Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BELIEF
IF A GIRL'S FINGERS CRACK WHEN THEY ARE PULLED, IT MEANS THAT SHE
HAS A BOY FRIEND. IF HER FINGERS CRACK TWO TIMES, IT MEANS SHE IS
GOING TO LOSE HER BOYFRIEND.
Date learned: 06-10-1970
NOT GIVEN
DON'T LET ANYONE SWEEP UNDER YOUR FEET OR YOU WILL BE AN OLD MAID.
Where learned: KENTUCKY ; OWENSBORO
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 02-00-1972
A KISS AND TOE RHYME
STUMP YOUR TOE,
KISS YOUR THUMB,
SEE YOUR BEAU,
BEFORE THE DAY IS GONE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 07-00-1968
MAY DAY
IN MRS. WHITTEN'S YOUTH, CHILDREN IN LEWISBURG BELIEVED THAT IF YOU
LOOKED DOWN INTO A WELL AT EXACTLY NOON TIME ON MAY DAY, YOU WOULD
SEE THE FACE OF YOUR FUTURE HUSBAND. MRS. WHITTEN SAID THAT ONE
GIRL LOOKED AND SAW HER COFFIN AND SHE DIED THE NEXT DAY OF
FRIGHT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- May 1 May Day BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 07-00-1968
FOLK BELIEF
IF A WOMAN CAN SET A GOOD FIRE, SHE'LL MAKE A GOOD WIFE.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; ARDEN
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1967
BELIEF
TAKE A LUMP OF SUGAR AND BALANCE IT IN THE TEASPOON, DIP IT INTO
YOUR CUP OF TEA SO THAT THE TEA COMES INTO THE SPOON AND SOAKS INTO
THE SUGAR BUT DOES NOT DROWN THE SUGAR. THINK OF A GIRL AND IF THE
SUGAR, IN DISSOLVING, FALLS TOWARD YOU, THAT'S WHOM YOU WILL MARRY.
IF IT FALLS AWAY, YOU WON'T.
Where learned: OHIO ; CHAGRIN FALLS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PREDICTION: MARRIAGE PARTNER
YOU CAN PREDICT WHO YOU WILL MARRY BY COUNTING THE BUTTONS ON YOUR
CLOTHING WHILE SAYING:
"RICH MAN, POOR MAN, BEGGAR, THIEF,
DOCTOR, LAWYER, MERCHANT, CHIEF."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PREDICTION: MARRIAGE PARTNER
YOU CAN DETERMINE WHOM YOU WILL MARRY BY PINCHING A STRAW WHILE
SAYING: "HE LOVES ME, HE LOVES ME NOT."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PREDICTION: STATE OF LIFE
IF YOU EAT THE LAST COOKIE OFF A PLATE OF COOKIES, YOU WILL BE AN
OLD MAID.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | Prediction / Divination BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Number Last events: the last person to the table... |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
BELIEF: BRIDE
IF THE BRIDE WALKS DOWN THE AISLE DURING THE REHEARSAL, SHE AND HER
HUSBAND WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; GREENEVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 03-24-1969
YOU KNOW HOW THEY GOT HONEYMOON? IN ENGLAND, IF THEY
DRANK HONEY UNDER THE LIGHT OF THE MOON ON THEIR
WEDDING NIGHT, THEY WOULD HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: NEW YORK CITY ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 07-25-1968
MARCHEN
ONCE THERE WAS A KING WHO HAD THREE SONS AND THEY WERE ALL
BELOVED. BEHIND THE KING'S PALACE THERE WAS A LARGE AREA WITH
SILKEN GRASS. THE GUARDS TOLD THE KING THAT THEY SAW A MYSTER-
IOUS ANIMAL GRAZE THERE, A BEAUTIFUL WHITE STALLION, BUT THEY
COULD NEVER CATCH IT. THE ELDEST SON OF THE KING GOT PERMISSION
FROM HS FATHER TO TRY TO CAPTURE THE STALLION. AS HE WAS GOING
HE MET A LITTLE MOUSE. THE MOUSE ASKED FOR A LITTLE SOMETHING
TO EAT BUT THE SON TOLD HIM TO GET AWAY. THE ELDEST SON LAID
DOWN IN THE GRASS TO WAIT FOR THE HORSE, BUT A SOFT MILD WIND
LULLED HIM TO SLEEP AND WHEN HE WOKE UP IT WAS VERY LATE. EXACTLY
THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE SECOND SON. FINALLY, AFTER MUCH
PLEADING THE YOUNGEST SON WAS ALLOWED TO GO. THE LITTLE MOUSE
ASKED HIM FOR SOME FOOD AND THE BOY GAVE HIM SOME FROM HIS POCKET.
AS HE RODE AWAY THE LITTLE MOUSE SAID, "A GOOD DEED DESERVES A
GOOD DEED" BUT THE BOY COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW A LITTLE MOUSE
COULD EVER DO ANYTHING FOR HIM. THE PRINCE LAID DOWN IN THE
GRASS AND HE TOO WAS LULLED ASLEEP BY THE SOFT, MILD WIND. BUT
THE MOUSE NIBBLED ON HIS EAR AND WOKE HIM UP. WHEN HE WOKE UP
HE SAW THE BEAUTIFUL HORSE. HE JUMPED UP ON THE HORSE'S BACK AND
RIGHT AWAY. THE HORSE DISAPPEARED AND THERE WAS A BEAUTIFUL GIRL,
THE FAIRYLIKE ILONA. SHE EXPLAINED TO THE PRINCE THAT SHE HAD
BEEN TRANSFORMED. SHE HAD NEEDED SOMEONE TO STAY AWAKE TO MOUNT
HER. THE KING TOLD HIS SON THAT HE COULD MARRY THE GIRL AND HE
GAVE THEM A BIG WEDDING.
"HERE'S THE END, NOW RUN AWAY WITH IT."
Submitter comment:
DR. DAMIN LEARNED THIS STORY FROM HER MOTHER IN HUNGARY. SHE
SAYS THAT MOST OF THE TALES SHE HEARD AS A CHILD ENDED WITH THIS
TRADITIONAL ENDING TRANSLATED FROM THE HUNGARIAN.
Where learned: HUNGARY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Magic BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
TALE: CLEVER ALICE
THERE WAS A YOUNG GIRL NAMED ALICE WHO WAS GETTING MARRIED. SHE
WENT DOWN TO THE CELLAR TO GET SOME WINE AND WAS GONE FOR A VERY
LONG TIME. FINALLY HER FATHER SENT THE MAID DOWN TO FIND OUT
WHAT WAS WRONG. THE MAID SAW ALICE SITTING THE THE CELLAR CRYING
AND ASKED HER WHAT WAS THE MATTER. ALICE SAID, "SEE THAT AXE
STUCK IN THE BEAM IN THE CEILING? ONE DAY OUR SON WILL COME DOWN
HERE, THE AXE WILL FALL DOWN AND CHOP HIS HEAD OFF." THE MAID
SAID, "TRULY YOU ARE CLEVER, ALICE," AND SHE TOO SAT DOWN AND
STARTED CRYING. WELL, PRETTY SOON THE BUTLER WENT DOWN TO FIND
OUT ABOUT THE MAID, THEN THE MOTHER, FATHER, AND FINALLY THE
BRIDEGROOM. THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ALL OF THEM. THE BRIDE-
GROOM SAID, "TRULY YOU ARE CLEVER, ALICE. LET'S GO UP AND GET
MARRIED RIGHT NOW."
THEY GOT MARRIED AND ALICE TURNED OUT TO BE THE TYPE THAT SAID TO
HERSELF, "SHALL I BAKE OR DUST? I DON'T KNOW, SO I'LL SLEEP FOR
A WHILE." SO SHE WOULD FALL ASLEEP ALL DAY AND NEVER HAVE ANY
WORK DONE WHEN HER HUSBAND CAME HOME. ONE DAY HER HUSBAND TOLD
HER TO GO ROUND UP THE GEESE. WHEN SHE GOT OUTSIDE SHE SAID TO
HERSELF, "SHALL I ROUND UP THE GEESE OR FIX MY HAIR?" SHE SAT
DOWN TO THINK IT OVER AND FELL ASLEEP IN THE HAYLOFT. HER HUSBAND
GOT WORRIED AND WENT TO FIND HER. WHEN HE FOUND HER SLEEPING IN
THE HAYLOFT HE PUT A HAIR NET WITH BELLS ON HER HEAD. WHEN SHE
WOKE UP AND HEARD THE BELLS SHE WENT BACK TO THE HOUSE. SHE
KNOCKED AND ASKED FOR CLEVER ALICE. THE HUSBAND SAID, "YES,
SHE'S ASLEEP IN HER BED." THEN ALICE SAID, "WELL THEN, WHO AM
I?" THE HUSBAND SAID HE DIDN'T KNOW. SO ALICE USED TO GO FROM
DOOR TO DOOR ASKING WHO SHE WAS, AND SHE HAS NEVER BEEN HEARD OF
SINCE.
Submitter comment:
MISS DAMIN HEARD THIS TALE FROM HER HUNGARIAN GRANDMOTHER, MRS.
JOSEPHNE (JOSEPHINE?) DAMIN, WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HUNGARY ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Daily Life BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 01-00-1964
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 HOUSE
ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO, IN WEST SALEM TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA, A YOUNG
MAN SOON TO BE MARRIED BUILT A HOUSE ON BARRY ROAD FOR HIS BRIDE.
HOWEVER, WHEN THE DAY OF THE WEDDING ARRIVED, THE YOUNG MAN CHANGED
HIS MIND AND STOOD UP HIS INTENDED BRIDE.
THE HOUSE WAS NEVER LIVED IN BY ANYONE AND IS BELIEVED BY
RESIDENTS OF THE AREA TO BE HAUNTED BY THE COUPLE.
Submitter comment:
MY AUNT, FROM WHOM I HEARD THIS STORY, LIVES IN THE AREA OF THE
SUPPOSEDLY HAUNTED HOUSE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE ; WEST SALEM TOWNSHIP
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Other Structure for Private Use BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 10-00-1964
Entry filtered.
FRATERNITY PLEDGE DIES
THE MEMBERS OF A FRATERNITY, AS PART OF THE INITIATION, HAD A
PLEDGE PLACED ON THE TOP OF A LADDER. TELLING HIM HE WAS ATOP
A 10-STORY BUILDING, THEY PUSHED HIM OFF. THE PLEDGE DIED OF
FRIGHT.
Submitter comment: HE SAID THAT HE SAW THIS IN A NEWSPAPER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 11-02-1967
THE CARPENTER'S ROAD LEGEND
TWO COUPLES WENT TO THE PROM AND THEN OUT TO PARK ON CARPENTER'S
ROAD, WHICH IS A DESERTED ROAD IN THE WOODS OF BEAVERCREEK. WHILE
NECKING, THEY HEARD A KNOCKING AND SCRATCHING NOISE OUTSIDE. ONE
OF THE BOYS WENT OUT TO CHECK IT OUT. AND AFTER A LONG WORRISOME
WAIT DURING WHICH HE HADN'T RETURNED, THE SECOND BOY LEFT. AGAIN
AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, THEY STILL HADN'T RETURNED, SO ONE GIRL WENT
FOR HELP WHILE THE OTHER WAITED. THE LAST GIRL FINALLY LEFT AND
FOUND THE POLICE. AFTER A LONG SEARCH, THE THREE WERE FOUND. THE
TWO BOYS WERE ENTIRELY CHEWED UP, BLOODY AND JUST TOTALLY MUTILA-
TED. THE GIRL, WITH HER HAIR, ONCE BRUNETTE, NOW HAD STARK WHITE
HAIR STANDING ON END AND HAD DIED OF FRIGHT. NOW NOBODY KNOWS
IF THIS IS TRUE BUT NO ONE GOES THERE UNLESS HE'S LOOKING FOR A
SCARE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 12-02-1969
INDIAN LEGEND
LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE COMMANDER OF FORT MACKINAC IN THE LATE
18TH CENTURY FELL IN LOVE WITH AN INDIAN GIRL, AND SHE WITH HIM.
HE WAS THROWN TO HIS DEATH FROM A BLUFF, NOW NAMED ROBINSON'S
FOLLY, BY A JEALOUS INDIAN BRAVE.
Submitter comment:
HE DID DIE THIS WAY, BUT SOME SAY THAT INTOXICATION, NOT INFATUA-
TION, WAS THE REAL CAUSE OF HIS DOWNFALL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 01-30-1968
LEGEND
THERE IS A LEGEND AT KISSING ROCK ON THE GROUNDS OF WEST POINT
THAT IF A FELLOW TAKES HIS HAT OFF AND THE GIRL HE IS WITH REFUSES
TO KISS HIM, THE ROCK WILL FALL AND KILL HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 12-05-1967