Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TALE
IN SANTA CLARA AN OLD JESUIT HAD CLIMBED UP INTO THE BELL TOWER OF
THE JESUIT RESIDENCE. HE FELL DOWN AND BROKE HIS HIP OR SOMETHING
AND DIED. NOW IT'S BELIEVED THAT HE COMES BACK AND WALKS THE HALLS
AT NIGHT. YOU CAN HEAR THE BELL RINGING AT ODD TIMES.
Submitter comment:
DON HEARD THIS FROM SEVERAL PEOPLE AROUND THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTA
CLARA. HE RECALLED HEARING OTHER TALES CONNECTED WITH BELL TOWERS AT
OTHER JESUIT UNIVERSITIES BUT COULDN'T REMEMBER SPECIFIC DETAILS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1973
LEGEND
ON THE ISLAND OF KAWAI, HAWAII THE ALOHA SPIRIT EXISTS
AND WHEN YOU SAY GOOD-BYE TO A NATIVE THEY NEVER SAY COME BACK,
INSTEAD THEY SAY YOU SHALL RETURN.
Where learned: HAWAII
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00-00-1978
SUPERSTITIONS IN THE THEATER.
AT NOTRE-DAME THERE WAS A GHOST WHO USED TO RATTLE THE PIPES THAT
HELD THE SCENERY UP, AND AT ONE TIME TOUCHED A FRIEND OF MINE.
HE WAS UPSTAIRS IN THE OFFICE WHEN HE HEARD FOOTSTEPS COMING UP
THE STAIRS. HE HID IN THE HALL SO HE COULD SEE WHO IT WAS,
BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ANYONE THERE.
HE WAITED AND WAITED, BUT THE SOUND WAS ALL HE COULD HEAR. THEN
THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED. HE WENT DOWN THE STAIRS TO SEE WHO IT
WAS BUT THERE WAS NO ONE ON THE STAIRS. AS HE CAME DOWN EVEN FURTHER,
HE FELT SOMEONE PAT HIM ON THE BACK. HE FINALLY REALIZED THAT HE
HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE THEATER'S GHOST. I SUPPOSE THAT THE
GHOST WAS AT ONE TIME, A VERY GOOD ACTOR, AND WHEN HE PATTED MY
FRIEND ON THE BACK, HE WAS TELLING HIM HOW GREAT HE WAS. MY FRIEND
WAS A REALLY GOOD ACTOR.
Submitter comment:
HER FRIEND AT NOTRE-DAME TOLD HER THIS A FEW HOURS AFTER HIS
ENCOUNTER.
NOTRE-DAME UNIVERSITY IS LOCATED IN INDIANA.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
GHOST STORIES.
MY MAMA WAS REAL SICK, AND SHE WAS LYING IN BED, AND THE DOCTOR
THOUGHT THAT SHE WAS GOING TO DIE. WELL, SHE SAW HER SISTER WHO
HAD DIED A FEW YEARS BEFORE, STANDING BY HER BED. THE FIGURE
LOOKED AT HER, AND SAID IN A STRANGE VOICE, " NO, NOT YET. " AND
A FEW DAYS LATER SHE WAS WELL AGAIN AND LIVED FOR MANY YEARS AFTER.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A TRUE STORY THAT HAPPENED TO MY GRANDMOTHER LONG BEFORE
SHE GOT MARRIED. SINCE THIS TIME, SHE HAS BEEN INTERESTED IN
ASTROLOGY, FORTUNE TELLING, ETC.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; BEDROOM
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-00-1979
"MAUMEE RIVER LEGEND"
"ONCE UPON A TIME, A LONG, LONG TIME AGO, AN INDIAN FAMILY
WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE RIVER. ONE NIGHT, THERE WAS A TERRIBLE
STORM AND THE LITTLE INDIAN BOY BECAME LOST. THE MOTHER AND
FATHER LOOKED HIGH AND LOW FOR HIM BUT COULDN'T FIND HIM. ALL THEY
HEARD WAS A FAINT CRY " MOMEE " EVEN TO THIS DAY, YOU CAN STILL
HEAR HIM CALL " MOMEE." "
Where learned: OHIO ; PEMBERVILLE
Keyword(s): CALLING GHOST.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
SUPERSTITIONS
THERE IS AN ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF NEWFOUNDLAND: WOODS ISLAND
( INSMARA ) LOCATED IN THE BAY OF ISLANDS THAT WAS A BASE FOR
PIRATES. EVERY YEAR THERE IS SOMEBODY WHO FINDS BURIED TREASURE.
IT IS REPORTED THAT THESE LUCKY PEOPLE USE THE ACTUAL MAPS. YOU
BETTER BE CAREFUL IF YOU GO THERE TO DIG FOR TREASURE BECAUSE THERE
ARE STILL THE GHOSTS OF PIRATES WALKING THE ISLAND- MANY OF THEM
WITH HEADS MISSING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BURIED TREASURE.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1971
A LEGEND IN JANOWIEC, POLAND
THERE IS A LEGEND OF A PHANTOM INHABITING THE RUINS OF A CASTLE IN
THE VILLAGE OF JANOWIEC, IN CENTRAL POLAND WHERE MY GRANDFATHER
COMES FROM. THE CASTLE HAS BEEN LONG ABANDONED AND ONLY A FACADE
AND A FEW ROOMS ARE LEFT. ONE ROOM IS SAID TO BE THE BLACK LADY'S
WHO LIVED THERE ONCE.
THIS BLACK LADY WAS THE DAUGHTER OF A NOBLE. SHE HAD FALLEN IN
LOVE WITH A MAN OF MUCH LOWER STATUS AND WISHED TO MARRY HIM.
SINCE THIS WAS SOCIALLY UNACCEPTABLE, HER FATHER WAS VERY MUCH
AGAINST THE ROMANCE. TO PUNISH HIS STUBBORN DAUGHTER, HE LOCKED
HER UP IN THE TOWER OF THE CASTLE TO THINK THIS OVER.
SHE WOULD NOT CHANGE HER MIND, BUT INSTEAD MADE PLANS TO CLIMB
DOWN ON KNOTTED SHEETS TO HER LOVER. A SERVANT HAD LEARNED OF HER
PLANS AND ARRANGED FOR HER FATHER TO MEET HER WHEN SHE CLIMBED DOWN.
IN HIS ANGER, THE FATHER THREW HER INTO THE DUNGEON, WHERE SHE
COMMITTED SUICIDE, SINCE THEN HER GHOST HAS BEEN KNOWN TO
INHABIT THE CASTLE IN DOING PENANCE FOR HER DISOBEDIENCE AND
AT TIMES APPEARING TO THE PEOPLE OF JANOWIEC IN THE VALLEY BELOW.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A LEGEND THAT IS KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE AREA OF
JANOWIEC, POLAND AND ITS TOLD TO EVERYONE VISITING THE CASTLE
RUINS.
Data entry tech comment: CORRECTED SPELLING, TOOK OUT COMMAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): MANIFESTATIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
THE HOUSE AT LAKE ORION
GRANDMA (JENNY TORRANCE) HAD A HOUSE AT LAKE ORION. THE WIFE
OF THE MAN WHO BUILT THE HOUSE DIED WHEN HE WAS HALF WAY THROUGH.
I THINK THAT'S WHY THE HOUSE IS HAUNTED. ONE NIGHT WHEN JEAN WAS
STILL HERE (SHE DIED IN 1922) SHE WAS SLEEPING BETWEEN HER MOTHER
AND FATHER IN THE BIG ROOM UPSTAIRS. JEAN LET OUT A TERRIBLE SCREAM
AND HER MOTHER PUT HER HAND OVER ON HER TO COMFORT HER.
SHE FELT SOME KIND OF ANIMAL, BUT WHEN SHE LOOKED, NOTHING
WAS THERE. THE NEXT NIGHT HER COUSIN BOB GLANTZ WAS IN THE
BATHROOM AND HE RAN OUT SCREAMING,
HE SAID HE SAW AN ANIMAL IN THERE AND IT HAD BIG EARS THAT STUCK OUT
ON EACH SIDE. THE HOUSE WAS SEARCHED AGAIN AND STILL THEY COULD
NOT FIND ANYTHING.
POOR GRANDMA A COUPLE OF NIGHTS BEFORE SHE DIED IN THAT HOUSE THE
DOORKNOB ON HER ROOM KEPT TURNING.
GRANDMA TOLD FORTUNES, BUT SHE DIDN'T WANT TO, BECAUSE SHE ALWAYS
HAD BAD LUCK AFTERWARD. MAYBE SHE WAS THE KIND OF PERSON WHO
ATTRACTED GHOSTS.
Data entry tech comment: CORRECTED WORDING IN LAST SENTENCE, TOOK OUT UNNECESSARY COMMAS.
Where learned: WILLIAMS LAKE
Keyword(s): MANIFESTATIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
GHOST STORY
IN GROSSE POINTE BETWEEN 8 AND 9 MILE ROADS, OFF OF LAKE SHORE
DRIVE IS A STREET CALLED ROBERT JOHN, PERHAPS BETTER KNOWN AS
KNOCK KNOCK ROAD. PEOPLE SAY THAT WHEN CARS GO OVER IT A KNOCKING,
POUNDING SOUND IS HEARD, ITS AS IF SOMEONE WERE POUNDING
ON THE SIDE OF THE CARS
SOME YEARS AGO, A LITTLE GIRL WAS RIDING HER BIKE, WHEN SHE
WAS STRUCK BY A PASSING CAR. SHE WAS CAUGHT AND DRAGGED SEVERAL
HUNDRED FEET. WHILE SHE WAS BEING DRAGGED, SHE POUNDED WITH HER
FISTS ON THE CAR TO GET THE DRIVER TO STOP. FINALLY THE DRIVER
STOPPED AND RUSHED TO HELP THE LITTLE GIRL, BUT BY THAT TIME SHE
WAS DEAD. WHEN SHE WAS PULLED FROM UNDER THE CAR, IT WAS FOUND
THAT HER HANDS WERE SEVERED FROM HER WRISTS. HER HANDS WERE NEVER
FOUND. IT IS SAID THAT, THOSE HANDS CAUSE THE POUNDING ON THE
PASSING CARS.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY SEEMS TO BE AS WELL KNOWN TODAY, AS THE TALE OF
STRASBURG STREET WAS SOME YEARS AGO.
Data entry tech comment: CORRECTED SPELLING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MANIFESTATIONS
| Subject headings: | 7FELT PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
LEGEND
THERE IS A STREET ON DETROIT'S EAST SIDE, NEAR THE VICINITY
OF CONNORS AND GRATIOT THAT IS KNOWN AS " KNOCK- KNOCK " STREET.
ONE NIGHT, AS A YOUNG COUPLE SAT TALKING IN A CAR, A GROUP OF
CHILDREN PLAYED BALL. THE BALL ROLLED BENEATH THE CAR AND
ONE OF THE CHILDREN CRAWLED UNDER THE CAR TO RETRIEVE IT.
UNAWARE OF THIS, THE DRIVER BEGAN TO DRIVE AWAY, AND AS HE DID
SO DRAGGED THE CHILD FOR SEVERAL YARDS. TO THIS DAY THE THUMP-THUMP
OF HIS BODY CAN BE HEARD WHEN TRAVELING ON THIS STREET.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT REMEMBERS THIS AS BEING TOLD TO HIM AS A TRUE
STORY BY OTHERS WHO HAVE TRAVELED THIS STREET AND HEARD THE
NOISES.
Where learned: DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 04-12-1965
TRAVELING VIGIL LIGHT OF MT. OLIVET CEMETRY.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO ONE OF THE GRAVES OF MT. OLIVET CEMETRY
WAS DUG UP AND THE BODY MOVED TO ANOTHER SPOT IN THE CEMETRY.
THE MOTHER OF THE DEAD PERSON LOOKED AND LOOKED FOR THE GRAVE
OF HER BELOVED BUT COULD NEVER FIND IT. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE
VIGIL LIGHT WHICH THE MOTHER KEPT BURNING ON THE GRAVE NOW
ROAMS THE CEMETRY SEARCHING FOR THE GRAVE OF THE BODY THAT
WAS MOVED. MANY PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO
SEE THE LIGHT MOVING ABOUT THE CEMETRY. ONE NIGHT WHEN AT A
GIRL FRIEND'S HOUSE THE INFORMANT WAS ASKED IF SHE WANTED TO GO TO
THE CEMETRY WITH A GROUP OF GIRLS TO LOOK FOR THE LIGHT. THE GIRL
FRIEND LIVED RIGHT NEXT TO THE CEMETRY AND KNEW THE SCHEDULE OF
THE WATCHMEN WHO WORKED IN THE CEMETRY. THE GIRLS CLIMBED THE FENCE
AND AFTER THEY HAD GONE A SHORT WAY INTO THE CEMETRY, THEY SAW THE
VIGIL LIGHT NOT MANY FEET IN FRONT OF THEM, MOVING ABOUT. THEY
RAN BACK TO THE HOUSE IN FEAR.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS SURPRISED THAT MY BROTHER AND I WHO LIVE IN
THE IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE TRAVELING
VIGIL LIGHT OF MT. OLIVET CEMETERY.
Data entry tech comment: THE WORD CEMETRY IS AS SPELLED BY THE COLLECTOR.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): GHOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
CAR ACCIDENT
AFTER I, THE COLLECTOR, MENTIONED THE STORY THAT YOU CAN HEAR A
THUMPING SOUND WHENEVER YOU RIDE DOWN THE STREET ON THE EAST
SIDE OF DETROIT WHERE A GIRL WAS KILLED BY A CAR, THE FOLLOWING WAS
TOLD: THE SOUND OF THE THUMPING IS HER KNOCKING ON THE CAR
FOR THE PEOPLE TO STOP AS SHE WAS DRAGGED SO FAR ON THE AXLE OF
THE CAR.
Submitter comment:
SHE COULDN'T REMEMBER WHERE SHE HEARD THIS, BUT IT WAS PART OF THE
STORY AS I FIRST MENTIONED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-10-1965
GHOSTS
WHILE MY AUNT AND UNCLE WERE LIVING IN ITALY, THEY LIVED IN A
HOUSE THAT MY UNCLE HAD INHERITED. THE HOUSE WAS BUILT IN THE
EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. EVERYONE CLAIMED THAT THE HOUSE WAS HAUNTED
AND THE ORIGINAL OWNER ( WHO WAS MY UNCLE'S GREAT AUNT ) WAS SEEN
LOOKING OUT OF THE WINDOW OF THE HOUSE. ONE NIGHT MY AUNT WAS ALONE
IN THE HOUSE AND HEARD STRANGE NOISES WHICH CAME FROM THE CHAPEL.
THE NOISE WAS AS IF SOMEONE WAS WALKING AROUND. TO THIS DAY
MY AUNT STILL DOESN'T KNOW WHO OR WHAT MADE THE STRANGE NOISES.
Submitter comment: PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-23-1967
THE LEGEND OF ELMWOOD CEMETARY.
ONE COLD RAINY DAY AS A MAN LEFT THE CAPUCHIN MONASTERY ON MT.
ELLIOT ST. IN DETROIT, HE OBSERVED A YOUNG LADY NEAR A GRAVE SITE
AT THE CEMETARY ACROSS THE STREET. PASSING NEAR HER ON HIS WAY TO
HIS CAR, HE OFFERED HER A RIDE. SINCE SHE SEEMED RATHER HELPLESS
IN THE FACE OF THE ELEMENTS, SHE RELUCTANTLY ACCEPTED. HE DROVE
HER TO AN ADDRESS ON THE NEAR EAST SIDE FOR WHICH SHE THANKED HIM
WARMLY. HE ASKED HER IF HE COULD CALL UPON HER SOME TIME IN THE
FUTURE AND SHE SAID IT WOULD BE ALL RIGHT. RETURNING TO THE ADDRESS
SOME WEEKS LATER, HE WAS TOLD THAT NO GIRL LIVED THERE. THE
RESIDENT ASKED FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE YOUNG GIRL AFTER WHICH SHE
ASKED OUR YOUNG MAN INTO THE HOUSE. HE WAS SHOWN A PICTURE
OF THE GIRL AND WAS INFORMED THAT SHE HAD DIED SUDDENLY SOME
YEARS EARLIER. APPARENTLY HE HAD PICKED UP THE YOUNG LADY AT THE
SITE OF HER GRAVE.
Data entry tech comment:
THIS STORY SOUNDS MORE AS IF THE INFORMANT WERE READING THE STORY,
INSTEAD OF TELLING A TRUE TALE. THE REASON I FEEL THIS WAY IS
BECAUSE NO ONE TELLS A STORY IN THE PERFECT WAY IT IS DONE HERE.
THIS STORY IS A FAIRLY COMMON MOTIF. THE STORY IS ALSO KNOWN AS
" LILY " OR " THE HITCHHIKER. " BUT BOTH OF THEM END WITH THE
HITCHHIKER BEING DEAD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND THE GHOST IS LONELY
OR TRYING TO FIND ITS WAY TO SAFETY AND WARMTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
STRANGE HAPPENINGS
FERNEY STREET - A CAR APPEARED TO COME HEAD ON WITH OURS, WE
SWERVED TO THE SIDE AND LOOKED BACK AS THE CAR PASSED - THERE
WAS NO CAR, THE STREET HAD NO TURN OFFS OR DRIVEWAYS. YET ALL FOUR
OCCUPANTS HAD SEEN A WHITE CAR PLAINLY COMING AT US.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT THIS STRANGE HAPPENING HAD ACTUALLY HAPPENED
TO HER AND HER FRIENDS SEVERAL YEARS BACK WHILE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: CA00001964
PETTICOAT LUCE
HERE IS ANOTHER IRISH STORY GRANDPA LAMB USED TO TELL US WHEN WE WER
KIDS. THIS IS THE STORY OF PETTICOAT LUCE. THERE WAS THIS OLD
FARMER COMING HOME FROM THE VILLAGE AT NIGHT. AS HE CROSSED A STREA
HE NOTICED A WOMAN AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHO WANTED A RIDE SO HE
STOPPED HIS WAGON AND LET HER ON. AS HE CONTINUED HE NOTICED THE
HORSE WAS PANTING AS IF THE LOAD WAS GETTING HEAVIER AND HEAVIER.
THE FARMER LET PETTICOAT LUCE OFF AT ANOTHER STREAM BUT WHEN HE GOT
HOME WOULD YOU BELIEVE THE HORSE DROPPED DEAD.
Submitter comment:
I THINK THE EXPLANATION TO THIS STORY IS THAT PETTICOAT LUCE WAS A
PHANTOM WHO WEIGHED MORE AND MORE. THIS IRISH LEGEND WAS TOLD BY
GRANDPA LAMB TO MY UNCLE JIM LAMB WHEN HE WAS A KID IN DEARBORN.
James Callow comment: COMPARE "THE VANISHING HITCHHIKER."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
James Callow Keyword(s): GHOSTLY HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1939 ; 11-22-1979
THE HAUNTED HOUSE
THERE WAS A HOUSE WHICH SEEMED TO BE HAUNTED. THERE WERE RATTLING
CHAINS, HOWLING, FOOTSTEPS, ETC. FOR THIS REASON NO ONE WOULD LIVE
NEAR THERE. THE COUNTY OFFERED A REWARD OF 1,000 DOLLARS FOR ANYONE
WILLING TO SPEND ONE NIGHT IN THE HOUSE AND SOLVE ITS MYSTERY. A
SEMINARIAN VOLUNTEERED. THAT NIGHT AT ABOUT MIDNIGHT, HE FELT THE
ENTIRE HOUSE SHAKE. CHAINS BEGAN TO RATTLE SOMEWHERE DOWNSTAIRS,
AND A PATHETIC MOANING RESOUNDED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE HOUSE, THE
SOUNDS CAME CLOSER AND CLOSER UNTIL THEY SEEMED TO BE RIGHT OUTSIDE
OF THE DOOR OF THE ROOM WHERE THE SEMINARIAN WAS WAITING. AS THE
DOOR OPENED, THE MAN CROUCHED BEHIND A TABLE BY THE WALL. A FIGURE
IN HUMAN SHAPE, WHITE AND TRANSPARENT, WALKED INTO THE ROOM. THE
SEMINARIAN ASKED WHO IT WAS, AND THE FIGURE REPLIED THAT HE WAS A
SOUL FROM PURGATORY WHO HAD TO HAUNT THE HOUSE UNTIL HE COULD GET
INTO HEAVEN. THE MAN THEN SAID THAT HE WOULD PRAY FOR THE SOUL, IF
HE WOULD STOP HAUNTING THE HOUSE. THE SOUL AGREED. WHEN THE SEMI-
NARIAN LEFT THE HOUSE THE NEXT MORNING, HE DISCOVERED THAT HIS
HAIR HAD TURNED WHITE FROM FEAR.
Submitter comment:
MY INFORMANT CLAIMED THAT SHE HAD HEARD THIS STORY, AS TRUE, FROM
SOMEONE WHO KNEW THE SEMINARIAN.
Where learned: SAINT JOSEPH CONVENT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1962
LEGEND OF BLOODY MARY
THERE IS A STORY OF A HEADLESS LOVER AT CAMP MIAKONDA, A BOY
SCOUT RESERVATION IN SYLVANIA, OHIO. THE STORY FOLLOWS THAT HER
GRAVE LIES UNDERNEATH THE WATER TOWER AT THE CAMP SITE. WHEN THERE
IS A FULL MOON, SCOUTS ARE WARNED TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR HER. SHE
ROAMS TO SEEK REVENGE ON HER LOVER, WHO BEHEADED HER, BUT CAN NOT
FIND HIM BECAUSE SHE HAS NO EYES.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Keyword(s): HEADLESS GHOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
NIGHT WALKER
THE VILLA LOUIS IN PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, WISCONSIN IS A LARGE MANSION
BUILT BY A RICH FRENCH FUR TRAPPER IN THE ERA OF THE FUR TRAPPERS.
HE LIVED THERE WITH HIS WIFE AND WHEN HE DIED HE WAS BURIED STAND-
ING UPRIGHT ON A HIGH BLUFF OVERLOOKING THE WISCONSIN AND MISSISSIPP
RIVERS. HIS WIFE CONTINUED TO LIVE IN THE MANSION UNTIL ONE DAY
SHE FELL DOWN THE STEPS AND STARTED THE HOME ON FIRE WHEN THE
KEROSINE LAMP SHE WAS CARRYING STARTED THE HOME ON FIRE WHEN IT
FELL. SHE DIED IN THE FIRE, THE PEOPLE SAVED THE MANSION FROM BEING
DESTROYED BY THE FLAMES. PEOPLE SAY THAT IF ONE IS AT THE HOUSE
AT NIGHT ONE CAN SEE A LIGHT TRAVELLING SLOWLY DOWN THE FRONT HALLWA
STEPS AS SHE DID ON THE NIGHT OF HER DEATH.
Where learned: IOWA ; DAVENPORT
Keyword(s): MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-01-1968
THE MYTH OF THE YELLING WOMAN
DURING THE LATTER PART OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY, A SPANISH SHIP,
RICHLY LADEN WITH RICHES, WAS BESET BY ENGLISH PIRATES, WHO KILLED
EVERY PERSON ON BOARD AT THE TIME OF THE CAPTURE, EXCEPT A
BEAUTIFUL LADY, A PASSENGER ON THE SHIP, WHO WAS BROUGHT ASHORE
AT NIGHT AND BRUTALLY MURDERED AT A LEDGE OF THE ROCKS. AS THE
FISHERMEN WHO LIVED NEAR WERE AWAY IN THEIR BOATS, THE WOMEN AND
CHILDREN, WHO WERE STARTLED FROM THEIR SLEEP BY HER PIERCING SHRIEKS
DARED NOT ATTEMPT A RESCUE. TAKING HER A LITTLE WAY FROM SHORE IN
THEIR BOAT, THE PIRATES FLUNG HER INTO THE SEA AND AS SHE CAME TO
THE SURFACE AND GRABBED FOR THE BOAT, THEY WHACKED AT HER HANDS
WITH CUTLASSES. SHE WAS HEARD TO CRY, LORD, SAVE ME} MERCY} O,
LORD, JESUS, SAVE ME} THE NEXT DAY THE PEOPLE FOUND HER MURDERED
MANGLED BODY ON THE ROCKS AND PREPARED IT FOR BURIAL. IT WAS
INTERRED WHERE IT WAS FOUND, BUT, ALTHOUGH IT WAS LAID IN THE EARTH
WITH CHRISTIAN FORMS, FOR ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS THE VICTIM'S
CRIES AND APPEALS WERE REPEATED, ON EACH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CRIME,
WITH SUCH DISTINCTNESS AS TO SCARE ALL WHO HEARD THEM AND MOST OF
THE CITIZENS OF THAT COMMUNITY CLAIMED TO HEAR THE CRIES AT ONE
TIME OR ANOTHER.
Submitter comment:
MRS. ORESTE SAID THAT SHE HEARD ABOUT THIS MYTH FROM HER AUNT WHO
HEARD IT FROM SOMEONE ELSE. SHE FIRST HEARD ABOUT THE TALE ABOUT
THIRTY YEARS AGO AND CLAIMS THAT ANOTHER ONE OF HER RELATIVES
ACTUALLY HEARD THE SHRIEKS OF THE WOMAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND HAVEN
Keyword(s): VIOLENT DEATH
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Myth PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-00-1963