Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B478 returned 313 results.
COLONEL TALBOT
A SETTLER NAMED COLONEL TALBOT CAME TO THE AREA KNOWN AS ST.
THOMAS, ONTARIO, CANADA. HE PLANTED A CROP BUT DUE TO DROUGHT,
THE HARVEST FAILED. HE WAS IN DEBT TO MANY PEOPLE "UP TO HIS
EYEBALLS." HE DECIDED TO STAY FOR A YEAR. HIS CROP WAS SUCCESS-
FUL. HE THEN STAYED YEAR AFTER YEAR. THE MAIN STREET IN ST.
THOMAS IS NAMED TALBOT STREET AFTER COLONEL TALBOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
EXPLANATION OF A NAME
CERTAIN INDIAN NAMES ARE INDICATIVE OF WHAT THE INDIANS DID FOR A
LIVING. FOR EXAMPLE, THE IROQUOIS WERE WARRIORS AND THE HURON
INDIANS WERE FISHERS. THE HELAWI TRIBE GOT ITS NAME BECAUSE WHEN-
EVER THEY WENT ON A HIKE ONE WOULD ALWAYS CLIMB A TREE AND YELL,
"WHERE THE HELL ARE WE?"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 09-14-1969
CAVES OF THE BLOODY CHIEFS
THE PICTURED ROCKS EXTEND EASTWARD ALONG THE LAKE SUPERIOR SHORE-
LINE FROM MUNISING. SOME OF THE VARIOUS FORMATIONS IN THE ROCKS
ARE NAMED. THE CAVES OF THE BLOODY CHIEFS ARE SO NAMED BECAUSE
INDIAN CHIEFS SUPPOSEDLY TORTURED THEIR VICTIMS THERE. THEY
WOULD BE BOUND AND LEFT FOR THE WAVES TO DASH THEM TO PIECES. THE
ROCK OF THE CAVES IS BRIGHTLY COLORED BY MINERAL SEEPAGE, MOSTLY
IRON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
CHICKEN BONE REEF
OLD TIMERS ABOUT THE GREAT LAKES ALL TALKED ABOUT "CHICKEN BONE
REEF," BUT NO ONE HAD EVER SEEN IT, AND NO CHART SHOWED IT; BUT
ANY SAILOR WOULD TELL YOU THAT IT WAS IN THE DETROIT RIVER JUST
OFF WOODWARD AVENUE. IT WAS HERE THAT THE GOVERNMENT REVENUE
CUTTER "FESSENDON" AND THE NAVY GUNBOAT "MICHIGAN" AND OTHERS
USED TO ANCHOR FOR LONG TIMES. ORDINARY MERCHANT SAILORS CLAIMED
THAT "CHICKEN BONE REEF" WAS BUILT UP FROM THE RIVER BOTTOM BY
ALL THE CHICKEN BONES THAT WERE THROWN OVERBOARD FROM THE TABLES
OF THE SHIPS ANCHORED THERE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SLEEPING BEAR POINT
A MOTHER BEAR AND TWO CUBS, SEEKING LUSCIOUS BERRIES ON THE
OPPOSITE SHORE, ATTEMPTED THE LONG SWIM ACROSS THE LAKE.
AS THE MAINLAND CAME INTO VIEW, THE CUBS BECAME EXHAUSTED. THEIR
MOTHER COULD NOT HELP THEM AND THEY SANK. UPON THE LEELANAU
SHORE CRAWLED THE MOTHER BEAR, THERE TO WAIT FOR THE CUBS TO
REAPPEAR. THEY DID NOT RETURN AS SUCH, BUT THE GREAT SPIRIT,
TO REWARD HER FOR HER VIGIL, CAUSED THE CUBS TO COME OUT OF THE
DEEP IN THE FORM OF TWO BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS, AFTERWARD NAMED SOUTH
AND NORTH MANITOU. ON THE MAINLAND, WHITE SANDS COVERED THE
MOTHER BEAR AND A GREAT DUNE GREW WHERE SHE HAD WAITED.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS AN INDIAN LEGEND THAT EXPLAINS HOW SLEEPING BEAR POINT
IN LEELANAU COUNTY, MICHIGAN CAME INTO EXISTENCE. THE POINT
WAS NAMED FOR THIS LEGEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIBRARY ; DETROIT ; DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CLOD HOPPER
A RURAL CITIZEN THAT SOMETIMES CONFUSES THE TITLE, TO HIS PLOW
SHOES: A CIVIL WAR VETERAN LIVED WITH US AND HIS SISTER (MY
GRANDMA) COMPLAINED SO MUCH ABOUT HS BURNING PAPER IN THEM
EVERY A.M. (TAINTED THE PANCAKES) THAT HE FINALLY DECIDED TO
SLEEP IN THEM. THAT LED TO THE COWBOY SLOGAN OF DYING WITH
YOUR BOOTS ON.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN
AN INDIAN CHIEF AND HIS WIFE HAD HAD MANY SONS AND WANTED A
DAUGHTER. AFTER THE BIRTH OF THE NINTH SON, THE SQUAW ANNOUNCED
TO THE CHIEF, "SHE'S A BOY AGAIN"--HENCE SHEBOYGAN BECAME THE
NAME OF THE AREA WHERE THEY LIVED.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 02-01-1971
WINDY CITY
CHICAGO IS CALLED THE "WINDY CITY" NOT BECAUSE OF THE WIND, BUT
BECAUSE (OF) THE BOASTFULNESS OF THE POLITICIANS WHEN CHICAGO
WAS COMPETING AGAINST BALTIMORE TO SEE WHICH WOULD BE THE SITE
OF THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NOT GIVEN
FOLLOWING THE DEFEAT OF THE GERMAN ARMIES, THE ALLIES AIRDROPPED
SOME FOOD PARCELS MARKED "GIFT" TO THE STARVING CIVILIANS. THE
PEOPLE DID NOT TOUCH IT, FOR "GIFT" IN GERMAN MEANS "POISON."
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS WHILE IN FRANCE, 1945.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation War |
NUTMEGGERS
AS YOU KNOW, IN COLONIAL TIMES SPICES WERE VERY EXPENSIVE.
THE YANKEE PEDDLER MERCHANTS CARRIED THESE SPICES. THEY
CARRIED THEM OVER THE COUNTRYSIDE IN SEARCH OF BUSINESS.
SOME DISHONEST MERCHANTS WOULD SUBSTITUTE WOODEN NUTMEGS
FOR THE REAL THING. AND SO THESE MERCHANTS CAME TO BE
CALLED NUTMEGGERS. AND TODAY A NUTMEGGER IS USED AS THE
NICKNAME FOR PEOPLE FROM CONNECTICUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Food Drink -- Flavoring |
Date learned: 10-15-1968
NAME--EXPLANATION
ON THE ISLAND OF SANTO DOMINGO THERE IS A CHAPEL CALLED CHRIST OF
HEALTH. THE STORY GOES THAT THE SPANISH USED THE SITE ON WHICH
THE CHAPEL NOW STANDS AS A RACE COURSE. NEAR BY IS A CLIFF. ONE
DAY DURING A RACE ONE OF THE PARTICIPANTS LOST CONTROL AND WAS
UNABLE TO PULL HIMSELF AND HIS HORSE OUT OF DANGER. THE ONLY
THING THAT SAVED HIS LIFE WAS SOMEONE'S PRAYER. IN HONOR OF THAT
EVENT, THE CHURCH WAS BUILT AND GIVEN THIS NAME.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY A GIRL FROM SANTO DOMINGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; ADRIAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 12-04-1967
THE FOUNDING OF KRAKOW
ONCE THERE WAS A SETTLEMENT OF PEOPLE ON THE VISTULA RIVER NEAR
THE FOOT OF THE KARPATH MOUNTAINS. HOWEVER, THERE ALSO LIVED A
DRAGON IN A CAVE (CALLED THE JASKINIA). EVERY DAY HE WOULD COME
TO THE SETTLEMENT AND SWALLOW SOME SHEEP, AND THEN GO TO THE
VISTULA TO WASH HIS MEAL DOWN AND BACK TO HIS JASKINIA TO SLEEP.
THE PEOPLE WERE ANGRY--ESPECIALLY THE SHEPHERDS AND NOBLEMEN.
THE SHEPHERDS AND THE PEOPLE OFFERED REWARDS OF ALL SORTS TO
ANYONE WHO COULD KILL THE DRAGON. MANY GLORY-SEEKING NOBLEMEN
TRIED, BUT WERE CRUSHED. THEN A SHOEMAKER NAMED KRAKUS STEPPED
FORWARD. HE KILLED A SHEEP, GUTTED IT, AND STUFFED IT WITH
SULPHUR. THE FOLLOWING DAY KRAKUS WATCHED THE DRAGON COME FROM
HIS JASKINIA AND IN HIS PATH KRAKUS PLACED THE SHEEP.
THE DRAGON SWALLOWED THE SHEEP WITH ONE GULP AND CONTINUED AFTER
MORE SHEEP. HOWEVER, THE DRAGON FELT A BURNING THIRST AND RUSHED
TO THE VISTULA RIVER. THERE THE DRAGON DRANK AND DRANK, NOT BEING
ABLE TO QUENCH HIS THIRST. HE CONTINUED DRINKING. FINALLY, THE
DRAGON BURST AND DIED.
KRAKUS WAS HAILED BY THE PEOPLE AND MADE THE CHIEF OF THE SETTLE-
MENT. THEY TOOK HIS NAME AND DUBBED THE SETTLEMENT KRAKOW, OR THE
PEOPLE OF KRAKOW.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT REMEMBERED BEING TOLD THIS STORY BY HIS FATHER AND FOUND
IT VERY INTERESTING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
SLEEPY HOLLOW
SLEEPY HOLLOW IS A MAKE-OUT AND DRINKING SPOT ABOUT 20 MILES
OUTSIDE LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY. MANY STORIES ARE TOLD ABOUT
THIS PLACE.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
SLEEPY HOLLOW STORY
ONE NIGHT A YOUNG COUPLE WENT TO SLEEPY HOLLOW TO MAKE OUT. WHEN
THEY WERE READY TO LEAVE, THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE BOY WENT TO
GET HELP AND THE GIRL LOCKED ALL THE DOORS, CURLED UP, AND FELL
FAST ASLEEP. SOMETIME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT SHE WOKE UP TO
A SCRATCHING SOUND ON THE ROOF, LIKE A TREE BRANCH BRUSHING ACROSS
THE ROOF IN THE WIND. THE NEXT MORNING THE COPS CAME AND WOKE HER
UP. WHEN SHE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, SHE SAW HER BOYFRIEND HANGING
ABOVE THE CAR, SHOES GONE AND HIS TOENAILS SCRAPING THE ROOF.
VARIATION: THE SOUND WAS A THUMPING AND THE BOY'S HEELS WERE
BUMPING ON THE ROOF.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
Date learned: 10-00-1968
ORIGIN OF OLD EXPRESSION
THE INFORMANT STATED THAT HE HEARD IT ON THE RADIO THAT THERE WERE
TWO CHURCHES IN LONDON, ST. PETER'S AND ST. PAUL'S. ST. PETER'S
WAS WEALTHY AND ST. PAUL'S WAS POOR. THE LAND AROUND ST. PETER'S
WAS SOLD AND THE MONEY GIVEN TO ST. PAUL'S. HENCE THE EXPRESSION,
"ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-15-1967
PETOSKEY STONE
THESE STONES ARE A FOSSILIZED CORAL (HEXAGONARIA) WHICH CONSIST
OF A CYLINDRICAL GEOMETRIC LATTICE OF SIX-SIDED CORAL STEMS ABOUT
A QUARTER INCH ACROSS WITH A SMALL CIRCLE INSIDE EACH ONE. THE
FOSSILS ARE A HARD ROCK WHICH TAKES AN EXCELLENT POLISH AND IS
COMMONLY USED IN SOUVENIR JEWELRY, ETC. UNOFFICIALLY MICHIGAN'S
STATE STONE, IT CAN BE FOUND IN GRAVEL PITS AND SHORES FROM
HIGGINS LAKE TO THE LOWER U.P. (UPPER PENINSULA). NAMED FOR
PETOSKEY, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-30-1968
HOW TWO MEDICINE LAKE GOT ITS NAME
WHEN THE GOVERNMENT SET ASIDE A TRACT OF LAND IN NORTHERN MONTANA
FOR A NATIONAL PARK, ONE OF THE TASKS WAS TO GIVE NAMES TO MANY
OF THE NATURAL FEATURES--STREAMS, MOUNTAINS, ETC. ON THE SHORES
OF TWO MEDICINE LAKE THERE WERE FOUND THE REMAINS OF TWO OLD
MEDICINE LODGES, USED AT ONE TIME TO HOUSE THE INITIATION CEREMONY
MAKING YOUNG BLACKFOOT INDIAN BOYS OFFICIALLY MEN OF THE TRIBE.
THE LAKE WAS FIRST CALLED THE LAKE OF THE TWO MEDICINE LODGES,
OR A SIMILAR TITLE. BY CONSTANT USE, THE NAME WAS SHORTENED,
UNTIL TODAY IT BEARS THE NAME TWO MEDICINE LAKE.
Submitter comment:
AS WAS TOLD TO ME BY A FOREST RANGER AT GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
IN AUGUST, 1969.
Where learned: GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Maturity |
NAMES
AYERS, MORISON: THIS IS A SCOTTISH NAME. THE FIRST WAS A LAST
NAME OF A CLAN WHO MERGED WITH THE MORISON CLAN. THIS WAS PASSED
DOWN THROUGHOUT THE FAMILY FOR MORE THAN 8 GENERATIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
LACKAWANNA
DID YOU EVER HEAR OF LACKAWANNA, NEW YORK? WELL, I USED TO LIVE
THERE A COUPLE (OF) YEARS AGO. THE STORY AROUND THERE CONCERNING
HOW THE CITY GOT ITS NAME GOES LIKE THIS: THERE WAS THIS INDIAN
TRIBE IN NEW YORK (THE ONEIDAS, I THINK) WHO INHABITED THE
BUFFALO AREA. ONE OF THE INDIANS GOT UP ON THIS BIG OLD HILL
AND SURVEYED THE AREA. ALL THE INDIAN COULD SEE WAS WATER, SO
HE SAID, "LACKAWANNA," WHICH WAS THAT TRIBE'S WAY OF SAYING, "AS
I STAND HIGH ON THIS HILL, AND I LOOK AROUND, ALL I CAN SEE IS
WATER." AND SO THAT IS HOW LACKAWANNA, NEW YORK, GOT ITS NAME.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, A RESIDENT OF THE BUFFALO AREA, SAID THAT THIS IS
WHAT THE PEOPLE TOLD HIM WHEN HE MOVED THERE.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): TALL TALE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
LAKE ERIE
REMEMBER YESTERDAY HOW I TOLD YOU HOW LACKAWANNA GOT ITS NAME
FROM AN INDIAN STANDING ON A HILL. WELL, THE NEXT DAY, THAT
INDIAN BROUGHT THE CHIEF UP TO THE SAME HILL. WHEN THE CHIEF
GOT UP THERE HE SAID, "YOU WERE RIGHT, ALL YOU CAN SEE FROM UP
HERE IS WATER. BOY, IS THIS EVER EERIE!" SO THAT'S HOW THAT
PARTICULAR BODY OF WATER GOT ITS NAME--LAKE ERIE.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID HE ALSO HEARD THIS IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): TALL TALE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |