Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for DEATH returned 183 results.
MURDERED BOYFRIEND
A GIRL AND BOY ON A DATE RAN OUT OF GAS ON A DARK,
LONELY ROAD. THE BOY TOLD HER TO STAY IN THE LOCKED
CAR AND NOT LOOK BACK, WHILE HE WENT FOR HELP. SHE
STAYED ALL NIGHT, AND IN THE MORNING, SHE TURNED AND
LOOKED OUT THE BACK WINDOW. HER BOYFRIEND'S HEAD WAS
ON THE TRUNK, LOOKING IN AT HER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): HORROR ; The Boyfriend's Death
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00001960 CA
PROVERBIAL PHRASE
KICKED THE BUCKET
Submitter comment: DIED
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): DEATH
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Entry filtered.
VILLAGE OF BERTRAND LEGEND
ANOTHER LOCAL LEGEND HAS TO DO WITH THE VILLAGE OF
BERTRAND {MICHIGAN} JUST OVER THE STATE LINE IN
MICHIGAN. IT WAS A THRIVING CITY, ON A PAR WITH SOUTH
BEND IN THE MID-19TH CENTURY. IT IS REPORTED THAT
ONE OF OUR PRIESTS SOUGHT SHELTER THERE ONE NIGHT, AND
WAS TURNED AWAY BY THE CITIZENS. HE IS SUPPOSED TO
HAVE PUT A CURSE ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD. TODAY, WHERE
ONCE A FLOURISHING TOWN, THERE IS NOTHING BUT OPEN
FIELDS. THE CHAPEL THERE WAS ALSO BROKEN INTO, AND
DESECRATED (THIS IS A FACT). THE ALTAR WAS LATER
BROUGHT DOWN TO NOTRE DAME AND PLACED IN THE LOG CHAPEL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; INDIANA, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): DEATH OF TOWN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
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
GHOST STORY
IN A SMALL VILLAGE IN GREECE, AN OLD MAN DIED AND IT
WAS FOUND THAT HIS GHOST WAS ROAMING THE COUNTRYSIDE.
TO DISPEL THE GHOST, A BRAVE YOUNG MAN NAMED
KAFMAN TOLD THE VILLAGERS THAT HE WOULD STAY
BY THE OLD MAN'S GRAVE TO SEE IF THE GHOST WOULD
APPEAR. KAFMAN WORE A LONG, HOODED CAPE WHICH TOUCHED
THE GROUND, AND WHEN HE KNELT, THE CAPE SPREAD AROUND
HIM. BY AND BY, HE STARTED TO IMAGINE THINGS AND
HE STABBED AT THE DARKNESS WITH HIS DAGGER AND IT
STUCK INTO THE GROUND PIERCING THE CAPE. AS KAFMAN
STARTED TO LEAVE, HE FELT THE JERK OF THE CAPE
PINNED TO THE GROUND AND DIED OF A HEART ATTACK.
Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS FATHER.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DEATH FROM FRIGHT ; FEAR TEST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
VILLAGE OF BERTRAND LEGEND
ANOTHER LOCAL LEGEND HAS TO DO WITH THE VILLAGE OF
BERTRAND {MICHIGAN} JUST OVER THE STATE LINE IN
MICHIGAN. IT WAS A THRIVING CITY, ON A PAR WITH SOUTH
BEND IN THE MID-19TH CENTURY. IT IS REPORTED THAT
ONE OF OUR PRIESTS SOUGHT SHELTER THERE ONE NIGHT, AND
WAS TURNED AWAY BY THE CITIZENS. HE IS SUPPOSED TO
HAVE PUT A CURSE ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD. TODAY, WHERE
ONCE A FLOURISHING TOWN, THERE IS NOTHING BUT OPEN
FIELDS. THE CHAPEL THERE WAS ALSO BROKEN INTO, AND
DESECRATED (THIS IS A FACT). THE ALTAR WAS LATER
BROUGHT DOWN TO NOTRE DAME AND PLACED IN THE LOG CHAPEL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; INDIANA, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): DEATH OF TOWN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
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
GHOST STORY
IN A SMALL VILLAGE IN GREECE, AN OLD MAN DIED AND IT
WAS FOUND THAT HIS GHOST WAS ROAMING THE COUNTRYSIDE.
TO DISPEL THE GHOST, A BRAVE YOUNG MAN NAMED
KAFMAN TOLD THE VILLAGERS THAT HE WOULD STAY
BY THE OLD MAN'S GRAVE TO SEE IF THE GHOST WOULD
APPEAR. KAFMAN WORE A LONG, HOODED CAPE WHICH TOUCHED
THE GROUND, AND WHEN HE KNELT, THE CAPE SPREAD AROUND
HIM. BY AND BY, HE STARTED TO IMAGINE THINGS AND
HE STABBED AT THE DARKNESS WITH HIS DAGGER AND IT
STUCK INTO THE GROUND PIERCING THE CAPE. AS KAFMAN
STARTED TO LEAVE, HE FELT THE JERK OF THE CAPE
PINNED TO THE GROUND AND DIED OF A HEART ATTACK.
Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS FATHER.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FEAR TEST DEATH FROM FRIGHT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
IT ISN'T THE COUGH THAT CARRIES YOU OFF IT'S THE COFFIN
THEY CARRY YOU OFF IN.
Where learned: OFFICE
Keyword(s): DEATH
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 08-03-1964
MORTICIANS NEVER DIE; THEY JUST BECOME CLIENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DEATH ; REVERSAL OF SITUATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Blason Populaire |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
SHALL ALL HANG SEPARATELY.
Where learned: HOME
Keyword(s): DEATH BROTHERHOOD
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-02-1969
WEATHER PROVERB OR RHYME
WHEN CHRISTMAS IS WHITE
THE GRAVEYARD IS LEAN
BUT FAT IS THE GRAVEYARD
WHEN CHRISTMAS IS GREEN.
Submitter comment:
BALKINS, B.A. _NEW ENGLAND FOLKLORE_
CROWN PUBLISHERS: NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Keyword(s): DEATH SNOW
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 09-00-1969
FUNERALS
AS ME SAINTED MOTHER USED TO SAY, "WHEN YOU DIE I HOPE YOU
ARRIVE IN HEAVEN A HALF HOUR BEFORE THE DEVIL FINDS OUT
YOU ARE DEAD."
Where learned: LETTER ; FLORIDA ; LAUDERDALE
Keyword(s): DEATH
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 10-10-1970
JOKE
"DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE IN THERE (CEMETERY)
ARE DEAD?"
-- ALL OF THEM.
Submitter comment: TOLD WHILE PASSING A CEMETERY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS CAR
Keyword(s): DEAD DEATH CEMETERY
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
RIDDLE
THERE WAS A MAN-DEAD-LYING IN THE DESERT WITH A
POUCH ON HIS BACK. HE WAS LYING FACE DOWN AND THERE
WERE NO FOOTPRINTS OR SIGNS OF ANYTHING AROUND HIM.
HOW DID HE DIE?
-- HE WAS A PARATROOPER AND HIS PARACHUTE DIDN'T
OPEN IN TIME CAUSING HIM TO FALL TO HIS DEATH.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): PARATROOPER PARACHUTE DEATH DEAD
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 12-23-1971
RIDDLE
THE MAN WHO MAKES IT DOESN'T USE IT;
THE MAN WHO BUYS IT DOESN'T NEED IT;
THE MAN WHO USES IT DOESN'T KNOW IT;
WHAT IS IT?
-- A COFFIN
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS COLLECTED FROM MY SISTER, A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL
WHO HEARD IT FROM A STUDENT IN HER STUDY HALL.
Keyword(s): DEATH
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 02-24-1967
Omen
A cat on board a ship will keep death and disaster away.
Data entry tech comment:
Motif added by T.R. Davidson
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO ; TORONTO
Keyword(s): CAT ; DEATH ; Disaster ; Nautical ; OMEN ; PREVENTION ; Ship
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Superstition
Dead Man's Curve
Data entry tech comment:
Possible variations of collector's last name: Dine, Dini, Deni.
Motifs entered by TRD.
Where learned: Self
Keyword(s): Curve ; DEATH ; Road ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Custom
The family of the deceased attends mass for six consecutive weeks. Each week the family brings fruit, candy, or fruit for the entire parish. At the end of the six week period an entire mass is said in memory of the deceased . The family brings wine, three large raisin breads, fruit, and boiled wheat for the parish. This is done to celebrate the first stage of the deceased's ascention into Heaven. The ritual is repeated at six months to celebrate the second stage. After a person has been dead for a period of one year, the ritual is repeated for the last time. This stage signifies that the deceased has ascended into Heaven.
Submitter comment:
Despite revisions in the Orthodox mass, this custom has been preserved. It is considered an important and beautiful ritual. This custom is so old that no one knows how it exactly originated.
Data entry tech comment:
Motifs added by TRD
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Self
Keyword(s): BURIAL ; CUSTOM ; DEATH ; FOOD ; Funeral ; RELIGION ; SYMBOLISM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |