Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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GHOST MAKES LAST APPEARANCE
THE CARSON FAMILY WAS MADE UP OF EIGHT CHILDREN.
LAWRENCE'S FATHER WAS A CONSTRUCTION WORKER ON THE NIGHT
SHIFT. ONE NIGHT, AT ABOUT TEN O'CLOCK, AS THE CHILDREN
WERE GOING UPSTAIRS TO PREPARE FOR BED, THEY SAW A
FAMILIAR FIGURE AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS. LAWRENCE,
LEADING THE WAY UP WITH A CANDLE IN HIS HAND, APPROACHED
THE FIGURE TO SEE IT BETTER IN THE LIGHT. IT WAS HIS
FATHER; AN INSTANT LATER THE FIGURE DISAPPEARED. AT
10:15 A MAN CAME TO THE HOUSE; IT WAS HIS FATHER'S BOSS.
THE MAN REPORTED THAT THE FATHER HAD FALLEN TO HIS
DEATH OFF A LADDER ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES AGO.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-03-1968
A YELLOW HAZE AROUND THE SUN FORETELLS CALM WEATHER.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Weather sign or control |
LEGEND OF THE JAPANESE KAPPA
THE KAPPA IS A GREEN, TWO-FOOTED CREATURE WITH A TURTLE SHELL
ON ITS BACK AND A LARGE THATCH OF HAIR AND A BEAK. THEY
DWELL IN THE RIVERS AND OTHER BODIES OF WATER IN JAPAN
AND ARE NOTED FOR THEIR IMPISH TRICKS WHICH THEY PLAY
ON FISHERMEN.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD FROM HER FATHER WHO RESIDES IN JAPAN.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; JAPAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE LOPEY HORSE
A FARMER HAD A HORSE THAT HE COULDN'T BREAK FOR
RIDING. THE HORSE WOULD REAR UP AND FALL ON ITS
BACK OR ELSE TURN A FOREWARD SOMMERSAULT WHEN
ANYONE TRIED TO RIDE IT. THE FARMER SAID HE WOULD
GIVE FIVE DOLLARS TO ANYONE THAT COULD BREAK HIM.
ONE SUNDAY, I WENT TO WATCH A BUNCH OF BOYS TRY TO
RIDE IT, BUT NONE OF THEM COULD DO IT. I TOLD THE
FARMER THAT IF HE WOULD LET ME TAKE IT HOME, I WOULD
HAVE IT BROKE IN A WEEKS TIME. HE SAID YES AND I
TOOK IT HOME AND PUT HIM TO PLOWING FOR A WEEK. FROM
THEN ON, WHEN ANYONE TRIED TO RIDE IT, ALL HE HAD TO
SAY WAS 'GET UP.' THE HORSE WOULD THINK IT WAS
STILL IN THE PLOW HARNESS AND COULD BE RIDDEN.
Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD AS TRUTH. IT IS NOT A TALL TALE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
James Callow Keyword(s): BREAKING IN A HORSE ; PERSONAL NARRATIVE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-08-1968
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
THE STORY OF LIGHTNING AND THUNDER
IN THE OLDEN DAYS, THUNDER AND LIGHTNING LIVED ON
EARTH AMONGST MANKIND, BUT THE KING MADE THEM
LIVE AT THE FAR END OF TOWN, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE FROM
THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.
THUNDER WAS AN OLD MOTHER SHEEP, AND LIGHTNING WAS HER
SON, A RAM. WHENEVER THE RAM GOT ANGRY, HE USED TO
CHARGE ABOUT BURNING HOUSES AND KNOCKING DOWN TREES;
HE EVEN DID DAMAGE TO THE FARMS, AND SOMETIMES
SOMETHING IS MISSING AT THIS POINT IN STORY
COMES FROM ME, INCLUDING MY EXCREMENTS. AS A
REWARD FOR YOUR RESPECT, I WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO
MAKE GOOD USE OF IT." AND BUMBA TAUGHT WATO HOW TO
EXTRACT IRON FROM ROCKS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE TEXAS RANGERS
TEXAS IS THE PLACE THAT GROWS BIGGER AND BETTER--AND THE TEXAS
RANGERS GROW BIG, TOO. SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE WAS A RIOT IN ONE OF
THE TOWNS AND THE MAYOR WIRED FOR A COMPANY OF RANGERS. THEY WERE
SUPPOSED TO DISPERSE THE MOB. PRETTY SOON, A LONE RANGER SHOWED
UP. "HEY," SAID THE MAYOR, "IT'S A TOUGH MOB--I WIRED FOR A
COMPANY OF RANGERS, NOT JUST ONE RANGER!"
"WELL," DRAWLED THE RANGER, "YOU AIN'T GOT BUT ONE MOB, AIN'T YOU?"
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
THE CALIFORNIA FOG
IN CALIFORNIA THE FOGS ARE SO THICK THAT SHIPS OFTEN SAIL RIGHT
ACROSS THE COUNTRY TILL THEY HIT THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS.
IT EVEN GETS SO COLD AT NIGHT THAT YOUR SHADOW FREEZES ON THE
WALL AND THEY HAVE TO USE BLOW TORCHES TO THAW IT OUT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Date learned: 07-00-1964
NOT GIVEN
ALEXANDRIA, GEORGIA, A VILLAGE OF 100 FAMILIES, WAS NAMED AFTER
ALEXANDER H. STEVENS, THE SECRETARY OF STATE UNDER JEFF DAVIS,
PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERACY. IT IS SITUATED BETWEEN SAVANNAH
AND ATLANTA. MR. WRIGHT ALSO SAYS THAT THERE WAS A BIG BATTLE
FOUGHT THERE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
WAKE UP
IF YOU TALK NONSENSE, YOU WILL BE TOLD, "PUT OUT YOUR HAND
AND SEE IF YOU ARE IN."
TRANSLATION: YOU ARE DREAMING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAYS SOURCE IS BOSTON, BUT HAS NO DATE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; BOSTON ; Massachusetts ; WASHINGTON DC
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 11-04-1967
HOW MOUNTAINS CAME TO BE
LONG, LONG AGO, THE EARTH WAS SMOOTH AND FLAT AND EVEN ALL OVER.
BUT ONE DAY, SHE AROSE AND WANTED TO TALK TO THE SKY. WHEN THE
FIRST OF THEM WERE FINISHED TALKING, THE EARTH TOOK LEAVE OF
THE SKY AND STARTED TO RETURN. BUT SHE DID NOT RETURN HOME
EVERYWHERE. SOME PARTS OF HER BECAME TIRED ON THE WAY AND HAD
TO STOP WHERE THEY WERE, WITHOUT COMPLETING THE DESCENT. THESE
ARE THE HILLS AND THE MOUNTAINS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HAUNTED HOUSE (ST. CLAIR SHORES, MICHIGAN)
IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT ONE JEFFERSON AVENUE NEAR 13 1/2 MILE ROAD
THERE IS A HAUNTED HOUSE. IN 1964 (JUNE), THREE BOYS DECIDED TO
PAY A VISIT TO THE GHOSTS IN THE HOUSE. WHEN THEY GOT TO THE
HOUSE, THEY DECIDED TO GO IN ONE AT A TIME. IF ANYTHING HAPPENED,
THE PERSONS OUTSIDE WOULD CALL FOR HELP. AS THE FIRST BOY
ENTERED, ALL THREE WERE LAUGHING; ABOUT 4 MINUTES LATER THE TWO
OUTSIDE HEARD A TERRIBLE SCREAM. NOT THINKING, ONE OF THE BOYS
RAN IN. THE OTHER RAN FOR HELP. WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVED, THEY
FOUND TWO BOYS UPSTAIRS, DEAD. THEIR HAIR WAS SNOW-WHITE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Date learned: 03-22-1968
OWL MYTH
THE OWLS OF CANADA LAY UP A STORE OF LIVE MICE FOR THE WINTER,
THE LEGS OF WHICH THEY FIRST BREAK, TO PREVENT THEM FROM RUNNING
AWAY, AND THEN FEED THEM CAREFULLY, AND FATTEN THEM, TILL WANTED
FOR USE.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY FRENCH TRAVELLER, PIERRE CHARLEVOIX.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird Food Drink -- Food BELIEF -- Animal Husbandry Farming Ranching |
Date learned: 03-18-1968
AGAIN?
THE STORY SURROUNDING THE NAME OF CHEBOYGAN, MICHIGAN, IS USUALLY
CONNECTED WITH AN INDIAN FAMILY RESIDING IN THE AREA. THE FATHER
IS GENERALLY AN IMPORTANT CHIEF BUT SOMETIMES IS REPORTED AS A
COMMON HUNTER. HIS WIFE HAD SEVERAL CHILDREN, ALL OF WHOM WERE
BOYS. ALTHOUGH HE WAS VERY PLEASED, HE WISHED THEIR NEXT CHILD
TO BE A GIRL. HOWEVER, THE NEWBORN WAS AGAIN A BOY. WHEN TOLD OF
THE BIRTH, THE FATHER REPORTEDLY REPLIED, "SHE A BOY AGAIN?"
THIS ANSWER WAS CONSEQUENTLY ELIDED INTO THE NAME, "CHEBOYGAN."
Submitter comment:
THE STORY HAS BEEN TOLD TO ME FROM MANY NATIVES OF THIS NORTHERN
MICHIGAN TOWN, AS WELL AS TOURISTS WHO HAVE VISITED THE SURROUND-
ING AREA, SO FOR THIS REASON, NO LONE INFORMANT HAS BEEN SINGLED
OUT.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
ORIGINS
THERE WAS A BIG FLOOD IN PAUL BUNYAN'S CAMP IN THE NORTH WOODS.
TO GET RID OF THE WATER, HE DUG A LONG DITCH, WHICH BECAME THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER. THE DIRT HE THREW OVER HIS SHOULDER BECAME
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DEATH CAR
A FRIEND OF MINE IN HIGH SCHOOL TOLD ME THAT TWO OF HIS FRIENDS,
JOHN ENRIGHT AND MIKE THEROUX, HAD BOUGHT A 1965 CORVETTE FOR
$50. THE REASON THAT IT WAS SO CHEAP IS BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN IN
A FIELD FOR FIVE MONTHS. THE OWNER OF THE CAR WAS LOCKED INSIDE,
AN APPARENT SUICIDE VICTIM. THE ONLY PROBLEM WAS THAT THERE WAS
NO WAY TO GET THE SMELL OUT OF THE CAR. THEY HAD RIPPED OUT ALL
OF THE SEATS, SPRAYED DOWN THE CAR WITH AIR REFRESHENERS, BUT TO
NO AVAIL. THE BOYS FINALLY GOT RID OF THE ENGINE FOR $200 AND
BURNED THE CAR'S BODY.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-00-1965
CHICKEN BONE REEF
OLD TIMERS ABOUT THE GREAT LAKES ALL TALKED ABOUT "CHICKEN BONE
REEF," BUT NO ONE HAD EVER SEEN IT, AND NO CHART SHOWED IT; BUT
ANY SAILOR WOULD TELL YOU THAT IT WAS IN THE DETROIT RIVER JUST
OFF WOODWARD AVENUE. IT WAS HERE THAT THE GOVERNMENT REVENUE
CUTTER "FESSENDON" AND THE NAVY GUNBOAT "MICHIGAN" AND OTHERS
USED TO ANCHOR FOR LONG TIMES. ORDINARY MERCHANT SAILORS CLAIMED
THAT "CHICKEN BONE REEF" WAS BUILT UP FROM THE RIVER BOTTOM BY
ALL THE CHICKEN BONES THAT WERE THROWN OVERBOARD FROM THE TABLES
OF THE SHIPS ANCHORED THERE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CLOD HOPPER
A RURAL CITIZEN THAT SOMETIMES CONFUSES THE TITLE, TO HIS PLOW
SHOES: A CIVIL WAR VETERAN LIVED WITH US AND HIS SISTER (MY
GRANDMA) COMPLAINED SO MUCH ABOUT HS BURNING PAPER IN THEM
EVERY A.M. (TAINTED THE PANCAKES) THAT HE FINALLY DECIDED TO
SLEEP IN THEM. THAT LED TO THE COWBOY SLOGAN OF DYING WITH
YOUR BOOTS ON.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 02-01-1971
SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN
AN INDIAN CHIEF AND HIS WIFE HAD HAD MANY SONS AND WANTED A
DAUGHTER. AFTER THE BIRTH OF THE NINTH SON, THE SQUAW ANNOUNCED
TO THE CHIEF, "SHE'S A BOY AGAIN"--HENCE SHEBOYGAN BECAME THE
NAME OF THE AREA WHERE THEY LIVED.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 02-01-1971
WINDY CITY
CHICAGO IS CALLED THE "WINDY CITY" NOT BECAUSE OF THE WIND, BUT
BECAUSE (OF) THE BOASTFULNESS OF THE POLITICIANS WHEN CHICAGO
WAS COMPETING AGAINST BALTIMORE TO SEE WHICH WOULD BE THE SITE
OF THE COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN