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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE VANISHING HITCHHIKER
"IN PITTSBURGH THERE IS A ROAD LOCATED ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN.
ON ONE SIDE THERE IS A LARGE BODY OF WATER AND ON THE OTHER SIDE
THERE IS A BRICK WALL THAT RUNS A MILE LONG. SO LATE AT NIGHT
THE FOG IS VERY THICK AND IF YOU DRIVE DOWN THIS ROAD A WOMAN
APPEAR ON THE ROAD OUT OF NOWHERE AND THUMB A RIDE. SHE WILL GET
IN THE BACK SEAT AND SPEAK BRIEFLY TO YOU. AS YOU REACH HER
DESIGNATION, SHE WILL DISAPPEAR. IT IS SAID THAT A YOUNG WOMAN
WAS KILLED ON THAT VERY ROAD SOME YEARS AGO AND HER SPIRIT RETURNS
TO INSURE THE SAFETY OF OTHER MOTORIST."
Where learned: DETROIT ; FRIENDS HOME
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
A CHILD WITH A VEIL
WHEN I WAS A CHILD IT WAS SAID THAT I WAS BORN WITH A VEIL OVER
MY FACE. AS A TODDLER, I WOULD CRY AND SCREAM AND POINT AT
OBJECTS THAT MY PARENTS COULD NOT SEE. BUT ONCE MY FATHER WOULD
HOLD ME IN HIS ARMS, I WOULD STOP CRYING AND WHATEVER IT WAS
WOULD DISAPPEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT ; PARENTS HOME
| Subject headings: | Prophet / Seer / Soothsayer Favorites BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-21-1984
THE STORY OF BLOOD ROAD
OUT IN THE HILLS NEAR ORTONVILLE, MICHIGAN THERE IS A ROAD THAT
PEOPLE NOW CALL BLOOD ROAD. THE ROAD IS VERY SECLUDED WAY OUT IN
THE COUNTRY AND LINED WITH HUGE TREES. ONE NIGHT A YOUNG COUPLE
WHO HAD BEEN OUT TO A PARTY WERE GOING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THEIR
CAR BROKE DOWN. THE YOUNG MAN TRIED TO START IT AGIAN BUT NOTHING
HAPPENED SO HE DECIDED TO WALK 15 OR SO MILES BACK TO THE NEAREST
HOUSE AND CALL FOR HELP. THE GIRL DIDN'T WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE
BECAUSE EARLIER THEY HAD HEARD A NEWS BULLETIN ON THE RADIO ABOUT
AN ESCAPED LUNATIC BELIEVED TO BE HEADED IN THAT DIRECTION. HER
BOYFRIEND FINALLY CONVINCED HER THAT SHE WOULD BE ALRIGHT IF SHE
LOCKED HERSELF IN. HE SET OFF WALKING AND SHE LOCKED THE CAR AND
GOT A BLANKET OUT OF THE BACK TO KEEP WARM WITH. AN HOUR OR SO
PASSED AND THE GIRL FELL ASLEEP. SHE AWOKE TO HEAR A TAPPING AT
THE WINDOW. SHE COULDN'T SEE WHAT WAS CAUSING IT BECAUSE IT WAS
SO DARK SO SHE LAID THERE UNDER THE BLANKET WAITING. EVENTUALLY
SHE SAW THE LIGHTS OF A CAR. TIRED OF WAITING AND VERY FRIGHTENED
SHE DECIDED TO FLAG IT DOWN THINKING IT WAS EITHER HER BOYFRIEND
OR SOMEONE WHO COULD HELP. SHE GETS OUT OF THE CAR AND AS SHE
TURNS TOWARDS THE APPROACHING CAR SHE SEES WHAT WAS CAUSING THE
TAPPING NOISE. HER BOYFRIEND WAS HANGING FROM A TREE BY HIS FEET.
HIS THROAT HAD BEEN CUT AND HIS ARM WAS HANGING DOWN NEAR THE CAR,
THE NOISE HAD BEEN HIS CLASS RING TAPPING AGAINST THE CAR WINDOW
AS HIS BODY SWONG IN THE WIND. THAT IS WHY THE ROAD IS CALLED
BLOOD ROAD.
Submitter comment: BRUNVANDS THE BOYFRIEND'S DEATH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 02-20-1984
CHRISTMAS IN ITALY
THIS IS THE WAY MRS. POPP CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS
UNTIL SHE WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD, WHEN SHE AND HER FAMILY
MOVED TO AMERICA, LEAVING THE TRADITIONS IN ITALY.
CHRISTMAS IN ITALY STARTS IN EARLY FALL AND ENDS ON JANUARY 6
WITH THE ARRIVAL OF LA BAFANA, SANTA'S ASSISTANT.
IN THE EARLY FALL THE YOUNG CHILDREN WOULD GO HOUSE TO
HOUSE BEGGING FOR WOOD, PREPARING FOR THE MOST EXCITING
PART OF THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY, THE GIANT BONFIRE. EVERY YEAR
THE BIGGEST THICKEST LOG, CALLED THE YULE LOG WAS SAVED
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR GOOD LUCK. INSTEAD OF A CHRISTMAS
TREE ITALIANS SET UP A PRESEPIO, AN ELABORATE MODEL OF
BETHLEHEM. THE CRADLE WAS LEFT EMPTY UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE
WHEN A SPECIAL CHILD WAS GIVEN THE HONOR OF PLACING THE
SMALL STATUE IN THE CRADLE. AT THE CENONE (GREAT BIG DINNER)
SEVEN DIFFERENT KINDS OF FISH ARE SERVED. BEFORE THE FAMILY
GOES TO BED THEY LEAVE CAKES AND CANDY ON THE TABLE AS AN OPEN
INVITATION FOR MARY AND HER SMALL CHILD TO SPEND THE NIGHT.
THIS WAS THEIR WAY OF TELLING MARY THAT THEY NEVER WANTED HER
TO LOOK FOR A PLACE TO LAY HER CHILD, SHE WAS ALWAYS WELCOME
IN THEIR HOMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1984
IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL A POPULAR GAME WAS THE
COOTIES, EACH DAY ONE CHILD WOULD PUSH ANOTHER
CHILD INTO THE UGLIEST BOY OR GIRL, THIS STARTED THE
COOTIES. WHO EVER WAS PUSHED INTO THE UGLY CHILD GOT
THE COOTIES. THE VICTIM COULD GET RID OF THE
COOTIES BY TAPPING ANOTHER CLASS MATE WITHOUT
THE TEACHER SEEING IT DONE. IF YOU WERE THE LAST ONE
WITH THE COOTIES AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOUR
BEST FRIEND COULD PICK THE COOTIES OFF OF
YOU WITH A COOTIE CATCHER, SO YOU WOULD NOT
HAVE TO TAKE THEM HOME WITH YOU AT NIGHT.
HOWEVER, THE NEXT DAY YOU HAD TO BE GIVEN THE
COOTIES BACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 03-00-1984
KRIS KRINGLES
"AT THE BEGINNING OF THE ADVENT SEASON, MY FAMILY PRACTICES THE
CUSTOM OF 'KRIS KRINGLES.' EACH PERSON WILL PUT THEIR NAME ON A
PIECE OF PAPER AND PUT IT IN A CONTAINER. THEN EACH PERSON WILL
DRAW OUT A NAME AND KEEP IT A SECRET. DURING THE PERIOD OF ABOUT
FOUR WEEKS, WE WILL DO SPECIAL THINGS FOR THE PERSON WHOSE NAME
WE DREW. ON CHRISTMAS EVE WE WILL TRY TO GUESS WHO HAD OUR NAME."
Submitter comment:
WE PRACTICED THIS FOR MANY YEARS. MY MOTHER SAID THAT A RELATIVE
TOLD HER ABOUT IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR
| Subject headings: | 645 September 23 Equinox to December 20 Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 01-00-1984
CHINESE EATING CUSTOM (GOOSE)
"IN CHINA, ANYONE YOUNGER THAN 15 YEARS IS NOT ALLOWED TO EAT
GOOSE BECAUSE THE CHINESE BELIEVE THAT THEIR FINGERS WILL CURL
AND BLISTER."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT BELIEVED SUCH BELIEFS WERE MADE UP BY ELDERS SO THAT
THEY WOULD BE THE ONLY ONES TO ENJOY GOOSE WHICH IS EXPENSIVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
Date learned: 04-00-1984
INDIAN GHOST STORY
WHEN I WAS A SMALL BOY IN ST. LOUIS MISSOURI, MY GRANDPARENTS OWNED
A FARM THAT USED TO BE OWNED BY INDIANS. THEY SAID THAT AN INDIAN
DIED IN THE HOUSE THAT USED TO BE ON THE LAND. AFTER THE INDIAN
DIED SOME OTHER PEOPLE MOVED IN. THE HOUSE MUST HAVE BEEN HAUNTED
BY THE DEAD INDIAN BECAUSE EVERYTIME PEOPLE WOULD TRY TO SLEEP
THEIR BLANKETS WOULD BE TORN OFF OF THEM. ONE DAY A MAN WHO
LIVED THERE DECIDED THAT THE INDIAN WOULD NOT TEAR OFF HIS
BLANKET WHILE HE WAS TRYING TO SLEEP. SO THAT NIGHT HE DECIDED THAT
HE WAS GOING TO HANG ONTO HIS BLANKET REAL HARD. WELL, WHEN HE GOT
INTO BED THAT NIGHT THE GHOST STARTED TO TEAR OFF HIS BLANKET. THE
MAN HUNG ONTO THE BLANKET REAL HARD BUT THE GHOST WAS TOO STRONG
FOR HIM. THE GHOST TORE THAT MAN'S BLANKET RIGHT OFF AND THE MAN
FELL RIGHT ONTO THE FLOOR. WELL, IT WAS MANY YEARS AFTER THAT
THAT MY GRANDPARENTS BOUGHT THAT LAND. THEY SAID THAT NOTHING REAL
STRANGE EVER HAPPENED TO THEM EXCEPT FOR ONE TIME. ONE DAY MY
GRANDPARENTS WERE WORKING IN THEIR COTTONFIELD NEAR THE HOUSE.
THEY HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE PEOPLE RUNNING DOWN THE ROWS
OF COTTON. THEY DIDN'T BOTHER TO LOOK UP BECAUSE THEY FIGURED
THAT IT WAS JUST ONE OF US BOYS. WHEN THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND
CLOSER THEY DID LOOK UP THEN TO SEE WHAT WE WANTED. BUT THERE
WASN'T ANYONE THERE. THEY LOOKED ALL AROUND BUT THEY COULDN'T
FIND ANYONE. NONE OF BOYS DID IT SO WE STILL DON'T WHO OR WHAT
WAS IN THE COTTONFIELD.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT LOUIS
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1946
GHOST IN GARDEN
ONE EVENING MY BROTHER AND I WERE TAKING THE GARBAGE OUT TO THE
ALLEY. WE HAD ALMOST REACHED THE HOUSE WHEN WE HEARD A NOISE
NEAR THE GARDEN. WE LOOKED AROUND AND SAW A VERY OLD MAN
PICKING TOMATOES OUT OF THE GARDEN. HE WAS VERY WHITE AND SCARY
LOOKING. HE NEVER SAID ANYTHING, ALL HE DID WAS SMILE AND KEEP
PICKING THINGS OUT OF THE GARDEN. ME AND MY BROTHER GOT VERY
SCARED AND RAN TOWARDS THE HOUSE. RIGHT BEFORE WE GOT IN THE
HOUSE, WE LOOKED BACK, BUT THE MAN WAS GONE. WE RAN IN OUR HOUSE
AND TOLD OUR MOM AND DAD WHAT WE SAW. WHEN WE DESCRIBED WHAT THE MAN
LOOKED LIKE, THEY SAID THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE MAN WHO USED TO
TO LIVE THERE. THEY SAID THAT HE USED TO KEEP A GARDEN RIGHT WHERE
WE KEPT OURS. THEY SAID THAT HE HAD DIED IN OUR HOUSE MANY YEARS
AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GARDEN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
BELIEF
"IF AN EMPTY ROCKING CHAIR IS ROCKING, SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S MOTHER USED TO GET REAL UPSET IF SOMEONE MADE THE
CHAIR ROCK DELIBERATELY.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER
Keyword(s): ROCKING CHAIR
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero |
Date learned: 00001965CA
IF A GIRL HAS BEEN BAD TO HER PARENTS OR HAS TRIED TO HIT
THEM, HER HAND WILL COME OUT OF HER GRAVE UNTIL IT IS SLAPPED
DOWN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HER BOYFRIEND. HIS
GRANDMOTHER TOLD HIM THIS STORY WHEN HE WAS A LITTLE BOY.
SHE SAID THAT IT COULD ONLY HAPPEN TO GIRLS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PUNISHMENT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; JUSTICE ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Gesture |
THE JERSEY DEVIL
"MY DAD LIVED IN NEW JERSEY ON A FARM. HE SAID THAT EVERY
TIME AFTER IT RAINED, YOU COULD SEE STRANGE FEET AND TAIL
MARKS IN THE MUD. MANY PEOPLE SAW THIS AND WERE BECOMING
WORRIED ABOUT WHAT COULD BE MAKING THESE MARKS. ONE NIGHT
MANY OF THE FARMSMEN AND MY DAD DECIDED TO WAIT FOR THIS
CREATURE. NO ONE HAD EVER SEEN THIS ANIMAL AND IT ONLY
CAME OUT IN THE EARLY MORNING AFTER IT RAINED. SO ALL OF
THE MEN WENT OUT IN THE MORNING AND WAITED FOR THE ANIMAL
BY THE SWAMP. ONE MAN LEFT TO GO TO THE BATHROOM. HE WAS
GONE FOR A LONG TIME, SO ANOTHER MAN WENT TO LOOK FOR HIM.
WHEN HE FOUND THE MAN, HE WAS LAYING ON THE GROUND
UNCONSCIOUS. WHEN THE MAN RECOVERED, HE SAID THAT THE
"JERSEY DEVIL" HIT HIM ON THE HEAD WITH HIS HAND. HE SAID
THAT THE DEVIL HAD A VERY UGLY MAN'S FACE, HORNS ON THE
TOP OF HIS HEAD, A MAN'S BODY DOWN TO HIS WAIST, THE REST OF
HIM WAS A SNAKE'S BODY EXCEPT FOR TWO HUMAN LEGS. THEY
ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THIS DEVIL."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT YOU CAN CALL THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
AND THEY WILL TELL YOU THE STORY ABOUT THE "JERSEY DEVIL."
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SHAMOKIN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
LADY IN CEMETERY
"THIS HAPPENED IN THE SHAMOKIN CEMETERY. MY BROTHERS GAVE
A FEAR TEST TO A FRIEND OF THEIRS NAMED ADAM. THEY
TOLD HIM TO WALK ALONG THE CEMETERY TO SEE HOW BRAVE HE IS.
MY BROTHERS WENT WITH HIM FOR PROOF. WHEN THEY WERE NEXT
TO THE CEMETERY, THEY SAW A WHITE GHOST SHAPED LIKE A LADY
FLOATING NEAR THEM. ADAM SAW IT FIRST AND JUST FROZE. MY
BROTHERS SAID THAT SHE FLOATED THROUGH THE FENCE. THEN SHE
FLOATED TO A GRAVE AND SUNK DOWN INTO IT. THE THREE OF THEM
RAN RIGHT HOME."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THAT YEARS LATER WHEN SHE WENT BACK HOME
FOR A VISIT, SHE VISITED ADAM. HE SAID THAT THE LADY GHOST
HAUNTED HIM FOR MANY YEARS AFTER THE NIGHT OF HIS FEAR TEST.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SHAMOKIN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00001937CA
SUPERNATURAL STORY
"WHERE MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER GREW UP IS A COUNTY IN IRELAND.
HER FAMILY WAS HERSELF AND A COUPLE OF YOUNGER BROTHERS. HER
FATHER HAD DIED AND IT WAS JUST HER MOTHER, HER BROTHERS
AND HERSELF THAT RAN A BIG FARM. ONE TIME WHEN MY GREAT-GRAND-
MOTHER WAS STILL YOUNG, HER MOTHER GOT REAL SICK. SHE REALIZED
THAT SHE WOULDN'T BE IN TOO GOOD SHAPE UNLESS SHE GOT TO A DOCTOR
RIGHT AWAY. IT WAS JUST STARTING TO TURN EVENING AND THEY
LIVED ON THE CORNER OF A BOG IN IRELAND. SO SHE HAD MY GREAT-
GRANDMOTHER GO AND GET THE DOCTOR BUT IT WAS QUITE A WAYS AWAY
FROM TOWN. BECAUSE OF THE BOG THERE WAS A LONG GROVE THAT
WENT AROUND THE BOG AND INTO THE TOWN. THE SHORTCUT TO THE
TOWN WAS TO GO THROUGH THE BOG. IT WAS GETTING DARK AND MY
GREAT-GRANDMA KNEW SHE HAD TO GET TO THE DOCTOR QUICKLY, SO
SHE DECIDED TO CUT ACROSS THE BOG. WHEN IT TURNS NIGHT TIME
A MIST STARTS TO COME UP FROM THE BOG AND YOU CAN'T SEE
WHERE YOU'RE GOING AND IT'S VERY EASY TO GET LOST. SO SHE
WAS RUNNING AROUND IN CIRCLES FOR HOURS SHE THOUGHT AND WASN'T
GETTING ANYWHERE. SHE SAT DOWN WONDERING WHAT TO DO WHEN ALL
OF A SUDDEN SHE LOOKED OVER AND SHE SAID SHE COULD SEE THE MIST
SORT OF START MOVING AROUND AND FORMED WHAT SHE SAID WAS A SMALL
MAN. THE MAN REALLY DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING TO HER BUT JUST
MOTIONED FOR HER TO FOLLOW HIM, WHICH SHE DID. SHE NEVER
REALLY QUITE SAW HIM, BUT SHE COULD SEE THE MIST MOVE AS HE
WALKED. IT LED HER OUT OF THE BOG AND TO THE DOCTOR'S.
SOMEHOW BY THE TIME SHE GOT TO THE DOCTOR'S ALMOST NO TIME
HAD PASSED. SHE GOT TO THE DOCTOR'S AND HE WENT TO THE HOUSE
AND TOOK CARE OF MY GREAT-GREAT-GRANDMOTHER."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S GREAT-GRANDMOTHER SINCERELY BELIEVES THIS. SHE
SWORE THAT THIS HAPPENED TO HER TO THE DAY SHE DIED.
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; CARTERET
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
GHOST STORY
"WHEN MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER CAME TO THE UNITED STATES FROM
IRELAND, HE WAS WORKING AS A TAXI CAB DRIVER. ON HIS ROUTE
HE USED TO PASS A GRAVEYARD. ON HIS WAY PAST IT ONE TIME
HE NOTICED A WOMAN STANDING ON THE ROAD NEAR THERE. HE PICKED
HER UP AND TOOK HER HOME. HE PICKED UP THIS SAME LADY EVERY-
DAY AT THE SAME TIME. MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER GOT TO KNOW THIS
PERSON VERY WELL. ONE DAY THIS LADY DIDN'T SHOW UP, SO MY
GREAT-GRANDFATHER WENT TO HER HOUSE TO CHECK UP ON HER.
AN OLD LADY ANSWERED THE DOOR AND MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER ASKED
HER ABOUT THIS LADY. THE OLD LADY HAD A GHASTLY LOOK ON HER
FACE AND SAID THAT IT WAS HER DAUGHTER WHO HAD DIED SOME TIME
AGO AND THE GRAVEYARD THAT HE PASSED EVERYDAY WAS THE GRAVEYARD
THAT HER DAUGHTER WAS BURIED IN."
Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; CARTERET
James Callow Keyword(s): VANISHING HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00001973CA
MEXICAN BELIEF
WHENEVER A PERSON LEAVES SOMEONE'S HOUSE, THEY
SHOULD TOUCH EVERYONE. THIS SHOULD BE DONE IN
CASE THE VISITOR BROUGHT EVIL WITH THEM. WHEN THEY
TOUCH THE PERSONS, THEY TAKE THE EVIL WITH THEM
WHEN THEY LEAVE.
Submitter comment:
MY STEP-GRANDFATHER BELIEVES IN THIS AND WILL TOUCH
EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY WHEN HE LEAVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 00001982CA
JESUIT NOVITIATE LEGENDS
DURING THE JESUIT NOVITIATE IN THE 1960'S, THE STATUE
OF ST. JOSEPH WAS MYSTERIOUSLY BEING TURNED AROUND. ONE
DAY THE SUPERIOR FOUND ST. JOE TURNED AROUND WITH AN AXE
IN HIS BACK. THE DISTRAUGHT SUPERIOR CALLED IN A
PSYCHIATRIST WHO SUGGESTED MORE DIVERSITY IN THE LIVING
ARRANGEMENT. THE PSYCHIATRIST THOUGHT MORE DIVERSITY
WOULD LEAD TO A BETTER PSYCHOLOGICAL ATMOSPHERE. THE
SUPERIOR TOOK THE ADVICE OF THE PSYCHIATRIST, AND ADDED
NEW AND DIFFERENT COLOR INK BLOTTERS TO EACH ROOM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 09-20-1984
WHILE WORKING AT AN ORPHANAGE IN PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI IN
1980, I MET A WOMAN NAMED MADAME PAPION. MADAME WAS A
DEVOUT CATHOLIC, YET ALSO A BELIEVER IN THE POWER OF THE
EVIL SPIRIT TO TAKE POSSESSION OF ONE'S BODY. SHE INFORMED
ME ABOUT HER SON WHO RECENTLY WAS POSSESSED. HE WOKE UP
DURING THE EVENING WITH HIS WHOLE BODY SHAKING AND HIS TEETH
CHATTERING AGAINST EACH OTHER. MADAME POURED HOLY WATER
OVER HIS BODY, AND IMMEDIATELY HIS SHAKING AND CHATTERING
STOPPED. HER SON KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS EVENT THE
FOLLOWING MORNING.
Submitter comment:
VOODOO BELIEFS ARE VERY PREVALENT IN HAITI, AND WATER
BLESSED BY A CATHOLIC PRIEST, HOLY WATER, IS OFTEN USED
TO CURE A PERSON FROM POSSESSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church BELIEF -- Devil Demon BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 01-00-1980
IN JUNCTION CITY, OHIO, THE STREETS RUN IN A PECULIAR
MANNER. THIS IS BECAUSE THE CLARK BROTHERS, THE ORIGINAL
DESIGNERS OF JUNCTION CITY, HAD A FIGHT WHILE DESIGNING THE TOWN,
AND SETTLED THEIR DISPUTE BY DRAWING A LINE RIGHT DOWN THE
MIDDLE OF THE TOWN(POPLAR STREET). EACH BROTHER THEN DESIGNED
THEIR HALF OF THE TOWN. THAT IS WHY TO THIS DAY, NONE OF THE
CROSS STREETS MEET. EVEN THE STATE ROUTE THAT RUNS THROUGH TOWN
DOES NOT MEET IN THE MIDDLE OF JUNCTION CITY.
Submitter comment:
THIS FOLK BELIEF WAS COMMUNICATED TO BRIAN WHILE GROWING UP
IN JUNCTION CITY, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-02-1984 ; 00001960S
UNDER NEW STRAITSVILLE, OHIO, THERE IS A FIRE BURNING IN THE
COAL RUIN THAT HAS BEEN BURNING FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS. THE
FIRE BEGAN WHEN SOME STRIKING MINERS WERE DISSATISFIED WITH THE
STATE OF NEGOTIATIONS, SO THEY FILLED A COUPLE OF CARS WITH
COAL AND DOUSED THEM WITH GASOLINE, AND SENT THE BURNING
COAL CARS TO GO INTO THE MINE. TODAY PEOPLE STILL SEE STEAM
COMING UP FROM THE GROUND.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO BRIAN AS A CHILD GROWING UP IN RURAL
OHIO, NOT FAR FROM NEW STRAITSVILLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): LABOR UNION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fire |
Date learned: 00001960S ; 11-02-1984