The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

A YOUNG BOY WAS KIDNAPPED BY A GIANT WHO WAS PLANNING ON EATING
HIM AFTER FATTENING HIM UP WITH A LARGE MEAL.
THE BOY PLACED A BAG UNDER HIS SHIRT AND FILLED IT WITH THE FOOD
FROM THE GIANT'S TABLE.
THE BOY THEN SAID "I AM SURE FULL" AS HE TOOK A KNIFE AND CUT THE
BAG OPEN, SPILLING THE FOOD ONTO THE GROUND.
THE GIANT, WHO HAD BEEN EATING AT THE TIME AS WELL, GRABBED THE
KNIFE FROM THE BOY AND CUT OPEN HIS STOMACH.
THE GIANT DIED, AND THE BOY GOT AWAY.

Where learned: COPENHAGEN ; DENMARK

James Callow Keyword(s): JACK TALES

Date learned: 07-00-1978

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A U OF D FOOTBALL TALE

TILLIE VOSS WAS THE HUGE FOOTBALL PLAYER FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF
DETROIT IN THE YEAR OF ABOUT 1926. ONE DAY HE HAD A TERRIBLE
TOOTHACHE (SO THE STORY WAS TOLD FROM MY FATHER HOWARD
PHILIPPART, THE FULLBACK FOR U OF D). ASPIRIN DID NOT SEEM TO
HELP AND HE DESPERATELY NEEDED SLEEP FOR THE BIG NAVY GAME
THE FOLLOWING DAY. "I GOTTA DO SOMETHING," HE TOLD MY FATHER
AND RAN FULL TILT HEAD FIRST INTO THE CINDER BLOCK WALL. AS
THEY CARTED HIM OFF TO BED FOR A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP, THE PLAYERS
SILENTLY APPLAUDED HIS DEDICATION AND LOYALTY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

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A BIG BABY

YOUR GRANDPA PHILIPPART WHO EVENTUALLY PLAYED FOOTBALL FOR
THE UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT WAS A BIG BABY TO SAY THE LEAST.
THEY BELIEVED THAT THE MOTHER WAS EATING FOR TWO IN THOSE
DAYS AND SO THE MOTHERS ATE A LOT. YOUR GRANDPA WAS BORN ON
CHRISTMAS DAY AND HE WEIGHED SIXTEEN POUNDS. THEY HUNG HIM
ON THE CHRISTMAS TREE BY HIS DIAPERS AND TOLD MY MOTHER THAT
HE WAS THE BIGGEST PRESENT THAT SHE WOULD EVER RECEIVE. THEY
WERE AFRAID THAT HE WOULD BREAK THE LIMB OFF. AT THREE MONTHS
HE WEIGHED TWENTY EIGHT POUNDS. HIS MIDDLE NAME WAS NOEL
BECAUSE HE WAS BORN ON CHRISTMAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

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SECULAR HERO

MRS. ORR TELLS A STORY OF HOW AN EXTRA LARGE BATHTUB
HAD TO BE BUILT FOR PRESIDENT GROVER CLEVELAND WHEN
HE VISITED NASHVILLE AND STAYED AT BELLE MEADE
MANSION.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Date learned: 05-00-1969

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PAUL BUNYAN

HEROIC LUMBERJACK, PAUL IS REPUTED TO HAVE LOGGED
OFF THE DAKOTAS ALMOST SINGLEHANDED AND TO HAVE
EATEN ENOUGH FOOD TO FEED THE PEOPLE IN A GOOD-SIZED
CITY.

Where learned: OHIO ; PEMBERVILLE

Date learned: 10-14-1971

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LITTLE MEN

WHEN I WAS ABOUT HIS AGE (POINTS TO 12 YEAR OLD SON)
I WAS THE SOLE SUPPORT OF MY FAMILY OUT ON THE FARM.
IT MEANT I HAD TO DO AN AWFUL LOT OF CHORES; GET UP AT
DAWN, WORK WAY PAST THE SUNSET AND THEN UP AT DAWN AGAIN.
BUT THIS BIG THING THAT BOTHERED ME, WAS THE TROUBLE WITH
THE LITTLE PEOPLE. WE HAD TWO HORSES, ONE WAS AN OLD
FARM HORSE, BILLY I USED TO CALL HER. SHE WAS THE
BIG STRONG FARM KIND, YOU KNOW, THAT DOES ALL THE WORK.
WELL THE OTHER HORSE WE HAD WAS A LIGHT COLORED EX-
CIRCUS HORSE WE GOT CHEAP BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO
GET RID OF HER. AT NIGHT I USED TO LOCK HER UP IN
THE BARN AND FOR ALMOST A MONTH EVERY MORNING I'D GO
IN AND SHE'D BE ALL SWEATED UP LIKE SOMEBODY HAD
BEEN RIDING HER HARD ALL NIGHT OUT IN THE PASTURES.
THE OTHER REAL STRANGE PART IS THAT HER MANE WOULD BE
ALL KNOTTED UP. NOW I DON'T MEAN JUST TANGLED--I'VE
SPENT ENOUGH TIME ON FARMS TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE--NO
SIR, THESE WERE KNOTTED AND THE THING WAS THAT THESE WERE
REALLY TINY KNOTS, LIKE SOME ONE WITH REAL TINY HANDS
TIED THEM. IT USED TO TAKE ME HOURS TO COMB AND BRUSH
THEM KNOTS OUT. AND YOU KNOW WHO IT WAS...I HEARD
TELL THAT THE WHOLE AREA WAS FULL OF LITTLE PEOPLE, I
DON'T MEAN LIKE YOUR DWARFS OR IRISH LITTLE PEOPLE, THESE
WERE JUST LITTLE PEOPLE WHO RODE YOUR STOCK AT NIGHT
AND TIED THEIR HAIR ALL UP. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY
PICKED ON ME THEN OR WHAT. LATER THEY JUST STOPPED
AND I WAS NEVER BOTHERED BY THEM AGAIN.

Submitter comment: RELATED TO COLLECTOR DURING A SERIES OF STORIES
OF INFORMANT'S LIFE ON THE FARM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-30-1967

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MY GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER, SHAHEEN, WAS A GIANT OF A
MAN. HE WAS THE WONDER OF THE AREA. HE WORKED AT A
MILL, WHICH USED GREAT MILL STONES WHICH WERE CARRIED
BY CAMELS BECAUSE MULES WEREN'T STRONG ENOUGH. AT
CHURCH, THE PRIEST ASKED VILLAGERS TO HELP SHAHEEN MOVE
HIS MILLSTONES INTO PLACE ON THE WALL. WHEN THEY GOT
TO THE MILL, THEY FOUND SHAHEEN HAD ALREADY PUT THE
GREAT STONES IN PLACE AND WAS ALREADY WORKING.
ONCE SHAHEEN FELL INTO THE STREAM BY THE MILL.
NORMALLY, HE COULD SWIM OUT, BUT THE STREAM WAS SWOLLEN
BY THE SPRING THAW. ALSO, HIS LARGE PANTS AND SHOES
DRAGGED HIM TO THE BOTTOM. THE WATER CARRIED HIM 4 MILES
DOWNSTREAM WHERE HE CAUGHT HOLD OF A ROCK IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE STREAM. HE CALLED SO LOUD THAT THE MEN AT THE MILL
FOUR MILES AWAY HEARD HIM AND GOT HELP. HE WAS SO BIG
ONLY HIS STRONG SON COULD CARRY HIM BACK TO THE MILL.
ONCE SHAHEEN WOKE UP AND STARTED TO PUT HIS SHOES ON
WHEN SOMETHING STARTED WIGGLING INSIDE. HE TURNED HIS
SHOES UPSIDE DOWN AND THREE CATS CAME OUT. HIE SHOES
WERE SO BIG THAT HIS GRANDAUGHTER USED TO PLAY "HOUSE"
IN THEM.
SHAHEEN FINALLY DIED AT THE AGE OF 105, A VERY OLD AGE
IN LEBANON IN THOSE DAYS. HE WAS SOUND OF MIND, BUT
FAILED BY HIS GREAT BODY.
HE ASKED TO BE BURIED WITH HIS FATHER, WHO HAD DIED A
LONG TIME BEFORE. YEARS LATER THEY UNEARTHED HIS
BONES TO BE PUT IN HIS OWN GRAVE. HIS BONES PROVED TO
BE 7-1/2 FEET TALL AS MANY PEOPLE WHO SAW THEM ATTESTED.
FROM HIS HIP BONE TO HIS FEET, HE WAS ALMOST AS TALL AS
A NORMAL MAN.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; LEBANON

Keyword(s): FAMILY ; Giant ; Legend

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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THE WAY OF THE LEPRECAUN

THE LEPRECAUNS HAD CEASED WORK AND WERE LOOKING AT THE
CHILDREN. SEUMAS TURNED TO THEM.
"GOD BLESS THE WORK," HE SAID POLITELY.
ONE OF THE LEPRECAUNS, WHO HAD A GREY, PUCKERED FACE AND A
THIN FRINGE OF GREY WHISKER VERY FAR UNDER HIS CHIN THEN
SPOKE.
"COME OVER HERE, SEUMAS BEG," SAID HE, "AND I'LL MEASURE
YOU FOR A PAIR OF SHOES. PUT YOUR FOOT UP ON THAT ROOT."
THE BOY DID SO AND THE LEPRECAUN TOOK THE MEASURE OF HIS
FOOT WITH A WOODEN RULE.
"NOW BRIGID BEG, SHOW ME YOUR FOOT," AND HE MEASURED HER
ALSO. "THEY'LL BE READY FOR YOU IN THE MORNING."
"DO YOU NEVER DO ANYTHING ELSE BUT MAKES SHOES, SIR?" SAID
SEUMAS.
"WE DO NOT," REPLIED THE LEPRECAUN, "EXCEPT WHEN WE WANT
NEW CLOTHES, AND THEN WE HAVE TO MAKE THEM, BUT WE GRUDGE
EVERY MINUTE SPENT MAKING ANYTHING ELSE EXCEPT SHOES,
BECAUSE THAT IS THE PROPER WORK FOR A LEPRECAUN. IN
THE NIGHTTIME WE GO ABOUT THE COUNTRY INTO PEOPLE'S
HOUSES AND WE CLIP LITTLE PIECES OFF THEIR MONEY, AND SO,
BIT BY BIT, WE GET A CROCK OF GOLD TOGETHER, BECAUSE,
DO YOU SEE, A LEPRECAUN HAS TO HAVE A CROCK OF GOLD SO
THAT IF HE'S CAPTURED BY MEN FOLK, HE MAY BE ABLE TO RANSOM
HIMSELF. BUT THAT SELDOM HAPPENS, BECAUSE IT'S A GREAT
DISGRACE ALTOGETHER TO BE CAPTURED BY A MAN AND WE'VE
PRACTICED SO LONG DODGING AMONG THE ROOTS HERE THAT WE
CAN EASILY GET AWAY FROM THEM. OF COURSE, NOW AND AGAIN
WE ARE CAUGHT; BUT MEN ARE FOOLS, AND WE ALWAYS ESCAPE
WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY THE RANSOM AT ALL. WE WEAR GREEN
CLOTHES BECAUSE IT IS IN THE COLOR OF THE LEAVES, AND WHEN WE
SIT UNDER A BUSH OR LIE IN THE GRASS, THEY JUST WALK BY
WITHOUT NOTICING US."

Submitter comment: MRS. BYRNE, MY GRANDMOTHER, TOLD THIS TO A LITTLE BOY
DOWN THE BLOCK. SHE CLAIMS THERE ARE LEPRECAUNS AND
SO HAS BELIEVED THE STORY SINCE SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL
IN IRELAND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND

Keyword(s): LEPRECHAUNS

Date learned: 01-00-1964

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THE TEXAS RANGERS

TEXAS IS THE PLACE THAT GROWS BIGGER AND BETTER--AND THE TEXAS
RANGERS GROW BIG, TOO. SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE WAS A RIOT IN ONE OF
THE TOWNS AND THE MAYOR WIRED FOR A COMPANY OF RANGERS. THEY WERE
SUPPOSED TO DISPERSE THE MOB. PRETTY SOON, A LONE RANGER SHOWED
UP. "HEY," SAID THE MAYOR, "IT'S A TOUGH MOB--I WIRED FOR A
COMPANY OF RANGERS, NOT JUST ONE RANGER!"
"WELL," DRAWLED THE RANGER, "YOU AIN'T GOT BUT ONE MOB, AIN'T YOU?"

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: 07-00-1964

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A TALL TALE

THEN THERE WAS THE TIME THAT PAUL BUNYAN WENT HUNTING. HE WAS
THE SUREST SHOT AND THE FASTEST RUNNER THAT EVER WADED ACROSS
THE MISSISSIPPI. THEY STILL TALK OF IT OUT IN THE NORTHWEST.
WELL, PAUL SIGHTED A BIG BUCK A MILE AWAY; IT WAS STANDING ON
THE EDGE OF A CLIFF. PAUL KNEW THAT IF HE SHOT HIM HE WOULD FALL
OFF THE CLIFF. SO PAUL PULLED THE TRIGGER--AND AS SOON AS THE
BULLET LEFT THE GUN HE RAN TO WHERE THE BUCK WAS STANDING. HE
RAN SO FAST THAT HE GOT THERE AHEAD OF THE SHOT AND HAD TO DUCK
HIS HEAD TO LET THE BULLET GO BY. WELL SIR, THAT BUCK WAS KILLED
ALL RIGHT. BUT NOT BY THE BULLET. WHEN HE SAW PAUL STANDING
THERE, HE WAS JUST SCARED TO DEATH. IT DIED WITHOUT THE SHOT
EVER REACHING IT.
YOU KNOW THAT'S HOW THINGS HAPPEN IN THE PAUL BUNYAN COUNTRY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 06-00-1964

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A TALL TALE

DID YOU EVER HEAR OF THE HOUSE THAT PAUL BUNYAN BUILT IN THE
NORTH WOODS?
IT WAS SO HIGH THAT HE HAD TO PUT THE LAST FIVE STORIES ON
HINGES TO LET THE MOON GO BY.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Date learned: 06-00-1964

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TINY TOM

TINY TOM WAS SENT TO A CHILDLESS COUPLE WHO LIVED IN A SMALL TOWN
IN ITALY. THE CHILD WAS SENT BECAUSE THE MAMA PRAYED TO THE
VIRGIN FOR A CHILD. HE CAME IN A PEA POD.
TOM NEVER GREW BIGGER THAN A THUMBNAIL, EVEN AFTER HE WAS SEVEN
YEARS OLD. ONE DAY HIS MAMA WAS BAKING AND TOM WAS SITTING ON
THE WINDOW SILL. HIS FATHER'S COW WAS SITTING OUTSIDE THE WINDOW.
HIS MAMA SNEEZED AND BLEW TOM OUT THE WINDOW AND HE FELL ON THE
COW'S TONGUE. TINY TOM SLIPPED DOWN THE TONGUE AND INTO THE COW'S
STOMACH.
IT WAS DARK INSIDE AND TOM WAS FRIGHTENED. HE CALLED OUT TO HIS
MAMA BUT SHE DID NOT HEAR HIM. WHEN HIS PAPA CAME HOME FOR DINNER
FROM THE FIELDS, TOM'S MAMA DISCOVERED THAT TOM WAS NOWHERE TO BE
FOUND. THEY FRANTICALLY SEARCHED EVERYWHERE, BUT TOM COULD NOT BE
FOUND ANYWHERE.
FOR TWO DAYS TOM'S PAPA AND MAMA LOOKED EVERYWHERE. THEY WERE
JUST TOO WORRIED OVER TOM TO WORK. THEY HAD NOT EVEN MILKED THEIR
COW WHO GROANED IN PAIN. BUT AFTER THAT MUCH TIME, PAPA AND MAMA
WERE READY TO GIVE UP.
THE COW KEPT MAKING SO MUCH NOISE THAT MAMA REALIZED SHE HAD NOT
BEEN MILKED. SO PAPA MILKED THE COW. WHILE HE WAS MILKING THE
COW, PAPA HEARD, "HELP! MAMA, PAPA! HELP!"
PAPA, HEARING THIS, LOOKED DOWN AND BY GOLLY, THERE WAS TOM
FLOATING ON A LEAF THAT HAD FALLEN INTO THE BUCKET OF MILK.
TOM'S PAPA SWOOPED HIM UP AND CARRIED HIM LOVINGLY TO THE HOUSE.
WHEN MAMA SAW TOM, SHE ALMOST CRIED.
ALL THREE HAD A PARTY THAT NIGHT AND FROM THEN ON, WHENEVER TOM
SAT ON THE WINDOW SILL, HIS MAMA TIED A THREAD AROUND HIM AND
ANCHORED HIM DOWN SO THAT IF HE FELL HE COULD CLIMB BACK UP THE
THREAD. FROM THEN ON TINY TOM, HIS MAMA, AND PAPA LIVED HAPPILY
EVER AFTER.

Submitter comment: HE HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER AND SHE LEARNED THE STORY FROM
ITALY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-25-1967

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HAUNTED COTTAGE

THERE IS A HAUNTED COTTAGE ALONG LAKE ERIE JUST EAST OF ERIE,
PENNSYLVANIA. AN OLD GIANT OF A MAN SUPPOSEDLY LIVED THERE
SOME TIME AGO. THIS MAN KILLED A TRESPASSER AT HIS COTTAGE
(THERE ARE RED STAINS ON THE FLOOR AND WALLS OF THE MAIN ROOM).
HE DUMPED THE BODY IN ERIE AT 32 AND GREENGARDEN AVENUE, AND
THAT STREET SIGN STANDS IN FRONT OF THE COTTAGE. THE OLD MAN'S
SPIRIT PROTECTS THE PLACE FROM TRESPASSERS.

Submitter comment: ALTHOUGH THE SURROUNDING AREA IS VERY BEAUTIFUL, PEOPLE REFUSE TO
BUILD THERE, AND THE PROPERTY OWNER REFUSES TO SELL THE LAND.
THIS LADY OWNS THE PROPERTY OF THE HAUNTED COTTAGE AND BELIEVES IN
THE STORY. THIS FAMILY OWNS A COTTAGE AT THE SITE OF THE HAUNTED COTTAGE AND
BELIEVE ITS STORY.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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ORIGINS

THERE WAS A BIG FLOOD IN PAUL BUNYAN'S CAMP IN THE NORTH WOODS.
TO GET RID OF THE WATER, HE DUG A LONG DITCH, WHICH BECAME THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER. THE DIRT HE THREW OVER HIS SHOULDER BECAME
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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ANIMAL LEGEND

OFF THE DOWNRIVER END OF BELLE ISLE, THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE
LURKING A GIANT MUSKELLUNGE, WHICH IS ALLEGEDLY RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE UNTIMELY DEMISE OF SEVERAL SMALL CHILDREN AND EQUALLY
SMALL DOGS AND CATS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-25-1969

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KEEWEENAU PENINSULA

AN INDIAN LEGEND EXISTS THAT STATES THAT THE GREAT BEAVER CUT THE
CHANNEL BETWEEN THE MAINLAND AND THE ISLAND THAT EXISTED THERE.

Submitter comment: MIKE LEARNED THIS WHILE ON VACATION THERE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-07-1967

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THE GIANT'S CAUSEWAY

THERE WAS AN IRISHMAN NAMED FINN MC COUL--HE WAS A GIANT OF A
MAN--WHO USED TO SHOUT ACROSS THE IRISH SEA TO A SCOTSMAN, DARING
HIM TO FIGHT. ONE DAY HE TOLD THE SCOTSMAN TO COME ACROSS AND
HE'D REALLY GIVE HIM A GOOD FIGHT. THE SCOTSMAN SAID HE WOULD,
BUT HE COULDN'T SWIM. SO FINN MADE A STONE CAUSEWAY ACROSS THE
IRISH SEA AND THE SCOTSMAN CAME OVER. FINN BEAT HIM, OF COURSE.

Submitter comment: THIS CAUSEWAY REALLY EXISTS. THERE IS A PATH OF HUGE STONES
JUTTING OUT INTO THE IRISH SEA, BUT NOT COMPLETELY CROSSING IT
AND IT IS CALLED "GIANT'S CAUSEWAY."
MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS STORY IN BELFAST, IRELAND ABOUT 1915.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; IRELAND ; BELFAST

Date learned: 00001915 CA ; 01-13-1964

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PAUL BUNYAN

HEROIC LUMBERJACK, PAUL IS REPUTED TO HAVE LOGGED
OFF THE DAKOTAS ALMOST SINGLEHANDED AND TO HAVE
EATEN ENOUGH FOOD TO FEED THE PEOPLE IN A GOOD-SIZED
CITY.

Where learned: OHIO ; PEMBERVILLE

Date learned: 10-14-1971

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LITTLE MEN

WHEN I WAS ABOUT HIS AGE (POINTS TO 12 YEAR OLD SON)
I WAS THE SOLE SUPPORT OF MY FAMILY OUT ON THE FARM.
IT MEANT I HAD TO DO AN AWFUL LOT OF CHORES; GET UP AT
DAWN, WORK WAY PAST THE SUNSET AND THEN UP AT DAWN AGAIN.
BUT THIS BIG THING THAT BOTHERED ME, WAS THE TROUBLE WITH
THE LITTLE PEOPLE. WE HAD TWO HORSES, ONE WAS AN OLD
FARM HORSE, BILLY I USED TO CALL HER. SHE WAS THE
BIG STRONG FARM KIND, YOU KNOW, THAT DOES ALL THE WORK.
WELL THE OTHER HORSE WE HAD WAS A LIGHT COLORED EX-
CIRCUS HORSE WE GOT CHEAP BECAUSE THEY WERE GOING TO
GET RID OF HER. AT NIGHT I USED TO LOCK HER UP IN
THE BARN AND FOR ALMOST A MONTH EVERY MORNING I'D GO
IN AND SHE'D BE ALL SWEATED UP LIKE SOMEBODY HAD
BEEN RIDING HER HARD ALL NIGHT OUT IN THE PASTURES.
THE OTHER REAL STRANGE PART IS THAT HER MANE WOULD BE
ALL KNOTTED UP. NOW I DON'T MEAN JUST TANGLED--I'VE
SPENT ENOUGH TIME ON FARMS TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE--NO
SIR, THESE WERE KNOTTED AND THE THING WAS THAT THESE WERE
REALLY TINY KNOTS, LIKE SOME ONE WITH REAL TINY HANDS
TIED THEM. IT USED TO TAKE ME HOURS TO COMB AND BRUSH
THEM KNOTS OUT. AND YOU KNOW WHO IT WAS...I HEARD
TELL THAT THE WHOLE AREA WAS FULL OF LITTLE PEOPLE, I
DON'T MEAN LIKE YOUR DWARFS OR IRISH LITTLE PEOPLE, THESE
WERE JUST LITTLE PEOPLE WHO RODE YOUR STOCK AT NIGHT
AND TIED THEIR HAIR ALL UP. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY
PICKED ON ME THEN OR WHAT. LATER THEY JUST STOPPED
AND I WAS NEVER BOTHERED BY THEM AGAIN.

Submitter comment: RELATED TO COLLECTOR DURING A SERIES OF STORIES
OF INFORMANT'S LIFE ON THE FARM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-30-1967

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MY GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER, SHAHEEN, WAS A GIANT OF A
MAN. HE WAS THE WONDER OF THE AREA. HE WORKED AT A
MILL, WHICH USED GREAT MILL STONES WHICH WERE CARRIED
BY CAMELS BECAUSE MULES WEREN'T STRONG ENOUGH. AT
CHURCH, THE PRIEST ASKED VILLAGERS TO HELP SHAHEEN MOVE
HIS MILLSTONES INTO PLACE ON THE WALL. WHEN THEY GOT
TO THE MILL, THEY FOUND SHAHEEN HAD ALREADY PUT THE
GREAT STONES IN PLACE AND WAS ALREADY WORKING.
ONCE SHAHEEN FELL INTO THE STREAM BY THE MILL.
NORMALLY, HE COULD SWIM OUT, BUT THE STREAM WAS SWOLLEN
BY THE SPRING THAW. ALSO, HIS LARGE PANTS AND SHOES
DRAGGED HIM TO THE BOTTOM. THE WATER CARRIED HIM 4 MILES
DOWNSTREAM WHERE HE CAUGHT HOLD OF A ROCK IN THE MIDDLE
OF THE STREAM. HE CALLED SO LOUD THAT THE MEN AT THE MILL
FOUR MILES AWAY HEARD HIM AND GOT HELP. HE WAS SO BIG
ONLY HIS STRONG SON COULD CARRY HIM BACK TO THE MILL.
ONCE SHAHEEN WOKE UP AND STARTED TO PUT HIS SHOES ON
WHEN SOMETHING STARTED WIGGLING INSIDE. HE TURNED HIS
SHOES UPSIDE DOWN AND THREE CATS CAME OUT. HIE SHOES
WERE SO BIG THAT HIS GRANDAUGHTER USED TO PLAY "HOUSE"
IN THEM.
SHAHEEN FINALLY DIED AT THE AGE OF 105, A VERY OLD AGE
IN LEBANON IN THOSE DAYS. HE WAS SOUND OF MIND, BUT
FAILED BY HIS GREAT BODY.
HE ASKED TO BE BURIED WITH HIS FATHER, WHO HAD DIED A
LONG TIME BEFORE. YEARS LATER THEY UNEARTHED HIS
BONES TO BE PUT IN HIS OWN GRAVE. HIS BONES PROVED TO
BE 7-1/2 FEET TALL AS MANY PEOPLE WHO SAW THEM ATTESTED.
FROM HIS HIP BONE TO HIS FEET, HE WAS ALMOST AS TALL AS
A NORMAL MAN.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; LEBANON

Keyword(s): FAMILY ; Giant ; Legend ; Lore

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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