR NEEDS.
THE FIRST ONE SAID, "I WOULD LIKE A HORSE." THE SECOND SAID "I WOULD
LIKE SOME DOGS TO GO HUNTING IN THE BUSH.", THE THIRD MAN SAID "I
WOULD LIKE A WOMAN TO REFRESH MYSELF."
THE GREAT WENDAY FULFILLED THEIR DESIRES; TO THE FIRST HE GAVE A
HORSE, TO THE SECOND SOME DOGS, TO THE LAST A WOMAN.
THE THREE MEN DEPARTED, BUT ON THEIR WAY HOME A GREAT RAIN CAME,
FORCING THEM TO SLEEP FOR THREE DAYS IN THE BRUSH. NEITHER THE
HORSE NOR THE DOGS WERE OF MUCH USE THEN. THE WOMAN HOWEVER
PREPARED THE MEALS FOR ALL THREE. THE MEN SAID, "LET'S GO BACK TO
WENDAY" AND THEY DID.
THEY ALL WANTED WOMEN NOW. WENDAY WAS KIND ENOUGH TO CHANGE THE
HORSE AND DOGS INTO WOMEN. THE MEN RETURNED HOME. HOWEVER THE
WOMAN WHO CAME FROM THE HORSE WAS GLUTTONOUS, THE ONE WHO CAME
FROM THE DOG WAS MEAN. BUT THE FIRST WOMAN, THE ORIGINAL ONE, WAS
GOOD, SHE IS THE MOTHER OF MANKIND.
Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; WARMINSTER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Human Life |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
SHAGGY DOG TALE
ONCE THERE WAS THIS MAN WHO HAD A DOG THAT COULD TALK. HE TOOK THIS
DOG TO THE LOCAL TAVERN AND BEGAN TO BRAG ABOUT HIS TALKING DOG.
"I DON'T BELIEVE IT" SAID THE BARTENDER. "YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO
PROVE IT" SAID ONE OF THE CUSTOMERS. "ALL RIGHT" SAID THE MAN
TURNING TO HIS DOG, "WHO WAS THE GREATEST BASEBALL PLAYER IN
HISTORY?" HE ASKED THE DOG. THE DOG REPLIED, "ROOF, ROOF."
UPON HEARING THIS THE PEOPLE IN THE BAR GOT PRETTY MAD AND
THREW THE MAN AND HIS DOG OUT ONTO THE STREET. CONFUSED,
THE DOG LOOKED UP TO HIS MASTER AND ASKED, "WAS IT WILLIE MAYS?"
Submitter comment: TOLD IN CAJUN DIALECT ON A JUSTIN WILSON RECORD
Data entry tech comment:
CHAPTER 7 IN "WITCRACKS BY ALVIN SCHWARTZ
SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; DOG ; HUMOR ; SURPRISE ENDING ; TALKING ANIMALS ; TAVERN
James Callow Keyword(s): BABE RUTH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- B203 PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal Tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
LEGEND
THERE IS A STREET ON DETROIT'S EAST SIDE, NEAR THE VICINITY
OF CONNORS AND GRATIOT THAT IS KNOWN AS " KNOCK- KNOCK " STREET.
ONE NIGHT, AS A YOUNG COUPLE SAT TALKING IN A CAR, A GROUP OF
CHILDREN PLAYED BALL. THE BALL ROLLED BENEATH THE CAR AND
ONE OF THE CHILDREN CRAWLED UNDER THE CAR TO RETRIEVE IT.
UNAWARE OF THIS, THE DRIVER BEGAN TO DRIVE AWAY, AND AS HE DID
SO DRAGGED THE CHILD FOR SEVERAL YARDS. TO THIS DAY THE THUMP-THUMP
OF HIS BODY CAN BE HEARD WHEN TRAVELING ON THIS STREET.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS AS BEING TOLD TO HIM AS A TRUE
STORY BY OTHERS WHO HAVE TRAVELED THIS STREET AND HEARD THE
NOISES.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 04-12-1965
TRAVELING VIGIL LIGHT OF MT. OLIVET CEMETRY.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO ONE OF THE GRAVES OF MT. OLIVET CEMETRY
WAS DUG UP AND THE BODY MOVED TO ANOTHER SPOT IN THE CEMETRY.
THE MOTHER OF THE DEAD PERSON LOOKED AND LOOKED FOR THE GRAVE
OF HER BELOVED BUT COULD NEVER FIND IT. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE
VIGIL LIGHT WHICH THE MOTHER KEPT BURNING ON THE GRAVE NOW
ROAMS THE CEMETRY SEARCHING FOR THE GRAVE OF THE BODY THAT
WAS MOVED. MANY PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO
SEE THE LIGHT MOVING ABOUT THE CEMETRY. ONE NIGHT WHEN AT A
GIRL FRIEND'S HOUSE THE INFORMANT WAS ASKED IF SHE WANTED TO GO TO
THE CEMETRY WITH A GROUP OF GIRLS TO LOOK FOR THE LIGHT. THE GIRL
FRIEND LIVED RIGHT NEXT TO THE CEMETRY AND KNEW THE SCHEDULE OF
THE WATCHMEN WHO WORKED IN THE CEMETRY. THE GIRLS CLIMBED THE FENCE
AND AFTER THEY HAD GONE A SHORT WAY INTO THE CEMETRY, THEY SAW THE
VIGIL LIGHT NOT MANY FEET IN FRONT OF THEM, MOVING ABOUT. THEY
RAN BACK TO THE HOUSE IN FEAR.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS SURPRISED THAT MY BROTHER AND I WHO LIVE IN
THE IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE TRAVELING
VIGIL LIGHT OF MT. OLIVET CEMETERY.
Data entry tech comment: THE WORD CEMETRY IS AS SPELLED BY THE COLLECTOR.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): GHOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
THIS KNOCK-KNOCK STREET IS FOUND ON WEST PARKWAY, NEAR ANN ARBOR
TRAIL. IT IS BELIEVED A YOUNG COUPLE ON A DATE GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT
AND THE YOUNG GIRL WAS PUSHED OUT BY HER DATE. HER COAT GOT CAUGHT
AND SHE WAS DRAGGED, AND KNOCKED PERSISTENTLY TO BE LET IN. AND NOW
WHEN TRAVELING ON THIS STREET, THE GIRL'S KNOCKING IS STILL HEARD.
Data entry tech comment:
I HAVE TWO KNOCK-KNOCK STREET STORIES IN THIS PACK, BUT THE STORIES
HAVE DIFFERENT PLOTS AND LOCALES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-22-1971
CAR ACCIDENT
ONCE THERE WAS A CAR ACCIDENT AT J:00 A.M. NEAR CHERRY HILL AND
DENTON ON THE WEST SIDE. THERE WERE TWO PEOPLE KILLED BY A BRIDGE
AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. THEIR GHOSTS CAN BE HEARD BY THAT
BRIDGE AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
Data entry tech comment:
IT IS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT GHOSTS ALWAYS COME BACK TO THE SCENES
OF THEIR DEATHS AND TO REMAIN THERE FOR ETERNITY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): DENTON ROAD.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-30-1968
NOT GIVEN
THERE WAS A MAN WHO WAS INSANE AND KILLED HIS WIFE AND AFTER HE
KILLED HER HE WAS FULL OF REMORSE. HE DIDN'T REALIZE THAT HE WAS
THE MURDERER AND IT IS SAID THAT HE TAKES HIS LANTERN IN THE
EVENING, AND GOES TO LOOK FOR HER BODY. IF YOU DRIVE OVER THAT
BRIDGE ON THE FAR EAST SIDE AND STOP, YOU ARE ABLE TO SEE THE
LIGHT COME AND GO UNDER THE BRIDGE AND AS IT GOES UNDER THE
BRIDGE, IT SHAKES IT. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE MAN DOING IT.
Submitter comment:
JEAN AND I HAVE BOTH GONE TO THIS PLACE BUT DO NOT RECALL THE NAME
OF THE STREET AND ALL OF THE MYSTERIOUS THINGS DO HAPPEN BUT
THE EXPLANATION IS THAT IT IS THE SWAMP GAS AND WHEN IT SETTLES
UNDERNEATH THE BRIDGE IS WHAT CAUSES IT TO TREMBLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; TOLD AT HER HOME
Keyword(s): GHOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-06-1971
A SPIRITED HOUSE
THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO ME IN ALL SINCERITY IN PENNSYLVANIA;
INFORMANT'S GIRLFRIEND'S AUNT'S HUSBAND, WAS PROMOTED AND AS PART
OF THE DEAL, ACQUIRED A BEAUTIFUL PRESTIGE MANSION BELIEVED
TO HAVE BEEN DESIGNED BY FRANK LOYD WRIGHT. IT JUST SO HAPPENED
THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE BEFORE LOST THEIR FATHER BY SUICIDE. HE
SHOT HIS BRAINS OUT IN THE BATHROOM, BLOOD ON THE WALL WAS THERE
TO STAY. HAVING IT PAINTED AND THEN WALLPAPERED STILL DIDN'T
CONCEAL HIS BLOOD. THIS GIRL'S AUNT WOULD GO TO BED AT NIGHT AND THE
TEA KETTLE WOULD GO ON, CHAINS WERE HEARD RATTLING, DOORS NEVER
CLOSED. ONE NIGHT THEY WERE ALL IN BED TOGETHER FRIGHTENED TO DEATH
WHEN SUDDENLY A BLAST OF COLD AIR CAME FROM THE OPENED DOOR.
THE NEXT MORNING THEY WENT TO TALK TO A PRIEST, WHO ASKED IF THE
MAN THAT KILLED HIMSELF WANTED TO KILL HIS WIFE. FINDING OUT THIS
TO BE THE CASE, THE PRIEST CONFIRMED THAT THE SPIRIT WAS OUT TO KILL
HIS WIFE. THE PRIEST WARNED THIS WOMAN NOT TO HAVE ANY CONTACT
AT ALL WITH THIS SPIRIT. THEY MOVED OUT. THE NEW OWNERS LIVED IN
THAT HOUSE FOR TWO MONTHS AND THEN IT BURNT TO THE GROUND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MURDEROUS GHOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-22-1971
STORY
THERE'S THIS LAKE, YOU KNOW, IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN, THAT'S REALLY
DEEP, AND THE THING'S NOT THAT WIDE EITHER. SOME OF THE FOLK
AROUND THERE CLAIM THAT THERE'S REALLY NO BOTTOM TO IT. AND THAT'S
NOT ALL THEY CLAIM EITHER. THERE'S SOME PRETTY WEIRD STORIES
CONNECTED WITH THIS LAKE. HEARSAY HAS IT THAT THERE WERE A COUPLE OF
FISHERMEN TRYING TO CATCH ON THE LAKE. THEY BROUGHT IN A SMALL
WOODEN ROW-BOAT. YOU SEE, THE LAKE IS IN THE MIDDLE OF SOME
OF THE DENSEST FORESTS FOUND IN THIS AREA AND IT'S SEEMINGLY NESTLED
IN THE MOUTH OF A CRATER. WELL, THESE FELLAS HAD CAUGHT A COUPLE
OF FISH AND HAD STRUNG THEM AND DANGLED THEM OVER THE SIDE OF THE
BOAT, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY FELT THE BOAT MOVE AND THEN A
STRONG TUG JERKED THEM OVER AND OVER. THEY TURNED AROUND TO LOOK
AT THE REAR OF THE BOAT AND THEY SAW A HUGE HEAD CHEWING ON THE
FISH. IT WAS A MONSTROUS TURTLE. THE BOAT STARTED TO TAKE IN
WATER SO ONE OF THE FISHERMEN UNTIED THE STRINGER AND LET THE FISH
GO. SINCE THAT TIME, NO ONE DARES TO FISH, SWIM, OR GO BOATING
IN THE LAKE. THIS LAKE IS KNOWN AS " LOST LAKE ".
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS ONE WHILE WORKING IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN ( 1958 ).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MONSTER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Still water Small body. Lake, pond.... |
Date learned: 00-00-1958
WHY HE SOLD HIS HOUSE.
EVERY DAY ABOUT FIVE IN THE AFTERNOON THE DOORKNOB TURNED ON
THE FRONT DOOR AND MY WIFE AND I COULD HEAR SOMEONE COME IN.
WE WOULD RUSH TO THE SPOT, BUT THERE WOULD NEVER BE ANYONE THERE.
A LITTLE WHILE LATER EVERY DAY WE WOULD HEAR THE WORST COMMOTION
IN THE BASEMENT- LIKE TWO MEN GRUNTING, HITTING, AND BANGING
FURNITURE AROUND DOWN THERE. THEN WE WOULD HEAR THE SOUND OF
SOMEONE DUMPING COAL IN THE DRIVEWAY, BUT THERE WAS NEVER ANY COAL
THERE OR ANY OTHER PLACE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WE COULD FIND.
A FEW TIMES WE CALLED THE POLICE FROM THE PALMER PARK STATION TO
COME OVER AND HEAR THE NOISE. THEY HEARD IT TOO BUT COULD NOT
FIND OUT WHO WAS MAKING IT. WE MOVED.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT TOLD ME THIS STORY IN 1955 WHILE HE WAS FILLING
MY TEETH. HE SAID THE HOUSE WAS ON SAN JUAN, TWO BLOCKS OFF OF SIX
MILE ( IN DETROIT ) .
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): HAUNTED HOUSE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1955