Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for B430 returned 194 results.
A MAN AND HIS WIFE HAD A LITTLE GIRL AND A LITTLE BOY. THE OLD
WOMAN LOVED THE LITTLE BOY THE BEST, & THE OLD MAN LOVED THE
LITTLE GIRL THE BEST. THIS OLD WOMAN JUST HATED HER, SO SHE
WAS GONNA KILL HER. SHE WAITED 'TIL THE OLD MAN AN' THE BOY
WERE WORKIN', AND' THE LITTLE GIRL STAYED THERE. SO, SHE
COME OUTSIDE, SHE KILLED THE LITTLE GIRL, AN' DRESSED THE
MEAT OUT, Y' KNOW, AN' SAVED IT FOR FOOD. THE LITTLE BOY,
WHEN HE CAME IN, SHE TOLD HIM SHE HAD SOME CHICKEN BONES, Y'
KNOW, SHE WANTED HIM TO GO OUT UNDER THE PALM TREE & BURY
THE BONES. GOT READY TO GO TO THE TABLE, THE FATHER SAID,
"WHERE'S JULIE?" SHE SAID, "OH, I DON'T KNOW, SHE WENT OUT
TO A NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE TO PLAY. HERE, EAT THIS MEAT." SHE
WASN'T HUNGRY, THOUGH, SO HE ATE IT. THAT NIGHT THE LITTLE
GIRL STILL WASN'T THERE, AN' HE ASKED WHERE SHE WAS, AN'
SHE SAID, "SHE DECIDED TO STAY WITH SOME O' THE FOLKS, SO
A WOMAN TOLE ME." THAT NIGHT, LATE IN THE NIGHT, THEY HEARD
SOMETHIN' SAY, "MAMA KILLED ME, / PAPA EAT ME, / BROTHER
BURIED MY LITTLE BONES / UNDER THE PALM TREE." SHE SAID,
"WHAT IS THAT?" HE SAID HE DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING. SO, AFTER
A WHILE EVERYTHING GOT QUIET, AN' AGAIN THEY HEARD IT:
(REPEAT THE SONG). THEN FINALLY THE MAN HEARD IT. HE GOT
SO HE WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WAS IT ALL ABOUT. HE WENT UNDER
THE PALM TREE, AN' THERE WAS THE BONES, AN' HE SAW WHAT
HAD HAPPENED. SO THEY HUNG THE OLD WOMAN--HANGED HER--'TILL
SHE DIED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 07-06-1973
THE BROWN MOUNTAIN LIGHT: A SLAVE OWNER WAS KILLED OR LOST
ON A MOUNTAIN. THE SLAVE WENT LOOKING FOR HIM IN THE NIGHT.
AND TO THIS VERY DAY YOU CAN STILL SEE THE LIGHT ON THE
MOUNTAIN AT NIGHT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CLASS ASSIGNMENT ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
YEARS AGO ONE TEACHER TOLD EVERYONE THAT IF THEY DIDN'T BRING
SOMETHING TO WRITE WITH TO HER CLASS, SHE'S CUT THEIR GRADE
DOWN A POINT EACH TIME THEY CAME IN WITHOUT ANYTHING. EVEN
AFTER A NEW TEACHER TOOK HER PLACE, EVERY DAY, EVERYONE TOOK
A BRAILLER WHICH IS BIG AND CUMBERSOME TO ENGLISH CLASS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; TSB ; TALKING WITH HIM THERE
Keyword(s): BRAILE WRITER BRAILE WRITING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LEGEND
THIS GUY, CREEPY JESUS, WAS REPUTED TO BE A HOLY
ROLLER. HE WAS ABOUT FIVE FEET TALL AND WOULD GO
TO THE PEOPLE'S HOMES. HE'S FLASH SOMETHING IN A
PAPER BAG AND ASK IF YOU WANTED TO BUY IT. IF YOU
TOLD HIM YOUR FATHER WASN'T HOME, HE'D LEAVE RIGHT
AWAY EVEN IF YOUR FATHER WAS RIGHT THERE IN THE
FRONT YARD.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 08-01-1968
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER (THE MULTIMILLIONAIRE)
NEVER TIPPED MORE THAN A DIME.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): CHEAP
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
WHEN DR. MACKEY WAS A STUDENT IN COLLEGE
(DR. MACKEY IS THE PRESIDENT EMERITUS), ONE
NIGHT HE WAS OUTSIDE THE DORM AND THIS GUY ON
THE THIRD FLOOR DROPPED A WATER BALLOON ON
HIS HEAD.
THAT NIGHT, WHEN EVERYBODY WAS ASLEEP, DR.
MACKEY TOOK A HOSE PIPE AND CLIMBED UP THE
DRAINPIPE AND STUCK THE NOZZLE IN THIS
BOY'S BED THAT HAD DROPPED THE BALLOON ON HIM.
THEN DR. MACKEY CLIMBED BACK DOWN THE DRAINPIPE
AND TURNED THE HOSEPIPE ON FULL BLAST AND
SCARED THAT GUY TO DEATH AND NEARLY DROWNED
HIM AND NOBODY EVER FOUND OUT WHO DID IT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
THE GOATMAN
A STRANGE OLD MAN TRAVELS OVER NORTHERN GEORGIA
WITH A HERD OF GOATS. HE HAS WHITE HAIR AND
A LONG WHITE BEARD AND WEARS OLD, TATTERED
CLOTHES. HE OCCASIONALLY COMES INTO TOWN; HE
SEEMS TO APPEAR AND DISAPPEAR LIKE A VISION
AND HAS MAGICAL POWERS WHICH NOBODY QUITE
CAN FIGURE OUT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 04-20-1969
DR. HALL'S MULTILINGUAL LECTURE
DR. CLIFTON HALL, A PEABODY PROFESSOR, WAS TO
GIVE A LECTURE AT VANDERBILT. AS HE STARTED
TO SPEAK, SOMEONE IN THE AUDIENCE MADE A
DEROGATORY STATEMENT ABOUT PEABODY. DR. HALL
CLEARED HIS THROAT AND DELIVERED HIS ENTIRE
LECTURE IN GREEK, TRANSLATED IT INTO FRENCH,
AND THEN SAT DOWN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 04-20-1969
DR. HALL'S EDUCATIONAL THEORY
DR. HALL WAS LECTURING IN A CLASS OF
EDUCATION MAJORS DOWNSTAIRS IN THE PAYNE
BUILDING. A LOUD CRASHING NOISE WAS HEARD
IN A ROOM ABOVE AND AFTER A PAUSE, DR. HALL
SAID, "THERE THEY GO AGAIN--EDUCATING THE WHOLE
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 04-20-1969
DR. ANDERSON'S SIDELINE
DR. ANDERSON OF PEABODY COLLEGE, ENGLISH
DEPARTMENT, WRITES DIRTY BOOKS UNDER ANOTHER
NAME.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 04-20-1969
ECCENTRIC CHARACTERS
ABOUT TWELVE MILES FROM GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA,
THERE IS A RUNDOWN LOOKING HOUSE UP AN EMBANKMENT FROM
THE MAIN HIGHWAY. THE STORY TOLD IS THAT SOME TYPE OF
TRAGEDY (PERHAPS A TRAGIC DEATH) OCCURRED IN THE HOUSE.
THE OWNERS NOW WILL NOT LIVE IN THE HOUSE BUT LIVE IN A
WHITE CAR BESIDE THE HOUSE. I HAVE SEEN THE HOUSE AND
THE CAR. A COLLEGE STUDENT EXPLORING AROUND THE HOUSE
WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN CHASED OFF BY SOMEONE WITH A GUN.
I HAVEN'T TALKED WITH ANYONE DIRECTLY CONNECTED WITH THE
FAMILY, BUT THOSE WHO TELL THE STORY BELIEVE THAT THE
PEOPLE TRULY LIVE IN THE CAR.
Where learned: DORM ; NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-06-1969
MURDERED BOYFRIEND
A GIRL AND BOY ON A DATE RAN OUT OF GAS ON A DARK,
LONELY ROAD. THE BOY TOLD HER TO STAY IN THE LOCKED
CAR AND NOT LOOK BACK, WHILE HE WENT FOR HELP. SHE
STAYED ALL NIGHT, AND IN THE MORNING, SHE TURNED AND
LOOKED OUT THE BACK WINDOW. HER BOYFRIEND'S HEAD WAS
ON THE TRUNK, LOOKING IN AT HER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): HORROR ; The Boyfriend's Death
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00001960 CA
NOT REALLY DEAD?
AN OLD COLORED LADY DIED AND THEY PUT MONEY ON HER EYES
TO WEIGH HER EYES DOWN. SHE WASN'T REALLY DEAD, SO
SHE GOT UP OUT OF THE CASKET AND CAME DOWNSTAIRS
JIGGLING THE MONEY SHE HAD ON HER EYES.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; ROCKWOOD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 07-28-1968
LOCAL TALE OF PREMONITION
THERE WAS THIS COUPLE WHO WAS PARKING IN PERCY WARNER
PARK, AND AFTER A WHILE, THE GIRL GOT COLD CHILLS AND
REQUESTED THAT THEY LEAVE. THE BOY, THINKING THAT SHE
WAS MAKING EXCUSES, THOUGHT SHE WAS JUST BEING SILLY.
BUT SHE INSISTED THAT THEY LEAVE BECAUSE SHE HAD A
FEELING THAT SOMETHING WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. THE BOY
FINALLY CONSENTED AND THEY LEFT. WHEN THEY GOT HOME,
THERE WAS A HAND PRINT ON THE DOOR OF THE CAR, AND IT
WAS SMUDGED AS IF PERHAPS THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR AS
THE COUPLE STARTED TO LEAVE HAD SMUDGED IT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): HOOK
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
DEATH STORY
DID YOU HEAR WHAT HAPPENED TO VIRGINIA GARTON WHEN
VIRGINIA SMITH'S MOTHER DIED? WELL, SHE HAD BEEN TO
TOWN AND INSTEAD OF GOING IN HER HOUSE AND PUTTING HER
PACKAGES DOWN, SHE WENT UP TO VIRGINIA SMITH'S TO SEE
IF THERE WAS ANYTHING SHE COULD DO TO HELP OUT. A FEW
DAYS LATER, AFTER MRS. SMITH'S MOTHER DIED, MRS. GARTON
MISSED ONE OF HER PACKAGES AND CALLED MRS. SMITH TO SEE
IF SHE HAD LEFT IT THERE. SHE ASKED, "VIRGINIA, DID
I LEAVE A PACKAGE AT YOUR HOUSE THE OTHER DAY? IT HAD
A SLIP IN IT." MRS. SMITH WAS KIND OF QUIET FOR A
MINUTE AND THEN SAID, "WHEN I SAW THE SLIP, I THOUGHT
IT WAS ONE MY MOTHER HAD BROUGHT WITH HER AND I BURIED
HER IN IT." MRS. GARTON SAID, "OH, THAT'S ALL RIGHT,
I GOT IT ON SALE ANYWAY." TO WHICH MRS. SMITH VERY
CALMLY REPLIED, "THAT'S EVEN BETTER--MOTHER ALWAYS
DID LOVE A BARGAIN."
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 08-13-1968
THE GOLD CHESTS
IT (W)AS DOWN THERE IN DECATURVILLE, TENNESSEE, 'N
MY COUSIN WAS SUPPOSED TO MARRY ALVIN BOGGS (HE LIVED
DOWN THERE WHERE THE INTERSTATE NOW RUNS THROUGH LINDEN).
WELL, SHE UP 'N RAN AWAY WITH JESSIE CARTER ON HER
WEDDIN' DAY. WELL, BOGGS WAS SO UPSET HE MOVED TO
TEXAS AND WE DIDN'T HEAR FROM HIM FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS.
THEN ONE DAY HE CAME IN BY TRAIN AND HE HAD FIVE BIG CHESTS
WITH HIM. IT TOOK ABOUT FOUR MEN TO GET THEM CHESTS
OFF THE TRAIN AND TO HIS HOUSE. WELL EVERYBODY THOUGHT
HE HAD GOLD IN 'EM, BUT HE NEVER WOULD OPEN 'EM. HE
SHOT ONE MAN WHO TRIED TO STEAL ONE. WELL, IT WASN'T
'TIL HE WAS ON HIS DEATH BED AND ONE OF HIS COUSINS ASKED
HIM IF HE COULD OPEN THE CHEST. YOU KNOW WHAT WAS IN
THERE? SCRAP IRON. EVER' ONE OF 'EM FILLED WITH
SCRAP IRON. AN ALL THIS TIME WE THOUGHT THEY WERE
FILLED WITH GOLD; AND THAT'S THE TRUTH.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 08-08-1968
LOCAL LEGEND
IN THE QUITE EARLY 1900'S, KATE FREEMAN CLARK, A YOUNG LADY
FROM HOLLY SPRINGS, WENT TO NEW YORK CHAPERONED BY HER MOTHER TO
STUDY WITH THE ARTIST CHASE (PRESUMABLY WILLIAM MERRITT CHASE).
WHEN HER MOTHER DIED A GOOD MANY YEARS LATER, SHE RETURNED TO LIVE
OUT HER LIFE IN THE FAMILY HOME.
BECAUSE SHE DID NOT BELIEVE IN KILLING ANY LIVING THING, SHE
WOULD NOT HAVE THE GRASS AND WEEDS CUT OUT OF HER YARD. IT GREW UP
INTO SUCH A JUNGLE OF UNDERBRUSH THAT YOU COULD BARELY SEE THE
HOUSE. SHE ONCE ADMITTED TO HAVING 47 CATS SO IT IS NO TELLING
HOW MANY SHE ACTUALLY HAD.
SHE SELDOM LEFT HER HOUSE AND WOULD NOT COME TO THE DOOR UNLESS
YOU TELEPHONED AHEAD TO TELL HER YOU WERE COMING. BUT IF SHE WAS
LISTENING TO HER FAVORITE RADIO PROGRAM, SHE WOULDN'T COME TO THE
TELEPHONE, EITHER!
BACAUSE SHE LEFT HER PAINTINGS STORED IN NEW YORK, NO ONE HAD
EVER SEEN THEM IN MISSISSIPPI. THE PAINTINGS PROVED TO BE QUITE
GOOD AND ARE NOW HOUSED IN A MUSEUM IN HOLLY SPRINGS.
James Callow comment: SPELLING OF NO ONE CORRECTED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 08-06-1968
LOCAL LEGEND
NORTHERN JONES WAS A COLORED HANDYMAN ABOUT TOWN
YEARS AGO. WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT HIM, THEY SAY
HE WAS KINDA SLICK, OR IN OTHER WORDS, SHIFTLESS.
ONE DAY THE WHITE MAN FOR WHOM HE WORKED WAS HEARD
TO BE GIVING NORTHERN JONES A LONG STRING OF JOBS
TO GET DONE. WHEN HE WAS TOLD THAT NORTHERN JONES
COULD NEVER BEGIN TO DO ALL OF THEM, THE WHITE
MAN REPLIED: "SHUCKS, IF HE GETS ONE OF 'EM DONE,
I'LL BE SATISFIED!"
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; HOLLY SPRINGS
James Callow Keyword(s): LAZY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 08-10-1968
LOCAL LEGEND
THE STORY IS TOLD AROUND TOWN THAT SOMEONE ONCE
PLACED A LARGE HARP IN THE TREE ON HIS LAWN,
SLANTING THE HARP SO A GENTLE BREEZE PLAYED SOFTLY
ACROSS ITS STRINGS, BECAUSE HE LIKED SWEET MUSIC.
I GUESS IT MUST HAVE BEEN MORE EERIE THAN SWEET.
Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; HOLLY SPRINGS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 08-10-1968
SAVING YOUR LANTERN
ON A DARK, STORMY NIGHT MANY YEARS AGO, A TRAIN HIT
AN AUTOMOBILE AT A CROSSING NEAR THE TOWN OF DICKSON,
TENNESSEE. IN THE TRIAL THAT FOLLOWED, THE KEY
WITNESS WAS A LOYAL NEGRO EMPLOYEE WHOSE JOB WAS TO
SIGNAL AT THE CROSSING. ON CROSS EXAMINATION, HE WAS
ASKED HOW HE SIGNALED. HE SAID THAT HE SWUNG HIS
LANTERN TO AND FRO OVER HIS HEAD BUT THEY KEPT COMING
ANYWAY. CONVINCED BY HIS TESTIMONY, THE JURY RELIEVED
THE RAILROAD COMPANY OF ANY LIABILITY.
ON LEAVING THE COURTROOM, THE RAILROAD LAWYER PRAISED
THE EMPLOYEE AND TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD SAVED THE
COMPANY A LOT OF MONEY. THE EMPLOYEE SAID, "BOSS,
IF THEY HAD ASKED ME ONE MORE QUESTION WE WOULD HAVE
BEEN SUNK." THE LAWYERS WERE SURPRISED AND INQUIRED,
"WHAT QUESTION WAS THAT?" THE EMPLOYEE REPLIED,
"IF THAT LANTERN WAS LIT!"
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |