The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ORIGIN OF THE JACK O LANTERN

A BOY NAMED JACK WANTED TO GO TO HEAVEN, BUT HIS CONSCIENCE
WOULD NOT LET HIM. SO JACK WANTED TO GET INTO HELL, BUT SINCE
HE PLAYED TRICKS AND JOKES, THE DEVIL WOULD NOT LET HIM IN.
SO JACK HAD TO ROAM THE EARTH FOR ALL TIME, CARRYING
A LANTERN. THEREFORE PEOPLE HAVE CALLED HIM, JACK O' LANTERN.

Data entry tech comment: A-T 330 THE SMITH OUTWITS THE DEVIL
MT[ A2817 ORIGIN OF WILL-OF-THE-WISP (JACK-O'-LANTERN)
CK[ IGNUS FATUUS ; JACK-O'-LANTERN IS NAME FOR HOLLOWEEN PUMPKIN
WL[ ALPENA, MICHIGAN
****************** NEW D FILE 2 ******************

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALPENA

James Callow Keyword(s): IGNUS FATUUS ; JACK-O'-LANTERN IS NAME FOR HOLLOWEEN PUMPKIN

Date learned: 10-04-1970

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DEAD MAN'S HOLLER

IN VIRGINIA THEY HAVE VALLEYS. IN CALIFORNIA THEY
HAVE CANYONS. IN THE KENTUCKY MOUNTAINS WE MOSTLY
HAVE HOLLERS. DEAD MAN'S HOLLER OVER NEAR LAUDEN IS A
LONESOME GHOSTLY PLACE. THE STORY I WAS TOLD IS THAT
A UNION SOLDIER CAME THROUGH GUARDING A CONFEDERATE
PRISONER DURING THE CIVIL WAR. THE PRISONER FOUND A
CHANCE TO KILL HIS CAPTOR. HE DID AND THEN BURIED
THE UNION SOLDIER IN A SHALLOW GRAVE AND HUNG HIS
BOOTS ON THE LIMB OF A TREE. EVER SINCE THAT DAY
THAT PLACE HAS BEEN CALLED DEAD MAN'S HOLLER.

Where learned: KENTUCKY ; WILLIAMSBURG

James Callow Keyword(s): HOLLOW

Date learned: 05-01-1969

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