Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for ANT returned 422 results.
THE HILL
THERE IS A HILL IN THE ROSEDALE PARK CEMETERY. WHENEVER ANYONE PARKED THEIR CAR IN FRONT OF THE HILL, THE CAR WOULD BEGIN ROLLING UP THE HILL.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS A STORY WHICH CIRCULATED AROUND MY HIGH SCHOOL. I HAD "HEARD" IT ACTUALLY HAPPENNED TO SOMEONE, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW ANYONE WHO ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Learned in late 1960s.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTI-GRAVITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Formation |
Date learned: 00001960S LATE
HILL LEGEND
THERE IS A CERTAIN HILL IN NORTH CAROLINA, AROUND WINSTON-SALEM, WHERE A CAR WILL ROLL UP A HILL WITH THE DRIVER'S FOOT OFF THE GAS.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share the same surname.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; collector's home
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTI-GRAVITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Universe BELIEF -- Formation |
Date learned: 04-00-1970
MYSTERY SPOT-GRAVITY
THIS IS A PARK AT ST. IGNACE, MICHIGAN, IN THE U.P. WHERE, BECAUSE OF A GHOST HAUNTING IT, THE GRAVITY IS EXTRA-STRONG, AND YOU CAN STAND ON THE WALL OF A CABIN AND NOT FALL BECAUSE OF THIS
GRAVITATIONAL FORCE.
Data entry tech comment:
"U.P." IS MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home
James Callow Keyword(s): ANTI-GRAVITY ; UPPER PENINSULA = U.P.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Creation and Order of Universe BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Earth BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.13 |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
Entry filtered.
IN THE OLD COUNTRY THEY CURED WARTS BY THROWING BEANS IN A
FIRE AND REPEATED A SECRET FORMULA SOMETHING LIKE WART,
WART, GO AWAY.
Where learned: HUNGARY
James Callow Keyword(s): INCANTATION ; TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 00-00-1918
Entry filtered.
PUT ST. JOHN'S WORK (WORT?) IN (A) PILLOW TO FORETELL ONE'S
FUTURE IN DREAMS.
Where learned: HOME ; VIRGINIA, ASSUMED ; NORTH GARDEN
Keyword(s): PLANT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Dreams BELIEF -- Use of Object Plant |
Date learned: 03-29-1969
A LARGE NUMBER OF COB WEBS INDICATES A BAD WINTER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; DOYLE
James Callow Keyword(s): COBWEBS ; QUANTITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Measure of time Winter |
Date learned: 07-27-1968
BELCHEWELL SOPHIE
THE INFORMANT CAN DATE THIS STORY IN HIS FAMILY AT LEAST
AS FAR BACK AS 1820.
ONCE THERE WAS A COW WHO HAD A PARTICULARLY POPULAR CALF,
LOVED BY ALL THE OTHER ANIMALS. THIS CALF'S NAME WAS
BELCHEWELL SOPHIE, AND EVERY EVENING AT DINNERTIME, THE
MOTHER COW WOULD CALL OUT:BELCHEWELL SOPHIE
COME GET YOUR INDIA LINEN
COME GET YOUR CALICO
AND THE CALF WOULD COME FOR HER DINNER. ONE NIGHT WHEN
THE MOTHER COW CALLED, BELCHEWELL SOPHIE DIDN'T COME.
NOR DID SHE COME HOME THE NEXT DAY. BY THIS TIME, THE
MOTHER WAS SURE SHE HAD BEEN EATEN BY ONE OF THE OTHER
ANIMALS, SO A CONCLAVE OF ALL THE ANIMALS WAS CALLED TO
DECIDE HOW TO FIND THE CULPRIT. FINALLY, IT WAS DECIDED
THAT THEY WOULD BUILD A BONFIRE AND ASK ALL THE ANIMALS
TO JUMP OVER IT, THE IDEA BEING THAT ANY ANIMAL WHO HAD
EATEN AS MUCH AS A CALF WOULD BE TOO FAT TO MAKE IT OVER
THE FIRE. SO THE FIRE WAS BUILT, AND THE ANIMALS LINED UP
TO JUMP OVER. THE RABBIT WAS FIRST AND AS HE JUMPED, HE SANG
(MUSIC WRITTEN ON THE 5 X 8 CARD):
I AIN'T NO LIAR AND I AINT NO ROGUE;
I DIDN'T EAT BELCHEWELL SOPHIE SO JUMP OVER ITT
AND OVER HE WENT. ALL THE OTHER ANIMALS FOLLOWED HIM
SINGING THE SAME SONG, EXCEPT THE WOLF. HE SLUNK IN THE
SHADOWS AND REFUSED TO JUMP. FINALLY WHEN HE HAD
EXHAUSTED THE PATIENCE OF THE OTHERS, HE APPROACHED
THE FIRE AND SANG:
(MUSIC ON THE 5 X 8 CARD)
I AM A LIAR AND I AM A ROGUE;
I DID EAT BELCHEWELL SOPHIE SO JUMP IN IT.
SO HE JUMPED INTO THE FIRE AND WAS BURNED UP.
(MUSIC WRITTEN ON 5 X 8 CARD)
James Callow comment: MUSIC ON THE 5 X 8 CARD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): CANTE FABLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal |
Date learned: 08-12-1968
PHANTOM TRAIN
AT MIDNIGHT AT THE RAILROAD CROSSING OF CHAPEL HILL,
TENNESSEE, THE INFORMANT AND A FRIEND SAW A LARGE LIGHT
APPROACHING FROM DOWN THE TRACK. THE LIGHT SEEMED
TO HAVE NO CENTER. WHEN IT WAS ONLY A FEW FEET AWAY,
SHE SAW IT WAS A TRAIN AND SHE QUICKLY STEPPED OFF THE
TRACK. AS IT PASSED HER AND DISAPPEARED, IT MADE NO
NOISE AT ALL.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): GHOST TRAIN ; PHANTOM TRAIN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-00-1969
COMPARISON
AS MANY AS CARTER HAS LITTLE LIVER PILLS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): NUMBER QUANTITY
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
JUST OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, IN A
SMALL VILLAGE CALLED SHIELDS, THERE IS A LEGEND OF THE
DISAPPEARING LIGHT. THE STORY GOES THAT OUTSIDE OF
SHIELDS CITY LIMITS, IN THE FORESTS THERE IS A LIGHT
WHICH APPEARS FROM A SMALL HILL IRREGULARLY. NO ONE TO
THIS DAY HAS BEEN ABLE TO ISOLATE WHERE THE LIGHT IS
COMING FROM OR WHO CAUSES IT. PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY HIGH
SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, HAVE TRIED TO FIND THE SOURCE, AND
COME SO FAR AS TO CAPTURE IT BETWEEN TWO CARS. WHEN
THE CARS CREPT TOGETHER, HOWEVER, THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED
AND BOTH CARS HAD ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES. EVEN PROFESSIONAL
ELECTRICIANS HAVE COMBED THE COUNTRYSIDE BUT TO NO GOOD
SO FAR. PEOPLE IN AND AROUND THE CITY OF SAGINAW STILL
TRAVEL OUT ON THE HOPE OF SEEING THE MYSTERIOUS LIGHT.
Submitter comment:
THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO ME AT ST. STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL,
SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT INFORMANTS
IN 1969.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW ; SAINT STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): PHANTOM LIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
THE BEAUTIFUL BABY CORPSE
INFORMANT TOLD ME OF A GUEST THAT SHE HAD IN HER HOME
WHO WORKED FOR THE WILBUR VAULT COMPANY. THIS MAN WAS
A MEMBER OF THE BURYING PARTY AT SEVERAL CEMETERIES.
ONE INCIENT HE SWEARS HE WILL NEVER FORGET WAS ONCE,
WHEN HIS CREW HAD TO BURY THE BODY OF A TWO-YEAR-OLD
BOY WHO HAD JUST RECENTLY PASSED AWAY. WHEN THESE MEN
LAID THE COFFIN ON TOP OF THE NYLON RUNNERS WHICH
SUPPORTED IT, THIS COFFIN SLIPPED OFF THE RUNNERS AND
SOMEHOW THE BABY FELL OUT. WHEN THIS MAN WENT DOWN TO THE
BOTTOM OF THE GRAVE TO RETRIEVE THE CHILD, HE SAID THAT
IT WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BABY THAT HE HAD EVER SEEN.
THIS INFANT SO IMPRESSED HIM (HE HAD A TWO-YEAR-OLD OF
HIS OWN) THAT HE INQUIRED ABOUT THE MANNER IN WHICH
IT HAD DIED. HE FOUND THAT THE BABY HAD UNSCREWED A
BOLT FROM HIS CRIB AND HAD SWALLOWED IT. THE BOLT
LODGED IN THE BABY'S THROAT AND IT WAS RUSHED TO THE
HOSPITAL, BUT THE DOCTORS WERE UNABLE TO SAVE THE
LITTLE BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): INFANT DEATHS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 11-29-1971
Entry filtered.
( PUNCH LINE FROM A SONG)
THERE ONCE WAS A FAMOUS SKIN DIVER NAMED OSEE WHO WAS
ASKED TO TEST A NEW UNDERWATER FLASHLIGHT, INVENTED BY
A PROFESSOR DAWNSEARLY. TO CONDUCT THE TEST, THE
SKINDIVER, THE PROFESSOR AND SOME PROFESSIONAL TEST
CONDUCTORS TOOK A SHIP TO THE NEAREST MURKY WATERS.
OSEE SUBMERGED IN A DIVING SUIT EQUIPPED WITH AN
INTERCOM. HE TOLD THE MAN ON BOARD THAT HE WAS TURNING
ON THE FLASHLIGHT. THEN, THROUGH THE INTERCOM THEY
ASKED THE FATAL QUESTION: "OSEE, CAN YOU SEE BY THE
DAWNSEARLY LIGHT?"
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): NATIONAL ANTHEM
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 11-02-1970
MYSTERIOUS LIGHT
JUST OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, IN A
SMALL VILLAGE CALLED SHIELDS, THERE IS A LEGEND OF THE
DISAPPEARING LIGHT. THE STORY GOES THAT OUTSIDE OF
SHIELDS CITY LIMITS, IN THE FORESTS THERE IS A LIGHT
WHICH APPEARS FROM A SMALL HILL IRREGULARLY. NO ONE TO
THIS DAY HAS BEEN ABLE TO ISOLATE WHERE THE LIGHT IS
COMING FROM OR WHO CAUSES IT. PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY HIGH
SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN, HAVE TRIED TO FIND THE SOURCE, AND
COME SO FAR AS TO CAPTURE IT BETWEEN TWO CARS. WHEN
THE CARS CREPT TOGETHER, HOWEVER, THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED
AND BOTH CARS HAD ELECTRICAL SHORTAGES. EVEN PROFESSIONAL
ELECTRICIANS HAVE COMBED THE COUNTRYSIDE BUT TO NO GOOD
SO FAR. PEOPLE IN AND AROUND THE CITY OF SAGINAW STILL
TRAVEL OUT ON THE HOPE OF SEEING THE MYSTERIOUS LIGHT.
Submitter comment:
THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO ME AT ST. STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL,
SAGINAW, MICHIGAN, BY SEVERAL DIFFERENT INFORMANTS
IN 1969.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW ; SAINT STEPHEN HIGH SCHOOL
Keyword(s): PHANTOM LIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 00-00-1969
THE BEAUTIFUL BABY CORPSE
INFORMANT TOLD ME OF A GUEST THAT SHE HAD IN HER HOME
WHO WORKED FOR THE WILBUR VAULT COMPANY. THIS MAN WAS
A MEMBER OF THE BURYING PARTY AT SEVERAL CEMETERIES.
ONE INCIENT HE SWEARS HE WILL NEVER FORGET WAS ONCE,
WHEN HIS CREW HAD TO BURY THE BODY OF A TWO-YEAR-OLD
BOY WHO HAD JUST RECENTLY PASSED AWAY. WHEN THESE MEN
LAID THE COFFIN ON TOP OF THE NYLON RUNNERS WHICH
SUPPORTED IT, THIS COFFIN SLIPPED OFF THE RUNNERS AND
SOMEHOW THE BABY FELL OUT. WHEN THIS MAN WENT DOWN TO THE
BOTTOM OF THE GRAVE TO RETRIEVE THE CHILD, HE SAID THAT
IT WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BABY THAT HE HAD EVER SEEN.
THIS INFANT SO IMPRESSED HIM (HE HAD A TWO-YEAR-OLD OF
HIS OWN) THAT HE INQUIRED ABOUT THE MANNER IN WHICH
IT HAD DIED. HE FOUND THAT THE BABY HAD UNSCREWED A
BOLT FROM HIS CRIB AND HAD SWALLOWED IT. THE BOLT
LODGED IN THE BABY'S THROAT AND IT WAS RUSHED TO THE
HOSPITAL, BUT THE DOCTORS WERE UNABLE TO SAVE THE
LITTLE BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): INFANT DEATHS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 11-29-1971
ONCE A BOY DID NOT SWALLOW THE EUCHARIST, BUT TOOK
IT OUT OF HIS MOUTH. HE TOOK IT HOME AND CUT IT
IN HALF WITH A KNIFE. IT BLED.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT TOLD THIS VERY SERIOUSLY, BUT WAS SKEPTICAL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LINCOLN PARK
Keyword(s): COMMUNION, SACRAMENT TRANS-SUBSTANTIATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-23-1971
Entry filtered.
Entertainment: Games
Chant From Calling In People Who Are Still Hidden in Hide and Seek:
"Come in oh, Come in, oh; If you don't come in, you're it."
Submitter comment:
The informant learned it from his friends.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [C570] crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHANT ; CHILD ; CHILDHOOD ; CHILDREN ; Diversion ; Entertainment ; GAME ; Play ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | -- .C750520 |