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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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"One day two brothers were fighting and beating each
other up, almost killing each other. The neighbor saw
it and moved in to try and stop the fight. The brothers
stopped fighting and beat up the neighbor, then they went
back to fighting. Lesson: Mind your own business and
keep out of family fights."
Submitter comment:
This is a verbatim account from Maryann Leisner which
retells a story her father learned from old (Italian)
relatives.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; SKOKIE
Keyword(s): Fable, function, cautionary tale, warning
James Callow Keyword(s): Dramatic Irony ; Peacemaker
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001930S
RIDDLE
WHERE DO OLD VOLKSWAGENS GO WHEN THEY ARE JUNKED?
THE OLD VOLKS HOME.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; ATLANTA
James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILES
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
RIDDLE
WHAT LETTER IS NEVER IN THE ALPHABET?
THE ONE YOU PUT IN THE MAIL BOX.
Where learned: GEORGIA ; ATLANTA
James Callow Keyword(s): MAILBOX
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 00-00-1990
RIDDLE
WHY ARE MOST OFFICES CONSIDERED OVENS?
BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE MAKE THEIR BREAD.
Where learned: NEW YORK CITY ; NEW YORK
James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG: BREAD = MONEY
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 05-00-1990
Japanese custom
The bride-to-be receives all belongings needed for marriage,
money, clothes, furniture, etc.
Where learned: JAPAN
Keyword(s): Bride
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Before wedding BELIEF -- Marriage Gifts |
Date learned: 00-00-1925
WHILE VISITING THE WEST, TOURISTS MIGHT BE TOLD THE STORY
OF THE MOST FEROCIOUS AND DIFFICULT ANIMAL TO HUNT. THIS
BEAST IS CALLED A JACKALOPE. IT HAS THE BODY OF A
JACKRABBIT AND THE ANTLERS OF AN ANTELOPE. WILD JACKRABBITS
MATED WITH ANTELOPE TO SCARE OFF SETTLERS. IN SOME SMALL
TOWNS YOU MAY ACTUALLY SEE ONE OF THESE WILD BEASTS
STUFFED AND MOUNTED ON THE WALL AS A WARNING TO
OVERZEALOUS TOURISTS.
Submitter comment:
THE REALLY INTERESTING PART OF THE STORY IS WHEN
TOURISTS REALLY BELIEVE IT!
Where learned: MONTANA
James Callow Keyword(s): HYBRID
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 00001980S CA
If a woman or girl sings at the table, she
will marry a crazy man.
Submitter comment:
Informant said this happened to a friend of hers who
used to listen to the radio and sing while she was
eating. When she grew up she married a man who was
crazy.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): EATING ; FUNCTION ; Meals ; TABLE MANNERS
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of time Eating For menu, see N222. |
Date learned: 00001940S
8-BALL DRINKING GAME
IN THIS DRINKING GAME, FILL UP A GLASS TO A CERTAIN
POINT WITH BEER. THEN THE PERSON WITH THE GLASS
"HIGH FIVES" EVERYONE SITTING AT THE TABLE IN ORDER
WITHOUT MISSING A SINGLE PERSON. AFTER HE/SHE COMPLETES
THE PROCEDURE, THEY GUZZLE THE BEER. THE GLASS IS PASSED
TO THE PERSON ON THEIR LEFT. THE PROCEDURE IS REPEATED WITH
THE NEXT PERSON.
THE GAME CAN GO ON FOR AS MANY ROUNDS AS YOU MAKE IT.(ONE
ROUND EQUALS THE COMPLETION AROUND THE TABLE BACK TO THE
PERSON WHO STARTED THE GAME.) THE PENALTIES OF THE GAME ARE
PROMPTED BY MISSING A PERSON OR MISSING A TURN. THIS PERSON
WILL HAVE TO DRINK A BEER. IF THE OBJECT PERSON (WHO IS TO
DRINK THE BEER) DOESN'T WANT TO MISS A PERSON, HE CAN "HIGH
FIVE" THE PERSON NEXT TO THE MISSING PERSON TWO TIMES.
Submitter comment:
THE NAME CAME ABOUT FROM THE GLASS FIRST USED. THE GLASS
WAS ROUND AND HAD AN 8-BALL PAINTED ON IT. THE GAME STARTED
AS MY FRIENDS AND I, BORED OF THE SAME OLD DRINKING
GAMES, WANTED A CHANGE.
8-BALLED CAN BE VARIED BY MAKING NEW RULES AFTER EACH
ROUND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
James Callow Keyword(s): EIGHT BALL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
SILVER JACK
HE WAS JOHN DRISCOLL, FRIENDS--AND BEST KEEP A CIVIL
TONGUE IN YOUR HEAD AND BE SPARING WITH THE LINGERING
LOOK, IF YOU WERE IN HIS WHEREABOUTS WHEN THE SAGINAW
VALLEY WAS STREWN WITH THE SAWDUST AND GAUDY LEGENDS OF
LUMBERJACKS AND RIVERMEN.
HE WAS THE REDOUBTABLE "SILVER JACK" DRISCOLL. THEY SAID
HE COULD BEND A RAILROAD SPIKE BARE-HANDED - THAT HE
COULD BOOST A BARREL OF SALT UP OVER HIS HEAD AND HOLD
IT THERE WHILE DRINKING A PINT OF WHISKEY HELD BETWEEN
CLENCHED TEETH.
THEY SAID YOU NEVER SAW A BIG MAN SO CAT-QUICK -- WHETHER
WHIRLING HIS BIG, HARD FISTS IN A SALOON BRAWL, OR
KNUCKLED TIGHTLY ABOUT THE HANDLE OF A TWO-BITTED AXE
MEASURING A FOREST PINE.
THEY SAID SILVER JACK WAS A KIND OF ROUGHSHOD, LUMBER
DAY ROBIN HOOD WHO CUDGELED TORMENTORS OF THE WEAK.
THEY SAID HE WAS A SAVAGE VARLET AND BULLY WHO LIKED
TO WATCH BLOOD SPURT AFTER HIS FIST STRUCK.
THEY SAID MANY THINGS OF SILVER JACK DRISCOLL, MOST
CONTROVERSIAL LUMBERJACK AND RIVERMAN OF HIS TIME.
HE PLIED THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF THE MICHIGAN
PINELANDS AND LOG STREAMS. THERE IS A RECORD OF HIM
IN MINNESOTA AND CANADA. BUT IT WAS IN THE SAGINAW
VALLEY THAT DRISCOLL ENDURED LASTING FAME -- CALL
IT NOTORIETY IF YOU WILL.
SOME SAID HE WAS CALLED SILVER JACK BECAUSE OF
PREMATURELY WHITE HAIR. OTHERS SAID HIS WAS FLAXEN-
WHITE. THERE ARE SEVERAL OLD-FASHIONED "TINTYPE"
PHOTOGRAPHS WHICH SHOW HIM A WITH CAREFULLY POMADED
MANE OF BLACK HAIR.
OLDTIME LOGGERS -- LONG DEPARTED FROM THIS VALE OF
NEON LIGHTS AND CHROME-PLATED GADGETS OF MODERN LIVING
ONCE TALKED OF THE SIGHT IT WAS TO SEE SILVER JACK
SWINGING DOWN THE CHALK-COVERED BOARDWALKS OF EAST
SAGINAW (NOW THE EAST SIDE) AND SAGINAW CITY (NOW
THE WEST SIDE).
THEY SAID NEVER WAS SUCH A ONE AS SILVER JACK TO
"BLOW HER IN" WITH A FAT WINTER'S PAYCHECK, AFTER
THE LOGS HAD BEEN DRIVEN DOWN THE RIVER OVER
FRESHET-SWOLLEN TRIBUTARIES OF THE SAGINAW.
OTHERS CLAIMED JACK DRISCOLL WAS GOADED INTO MOST
OF HIS MANY FISTIC INTERLUDES -- THAT HE HAD, IN
THE LUMBER ERA, THE EQUIVALENT OF A WILD WEST
TWO-GUN REPUTATION SOMEBODY ALWAYS WANTED TO TEST.
SOME VOWED HE WAS MUCH MISUNDERSTOOD AND MALIGNED -
A CHAP AN EARNEST PREACHER MIGHT HAVE FASHIONED INTO
AT LEAST A PROPER DEACON IN A DESERVING PARISH.
BUT HISTORY RECORDS THAT DRISCOLL, AN ACKNOWLEDGED
SOMETIME VISITOR IN LOCAL VILLAGE "POKEYS" IN THE
MICHIGAN PINELANDS, ALSO SERVED FIVE YEARS'
IMPRISONMENT IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN PRISON. HE
WAS SENTENCED BY SAGINAW COUNTY CIRCUIT JUDGE
DEWITT GAGE ON A CHARGE OF ARMED ROBBERY. ADMIRERS
SAID HE WAS FRAMED. THE LAW SAID OTHERWISE.
SILVER JACK DRISCOLL DIED APRIL 1, 1895, IN A
HOTEL IN L'ANSE, MICHIGAN.
WHATEVER HIS EPITAPH, IT COULD HARDLY BE ADEQUATE,
SAINT OR SCALAWAG. HISTORIANS AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL,
ARE NOT AGREED EVEN TODAY.
Submitter comment:
I AM NOT SURE WHO WROTE THIS STORY BUT IT DID COME
FROM THE FIRST ANNUAL TIMBER TOWN FESTIVAL
MAGAZINE AROUND 1950.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): LUMBERJACKS ; SAGINAW VALLEY LOGGING
James Callow Keyword(s): STRONG MEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
THE SHANTY BOY
"AS I WALKED OUT ONE EVENING, JUST AS THE SUN WENT DOWN.
I CARELESSLY DID RAMBLE TILL I CAME TO SAGINAW TOWN.
I HEARD TWO GIRLS CONVERSING, AS SLOWLY I PASSED THEM BY;
ONE SAID SHE LOVED A FARMER'S SON, AND THE OTHER A SHANTY
BOY.
"THE ONE THAT LOVED THE FARMER'S SON, THESE WORDS I HEARD
HER SAY,
'THE REASON WHY I LOVE HIM IS AT HOME WITH ME HE'LL STAY;
HE'LL STAY AT HOME ALL WINTER, TO THE WOODS HE WILL NOT GO,
AND WHEN THE SPRINGTIME COMES AGAIN, HIS LANDS HE'LL
PLOW AND SOW.'
'I SHALL ALWAYS PRAISE MY SHANTY BOY WHO GOES TO THE
WOODS IN THE FALL,
HE IS BOTH STOUT AND HEARTY AND FIT TO STAND A SQUALL;
WITH PLEASURE I WILL GREET HIM IN THE SPRING WHEN
HE COMES DOWN.
HIS MONEY ON ME HE'LL SPEND IT FREE WHEN YOUR MOSSBACK
HE HAS NONE.'
HOW CAN YOU PRAISE YOUR SHANTY BOY WHO TO THE WOODS
DOES GO?
HE'S ORDERED OUT BEFORE DAYLIGHT TO FACE THE FROST AND SNOW,
WHILE HAPPY AND CONTENTED MY FARMER'S SON WILL LIE,
SOFT TALES OF LOVE HE'LL TELL TO ME WHILE THE STORMS
ARE BLOWING BY.'
'I NEVER CAN STAND THAT SOFT TALK,' THE OTHER GIRL DID SAY,
'THE MOST OF THEM THEY ARE SO GREEN THE COWS COULD EAT
THEM FOR HAY;
HOW EASY IT IS TO KNOW THEM WHEN THEY COME INTO TOWN,
THE SMALL BOY SHOUTING AFTER THEM, "MOSSBACK, HOW COME
YOU DOWN?'
'WHAT I'VE SAID UNKIND OF YOUR SHANTY BOY, I DO NOT
MEAN IT SO,
AND IF EVER I MEET WITH ONE OF THEM ALONG WITH HIM
I'LL GO,
AND LEAVE MY MOSSBACK FARMERS' SON TO PLOUGH AND PLANT
HIS FARM.
WHILE MY SHANTY BOY SO BOLD AND FREE WILL SAVE ME FROM
ALL HARM.
Submitter comment:
THIS SONG COMES FROM NOT AN EDUCATED PERSON BUT FROM
THE HEART OF A LUMBERING CREW. IT FITS THE MENTALITY
OF THE AVERAGE LOGGING CREW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): LOGGING SONGS ; SHANTY BOY
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRASTED OCCUPATIONS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |
Date learned: 03-04-1990
THE BUZZARDS HAVE RETURNED TO HINCKLEY OHIO YEARLY ON
MARCH 15 FOR MANY YEARS, WHEN FROZEN CARCASSES FROM A
CHRISTMAS EVE COMMUNITY HUNT BEGAN DEFROSTING AS SPRING
APPROACHED. PEOPLE WEARING BUZZARDS COSTUMES WAIT FOR
THE BUZZARDS WHO ROOST ON ROCKY LEDGES IN A NEARBY
LAKE. THIS USUALLY MARKS THE END OF THE WINTER SEASON.
THE CARCASSES ARE THERE EVERY YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): BIRDS ; DATE ; SEASONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- March 15 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Winter |
Date learned: 00001980S
Superstition
A pregnant woman should mix her urine with Drano. The
resultant color determines the sex of the child.
Unfortunately, the informant (a nurse) forgets which color is
which.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Childbirth, divination
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Color BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Legend
I used to babysit on a dark deserted road in the 1970's.
Across from the house was a huge oak tree.
This was the scene of a great tragedy.
It is known in New Baltimore that two young lovers
ran out of gas while they were parked in front of the tree.
The boyfriend went to get gas. While he was gone, she fell
asleep. She heard a banging sound but thought nothing of it.
The next morning the police woke her up and asked her to
step out of the car. She saw her boyfriend hanging from the
tree. His legs hit the car while the wind was blowing, thus
making a thumping noise.
Submitter comment: Old New Baltimore legend
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW BALTIMORE
James Callow Keyword(s): The Boyfriend's Death
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00001970CA
Bay-Rama Fishfly Festival
Our town has a four-day celebration in honor
of the fishfly. We have a carnival and top
it off with a parade on the last day.
This always takes place in June. Fishflys
originate in the Anchor Bay, which is the
bay next to New Baltimore.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW BALTIMORE
James Callow Keyword(s): INSECT ; June Bug ; May Fly
| Subject headings: | 686 Fourths / Quarters Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Movable Date CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Summer |
Date learned: 00001971ca
THIS IS A BELIEF IN MY FAMILY, THEY BELIEVE THAT BY KEEPING A
A PIECE OF RED CLOTH IN THEIR POSSESSION THEY ARE PROTECTED
FROM EVIL AND HARM, FOR THIS CLOTH SIGNIFIES THE SHROUD THAT
COVERED JESUS WHEN HE ROSE FROM DEATH AFTER DYING ON THE
CROSS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
Keyword(s): RED BELIEF
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Color BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001980S
THUMB WRESTLING
THE GAME OF THUMB WRESTLING IS PLAYED BY TWO PLAYERS.
THE OBJECT OF THE GAME, LIKE IN REGULAR WRESTLING, IS
TO PIN YOUR OPPONENT. THIS IS HOW THE GAME IS PLAYED:
THE PLAYERS INTERLOCK FINGERS WITH THUMBS UP AND FREE,
THEY PLACE THEIR THUMBS TOGETHER, AND THEN WHEN THEY ARE
READY THEY PLACE THUMBS DOWN ON TOP OF THEIR OWN HANDS,
THEN DOWN ON THE OPPONENT'S HAND, AND THEN THEY BEGIN TO
THUMB WRESTLE, TRYING TO PIN THE OTHER PLAYER'S THUMB FOR
THREE SECONDS, WHEN THIS IS DONE THE MATCH IS OVER AND
THE PLAYER WHO HAS PINNED HIS OPPONENT WINS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing
Keyword(s): THUMB GAMES
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Bodily Activity |
Date learned: 00001980CA
DIET
DOWN SOUTH PEOPLE USE TO EAT A DISH CALLED LIVER AND LITES.
THIS WAS A DISH THAT CONSISTED OF LIVER AND THE LUNGS OF SOME
ANIMAL. ANOTHER DISH THAT USE TO BE EATEN WAS CALVES BRAINS,
WITH A SIDE DISH OF HOT BISCUITS AND GRAVY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MARTIN
James Callow Keyword(s): CALVES' BRAINS ; LIGHTS=AN ANIMALS LUNGS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Food Food Drink -- Kind of Food and Its Preparation Food Drink -- Meat |
Date learned: 00001947CA
Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.
GREEN M&M CANDIES MAKE A PERSON HORNY.
CHILDREN AND EVEN ADULTS WOULD ALWAYS SCRAMBLE TO GET THE
PRECIOUS FEW GREEN M&M'S IN A BAG OF THE CANDIES SO THAT
THEY MIGHT HAVE BETTER LUCK FINDING OR STAYING WITH A MATE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
Keyword(s): APHRODISIAC ; CANDY ; COLOR ; Green ; Sexuality ; Urban Legend
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXUALLY AROUSED = HORNY ; SLANG
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Pastry Sweet Dessert BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 00001976CA
LIMERICK
THERE ONCE WAS A GIRL FROM MADRAS
WHO HAD A MAGNIFICENT ASS.
IT WASN'T PRETTY AND PINK
AS YOU PROBABLY THINK
BUT WAS BROWN, HAD LONG EARS AND ATE GRASS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN 7TH GRADE AT HELEN
KELLER JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
James Callow Keyword(s): DONKEY ; PRETENDED OBSCENE LIMERICK
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
IF SOMEONE IS SWEEPING THE FLOOR IN AN AREA WHERE PEOPLE
ARE SEATED, ONE SHOULD NEVER LIFT THEIR FEET AND ALLOW
THE GROUND TO BE SWEPT UNDERNEATH THEM. THIS WILL RESULT
IN BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BROOM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 00001930ca