Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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LEGEND
THERE WAS A MAN NAMED MR. BOUCHER WHO DIED IN BUCKINHAM,
QUEBEC {CANADA} ABOUT 45-50 YEARS AGO. BEFORE HE DIED,
HE REQUESTED TO SEE HIS SON, AND SAID IF HE DID NOT,
THAT HE WOULD TORTURE HIS WHOLE WAKE. THE SON ARRIVED
TOO LATE.
THE INFORMANT ATTENDED THE FUNERAL-WAKE AT THE DECEASED'S
HOME.
A KNOCK CAME AT THE DOOR, SOMEONE OPENED IT BUT NO ONE
WAS THERE. THIS WAS REPEATED CONSTANTLY THROUGHOUT THE
WAKE. IT WAS MR. BOUCHER GETTING HIS REVENGE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT WAS AT THIS WAKE.
BIRMINGHAM, QUEBEC
BOUCHER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-22-1972
SNAKE LEGEND
IN ONE VILLAGE IN ITALY, THERE WAS THIS LARGE POOL OF
WATER FROM WHICH THE VILLAGERS USED TO DRAW THEIR
WATER. HOWEVER, A SNAKE BEGAN COMING DOWN FROM THE
MOUNTAINS EVERY DAY BETWEEN 11 AND 12 TO USE THIS
POOL TO DRINK. IN FACT, THE SNAKE USED THIS POOL SO
REGULARILY THAT THERE WAS A BEATEN DOWN PATH FROM THE
MOUNTAIN TO THE POOL MADE BY THE SNAKE. THE SNAKE'S
BODY LOOKED LIKE THAT OF A SMALL CHILD, WHILE ITS HEAD
WAS A STANDARD-LOOKING SNAKE HEAD. THE PEOPLE WERE
IMMENSELY AFRAID OF THIS SNAKE. THERE WAS ONE MAN
WHO SAID HE WOULD KILL THE SNAKE. HE GOT A GUN AND SOME
ROPE, AND CLIMBED UP IN A CHESTNUT TREE NEAR THE SNAKE
PATH. HE TIED HIMSELF AROUND THE TREE AND WAITED.
WHEN THE SNAKE CAME BETWEEN 11 AND 12 O'CLOCK THE MAN SHOT
THE SNAKE, BUT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY KILL IT. INDEED,
THE SNAKE BEGAN JUMPING UP AT THE MAN IN THE TREE.
HE WAS TERRIFIED BUT FINALLY THE SNAKE DIED. THE MAN
WAS SO SCARED THAT HIS HAIR FELL OUT AND HE WAS
BEGINNING TO DIE. HE WENT TO THE PRIEST FOR ABSOLUTION
BUT THE PRIEST REFUSED TO ABSOLVE THE MAN, BUT INSTEAD
ADMONISHED HIM FOR KILLING THE SNAKE BECAUSE HE SAID
THE SNAKE WAS ACTUALLY THE SOUL OF A DEAD PERSON WHO
CAME BACK AS A SNAKE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN LEFT ALONE.
Submitter comment:
TABU AGAINST KILLING SNAKE WITH THE BODY OF A CHILD. PRIEST REFUSES
ABSOLUTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-18-1971
GHOST STORY
A STREET NEAR OUR HUSE, ROBERTJOHN, IS REPORTED TO HAVE
A THUMPING NOISE WHENEVER A CAR PASSES OVER A CERTAIN
PORTION OF IT. THIS IS SAID TO HAVE RESULTED FROM AN
ACCIDENT WHERE A PERSON WAS RUN OVER, AND THEN
STUFFED INTO THE TRUNK OF THE CAR (OUT OF FEAR, PROBABLY,
OF THE PERSON HITTING HIM); HOWEVER, HIS ARM DID NOT
MAKE IT INTO THE TRUNK AND AS THE CAR DROVE AWAY, THE
ARM KEPT HITTING THE STREET, CAUSING THE THUMP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: CA00001970
KNOCK, KNOCK ROAD
THERE IS A ROAD IN GROSSE POINTE WOODS, MICHIGAN THAT IS
CALLED "KNOCK-KNOCK ROAD" (ROBERT JOHN ROAD IS THE REAL
NAME). SUPPOSEDLY WHEN THE HOMES WERE JUST BEING BUILT,
OUT THERE, A GIRL WAS RUNNING ACROSS THE STREET AND A
TRUCK HIT HER. HER ARM WAS SEVERED OFF AND FLEW INTO
A NEARBY FIELD AND WHENEVER A CAR DRIVES BY THE SPIRIT
OF THE GIRL MAKES THE ARM KNOCK ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR.
Submitter comment: THE SEVERED ARM OF GHOST KNOCKS ON CARS.
Data entry tech comment: ON KNOCK, KNOCK ROAD-ROBERT JOHN ROAD-IN GROSSE POINTE WOODS,
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 05-00-1967
THE LEGEND OF THE HEADLESS MAN
IN MISHAWAKA, INDIANA, THERE ARE RAILROAD TRACKS RUNNING
THROUGH THE CITY UPON WHICH THE NEW YORK CENTRAL TRAINS
USUALLY TRAVEL. THEY USUALLY GO ABOUT 90 MPH SO WHEN A
TRAIN COMES, YOU'D BETTER STOP. THE FOLLOWING IS A LEGEND
WHICH IS TOLD ABOUT THESE TRACKS:
IN THE OLD DAYS, A RAILROAD WORKER IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN
INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON THESE TRACKS IN WHICH HE LOST
HIS HEAD AND IMMEDIATELY WAS KILLED. SINCE THEN, MANY
PEOPLE IN THE AREA SWEAR THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A HEADLESS
FIGURE ROAMING UP AND DOWN THE TRACKS. IT IS THOUGHT
TO BE THIS RAILROAD WORKER LOOKING FOR HIS HEAD.
Submitter comment:
HEADLESS GHOST OF DECAPITATED WORKER ROAMS RAILROAD TRACKS IN
MISHAWAKA, INDIANA, LOOKING FOR HIS HEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 03-04-1972
LEGEND
DOWN THE OLD MILL ROAD IN CEDAR SPRINGS {MICHIGAN}, EARLY
IN THE 1960S, THERE WAS AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT INVOLVING
A YOUNG COUPLE. THE MAN WAS KILLED INSTANTANIOUSLY, THE
YOUNG WOMAN, HOWEVER, HAD THE MISFORTUNE OF SURVIVING
THE IMMEDIATE ACCIDENT. BLEEDING AND HALF IN A STATE OF
SHOCK, SHE STARTED WANDERING DOWN THE DARK ROAD IN THE
DIRECTION OF HELP ONLY TO COLLAPSE AND ALSO DIE IN THE
ROAD. NOW SHE WANDERS THE ROAD IN THE FORM OF A SPIRIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CEDAR SPRINGS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 07-00-1969
GHOST STORY
TEXT KEYPUNCHED IN NOVEMBER, 1972--ALSO IN 5X8 FILE CABINET
WHEN I WAS IN LOUISIANA, A FRIEND OF MINE TOLD ME A STORY THAT HE
CLAIMS
HAPPENED TO HIM. THIS FRIEND OF MINE USED TO LIVE IN THE
PHILIPPINES.
WHILE HE WAS THERE HE HEARD STORIES ABOUT THIS STREET THAT WAS
DESERTED. ON THIS STREET THERE WAS AN OLD HOUSE. APPARENTLY, A GIRL
WAS ONCE RAPED AND KILLED THERE. ANYWAY, WHENEVER ANY CARS WENT DOWN
THIS STREET, YOU COULD ALWAYS SEE THE GHOST OF THE GIRL HITCHING A
RIDE.
SO, ONE NIGHT HE SAID THAT HE AND A FEW FRIENDS WERE OUT DRINKING
AND BEFORE THEY KNEW IT, THEY WERE ON THIS STREET. IN THE DISTANCE
HE SAID THEY COULD SEE THE GIRL'S GHOST STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE
STREET. ALL THEY COULD DO IS HOLD ON TO EACH OTHER AND STEP ON THE
GAS. HE SAID THAT THEY DROVE THROUGH IT AND AS IT PASSED THROUGH THE
CAR THEY COULD FEEL SOMETHING LIKE A BREEZE GO THROUGH THE CAR.
Where learned: LOUISIANA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-04-1972
DOG GHOST
THERE WAS A PATHWAY LEADING FROM INFORMANT'S MOTHER'S
HOUSE TO HER HOUSE (INFORMANT'S). SHE WAS ACCUSTOMED
TO GOING THROUGH THE PATHWAY AT ANY TIME DAY OR NIGHT.
ONE NIGHT SHE WAS RETURNING HOME WHEN SHE ENCOUNTERED
A HUGE SNOW WHITE DOG, ABOUT SIX FEET TALL ON ALL
FOUR LEGS, ACROSS THE PATHWAY. IT FRIGHTENED HER SO
BAD HER HAIR STOOD STRAIGHT UP ON HER HEAD. SHE RAN
HOME AFTER THE DOG DISAPPEARED. LATER SHE FELT THIS
WAS A WARNING NOT TO TRAVEL THE PATHWAY AT NIGHT, SO
SHE DIDN'T ANY MORE.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A TRUE TALE. TOLD BY MY MOTHER. IT
HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 1935 IN WINSTON SALEM, NORTH
CAROLINA.
WOMAN FRIGHTENED BY A LARGE WHITE DOG. HER HAIR STANDS ON END, AND
SHE INTERPRETS APPEARANCE OF DOG AS GHOSTLY WARNING TO AVOID
THAT PATH
INFORMANT SAYS THIS IS TRUE; IT HAPPENED TO HER MOTHER IN 1935 IN
WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA
Where learned: WINSTON SALEM ; NORTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: CA00001956 ; 00-00-1935
GHOST STORY
IN LINCOLN TOWNSHIP HALL OF HURON COUNTY {MICHIGAN}
IF YOU DRIVE BY AT NIGHT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SEE A
GHOST.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT DOESN'T BELIEVE IT BECAUSE EVERY TIME
HE GOES BY HE DOESN'T SEE ANY GHOST. BUT HE CLAIMS
THE SUPERSTITION STILL.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP HALL OF HURON COUNTY , MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARBOR BEACH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-04-1971
LAST RITES
INFORMANT SWEARS THIS IS TRUE. AT LAST RITES A VERY
GOOD FRIEND OF A PRIEST'S WAS TOLD BY HIM THAT IF SHE
GOT TO HEAVEN TO LET HIM KNOW. TWO WEEKS LATER
THERE WAS A KNOCK ON HIS OFFICE DOOR AND THIS LADY'S
SPIRIT INFORMED THE PRIEST SHE HAD GOTTEN TO HEAVEN.
Submitter comment: DEAD PERSON LETS LIVING KNOW OF ARRIVAL IN HEAVEN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-22-1971
A SPIRIT
THE INFORMANT CLAIMED TO HAVE SEEN AN APPARITION IN THE
ABANDONED HOUSE OF HIS NEIGHBOR, WHO HAD BEEN MURDERED
BY HER NEWPHEW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
GHOST STORY
MY AUNT SAID THAT ONE DAY HER AND HER FATHER WERE WALKING THROUGH
THE GRAVEYARD ON THEIR WAY TO THE THEATER DOWNTOWN. BEFORE THEY
CAME TO THE EDGE OF THE CORNER STONES. MY AUNT SAID SHE TOLD MY
GRANDFATHER THAT SHE DID NOT SEE A MAN STANDING BY THE STONE. HOW-
EVER, MY GRANDFATHER INSISTED THAT HE SAW THE MAN. HE TOLD MY AUNT
THAT WHEN HE STOOPED DOWN SHE WAS TO LOOK OVER HIS LEFT SHOULDER.
SHE DID AND SURE ENOUGH SHE DID SEE THE MAN. SHE SAID SECONDS LATER
THE FIGURE VANISHED RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR EYESIGHT.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
GHOST LEGEND
JUST ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF SOMERVILLE, NEW JERSEY LIES
THE ESTATE OF THE OIL HEIRESS DORIS DUKE. THE ESTATE
IS DIVIDED BY A SMALL WINDING PUBLIC ROAD, LINED WITH
HUGE TREES WHOSE TOPS COMPLETELY ENGULF THE ROAD.
THE ROAD ORIGINATES AT A SMALL CASTLE-LIKE STRUCTURE
AND A ONE-LANE BRIDGE OVER A NARROW CANAL. THE ROAD
PRESENTS A PERFECT STOP FOR YOUNG LOVERS. IT IS SAID
THAT WHEN A CAR STOPS TO PARK, THE GHOSTS OF THE DUKE
FAMILY WOULD SURROUND THE CAR. THE DRIVER, USUALLY
TERRIFIED, WOULD TRY TO GET OUT OF THERE AS FAST AS HE
COULD AND SUCCEED IN CRASHING UP THE CAR INTO ONE OF THE
TREES WHILE FAILING TO MAKE ONE OF THE ROAD'S MANY CURVES.
Submitter comment:
BOTH THE INFORMANT AND THE COLLECTOR HAVE ACTUALLY SEEN
THE MANY SCARS THAT EXIST ON THE TREES AROUND THE DURVES.
LOVERS PARKED ON LOVERS LANE ON DORIS DUKE ESTATE IN SOMERVILLE,
NEW JERSEY ARE FRIGHTENED BY DUKE FAMILY GHOSTS, DRIVE OFF AND CRASH
CARS INTO TREES WHICH STILL BEAR SCARS.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; SOMERVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
SCREAMING BRIDGE
THERE IS A RAILROAD TRESTLE CROSSING A CREEK ON THE EAST
SIDE OF TOWN. ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO, A GIRL IS SAID TO
HAVE BEEN RUN OVER BY A TRAIN WHILE WALKING ACROSS THIS
BRIDGE. SOME NIGHTS, USUALLY BETWEEN 11 P.M. AND 3 A.M.
THE SCREAMING OF THE GIRL CAN BE HEARD WHEN A TRAIN
CROSSES OVER THAT BRIDGE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAID SHE WAS THERE ONE NIGHT AND HEARD THE
SCREAMING. SHE SEEMED SCARED JUST TALKING ABOUT IT.
SCREAMING OF GIRL KILLED ON RAILROAD TRESTLE CAN BE HEARD WHEN TRAIN
CROSSES THAT BRIDGE.
Data entry tech comment: PRESUME THIS HAPPENED IN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.
Where learned: INDIANA ; INDIANAPOLIS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
A SPIRIT
WHEN I WAS LIVING IN CHICAGO DURING THE 1960S MY BROTHER
HAD PASSED AWAY MAYBE THREE OR FOUR MONTHS BEFORE. ONE
NIGHT I WOKE UP TO GO TO THE BATHROOM AS USUAL, AND WHEN
I LOOKED, MY BROTHER WAS STANDING AT THE FOOT OF MY BED
AND I THOUGHT MY EYES WERE PLAYING TRICKS ON ME, SO I
CLOSED THEM FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN I GOT UP AND WENT
TO THE BATHROOM AND BEFORE I REACHED THE LIGHT SWITCH MY
BROTHER WAS SITTING ON THE CLOTHES HAMPER. WHEN THE
LIGHT WENT ON HE WAS GONE.
Submitter comment: CHICAGO, 1960S
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-30-1971 ; 00001960S
THE HAUNTED ROOM
THE INFORMANT SAYS THAT THERE IS A ROOM IN HER HOUSE,
FURNISHED WITH VERY OLD FURNITURE, WHICH NO ONE USES.
SHE SAYS IT IS ALWAYS VERY CHILLY, EVEN IN THE SUMMER
AND "GIVES HER THE CREEPS." ONCE, SHE AND SOME FRIENDS
TRIED TO HOLD A SEANCE IN THE ROOM. ONE OF THE GIRLS
STARTED SCREAMING AND PULLING HER HAIR. THE INFORMANT
BELIEVES THE ROOM TO BE HAUNTED.
Submitter comment:
GIRL GOES INSANE WHEN SEANCE IS HELD IN CHILLY, HAUNTED ROOM WITH OLD
FURNITURE.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; RUSHFORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 07-00-1970
GHOST STORY
ON A STREET CALLED TANGLEWOOD ON BELLE ISLE IN DETROIT
{MICHIGAN}, TEENAGERS USUALLY WENT AT NIGHT TO HAVE
DRINKING PARTIES. THEY SAID THEY ALWAYS SAW A GHOST
DRIVING A WHITE OLDSMOBILE. ONE NIGHT A TEENAGE GIRL
WAS DRIVING ALONE--OUT TO MEET HER FRIENDS ON TANGLEWOOD.
AS SHE WAS DRIVING SHE SAW THIS OLDSMOBILE WITH A GHOST
WHITE DRIVER AND SHE GOT SO SCARED SHE CRASHED INTO A
TREE AND GOT KILLED. NOW THE KIDS SAW THIS AND THEY
SAY THAT IF YOU GO THERE AT NIGHT AND TURN YOUR HEAD-
LIGHTS ON INTO THE WOOD YOU CAN SEE THE YOUNG GIRL
WANDERING AROUND. THEY ALSO SAY THAT HER MOTHER WENT
CRAZY AND ALSO WANDERS AROUND IN THE WOODS AT NIGHT
DRESSED IN WHITE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): TANGLEWOOD, BELLE ISLE, DETROIT, OLDSMOBILE, HEADLIGHTS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 04-05-1972
SCARE STORY
I WAS IN BED ASLEEP WHEN I WAS AWAKENED BY HEAVY FOOT
STEPS. WHEN I LOOKED UP THERE WAS A MAN COMING TOWARD
ME DRESSED IN ALL BLACK. I WAS SO SCARED THAT I COULDN'T
MOVE TO TOUCH MY SISTER, SO I CLOSED MY EYES AND WHEN I
OPENED THEM HE HAD TURNED AND WAS WALKING AWAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-30-1971
GHOST STORY
ONE NIGHT ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AFTER MY GRANDFATHER HAD
DIED, MY GRANDMOTHER WAS ALONE AND ASLEEP AT HOME.
SHE WAS AWAKEN{ED} BY THE SLAMMING OF HER CAR DOOR.
AS SHE WAS GETTING UP TO SEE WHO IT WAS, HER BEDROOM
WINDOW OPENED AND A COLD WIND RUSHED IN ON HER.
THE CEDAR CHEST THAT IS IN THE CORNER OF HER ROOM BEGAN
TO RATTLE, AS IF A HUMAN BEING WAS DOING IT.
THIS CONTINUED FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES, THEN STOPPED.
THE WINDOW CLOSED BY ITSELF AND EVERYTHING WAS ALL
RIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NOISES IN THE NIGHT
ONE NIGHT A MAN WAS WALKING AND HE HEARD A NOISE,
SOUNDING LIKE AN ANIMAL OR A BIRD. THE MAN ANSWERED
THE NOISE BY IMITATING THE SOUND. BUT THEN THE SOUND
BEGAN TO FOLLOW THE MAN AND HE BECAME TERRIFIED. HE
PICKED UP A WOODEN CROSS (SEE ACCOMPANYING STORY AS TO
WHY THE CROSS WAS AROUND) AND PUT THE CROSS OVER HIS
SHOULDER AS A PROTECTION FROM THE SOUND. HE MADE HIS
WAY HOME SAFELY BUT STILL AFRAID.
Submitter comment:
WHAT THIS STORY IS SUPPOSED TO POINT OUT, IS THAT ONE
IS NOT SUPPOSED TO ANSWER BACK ANY NOISE OR SOUND IN
THE NIGHT BECAUSE THESE NOISES BELONG TO POOR SOULS
IN THE NIGHT.
TABU: SOUNDS IN THE NIGHT MUST NOT BE ANSWERED OR IMITATED BECAUSE
THEY COME FROM THE DEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; KALAMAZOO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-18-1971