Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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FOLK TALE
ACCORDING TO THE PEOPLE IN GUYSBORO, NOVA SCOTIA, THIS IS A TRUE
STORY. IT SEEMS THAT TWO SAILING VESSELS COLLIDED ON THE OCEAN
IN THIS PART OF NOVA SCOTIA. ONE BOAT WAS SINKING SO THE CREW
FROM THE SINKING SHIP CLIMBED ABOARD THE BOAT THAT WAS STILL
STANDING. WHEN THE PEOPLE ON THE BOAT AWOKE THE NEXT MORNING
ALL THE MEN THAT HAD CLIMBED ABOARD WERE MISSING. THEY WERE NEVER
FOUND AND TO THIS DAY, WHENEVER A SHIP PASSES BY THE SAME SPOT WHERE
THE MEN DISAPPEARED, YOU CAN SEE THE GHOSTS OF THESE MEN CLIMB
ABOARD THE SHIP.
Submitter comment:
MR. MANTHORNE FIRST HEARD THIS TALE FROM HIS GRANDFATHER
AROUND FIFTY YEARS AGO IN GUYSBORO, NOVA SCOTIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-12-1964
SEA
MRS. JESSICA BUCKLEY'S HUSBAND WAS AN IRISH SEA CAPTAIN. HE WAS
OUT TO SEA AND NOT EXPECTED BACK FOR QUITE A WHILE. ONE NIGHT MRS.
BUCKLEY HEARD A STRANGE KNOCK AT THE DOOR. WHEN SHE OPENED THE
DOOR SHE SAW A MAN DIVE INTO A PUDDLE, IT HAD BEEN RAINING OUT.
THE NEXT MORNING SHE FOUND A PAIR OF SEA BOOTS AT THE DOOR FULL OF
SEA WEED AND WATER. LATER SHE FOUND OUT THAT HER HUSBAND HAD DIED
AT SEA.
Submitter comment:
MR BOZICH HEARD THIS TALE FROM HIS WIFE'S GRANDMOTHER, MRS
JESSICA BUCKLEY. MRS. BUCKLEY AND SEVERAL OF HER CLOSE FRIENDS
SWEAR THAT IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. MRS. BUCKLEY IS STILL ALIVE AND
LIVES IN WHITTIER, CALIFORNIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-00-1963
"LUKE THE SPOOK"
THE STORY GOES THAT THERE IS A MENTAL INSTITUTION AROUND THE
GENERAL VICINITY OF 37 MILE ROAD AND ROMEO PLANK ROAD. IN
THE OLD DAYS, BACK IN THE EARLY 1900'S, COACHES USED TO PASS
BY, AND THEY ALWAYS HAD A LAMP SWINGING FROM THE BACK OF THE
CARRIAGE. ONE NIGHT A MAN ESCAPED FROM THE INSTITUTION. AS HE FLED,
A COACH CAME BY, KNOCKED HIM DOWN, AND AS IT ROLLED OVER HIM, THE
HORSES' HOOVES CUT OFF HIS HEAD, WHICH ROLLED UNDER A BRIDGE. HIS
BODY WAS NEVER FOUND. THE WEIRD PART IS IF YOU PARK BY THIS BRIDGE
(YOU WILL SEE A STRANGE)
LIGHT MOVING TOWARDS YOU. YOU'LL TRY TO START YOUR CAR, BUT IT
WON'T START, BUT YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL GO LIKE CRAZY.
AT THE LAST MINUTE THE CAR WILL START, AND THE LIGHT WILL
FOLLOW YOU AS YOU GO.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT NOT ONLY HEARD OF THIS STORY, BUT ACTUALLY VISITED
THIS SPOT AND SHE CLAIMS THAT THE STORY OF THE LIGHT IS REALLY
TRUE, IT HAPPENED TO HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Fire |
Date learned: 05-14-1965
THE DISAPPEARING ACT
IN ENGLAND, MANY YEARS AGO, A CHURCH SOCIAL WAS TAKING PLACE
AND EVERYONE WAS INVOLVED IN PLAYING GAMES. MOST OF THE MEN WERE
PLAYING RUGBY ON A HUGE FIELD. ONE MAN KICKED THE BALL INTO
A FAR CORNER OF THE FIELD AND WENT AFTER IT. HE STARTED TO RUN
AFTER THE BALL AND THAT IS THE LAST ANYONE SAW OF HIM. PEOPLE
THOUGHT THAT HE MIGHT HAVE FALLEN INTO A DITCH OR A HOLE BUT THEY
WENT TO LOOK FOR HIM AND COULD FIND NOTHING AND TO THIS DAY THEY
STILL COULD NEVER FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.
Submitter comment:
MRS. BACON SAID THAT HER MOTHER AND SISTER TOLD HER THIS
STORY IN ENGLAND ABOUT THIRTY YEARS AGO.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; WINDSOR
James Callow Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 12-00-1963
THE LADY ON TANGLEWOOD DRIVE
SEVERAL YEARS AGO A GIRL WAS ATTACKED AND KILLED ON BELLE ISLE'S
TANGLEWOOD DRIVE. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE MOTHER WHO SPENT MANY
DAYS LATER LOOKING FOR HER CHILD CAN AT TIMES BE SEEN WALKING
DOWN TANGLEWOOD DRIVE DRESSED IN WHITE WITH AN AXE. SHE IS LOOKING
FOR HER DAUGHTER. THE GIRL WHO WAS KILLED WAS SLAIN WITH AN AXE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM NEIGHBORHOOD RUMORS.
Data entry tech comment: INFORMANT DOES NOT SAY WHETHER THE MOTHER IS A GHOST.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
IRISH LEGEND
IN IRELAND, MY GRANDMOTHER REMEMBERED THIS STORY AS TOLD TO HER
FROM THE PULPIT BY THE PARISH PRIEST. MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO TELL
SUCH STORIES TO ME AND MY BROTHERS WHEN WE WERE SMALL CHILDREN AND
WE SLEPT WITH HER. A YOUNG BOY WAS WALKING DOWN THE ROAD ON A COLD
WINTER DAY. AT A CROSSROAD HE MET ANOTHER BOY, A BIT YOUNGER, WHO
LOOKED VERY POOR, HE HAD NO COAT TO PROTECT HIM FROM THE WIND
OR RAIN. THE FIRST BOY FELT SORRY FOR THE LITTLE ONE AND GAVE HIM
HIS NICE WARM COAT. UPON RETURNING HOME THE OLDER BOY WAS SCOLDED
BY HIS MOTHER AND PUNISHED FOR GIVING AWAY HIS COAT. BESIDES
HE BECAME ILL BECAUSE HE WAS ALL WET AND COLD. YEARS LATER THE
OLDER BOY BECAME A PRIEST. HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS WITNESSED HIS
FIRST MASS. AS HE LOOKED UP TO HEAVEN DURING THE MASS THERE WAS
A STRANGE LIGHT ABOVE THE ALTAR. THERE IN VIEW OF EVERY-BODY
APPEARED THE CHILD JESUS AND HE WAS SMILING AND WEARING THE SAME
LITTLE COAT WHICH THE PRIEST HAD GIVEN AWAY YEARS BEFORE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHARITY ; VISION OF JESUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1937
BELIEF
IF SOMEONE COMES IN THE FRONT DOOR AND LEAVES BY THE BACK DOOR IN
IRELAND IT WILL BRING BAD LUCK TO THE HOUSE, BECAUSE THE PERSON
TOOK ALL THE GOOD LUCK OUT WITH HIM.
Submitter comment:
THE POLICE USED TO DO THIS ALL THE TIME IN IRELAND JUST
TO DISTURB THE WOMEN.
Where learned: LIBRARY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; IRISH BELIEF
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Bad luck P882.2 |
Date learned: 11-15-1968
SUPERSTITION
IN GERMANY, INSTEAD OF SAYING KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED, THEY SAY
KEEP YOUR THUMBS PRESSED. MEANING THE THUMB OF EACH HAND TO A
FOREFINGER.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites SPEECH -- Gesture PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: 00-00-1976
REMEDY
TO DRAW OUT A SPLINTER FROM UNDER A FINGER NAIL, COMBINE COMMON
YELLOW SOAP WITH BROWN SUGAR AND APPLY TO THE AREA. IT CAN THEN
BE REMOVED EASILY.
Where learned: FLORIDA ; OAKLAND PARK
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 00001920S
REMEDY
TO EXTRACT SPLINTERS, FILL A WIDE-MOUTH BOTTLE TIL IT IS ALMOST FULL
OF VERY HOT WATER. PLACE THE INJURED PART OVER THE MOUTH OF THE
BOTTLE AND PRESS LIGHTLY. THE SUCTION WILL DRAW THE FLESH DOWN AND
THE STEAM WILL EXTRACT THE SPLINTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
GROCERY STORE GAME.
GROCERY STORE GAME. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE PLAYING. ONE PERSON
STARTS BY SAYING," I WENT TO THE STORE AND BOUGHT SOME..."
THE NEXT PERSON REPEATS WHAT THE FIRST SAID AND ADDS SOMETHING TO
THE LIST. WHEN SOMEONE SAYS SOMETHING OUT OF SEQUENCE, THAT PERSON
IS OUT. THE WINNER IS THE ONE WHO CAN REMEMBER THE WHOLE LIST.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
Keyword(s): GAME ; Grocery ; MEMORY
James Callow Keyword(s): CUMULATIVE
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Memory |
Date learned: 00-00-1981
LEGEND
MY GIRLFRIEND ONCE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY BAD
ACCIDENT ON CHERRY HILL IN DEARBORN. THE ACCIDENT INVOLVED A YOUNG
GIRL ON HER BIKE AND A CAR. THE GIRL WAS HIT BY THE CAR AND DRAGGED
BY THE CAR FOR SOME DISTANCE. WHILE BEING DRAGGED, THE GIRL WAS
KNOCKING ON THE CAR FOR THE DRIVER TO STOP. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT IF
YOU TRAVEL IN YOUR CAR IN THE EXACT TRACKS OF THE CAR, YOU WILL HEAR
A KNOCKING ON YOUR CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
LEGEND
ONE OF MY GIRLFRIENDS ONCE TOLD ME THAT A FRIEND OF HER MOTHER'S
WAS FLYING OUT EAST BUT SHE WAS AFRAID OF FLYING. WHILE IN THE PLANE
THE WOMAN SAID THAT SOMETHING TOLD HER TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE
CLOUDS. ALTHOUGH THE WOMAN FELT STRANGE ABOUT TAKING A PICTURE OF
THE CLOUDS, SHE STILL DID IT. NOT REALLY THINKING TOO MUCH ABOUT IT
WHILE ON HER VACATION IT ALL CAME BACK TO HER WHEN SHE RECEIVED HER
DEVELOPED PICTURES. FOR THE PICTURE THAT WAS TAKEN IN THE CLOUDS
REVEALED A CHRIST-LIKE IMAGE .
Submitter comment:
THE WOMAN FELT THAT IT WAS THE LORD THAT TOLD HER TO TAKE THE
PICTURE IN THE FIRST PLACE. SHE FELT THAT THE LORD WAS TRYING TO
TELL HER THAT HE IS ALWAYS THERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
LEGEND
WHILE ON MY WAY TO DANCE CLASS ONE EVENING, I NOTICED A DOLL IN THE
PICTURE WINDOW OF A HOUSE. NOT THINKING ANYTHING OF IT, IMENTIONED
IT TO MY GIRLFRIEND. SHE WAS AMAZED THAT I HAD NEVER HEARD THE STORY
ABOUT THE LITTLE GIRL THAT ONCE LIVED IN THE HOUSE. IT IS BELIEVED
THAT ONE EVENING THE GIRL WAS PLAYING IN THE DRIVEWAY AND THAT NOT
SEEING HER, THE FATHER RAN OVER HER AND KILLED HER. THE MOTHER OF
THE CHILD WENT CRAZY AND NOW BELIEVES THE DOLL TO BE HER DAUGHTER.
SHE TAKES CARE OF THE DOLL IN WAYS THAT A MOTHER WOULD TAKE CARE
OF A CHILD. SHE EVEN GOES SO FAR AS TO DRESS THE DOLLUP FOR
SPECIAL OCCASIONS SUCH AS CHRISTMAS AND HALLOWEEN.
Submitter comment: THE HOUSE IS ON OUTER DRIVE IN DEARBORN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1979
GRAFFITI
IF YOU SPRINKLE WHEN YOU TINKLE
PLEASE BE NEAT AND WIPE THE SEAT)
Submitter comment: MY BROTHER CLAIMS TO HAVE SPOTTED THIS ON A BATHROOM WALL.
Data entry tech comment: No BN on ASK file
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Favorites |
Date learned: 09-23-1981
IF A WOMAN IS SWEEPING A ROOM AND TOUCHES YOU WITH HER BROOM,
YOU WILL NEVER GET A WOMAN.
Submitter comment: THIS IS BELIEVED IN NIGERIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Working |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
SIR WALTER RALEIGH LEGEND
A LEGEND AMONG PIPE SMOKERS THAT WAS PASSED ON TO MY BROTHER
INVOLVES A TEST GIVEN TO SIR WALTER RALEIGH.
RALEIGH WAS ASKED TO GUESS THE WEIGHT OF PIPE SMOKE
FROM A SINGLE BOWL OF TOBACCO. HE ASTOUNDED EVERYONE BY SIMPLY
WEIGHING THE TOBACCO BEFORE SMOKING IT AND THE ASHES AFTER HE WAS
DONE.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00001970S
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
FOR BIRTHDAYS, IT IS AN IRISH CUSTOM TO BAKE A MONEY CAKE FOR
THE PERSON WHOSE BIRTHDAY IT IS.
USUALLY, A DOLLAR IN COINS IS INSERTED IN THE CAKE AND THE
BIRTHDAY BOY OR GIRL GETS FIRST CHOICE OF THE PIECE THEY WANT.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 00001970S
GAME
A VARIATION OF THE FAMOUS ROCK-PAPER-SCISSORS GAME IN MY CHILDHOOD
INCLUDED THE ELEMENT OF DYNAMITE. IN THIS GAME, DYNAMITE
DESTROYED PAPER AND ROCK, BUT THE SCISSORS CUT THE
DETONATING FUSE. THEREFORE, DYNAMITE AND THE SCISSORS TOOK ON ADDED
POWER AND WERE LIABLE TO SUBJECT THE PARTICIPANT TO TWICE THE
PUNISHMENT IF HE OR SHE LOST.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Athletic sport and exercise Gymnastics |
Date learned: 00001970S
THE SAINT MICHAEL DRAMATIC GAME
THE INFORMATION PRESENT IS IN THE COLLECTOR'S OWN WORDS. BEFORE THE
GAME BEGINS IT IS CHOSEN: EITHER BY A COUNTING OUT RHYME OR BY
SOMEONE VOLUNTEERING. THE GAME FEATURES CHILDREN AGES 6-10 GROUPING
THEMSELVES IN A CIRCLE AROUND IT. FACING IT, AND HOLDING HANDS, THE
CHILDREN BEGIN REVOLVING AROUND IT
(IT IS IN CENTER OF A CIRCLE)
IN A CLOCKWISE FASHION. THE CIRCLE USUALLY CONSISTS OF 10 TO 12 PLA
YERS. AFTER SEVERAL REVOLUTIONS
IT ABRUPTLY BEGINS SINGING IN SPANISH
THE WORDS ARE:
A LA RUEDA DE SAN MIGUEL, TODOS TIEN SU CAJA DE MIEL.
A LO MADURO, A LO MADURO, QUE SE VOLTEE (IT NAMES A PERSON FROM CIR
CLE) DE BURRO. TRANSLATED THE WORDS ARE: EVERYONE GET IN SAINT MICHA
EL'S CIRCLE, EVERYONE HAS A BOX OF HONEY, TURN AROUND, TURN AROUND,
(NAME OF CHILD IT SELECTS) AND MAKES A DONKEY FACE. THE CHILD
BY IT, MUST NOW FACE AWAY FROM IT AND CIRCLE IT BACKWARDS WHILE STILL
HOLDING HANDS WITH THE OTHER PLAYERS. THE GAME CONTINUES
UNTIL ALL PLAYERS HAVE BEEN CALLED BY IT, AND
THE LAST PLAYER CALLED IS THE NEW IT.
(CIRCLE)
MICHAEL'S
INFORMANT
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LIVED IN A SMALL TOWN IN MEXICO WHEN SHE PLAYED OUT
THIS GAME. THE TOWN, SABINAS HIDALGO NUEVO LEON, STILL EXISTS AND THE
GAME IS STILL PLAYED OUT. THE INFORMANT SANG OUT PORTIONS OF THE GAME
WHILE THE COLLECTOR RECORDED IT.
DONKEY FACE IS FUNNY OR CLOWN-LIKE FACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic |