Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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LIVING LEGEND
VINCE LOMBARDY IS REGARDED BY MANY FOOTBALL FANS AS A MIRACLE
MAN. NATURALLY, SINCE HE PERFORMS MIRACLES, IT IS LOGICAL THAT
HE WOULD BE LIKENED TO GOD. IT SEEMS THAT VINCE RETURNED HOME
ONE COLD NIGHT IN GREEN BAY. HIS WIFE HAD ALREADY RETIRED, SO HE
JUST CRAWLED INTO BED. HIS WIFE AWOKE AND EXCLAIMED "GOD ARE
YOUR FEET COLD." VINCE TURNED OVER AND SAID, "THAT'S ALL RIGHT,
HONEY. WE'RE HOME NOW. YOU CAN CALL ME VINCE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FOOTBALL JOKE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
WHEN I WAS A (AN) UNDERGRADUATE AT MOREHEAD (KY.) STATE TEACHERS'
COLLEGE, NOW MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY, IN 1939 AND 1940,
GOLDFISH SWALLOWING BECAME A FAD AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS
THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. REPORTEDLY A BOY AT MOREHEAD SWALLOWED
TWENTY-FOUR LIVE GOLDFISH. HE WAS TOPPED BY A BOY AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, WHICH WAS REFERRED TO LOCALLY AS THE
COUNTRY CLUB OF THE SOUTH, WHO SWALLOWED FORTY-TWO. I AM SURE
NEITHER OF THESE BOYS HELD THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. I DID
NOT WITNESS THE SWALLOWING, NOR DID ANYONE ELSE THAT I KNEW
TO BE TRUTHFUL. THE NEWSPAPERS REPORTED SWALLOWINGS THROUGH-
OUT THE COUNTRY. AS FAR AS I KNOW, NO GIRLS EVER COMPETED IN
THE GOLDFISH SWALLOWING CONTESTS.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fish PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- Custom |
DURING THE 1930'S THE FAD OF TREE SITTING SWEPT THE COUNTRY.
PRACTICALLY EVERY COMMUNITY HAD A TREE SITTER, AND THERE WAS
A CONTEST OF TRYING TO BREAK PREVIOUS RECORDS. IN ASHLAND,
KENTUCKY, WE HAD SEVERAL TREE SITTERS OVER A PERIOD OF TWO OR
THREE YEARS. THE ONE I REMEMBER MOST VIVIDLY ENDED IN TRAGEDY.
A BOY WHO HAD FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND A
JOB DUE TO THE DEPRESSION, BUILT A PLATFORM ABOUT THIRTY FEET
FROM THE GROUND IN A LARGE TREE. HE MADE SOME PROVISION FOR
SHELTER AND HAD DEVISED A PULLEY BY WHICH HIS FAMILY SENT HIS
FOOD AND OTHER NECESSITIES UP IN A BUCKET. THE TOWN PEOPLE
WOULD DRIVE BY AND TALK TO HIM OR WALK UP AND SPEND AN HOUR
OR SO IN THE AFTERNOON OR EARLY EVENING. HE HAD BEEN
UP THE TREE FOR ABOUT FORTY DAYS AND A STORM CAME UP ONE
NIGHT. EVIDENTLY THE STORM FRIGHTENED HIM DURING THE NIGHT
AND HE FELL FROM THE PLATFORM. HIS FAMILY FOUND HIS
CRUMPLED BODY ON THE GROUND THE NEXT MORNING.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; ASHLAND
Keyword(s): POLE SITTING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 00001930 CA.
A FRIEND'S EXPERIENCE (RELATED AS A TRUE STORY)
THERE WAS A FRIEND OF OURS, HE STUTTERED--REALLY STUTTERED.
HE SAID THAT THERE WAS A 'HAINT' SOMEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY.
ANYWAY, THERE WAS A CERTAIN PLACE THEY COULD GO, AN', UH,
THEY DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING, BUT THEY COULD JUST SENSE SOMETHIN',
AN' THE DOG WOULD EVEN GET SCARED, Y'KNOW. SO THIS PARTICULAR
TIME HE WENT OUT, AN', UH, HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS--HE
COULD HEAR IT, BUT HE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. AN', UH, THE DOG
STARTED TO THE HOUSE, AN' HIM RIGHT AFTER IT, Y'KNOW, THE
DOG WAS SO SCARED HE KNEW THERE HAD TO BE SOMETHIN', AN' HE SAID,
"THET DOG WAS GOIN' JUST AS FAST AS HE COULD, AN' ME RIGHT AFTER
HIM," HE SAID, "WHEN THET DOG HIT THE BOTTOM DOORSTEP I HIT
THE TOP ONE! EVERY TIME OL' BOUNCE'S FEET HIT THE GROUND THEY
WENT MUGWUMP!"
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): SPIRIT SPECTER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man SPEECH -- Phonology Phonetics |
Date learned: 07-06-1973
A DATA PROCESSING STUDENT TOOK A FRIEND TO THE COMPUTER CENTER
WITH HIM. THE FRIEND WAS QUITE INTERESTED IN THE MACHINE AND
ALL THE BUTTONS AND LIGHTS. HE SAW A LARGE RED KNOB AND ASKED,
"WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I PULL THIS?" AS HE PROCEEDED TO PULL IT.
THE RED KNOB WAS THE EMERGENCY SWITCH ON THE MACHINE, AND
HIS PULLING THE KNOB RESULTED IN THE DISCONNECTION OF MOST
OF THE INTERNAL WIRING OF THE COMPUTER.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; BOWLING GREEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 06-00-1973
A CERTAIN PROFESSOR AT VANDERBILT WAS HABITUALLY INTOXICATED.
ON MANY OCCASIIONS, AFTER THE STUDENTS HAD COME IN FOR CLASS
AND HAD BEEN WAITING FIVE OR TEN MINUTES, THIS PROFESSOR WOULD
RAISE HIMSELF UP FROM BEHIND THE DESK AND SAY: "CLASH DISH-
MISHED!"
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage |
Date learned: 02-06-1972
PEABODY MURDER TALE
A SHELL-SHOCK VICTIM FROM THE VA HOSPITAL HAPPENED TO WANDER UP
THE NORTH HALL'S ROOF ONE NIGHT. A GIRL THAT LIVED THERE WENT TO
THE ROOF AND HE KILLED HER.
Submitter comment:
EVERY TIME THAT I HAVE HEARD THIS STORY FROM PAT, SHE HAS CHANGED
IT AROUND A LITTLE, SO I'M SURE THAT THERE ARE OTHER VERSIONS
WITH JUST AS LITTLE AUTHENTICITY.
Where learned: PEABODY COLLEGE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
PLEASANT SUMMER?
THERE WAS A MAN WHO LIVED IN BOWLING GREEN WHO BOUGHT HIMSELF
A COFFIN AND SLEPT IN IT, SO IT WOULD NOT BE FAMILIAR TO HIM
WHEN HE DIED.
Where learned: Arkansas ; RUSSELLVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
GENERAL DE GAULLE WAS BUYING CEMETERY PLOTS.
THE GUY SAID IT COST $2,000. DE GAULLE SAID, "ISN'T
THAT QUITE A BIT--I ONLY PLAN ON STAYING THREE DAYS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FRENCH ; RESURRECTION IMMORTALITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
OLD POLISH STORY: TIRED TRAVELER
A CERTAIN TRAVELER HAD STOPPED AT MANY INNS TO FIND SHELTER FOR
THE NIGHT BUT HAD NO SUCCESS IN FINDING A ROOM. FINALLY, HE
AGREED TO AN INNKEEPER'S BARN. WHEN HE ENTERED, HE SAW THERE
WAS NO PLACE FOR HIM TO RECLINE. HE SAW ONLY SOME HOOKS WHERE
THE TOOLS WERE HUNG. HE PROMPTLY DISASSEMBLED HIMSELF AND PUT
AN ARM ON ONE HOOK, A LEG ON ANOTHER, AND SO ON.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 01-20-1968
HAUNTED HOUSE
ABOUT SIX BLOCKS AWAY FROM ME, ON RUTLAND TWO BLOCKS SOUTH OF
GRAND RIVER, IS A LARGE BROWN BRICK HOUSE THAT HAS BEEN UNOCCUPIED
FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS. OLD-TIME NEIGHBORS SAY THAT AROUND 1935,
A MAN KILLED HIS WIFE THERE BY HITTING HER OVER THE HEAD WITH A
POKER. SHE LAY THERE DEAD FOR DAYS UNTIL SOMEONE FOUND HER. NOW,
AS EVERYONE ON THE BLOCK WILL TESTIFY, ONE CAN SEE HER GHOST LATE
AT NIGHT, WALKING FROM ROOM TO ROOM IN THE HOUSE. SOMETIMES, EVEN
DURING THE DAY TIME, YOU WILL HEAR LOUD, PLAINTIVE SCREAMS AND
CRYING, AND MORE FREQUENTLY, SOUNDS OF A MAN AND WOMAN ARGUING.
I MYSELF, AFTER OBSERVATION, HAVE HEARD STRANGE NOISES AT AND
AROUND THAT HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1967
TALE
A BOY AND HIS SISTER ARE WALKING THROUGH A FOREST AND THEY CAME TO
A STREAM. THE BOY BENDS OVER TO TAKE A DRINK BUT THE GIRL TELLS
HIM NOT TO BECAUSE IT'S ENCHANTED. HE DIDN'T LISTEN TO HER AND HE
TURNED INTO A DEER. SHE TOOK A LITTLE BELL AND PUT IT AROUND HIS
NECK AND THEY WENT TO LIVE IN A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
FOR A LONG TIME EVERYBODY TRIES TO KILL THE DEER BECAUSE IT IS
SUCH A BEAUTY. ONE DAY THE OLD KING DIED AND HIS YOUNG SON BECAME
KING. HE DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO CAPTURE THE DEER AND HAVE HIM
FOR A BANQUET. SO HE SENT OUT SPIES TO FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS THAT
THE DEER ALWAYS DISAPPEARED TO. THE SPIES SAID THAT THE DEER
ALWAYS WENT INTO A COTTAGE BY THE EDGE OF THE FOREST.
ONE DAY THE GIRL HAD GONE OUT TO GET SOME FOOD. WHEN SHE CAME
BACK SHE SAW THAT THERE HAD BEEN A STRUGGLE IN THE COTTAGE AND THE
LITTLE BELL WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR. SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO
BUT A BIRD TOLD HER THAT THE DEER HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE CASTLE FOR
A BANQUET. SHE HURRIED TO THE KING, FORCED HER WAY PAST ALL THE
GUARDS, AND TOLD THE YOUNG KING THE WHOLE STORY. HE SAID, "HOW
CAN YOU PROVE IT?" SO SHE ASKED HIM TO TAKE HER TO THE DEER.
WHEN THE DEER SAW HER HE RUSHED RIGHT UP AND STARTED LICKING HER.
HE HAD BEEN MEAN TO EVERYONE ELSE SO THE KING KNEW SHE WAS TELLING
THE TRUTH. THE KING SENT OUT HIS SPIES TO CATCH THE OLD WITCH WHO
HAD ENCHANTED THE FOREST. THEY CAUGHT HER AND JUST BEFORE THEY
KILLED HER, HER IRON NOSE FELL OFF. AS SOON AS IT DID THE DEER
WAS CHANGED INTO A BOY AGAIN. THE KING DECIDED TO MARRY THE GIRL
AND THAT'S THE END OF THE STORY.
Submitter comment:
MISS DAMIN'S HUNGARIAN GRANDMOTHER TOLD HER THIS TALE WHEN SHE
WAS A YOUNG GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNGARY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
THE AXEMAN
A GROUP OF THE INFORMANT'S FRIENDS WHEN IN HIGH SCHOOL USED TO
PASS THE BLOOMFIELD ESTATES CEMETERY ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL EVERY
MORNING. EACH MORNING IN THE CEMETERY WAS A MAN WHO CARRIED AN
AXE STANDING AT HIS WIFE'S GRAVE. THE GROUP OF TEENAGERS CALLED
HIM "CHARLIE THE AXEMAN." THEY USED TO TEASE HIM EVERY MORNING
UNTIL ONE DAY ONE OF THE FELLOWS FOUND THIS AXE WEDGED THROUGH
THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THERE WAS NO FURTHER TEASING AFTER THAT.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM THIS GROUP OF FRIENDS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 03-31-1967
BEAR-MAN LEGEND
THIS STORY CONCERNS THE NAMING OF A NEARBY CHEBOYGAN LAKE WHICH
IS NOW KNOWN AS DEVEREAUX LAKE. THE NAME IS A FAMILY NAME
BELONGING TO MANY NATIVES OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN, ESPECIALLY IN THE
CHEBOYGAN VICINITY. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT CERTAIN WHICH FAMILY IS
THE GENUINE DESCENDANT OF "OLD MAN DEVEREAUX," NUMEROUS PERSONS
CLAIM HIM AS THEIR ANCESTOR.
THIS SOUGHT AFTER PERSONAGE LIVED APPROXIMATELY SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS
AGO. TOWARDS THE END OF AN APPARENTLY LONG LIFE, HE LIVED ALONE
AND HAD THE FUNNY HABIT OF CARRYING AROUND WITH HIM AN UNLOADED
MUSKET. ONE DAY WHILE HE WAS PICKING BERRIES NEAR A LAKE, HE WAS
CONFRONTED BY A LARGE BEAR. IT IS NOT QUITE CLEAR WHAT ENSUED
(VERSIONS VARY), BUT THERE DID TAKE PLACE A TREMENDOUS HAND-TO-
HAND STRUGGLE, LASTING FOR A LONG TIME (ALSO VARIES). EVENTUALLY,
BOTH WORN OUT AND DEATHLY EXHAUSTED, THE OLD MAN LAY DOWN NEAR
THE WATER WHILE THE BEAR RETREATED TO A NEARBY KNOLL. THERE, IN
THEIR RESPECTIVE PLACES, THEY WENT TO MEET THEIR MAKER. AND SO
THEY NAMED THE BODY OF WATER AFTER THE OLD GENTLEMAN, DEVEREAUX
LAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-22-1964
I REMEMBER THE ONE, THERE WAS A MAN WHO WENT TO COMMUNION AND
HE DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT IT WAS REALLY GOD. SO WHEN THE PRIEST
GAVE HIM THE HOST, HE HURRIED UP AND TOOK IT OUT OF HIS
MOUTH AND PUT IT IN A HANDKERCHIEF, WRAPPED IT UP AND PUT
IT IN HIS POCKET. AND WHEN HE GOT HOME, HE WENT IN HIS
ROOM AND CLOSED THE DOOR, TOOK A HAMMER AND A NAIL, AND HE
NAILED THE HOST TO THE WALL, AND IT BEGAN TO BLEED. HE
DROWN {DROWNED} IN THE BLOOD.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
GENERAL DE GAULLE WAS BUYING CEMETERY PLOTS.
THE GUY SAID IT COST $2,000. DE GAULLE SAID, "ISN'T
THAT QUITE A BIT--I ONLY PLAN ON STAYING THREE DAYS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): RESURRECTION IMMORTALITY FRENCH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
OLD POLISH STORY: TIRED TRAVELER
A CERTAIN TRAVELER HAD STOPPED AT MANY INNS TO FIND SHELTER FOR
THE NIGHT BUT HAD NO SUCCESS IN FINDING A ROOM. FINALLY, HE
AGREED TO AN INNKEEPER'S BARN. WHEN HE ENTERED, HE SAW THERE
WAS NO PLACE FOR HIM TO RECLINE. HE SAW ONLY SOME HOOKS WHERE
THE TOOLS WERE HUNG. HE PROMPTLY DISASSEMBLED HIMSELF AND PUT
AN ARM ON ONE HOOK, A LEG ON ANOTHER, AND SO ON.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 01-20-1968