Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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A WEALTHY LIFE
THIS BELIEF STATES THAT IF THE LINES OR CREASES ON A PERSON'S
PALM CROSS IN TWO PLACES AND FORMS THE SHAPE OF AN "M", THAT
PERSON WILL BE WEALTHY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 01-15-1968
LEGEND OF CHRIST
WHILE OUR LORD WAS BEING CRUCIFIED, TWO BIRDS WHO
WERE FLYING ACROSS CALVARY NOTICED HIM. AS THEY SAW
HIS TORMENT, THEY SWOOPED OVER TO HIS ARMS AND TRIED
TO REMOVE THE NAILS WITH THEIR BEAKS. AFTER THEY
TRIED FOR AWHILE, THEY LEFT, BEING UNABLE TO REMOVE
THEM. THEY AND THEIR OFFSPRING WERE REWARDED
FOR THEIR COMPASSION BECAUSE THE BLOOD FROM
CHRIST'S WRISTS STAINED THEIR BREASTS AND MADE THE
ROBIN EASILY IDENTIFIABLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): REASONS FOR ANIMAL CHARACTERISTICS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird |
Date learned: 03-16-1968
THE HELPFUL DOLPHIN
DURING THE EARLY 1800S THERE WAS A STRAIT NEAR ICELAND
THAT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR A SHIP TO TRAVEL THROUGH
WITHOUT CRACKING UP. ONE SHIP MAKING THE JOURNEY
SPOTTED A DOLPHIN SWIMMING AROUND THE SHIP. IT
FOLLOWED THE DOLPHIN AND MADE IT THROUGH SAFELY.
OTHER SHIPS ALSO STARTED TO FOLLOW THE DOLPHINS
AND THEY MADE IT THROUGH. THIS CONTINUED FOR ABOUT
TWENTY YEARS UNTIL THE DOLPHIN DISAPPEARED AND
WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fish |
Date learned: 11-20-1968
THE PITTSBURG ORANGUTAN
ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A STORY GOING AROUND THE
HIGH SCHOOLS IN PITTSBURG ABOUT A FIGHTING ORANGUTAN.
THE ORANGUTAN WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BROUGHT TO A NEARBY
SHOPPING CENTER WHERE A CONTEST WAS TO BE HELD.
ANYONE WHO COULD REMAIN IN THE CAGE WITH THE ORANGUTAN
FOR TEN SECONDS WOULD WIN ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE
RUMOR SPREAD FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND THE DAY CAME FOR
THE CONTEST. SEVERAL HUNDRED YOUTHS SHOWED UP AT THE
SHOPPING CENTER, BUT THE ORANGUTAN NEVER MADE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-18-1968
ALBERT EINSTEIN
ONE TIME EINSTEIN WAS MAKING A JOURNEY BY TRAIN.
WHEN THE CONDUCTOR CAME TO COLLECT THE TICKETS, HE
SEARCHED THROUGH HIS POCKETS, BUT COULDN'T FIND HIS
TICKET. THE CONDUCTOR RECOGNIZED HIM AND TOLD HIM
TO FORGET ABOUT IT. EINSTEIN REPLIED THAT HE HAD
TO FIND THE TICKET, BECAUSE HE COULDN'T REMEMBER
WHERE HE WAS GOING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MEMORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
GREEK GHOSTS
BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF GRAVES THAT ARE IN GREECE,
ESPECIALY THOSE OF SOLDIERS, THE GREEKS BELIEVE
THAT THEY CAN HEAR THE CRYING OF THE SOLDIERS IN THE
WIND AT NIGHT.
Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- P535 |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
SCHIFF RESERVATION
THE SCHIFF RESERVATION, NOW A BOY SCOUT CAMP, HAS
A STRANGE LEGEND BEHIND IT. IN 1920, THERE WAS A
DAM BEING BUILT, AND A MAN WHO WAS WORKING ON THE
DAM SUPPOSEDLY FELL INTO THE NEWLY POURED CONCRETE
AND WAS BURIED ALIVE. IT IS RUMORED THAT YOU CAN
HEAR HIM SCREAMING FOR HELP ON WINDY NIGHTS.
Submitter comment:
LEE LEARNED THIS ON A BOY SCOUT TRIP IN THE
RESERVATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-25-1967 ; 00001920S
NEAR CURTIS, OHIO THERE IS A LEGEND OF A WOMAN AND
HER GARDENER LOVER WHO PLOTTED AND KILLED THIS WOMAN'S
HUSBAND. A FEW YEARS AFTER THE MURDER, THE GARDENER
DIED AND THE WOMAN BECAME A VIRTUAL HERMIT. THIS IS
BECAUSE, AS THE LEGEND GOES, HER HUSBAND'S GHOST
SWORE THAT IF SHE EVER LEFT THE HOUSE OR PREMISES,
HE WOULD KILL HER.
Submitter comment: BRIAN LEARNED THIS WHILE ON VACATION NEAR CURTIS, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CURTIS
Keyword(s): FAITHLESSNESS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-15-1967
PONDLILLY LOOKOUT POINT
PONDLILLY LOOKOUT POINT IS LOCATED IN WATERLOO
RECREATION AREA NEAR JACKSON, MICHIGAN. THERE USED TO
BE A FORT LOCATED ON THIS POINT; IT WAS SITUATED ON
A VERY STEEP, ALMOST UNSCALABLE RIDGE. IN THE MIDDLE
OF A HUGE BLIZZARD ONE DAY, INDIANS SCALED THE RIDGE
AND MASSACRED ALL THOSE IN THE FORT.
TO THIS DAY, ONE CAN SUPPOSEDLY HEAR THE SOUND OF
INDIANS RUNNING ALONG THE RIDGE DURING ANY SNOW STORM.
Submitter comment:
MIKE SAYS THAT THERE IS ANOTHER VERSION WHICH SAYS
YOU CAN HEAR A HORSEMAN RIDING ALONG THE RIDGE DURING
A BLIZZARD. HE IS SAID TO BE RACING TO WARN THOSE IN
THE FORT OF THE ATTACK.
MIKE SAYS THAT THERE IS JUST SUCH A SOUND DURING A
SNOWSTORM, BUT BEING MORE LOGICALLY-MINDED,
ATTRIBUTES IT TO THE SNOW FALLING INTO THE THICK
GROWTH OF MAPLE TREES WHICH CHOKE THE SLOPE BELOW
THE RIDGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; JACKSON
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-10-1968
THERE IS A LEGEND CONCERNING DETROIT'S BELLE ISLE.
A "WHITE LADY" APPEARS ON THE ISLAND AT EVERY FULL
MOON AND WANDERS THROUGH THE WOODS. SHE IS DRESSED
ALL IN WHITE, HENCE HER NAME. SHE IS THE MOTHER
OF A GIRL WHO WAS MURDERED THERE, WHILE PARKING
WITH A FELLOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 12-05-1967
HAUNTED HOUSE
ONCE, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, A MAN LIVED BY HIMSELF IN
A HOUSE IN THE SOUTHSIDE OF CHICAGO. HIS LEGS
WERE BADLY MAULED AND HE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE
THEM AMPUTATED. ONE WAS TAKEN OFF BUT THE MAN
KILLED HIMSELF BEFORE THE OTHER LEG COULD BE TAKEN
OFF. HE WAS BURIED IN THE BASEMENT AND TO THIS
DAY A ONE-LEGGED GHOST HAUNTS THAT HOUSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; ILLINOIS ; CHICAGO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
TRAIN STORY
IN THE EASTERN PART OF POLAND, A MAN WAS TRYING TO
CATCH A TRAIN. THE TRAIN WAS PULLING OUT OF THE
STATION AND HE RAN AFTER IT. HE CAUGHT ON WITH ONE
HAND, BUT WAS UNABLE TO PULL HIMSELF ON TO THE
BACK OF THE TRAIN. THE TRAIN WAS GATHERING SPEED
AND HE SHOUTED FOR HELP. A BOY CAME OUT OF THE CAR
AND HELPED HIM UP, THEN WENT BACK INSIDE (OR,
DISAPPEARED). WHEN THE MAN LOOKED FOR HIM TO THANK
HIM, HE COULDN'T FIND HIM. NOR HAD ANYONE ON THE
TRAIN SEEN HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
IF YOUR LEFT PALM ITCHES, YOU'RE GOING TO RECEIVE
SOME MONEY. IF YOUR RIGHT PALM ITCHES, YOU'RE
GOING TO MEET SOMEONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
NOSEY PEOPLE DON'T LIVE LONG.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): REBUKE ; THREAT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-15-1968
ON A BABY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY, PLACE A ROSARY, WHISKEY
GLASS AND SOME MONEY BEFORE HIM. WHICHEVER HE
PICKS WILL BE WHAT HE BECOMES: A PRIEST, A DRUNK,
OR A WEALTHY PERSON.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THIS WAS A PRACTICED CUSTOM AMONG
HER FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future of young |
Date learned: 02-12-1971
BREAD AND BUTTER
IF TWO PEOPLE ARE WALKING ALONG TOGETHER
AND SOMETHING SEPARATES THEM, THEY MUST
SAY BREAD AND BUTTER OR THEY WILL HAVE A FIGHT.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY FATHER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Expression of Fixed Form |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
WHEN A BABY IS VERY YOUNG, THE GRANDPARENTS OR
GODPARENTS LAY OUT THREE THINGS: DOLLAR BILL,
PRAYERBOOK AND ROSARY, AND A HAIR BOW.
WHATEVER THE BABY GRABS FIRST WILL BE A PREDICTION
OF HIS LEANING IN LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future of young |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
HANG A NEEDLE DOWN IN THE AIR BY A PIECE OF THREAD.
RUB IT AGAINST YOUR LITTLE FINGER ALONG THE SIDE,
AND THEN TAKE IT AWAY. CAREFULLY OBSERVE WHAT THE
NEEDLE DOES. IF IT GOES AROUND IN A CIRCLE, YOUR
FIRST BABY WILL BE A GIRL. IF THE NEEDLE GOES BACK
AND FORTH, YOUR FIRST BABY WILL BE A BOY. IF THE
NEEDLE MAKES NO MOTION, YOU ARE INFERTILE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Use of object for determining number of children or sex of unborn P863.3 |
Date learned: 02-02-1971
TAKE A PIECE OF A WEDDING CAKE AND PUT IT UNDER
YOUR PILLOW THAT NIGHT AND YOU'LL DREAM OF YOUR
FUTURE HUSBAND OR WIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about friends and lovers |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
WHEN YOU PEEL AN APPLE OR AN ORANGE, YOU SHOULD TRY
NOT TO BREAK THE PEEL SO THAT YOU CAN SWING THE
ENTIRE PEEL AROUND YOUR HEAD THREE TIMES AND LET IT
GO. AS IT LANDS, IT WILL FORM THE LETTERS OF YOUR
FUTURE HUSBAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: 10-00-1967