Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BABY ON BED
IF SOMEONE COMES TO YOUR HOUSE WITH THEIR NEW BABY AND IT
IS THE FIRST TIME THE BABY HAS BEEN OUT, AND IF THEY PUT IT ON
YOUR BED, THIS IS A SURE SIGN THAT YOU WILL HAVE A BABY SOON.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER GREAT-AUNT, BELLE MACDOUGALL
ABOUT 1920
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
ENGAGEMENT RING
IF YOU ACCEPT AN ENGAGEMENT RING AT CHRISTMAS THE ENGAGEMENT
ALWAYS FALLS THROUGH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT KNEW OF THIS SINCE SHE WAS A YOUNG GIRL AND
KNOWS OF FOUR PEOPLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
COMPANY
IF YOU GO OUT YOUR BACK DOOR AND COME IN YOUR FRONT DOOR,
NOT ON PURPOSE BUT ACCIDENTALLY YOU WILL HAVE COMPANY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER FATHER, HUGH TORRANCE,
ABOUT 1895.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
PREMONITION
IN ABOUT 1900 JENNY TORRANCE WAS SITTING IN HER LIVING ROOM.
SHE HEARD THREE KNOCKS ON HER DOOR AND WENT TO ANSWER IT. NO ONE
WAS THERE. SHE SAT BACK DOWN AND HEARD THREE KNOCKS AGAIN. SHE
WENT TO THE DOOR AND NO ONE WAS THERE. SHE SAID TO HERSELF, "ISN'T
THAT ODD? I HAVE A FEELING THAT SOMEONE HAS DIED." A FEW MINUTES
LATER THE PHONE RANG AND SHE WAS TOLD THAT HER NEICE HAD DIED OF
PNEUMONIA.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER, JENNY TORRANCE,
IN DETROIT IN ABOUT 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
BIRD HITTING WINDOW
IF A BIRD HITS YOUR WINDOW, THIS IS A SIGN OF DEATH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER UNCLE, DICK MACDOUGALL,
ABOUT 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
DOG HOWLING
IF YOU HEAR A DOG HOWLING, THIS MEANS SOMEONE IS DYING.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS VERY YOUNG ABOUT
1895, BUT CAN NOT REMEMBER WHO SHE LEARNED IT FROM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
DISHCLOTH
IF YOU DROP A DISHCLOTH THAT IS A SURE SIGN THAT YOU WILL
HAVE COMPANY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER, JENNY TORRANCE,
WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL ABOUT 1890.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
SPIDERS
IF YOU STEP ON A SPIDER IT WILL RAIN.
Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS INFORMATION FROM MY CHILDHOOD FRIENDS IN ABOUT 1950.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
FALLING STAR
IF YOU SEE A FALLING STAR, THIS IS A SIGN THAT SOMEONE YOU KNOW
HAS DIED. EACH STAR REPRESENTS A PERSON ON EARTH. WHEN IT IS
FALLING, YOU KNOW THAT SOMEONE IS DYING.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS VERY YOUNG ABOUT 1895
BUT SHE DOES NOT REMEMBER WHO SHE LEARNED IT FROM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
THE HOUSE ON GUINE
MY MOTHER WAS SO SCARED IN THIS HOUSE THAT SHE NEVER LIKED TO STAY
ALONE AT NIGHT. ONCE MY FATHER WAS AWAY FOR A WHILE, SO SHE
ASKED EDITH VISENEAU TO STAY ALL NIGHT WITH HER. EDITH HAD A DATE
BUT SAID THAT SHE WOULD COME OVER AFTER SHE GOT HOME. HER DATE
TOOK HER UP TO THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE ON GUINE. SHE OPENED THE DOOR,
WENT IN, AND CLOSED THE DOOR BEHIND HER. SOME HUGE DARK THING
WITH ITS ARMS STRETCHED OUT WOULD NOT LET HER GO ANY FURTHER.
SHE SCREAMED AND RAN OUT OF THE HOUSE.
AFTER THIS MY MOTHER WENT TO VISIT HER MOTHER ON HARSEN'S ISLAND.
MY FATHER CAME TO THE HOUSE ON GUINE TO CHANGE HIS CLOTHES BEFORE
HE TOO WENT TO HARSEN'S ISLAND. HE TOOK HIS SHOES OFF AND DECIDED
TO REST A WHILE FIRST ON THE COUCH DOWNSTAIRS. HE HEARD A
NOISE AND OPENED HIS EYES. HE LOOKED UP AND SAW A WOMAN
COMING DOWN THE STAIRS TOWARD HIM. SHE HAD A BLACK DRESS ON
THAT RUSTLED. HE PICKED UP HIS SHOES, AND BACKED OUT OF THE HOUSE.
HE NEVER WENT BACK IN. MY MOTHER WANTED TO SELL THE HOUSE BUT IT WA
HIT BY LIGHTENING AND IT BURNED TO THE GROUND.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND FATHER
ABOUT 1885 IN DETROIT.
Data entry tech comment: CORRECTED SPELLING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): MANIFESTATIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-12-1965
THE HOUSE ON GUINE
MY MOTHER AND I WERE DOWNSTAIRS AND I HAD JUST BEGUN TO GO UP
AND DOWN STAIRS, SO I WENT UPSTAIRS AND IN A LITTLE WHILE MY
MOTHER HOLLERED TO ME. I WASN'T MAKING ANY NOISE SO SHE WONDERED
WHERE I WAS. I YELLED BACK THAT I WAS UPSTAIRS WITH A PRETTY LADY
WHO HAD JUST GIVEN ME A DOLL. MY MOTHER RAN UP TO GET ME, BUT
WHEN SHE GOT THERE THE LADY WAS GONE AND I WAS STANDING THERE
WITH THE DOLL. IT WAS A DOLL THAT SHE HAD GOTTEN ME FOR CHRISTMAS
AND PLACED ON THE TOP SHELF SO THAT I WOULD NOT SEE IT. I WAS TOO
SMALL TO CRAW UP ON A CHAIR AND THERE WAS NOBODY ELSE IN THE HOUSE
WHO COULD HAVE GIVEN IT TO ME. MY MOTHER TOOK ME DOWNSTAIRS AND
WAS SO SCARED THAT SHE LET ME KEEP THE DOLL. AFTER THAT MOTHER WAS
SO FRIGHTENED AT NIGHT THAT SHE WOULD LEAVE THE LIGHT ON IN HER ROOM
EACH NIGHT SHE WOULD TURN IT DOWN AS LOW AS IT WOULD GO, BUT
BY MORNING IT WOULD BE BLAZING.
MY MOTHER HAD A BROTHER-IN-LAW, DAVY HINTER, FROM HAMILTON,
ONTARIO, WHO CAME TO VISIT HER IN THIS HOUSE. SHE TOLD HIM
WHERE TO GO TO BED. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, HE HEARD A NOISE.
HE LOOKED UP AND THE DRAPES WERE PARTING. THIS IS THE TRUTH
HE WAS SCARED STIFF. AND HE SAW A LADY STANDING THERE. HE
COULDN'T MOVE UNTIL SHE LEFT. HE GOT UP AND LIT THE LAMP AND HE
SAT IN BED AND SMOKED HIS PIPE TILL DAYBREAK. HE NEVER CAME BACK.
IN FACT, HE SAID I'LL NEVER SET FOOT IN THIS HOUSE AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT HEARD THESE THINGS FROM HER MOTHER, JENNY TORRANCE,
IN ABOUT 1877 IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Data entry tech comment: CORRECTED SOME SPELLING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): MANIFESTATIONS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1885 ; 05-12-1965
THE HOUSE ON ANTIETAM
MY MOTHER HAD A CHAIR AND SHE KEPT HER ALARM CLOCK AND HAIRPINS
ON IT. IT WAS NEXT TO THE BED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IT VIBRATED
SO THAT THE HAIRPINS AND CLOCK WOULD BE THROWN INTO THE AIR.
NOTHING ELSE BUT THE CHAIR WOULD VIBRATE.
ONE DAY THE WOMAN DOWNSTAIRS CAME UP AND SAID THAT IF WE DIDN'T
STOP POUNDING ON THE FOOT OF THE BED AT NIGHT SHE WOULD MOVE.
MY MOTHER AND FATHER HEARD THE NOISE TOO AND COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT.
ONE DAY WE ALL HEARD A BIG COMMOTION IN THE PANTRY AND A LOAF OF
BREAD WAS FLUNG THROUGH THE DINING ROOM AND INTO THE LIVING ROOM.
MY MOTHER WAS SO UPSET ABOUT ALL THESE THINGS THAT SHE SAID: GOD, I
CAN'T STAND THIS ANY LONGER. IF YOU WILL TAKE THESE THINGS FROM ME
I WILL BE A CATHOLIC. THE MANIFESTATIONS STOPPED AND SHE BECAME
A CATHOLIC. NOTHING LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE. MAYBE SHE IS THE
KIND OF PERSON THE SPIRITS CAN WORK THROUGH.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT SAW AND EXPERIENCED THESE THINGS WITH HER FAMILY.
THESE THINGS HAPPENED IN DETROIT IN ABOUT 1910
Data entry tech comment: CORRECTED SOME SPELLING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): HAUNTED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-00-1965
THE HOUSE ON MENDOTA
EVERY MORNING ABOUT TEN O'CLOCK FOOTSTEPS WOULD COME DOWN THE
STAIRS AND WALK OVER TO THE BUFFET. THEN WE WOULDN'T HEAR THEM
ANY MORE. WE NEVER SAW ANYONE BUT THEY DIDN'T MISS A DAY. IN THIS
SAME HOUSE I COULD STAND AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS AND NO MATTER
HOW HARD I WOULD THROW WHATEVER I THREW WOULD ONLY GO ONE STEP
AND THEN FALL ON THE STEP AS THOUGH SOMEONE WAS CATCHING THE
THINGS.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LIVED IN THIS HOUSE IN DETROIT IN 1942.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): GHOST ; HAUNTED HOUSE.
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 05-12-1965 ; 00-00-1942
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
CAN'T THINK
BRAIN DUMB
INSPIRATION WON'T COME
POOR INK
BUM PEN
BEST WISHES
AMEN
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS WRITTEN IN THE INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK WHEN SHE GRADUATE
FROM EIGHTH GRADE AT ST. MICHAEL'S SCHOOL IN SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
Date learned: 06-00-1973
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
I HAVE A LITTLE FINGER,
I HAVE A LITTLE TOE,
AND WHEN I GET BIGGER,
I'LL HAVE A LITTLE BEAU.
Submitter comment:
THIS VERSE WAS WRITTEN IN THE INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK WHEN SHE WA
IN SIXTH GRADE AT ST. ANTHONY'S SCHOOL IN DAYTON, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): ITERATION
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
DON'T IT MAKE YOU MAD?
AND DON'T IT GET YOUR GOAT}
WHEN YOU GET IN THE BATHTUB,
AND THEN YOU LOOSE (SIC) THE SOAP}
Submitter comment:
THIS VERSE WAS WRITTEN IN THE INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK WHEN SHE
LIVED IN DAYTON, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Wisecracks, gags, silly stories, insults |
Date learned: 00-00-1945
AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED,
AND YOUR HUSBAND GETS CROSS,
PICK UP A ROLLING PIN,
AND SHOW HIM WHO'S BOSS.
Submitter comment:
THIS VERSE WAS WRITTEN IN THE INFORMANT'S AUTOGRAPH BOOK WHEN SHE WA
IN SIXTH GRADE AT ST. ANTHONY'S SCHOOL IN DAYTON, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Matrimony |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
TONGUE-TWISTER
TWO LOVERS SAT SIGHING SIDE BY SIDE
DOWN BY THE SIDE OF THE SUNNY SEASIDE
HE SIGHED, SHE SIGHED
THEY BOTH SIGHED, SIDE BY SIDE
DOWN BY THE SIDE OF THE SUNNY SEASIDE.
Submitter comment:
THIS TONGUE TWISTER WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS A
LITTLE GIRL. IT WAS TAUGHT TO HER BY HER FATHER WHO LEARNED IT FROM
HIS FATHER WHO IN TURN LEARNED IT FROM HIS UNCLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech |
Date learned: CA00001967
PROVERB
EVEN IF WE STUDY TO OLD AGE WE SHALL NOT FINISH LEARNING.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT GOT THIS PROVERB FROM A FORTUNE COOKIE IN A RESTURANT
IN CHINA TOWN IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. SHE HAS REMEMBERED IT
SINCE THEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 00-00-1972
GOOD, BETTER, BEST,
I WILL NEVER REST,
UNTIL THE GOOD IS BETTER,
AND THE BETTER, BEST.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS LEARNED BY THE INFORMANT WHEN SHE WAS IN FIFTH GRADE AT ST.
MICHAEL'S SCHOOL IN SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN. SHE RECITED IT, ALONG WIT
OTHER SAYINGS, EVERY DAY BEFORE HER MATH CLASS. THE TEACHER'S NAME
WAS SISTER CONRADIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
James Callow Keyword(s): AMBITION ; ASSONANCE ; FINAL ITERATION ; RHYME:AABA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School |
Date learned: 00-00-1970