Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BELIEF-DAILY LIFE
IF YOUR LEFT PALM ITCHES, YOU WILL RECEIVE A LETTER.
Submitter comment:
LEARNED FROM HER SCHOOL FRIENDS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: INDIANA ; South Bend
Keyword(s): Hand ; ITCH ; Palm ; PREDICTION ; SIGN ; SYMBOL ; Visitor
James Callow Keyword(s): DIRECTION ; POSITION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching hands and feet |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
BELIEF-DAILY LIFE
IF YOU DROP A FORK, A WOMAN WILL BE COMING TO VISIT YOU, COMING
FROM THE DIRECTION WHICH THE FORK IS POINTED. IF THE KNIFE DROPS,
IT WILL BE A MAN. IF IT IS A SPOON, IT WILL BE A CHILD.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM YOUTH.
Where learned: INDIANA ; South Bend
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- P553 |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
GERMAN SUPERSTITION
ACCIDENTALLY PUTTING YOUR STOCKING ON WRONG SIDE OUT MEANS GOOD
LUCK, BUT IT'S UNLUCKY TO TURN THEM ON THE RIGHT SIDE IF YOU SEE
THE MISTAKE.
Submitter comment: HEARD IN STEELTON, PENNSYLVANIA ABOUT 1920.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 00001920 CA
TALE
A MAN HAD JUST PURCHASED A NEW CAR. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR TWO
WEEKS, HE DISCOVERED AN AWFUL RATTLE IN THE DOOR. TAKING IT TO
A GARAGE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, HE DISCOVERED AN EMPTY
COKE BOTTLE WAS LODGED IN THE DOOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE ; COKE=COCA COLA: BRAND NAME FOR SOFT DRINK.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 00-00-1965
LEGEND OF BEAR ISLAND
THERE IS AN INDIAN LEGEND THAT TELLS HOW THE FAMOUS MICHIGAN BEAR
ISLAND WAS MADE. IT WAS SAID THAT A MOTHER BEAR AND HER TWO CUBS
WERE ATTEMPTING TO SWIM ACROSS LAKE MICHIGAN, BUT THEY EACH WERE
OVERCOME BY EXHAUSTION BEFORE THEY COULD EVEN SWIM 5 TO 6 MILES.
THEIR BODIES NOW FORM THE BIG BEAR ISLAND AND THE TWO SMALL BEAR
ISLANDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BATTLE CREEK
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; SLEEPING BEAR SAND DUNE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
NOT GIVEN
STORY ABOUT GUY WHO WAS STUCK IN THE THUNDER BAY AREA OF CANADA
FOR 41 DAYS BECAUSE HE COULDN'T GET A RIDE.
Submitter comment:
STORY TOLD AT YOUTH HOSTEL IN AREA AND BELIEVED. IT SEEMS
USUALLY TAKES ABOUT 2 DAYS TO GET A RIDE ANYWAY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ISOLATED, VAST AREA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Earth PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
HAUNTED STREET
ON TUMBLEWOOD ROAD IN DETROIT, IF YOU DRIVE DOWN IT, YOU WILL
HEAR SOMEONE KNOCKING ON YOUR CAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
Date learned: 01-00-1968
LUMPY LUMPKIN STREET
A MAN WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET ONE NIGHT AND UNKNOWINGLY STRUCK
DOWN A YOUNG GIRL. THE GIRL, CAUGHT IN THE REAR FENDER, WAS
DRAGGED ALONG FOR SOME DISTANCE; AND ALL THE WHILE SHE BEAT ON
THE FENDER, BUT THE DRIVER HEARD IT AND STOPPED TOO LATE--THE
GIRL WAS DEAD.
NOW WHENEVER SOMEONE DRIVES ALONG THAT PARTICULAR STRETCH OF
LUMPKIN STREET, HE HEARS A THUMPING NOISE AT THE REAR OF HIS
CAR. THE STREET HAS BEEN PATCHED AND EVEN REPAVED, BUT TO
NO AVAIL. THE THUMPING CONTINUES. THE STREET IS HAUNTED.
Submitter comment:
DETROIT'S LUMPKIN STREET IS SUPPOSEDLY HAUNTED NOW AS A RESULT OF
THE FOLLOWING INCIDENT:
INFORMANT DOESN'T RECALL WHERE HE HEARD THE LEGEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
SHOOTING A HAT
I WAS HUNTING IN THE LOWER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN WITH A GROUP OF
FOUR OTHER MEN. WE LINED UP FIFTY YARDS FROM EACH OTHER AND
WALKED DUE NORTH. WE SAW A RUSTLING IN THE LEAVES. I WENT UP
TO THE SPOT AND SHOT, AND THEN A HAT CAME FLYING OUT OF THE
LEAVES. I'D HIT ONE OF MY COMPANIONS WHO HAD STRAYED OFF. SO
NOW I REFUSE TO HUNT IN THE LOWER PENINSULA, BECAUSE THERE ARE
TOO MANY HUNTERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY CLASS
Keyword(s): CROWDED CONDITIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 09-00-1968
THE ROCK OF THE LORELEI
THERE ONCE WAS A GIRL WHO PLAYED A FLUTE ON SOME ROCKS. EVERY
TIME A SHIP WOULD SAIL NEAR, THEY WOULD BE HYPNOTIZED BY THE
BEAUTY OF THE MUSIC. THUS THEY WERE DRAWN UPON THE ROCKS.
Submitter comment: HE HEARD THIS FROM A FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; YPSILANTI
Keyword(s): SIREN
Date learned: 10-13-1967
GHOSTLY LIGHT
IN BOSTON, IT IS SAID THAT THERE ARE NIGHTS WHEN THE LIGHT CAN BE
SEEN FROM THE NORTH CHURCH--THE CHURCH FROM WHICH CAME THE SIGNAL
BY LIGHT THAT THE BRITISH WERE COMING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): PAUL REVERE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Sign Color |
SAUHEGAN RIVER, MILFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE
THIS RIVER THAT RUNS THROUGH MILFORD HAS A LEGEND THAT GOES LIKE
THIS: AN INDIAN WHO WAS HUNTING FOR HIS PIGS BY A RIVER SLIPPED
AND SCARED THEM AWAY. FROM THIS ACTION HE EXCLAIMED, "SCAW-HE-
GONE." (NOW KNOWN AS SOUHEGAN.)
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS WITH WHOM I GREW UP.
Where learned: NEW HAMPSHIRE ; MILFORD
Keyword(s): SOW?
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
TALE
WHILE HUNTING IN THE UPPER PENINSULA ONE SEASON, I CLIMBED A TREE
TO GET A BETTER VIEW OF THE TERRAIN. THE BRANCH I SAT ON BROKE
AND I FELL INTO WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A HOLLOW TREE WITH BEAR CUBS
IN IT. KNOWING THAT THE MOTHER BEAR WOULD SOON BE BACK, I TRIED
MY BEST TO CLIMB OUT OF THE TREE, TO NO AVAIL. SO I GRABBED MY
KNIFE AND WAITED FOR HER. JUST THEN, I HEARD HER SCRATCHING HER
WAY UP THE TREE. I SAW HER AT THE TOP OF THE TREE CLIMBING INTO
THE HOLE REAR FIRST, SO I GRABBED HER TAIL AND JABBED MY KNIFE
INTO HER BEHIND. SHE SHOT UP THE TREE, PULLING ME WITH HER. AS
SOON AS WE WERE OUT, I PICKED UP MY GUN AND SHOT HER.
Where learned: NORTHERN MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): SEE ROBERTS' SOUTH FROM HELL-FOR-SATAN, TALE 71.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 08-15-1969
MYSTERY STREET
THE INFORMANT RELATES BEING TOLD THAT "STRASBURG," A STREET ON THE
EAST SIDE OF DETROIT, WAS A MYSTERY STREET. HE SAID THAT A GIRL
WAS RUN OVER BY A CAR IN 1962 AND THAT THE DRIVER REFUSED TO STOP.
THE GIRL BEAT CONTINUOUSLY ON THE TRUNK UNTIL THE DRIVER STOPPED.
WHEN THE DRIVER DID STOP, THE GIRL WAS DEAD. NOW, EVERY TIME A
CAR GOES DOWN STRASBURG, IT GOES THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
Date learned: 03-15-1967
LACKAWANNA
DID YOU EVER HEAR OF LACKAWANNA, NEW YORK? WELL, I USED TO LIVE
THERE A COUPLE (OF) YEARS AGO. THE STORY AROUND THERE CONCERNING
HOW THE CITY GOT ITS NAME GOES LIKE THIS: THERE WAS THIS INDIAN
TRIBE IN NEW YORK (THE ONEIDAS, I THINK) WHO INHABITED THE
BUFFALO AREA. ONE OF THE INDIANS GOT UP ON THIS BIG OLD HILL
AND SURVEYED THE AREA. ALL THE INDIAN COULD SEE WAS WATER, SO
HE SAID, "LACKAWANNA," WHICH WAS THAT TRIBE'S WAY OF SAYING, "AS
I STAND HIGH ON THIS HILL, AND I LOOK AROUND, ALL I CAN SEE IS
WATER." AND SO THAT IS HOW LACKAWANNA, NEW YORK, GOT ITS NAME.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT, A RESIDENT OF THE BUFFALO AREA, SAID THAT THIS IS
WHAT THE PEOPLE TOLD HIM WHEN HE MOVED THERE.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): TALL TALE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
LAKE ERIE
REMEMBER YESTERDAY HOW I TOLD YOU HOW LACKAWANNA GOT ITS NAME
FROM AN INDIAN STANDING ON A HILL. WELL, THE NEXT DAY, THAT
INDIAN BROUGHT THE CHIEF UP TO THE SAME HILL. WHEN THE CHIEF
GOT UP THERE HE SAID, "YOU WERE RIGHT, ALL YOU CAN SEE FROM UP
HERE IS WATER. BOY, IS THIS EVER EERIE!" SO THAT'S HOW THAT
PARTICULAR BODY OF WATER GOT ITS NAME--LAKE ERIE.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAID HE ALSO HEARD THIS IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK.
Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK
Keyword(s): TALL TALE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
SPILLING OF SALT AND THEN THROWING A PINCH OF IT
OVER THE LEFT SHOULDER, SO YOU DON'T HAVE BAD
LUCK.
Submitter comment: FROM DORM FRIENDS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; MERCY COLLEGE
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
IF YOU SPILL SALT, THROW SOME OVER YOUR LEFT
SHOULDER AND SOME INTO THE FIRE, OR BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: SOURCE NOT REMEMBERED
Where learned: NEW YORK ; JAMAICA
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites Favorites BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
Date learned: 01-01-1964
IF YOU SPILL SOME SALT, YOU HAVE TO THROW SOME
OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER IN ORDER TO WARD OFF
BAD LUCK.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
Date learned: 11-11-1968
IF YOU SPILL SALT, IT WILL BRING YOU BAD LUCK UNLESS
YOU CANCEL THE BAD LUCK BY THROWING A PINCH OF
SALT OVER YOUR SHOULDER.
James Callow Keyword(s): ACCIDENT ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Conversions Activities |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN