Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE GUY WHO STOLE 25 CARBURETORS?
HE WALKED OUT WITH ONE A DAY UNDER HIS COAT UNTIL
HE WAS FINALY CAUGHT BY A GUARD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; FORD MOTOR CO ; ENGINE PLANT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
LEGEND AMONG THE FRANCISCAN NUNS OF TOLEDO {OHIO}
HAS IT THAT THEY UNKNOWINGLY HARBORED AL CAPONE FROM
THE POLICE. THE NUNS, SYMPATHETIC TO THE HUNGRY
VAGRANT, THE PREMISE THAT CAPONE PUT ON, LET HIM
STAY INDOORS, FED HIM WHILE THE POLICE COMBED THE
NEIGHBORHOOD. AFTER THE POLICE WENT AWAY, CAPONE LEFT
PEACEFULLY, OFFERING THANKS TO THE NUNS. THE EVENT
OCCURRED AT ST. STANISLAUS CONVENT ON DETROIT AVENUE
IN TOLEDO, OHIO.
Submitter comment:
TOLD BY A FRANCISCAN NUN WHEN I WAS STUDYING HISTORY
IN GRADE SCHOOL.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: IN GRADE SCHOOL
ON GROUND HOG HILL NEAR FANCY GAP, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A
VERY SMALL ONE-ROOM CABIN WHERE A WOMAN HAD 23 CHILDREN,
AND THEY ALL DIED IMMEDIATELY AFTER BIRTH. OLD PEOPLE
FROM THE AREA CLAIM THAT SHE STUCK A HAT PIN IN THE SOFT
SPOT ON EACH INFANT'S HEAD; HOWEVER, THIS COULD NOT BE
PROVEN. SHE WAS ALSO A MIDWIFE AND HAD DELIVERED
HUNDREDS OF OTHER BABIES. THE CABIN STILL STANDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 03-01-1971
A BABYSITTER WAS TAKING CARE OF THESE KIDS IN A TWO-STORY
HOUSE AND THIS MAN CALLS AND TELLS HER THAT HE'S GOING
TO KILL HER AND THE CHILDREN. SO SHE PHONES THE POLICE
AND THEY SAID SOMEONE WAS ON THE WAY AND THAT IF HE
CALLED AGAIN, TO KEEP HIM TALKING SO THE OPERATOR COULD
TRACE THE CALL. THE GUY CALLS AGAIN AND THE GIRL IS
TALKING TO HIM WHEN THE OPERATOR BREAKS IN AND TELLS
THE GIRL TO RUN BECAUSE HE'S ON THE UPSTAIRS EXTENSION.
HE'D ALREADY KILLED THE CHILDREN.
Submitter comment: TOLD AS A TRUE STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
A GIRL IN BIRMINGHAM WAS BABYSITTING WHEN SHE GETS A
PHONE CALL FROM A MAN WHO THREATENS HER LIFE AND SHE
THINKS IT IS ONLY A JOKE. THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER,
SHE GETS THE CALL AGAIN, THIS TIME SHE GETS SCARED AND
CALLS THE COPS, ONLY TO REALIZE THAT THE MAN WAS
CALLING FROM UPSTAIRS IN THE SAME HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 10-30-1971
THERE WAS A PROMINENT FAMILY IN DEARBORN WHO HIRED THIS
GIRL TO BABYSIT FOR THEIR TWO CHILDREN. WHEN THE COUPLE
LEFT, THE PHONE RANG AND A MAN SAID, "I KNOW WHERE
YOU ARE AND AM GOING TO KILL YOU." THE GIRL GETS REALLY
SCARED, SO SHE CALLS HER MOTHER AND HER MOTHER TELLS
HER TO CALL THE POLICE IF SHE GETS THE CALL AGAIN AND
THEN LET HER (THE MOTHER) KNOW WHAT THEY SAID.
A LITTLE WHILE LATER, THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN AND THE MAN
SAYS "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU AND THE TWO KIDS." THE GIRL
IS REALLY SCARED NOW BECAUSE THE GUY KNOWS SO MUCH, SO
SHE CALLS THE POLICE. THE POLICE COME AND LOOK AROUND,
DON'T FIND ANYTHING; BUT TELL HER THEY WILL PUT A TRACER
ON THE PHONE. THEN THEY LEAVE.
THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN AND SAYS, "I'M COMING TO GET YOU."
THE OPERATOR CUTS IN AND TELLS THE GIRL TO KEEP HIM ON
THE PHONE LONGER, SO SHE CAN TRACE IT. 5 MINUTES LATER
THE PHONE RINGS AND THE GUY STARTS TO LAUGH AND SAYS,
"I'VE KILLED THE 2 KIDS, NOW I'M GOING TO KILL YOU."
AT THIS THE OPERATOR CUTS IN AND SAYS, "RUN OUT THE
FRONT DOOR, HE'S UPSTAIRS." IT SEEMS THE FAMILY HAD A
BUSINESS PHONE UPSTAIRS WHICH THE MAN WAS USING.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS SHE BELIEVED IT UNTIL SHE HEARD
DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF IT FROM DIFFERNT PEOPLE, EACH
CLAIMING TO HAVE READ IT IN THE NEWSPAPER.
Where learned: WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
THE LEGEND OF MR. KREPSI {INDIAN KILLER}
IN THE EARLY 1800S NEAR ORTONVILLE, MICHIGAN (NEAR
PONTIAC) THERE LIVED A FARMER, THOMAS KREPSI. THERE
WAS A TRIBE OF INDIANS LIVING THERE AT THE TIME--
TAMARAC INDIANS. KREPSI HATED THE INDIANS. HE WAS CRUEL
TO THEM AND ONCE HE EVEN KILLED AN INDIAN.
ONE DAY, KREPSI BROUGHT HIS GOODS TO FORT DETROIT TO
SELL THEM. WHEN HE GOT HOME LATE IN THE EVENING, HE
FOUND HIS CABIN ON FIRE. THE INDIANS HAD DONE THIS IN
RETALIATION. KREPSI RAN INSIDE THE CABIN TO SAVE HIS
WIFE AND HIS THREE DAUGHTERS.
WHILE KREPSI WAS INSIDE, THE ROOF CAVED IN. ONLOOKERS
REPORTED SEEING SOMETHING BADLY BURNED CRAWL OUT OF A
WINDOW--KREPSI. HE CREPT INTO THE SWAMP AND WAS NEVER
FOUND.
A FEW MONTHS LATER A BADLY BURNED MAN WAS SEEN LEAVING
THE INDIAN RESERVATION AFTER KILLING THREE INDIAN GIRLS.
IN THE 1930S A DUCK HUNTER WAS ATTACKED IN THE SWAMP
BY HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT. LATER HE RETURNED TO THE SWAMP
OUT OF CURIOSITY AND WAS NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN.
IN THE 1960S THERE WERE REPORTS OF SOME ONSTER IN THAT
AREA. NOBODY KNEW WHAT IT WAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 02-01-1971
BLACK BART
WESTERN STAGE COACH ROBBER WITH OVER 30 ROBBERIES TO HIS
CREDIT. RETIRED BY WELLS FARGO WITH A PENSION OF $200
A MONTH TO PROTECT THEIR COMPANY.
Where learned: OHIO ; PEMBERVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 10-14-1971
INDIAN PETE-1
"INDIAN PETE," THE ONLY NAME I EVER KNEW HIM BY, WAS A
CHARACTER THAT WOULD HAVE A GOOD SUBJECT FOR AN AUTHOR.
WE WERE TOLD HE WAS A WHITE BOY THAT WAS CAPTURED AND
RAISED BY THE INDIANS. WHEN I KNEW HIM, HE LIVED WITH
THE INDIANS AND DRESSED IN THE TRADITIONAL INDIAN
FASHION. THE STORIES ABOUT THE NUMBER OF SCALPS HE
HAD, I AM SURE, WERE EXAGGERATED. WHENEVER HE WOULD
COME RIDING HIS BLACK AND WHITE PONY INTO TOWN, IT
WAS REASON FOR MOST MOTHERS TO BRING THEIR CHILDREN IN
TO THEIR HOUSES, BUT MY OLDER BROTHER AND I WOULD
ALWAYS RUN TO MEET HIM AS HE NEVER FAILED TO GIVE US
A RIDE ON HIS PONY. UNFORTUNATELY, THESE RIDES WOULD
COME TO AN END, AS SOON AS HE WOULD SEE MY MOTHER, AS
SHE, LIKE MOST WOMEN IN THE TOWN, WAS AFRAID OF HIM.
THE ONLY REASON FOR THIS FEAR THAT I COULD SEE, WAS HIS
GREAT DESIRE TO GET DRUNK AND START SHOOTING HIS GUN IN
THE AIR AS HE RODE UP AND DOWN THE MAIN STREET. THIS
HABIT LED HIM TO THE TOWN JAIL WHICH BECAME HIS SECOND
HOME. AFTER ONE OF THESE SHOOTING SPREES, IF HE
COULD RIDE OUT OF TOWN BEFORE BEING ARRESTED, NOTHING
WAS DONE ABOUT HIM, BUT IF HE DID NOT RIDE FAST
ENOUGH, IT WAS THE TOWN JAIL FOR INDIAN PETE, UNTIL
HE SLEPT IT OFF.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; PEORIA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 11-01-1971
POLLY'S LOVER
IN ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF THIS CENTURY A WITHERED WOMAN OF
NINETY WAS BURIED FROM A NOW DESERTED HOUSE IN WHITE
PLAINS, NEW YORK, POLLY CARTER THE NAME OF HER, BUT
"CRAZY POLLY" WAS WHAT THE NEIGHBORS CALLED HER, FOR
SHE WAS ECCENTRIC AND NOT FOND OF COMPANY. AMONG
THE BELONGINGS OF HER HOUSE WAS A TALL CLOCK, SUCH AS
RELIC HUNTERS PRIZE, THAT TICKED SOLEMNLY IN A LANDING
ON THE STAIRS. FOR A TIME, DURING THE REVOLUTION, THE
HOUSE STOOD WITHIN THE BRITISH LINES, AND AS HER FATHER
WAS A COLONEL IN WASHINGTON'S ARMY, SHE WAS LEFT ALMOST
ALONE IN IT. THE BRITISH OFFICERS RESPECTED HER SEX,
BUT THEY HAD AN UNPLEASANT WAY OF RUNNING IN UNANNOUNCED
AND DEMANDING ENTERTAINMENT, IN THE KING'S NAME, WHICH
SHE FELT FORCED TO GRANT. ONE RAINY AFTERNOON THE DOOR
WAS FLUNG OPEN, THEN LOCKED ON THE INSIDE, AND SHE FOUND
HERSELF IN THE ARMS OF A STALWART, HANDSOME LIEUTENANT,
WHO WORE THE BLUE. IT WAS HER COUSIN AND FIANCE.
THEIR GLAD TALK HAD NOT BEEN GOING LONG WHEN THERE CAME
A ROUSING SUMMONS AT THE DOOR. THREE ENGLISH OFFICERS
WERE WAITING ADMITTANCE.
PERHAPS THEY HAD SEEN LAWRENCE CARTER GO INTO THE HOUSE,
AND IF CAUGHT HE WOULD BE KILLED AS A SPY. HE MUST BE
HIDDEN, BUT IN SOME PLACE WHERE THEY WOULD NOT THINK OF
LOOKING. THE CLOCK! THAT WAS THE PLACE. WITH A LAUGH
AND A KISS THE YOUNG MAN SUBMITTED TO BE SHUT IN THIS
NARROW QUARTER, AND THROWING HIS COAT AND HAT BEHIND SOME
FURNITURE, THE GIRL ADMITTED THE OFFICERS, WHO WERE WET
AND MAD AND DEMANDED DINNER. THEY TRAMPED ABOUT THE
BEST ROOM IN THEIR MUDDY BOOTS, TALKING LOUDLY, AND IN
ORDER TO BREAK THE EFFECT OF THE CHILL WEATHER, THEY
PASSED THE BRANDY BOTTLE FREELY. POLLY SERVED THEM WITH
A DINNER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, FOR SHE WANTED TO GET THEM
OUT OF THE HOUSE, BUT THEY WERE IN NO MOOD TO GO, AND THE
BOTTLE PASSED SO OFTEN THAT BEFORE THE DINNER WAS OVER
THEY WERE NOISY AND TIPSY AND WERE USING LANGUAGE THAT
DROVE POLLY FROM THE ROOM.
AT LAST, TO HER RELIEF, SHE HEARD THEM PREPARING TO LEAVE
THE HOUSE, BUT AS THEY WERE ABOUT TO GO, THE SENIOR
OFFICER, LOOKING UP AT THE LANDING, NOW DIM IN THE PALING
LIGHT, SAID TO ONE OF THE OTHERS, "SEE WHAT TIME IT IS."
THE OFFICER ADDRESSED, WHO HAPPENED TO BE THE DRUNKEST
OF THE PARTY, STAGGERED UP THE STAIR AND EXCLAIMED, "THE
DAMNED THING'S STOPPED." THEN, AS IF HE THOUGHT IT A
GOOD JOKE, HE ADDED, "IT'LL NEVER GO AGAIN." DRAWING
HIS SABRE, HE GAVE THE CLOCK A CARELESS CUT AND RAN
THE BLADE THROUGH THE PANEL OF THE DOOR; AFTER THIS THE
THREE PASSED OUT. WHEN THEIR VOICES HAD DIED IN DISTANT
BRAWLING, POLLY RAN TO RELEASE HER LOVER. SOMETHING
THICK AND DARK WAS CREEPING FROM BENEATH THE CLOCK-CASE.
WITH TREMBLING FINGERS SHE PULLED OPEN THE DOOR, AND
LAWRENCE, HER LOVER, FELL HEAVILY FORWARD INTO HER ARMS,
DEAD. THE OFFICER WAS RIGHT; THE CLOCK NEVER WENT AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
YUNK-YUNK HEARD THIS AS AN OLD INDIAN LEGEND. REFER TO
INFORMANTS LIST FOR MORE DETAILS CONCERNING HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MACKINAW ISLAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 09-00-1963
MIDNIGHT SKULKER
HE IS SOME MYSTERIOUS PERSON OR BEING WHO COMES AROUND
THE CAMPUS UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT, LEAVING MESSAGES
IN STRANGE PLACES, TO THE EFFECT THAT THE "MIDNIGHT
SKULKER" WAS HERE. HE LEFT A SYMBOL (REPRODUCED BELOW)
AND ONCE LOOTED THE VARSITY NEWS OFFICE LAST YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THE MIDNIGHT SKULKER HAS BEEN AROUND
FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS.
Data entry tech comment: DRAWING OF AN UPRIGHT ARROW WITH A CIRCLE IN THE MIDDLE,
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 04-03-1967
A SLAVERY TIME STORY
A STORY TOLD MR. WRIGHT WHEN HE WAS A BOY AT THE TURN
OF THE CENTURY.
LOTS OF PEOPLE STAYED IN THE WOODS AND LIVED IN
CAVES AND AT NIGHT CAME OUT TO STEAL CHICKENS AND HOGS,
ETC. THEY WOULD GO UP TO A MAN'S HOUSE AND GRAB A
TURKEY AT ROOST. DOGS WERE KEPT TO TRACK THE THIEVES,
WHO WERE BAREFOOTED. BUT THE PEOPLE COULD OUTRUN
DOGS IN THOSE DAYS. THEY WOULD RUN TO THE FENCE, JUMP
OVER IT; THEY WOULD TAKE A CERTAIN WEED AND HIT THEIR
FEET WITH IT. THE DOGS COULDN'T TRAIL THE THIEVES
ANY LONGER BUT WOULD JUST WHINE AT THE FENCE.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
BRITISH INTELLIGENCE LEARNED THAT HITLER HAD HIRED A
GREAT ASTROLOGER AND WAS PLANNING HIS MOVES ON WHAT
HIS HOROSCOPE SAID. THE BRITISH THEN HIRED THEIR
OWN ASTROLOGER WHO READ HITLER'S STARS AND TOLD
BRITISH INTELLIGENCE WHAT DAYS HAD BEEN SHOWN
FAVORABLE FOR A MOVEMENT OF FORCES. IN ONE QUICK
MOVE THE ALLIES HAD REVERSED THE SITUATION THROUGH
THE USE OF A MAN OF THE HEAVENS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 10-31-1969
QUITE PREVALENT AMONG THE EMPLOYEES AND SUPERVISORS OF
THE SEARS STORE IN LINCOLN PARK, MICHIGAN WAS THIS "GET
RICH QUICK" SCHEME THROUGH USE OF THE FOLLOWING CHAIN-
LETTER. THIS WAS COLLECTED JAN. 14, 1967.
1. YOU GIVE $37.50 BY HAND, TO THE PERSON GIVING YOU
THIS LIST OF NAMES. HE GIVES YOU A $25.00 SAVINGS BOND
IN THE NAME OF THE PERSON WHOSE NAME IS FIRST ON THE
LIST YOU HAVE PURCHASED. 2. DON'T USE THE MAIL TO SEND YOUR LETTER. IT IS ILLEGAL
TO DO THIS. 3. MAKE TWO (2) IDENTICAL COPIES OF THIS LETTER, ELIMINATING
THE TOP NAME AND ADDING YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO THE
BOTTOM. THUS THE NUMBER TWO BECOMES ONE AND YOUR
NAME BECOMES NUMBER TEN. 4. THE NAME ON THE BOND IS THE SAME AS THE NAME ON THE
TOP OF THE LIST YOU HAVE JUST PURCHASED. MAIL THE
BOND AT ONCE TO THE PERSON WHOSE NAME IS ON THE BOND.
IT IS LEGAL TO DO THIS. 5. PURCHASE FROM THE BANK TWO (2) $25.00 SAVINGS BONDS
MADE OUT TO THE PERSON WHOSE NAME COMES FIRST ON THE
LIST YOU HAVE JUST MADE OUT. YOU SELL EACH LIST WITH
THE BONDS ATTACHED FOR $37.50 AND YOU HAVE YOUR MONEY
BACK. 6. WHEN YOUR NAME REACHES THE TOP OF THE LIST, YOU SHOULD
HAVE RECEIVED $38,000 IN SAVINGS BONDS, WHICH WILL BE
WORTH $50,000 IN SEVEN YEARS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE.
THIS CAMPAIGN IS SURE BECAUSE EACH PERSON WILL HASTEN
TO GET HIS MONEY BACK, THUS MOVING YOUR NAME UP THE
LIST. THIS ALSO BENEFITS THE COUNTRY BY THE SALE OF
SAVINGS BONDS. 7. THIS LIST IS NOT VALID UNLESS A BOND IS ATTACHED,
PAYABLE TO THE PERSON WHO IS NUMBER ONE ON THE LIST.
RESPONSIBLE LEGAL TALENT HAS ADVISED THAT THIS
PROCEDURE OF SELLING GOVERNMENT BONDS IS NOT ILLEGAL.
FOLLOWING THESE INSTRUCTIONS WAS A LIST OF NAMES
WHICH I WAS ASKED TO OMIT. ALL THE PEOPLE LISTED
WERE FROM THE LINCOLN PARK, ALLEN PARK {MICHIGAN}
AREA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 01-14-1967
HAUNTED HOUSE
ABOUT SIX BLOCKS AWAY FROM ME, ON RUTLAND TWO BLOCKS SOUTH OF
GRAND RIVER, IS A LARGE BROWN BRICK HOUSE THAT HAS BEEN UNOCCUPIED
FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS. OLD-TIME NEIGHBORS SAY THAT AROUND 1935,
A MAN KILLED HIS WIFE THERE BY HITTING HER OVER THE HEAD WITH A
POKER. SHE LAY THERE DEAD FOR DAYS UNTIL SOMEONE FOUND HER. NOW,
AS EVERYONE ON THE BLOCK WILL TESTIFY, ONE CAN SEE HER GHOST LATE
AT NIGHT, WALKING FROM ROOM TO ROOM IN THE HOUSE. SOMETIMES, EVEN
DURING THE DAY TIME, YOU WILL HEAR LOUD, PLAINTIVE SCREAMS AND
CRYING, AND MORE FREQUENTLY, SOUNDS OF A MAN AND WOMAN ARGUING.
I MYSELF, AFTER OBSERVATION, HAVE HEARD STRANGE NOISES AT AND
AROUND THAT HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1967
ROSEMARY
ONCE A GIRL IN PITTSBURGH NAMED ROSEMARY WAS KILLED WHILE BEING
ASSAULTED. HER PARENTS BUILT A STONE MONUMENT WITH HER IMAGE IN
STONE ON IT. IT IS NOW A PLACE OF TEENAGE VENERATION. ANYONE
WHO TOUCHES THE STONE AND THEIR HAND BLEEDS IS NOT A VIRGIN, OR
ANYONE WHO SEES ROSEMARY THERE IS NOT A VIRGIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 11-00-1968
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
MARBLES ON THE UPSTAIRS FLOOR
THE INFORMANT'S AUNT WAS BORN AND RAISED IN IRELAND. SHE HAD
MOVED TO THE U.S. BUT HAD GONE BACK TO IRELAND AFTER THE DEATH
OF ONE OF HER CHILDREN. WHEN RETURNING TO IRELAND, THEY MOVED
INTO A HOUSE IN WHICH THEY DID NOT USE THE SECOND FLOOR. RETURN-
ING ONE EVENING FROM GOOD FRIDAY DEVOTIONS IN CHURCH, THE AUNT
NOTICED A LIGHT MOVING FROM ONE END OF THE HOUSE TO THE OTHER
ON THE SECOND FLOOR. THEY THOUGHT NOTHING OF THE LIGHT AT FIRST,
UNTIL THEY REALIZED THAT THE LIGHT COULD NOT MOVE FROM ONE END
OF THE HOUSE TO THE OTHER WITHOUT GOING THROUGH A COUPLE OF
WALLS. WHEN THEY RETURNED HOME THEY QUESTIONED THE CHILDREN
ABOUT HAVING BEEN UPSTAIRS. THE CHILDREN CLAIMED THAT THEY HAD
NOT BEEN UP THERE. THE FATHER AND TWO BROTHERS WENT UPSTAIRS
TO LOOK AROUND BUT COULD FIND NOTHING. THE DOG WOULD NOT GO
UPSTAIRS. THAT NIGHT THERE WAS A TYPE OF NOISE ON THE FLOOR
UPSTAIRS. THE NOISES CONTINUED EVERY NIGHT, GETTING LOUDER AND
LOUDER AND TURNING INTO SOFT CRIES AND MOANING. THE AUNT HAD THE
HOUSE BLESSED TWICE WITHIN TWO WEEKS TO RID IT OF THE NOISE.
AFTER SOME TIME AS THE NOISE GOT LOUDER, THE PRIEST WAS AGAIN
CALLED TO BLESS THE HOUSE. THE FAMILY WENT TO TOWN AND LOOKED
UP THE HISTORY OF THE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THE HOUSE. THEY FOUND
THAT THE HOUSE HAD ONCE BEEN OWNED BY A VERY WEALTHY MAN. THIS
MAN'S MAID WENT INSANE AND ONE DAY CHOKED THE TWO LITTLE CHILDREN
TO DEATH BY STUFFING MARBLES DOWN THEIR THROATS. UPON RETURNING
TO THE HOUSE WITH THE PRIEST TO AGAIN BLESS IT, THEY FOUND MARBLES
ON THE UPSTAIRS FLOOR. THESE MARBLES HAD BEEN MAKING THE NOISE
IN THE NIGHT. THE BODIES OF THE TWO CHILDREN HAD BEEN PLACED IN
THEIR TOY CHESTS. THESE CHESTS HAD LONG BEFORE BEEN REMOVED.
Where learned: DETROIT ; IRELAND ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 03-31-1967
THE AXEMAN
A GROUP OF THE INFORMANT'S FRIENDS WHEN IN HIGH SCHOOL USED TO
PASS THE BLOOMFIELD ESTATES CEMETERY ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL EVERY
MORNING. EACH MORNING IN THE CEMETERY WAS A MAN WHO CARRIED AN
AXE STANDING AT HIS WIFE'S GRAVE. THE GROUP OF TEENAGERS CALLED
HIM "CHARLIE THE AXEMAN." THEY USED TO TEASE HIM EVERY MORNING
UNTIL ONE DAY ONE OF THE FELLOWS FOUND THIS AXE WEDGED THROUGH
THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THERE WAS NO FURTHER TEASING AFTER THAT.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM THIS GROUP OF FRIENDS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 03-31-1967
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