Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for Legend returned 112 results.
FARMER BILL'S WILL
THE C.Y.O. BOY'S CAMP IS LOCATED AT PT. SANILAC, MICHIGAN.
MURPHY'S CREEK RUNS THROUGH THE CAMP AND AT ONE POINT, THERE IS A
LARGE SARCOPHAGUS SHAPED STONE IN THE MIDDLE. ON IT ARE A NUMBER OF
SCRAMBLED LETTERS AND NUMBERS. IT IS SAID THAT THIS IS BILL MURPHY'S
GRAVE. HE HAD OWNED AND FARMED THE LAND AT ONE TIME, IF ANY OF THE
CAMPERS STAYED OUT AT NIGHT ON A MOONLESS EVENING, THEY COULD SEE THE
COFFIN LID OPENED. IN THE DISTANCE
A SINGLE FIGURE COULD BE OUTLINED.
IT WAS OLD BILL PLOWING HIS FIELDS. I LEARNED THIS WHEN AT CAMP,
BUT NEVER SAW BILL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Port Sanilac
Keyword(s): Bill ; FARMER ; GHOST ; Haunt ; Legend ; Tale ; Will
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
GHOST STORY
IN WHISKEY HOLLOW, NEW YORK A CERTAIN MAN WAS ARRESTED AND
PLACED IN THE LOCAL JAIL. (REASON UNKNOWN.) HE WAS LEFT THERE
AND EVERYONE FORGOT ABOUT HIM. HE FINALLY DIED THERE. SOON AFTER
PEOPLE BEGAN TO SEE HIS GHOST CALLING TO BE LET OUT. EVEN TODAY
PARENTS WARN THEIR CHILDREN TO BEWARE THE GHOST OF WHISKEY HOLLOW.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-14-1970
GHOST LEGEND
THERE PERSISTS A LEGEND IN MACEDONIA, THAT IF A
DECEASED WILL APPEAR TO SOME MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.
PERSON DIES THEN WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE DEATH THE GHOST OF THE
Submitter comment:
JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS PARENTS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST ; Legend ; Lore ; Macedonia ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
LEGEND OF SEAWEED SALLY AT CAMP BIG SILVER
BOY'S CLUB SUMMER CAMP AT PINCKNEY, MICHIGAN
HAD IT THAT ACROSS THE LAKE
LIVED SEAWEED SALLY, A GHOST. THE BOYS WERE WARNED TO WATCH FOR
HER BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO KIDNAP LITTLE BOYS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): camp ; GHOST ; Haunt ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LEGEND
EVERY HALLOWEEN NIGHT THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN GOES OUT LOOKING
FOR HIS HEAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST ; Headless ; Horseman ; Legend ; Scary ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-15-1968
GHOST IN WHITE
A WOMAN IN WHITE ROAMS THE WOODS OF BELLE ISLE PARK NEAR DOWNTOWN
DETROIT WITH A HOOK-HANDED FRIEND. THIS STORY HAS BEEN AROUND
FOR YEARS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; NEWSPAPER ; DETROIT FREE PRESS
Keyword(s): Belle Isle ; GHOST ; Haunting ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale ; Undead
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 08-27-1968
CEMETERY STATUE
THERE IS A CEMETERY IN WILMERDING, PENNSYLVANIA WITH A SIX
FOOT STATUE OF A GIRL, DRESSED IN A FLOWING ROBE, CARRYING AN ARMFUL
OF SCHOOL BOOKS, PENCIL CASE, ETC.
THE HISTORY OF THE FIGURE IS AS FOLLOWS:
THE GIRL WAS COMING HOME FROM SCHOOL
ONE DAY WHEN SHE WAS ATTACKED, RAPED, AND KILLED BY TWO HOODLUMS,
ON THE DAY OF HER BIRTHDAY. HER PARENTS HAD A
STATUE MADE IN HER LIKENESS AT THE TIME SHE WAS KILLED, AND PLACED ON
HER GRAVE, WHICH IS ON A HILL OVERLOOKING
A LARGE PART OF THE CEMETERY.
BECAUSE SHE WAS A VIRGIN AT THE TIME OF DEATH, IT IS BELIEVED THAT
ANYONE GOING INTO THE CEMETERY AT THE DEAD OF NIGHT
AND WHO DARES TO WALK THE
LONELY WALK UP TO THE STATUE, AND TOUCH IT WILL DISCOVER WHETHER OR
NOT THEY ARE A VIRGIN. A VIRGIN WILL
RECEIVE NO HARM FROM THE STATUE,
BUT A NON-VIRGIN WILL RECEIVE A SMALL
CUT AND CONSEQUENTLY BLEED FROM TOUCHING THE GARMENT OF THE
STATUE. IN ADDITION, ON THE EVE OF HER BIRTHDAY, THE
STATUE IS BELIEVED TO COME ALIVE AND WALK THE CEMETERY LOOKING
FOR HER MURDERERS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MELVINDALE
Keyword(s): CEMETERY ; GHOST ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION ; Urban Legend ; Virgin
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-15-1965
BOOGIEMAN BELIEF
WHEN I WAS A KID MY PARENTS USED TO TELL ME THAT OLD UNCLE
GEORGE WAS THIS GHOST THAT LIVED IN THE BASEMENT AND
THAT HE WOULD COME UP AT NIGHT AND EAT ME ALIVE IF I WAS BAD.
(I USED TO HAVE A PICTURE IN MY MIND
OF EXACTLY WHAT UNCLE GEORGE LOOKED
LIKE. HE WAS EXTREMELY OLD AND DUMB, LIKE JETHRO.)
Submitter comment:
JETHRO IS A MUSCLE BOUND HILLBILLY OF A SUCCESSFUL TV SHOW CALLED
THE "BEVERLY HILLBILLIES".
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): Boogieman ; CHILDREN ; FUNCTION ; Legend ; Scare ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale ; THREAT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-02-1970
BANSHE
IN IRELAND, EVERYONE IS AFRAID OF
THE BANSHE. THEY WERE FAIRY WOMEN AND WHEN ANY PERSON WAS NEAR
DEATH OR DYING THE BANSHE CAME AROUND THE HOUSE
CRYING THREE NIGHTS BEFORE THE PERSON DIED.
Data entry tech comment:
BANSHEE IS SPELLED IN GAELIC ON THE ORIGINAL CARD.
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BANSHEE ; IRELAND ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
THE SPIRIT WATCHES
IN SMALL VILLAGES OF THAILAND, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE SPIRIT
OF SOME NATIVE OF THAT TOWN WHO HAD DIED LONG AGO STILL WATCHES OVER
THE TOWN, PROTECTING IT FROM EVIL. THE SPIRIT OF THIS PERSON MAKES
HIMSELF KNOWN BY APPEARING TO A FEW OF THE VILLAGERS, PROVING HIS
AUTHENTICITY BY TELLING PEOPLE
THEIR LIFE HISTORY IN ITS ENTIRETY.
THIS HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN MANY CASES, AND NO EXPLANATION
CAN BE GIVEN OF A NATURAL SORT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: THAILAND
Keyword(s): Legend ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION ; THAILAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
LE GNOMME ROUGE
THE CITY OF DETROIT HAS A FRENCH ORIGIN. BOTH CADILLAC AND
FATHER RICHARD GREATLY AIDED THE CITY'S FOUNDING. BOTH OF
THESE MEN WERE ADVISED BY "LE GNOMME ROUGE". THIS LITTLE
MAN HELPED IN MAKING IMPORTANT DECISIONS. MANY OF THE CITIZENS
SAW HIM FROM TIME TO TIME. HE WAS LAST SEEN IN 1806 DURING THE
DETROIT FIRE AND IN 1943 DURING THE RACE RIOTS. AT THAT TIME,
SOME CITIZENS SAW HIM, OPENLY SOBBING, WALKING THE STREETS
OF DOWNTOWN.
Submitter comment:
BILL GORMAN HEARD THIS, I WOULD THINK, FROM TRADITIONAL SOURCES.
Data entry tech comment:
SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): Detroit ; FRENCH ; Le Gnomme Rouge ; Legend ; Lore ; The Nain Rouge
James Callow Keyword(s): COMPARE THE GRAY CHAMPION OF NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 07-08-1964
CHINESE FESTIVAL
CHENG YEUNG FESTIVAL IS THE "FESTIVAL OF ASCENDING HEIGHTS."
ON THE 9TH DAY OF THE 9TH MOON, LEGEND SAYS THAT THE WISE
CLIMB TO HIGH PLACES TO AVOID DISASTER.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): Celebration ; Chinese ; FESTIVAL ; Heights ; Legend ; MOON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: BELIEF -- Human Being BELIEF -- Moon |
Date learned: 02-24-1968
COLLEGE LEGEND
WHILE I WAS ATTENDING MARYGROVE COLLEGE (64-66) THE
STORY WAS ALWAYS TOLD ABOUT THE YOUNG MAN WHO LIVED FOR A YEAR IN THE
UNDERGROUND TUNNEL CONNECTING THE BUILDINGS. WE NEVER TRIED TO
SUBSTANTIATE OR DISPROVE IT, BUT WHENEVER WE HAD TO GO NEAR
THE TUNNEL EXIT WE ALWAYS TOOK A FRIEND ALONG FOR SAFETY AND
NEVER LINGERED TOO LONG AROUND IT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Dweller ; Legend ; Marygrove ; Rumor ; Tunnels ; Urban Legend
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- Human Being |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ST. PAT
THE MOST POPULAR AND WIDE-SPREAD STORY ABOUT SAINT PATRICK IS
THAT THANKS TO HIM, IRELAND HAS ABSOLUTELY NO SNAKES. IT IS BELIEVED
THAT ST. PAT REMOVED THE SNAKES IN THE "PIED PIPER" FASHION.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
Keyword(s): IRELAND ; Irish ; Legend ; Lore ; Saint Patrick ; SNAKES
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
MIRACLE OF ST. PAUL
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH IN MALTA IS FREQUENTLY VISITED BY MANY
TOURISTS. THERE IS A WALL OF LIMESTONE WHERE THE TOURISTS CHIP OFF
THE STONE FOR A SOUVENIR. NO MATTER
HOW MANY TOURISTS CHIP OFF STONE,
IT ALWAYS REMAINS THE SAME AS A MIRACLE OF ST. PAUL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): Legend ; Malta ; Saint Paul ; Souvenir ; STONE ; Tourism ; Wall
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-08-1970
CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
THE ARMENIAN SANTA CLAUS IS CALLED BUFFANA. IT IS A LEGEND
THAT AT CHRISTMAS TIME BUFFANA GOES THROUGH ALL THE STREETS OF
ARMENIA AND PASSES OUT PRESENTS TO ALL THE POOR CHILDREN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): Armenia ; Armenian ; Buffana ; GIFT GIVING ; holiday ; Legend ; Presents ; SANTA CLAUS ; ST. BEFANA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 02-26-1971
COLLEGE BELIEF
IF A VIRGIN EVER WALKS PAST THE BEAUMONT TOWERS AT
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, THE TOWER WILL CRUMBLE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): Crumble ; Destroy ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION ; Tower ; Urban Legend ; Virgin
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 01-24-1972
CHRISTMAS BELIEF
WHEN THE MORNING SKY IS RED AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME, IT'S MRS. SANTA
CLAUS BAKING UP LOTS OF CHRISTMAS COOKIES.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS TOLD TO ELAINE BY HER GRANDMOTHER WHO IS GERMAN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): Baking ; CHRISTMAS ; COLOR ; Cookies ; Legend ; Mrs. Claus ; Red ; SIGN ; Sky ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 11-20-1967
CROAGH PATRICK
IT IS BELIEVED THAT ST. PATRICK IS BURIED AT THE TOP OF
CROAGH PATRICK MOUNTAIN. PEOPLE FOR PENANCE GO ON THEIR KNEES
UP THE MOUNTAIN AND CELEBRATE MASS.
Data entry tech comment:
SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEY PUNCHER
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO
Keyword(s): BURIAL ; Legend ; MOUNTAIN ; Saint ; Saint Patrick
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 12-01-1969
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
IT IS BAD LUCK TO GO SWIMMING BEFORE THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN
THE BAPTIST (JUNE 24).
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; Legend ; LUCK ; Saint ; Saint John the Baptist ; SWIMMING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 24 St. John's Day / Midsummer Day BELIEF -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 10-00-1972