Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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CHILDHOOD BELIEF
CHILDREN WHO LIVED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND PASADENA BETWEEN
SECOND AND THIRD STREETS IN DETROIT BELIEVED THAT A MAN WHO LIVED
IN ONE OF THE HOUSES HAD KILLED HIS WIFE, CAUSING THE HOUSE TO BE
HAUNTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-10-1967
LEGEND
LEGEND SAYS THAT THE KELLEY MANSION ON KELLY'S ISLAND IN OHIO
WAS THE LAST STATION IN THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD DURING THE
CIVIL WAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Permanent and Temporary Dwelling |
Date learned: 11-03-1967
KNOCK KNOCK STREET
LOCATED ON ROBERT JOHN STREET IN GROSSE POINTE. WHEN A CAR IS
DRIVEN OVER IT, A KNOCKING SOUND IS MADE. THE STORY BEHIND IT
IS THAT A BOY WAS TAKING HIS GIRLFRIEND ON ROBERT JOHN AND WHEN
HE DROPPED HER OFF, HER COAT GOT CAUGHT IN THE DOOR AND HE DROVE
OFF WITH HER HANGING FROM THE DOOR. SHE KNOCKED ON HIS DOOR TO
TELL HIM SHE WAS THERE, BUT WHEN HE FINALLY STOPPED, SHE WAS
DEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ORDINARY TALE
ONE EVENING TWO BOYS AND A GIRL WENT OUT TO A CEMETERY IN
ROCHESTER, MICHIGAN. THEY WENT TO INSPECT THE TOMBS. BUILT IN
THE SIDE OF A HILL WAS THE TOMB OF MARY DUNN; THE BOYS CONSPIRED
TO LOCK UP THE GIRL IN THIS TOMB OVERNIGHT. WHEN THEY CAME BACK
IN THE MORNING, THEY FOUND HER DEAD WITH A FRIGHTENED EXPRESSION
ON HER FACE. SINCE THEN IRON BARS HAVE BEEN PLACED ACROSS THE
ENTRANCE AND THE TOMB OF MARY DUNN HAS BECOME A HISTORICAL MARKER
OF LOVER'S LANE IN ROCHESTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Cemetery BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
BURIED ALIVE
THIS HAPPENED IN A CONCENTRATION CAMP NOT TOO LONG AGO. ALL THE
PRISONERS WHO WERE KILLED OR DIED WERE BURIED IN TWOS. A MAN
WAS GOING TO BE KILLED SO HE PRETENDED THAT HE WAS DEAD. HE HAD
MADE A DEAL WITH THE DOCTOR TO DIG HIM UP AFTER 15 MINUTES WHEN
EVERYONE HAD LEFT. THE DOCTOR GAVE HIM SOME MATCHES TO LIGHT SO
THAT HE WOULDN'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK. AFTER THE MAN WAS BURIED,
HE WAITED 5, THEN 10, THEN 15 MINUTES AND THE DOCTOR STILL HADN'T
COME TO DIG HIM UP. HE LIT HIS LAST MATCH AND TURNED TO THE BODY
NEXT TO HIM ONLY TO FIND THAT THE BODY NEXT TO HIM WAS THE DOCTOR.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS AT A PAJAMA PARTY FROM ONE OF HER FRIENDS
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BERKELEY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
BALL OF FIRE
A MAN WAS FOUND DEAD IN HIS BEDROOM WITH HIS THROAT CUT AND HIS
WRISTS CUT. NO ONE WOULD EVER SLEEP IN THE ROOM WHERE THE MAN
DIED BECAUSE A BALL OF FIRE APPEARED UNDER THE BED. IT WOULD
COME OUT FROM UNDER THE BED AND HIT THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE ROOM
AND THEN RETURN TO ITS RESTING PLACE.
THEY THOUGHT THAT THE MAN HAD BEEN MURDERED, BUT THEY WERE NEVER
ABLE TO FIND THE MURDERER.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS STORY FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS A
CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Air Weather Fire PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 08-11-1964
THE HAUNTED HOUSE
ON LAKESHORE DRIVE NEAR THE DODGE RESIDENCE, THERE IS AN OLD
RAMBLING HOUSE WHICH PEOPLE BELIEVE IS A HAUNTED HOUSE. IT IS
A LARGE BUILDING WITH MANY ROOMS, A BALCONY, KITCHENS AND ITS OWN
MONEY VAULT. SOME FRIENDS OF MINE VISITED THIS PLACE DURING THE
NIGHT AND AS THEY WERE LEAVING, THE BOY WHO WAS THE LAST TO LEAVE
BELIEVED HE HAD FELT TWO HANDS AT HIS NECK WHILE HE WAS EXITING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
THE HAUNTED STREET
IN DETROIT--STRASBURG. SHE HEARD THE STORY OF A LITTLE GIRL BEING
HIT BY A CAR AND KILLED WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 10-26-1969
THE CRYING JESUS
IN BAVARIA (BRAVARIA?) THERE IS A CHURCH NAMED ST. DENISE WHERE
IN THE 1400'S A GROUP OF VILLAGERS MADE A CROSS WITH CHRIST ON IT,
BUT THE CHRIST WAS SO UGLY AND WHEN USED THE PEOPLE WERE ALWAYS
HORRIFIED. SO IT WAS DECIDED TO GET A NEW ONE MADE--THE OLD CHRIST
WAS STORED IN A BARN AND FORGOTTEN. YEARS LATER A PEASANT WOMAN
FOUND IT AND BROUGHT IT HOME, WHERE TEARS STREAMED FROM THE EYES.
SHE TOOK IT TO THE PARISH PRIEST WHO CLAIMED A MIRACLE AND HE
BUILT A CHURCH IN THE CRYING JESUS'S IMAGE AND MEMORY. THE CROSS
IS STILL IN THE CENTER OF THE CHURCH.
PEOPLE TRULY BLIEVE IN THE MIRACLE.
Where learned: GERMANY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 10-02-1970
HAUNTED HOUSE
THE HOUSE AT 16511 MUIRLAND IN DETROIT IS SAID TO BE HAUNTED.
STRANGE NOISES HAVE BEEN HEARD AND IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT
POSTERS ON THE WALLS HAVE BEEN RIPPED IN HALF, SUPPOSEDLY BY
AN UNSEEN FORCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-00-1964
NOT GIVEN
IN BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, THERE WAS A PONTIAC, BUICK AND CADILLAC
DEALERSHIP, GUY F. JOHNSON. THIS AUTO COMPANY IN THE 1930'S GOT
HOLD OF A CAR SUPPOSEDLY OWNED BY A GANGSTER WHO WAS MURDERED
IN THIS CAR. THE CAR CHANGED HANDS MANY TIMES UNTIL A YOUNG
COUPLE, NEEDING A CAR, BOUGHT IT. THE PREVIOUS OWNERS NEVER
EXPLAINED WHY THEY HAD RETURNED THE AUTO. APPARENTLY, WHEN A
SINGLE PERSON WOULD DRIVE THE CAR, THERE WAS A DISTINCT ODOR OF
CIGAR SMOKE. A PAIR OF EYES WOULD APPEAR IN THE MIRROR. THE
COUPLE RETURNED THE CAR AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. NO ONE
KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-17-1972
KNOCK-KNOCK ROAD
THERE'S A CERTAIN ROAD AT BELLE ISLE CALLED KNOCK-KNOCK ROAD.
IT'S BEEN SAID THAT AN OLD WOMAN IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE LOST HER
DAUGHTER THERE. LATE AT NIGHT YOU CAN HEAR HER LOOKING FOR HER
DAUGHTER. AS CARS GO BY OVER A CERTAIN ROAD, YOU CAN HEAR HER
KNOCK ON THE WINDOW AS SHE LOOKS FOR HER DAUGHTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 03-31-1970
KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
ON A DARK, FOGGY NIGHT SOME YEARS AGO ON A STREET NEAR MY HOME
(I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME ANYMORE), A BOY WAS RUN OVER BY A CAR
AND KILLED. THE HIT AND RUN DRIVER WAS NEVER FOUND. FROM THAT
TIME ON, ANYTIME MY FRIENDS AND I WERE RIDING DOWN THE STREET,
STRANGE NOISES CAME FROM BENEATH THE CAR. WE BELIEVED THAT THIS
BOY WHO WAS KILLED WAS BOTHERING PEOPLE BECAUSE THE KILLER WAS
NEVER FOUND. THE NOISE WAS NOT THE FAULT OF A DEFECTIVE CAR,
SINCE THIS NOISE WOULD ONLY OCCUR ON THIS PARTICULAR STREET.
THE NICKNAME FOR THIS STREET WAS KNOCK-KNOCK STREET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-31-1970
SEVERAL YEARS AGO, A CABIN CRUISER WAS ANCHORED OUT ON LAKE
ST. CLAIR. A FAMILY (MOTHER, FATHER, AND LITTLE BOY) WERE
OUT ENJOYING AN AFTERNOON ON THE LAKE. SOMEHOW THE LITTLE
BOY FELL OVERBOARD AND HE COULDN'T SWIM. SO HIS MOTHER
JUMPED IN TO SAVE HIM, BUT SHE COULDN'T SWIM EITHER. THERE
WEREN'T ANY LIFE JACKETS ON BOARD. THE FATHER DOVE IN, AND
ALTHOUGH HE COULD SWIM, HE COULDN'T SAVE THEM AND THEY BOTH
DROWNED. THE BOAT WAS LATER FOUND WITH BLOOD AND {FINGER} NAIL
SCRATCHES ALONG THE SIDES. IT WAS SPECULATED THAT THE
FATHER OULDN'T GET BACK IN THE BOAT AFTER TRYING TO SAVE
HIS FAMILY; THERE WERE NO SWIMMING LADDERS, FOOTHOLDS AND
THE GUNWHALE WAS TOO HIGH TO REACH FROM THE WATER LEVEL. THE
STORY WAS PIECED TOGETHER FROM THE EVIDENCE OF THE BOAT AND
ITS CONDITION AND FROM INFORMATION OF FAMILY FRIENDS.
Submitter comment: TOLD AS A TRUE STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Water craft or boat propelled by human, wind, mechanical or other force |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
SOMEONE IN THE HAMBURG MESSERSCHMITT FACTORY HAD PUT A CURSE
ON THE ME-109S OF THE "RICHTHOFEN" WING OF LE HAVE {HARVE},
FRANCE, 1940. THESE PLANES TOOK OFF FOR ENGLAND AND NEVER
RETURNED. (KNOWN AS THE HEX SQUADRON IN THE LUFTWAFFE)--
UNTIL IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT FUMES FROM THE ENGINE HAD
LEAKED INTO THE COCKPIT--EARLY 1941.
Where learned: LUFTWAFFE ; SERIES NUMBER 25 ; ARCO AIRCAM
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
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
Entry filtered.
CHINESE FESTIVAL
CHENG YEUNG FESTIVAL IS THE "FESTIVAL OF ASCENDING HEIGHTS."
ON THE 9TH DAY OF THE 9TH MOON, LEGEND SAYS THAT THE WISE
CLIMB TO HIGH PLACES TO AVOID DISASTER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): Celebration ; Chinese ; FESTIVAL ; Heights ; Legend ; MOON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: BELIEF -- Human Being BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 02-24-1968
SUPERSTITION
AT NIGHT IN KILMARNOCK, VIRGINIA, A GHOST LIKE FIGURE IS SEEN TO BE
ROAMING THE BAY AREA. IT IS THOUGHT TO BE AN ALBINO DEER. SOME
PEOPLE BELIEVE IT TO BE RELATED TO THE OCEAN GHOST.
Where learned: VIRGINIA ; KILMARNOCK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Bird |
Date learned: 11-27-1972