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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for M247.6 returned 95 results.
CAR FOR SALE
A THUNDERBIRD WAS ON SALE FOR $500--IT WAS AFTER THE FOUR-PASSEN-
GERS CAME OUT, SO AFTER 1958. A WOMAN HAD GONE TO CALIFORNIA AND
HER HUSBAND CAME HOME AFTER DRIVING HER TO THE AIRPORT. HE
ENTERED THE GARAGE WHICH OPENED WITH REMOTE CONTROL. HE DIED OF
A HEART ATTACK AND WAS LEFT IN THERE FOR EITHER THREE DAYS OR
WEEKS--I CAN'T REMEMBER. WHEN HIS WIFE CAME BACK SHE WAS IN THE
HOSPITAL BEING TREATED FOR SHOCK, I GUESS. ONE OF HER NURSES (WHO
IS THE DAUGHTER OF ONE OF MY DAD'S EMPLOYEES) WAS TOLD ABOUT THE
CAR. YOU REALLY COULDN'T SMELL IT UNLESS YOU WERE TOLD ABOUT IT;
BUT THEY STILL HAD TROUBLE SELLING IT. THE NURSE COULDN'T BUY IT
BECAUSE SHE WAS BLIND AND HAS SUGAR DIABETES. THIS HAPPENED TWO
OR THREE YEARS AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
CAR FOR SALE
A PERSON BOUGHT THAT CAR AND EVERY TIME HE CLOSED THE WINDOWS
THE STENCH INSIDE THE CAR WOULD BE SO STRONG YOU COULDN'T GET IN
THE CAR--LIKE ON A WARM DAY. THIS STILL HAPPENED YEARS AFTERWARDS.
Submitter comment:
I, THE COLLECTOR, TOLD THEM ABOUT THE CAR WHICH THE OWNER COULD NOT
SELL BECAUSE A PERSON WHO HAD DIED IN IT WAS LEFT IN IT FOR SOME
TIME AND THE ODOR REMAINED. IT PROMPTED THE FOLLOWING:
HEARD THIS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
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
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
THE LEGEND OF STRASBURG STREET OR "KNOCK-KNOCK" STREET
SOMEONE ONCE TOLD ME A STORY ABOUT AN INCIDENT WHICH SUPPOSEDLY
OCCURRED ON STRASBURG STREET IN DETROIT. THERE WAS A TERRIBLE
ACCIDENT ON THIS STREET ONE NIGHT IN WHICH A LITTLE THREE-YEAR-
OLD GIRL WAS KILLED AND HER BODY BADLY DISMEMBERED. THE POLICE
SEARCHED THE AREA FOR HER REMAINS BUT FAILED TO LOCATE ONE OF
HER ARMS. NOW THE STORY HAS IT THAT WHEN YOU DRIVE DOWN STRASBURG
STREET AT NIGHT, IF YOU ARE VERY QUIET, YOU CAN HEAR A KNOCKING ON
THE SIDE OF YOUR CAR. FOR THIS REASON STRASBURG STREET IS KNOWN
AS KNOCK-KNOCK STREET.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WALSH COLLEGE
Date learned: 03-31-1970
TALE
A MAN HAD JUST PURCHASED A NEW CAR. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR TWO
WEEKS, HE DISCOVERED AN AWFUL RATTLE IN THE DOOR. TAKING IT TO
A GARAGE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, HE DISCOVERED AN EMPTY
COKE BOTTLE WAS LODGED IN THE DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): COKE=COCA COLA: BRAND NAME FOR SOFT DRINK. AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
THE ELMORE GHOST
NOT TOO LONG AGO IN ELMORE, OHIO, A GROUP OF DRUNK TEENAGERS
RAN INTO AND KILLED A POLICEMAN ON A MOTORCYCLE. THIS WAS
WITNESSED BY A PERSON LIVING IN A HOUSE NOT FAR AWAY. THE
PERSON DIED OF SHOCK. IF YOU GO THERE YOU CAN SEE CAR LIGHTS
COMING AT YOU, FEEL THE BUMP-BUMP OF A MOTORCYCLE ON YOUR CAR
HOOD AND SEE A LIGHT MOVE FROM WINDOW TO WINDOW OF THE NOW-
DESERTED HOUSE.
Date learned: 00-00-1968
NOT GIVEN
MY BROTHER ONCE TOLD ME THAT A YOUNG COUPLE WAS PARKED ON AN OPEN
FIELD NEAR JACKSON, MICHIGAN. THEY HEARD OVER THE RADIO THAT A
CONVICT HAD ESCAPED FROM THE STATE PRISON AND THAT HE COULD BE
IDENTIFIED BY A HOOK IN PLACE OF AN ARM. AT THAT POINT THE COUPLE
LEFT AND WHEN THE YOUNG MAN GOT OUT OF HIS CAR TO TAKE HIS DATE
TO HER DOOR, HE FOUND A HOOK ATTACHED TO HIS CAR-DOORKNOB.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
KNOCK, KNOCK STREET
I CAN REMEMBER HEARING THIS TALE ABOUT FIFTEEN YEARS AGO.
APPARENTLY A YOUNG GIRL RETURNING HOME FROM HOLY COMMUNION
WAS STRUCK DOWN BY A HIT-AND-RUN MOTORIST. THE GIRL WAS
KILLED INSTANTLY; HER HAND, HOWEVER, WAS SEVERED FROM HER
BODY AND NEVER FOUND. LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE STREET FROM
THAT MOMENT ON HAS MADE A KNOCKING SOUND (SUPPOSEDLY THE
SEVERED HAND KNOCKING ON THE STREET).
Submitter comment:
I CAN VAGUELY REMEMBER TAKING A RIDE TO THE SCENE AND ACTUALLY
HEARING SOMETHING. I BELIEVE THE NAME OF THE STREET WAS
STRASSBURG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ONE-ARMED HOOK MAN
THERE WAS THIS GUY AND GIRL OUT PARKED ON LOVERS' LANE. THEY
HAPPENED TO HEAR A REPORT ON THE RADIO ABOUT A ONE-ARMED MAN
(HE HAD A HOOK FOR HIS OTHER HAND) WHO HAD ATTACKED AND KILLED A
FEW GIRLS LATELY. THE GUY OF COURSE DIDN'T TAKE THIS ACCOUNT TOO
SERIOUSLY AND HE DECIDED HE WAS GOING TO SCARE THE GIRL. SO HE
STARTED TELLING HER ALL SORTS OF GORY STORIES ABOUT THE HOOK MAN.
THE GIRL STARTED TO REALLY GET SCARED, AND THEN SHE THOUGHT SHE
HEARD SOMETHING OUT IN THE FIELD. WELL, SHE WAS ABOUT READY TO
GO INTO HYSTERICS, SO FINALLY THE GUY THOUGHT IT WAS TIME TO GO.
WHEN HE GOT TO HER HOUSE AND WENT TO LET HER OUT OF THE CAR, HE
JUST ABOUT FAINTED. FOR THERE ON THE DOOR HANDLE WAS HANGING A
LONG SILVER HOOK WITH BLOOD DRIPPING FROM THE BUTT OF IT.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A STORY WHICH USED TO BE PASSED AROUND THE HIGH SCHOOL
CROWD IN LANSING. IT IS TOLD AS IF IT HAD ACTUALLY HAPPENED, AND
IT IS EVEN LOCALIZED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HAUNTED STREET
ON TUMBLEWOOD ROAD IN DETROIT, IF YOU DRIVE DOWN IT, YOU WILL
HEAR SOMEONE KNOCKING ON YOUR CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
Date learned: 01-00-1968
FORD'S CURVE; DEAD MAN'S CURVE
ON LAKESHORE ROAD, BETWEEN 8 AND 9 MILE ROADS IN GROSSE POINTE
SHORES, MICHIGAN, THERE IS A CURVE IN THE ROAD KNOWN AS "FORD'S
CURVE." THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTED MANY ACCIDENTS FROM KIDS
DRAG RACING ON THIS STREET. BRIAN, AT 19, RECEIVED A 1966
CORVETTE STING RAY FOR HIS BIRTHDAY. ONE DAY, DRIVING DOWN
LAKESHORE, ANOTHER CORVETTE APPROACHED HIM; THEY DECIDED TO
"DRAG." THE BOY IN THE OTHER CAR DIDN'T MAKE IT AFTER REACHING
THE CURVE--HE DIED 3 HOURS LATER. BRIAN ALSO ENDED UP IN
CRITICAL CONDITION FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. AFTER THIS FATAL ACCIDENT
THE CURVE WAS NAMED "DEAD MAN'S CURVE."
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
THE STREET O'CONNER, WHICH IS LOCATED IN ST. CLAIR SHORES,
MICHIGAN, IS SAID TO BE HAUNTED BY THE GHOST OF AN 8-YEAR-OLD
GIRL WHO WAS DRAGGED TO HER DEATH ON THE BUMPER OF A CAR.
THE DRIVER OF THE CAR HEARD A KNOCKING ON THE BACK OF THE
VEHICLE BUT WAS UNAWARE AT THE TIME WHAT IT WAS. THE GIRL'S
MOTHER CURSED THE STREET SO THAT EVERY TIME A CAR WENT PAST
THE STREET, THE PASSENGERS WOULD HEAR THE KNOCKING.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 00-00-1964
SPOOK HILL
IN MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, THERE IS A HILL KNOWN AS SPOOK HILL WHICH
IS SAID TO BE HAUNTED. AT THIS HILL, A CAR WHICH AT THE FOOT OF
THE HILL IS AT A COMPLETE STOP, BEGINS TO ROLL BACKWARDS UP THE
HILL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 03-03-1970
THE HOOK
A COUPLE WAS PARKING ONE NIGHT IN A FOREST PRESERVE. THEY LOOKED
UP AND SAW A MAN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE BOY STARTED THE
MOTOR AND THEY TORE OUT OF THERE. ON THE WAY HOME THEY HEARD ON
THE RADIO THAT A MAN WITH A HOOK INSTEAD OF A HAND HAD ESCAPED
FROM PRISON. WHEN THE COUPLE ARRIVED HOME, THEY FOUND A HOOK
HANGING ON THE CAR DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 01-19-1968
ROAD THAT SHAKES
THERE IS A ROAD IN DETROIT THAT SHAKES WHEN IT WILL RAIN.
Submitter comment:
I ASKED THE INFORMANT WHERE THIS ROAD WAS AND HE SAID THAT HE
COULD NOT REMEMBER, BUT HE HAD BEEN THERE ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO.
HE EXPLAINED THAT HE DIDN'T THINK THAT THE ROAD SHOOK BECAUSE
IT WAS GOING TO RAIN, BUT BECAUSE CARS CAUSED IT TO VIBRATE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 05-12-1965
THE HITCH-HIKER GIRL
ONE NIGHT IT WAS RAINING VERY HARD. TWO PEOPLE WERE DRIVING DOWN
THE ROAD TOWARD WALLACEBURG. BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THEY SAW A
GIRL DRESSED IN A FORMAL, WAITING FOR A RIDE. THEY STOPPED THE
CAR AND ASKED HER IF THEY COULD GIVE HER A LIFT. SHE GOT IN AND
THEY NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NOT A DROP OF WATER ON HER. ON THE
WAY TO WALLACEBURG, ONE OF THE PEOPLE TURNED AROUND TO TALK TO
HER AND SHE WAS GONE.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS INFORMATION FROM HER UNCLE, ALEX
MACDONALD, IN ABOUT 1925 IN PORT LAMBTON. HE TOLD HER THAT THIS
HAS HAPPENED TO QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WHILE GOING TO WALLACEBURG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; PORT LAMBTON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 05-12-1965 ; 00001925 CA
FOLK TALE
THIS IS SAID TO HAVE HAPPENED IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN SOME 25 YEARS
AGO. LATE ONE NIGHT FOUR YOUNG MEN WHO WERE DRIVING ALONG IN A
CAR STOPPED BY A BRIDGE AS A MYSTERIOUS LIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE
CAUGHT THEIR ATTENTION. THREE OF THEM WALKED TO THE OTHER SIDE
WHILE THE OTHER WAITED. SINCE THEY WERE GONE FOR A LONG TIME AND
THE LIGHT HAD DISAPPEARED, THE FOURTH MAN WENT LOOKING FOR THEM
AND FOUND ALL THREE DEAD AND THEIR BODIES BADLY MUTILATED. HE
WENT TO GET HELP AND WHEN THEY RETURNED TO THE BRIDGE, THE LIGHT
WAS AGAIN THERE. AS THEY STARTED ACROSS, THE LIGHT STARTED COMING
RAPIDLY TOWARD THEM. A SHORT WHILE LATER A PASSERBY CAME UPON A
NUMBER OF MUTILATED BODIES ON THE BRIDGE. ALL THE MEN WERE DEAD
EXCEPT ONE, WHO TOLD HIM ABOUT THE LIGHT BUT DIED BEFORE HE COULD
EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. TO THIS DAY, THE LIGHT WAS NEVER
SEEN AGAIN AND NO ONE HAS SOLVED THE MYSTERY OF THESE MURDERS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 11-05-1969
DEATH CAR
A FRIEND OF MINE IN HIGH SCHOOL TOLD ME THAT TWO OF HIS FRIENDS,
JOHN ENRIGHT AND MIKE THEROUX, HAD BOUGHT A 1965 CORVETTE FOR
$50. THE REASON THAT IT WAS SO CHEAP IS BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN IN
A FIELD FOR FIVE MONTHS. THE OWNER OF THE CAR WAS LOCKED INSIDE,
AN APPARENT SUICIDE VICTIM. THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THAT THERE WAS
NO WAY TO GET THE SMELL OUT OF THE CAR. THEY HAD RIPPED OUT ALL
OF THE SEATS, SPRAYED DOWN THE CAR WITH AIR REFRESHENERS, BUT TO
NO AVAIL. THE BOYS FINALLY GOT RID OF THE ENGINE FOR $200 AND
BURNED THE CAR'S BODY.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-00-1965
STRASBOURG, THE HAUNTED STREET
IN THE EARLY 1950'S A STORY CIRCULATED IN DETROIT ABOUT A HAUNTED
STREET CALLED STRASBOURG. WHENEVER ANYONE WOULD DRIVE THEIR CAR
ON THIS PARTICULAR STREET, A CONSTANT KNOCKING NOISE COULD BE
HEARD. IT SEEMED TO COME FROM EVERYWHERE. SOMETIMES IT SOUNDED
LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE DOOR; THEN IT WOULD COME FROM THE
ROOF.
THE KNOCKING NOISE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN MADE BY THE GHOST
OF A YOUNG GIRL WHO HAD BEEN KILLED BY A HIT AND RUN DRIVER.
SHE WAS PERHAPS TEN OR ELEVEN YEARS OLD. AS SHE TRIED TO CROSS
THE STREET, HER COAT WAS CAUGHT BY THE DOOR HANDLE OF A PASSING
CAR. AS THE CAR DRAGGED HER ALONG THE STREET, THE GIRL STARTED
TO KNOCK ON THE DOOR, TRYING TO GET THE DRIVER'S ATTENTION, BUT
SHE FINALLY FELL AND WAS CRUSHED UNDER THE CAR WHEEL. THE CAR
SPED AWAY.
THE GIRL'S FATHER, WHO WAS A GYPSY, PLACED A CURSE ON THE STREET.
HE SAID THAT UNTIL THE DAY THE HIT AND RUN DRIVER WHO KILLED HIS
DAUGHTER WAS CAUGHT, THE SPIRIT OF HIS DAUGHTER WOULD KNOCK ON
EVERY CAR THAT DROVE DOWN STRASBOURG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Date learned: 11-19-1968