Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF YOU WISH SOMETHING GOOD ON THE THIRD SNEEZE, THE WISH WILL
COME TRUE.
Where learned: WEST VIRGINIA ; MINDEN
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 00-00-1925
FOLK TALE
IT WAS TOLD TO THE ALTAR BOYS AT OUR LADY QUEEN OF APOSTLES
CATHOLIC CHURCH THAT IF THEY WORE THE CHASUBLE USED AT MASS THEY
WOULD NEVER BE ABLE TO GET IT OFF. THE NUNS TOLD THE STORY OF ONE
SUCH ALTAR BOY WHO TO THIS DAY WAS STILL WEARING THAT CHASUBLE AND
WAS LOCKED AWAY IN A HOSPITAL SO NOBODY COULD SEE HIM. SOME NUNS SAI
IT WAS A MORTAL SIN WHICH COULD NEVER BE FORGIVEN.
Submitter comment:
THE REASON THIS WAS SPREAD WAS BECAUSE THE CHASUBLES IN THOSE
DAYS WERE QUITE EXPENSIVE AND THE PRIESTS AND SISTERS DID NOT
WANT ALTAR BOYS PLAYING WITH THEM AS IF THEY WERE NOT SACRED AT ALL
AND TURNING THEM INTO COSTUMES LIKE THOSE USED ON HALLOWEEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
LEGEND
THERE IS A LEGEND THAT HIDDEN IN THE CATAFALQUE, WHICH IS A GOOD
LOOKING FAKE CASKET USED IN FUNERAL
MEMORIAL MASSES YEARS AGO, THERE WAS
A REAL DEAD PERSON WHO HAD NO PLACE TO BE BURIED BECAUSE HE AND HIS
FAMILY WERE TOO POOR TO BUY A COFFIN OR A BURIAL PLACE AND SO IT WAS
LEFT TO THE CHURCH TO KEEP HIS CASKET
AND HONOR HIM WITH MASS UPON MASS
UNTIL THE CASKET COULD BE GIVEN A DECENT BURIAL.
IT TURNS OUT THAT THE CASKET WAS NEVER GIVEN A DECENT BURIAL AND THA
IT WAS USED IN THE CHURCH FOR ALMOST
FORTY FIVE YEARS BEFORE
SOMEONE FINALLY STOLE IT.
Submitter comment:
THE CASKET, IN REAL LIFE WAS NOT REALLY STOLEN, BUT NO LONGER
USED BECAUSE THE SECOND VATICAN COUNCIL CHANGED THE LITURGY FOR THE
DEAD. NOR WAS THERE EVER A DEAD BODY IN IT. IN FACT, ONCE THE PRIES
OPENED IT UP SO WE COULD SEE AND IT WAS WITNESSED BY A GROUP OF US
TO BE COMPLETELY EMPTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HAMTRAMCK
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
THERE IS A BELIEF IN CANADA THAT IN A CERTAIN SHRINE OF ST. JOSEPH
CALLED "ST. JOSEPH DU MONT ROYALE", THERE
IS A HEART OF A PIOUS PRIEST
NAMED BROTHER ANDRE WHICH IS STILL BEATING IN A COVERED JAR SO AS NO
TO ALARM THE FAITHFUL PILGRIMS WHO FLOCK TO THE SHRINE FROM
ALL OVER THE WORLD. I, MYSELF, SAW THIS JAR WHICH WAS INDEED COVERE
AND THOUGH I DID NOT SEE THE HEART BEATING,
I ONCE AGAIN HEARD THE STORY
REPEATED BY THE PIOUS PEOPLE ON OUR PILGRIMAGE WHO SAID THAT THE POP
HIMSELF WITNESSED THE HEART BEATING
FOR LOVE OF CHRIST AND THAT OUR LOVE
FOR CHRIST OUGHT TO IMITATE THIS DIVINE LOVE
THAT JESUS SHOWED FOR US ON
THE ALTAR OF THE CROSS AND THAT BROTHER ANDRE HAS SO CAREFULLY TRIED
TO IMITATE WITH THE GREATEST DEGREE OF PERFECTION.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
CUSTOM
AT SUGDEN LAKE IN MICHIGAN, NOBODY TAKES THE FIRST SWIM OF
THE YEAR UNTIL ST. JOSEPH BLESSES THE WATER, OTHERWISE IT IS BELIEVE
YOU WILL HAVE GREAT FAILURE DURING THE SUMMER AND EITHER A MEMBER
OF YOUR FAMILY OR EVEN YOU YOURSELF COULD BE SERIOUSLY INJURED
IN THE WATER AND YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RECEIVE ANY SUITABLE
MEDICAL HELP IN TIME TO SAVE YOU FROM DEATH OR PARALYSIS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 19 Feast of St. Joseph BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
FOLK TALE
MY GREAT AUNT BELIEVED AND TOLD THE STORY THAT IF YOU DID NOT TAKE
PICTURES OF THE DEAD CORPSE OF YOUR RELATIVES THEY WOULD COME BACK T
HAUNT YOU.
Submitter comment:
SHE TOLD THIS BECAUSE NOBODY EVER WANTED TO TAKE THE PICTRUES OF HER
THREE DEAD SISTERS DURING THEIR FUNERALS.
Where learned: HAMTRAMCK
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
SUPERSTITION
IT WAS BELIEVED BY MY GREAT AUNT
THAT IF ONE DID NOT RECITE THE LITANY OF THE
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY ON ALL HER FEASTDAYS, ONE WOULD NEVER SEE HEAVEN
AND ONE WOULD HAVE DISEASES OF THE FEET FOR THE REST OF ONE,S LIFE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM WHILE IN CANADA ON TOUR OF MARIAN SHRINES.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1979
ORANGE GROVE
A BOY AND GIRL IN FLORIDA WENT OUT PARKING IN AN ORANGE GROVE.
WHEN THEY WERE READY TO LEAVE THE BOY FOUND THAT HE WAS OUT OF
GAS. HE WAS REALLY DISGUSTED WITH HIMSELF AS HE STOMPED AWAY,
WARNING THE GIRL TO LOCK THE DOORS AND WAIT FOR HIM IN THE CAR.
HOURS PASSED AND THE GIRL WAS GETTING VERY WORRIED. IT WAS COLD
AND SHE WAS VERY TIRED SO SHE FELL ASLEEP. A TAP AT THE WINDOW
WOKE HER. A POLICEMAN TOLD HER TO GET OUT AND GO TO THE PATROL
CAR AND HE'D TAKE HER HOME. AS HE HELPED HER TO THE CAR HE WARNED
HER NOT TO LOOK BACK AT THE OTHER CAR. AS HE CLOSED THE DOOR
SHE GLANCED BACK AT THE OTHER CAR. THERE WAS HER BOYFRIEND'S
HEAD, ON THE ROOF, STREAMING BLOOD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): Boyfriend ; DEATH ; Girlfriend ; MURDER ; PARKING ; Urban Legend ; VIOLENT
James Callow Keyword(s): DECAPITATION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
THE SHOPPER
WHEN I WAS WORKING AT THE J.L. HUDSON COMPANY AT NORTHLAND CENTER,
I NOTICED AN UNUSUAL WOMAN SHOPPER. SHE WAS A MIDDLE AGED WOMAN
WHO PUSHED A BABY BUGGY THROUGHOUT THE STORE. HOWEVER, THERE WAS
NO BABY INSIDE OF THE BUGGY. INSTEAD, IN THE BUGGY, WERE HER
MOST PRIZED POSSESSIONS. WHENEVER SHE WENT SHOPPING SHE LOADED
UP HER BUGGY AND TOOK OFF.
I INQUIRED ABOUT THIS STRANGE BEHAVIOR AND WAS TOLD BY THE WOMAN WHO
HAD BEEN WORKING AT HUDSON'S FOR MANY YEARS THAT THIS WOMAN WAS
ONCE ROBBED. AND, IN ORDER TO BE SURE THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN
AGAIN, SHE TOOK ALL HER VALUABLES WITH HER WHEREVER SHE WENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR
James Callow Keyword(s): DEPARTMENT STORE LEGEND
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
A STORY INVOLVING A MIRACLE
ONCE THERE WAS A WEALTHY MAN AND HIS WIFE. THEY WERE SO WELL
OFF THAT THEY WEREN'T CAREFUL ABOUT CRUMBS AND BREAD. BUT AFTER
EATING, THE WIFE WOULD GO AROUND AND GATHER UP ALL THE CRUMBS AND
FEED THE BIRDS OUTSIDE, BUT SHE HAD TO BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THE
HUSBAND DIDN'T LIKE IT.
ONCE HE CAUGHT HER WITH HER HANDS FULL OF CRUMBS AND ASKED TO SEE
WHAT WAS IN HER HANDS. SHE HID HER FISTS BEHIND HER BACK. (THE
INFORMANT MADE THAT SAME GESTURE.) BUT HE STILL ASKED TO SEE WHAT
SHE HAD. WHEN HE MADE HER OPEN HER HANDS THERE WAS NOTHING IN
THEM BUT A CRUCIFIX. THE BREAD HAD TURNED INTO CHRIST.
Submitter comment:
AS TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER MOTHER WHO TOLD IT AS TRUE.
TOLD AS WE WERE EATING DINNER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; DAUGHTERS HOME
James Callow Keyword(s): KINDNESS TO ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-26-1969
YELLOW MIKE
BACK IN 1940 THERE WAS A TRAIN WHICH WAS PASSING THROUGH HASTINGS,
MICHIGAN DURING THE NIGHT. A LARGE CRATE WHICH WAS ON THIS TRAIN
FELL OUT OF THE DOOR OF ONE OF THE BOX CARS. A MAN WHO WAS KNOWN AS
MIKE WENT TO SEE WHAT WAS IN THE BOX. AS HE LIT A MATCH AND LOOKED
INSIDE THE BOX, HE SAW A CREATURE WHICH LOOKED LIKE A MAN BUT IT WAS
TOTALLY COVERED WITH LONG YELLOW HAIR. BECAUSE OF THIS IT WAS NAMED
YELLOW MIKE. THE NEXT DAY YELLOW MIKE WAS PUT IN THE HASTINGS'
INSANE ASYLUM. TWO DAYS LATER THE ASYLUM CAUGHT FIRE. SOME OF THE
PATIENTS WERE SAVED AND MANY WERE BURNED TO DEATH. NOBODY SAW
YELLOW MIKE COME OUT, SO THEY FIGURED THAT HE HAD BEEN BURNED TO
DEATH. THE NEXT MORNING FARMERS IN THE AREA REPORTED FINDING
THEIR CATTLE AND OTHER LIVESTOCK LITERALLY TORN APART AND THAT
THERE WAS YELLOW HAIR LYING AROUND. ALSO A LADY SAID THAT HER SON
AND HIS GIRLFRIEND HAD NOT YET RETURNED FROM THEIR DATE. THE TWO
WERE LATER FOUND IN AN AREA BY GUN LAKE WHICH IS CALLED DEVILS' SOUP
BOWL.(IT IS A WELL VISITED SPOT BY PARKERS). THEIR BODIES WERE
TORN APART AS IF SOME ANIMAL HAS GOTTEN AHOLD OF THEM. THERE WAS
ONLY YELLOW HAIR LYING AROUND AND UNDER THE BOY'S FINGERNAILS
THERE WAS YELLOW HAIR. IMMEDIATELY TWENTY MEN WERE STATIONED AT
DEVILS' SOUP BOWL. EIGHTEEN MEN WERE STATIONED AT THE LOW GRADED
SIDE AND THE OTHER TWO AT THE STEEP GRADED SIDE BECAUSE THEY
FIGURED IF YELLOW MIKE WAS IN THERE HE WOULD COME OUT ON THE LOW
GRADED SIDE. THEIR ORDERS WERE TO SHOOT TO KILL AND NOT WOUND
HIM. IF HE WERE TO BE WOUNDED HE WOULD BECOME WORSE THAN HE ALREADY
WAS. ONE OF THE EIGHTEEN SAW YELLOW MIKE AND FIRED BUT HE ONLY
WOUNDED HIM. ONE OF THE TWO FROM THE OTHER SIDE RAN OVER TO SEE
WHAT WAS HAPPENING. WHEN HE DIDN'T RETURN THE OTHER GUY WENT OVER
TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. WHEN HE GOT THERE HE FOUND NINETEEN
MUTILATED BODIES. HIS FRIEND WAS JUST BARELY ALIVE AND THE LAST
THING HE SAID WAS THAT IT WAS YELLOW MIKE AND HE'S WOUNDED. ALL
NINETEEN WERE BURIED ON A HILL NEAR BY NOW CALLED GRAVES' HILL
AND THERE IS A BOULDER OVER EACH GRAVE. WELL THEY FIGURED YELLOW
MIKE WOULD DIE AS A WOUNDED SO THEY DIDN'T BOTHER TO TRACK HIM
DOWN. HASTING LATER ON STARTED GETTING REPORTS FROM JACKSON,
MICHIGAN AND EVEN FARTHER SOUTH OF ANIMALS BEING KILLED AND
FINDING YELLOW HAIR BY THEM. IT SEEMS EVEN UP TO THIS DAY THAT
YELLOW MIKE COMES NORTH FOR THE SUMMER AND GOES SOUTH DURING
MICHIGAN'S COLD SEASON. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS TRUE YOU
CAN GO TO HASTING'S CITY LIBRARY AND UNDER THE HISTORY OF THE
CITY OF HASTING YOU WILL FIND THIS TALE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): PLACE NAMES, MURDER ; VIOLENT DEATHS
James Callow Keyword(s): DEVIL'S SOUP BOWL, MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
THE CATFISH FISHERMAN
THE INFORMANT TOLD THE STORY OF A MAN WHO HAD LOST A HAND AND HAD
A HOOK IN ITS PLACE. HE USED TO FISH ON THE MISSISSIPPI FOR
CATFISH AND WHEN HE'D CATCH ONE, HE'D GET IT ALONGSIDE THE BOAT,
GAFF IT WITH HIS HOOK AND HAUL IT IN. WELL, ONE DAY HE GOT ONE
THAT WAS JUST A LITTLE TOO BIG. HE HAD IT ALONGSIDE THE BOAT;
BUT WHEN HE GAFFED IT TO HAUL IT IN, IT PULLED HIM UNDER AND
DROWNED HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MUNISING
Keyword(s): ACCIDENT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 08-00-1966
DESERTED CHILD
THERE WAS A PREGNANT WOMAN. WHEN THE BABY WAS BORN HER HUSBAND
DIED. SHE BLAMED THE BABY AND LOCKED HIM UP IN THE ATTIC. THE
CHILD WAS ALWAYS BY THE WINDOW AND USED TO WATCH THE FIRE-ENGINES
PASS BY. THE WOMAN NEVER OPENED THE DOOR TO THE ATTIC AND EVEN
FED HIM THROUGH THE DOOR. ONE DAY THE WOMAN HAD COMPANY AND
FORGOT TO LOCK THE DOOR. THE BOY WAS TWELVE YEARS OLD AT THIS
TIME AND HE ESCAPED FROM THE ATTIC AND HOPPED DOWN THE STREET
LIKE A KANGAROO AND SCREAMED WRRRRRRR... JUST LIKE A FIRE-ENGINE.
THIS IS TRUE.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM A GIRLFRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): STRANGE CHILDREN
James Callow Keyword(s): INTERNMENT CONFINEMENT ; ISOLATION ; SOLITUDE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 08-00-1964
HAUNTED HOUSE
THIS PARTICULAR HOUSE IS LOCATED ON EITHER ROCHELLE ST. OR ON
YOUNG ST. (INFORMANT NOT POSITIVE) IN DETROIT. THE PEOPLE WHO
OWNED IT NOTICED STRANGE HAPPENINGS GOING ON AND THE DOG WENT IN-
SANE. ONE NIGHT, WHEN CLEANING UP FROM SUPPER, THE CUPBOARDS
DOOR FLEW OPEN AND KNIVES, PANS, AND DISHES CAME FLYING OUT OF
THE CUPBOARDS. THE PEOPLE VACATED THE HOUSE AND HAVE NEVER
RETURNED TO IT. SEVERAL NIGHTS LATER, AFTER THIS INCIDENT,
"SOMETHING" LIKE A PERSON WAS SEEN WALKING AROUND INSIDE THE
HOUSE. THE DOOR WAS BOARDED UP SO THE NEIGHBORS CALLED THE
POLICE. POLICE CAME, BROKE THE DOOR IN, ENTERED THE HOUSE, SEARCHED
IT, AND ONE POLICEMAN CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE LOOKING PALE AND
SHAKING. NO MENTION WAS MADE OF WHAT HE SAW AND THE HOUSE HAS
NEVER BEEN OCCUPIED SINCE THEN AS FAR AS THE INFORMANT KNOWS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HAS SEEN THE HOUSE FOR HIMSELF AND HAS TALKED TO A
NEIGHBOR WHO TALKED TO THE POLICE WHEN THEY CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Angel PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
THE HUGE BLACK MAN
THERE IS A STORY AMONG TRUCK DRIVERS THAT TELL OF A TERRIBLE
ACCIDENT ON U.S. ROUTE 22-30 IN THE LAUREL MOUNTAINS OF PENNSYLVANIA
A GASOLINE TRUCK HAD COLLIDED WITH A STEEL CARRIER AND THE DRIVER
OF THE GASOLINE TRUCK WAS TRAPPED INSIDE A BURNING CAB. THE
COLLISION HAD SMASHED THE DOOR MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO
ESCAPE. QUITE A FEW PEOPLE GATHERED TO WATCH AND TRY TO HELP BUT
IT WAS DARK AND THE ONLY LIGHT WAS THAT FROM THE BURNING TRUCK.
JUST THEN A HUGE BLACK MAN CAME STRIDING OUT OF THE WOODS AND WALKED
UP TO THE BURNING TRUCK. HE GRABBED THE DOOR HANDLE AND TORE THE
WHOLE DOOR OFF OF THE TRUCK AND CARRIED THE DRIVER TO SAFETY. THEN
THE HUGE BLACK MAN DISAPPEARED INTO THE WOODS AND HAS NEVER BEEN
SEEN SINCE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): ACCIDENTS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
THE DOG
TWO WOMEN WERE COMING HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT, WHEN THEY HEARD ON
THE RADIO THAT A PSYCHOPATHIC MANIAC HAD ESCAPED FROM THE STATE
MENTAL HOSPITAL. ONE OF THE WOMEN, WHO LIVED WITH HER PARENTS,
ASKED THE OTHER, WHO LIVED ALONE WITH HER GERMAN SHEPARD DOG, IF
SHE WOULD LIKE TO STAY AT HER HOUSE FOR THE NIGHT. THE WOMAN
REFUSED SAYING THAT SHE WAS SAFE WITH HER DOG. WHEN SHE ARRIVED
HOME, SHE WAS GREETED BY HER DOG AND WENT TO BED. DURING THE
NIGHT SHE HEARD HER DOG YELP SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WHEN SHE PUT HER
HAND DOWN BY THE SIDE OF THE BED, WHICH IS WHERE HER DOG USUALLY
SLEPT, SHE FOUND THAT HER DOG WAS STILL THERE. SHE REASSURED HER-
SELF BY PETTING THE DOG SEVERAL TIMES. WHEN SHE WOKE UP THE
FOLLOWING MORNING, SHE NOTICED THAT HER DOG WAS MISSING. SHE
FINALLY WENT INTO THE BATHROOM TO WASH UP, AND THERE SHE DISCOVERED
HER DOG HANGING DEAD FROM THE SHOWER. THERE WAS A SCREAM. SHE HAD
REALIZED THAT SHE HAD BEEN PETTING THE MANIAC INSTEAD OF HER DOG ALL
NIGHT.
Submitter comment: . I HEARD THIS ON A HUNTING TRIP ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): VIOLENT DEATH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
PAJAMA PARTY STORY
ONCE THERE WERE TWO GIRLS WHO DECIDED TO SPEND A WEEKEND AT A
COTTAGE WHICH BELONGED TO THE PARENTS OF ONE OF THE GIRLS. THIS
COTTAGE WAS NEAR AN INSANE ASYLUM. THE FIRST NIGHT THEY WERE
THERE, ONE OF THE GIRLS WENT TO BED EARLY, BUT THE OTHER DECIDED
TO STAY UP AND SIT IN THE ROCKING CHAIR.
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, THE FIRST GIRL WOKE UP AND THOUGHT SHE
HEARD COUNTING: FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO, FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE.
SHE WAS TOO SLEEPY TO THINK MUCH OF IT, SO SHE FELL BACK TO SLEEP
AGAIN SHE WOKE TO HEAR: EIGHT HUNDRED NINETY-SIX, EIGHT HUNDRED
NINETY-SEVEN. BUT AGAIN SHE FELL ASLEEP.
IN THE MORNING SHE WOKE UP AND THE COUNTING WAS STILL GOING ON.
SHE GOT OUT OF BED AND WENT IN THE OTHER ROOM TO FIND A MAN SITTING
IN THE ROCKING CHAIR, WITH THE OTHER GIRL'S HEAD IN HIS LAP. HE WAS
PULLING OUT HER HAIR AND COUNTING EACH STRAND. WHEN HE SAW THE FIRS
GIRL HE STARTED CHASING HER, CALLING HOW MANY HAIRS DO YOU HAVE ON
YOUR HEAD?
HOW MANY HAIRS DO YOU HAVE ON YOUR HEAD?
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): MURDER, FEAR
James Callow Keyword(s): DECAPITATION ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
THE WEEPING WITCH
ABOUT 1950, THERE WAS A WOMAN WHO LIVED IN THE SIX MILE - JOHN R
AREA. SHE HAD LOST HER HUSBAND AND SONS IN WWII. SHE WOULD DRESS
COMPLETELY IN BLACK, HER FACE COVERED BY A HEAVY VEIL, AND KNEEL ON
HER FRONT PORCH, LEANING OVER THE RAILING, WAILING AND MOANING AND
WEEPING.
I DON'T KNOW WHEN SHE STARTED THIS, BUT ABOUT 1950 ALL THE TEEN-AGER
USED TO DRIVE SLOWLY DOWN HER BLOCK. THIS CAUSED SEVERAL MAJOR
JAMS. FINALLY THE POLICE HAD TO PROHIBIT OUTSIDE TRAFFIC UNTIL
THEY COULD PERSUADE HER TO DO HER MOURNING IN PRIVATE.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
PLAYS CARDS WITH DEVIL
ABOUT FIVE OR SIX GENERATIONS AGO IN IRELAND, A GREAT GRANDFATHER
OF THE ROBINSON CLAN, WAS MOST KNOWN FOR HIS LOVE OF GAMBLING
WITH CARDS. ONE DAY ON SOME BACK IRISH ROAD, OUR GREAT-GREAT
(SEVERAL MORE GREATS) GRANDFATHER MET A STRANGER SITTING ON THE
STILE. IMMEDIATELY GRANDFATHER INVITED THE STRANGER TO A GAME OF
CARDS. THE STRANGER ACCEPTED AND THE TWO BEGAN TO PLAY. THE
STRANGER REPEATEDLY WON HAND AFTER HAND UNTIL OUR ANCESTOR WAS
OUT OF MONEY. THE STRANGER SEEING THIS OFFERED TO MAKE ONE FINAL
WAGER; ALL THE MONEY AGAINST GRANDFATHER'S SOUL. THE WAGER SO
SHOOK HIM THAT HE DROPPED HIS CARDS TO THE GROUND. UPON BENDING TO
PICK THEM UP HE SAW THAT THE STRANGER HAD CLOVEN HOOVES. NOW, I'M
SURE YE ARE THE DEVIL, HE SAID, AND WITH THAT HE MADE A SOLEMN OATH
NEVER TO GAMBLE AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-05-1971
LEGEND
THERE IS A STORY THAT ON KELLY'S ISLAND IN OHIO WHEN IN THE EARLY
1800'S THE CEMETERY WAS FIRST BEGINNING TO BE FIXED, SOMEHOW ONE
OF THE MEN WORKING ON THIS AREA GOT INTO A FIGHT WITH HIS BOSS AND
IN HIS ANGER HE SAID THAT HE WAS GLAD HE WASN'T GOING TO BE BURIED
IN THAT PLACE.
A FEW MONTHS LATER THIS SAME MAN WAS WORKING ON A HOUSE THAT FELL
ON HIM. HE WAS THE FIRST TO BE BURIED AT THE CEMETERY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRAST ; FALSE ASSUMPTION. ASSUMPTION PROVES FALSE. ; IRONY ; PROPHECY REVERSED. WISH REVERSED. OPPOSITE COMES TRUE. ; TEMPTING FATE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-04-1967