Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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COACH SHADA
AT ST. JAMES HIGH SCHOOL IN FERNDALE A
PORTRAIT OF THE LATE COACH JOHN SHADA, WHO PUT THE SCHOOL IN THE
TOP OF ITS DIVISION FOR MANY YEARS, IS ACROSS FROM THE TROPHY
CASE. THE PASTOR TELLS PEOPLE IT IS THERE "SO JOHN CAN
WATCH HIS TROPHIES."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE ; Schusterbaurr
Keyword(s): Coach ; DEATH ; Legend ; Trophy
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Secular hero |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SANTA CLAUS
ONE OF THE MOST WIDESPREAD LEGENDS I CAN THINK OF IS THAT
OF SANTA CLAUS. NOT ONLY IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT IN MANY
COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD IT IS BELIEVED THAT THERE IS SOME
JOLLY, KIND OLD MAN WHO BRINGS TOYS AND PRESENTS TO ALL GOOD
LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS AT CHRISTMAS TIME.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): GIFTS ; holiday ; Legend ; Present ; Saint Nick ; SANTA CLAUS ; Toys
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
WAINAMOINEN
WAINAMOINEN IS A GREAT LEGENDARY FINNISH NATIONAL HERO. HE IS WELL
KNOWN AMONG MANY FINNS IN MINNESOTA AND THERE ARE MANY SONGS,
LEGENDS AND BELIEFS ABOUT HIM. HE IS OFTEN GIVEN CREDIT
FOR UNITING THE FINNISH PEOPLE AGAINST THEIR ENEMIES, THE
RUSSIANS, ETC.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MINNESOTA ; STURGEON LAKE
Keyword(s): FINLAND ; Finnish ; Hero ; Legend ; Wainmoinen
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 03-28-1970
THE ETERNAL WATCH
EMPEROR FREDERICK BARBARROSSA'S SPIRIT KEEPS WATCH OVER THE
GERMAN PEOPLE FROM HIS SUPPOSED RESTING PLACE AT THE
KHYFFAUSER CASTLE IN THURINGIA. A FLOCK OF RAVENS KEEP A
CONSTANT VIGIL OVER HIS GRAVE. WHEN THEY ARE GONE, THIS MEANS
THAT BARBARROSSA'S SPIRIT HAS LEFT THE GRAVE, AND IS ROAMING
GERMANY TRYING TO LEAD HER IN TIMES OF PERIL. IT IS SAID
THAT THE RAVENS WERE GONE DURING THE TIME OF THE "WELT DRIEGS."
THIS MEANS THAT THE "HEMICHEKAISER" WAS GONE FROM HIS TOMB.
Submitter comment:
MR. STOERKEL IS GERMAN AND THE SOURCES ARE TRADITIONAL TRANSMISSION.
Data entry tech comment:
SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
Keyword(s): Castle ; Germany ; GHOST ; Legend ; SPIRIT ; Tomb
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Secular hero BELIEF -- Bird |
LEGEND OF THE MAD MAN.
IN MY CHILDHOOD, I SPENT TWO WEEKS AT THE BOYS' CLUB CAMP
FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE YEARS. EVERY STAY WAS OCCASIONED BY THE
RUMOR THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO WALK IN CAMP ALONE AT NIGHT
BECAUSE A MAN HAD ESCAPED FROM A NEARBY MENTAL
INSTITUTION OR JAIL (IT VARIED) AND
THE CONVICT DID NOT LIKE LITTLE BOYS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): Escaped ; Institution ; JAIL ; Legend ; Mad Man ; Mental Institution ; Urban Legend
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PILLOW WREATHS
WHEN THE WITCHES WEAVE A WREATH IN YOUR PILLOW (THEY ARE
ACTUALLY PERFECTLY FORMED LITTLE WREATHS. THE INFORMANT HAS
SEEN THEM) IF THE WREATH GETS COMPLETED, THE PERSON DIES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT BELIEVES IN THIS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GIFT ; Legend ; OMEN ; Pillow ; WITCHES ; Wreath
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 09-21-1968
ECLIPSE
A WITCH MUST WAIT THREE HOURS AFTER EATING, BEFORE SHE CAN USE
ANY OF HER WITCHCRAFT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): Legend ; Powers ; Rule ; Witch ; Witchcraft
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 03-06-1972
OMEN
QUITE OFTEN ONE SIGN OF A WITCH IS RED HAIR. THIS IS BECAUSE
JUDAS HAD RED HAIR AND DEALT WITH THE DEVIL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): COLOR ; DEVIL ; HAIR ; JUDAS ; Legend ; Red ; SIGN ; Witch
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 02-12-1968
Superstition
IF YOU CUT DOWN A TREE, A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY WILL DIE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DEATH ; FAMILY ; Legend ; Lore ; SUPERSTITION ; Tree
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-06-1969
CEMETERY BELIEF
IT WAS BELIEVED THAT AFTER EIGHT 'O CLOCK AT NIGHT THE DEAD
WOULD WALK
AROUND MT. ELIOT CEMETERY IN DETROIT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Dead ; Detroit ; GHOST ; Legend ; Lore ; Mt. Eliot Cemetery ; SUPERNATURAL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-12-1968
FORMULA SPEECH
GOD BLESS YOU, SAID WHEN SOMEONE SNEEZES.
ORIGIN: PEOPLE WOULD SAY THIS WHENEVER SOMEONE SNEEZED TO FORCE
THE BAD SPIRITS BACK INTO THE PERSONS BODY. THEY
BELIEVED COLDS WERE CAUSED BY EVIL SPIRITS AND THEY COULD
PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM THE SPIRITS COMING OUT IN THE
SNEEZE, BY USING GODS NAME.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Legend ; Lore ; SNEEZE ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 01-00-1972
MENSTRUATION BELIEF
A WOMAN WHO IS GOING THROUGH HER MENSTRUATION SHOULD NOT DO
ANY CANNING OF TOMATOES. WHEN A WOMAN CANS WHEN SHE IS THIS WAY,
ALL THE CANS WILL BURST OF OVER ACIDITY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): Canning ; Feminism ; FOOD ; Legend ; Lore ; MENSTRUATION ; Period ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-04-1972
HOUSE OF BLUE LIGHTS
THE TEST FAMILY OWNS MUCH DOWNTOWN REAL ESTATE IN INDIANAPOLIS,
AND HAS AN OLD HOUSE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE COUNTY, JUST OUTSIDE
OF TOWN. THE GRANDFATHER'S GHOST IS SAID TO INHABIT THE NOW EMPTY
HOUSE. THIS IS BECAUSE AT NIGHT, BLUE LIGHTS CAN BE SEEN
FROM THE ROAD, COMING FROM THE WINDOWS. THERE ALSO SEEMS TO BE
A GREAT POPULATION OF CATS INHABITING THE AREA. THE OLD MAN
IS SAID TO HAVE HAD MANY WHILE HE WAS ALIVE. IT IS A POPULAR
LOCAL LEGEND, AND THE HOUSE IS OFTEN VISITED BY THE CURIOUS.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAID HIS UNCLE USED TO GO THERE IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: INDIANA ; INDIANAPOLIS
Keyword(s): Blue Lights ; Cats ; Haunting ; Legend ; Lore ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1970
STRASBOURG, THE KNOCK, KNOCK STREET
IN DETROIT, IF YOU DRIVE DOWN STRASBOURG STREET, YOUR CAR WILL
KNOCK. THIS IS BECAUSE MANY YEARS AGO, A LITTLE GIRL WAS PLAYING
IN THE STREET WHEN HIT BY A CAR, WHICH DRAGGED HER BODY DOWN THE
STREET WITH HER HEAD KNOCKING AGAINST THE CAR DOOR UNTIL SHE WAS
DEAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT RECORDED
Keyword(s): Auto ; DEATH ; Haunting ; Knock ; Legend ; Lore
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CEMETERY BELIEF
IF YOU ARE OUT IN THE EARLY EVENING AT MT. ELIOT CEMETERY
AT 6 MILE ROAD, AND YOU FACE THE WEST SIDE OF IT, YOU WILL SEE
A GLOWING RED TOMBSTONE, WHY THIS PARTICULAR TOMBSTONE GLOWS,
NO ONE KNOWS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT RECORDED
Keyword(s): CEMETERY ; Detroit ; Glow ; HAUNTED ; Haunting ; Legend ; Mt. Eliot Cemetery ; Tombstone
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ANNE BOLEYN
IN THE TOWER OF LONDON, ONE CAN SEE ANNE BOLEYN WALK AROUND
THE TOWER PROPER ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HER BEHEADING.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): Anne Boleyn ; Beheaded ; HAUNTED ; Haunting ; Legend ; Tower of London
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10281972 YEAR ASSUMED
THE FOUNDING OF CRACOW
A POLISH LEGEND: THE TOWN OF CRACOW, ACCORDING
TO LEGEND, WAS FOUNDED BY THE MYTHICAL RULER KRAK. IT WAS
HE WHO SLEW THE DRAGON OF WOWEL HILL, WHICH HAD
TERRORIZED THE PEOPLE BY DEMANDING THAT OFFERINGS
OF SHEEP AND CATTLE BE BROUGHT TO HIS CAVE IN EXCHANGE
FOR THE LIVES OF THE TOWNSPEOPLE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): Founding ; KRAKOW ; Legend ; Lore ; Sacrifice
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
NAMING A RIVER
THE RIVRE ROUGE WAS NAMED BY THE FRENCH EXPLORER LASALLE
IN THE 17 TH CENTURY. AS HE WAS PASSING THROUGH THE AREA
LASALLE NOTICED THE NUMBER OF RED BERRY BUSHES ALONG THE
RIVERS EDGE. THE SUNS RAYS PASSED THROUGH THE BUSHES AND
ON TO THE WATER'S SURFACE. THIS CAUSED THE
WATER TO HAVE A REDDISH OR ROUGE GLOW, THUS THE RIVER RECEIVED
ITS NAME.
Submitter comment:
MR. BARRY PICKED THIS UP DURING HIS MANY YEARS AS A ROUGE PLANT
WITH FORD MOTOR.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): 17th Century ; ETYMOLOGY ; Explorer ; FRENCH ; Lasalle ; Legend ; Origin ; River Rouge ; Rouge
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: SUMMER 1963
FINGER LAKES LEGEND
ACCORDING TO THE LEGENDS OF THE INDIANS OF NEW YORK, THE SO-CALLED
FINGER
LAKES ARE THE RESULT OF A GIANT FALLING AND LEAVING HIS HAND
IMPRINT IN THE EARTH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Finger Lakes ; Giant ; Hand print ; Legend ; NEW YORK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 10-14-1970
ORIGIN OF THE PEARLS OF THE PERSIAN GULF
TO THE ANCIENT PEOPLE OF IRAQ, THE RIVER TIGRIS REPRESENTED A
BEAUTIFUL GIRL WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH THE HANDSOME EUPHRATES.
THEIR FAMILIES OPPOSED THE MARRIAGE BUT THEY RAN AWAY FROM HOME
UNTIL THEY MET IN THE SOUTH OF IRAQ IN ONE WIDE RIVER.
WHEN THE TWO LOVERS MET THEY WEPT, AND THEIR HAPPINESS TEARS
ARE STILL PICKED UP BY DIVERS IN THE ARAB GULF AS BEAUTIFUL AND
PRECIOUS PEARLS.
Data entry tech comment:
THERE IS A DIAGRAM ON THE BACK OF THE 5X8 CARD.
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ETYMOLOGY ; Euphrates ; GEOGRAPHY ; Iraq ; Legend ; Lore ; Origin ; Pearls ; Persian Gulf ; Tigris
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Still water |
Date learned: 12-00-1965