Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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REMEDY FOR FRECKLES
TO GET RID OF FRECKLES, YOU CUT A LEMON IN HALF AND RUB IT ALL OVER
YOUR FACE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Remedy |
Date learned: 09-28-1972
CURE FOR COLDS
TO GET RID OF A COLD, YOU FRY ONIONS AND SMELL THE
FUMES. THEN YOU STRAIN THE JUICE OF THE BOILED ONIONS
INTO A CUP. AFTER THAT YOU MIX THE ONION JUICE WITH
VINEGAR AND YOU ADD A SHOT OF WHISKEY AND A TABLESPOON
OF HONEY AND THEN GO TO BED AND SLEEP IT OFF.
THE ONION JUICE WITH VINEGAR AND YOU ADD A SHOT OF WHISKEY AND A
TABLESPOON OF HONEY AND THEN GO TO BED AND SLEEP IT OFF.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
SPIDER BELIEF
IF YOU KILL A SPIDER, IT IS SURE TO RAIN.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Insect BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Date learned: 09-26-1972
SMOKY THE BEAR RIDDLE
HOW COME SMOKY THE BEARS' WIFE CAN'T ET PREGNANT? EVERYTIME SHE
GETS HOT. HE HITS HER WITH A SHOVEL.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL OF FIRE PREVENTION
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-28-1972
SMOKY THE BEAR RIDDLE
WHAT'S SMOKY THE BEAR'S MIDDLE NAME? THE.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-28-1972
CHILDREN'S VERSE
MISSED ME, MISSED ME, / NOW YOU HAVE TO KISS ME.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 09-27-1972
ETERNAL BLOOD PROSE
IN A HOUSE IN CALIFORNIA THIS LADY WAS MURDERED.
SHE WAS AX MURDERED.
THEY CHOPPED HER UP WITH AN AX. THIS HAPPENED IN HER BEDROOM AND
THE BLOOD WENT ALL OVER THE RUG. SO, IN ORDER TO RESELL THE HOUSE
AFTER EVERYTHING DIED DOWN, THEY WERE SELLING IT PRETTY CHEAP. SO
THIS NEWLY WED COUPLE BOUGHT THE HOUSE. THEY KNEW WHAT HAD HAPPENED
THERE, BUT THEY DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ONE MORNING THE
HUSBAND GOT
UP FOR WORK AND THERE WAS A LITTLE SPOT ABOUT THE SIZE OF
A DIME
ON THE RUG IN THE BEDROOM. HE LEFT AND WHEN HE GOT BACK FROM
WORK, THE SPOT HAD
GOTTEN BIGGER. GRADUALLY THE BLOOD RED SPOT GOT
GOT BIGGER AND BIGGER
UNTIL IT COVERED THE WHOLE RUG. THEY TRIED OVER AND
OVER AGAIN
TO GET RID OF IT, BUT THEY COULDN'T.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 09-27-1972
GIRLS DORM PROSE
NOW THIS IS IN A GIRLS DORM SOMEWHERE DOWN SOUTH AND THIS GIRL WAS
CONSTANTLY
SCARED. SO ALL THE GIRLS IN THE DORM WOULD PLAY TRICKS ON
HER
THEY WOULD SCARE H WHILE SHE WAS TALKING TO HER BOYFRIEND OR
JUMP OUT OF THE BUSHES WHEN SHE WAS WALKING AT NIGHT. SO AS SHE
CONSTANTLY BECAME MORE PARANOID, THE GIRLS WOULD SCARE HER MORE AND
MORE. SO ONE NIGHT THEY WERE STUDYING LATE IN THE CHEMISTRY LAB. IN
THE LAB THERE WAS A SKELETON. SO THIS GIRL WAS OUT ON A DATE AND WAS
COMING HOME LATE AND WAS COMING INTO THE LAB AFTER THE DATE. SO,
AFTER HER DATE SHE WENT TO THE LAB. THE OTHER GIRLS WANTED TO SEE
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THEY HUNG THE SKELETON IN THE DOORWAY IN A WAY
IN WHICH IT WOULD FALL ON HER. WHEN THEY FELT ENOUGH TIME HAD PASSED
BY, THEY WENT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. WHEN THEY GOT THERE, THEY SAW
THEIR FRIEND SITTING ON THE FLOOR, HER HAIR HAD TURNED WHITE, HER
FACE WAS DISFIGURED AND SHE WAS CHEWING ON ONE OF THE SKELETON'S
BONES.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
DISTILLERY PROSE
THIS ONE HAPPENED IN NORTH CAROLINA. THERE WAS THIS GUY NAMED LOSS
HONEYCUTT
AND HIS PROFESSION WAS BREEDING BULLS. ON THE SIDE HE RAN A
DISTILLERY. BACK IN THOSE TIMES, I THINK IT WAS THE EARLY 1900'S, AS
FAR AS POLICEMEN AND GUYS LIKE THAT, THEY DIDN'T FIND OUT TOO MUCH
ABOUT
DISTILLERIES, EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE ILLEGAL AND EVERYTHING. BUT
BY MOUTH OR WHATEVER, THE AUTHORITIES FOUND OUT THAT LOSS WAS RUNNING
THIS DISTILLERY AND MAKING PRETTY GOOD MONEY ON IT. SO ONE DAY TWO
LOCAL
SHERIFFS DECIDED TO PAY LOSS A VISIT. IT SO HAPPENS THAT THE
POLICE
WERE SEEN GOING IN THERE TO BREAK UP THE STILL AND OF COURSE A
CROWD BEGAN TO GATHER OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE. AND THEY WAITED AND WAITED,
BUT THE TWO SHERIFFS NEVER CAME OUT. THE PEOPLE GOT KIND OF CONCERNED
AND WENT TO THE POLICE STATION AND TOLD THEM THAT THE TWO SHERIFFS
HADN'T COME OUT OF THE HOUSE. SO THE POLICE INVESTIGATED. THEY WENT
INTO THE HOUSE AND DOWN INTO THE BASEMENT WHERE THE STILL WAS LOCATED
AND THERE WAS LOSS MAKING WHISKEY. IT SO HAPPENS THAT LOSS HAD DONE
AWAY WITH THE TWO SHERIFFS AND HAD MADE WHISKEY OUT OF THEM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM: PEOPLE DISTILLED INTO WHISKEY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
BEACH PARTY PROSE
THESE DUDES WERE HAVING A BEACH PARTY. AND THEY WERE
DRINKING A LITTLE
AND THE PARTY HAD PROGRESSED TO WHERE THE GUYS AND GIRLS WERE ALL
PAIRING OFF AND GOING UP ON THE SAND DUNES AND WHAT NOT. THIS ONE
PARTICULAR
COUPLE WENT UP ON THE SAND DUNE AND THEY WERE LAYING THERE
TALKING AND KISSING. SUDDENLY, UNDERNEATH THE SAND, WHERE THEY WERE
LYING ON THE BLANKET, THEY HEARD A FAINT SCRATCHING. AT FIRST THEY
DIDN'T
THINK ANYTHING, BUT IT GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER. QUICKLY THEY JUMPED
UP AND PULLED THE BLANKET UP AND THEY COULD SEE THE SAND DEEPENING
INTO A HOLE. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS SOME KIND OF ANIMAL OR SOMETHING.
THE HOLE REALLY STARTED TO SINK IN, YOU KNOW HOW THE SAND GOES WHEN
YOU DIG IN IT. OUT OF CURIOSITY THE GUY STARTED TO DIG TO SEE WHAT IT
WAS AND PRETTY SOON HE GOT PRETTY DEEP AND THE SAND STARTED TO GET
WET
AND COLD. FINALLY HE BROKE THROUGH AND HE COULD SEE FOUR FINGER
TIPS. SO HE TOLD HIS GIRLFRIEND TO GO BACK AND GET THE OTHER KIDS.
WHILE
THE GIRL WAS GONE SHE HEARD A LOUD SCREAM. SHE GOT EVERYONE ELSE
AND THEY RAN OVER TO WHERE THE GUY WAS. BUT, WHEN THEY GOT THERE THE
SAND WAS COVERED UP LIKE NOTHING HAD HAPPENED AT ALL AND THE GUY WAS
GONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- B533 PROSE NARRATIVE -- Tale Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
MURDER PROSE
DOWN SOUTH IN LOUISIANA, THERE WERE THESE TWO CHICKS SPENDING THE
NIGHT
TOGETHER. YOU SEE, ONE OF THE GIRLS' PARENTS RE GONE FOR THE WE
WEEKEND AND SO THE GIRLS WERE STAYING TOGETHER SO THE ONE WOULDN'T BE
ALONE. ANYWAY, IT WAS GETTING LATE AND THEY WERE GETTING READY FOR
BED, WHEN THE GIRL WHO LIVED IN THE HOUSE HEARD SOMETHING DOWNSTAIRS
DOWNSTAIRS IN
THE KITCHEN. SO, SHE WENT DOWN TO SEE WHAT IT WAS. WELL, A LITTLE
WHILE LATER, THE GIRL UPSTAIRS HEARS THIS HORRIBLE SCREAM. SHE GOT
REALLY SCARED BY THIS, SO SCARED SHE DIDN'T EVEN GO DOWNSTAIRS
TO SEE WHAT
HAD HAPPENED. ALL SHE DID WAS GO INTO THE CLOSET AND HIDE. THIS
CLOSET WAS REAL SMALL WITH NO LIGHT. SHE KEPT ON HEARING THESE
STRANGE
NOISES LIKE A SCRAPING SOUND AND THEN A THUD. THIS WENT ON A GOOD
PART OF THE NIGHT. THESE NOISES SCARED HER SO MUCH THAT SHE FINALLY
FAINTED. THE NEXT MORNING THE GIRL WAS AWOKEN BY THE OTHER GIRLS'
PARENTS WHO HAD COME HOME FROM THEIR TRIP. THE PARENTS SAID, "WHAT HA
"WHAT HAPPENED
HERE LAST NIGHT?" SHE TOLD THEM HER STORY ON WHAT HAD HAPPENED
. THEN THE GIRLS' PARENTS TOOK THE OTHER GIRL TO THE TOP OF THE
STAIRS
AND THERE WAS THE OTHER GIRL HALF WAY UP THE STAIRS, DEAD, WITH
HER LEGS CUT OFF. SHE WAS THE ONE CAUSING THE STRANGE NOISES.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
James Callow Keyword(s): GORE HORROR
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-22-1972
MURDER PROSE
THIS CHICK AND GUY IN CLEVELAND WERE OUT IN THE PARK AND THE
GUY IN THE
CAR THOUGHT HE HEARD NOISES, BUT DIDN'T PAY ANY ATTENTION. THE
SECOND TIME HE HEARD IT, HE KNEW IT WAS A NOISE BEING DONE
DELIBERATELY.
IT KEPT UP AND THE GUY DECIDED TO GET OUT; BY THE WAY, THIS WAS A
CONVERTIBLE. HE TOLD THE GIRL TO LOCK THE DOORS AND GET DOWN ON THE
FLOOR. HE STEPS OUT. SO HE'S OUTSIDE, NOW THIS IS PRETTY LATE AT
NIGHT. SHE GOT PRETTY WORRIED BECAUSE HE DIDN'T COME BACK.
THE NEXT THING
SHE KNOWS IS A FAINT SCRATCHING ON THE TOP OF THE CAR IN A
RHYTHMIC MOTION.
SHE DOESN'T DO ANYTHING, ONLY EXACTLY WHAT HE SAID.
LATER ANOTHER
CAR PULLS UP, SHE COULDN'T SEE WHO IT WAS. THEN SHE SAW A
FLASHLIGHT FLASHING AROUND IN THE CAR. IT WAS A COP. HE SAID
FOR HER
TO GET OUT. THE COP SAID DON'T LOOK BEHIND YOU AND GET INTO
MY CAR.
SHE DID, BUT HER CURIOSITY WAS AROUSED. IT WAS JUST THE BREAK OF
DAWN, SO THERE WAS JUST ENOUGH LIGHT. SO SHE LOOKED BEHIND AND
SAW HER
BOYFRIEND HANGING BY HIS NECK FROM A TREE SWINGING ABOVE THE CAR.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
James Callow Keyword(s): OHIO ; PARKING
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 09-25-1972
OLD IRISH CUSTOM
IRISH MOTHERS THROW HOLY WATER ON THEIR KIDS WHEN THEY ARE
FIGHTING IN ORDER TO DRIVE OUT THE DEVIL. THE THROWING OF HOLY WATER
WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN EXORCISM TO DRIVE THE RAGE(DEVIL) OUT OF
PEOPLE WHO WERE FIGHTING.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; DEVIL ; EVIL EYE ; Fighting ; Holy Water ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Relationship ; Sibling
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 09-29-1968
ST. PATRICK AND THE SNAKES
IN IRELAND WHEN ALL WERE PAGAN, AND CELTIC PRIESTS WERE
IN CHARGE, THERE CAME A CHRISTIAN PRIEST FROM FRANCE--
A HANDSOME, TALL, AND LEAN PERSON BY THE NAME OF
PATRICK. THERE HAD BEEN A TERRIBLE PLAGUE OF VIPERS
FOR A LONG TIME, A PUNISHMENT FROM GOD. PATRICK
WALKED INTO THE MAIN CITY AND INTO THE HIGH TEMPLE.
HE WENT UP TO THE ALTAR OF THE CELTIC PRIESTS AND
EXTENDED HIS STAFF OVER IT, AND THEREUPON IT
CRUMBLED. HE BLESSED HIMSELF AND DEDICATED THE TEMPLE
TO GOD; AND THEY SAY AT THAT MOMENT THE VIPERS WENT
INTO THE SEA AND DROWNED. ST. PATRICK THEN WENT OUT
AND CONVERTED MILLIONS.
Submitter comment:
I HAD FIRST HEARD ABOUT THE STORY OF ST. PATRICK AND
THE SNAKES FROM ONE OF MY FORMER INFORMANTS, JOHN
GRIFFIN, WHO DIDN'T KNOW THE WHOLE STORY, BUT TOLD ME
ABOUT JOHN WHOM HE THOUGHT WOULD KNOW THE WHOLE STORY.
JOHN TOLD ME THE STORY AND AFTERWARDS TOLD ME HOW THE
VIPERS REPRESENT DEVILS AND ST. PATRICK'S STAFF
REPRESENTS A PHALLIC SYMBOL, WHICH HAS POWER OVER THE
VIPERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-01-1968
ST. PATRICK AND THE SNAKES
IN IRELAND WHEN ALL WERE PAGAN, AND CELTIC PRIESTS WERE
IN CHARGE, THERE CAME A CHRISTIAN PRIEST FROM FRANCE--
A HANDSOME, TALL, AND LEAN PERSON BY THE NAME OF
PATRICK. THERE HAD BEEN A TERRIBLE PLAGUE OF VIPERS
FOR A LONG TIME, A PUNISHMENT FROM GOD. PATRICK
WALKED INTO THE MAIN CITY AND INTO THE HIGH TEMPLE.
HE WENT UP TO THE ALTAR OF THE CELTIC PRIESTS AND
EXTENDED HIS STAFF OVER IT, AND THEREUPON IT
CRUMBLED. HE BLESSED HIMSELF AND DEDICATED THE TEMPLE
TO GOD; AND THEY SAY AT THAT MOMENT THE VIPERS WENT
INTO THE SEA AND DROWNED. ST. PATRICK THEN WENT OUT
AND CONVERTED MILLIONS.
Submitter comment:
I HAD FIRST HEARD ABOUT THE STORY OF ST. PATRICK AND
THE SNAKES FROM ONE OF MY FORMER INFORMANTS, JOHN
GRIFFIN, WHO DIDN'T KNOW THE WHOLE STORY, BUT TOLD ME
ABOUT JOHN WHOM HE THOUGHT WOULD KNOW THE WHOLE STORY.
JOHN TOLD ME THE STORY AND AFTERWARDS TOLD ME HOW THE
VIPERS REPRESENT DEVILS AND ST. PATRICK'S STAFF
REPRESENTS A PHALLIC SYMBOL, WHICH HAS POWER OVER THE
VIPERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-01-1968
RIDDLE
HOW COME SMOKEY THE BEAR'S WIFE CAN NOT GET PREGNANT?
ANSWER: EVERY TIME SHE GETS HOT, HE HITS HER WITH A SHOVEL.
Data entry tech comment: SMOKEY THE BEAR IS A TELEVISION COMMERCIAL CHARACTER USED ;
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-28-1972
RIDDLE
WHAT IS SMOKEY THE BEAR'S MIDDLE NAME? ANSWER: THE.
Data entry tech comment: SMOKEY THE BEAR IS A TELEVISION COMMERCIAL CHARACTER USED ;
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-28-1972
THE VERGER
A CERTAIN MAN WAS A SEXTANT (JANITOR) IN A SYNAGOGUE.
THE SYNAGOGUE GOT A NEW RABBI AND, BECAUSE THE SEXTANT
COULDN'T READ OR WRITE, THE RABBI ASKED HIM TO LEAVE.
AS HE WALKED HOME DOWN A LONG STREET, HE HAD A
CRAVING TO BUY SOME TOBACCO, BUT HE WASN'T ABLE TO
FIND A TOBACCO SHOP. WELL, THIS MAN HAD A LITTLE
MONEY SAVED UP, SO HE OPENED UP A TOBACCO SHOP.
IT SO HAPPENED THAT EVERY TIME THIS MAN WENT DOWN
A LONG STREET HE OPENED UP ANOTHER TOBACCO SHOP.
AFTER BECOMING QUITE RICH, HE FINALLY DECIDED TO GO
TO THE BANK. WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE BANK, HE FOUND
OUT HE HAD TO SIGN A FORM IN ORDER TO DEPOSIT HIS
MONEY. AFTER TELLING THE CASHIER THAT HE COULDN'T
READ OR WRITE, THE CASHIER SAID, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN,
YOU CAN'T READ OR WRITE? HOW COULD YOU HAVE MADE
ALL THAT MONEY? JUST IMAGINE WHAT YOU COULD HAVE
BENN IF YOU COULD READ OR WRITE!" "YES, I COULD
HAVE BEEN THE SEXTANT OF THE CHURCH!"
Submitter comment:
DAVE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS AN OLD JEWISH WIVES
WHICH DOESN'T HAVE ANY REAL MEANING IN IT, AS FAR
AS HE IS CONCERNED. HE SAID THAT MOST OF THESE
OLD WIVES TALES ARE CORNY AND MEANINGLESS.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 09-29-1968
WHY A SHAMROCK HAS THREE LEAVES
ST. PATRICK WAS HAVING A HARD TIME CONVERTING THE PAGANS OF IRELAND
TO CATHOLICISM. NEXT HE WENT DIRECTLY TO THE KING, BUT HE FAILED
THERE TOO. ONE DAY HE WAS TELLING THEM ABOUT THE TRINITY BUT THE
PEOPLE COULDN'T CONCEIVE HOW THREE PERSONS COULD BE IN ONE. SO
ST. PATRICK TOOK A SHAMROCK AND POINTED OUT HOW THERE ARE THREE
LEAVES IN ONE ORGANISM. THE KING THOUGHT THIS A LOGICAL EXPLANATION
BECAUSE NO ONE COULD DENY IT. THUS HE WAS BAPTIZED AND HIS SUBJECTS
FOLLOWED HIM.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
Keyword(s): THREE AS HOLY NUMBER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 09-29-1968
THE SLEEPING FOX CATCHES NO POULTRY.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 11-21-1968