Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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JUMP TALE
MY BROTHER WAS SENT TO THE STORE FOR SOME LIVER FOR
DINNER. BUT HE PLAYED AROUND AND DID NOT GET TO THE
STORE BEFORE IT CLOSED. KNOWING HE WOULD GET CHEWED
OUT AT HOME IF HE DIDN'T RETURN WITH ANYTHING, HE WENT
TO THE CEMETERY NEARBY AND FOUND A BODY THAT HADN'T
BEEN BURIED. HE CUT THE LIVER OUT OF IT AND BROUGHT
IT HOME.
LATER THAT NIGHT, WHEN EVERYONE WAS IN BED, HE HEARD SOME
NOISES ON THE STAIRS. "WHO'S GOT MY LIVER?" THE
STAIRS CREAKED A BIT MORE. "WHO STOLE MY LIVER?"
SOMETHING WAS IN THE HALL NOW. "WHO STOLE MY LIVER?"
IT STOPPED AT THE FIRST BEDROOM. "WHO STOLE MY LIVER?"
THEN IT WENT TO THE REST. "WHO STOLE MY LIVER?"
IT FINALLY GOT TO MY BROTHER'S BEDROOM. "WHO STOLE MY
LIVER?" "YOU GOT IT!!"
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY OLDER BROTHER WHEN I
WAS QUITE SMALL, AND EASILY SCARED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
THEY DON'T SERVE BEER AT THE BALL PARK ANYMORE THIS
SEASON BECAUSE THE HOME TEAM LOST THE OPENER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 10-01-1968
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): FEAR TEST DEATH FROM FRIGHT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
TRUE STORY
AT ONE TIME, MARIA WAS TEACHING A RELIGION CLASS
OF LITTLE CHILDREN AND SHE ASKED A LITTLE BOY,
"WHAT'S ANOTHER NAME FOR GOD?" AND THE LITTLE
CHILD REPLIED "HAROLD." MARIA EXCLAIMED, "HAROLD?
WHERE DID YOU HEAR THAT?" THE LITTLE CHILD REPLIED
"IN THE LORD'S PRAYER, BECAUSE WE SAY 'OUR FATHER
WHO ARE IN HEAVEN, HAROLD BE THY NAME."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): ABSURD MISUNDERSTANDING ON PART OF A CHILD.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
OMEN OF DEATH
IF A BAT FLIES IN THE HOUSE, IT MEANS DEATH.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER COLLECTED THIS FROM A WOMAN WITH WHOM SHE
WORKED. MRS. HAIRSTON LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-00-1967
WANT TO HEAR A DIRTY JOKE?
A DOG FELL IN A MUD PUDDLE.
Submitter comment: OVERHEARD AT A PARTY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote |
Date learned: 10-07-1967
THE JACKSON WHITES
THERE IS A TOWN IN UPPER NEW JERSEY WHICH WAS FOUNDED
BY REVOLUTIONARY WAR DESERTERS. LATER ON, THIS TOWN
WAS INFILTRATED BY RUNAWAY SLAVES. THE DESCENDANTS
OF THE DESERTERS AND THE SLAVES INTERMARRIED AND FORMED
A CLOSED SOCIETY, BASED ON INTERMARRIAGE. THESE
"JACKSON WHITES" STILL EXIST TODAY AND HAVE RESORTED
TO KIDNAPPINGS OF SMALL INFANTS TO KEEP THE
GENERATIONS FROM DYING OUT. RUMORS HAVE IT, THAT
THEY MURDER, AND RAPE ANY OUTSIDER WHO TRIES TO
INTERFERE INTO THEIR ACTIVITIES.
Submitter comment: LEROY LEARNED THIS BY HIS PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): MISCEGENATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 |
Date learned: 09-25-1967
BEFORE GOING TO THEIR SENIOR PROM, FRIENDS OF MINE
WERE TOLD BY THE NUNS TO BRING A TELEPHONE BOOK
ALONG, IN CASE THEIR DATES ASKED THEM TO SIT ON THEIR
LAPS. ALSO, THEY WERE CAUTIONED TO TAKE THEIR
GLOVES OFF CAREFULLY, BECAUSE IT MIGHT AROUSE THEIR
DATES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- P439 |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
DEAN OF WOMEN TALE
FRIENDS OF MINE IN OTHER GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOLS WERE
TOLD BY THE NUNS NOT TO WEAR PATENT LEATHER
SHOES OR PEARLS, BECAUSE BOTH REFLECT.
Data entry tech comment: ONE CAN SEE THE REFLECTION OF UNDERWEAR IN PATENT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- P439 |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
GENERAL DE GAULLE WAS BUYING CEMETERY PLOTS.
THE GUY SAID IT COST $2,000. DE GAULLE SAID, "ISN'T
THAT QUITE A BIT--I ONLY PLAN ON STAYING THREE DAYS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): RESURRECTION IMMORTALITY FRENCH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
INITIATION
A SORORITY AND FRATERNITY DECIDED TO HOLD THEIR
INITIATION PARTY TOGETHER SO THEY HANDCUFFED THEIR
PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS TO ONE ANOTHER--A GUY TO A GAL--
AND LEFT THEM IN A PICNIC AREA FOR THE AFTERNOON.
THEY EVEN PROVIDED THE PICNIC BASKETS--IN WHICH ALL THE
FOOD HAD BEEN LIBERALLY SPIKED WITH A VERY STRONG
LAXATIVE. MIDWAY THROUGH THE AFTERNOON, THE PROSPEC-
TIVE MEMBERS BEGAN TO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF THE CONTENTS
OF THE PICNIC BASKETS AND TRIED TO HANDLE THE
SITUATION AS DIPLOMATICALLY AND POLITELY AS POSSIBLE--
HANDCUFFED ARMS STRETCHED OVER BUSHES AND AROUND TREES
AS NECESSITY PREVAILED. ONE COED, HOWEVER, NOT HAVING
EATEN MUCH, COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE FIGITINGS OF HER
PARTNER, AND HE, UNAWARE THAT SHE KNEW NOTHING OF HIS
PLIGHT, BEGAN TO PULL DOWN HIS TROUSERS. SHE IMMEDIATELY
SUSPECTED THE WORST AND STARTED TO RUN, TRIPPING THE
POOR BOY AND DRAGGING HIM BEHIND HERSELF.
Submitter comment:
I PRESUME THAT THIS WAS A UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN {ANN
ARBOR, MICHIGAN} INITIATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 10-24-1967
CURVAVASFIADABA (BLOODY WEDDING)
A YOUNG PEASANT BOY AND GIRL FELL IN LOVE IN GREECE
DURING THE OCCUPATION OF THAT COUNTRY BY THE TURKS.
THE GIRL WAS BEAUTIFUL AND THE COUPLE WANTED TO
GET MARRIED, BUT HAD TO GET THE TURKISH OVERSEER'S
PERMISSION FIRST. THE TURKISH OFFICIAL ASKED THE
COUPLE TO COME FOR AN INTERVIEW AT HIS VILLA. WHEN
THE OFFICIAL SAW THE GIRL'S BEAUTY, HE WANTED HER
FOR HIMSELF BUT HIS ADVANCES ON THE GIRL WERE REFUSED
AND THIS INFURIATED THE TURK. THE COUPLE BEGGED
FOR HIS PERMISSION BUT HE REFUSED THEM IN A ROUND-
ABOUT WAY. THE COUPLE DECIDED TO GET MARRIED ANYWAY
AND THE VILLAGE READIED ITSELF FOR THE BIG FEAST.
AFTER THE WEDDING AND AT FEAST, EVERYONE WAS HAPPY.
THE TURK CAME AND THE PEOPLE HOPED THAT HE WOULD GIVE
THE COUPLE HIS BLESSING. WHEN THE TURK CONFRONTED
THE BRIDEGROOM, HE SHOT HIM DEAD AND TRIED TO STEAL
THE BRIDE AWAY. SHE STRUGGLED AND WHILE STRUGGLING
SHE HERSELF WAS KILLED.
THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE STABBED THE OFFICIAL, AND
HIS TROOPS OPEN FIRE ON THE VILLAGERS. THE
REMAINING TROOPS CARRY THE LORD'S BODY AWAY
TO THE VILLAGE FOR HIDING. LATER ON THE TURK IS
BROUGHT BACK TO HIS VILLA AND THE VILLA IS ATTACKED
BY THE PITCHFORK-LADEN PEASANTS AND THEY OBTAIN
VICTORY.
Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS RELATIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
TOLD AS A TRUE STORY TO MY INFORMANT:
A YOUNG FELLOW WAS IN A DRIVE-IN IN THAT NEIGHBOR-
HOOD AND WAS TRYING TO SHOW HIS BRAVERY TO HIS GIRL
AND ANOTHER COUPLE IN HIS CAR. HE TOOK A REVOLVER
WITH ONE BULLET IN IT AND HELD IT TO HIS HEAD.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS THE CHAMBER WITH THE LIVE
CARTRIDGE AND HE KILLED HIMSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; COLORADO ; DETROIT ; CORTEZ
James Callow Keyword(s): RISK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
A GIRL RETURNING FROM A PARTY WAS OFFERED A RIDE BY
TWO FELLOWS DRIVING HOME FROM THE SAME PARTY. SHE
ACCEPTED, AND WHEN SHE LEFT THE CAR, THE BOYS SAID
THEY WOULD WAIT FOR A LIGHT TO APPEAR IN THE DARK
HOUSE, TO BE CERTAIN SHE WAS SAFE. SHE TOLD THEM
NOT TO BOTHER.
IGNORING THE LAST COMMENT, THEY WAITED QUITE A WHILE,
AND STILL NO LIGHT APPEARED. SO THEY WENT TO THE
DOOR AND KNOCKED. AN OLDER COUPLE APPEARED, APPARENTLY
AWAKENED FROM THEIR SLEEP. AFTER BEING TOLD THE
SITUATION, THEY EXPLAINED THAT THEIR DAUGHTER HAD
DIED TEN YEARS AGO, THAT DAY, IN A CAR ACCIDENT,
RETURNING FROM A PARTY. THEY FELT THAT THIS WAS HER
REMINDER TO THEM TO PRAY THE PRAYERS THEY HAD PLEDGED
FOR HER, TO GET HER SOUL OUT OF PURGATORY.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS STORY FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): VANISHING HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
A NUN DIED RATHER SUDDENLY, BEFORE SHE EVER HAD THE TIME
TO RETURN THE MONEY SHE HAD RECEIVED AS A GIFT TO THE
CONVENT'S COMMUNITY FUND. SINCE THE VOW OF POVERTY
IS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT TO NUNS, IT APPEARED THAT HER
SOUL COUNT NOT REST.
OTHER NUNS PASSING HER ROOM COULD HEAR MOANS AND CHAINS
RATTLING, UNTIL ONE WAS BRAVE ENOUGH TO INVESTIGATE.
SHE RETURNED THE MONEY, AND THE MOANS SUBSIDED.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS ONE FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
TWO SISTERS WERE HOME ALONE FOR THE NIGHT AND HAD
RETIRED TO BED. THEY HEARD A STRANGE NOISE DOWNSTAIRS
AND THE BRAVE ONE DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE. SHE
RETURNED SHORTLY, AND GOT INTO BED. WHEN HER SISTER
QUESTIONED HER, SHE MADE NO SOUNDS THE OTHER SISTER
GOT OUT OF BED TO SEE WHAT WAS THE MATTER WITH HER
AND FOUND HER SISTER LYING IN BED, HAIR TURNED WHITE
AND BODY COLD AS ICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HAIR TURNED WHITE FROM FRIGHT.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
MORAL
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN WHO HAD A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER
WHO REFUSED TO MARRY ANY OF THE YOUNG MEN WHO LIVED
NEARBY. SO, A DEVIL LIVING IN A FAR OFF TOWN HEARD
ABOUT HER AND DECIDED TO MARRY HER. SO HE BORROWED
THINGS FROM HIS FRIENDS, E.G., EYES, A NOSE, TEETH,
ETC. DRESSED UP IN ALL THIS, HE LOOKED VERY HANDSOME,
AND THE YOUNG GIRL FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM. AFTER THE
WEDDING AS HE WAS RETURNING HOME, HE RETURNED ONE BY
ONE, THE THINGS HE HAD BORROWED. WHEN THEY FINALLY
REACHED HIS HOME, ALL HE HAD LEFT WAS AN EYE IN THE
MIDDLE OF HIS HEAD, ONE FUNNY ARM, AND ONE LEFT LEG.
MORAL: NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A GIRL WAS WALKING ALONE, WHEN A STRANGE MAN OFFERED
HER A RIDE. SHE ACCEPTED, BUT BEFORE THEY HAD
DRIVEN VERY FAR, SHE LOOKED OVER AT HIM AND NOTICED
THAT HIS HANDS AND FEET WERE CLOVEN IN HOOFS.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEVIL SATAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
HALLOWEEN CUSTOM
IT IS A LONG TIME CUSTOM IN THE FARM COUNTRY NOT NECESSARILY IN THE
CITY, TO BURN CORN STALKS OUT IN THE FIELD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FUMIGATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween |
Date learned: 10-17-1968
GARLIC IN THE WINDOW
"AN OLD WOMAN I KNEW AS A BOY IN WEST VIRGINIA WOULD PUT GARLIC IN
HER WINDOWS EVERY HALLOWEEN TO KEEP GHOSTS AND OTHER SUPERNATURAL
BEINGS OUT OF HER HOUSE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- October 31 Halloween BELIEF -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-27-1970