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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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LEGEND OF MONTE SANO

THE NAME OF A MOUNTAIN NEAR HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA IS DERIVED
FROM A TRGIC LOVE STORY. A WHITE SETTLER FELL IN LOVE WITH
A BEAUTIFUL INDIAN MAIDEN NAMED MONTE. HER (MONTE'S)
FATHER SAID SHE COULD NOT MARRy THE WHITE MAN, BUT MUST
MARRY THE INDIAN PRINCE. THE WHITE MAN DIED OF A BROKEN
HEART SAYING, "MONTE SAY NO TO THE PRINCE."

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

Keyword(s): Alabama ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Marry ; Native American ; Settler

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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THE GRIM REAPER

THE WORLD OF PROFESSIONAL ATHLETICS HAS CREATED A NUMBER OF
IMAGINARY CREATURES. ONE IS WELL KNOWN TO THE MANY ROOKIES
WHO HAVE FAILED TO MAKE THE GRADE. GEORGE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE THE
CLEVELAND BROWNS' FOOTBALL TEAM THIS PAST SUMMER BUT FAILED.
HE MENTIONED THAT "THE GRIM REAPER" WAS REALLY PRESENT. WHEN YOU
WERE CALLED TO THE COACH'S OFFICE, "THE REAPER" HAD STRUCK AND
HIS PRESENCE WAS FELT. THIS CREATURE SEEMS TO BE RATHER UNIVERSAL
IN CONJUNCTION WITH AMERICAN FOOTBALL.

Submitter comment:

GEORGE TOLD ME THIS JUST AFTER RETURNING FROM "CAMP" TO DETROIT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): AMERICAN ; Cleveland Browns ; Football ; Haunting ; Reaper ; SPORTS ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion

Date learned: 08-00-1964

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LAKE BELIEF

ACCORDING TO LOCAL INDIAN BELIEF IN SYRACUSE NEW YORK, THE LAKE HAS
NO END AND JUST SINKS ENDLESSLY IN THE EARTH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): American Indians ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIANS ; Lake ; Legend ; Lore ; NEW YORK ; River ; Syracuse ; WATER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Still water Small body.

Date learned: 10-14-1970

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FINGER LAKES BELIEF

THE IROQUOIS BELIEVED THAT THE FINGER LAKES OF UPPER NEW
YORK STATE WERE FORMED BY THE HAND OF GOD, DESCENDING IN BLESSING
UPON THE LAND.

Submitter comment:

MR. WYATT LEARNED OF THE LEGEND WHILE LIVING IN GENEVA, NEW YORK
HIS HOME. GENEVA IS ONE OF THE FINGER LAKES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; BELIEF ; BLESSING ; ETYMOLOGY ; Finger ; Finger Lakes ; Hand of God ; INDIAN ; Iroquois ; Lakes ; Lakes ; Legend ; NEW YORK ; Origin ; WATER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Still water Small body.

Date learned: 10-22-1965

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LAKES BELIEF

SOME PEOPLE HOLD THAT THERE IS A SUBTERRANEAN CONNECTION BETWEEN
LAKE HURON AND HIGGINS LAKE. THIS BELIEF IS EXEMPLIFIED BY AN
INDIAN TALE OF AN INDIAN WHO WAS DROWNED DURING A STORM ON HIGGINS
LAKE, BUT WHOSE CANOE WAS FOUND ADRIFT ON LAKE HURON.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; Higgins Lake ; INDIAN ; Lake ; Lake Huron ; Lakes ; Legend ; Subterranean

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Still water Small body.

Date learned: 02-00-1968

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FORMING MICHIGAN

ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

Submitter comment:

THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
BELIEF -- Creator

Date learned: 11-01-1968

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FORMING MICHIGAN

ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

Submitter comment:

THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
BELIEF -- Creator

Date learned: 11-01-1968

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FORMING MICHIGAN

ONE DAY THE INDIAN GOD WAS DRAWING THE VARIOUS LANDS ON THE GLOBE.
AND AS HE WAS TRACING ALONG, HE HAD TO LEAN ON THE LAND WITH HIS
OTHER HAND FOR SUPPORT. WELL, WHEN HE GOT DONE DRAWING AND HE
STOOD BACK TO LOOK AT HIS WORK, HE FOUND THAT HE HAD MADE A BIG
HAND PRINT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAND. WELL, THAT HAND PRINT
IS NOW THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.

Submitter comment:

THIS LEGEND WAS TOLD TO MY SISTER ONE DAY IN SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Lansing

Keyword(s): CREATION ; ETYMOLOGY ; GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Lore ; MICHIGAN ; Native American ; Origin

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation
BELIEF -- Creator

Date learned: 11-01-1968

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STORY

IN THE 1820'S AT SPRING ARBOR, MICHIGAN, AN INDIAN CHIEF WAS
CAPTURED DURING THE WAR. AFTER THE WAR, THE ENGLISH ALLOWED
HIM TO RETURN TO HIS TRIBE. HE WAS SIX FEET TALL AND USED
CRUTCHES TO GET AROUND. IT IS SAID THAT HE WOULD CHALLENGE
ANY MAN TO RACE WITH HIM AND THAT HE ALWAYS WON. EVEN THOUGH
ONE-LEGGED, HE HAD DEVELOPED AN ENORMOUS SPRINT WITH THE AID
OF HIS CRUTCHES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SPRING ARBOR

Keyword(s): INDIAN ; Legend ; Native American

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation War
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails

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STORY

IN THE 1820'S AT SPRING ARBOR, MICHIGAN, AN INDIAN CHIEF WAS
CAPTURED DURING THE WAR. AFTER THE WAR, THE ENGLISH ALLOWED
HIM TO RETURN TO HIS TRIBE. HE WAS SIX FEET TALL AND USED
CRUTCHES TO GET AROUND. IT IS SAID THAT HE WOULD CHALLENGE
ANY MAN TO RACE WITH HIM AND THAT HE ALWAYS WON. EVEN THOUGH
ONE-LEGGED, HE HAD DEVELOPED AN ENORMOUS SPRINT WITH THE AID
OF HIS CRUTCHES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SPRING ARBOR

Keyword(s): Chief ; INDIAN ; Legend ; Native American

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation War
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails

Date learned: 03-19-1970

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STORY

IN THE 1820'S AT SPRING ARBOR, MICHIGAN, AN INDIAN CHIEF WAS
CAPTURED DURING THE WAR. AFTER THE WAR, THE ENGLISH ALLOWED
HIM TO RETURN TO HIS TRIBE. HE WAS SIX FEET TALL AND USED
CRUTCHES TO GET AROUND. IT IS SAID THAT HE WOULD CHALLENGE
ANY MAN TO RACE WITH HIM AND THAT HE ALWAYS WON. EVEN THOUGH
ONE-LEGGED, HE HAD DEVELOPED AN ENORMOUS SPRINT WITH THE AID
OF HIS CRUTCHES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SPRING ARBOR

Keyword(s): INDIAN ; Legend ; Native American

Subject headings: ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation War
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails

Date learned: 03-19-1970

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INDIAN LEGEND

THE INDIANS OF THE NORTHWEST ONLY FISHED IN CREEKS.
SOME STRANGERS CAME ALONG--THERE WERE SIXTEEN OF THEM.
THEY WERE STRANGE LOOKING, FOR THEY WERE TALL WITH BLUE
EYES AND BLOND HAIR. THEY HAD METAL WEAPONS. THEY
TAUGHT THE INDIANS HOW TO BUILD BOATS AND HOUSES AND
HOW TO HUNT FOR WHALES. LEGEND SAYS THAT THESE WERE
VIKINGS WHO CAME OVER WITH LEIF ERIKSEN--THEY WENT DOWN
THE GREAT LAKES, UP THE FOX RIVER TO THE MISSISSIPPI,
THEN UP INTO CANADA. A FEW YEARS AGO A VIKING SHIP
WAS FOUND THERE; ALSO A STONE TABLET WITH VIKING
WRITING ON IT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GEOGRAPHY ; INDIAN ; INSTRUCTION ; Native American ; Origin ; Settlement ; Viking

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero

Date learned: 05-15-1965

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Counting-out rhyme used by African American children

My mama and your mama were hanging out the clothes.
My mama socked your mama right straight in the nose.
What color was the blood? Answer y/n
N O spells no and you are out of this game.

Submitter comment:

This games is done with each participating players putting
one foot in a circle with all toes touching together. The
callers says the above rhyme touching each person's shoe.
Each round of the rhyme eliminates a person until eventually
there is only one person left and that person is "it."

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; other children in the community

Keyword(s): African American ; COUNTING ; GAME ; Playground ; RHYME ; Selection

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse

Date learned: 00-00-1961

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Entry filtered.

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

HOW DO YOU KEEP A GROUP OF NIGGERS FROM RAPING A WHITE
GIRL? THROW THEM A BASKETBALL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): African American ; Basketball ; Black ; Female ; Male ; Offensive ; RACISM ; Racist ; Rape ; SEXISM ; Stereotype ; White

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 00001970S

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Entry filtered.

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

HOW DO YOU BABYSIT A NIGGER? WET HIS LIPS AND STICK
HIM TO THE WALL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): African American ; BABY ; JOKE ; Offensive ; RACISM ; Racist ; Stereotype

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 00001970S

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Entry filtered.

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

HOW DO YOU KEEP A BLACK BABY FROM BOUNCING ON THE BED?
PUT VELCRO ON THE CEILING.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): African American ; Black ; JOKE ; Offensive ; Racist ; Stereotype

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 00001970'S

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Entry filtered.

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

What's long, black, and smelly?
The unemployment line.
What's black, has white eyes and knocks on glass?
A nigger in a microwave.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): African American ; Black ; JOKE ; Offensive ; Racist ; RIDDLE ; Stereotype ; Tasteless

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 01-00-1990

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Entry filtered.

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

A white man and his family bought a dog from a black family.
The man bragged about how well the dog was trained. One day
the dog jumped on the couch. The white man shouted, "Rex,
get down!" The dog started dancing.

What do you call a black doctor?
A nigger.

Submitter comment:

"Get down" is slang that means to dance.
 

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: WORK ; POLICE

Keyword(s): African American ; Bigot ; Black ; JOKE ; Offensive ; Racist ; RIDDLE ; Stereotype ; Tasteless

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 01-00-1990

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Entry filtered.

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

What do you call a black doctor?
A nigger.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: WORK ; POLICE

Keyword(s): African American ; Bigot ; Black ; JOKE ; Offensive ; Racist ; Stereotype ; Tasteless

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 01-00-1990

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Entry filtered.

Historical record from James Callow Folklore Archive.

Why put a coon on the moon by three?
When you can put his ass in a tree by noon!
What looks good on a nigger?
A police dog!
Why do black people smell?
So blind people can hate them too!

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; ON A BUS

Keyword(s): African American ; Bigot ; Black ; JOKE ; Offensive ; Racist ; RIDDLE ; Stereotype ; Tasteless

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question
Filter - Mature Content

Date learned: 01-00-1960

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