Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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
ILLNESS
IF SOMEONE IS ILL AND A BIRD FLY INTO THE HOUSE, AND SIT ON THE
BED, IT IS A SIGN OF DEATH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED THIS.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
IF YOU TELL A LIE, A BUMP WILL APPEAR ON YOUR TONGUE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED FROM PEERS.
Data entry tech comment: THIS SECTION OF THE ARCHIVES CONTAINS SEVERAL SIMILAR ITEMS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): LYING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue |
Date learned: 01-26-1971
BELIEF
THE EAR IS A LESS TRUSTWORTHY WITNESS
THAN THE EYE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Ears, noise in ear |
Date learned: 10-23-1968
APRON
IF YOU HAVE ON AN APRON, AND IT DROPS ON THE FLOOR, THAT IS A
SIGN OF DEATH.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IN CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
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
IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT. TWO MEN WERE WALKING
ACROSS THE BRIDGE. SAID ANTONIO TO ANTHRONIO, TELL US A
STORIO. AND THE STORIO GOES AS FOLLOWS. IT WAS A DARK
AND STORMY NIGHT. TWO MEN WERE WALKING ACROSS THE
BRIDGE. SAID ANTONIO TO ANTHRONIO TELL US A STORIO.
AND THE STORIO GOES AS FOLLOWS....INFINITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 01-30-1968
TANGLE TALK--THE MION AND THE LOUSE
WAY BACK BEFORE CROSSINGTON DELLED THE WASHWARE, A
LATE BIG GRION WAS DEEPING PEACEFULLY IN HIS SLEN
BEAMING OF A DREEF STEAK, WHEN HE WAS AWAKENED BY A
MITTLE LOUSE RUNNING FRANK AND BORTH AFROSE HIS
CRACE. TOOSING HIS LEMPER, THE GRION LABBED THE MITTLE
LOUSE BY THE MUFF OF THE SCRECK AND WAS ON THE KERGE OF
VILLING HIM, MOOR LITTLE POUSE! "OH, LEASE, MR. PLION,"
MIED THE CROUSE, "IF YOU WILL ONLY GET ME LOW I FROMISE
PAITHFULLY TO REKIND YOU FOR YOUR PAYNESS." LO, THE
GRION, WHO MUST HAVE BEEN A CUB SOY BOUT IN HIS DOUNGER
YAYS, THOUGHT HE WOULD DEE HIS DAILY GOOD DOOD, SO HE
SET THE FROUSE MEE.
A COUPLE OF LEEKS WAITER, THIS VERY SAME SION GOT
NANGLED UP IN A TET AND THOUGH HE WAS THE BING OF
KEASTS, NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH CROS BINGBY, NO ONE
CAME TO ANSWER HIS RELLOWING BOARS.
BUT CHEAR DILDREN, PAYS THE HEAROFF: ALONG CAME THE MITTLE
LOUSE AND GNAWING THE TOPES WITH HIS REETH, FREES THE
SHION FROM HIS LACKLES. "TURN AFFAIR IS BOUT PLAY,"
MEAKES THE SQOSE, AS HE HURNED ON HIS TEEL AND HEADED
FOR BOME. NOW THE STORAL OF THIS MORY IS, SOMETIMES
OUR BLUBBLES ARE TRIG AND SOMETIMES OUR SRUBBLES
ARE TRAIL, BUT IF WE TRAD NO HUBBLES, HOW COULD BE
BLECKOGNIZE OUR RESSINGS?
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 01-29-1968
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): 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