Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, MR. HOOKRADLE OWNED THE CORNER HOUSE,
MUCH LIKE OUR LOT TODAY. (WE LIVE ON A CORNER PARCEL.)
HE (MR. HOOKRADLE) SAID, "IF YOU CUT MY CORNER I'LL
CUT YOUR EARS OFF." ALL THE LITTLE KIDS WERE AFRAID OF
HIM. HE WOULD SAY, "WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME DOWN TO MY
BASEMENT AND SEE MY EAR COLLECTION?" HE SAID HE HAD AN
EAR-ROOM FULL TO HIS CEILING. NO ONE EVER CUT ACROSS HIS
LAWN AGAIN.
Where learned: MOM
Keyword(s): KNIFE
James Callow Keyword(s): OTOMANIAC
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00001940S
I USED TO GO TO WORK DOWNTOWN AT RANDOLF AND BATES. EVERY
MORNING I WOULD GO DOWN TO THE DOUGHNUT SHOP. I SAW A HOBO
WALKING AROUND WITH BAGS OF PAPER AND JUNK EACH DAY. HE WAS
DRESSED IN LAYERS OF DIRTY OLD CLOTHING; HE WORE EVERYTHING HE
OWNED ALL AT ONCE. AT NIGHT, IN THE SUMMER, HE WOULD SLEEP
IN THE PARK; IN THE WINTER HE WOULD SLEEP IN THE TRAIN DEPOT.
WHILE I WENT TO THE COFFEE SHOP, I WOULD HAVE SOMETHING,AND THEN
BUY HIM A DANISH OR SOMETHING. THE MOUNTED POLICEMAN EVEN CAME
TO KNOW HIM, AND WATCHED OUT FOR HIM. THE POLICEMAN TOLD ME
ONE DAY THAT THE HOBO HURT HIMSELF AND THEY TOOK HIM TO
RECEIVING HOSPITAL. THE MEDICAL STAFF HAD TO CUT OPEN HIS LAYERS
OF CLOTHES. THE POLICEMAN SAID THEY FOUND $14,000 DOLLARS IN
CASH INSIDE HIS OLD CLOTHES. EVERYONE HAD THOUGHT HE WAS POOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
WHEN NARCE'S GRANDMA WAS YOUNG, THERE WERE NO BANKS.
THE ONLY BANKS WERE LIKE THE BANKS DURING COWBOY TIMES;
THERE WAS NO FICA INSURANCE IF MONEY WAS STOLEN. PEOPLE
WOULD BURY THEIR MONEY IN THE GROUND. PEOPLE BELIEVED THAT
IF A PERSON BURIED MONEY AND DIED WITHOUT DIGGING IT UP
THAT PERSON'S SPIRIT COMES BACK TO GUARD THE MONEY.
1. ONE NIGHT, THE TREE IN THE BACKYARD LIT UP LIKE
LIGHTENING. THERE WAS A KNOT IN THE TREE'S TRUNK AS IF
THERE WAS ONCE A HOLE THERE. ONE MORNING WHEN THE HOMEOWNERS
GOT UP, THE TREE WAS ALL BEATEN UP; THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE
TRUNK. A THIEF SMASHED INTO THE TREE AND STOLE MONEY THAT WAS
HIDDEN THERE.
2. AT THE HOUSE WHERE THERE WAS MONEY FROM THE PAST HIDDEN,
THE HOMEOWNERS WOULD HEAR PEOPLE IN THE KITCHEN. THEY WERE
TALKING, DOING DISHES, COOKING, AND SCRAPING THE TABLE CHAIRS
BACK. WHEN THE HOMEOWNERS GOT UP TO LOOK, THERE WAS NO ONE
THERE.
3. THIEVES MUST FIND MONEY ONLY UNDER THREE CONDITIONS:
IT HAS TO BE AT NIGHT, THERE CAN BE NO TALKING, AND THERE CAN
BE NO ENVY. IF ONE OF THESE CONDITIONS ARE BROKEN,
THE MONEY WILL TURN TO ASHES.
4. ONE NIGHT, A GROUP OF THIEVES WERE DIGGING UP SOMEONE'S
MONEY. THEY HEARD THE SHOVEL HIT SOMETHING HARD. SOMEONE
SAID, "THERE IT IS!" WHEN THE BOX WAS OPENED, THERE WAS
NO MONEY INSIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00-00-1910
I WAS WORKING AT WENDY'S OLD FASHIONED HAMBURGERS.
I WAS PLACED TO WORK ON THE CASH REGISTER. THE MANAGER
CLEARED THE CASH DRAWER FOR ME TO START WORKING. AFTER
A FEW CUSTOMERS, A LADY APPROACHED ME. SHE ASKED ME TO
GIVE HER A TWENTY DOLLAR BILL FOR HER TEN ONE DOLLAR BILLS
AND TWO FIVE DOLLAR BILLS. I AGREED, REACHED UNDER MY
CASH DRAWER AND HANDED HER A TWENTY. I STARTED TO PUT THE
MONEY SHE GAVE ME INTO THE DRAWER WHEN SHE SAID, "I'M
SORRY MISS, BUT YOU ONLY GAVE ME ONE DOLLAR." AS QUICKLY AS
I HAD HANDED HER THE TWENTY, SHE HAD SHOWED ME A ONE DOLLAR
BILL. I APOLOGIZED AND LOOKED UNDER THE DRAWER AGAIN. I DID
NOT HAVE A TWENTY UNDERNEATH. SHE THEN SAID, "I SHOULD HAVE
ASKED FOR THE MANAGER IN THE FIRST PLACE, YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING
RIGHT." I CALLED THE MANAGER OVER AND ASKED HIM TO COUNT THE
MONEY IN MY CASH DRAWER; MEANWHILE I HAD GIVEN HER HER MONEY
BACK AS SHE STARTED TO ACCUSE ME OF CHEATING HER. AS THE
MANAGER STARTED TO COUNT THE MONEY, SHE SAID, "I CAN'T
STAND HERE ALL DAY WAITING. I'M NOT GOING TO COME HERE AGAIN."
AS SHE LEFT, THE MANAGER TOLD ME SHE HAD TAKEN ME FOR NINETEEN
DOLLARS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 08-00-1985
THERE IS A GAME OR "SCAM", WHICH IS ILLEGAL,
THAT IS TRAVELING THROUGH THE METROPOLITAN
DETROIT AREA. IT IS SOMETIMES CALLED THE
"AIRPLANE PYRAMID SCAM". IT WORKS, AS FOLLOWS:
15 INVESTORS TRY TO FILL AN IMAGINARY AIRPLANE.
EACH INVESTOR PAYS $1,500 TO THE PILOT TO GET
A "SEAT" ON THE PLANE. ONCE A PLANE IS FULL, THE
PILOT CAN "FLY" WITH $12,000.
THE PLAYERS INCLUDE:
THE PILOT
2 CO-PILOTS
4 CREW MEMBERS
8 PASSENGERS.
STEP 1: THE PILOT, CO-PILOTS AND CREW MEMBERS
RECRUIT EIGHT PASSENGERS WHO PAY $1,500 FOR A
SEAT ON THE PLANE.
STEP 2: WHEN THE EIGHT SEATS ARE SOLD, THE
PILOT COLLECTS $1,500 FROM EACH PASSENGER
AND LEAVES WITH THE MONEY.
STEP 3: THE PLANE SPLITS IN TWO, AND THE
TWO CO-PILOTS OF THE ORIGINAL PLANE BECOME
THE PILOTS OF THE NEW PLANES. EACH PILOT
AND CREW RECRUITS EIGHT PASSENGERS FOR EACH OF
THE NEW PLANES.
Submitter comment: THIS IS AN ILLEGAL GAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime |
It's hard to sing with an empty glass.
Submitter comment:
My grandfather used to always say this when he needed another
drink.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): thirst
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001940S
IT IS SAID THAT A MURDERER LIVES ON BELLE ISLE. A FEW YEARS
AGO A COUPLE WAS PARKED ON THE ISLAND WHEN THEY HEARD A NOISE
FROM BEHIND THE CAR. THE BOY WENT OUT TO INVESTIGATE. WHEN
HE DID NOT RETURN, THE GIRL BECAME FRIGHTENED AND HID UNDER
THE CAR SEAT. THE NEXT MORNING, DPD FOUND THE CAR, BROUGHT
THE GIRL OUT, AND SAW THE BOY DEAD ON THE ROOF OF THE CAR.
HIS THROAT HAD BEEN SLIT. THIS IS WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER GO
TO BELLE ISLE LATE AT NIGHT ON A DATE.
Submitter comment:
DPD STANDS FOR THE DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT. BELLE ISLE
IS AN ISLAND PARK IN THE CITY OF DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 10-19-1988
A WOMAN WAS WALKING TO HER CAR IN THE MACOMB MALL PARKING
LOT. SHE CAME UPON AN ELDERLY, FEEBLE WOMAN WANDERING
THROUGH THE LOT. THE OLD WOMAN WAS DISORIENTED AND
CRYING, "I CAN'T FIND MY CAR. PLEASE HELP ME, WOULD YOU
DRIVE ME TO MY CAR." THE FIRST WOMAN AGREED. SHE LET THE
WOMAN IN HER CAR, BUT SHE CLAIMED TO HAVE FORGOTTEN A
PACKAGE IN THE MALL. SHE LEFT THE OLD WOMAN IN THE CAR AND
RETURNED TO THE MALL. THERE SHE FOUND A SECURITY GUARD.
THE SECURITY GUARD RETURNED TO THE CAR WITH HER TO DISCOVER
THAT THE FEEBLE OLD WOMAN WAS ACTUALLY A MAN WITH A CLEAVER
IN HIS COAT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 10-19-1988
Legend
My mother was told this story about one of her great uncles.
It takes place during the Great Depression. The man was
walking home with a rosary in his pocket when a mugger
challenged him. He put his hand in his pocket and aimed
the cross at the thief as if it were a gun. The thief
believed it was a gun and ran away. The success of the
ruse was attributed to intervention by the Blessed Virgin.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00001950CA
There was a woman whose husband played a practical joke on his
wife when she was pregnant. He surprised her coming out of a
closet with a toy monkey. When the wife had the child, the child
looked exactly like the monkey.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; Aberdeen
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Birth |
A boy raised his arm to hit his mother and God struck him dead
in his tracks. When he was to be buried, his parents were unable
to close the casket because his arm had remained above his head in
the position to strike his mother. The parents eventually had to
break the boy's arm to close the casket.
Submitter comment:
This was told to children to prevent them from ever raising an
arm to strike a parent.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Gods PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Gods BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1991
Why we say "His name is Mud"
The doctor who treated John Wilkes Booth was Dr. Mud. This is
where the saying "his name is Mud" originated. This saying is
widespread and frequently used. An ancestor of Dr. Mud is currently
trying to clear the family name.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND BLANC
James Callow Keyword(s): Lincoln assassination
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate SPEECH -- FamilyGroup |
Date learned: 01-00-1991
Experience
One day as my friends and I were walking home from school, some
of the older kids approached us and told us we shouldn't walk down
Wisconsin because the pig lady lived on that street and she would
chase you home if you walk past her house. They even went on to
say that she had a face that was half pig and half lady. They
scared me so badly, that from that day forward I either walked down
Ohio or Northlawn to get home, regardless of what exit I came out
of. I didn't realize until I became an adult that the pig lady
everyone was referring to was a lady named Shirley, who had been
badly burned on one side of her face and one time in her life she
led a productive life as an intelligent woman. But, because she
could no longer function in society as we know it to be, she lost
everything she had, including her mind. She wandered the streets
in the neighborhood and because of her appearance, she scared a lot
of people. Upon my realization, I felt sorry for Shirley, because
she and I had one-on-one contact, merely by standing in the same
line in the
grocery store and she always treated me nicely.
Submitter comment: Never judge a book by its cover.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
TALE OF PREMONITION
A YOUNG COUPLE WENT OUT PARKING BEHIND THIS OLD CHURCH, IN THE
COUNTRY. AFTER A WHILE, THE GIRL GOT SCARED AND INSISTED THEY
GO HOME. WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT THE GIRL'S HOME, THEY FOUND A
HAND-CUFF FASTENED TO THE DOOR KNOB OF THE FRONT DOOR. LATER
THAT NIGHT, THEY HEARD ON THE RADIO THAT A CONVICT HAD ESCAPED
WHEN BEING TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER JAIL AND WAS VERY DANGEROUS--
HOMOSEXUAL.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; Greenville
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 03-27-1969
NEGRO WITH BRICK
SOMETIMES A GIRL AT THE OXFORD HOUSE DORMITORY OF
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY WILL FIND HERSELF ALONE IN AN
ELEVATOR WITH A NEGRO MAN HOLDING A BRICK. AS SHE
STARTS TO STEP OUT, HE DROPS THE BRICK ON HER FOOT.
THIS MAN HAS REPORTEDLY ALSO APPEARED IN THE WOMEN'S
QUADRANGLE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 12-00-1969
LOCAL TALE OF PREMONITION
THERE WAS THIS COUPLE WHO WAS PARKING IN PERCY WARNER
PARK, AND AFTER A WHILE, THE GIRL GOT COLD CHILLS AND
REQUESTED THAT THEY LEAVE. THE BOY, THINKING THAT SHE
WAS MAKING EXCUSES, THOUGHT SHE WAS JUST BEING SILLY.
BUT SHE INSISTED THAT THEY LEAVE BECAUSE SHE HAD A
FEELING THAT SOMETHING WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. THE BOY
FINALLY CONSENTED AND THEY LEFT. WHEN THEY GOT HOME,
THERE WAS A HAND PRINT ON THE DOOR OF THE CAR, AND IT
WAS SMUDGED AS IF PERHAPS THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR AS
THE COUPLE STARTED TO LEAVE HAD SMUDGED IT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): HOOK
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
JESSE JAMES WAS HERE
JESSIE JAMES ROBBED THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK IN
HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA. THE BANK IS BUILT ON A CLIFF
OVER "THE BIG SPRING," AND IN MAKING HIS GET-AWAY
JAMES IS SAID TO HAVE JUMPED OFF THE CLIFF.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): ESCAPE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: 02-15-1969
HAUNTED HOUSE
UP IN THE COVE THERE WAS A HOUSE THAT EVERYBODY THOUGHT
WAS HAUNTED. EVEN THE REVENUE MEN THOUGHT IT WAS
HAUNTED. IT WAS OWNED BY A BOOTLEGGER NAMED LADD.
YOU COULD SEE HIM GO IN THE HOUSE BUT WHEN YOU WENT
IN TO ARREST HIM, YOU COULD SEARCH THE PLACE OVER AND
NOT BE ABLE TO FIND HIM. THE GOVERNMENT EVEN SENT MEN
THERE TO MEASURE THE HOUSE TO SEE IF IT HAD A SECRET
ROOM BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY. AFTER OLD MAN LADD
DIED HIS CHILDREN SHOWED HOW THERE WAS A PASSAGEWAY
THROUGH THE CHIMNEY DOWN INTO THE CELLAR THAT LED OUT
TO A BIG CAVE WHERE HE STORED HIS BOOZE. EVEN THEN
NOBODY WOULD BUY THE PLACE AND FOR ALL I KNOW THE
LADDS ARE STILL LIVING THERE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): LIQUOR MOONSHINE TREASURY DEPARTMENT T-MEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
GHOST STORY
THESE TWO GIRLS LIVED IN A ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT. ONE
NIGHT WHEN ONE OF THE GIRLS HAD GONE OUT, THE OTHER WENT
ON TO BED, BUT GOT UP LATER IN THE NIGHT TO GO TO THE
BATHROOM, SHE REACHED DOWN + THE DOG LICKED HER HAND. THE
NEXT MORNING WHEN SHE WENT TO THE BATHROOM SHE FOUND IN
HER HORROR, HER ROOMATE WITH HER THROAT SLIT AND THE DOG
DEAD TOO. ON THE MIRROR WAS WRITTEN IN BLOOD "KILLERS CAN
LICK HANDS, TOO."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CORNERSVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: UNKNOWN
NAIL A COMMIE FOR CHRIST.
Data entry tech comment: COMMIE MEANS COMMUNIST.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00-00-1972