Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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
CROWHEART BUTTE
THERE IS A BUTTE IN WYOMING CALLED CROWHEART BUTTE
WHICH HAS A HISTORICAL STORY ATTACHED TO ITS NAME, BUT
THE LOCAL PEOPLE PREFER THIS ONE. TWO INDIAN CHIEFS,
ONE OF THEM A CROW, WERE FEUDING, AND, RATHER
THAN RISK LOSING SO MANY BRAVES IN OPEN BATTLE,
DECIDED THAT IT WOULD BE SETTLED ON TOP OF CROWHEART
BUTTE AND BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM ONLY. THEY
MET ON THE TOP THAT DAY (NO ONE HAS EXPLAINED HOW
THEY GOT UP THE STEEP SIDES) AND FOUGHT TO THE DEATH.
THE CROW CHIEF WAS KILLED, SO, ACCORDING TO TRADITION,
THE OTHER CHIEF CUT OUT HIS HEART AND ATE IT
WHILE THE BODY WAS STILL WARM TO SIGNIFY VICTORY.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM ; SINGLE COMBAT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
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
DISTILLERY PROSE
THIS ONE HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINA. THERE WAS THIS GUY NAMED LOSS
HONEYCUTT
AND HIS PROFESSION WAS BREEDING BULLS. ON THE SIDE HE RAN A
DISTILLERY. BACK IN THOSE TIMES, I THINK IT WAS THE EARLY 1900{S, AS
FAR AS POLICEMEN AND GUYS LIKE THAT, THEY DIDN'T FIND OUT TOO MUCH
ABOUT
DISTILLERIES, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ILLEGAL AND EVERYTHING. BUT
BY MOUTH OR WHATEVER, THE AUTHORITIES FOUND OUT THAT LOSS WAS RUNNING
THIS DISTILLERY AND MAKING PRETTY GOOD MONEY ON IT. SO ONE DAY TWO
LOCAL
OCAL SHERIFFS DECIDED TO PAY LOSS A VISIT. IT SO HAPPENS THAT THE
POLICE
LICE WERE SEEN GOING IN THERE TO BREAK UP THE STILL AND OF COURSE A
CROWD BEGAN TO GATHER OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE. AND THEY WAITED AND WAITED,
BUT THE TWO SHERIFFS NEVER CAME OUT. THE PEOPLE GOT KIND OF CONCERNED
AND WENT TO THE POLICE STATION AND TOLD THEM THAT THE TWO SHERIFFS
HADN'T COME OUT OF THE HOUSE. SO THE POLICE INVESTIGATED. THEY WENT
INTO THE HOUSE AND DOWN INTO THE BASEMENT WHERE THE STILL WAS LOCATED
AND THERE WAS LOSS MAKING WHISKEY. IT SO HAPPENS THAT LOSS HAD DONE
AWAY WITH THE TWO SHERIFFS AND HAD MADE WHISKEY OUT OF THEM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
Keyword(s): MOONSHINING
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM: PEOPLE DISTILLED INTO WHISKEY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
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
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1954
LEGEND
MY FATHER (MR. KELLY) HAD A RACE HORSE THAT HE USED TO
PRACTICE EVERY NIGHT. ONE NIGHT AS HE WAS COMING HOME
AT DUSK, A MAN POPPED UP NEXT TO HIM, ON THE ROAD.
MY FATHER SAID, "HELLO, HOW ARE YOU," AND "WHAT DO YOU
WANT" BUT THE MAN NEVER ANSWERED. HE JUST KEPT WALKING
ALONG SIDE. HIS FACE COULDN'T BE SEEN FOR HE WALKED
SIDEWAYS. SUDDENLY, HE DISAPPEARED. WHEN MY FATHER GOT
HOME, HE WAS PALE AND HAD A HEADACHE. TWO DAYS LATER
THE HORSE DIED. THIS HAD BEEN A SIGN OF DEATH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT CLAIMS THIS TO BE TRUE. IT HAPPENED IN
BUCKINGHAM, QUEBEC {CANADA} ABOUT 50-60 YEARS AGO.
INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT THIS HAPPENED IN BUCKINGHAM , QUEBEC 50-60 YRS
AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CANADA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-24-1972
LEGEND
ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO, MY AUNT AND UNCLE, MARY AND PAT KELLY,
OWNED A HOME ON A HILL ABOUT THREE MILES OUT OF MASSON, QUE-
BEC {CANADA}. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL LIVED A FAMILY
BY THE NAME OF ROBETAILLE. EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
NIGHTS, THE ROBETAILLES GAVE A SQUARE DANCE FOR THE
COMMUNITY. THE WHOLE FAMILY PLAYED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.
WHEN THE LAST ROBETAILLE DIED, JOE "THE FIDDLER" THE DAY
AFTER HIS FUNERAL MARY KELLY HEARD MUSIC COMING FROM THE
ROBETAILLE HOUSE. SHE WENT AND GOT PAT KELLY AND HE
HEARD THE MUSIC ALSO. EVERYONE ON THE STREET HEARD THE
MUSIC, SO THEY WENT AND GOT THEIR PARISH PRIEST, FR.
ROTHIER. HE LISTENED AND HEARD THE MUSIC ALSO. HE SAID
IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT IT WAS THEIR SPIRITS PLAYING AND
THAT IT WAS A SIGN BECAUSE THEY HAD HELPED THE YOUNG
PEOPLE OF THE TOWN WITH THEIR MUSIC. THIS CONTINUED
EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT. THE HOUSE WAS PUT UP
FOR SALE BUT NO ONE WOULD BUY IT, SO IT WAS TORN DOWN.
ONCE AFTER IT HAD BEEN TORN DOWN, THEY HEARD THE FIDDLE
PLAYING.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT THIS IS TRUE FOR WHEN THEY WERE
ALIVE, SHE HEARD THE ROBETAILLES PLAY.
SOUNDS OF SQUARE DANCE MUSIC HEARD FROM HOUSE AND ITS SITE EVEN AFTER
LAST FIDDLER DIES.
KELLY AND ROBETAILLE FAMILIES, NEAR MASSON, QUEBEC, FATHER ROTHIER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CANADA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-24-1972
DISTILLERY PROSE
THIS ONE HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINA. THERE WAS THIS GUY NAMED LOSS
HONEYCUTT
AND HIS PROFESSION WAS BREEDING BULLS. ON THE SIDE HE RAN A
DISTILLERY. BACK IN THOSE TIMES, I THINK IT WAS THE EARLY 1900{S, AS
FAR AS POLICEMEN AND GUYS LIKE THAT, THEY DIDN'T FIND OUT TOO MUCH
ABOUT
DISTILLERIES, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ILLEGAL AND EVERYTHING. BUT
BY MOUTH OR WHATEVER, THE AUTHORITIES FOUND OUT THAT LOSS WAS RUNNING
THIS DISTILLERY AND MAKING PRETTY GOOD MONEY ON IT. SO ONE DAY TWO
LOCAL
OCAL SHERIFFS DECIDED TO PAY LOSS A VISIT. IT SO HAPPENS THAT THE
POLICE
LICE WERE SEEN GOING IN THERE TO BREAK UP THE STILL AND OF COURSE A
CROWD BEGAN TO GATHER OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE. AND THEY WAITED AND WAITED,
BUT THE TWO SHERIFFS NEVER CAME OUT. THE PEOPLE GOT KIND OF CONCERNED
AND WENT TO THE POLICE STATION AND TOLD THEM THAT THE TWO SHERIFFS
HADN'T COME OUT OF THE HOUSE. SO THE POLICE INVESTIGATED. THEY WENT
INTO THE HOUSE AND DOWN INTO THE BASEMENT WHERE THE STILL WAS LOCATED
AND THERE WAS LOSS MAKING WHISKEY. IT SO HAPPENS THAT LOSS HAD DONE
AWAY WITH THE TWO SHERIFFS AND HAD MADE WHISKEY OUT OF THEM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
Keyword(s): MOONSHINING
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM: PEOPLE DISTILLED INTO WHISKEY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
LEGEND
MY FATHER (MR. KELLY) HAD A RACE HORSE THAT HE USED TO
PRACTICE EVERY NIGHT. ONE NIGHT AS HE WAS COMING HOME
AT DUSK, A MAN POPPED UP NEXT TO HIM, ON THE ROAD.
MY FATHER SAID, "HELLO, HOW ARE YOU," AND "WHAT DO YOU
WANT" BUT THE MAN NEVER ANSWERED. HE JUST KEPT WALKING
ALONG SIDE. HIS FACE COULDN'T BE SEEN FOR HE WALKED
SIDEWAYS. SUDDENLY, HE DISAPPEARED. WHEN MY FATHER GOT
HOME, HE WAS PALE AND HAD A HEADACHE. TWO DAYS LATER
THE HORSE DIED. THIS HAD BEEN A SIGN OF DEATH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT CLAIMS THIS TO BE TRUE. IT HAPPENED IN
BUCKINGHAM, QUEBEC {CANADA} ABOUT 50-60 YEARS AGO.
INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT THIS HAPPENED IN BUCKINGHAM , QUEBEC 50-60 YRS
AGO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CANADA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-24-1972
LEGEND
ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO, MY AUNT AND UNCLE, MARY AND PAT KELLY,
OWNED A HOME ON A HILL ABOUT THREE MILES OUT OF MASSON, QUE-
BEC {CANADA}. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL LIVED A FAMILY
BY THE NAME OF ROBETAILLE. EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
NIGHTS, THE ROBETAILLES GAVE A SQUARE DANCE FOR THE
COMMUNITY. THE WHOLE FAMILY PLAYED MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.
WHEN THE LAST ROBETAILLE DIED, JOE "THE FIDDLER" THE DAY
AFTER HIS FUNERAL MARY KELLY HEARD MUSIC COMING FROM THE
ROBETAILLE HOUSE. SHE WENT AND GOT PAT KELLY AND HE
HEARD THE MUSIC ALSO. EVERYONE ON THE STREET HEARD THE
MUSIC, SO THEY WENT AND GOT THEIR PARISH PRIEST, FR.
ROTHIER. HE LISTENED AND HEARD THE MUSIC ALSO. HE SAID
IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT IT WAS THEIR SPIRITS PLAYING AND
THAT IT WAS A SIGN BECAUSE THEY HAD HELPED THE YOUNG
PEOPLE OF THE TOWN WITH THEIR MUSIC. THIS CONTINUED
EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT. THE HOUSE WAS PUT UP
FOR SALE BUT NO ONE WOULD BUY IT, SO IT WAS TORN DOWN.
ONCE AFTER IT HAD BEEN TORN DOWN, THEY HEARD THE FIDDLE
PLAYING.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT CLAIMS THAT THIS IS TRUE FOR WHEN THEY WERE
ALIVE, SHE HEARD THE ROBETAILLES PLAY.
SOUNDS OF SQUARE DANCE MUSIC HEARD FROM HOUSE AND ITS SITE EVEN AFTER
LAST FIDDLER DIES.
KELLY AND ROBETAILLE FAMILIES, NEAR MASSON, QUEBEC, FATHER ROTHIER
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CANADA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-24-1972
( 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 SONG: OH, SAY, CAN YOU SEE, BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT.
| Subject headings: | 6677 Formula Tale |
Date learned: 11-02-1970
UKRANIAN PROVERB
{YOU CAN} TALK TO A MOUNTAIN
BUT A MOUNTAIN STAYS A MOUNTAIN.
Where learned: SAINT LEONARD SCHOOL
Keyword(s): {ORIGINAL UKRANIAN PROVIDED ON CARD... I CANNOT TYPE IT.}
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 09-00-1965
RIDDLE
WHAT HAS FOUR LEGS, A TAIL, AND EARS?
-- A DOG. WHO TOLD YOU?
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): ANIMAL CANINE
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 00-00-0000
JOHN C. WOBBLESQUAW
HE WAS MY FATHER,S GREAT, GREAT, GRANDFATHER ON HIS MOTHER,S SIDE.
ACCORDING TO THE LEGEND, HE BUILT MACKINAC ISLAND.
HE HAD A GIRLFRIEND ACROSS THE STRAITS, AND HE USED TO LIKE TO SEE
HER, SO HE WOULD SWIM ACROSS THE STRAITS. HE SAW LITTLE WHITE STONES
ON THE LOWER PENINSULA SIDE AND HE USED TO TAKE THEM TO HER.
NOW HE WAS A STRONG FELLOW, BUT HE TIRED WITH ALL THE STONES WHILE
SWIMMING, SO HE USED TO DUMP THEM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STRAITS.
THIS WAS A HOT ROMANCE, BUT HE COULDN,T GET ACROSS THE STRAITS WITH
SOME MORE STONES. THAT,S HOW HE BUILT MACKINAC ISLAND. BECAUSE IF YOU
GO THERE TODAY, YOU CAN SEE THE LITTLE WHITE STONES IN THE SAND.
or something like that.
Where learned: MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; STONES USED TO MAKE BRIDGE NOW A HISTORIC PATH ; STONES USED TO MAKE BRIDGE OF LOVE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Creation and Order of Universe PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
Maxim
If you think you can be happy letting the government take care of you, just remember what happened to the American Indian.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs and BN added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [B660] crossed out. Nothing replaces it.
Submission card located in pile marked To Be Classified.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): AMERICAN INDIAN ; Government ; Native American ; POLITICS
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Maxim
Christopher Columbus set an example the Government's never forgotten. He didn't know where he was going, he didn't know where he was when he got there, and he did it all on borrowed money.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs and BN added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [B660] crossed out. Nothing replaces it.
Submission card located in pile marked To Be Classified.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): AMERICAN ; Christopher Columbus ; Government ; Jest, Anecdote, Pun, Joke, Irony ; JOKE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Ethnic: Native American
Destiny:
If an indians is [sic] killed in battle without his weapon, his soul will be damned in limbo.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] crossed out. Replaced with current classification
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): AFTERLIFE ; DEATH ; Destiny, Warrior, Weapon, Ethnic, Indian, Native American ; Limbo ; Soul
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Destiny
Apache Indians will never attack at night, because if they are killed at night their souls will be damned to limbo.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN [P880] crossed out and replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Attack ; DEATH ; ETHNIC ; Limbo ; Native American ; Nighttime ; Soul ; WAR ; Warrior
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- War |