Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
BOSNIA IS A VERY ROCKY PLACE AND THE MYTH THAT THE PEASANT FOLK
HAVE TO EXPLAIN THIS IS THAT GOD WAS TROTTING ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
CARRYING TWO LARGE SACKS. ONE WAS FILLED WITH ROCKS AND THE OTHER
WITH GOOD EARTH. WHILE TROTTING ACROSS BOSNIA, THE SACK CONTAIN-
ING ROCKS RIPPED AND THE ROCKS SPILLED OVER THE LAND.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD FROM GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HOW THE HUNGARIAN SCISSORBILL BIRD RECEIVED ITS NAME
THIS BIRD RECEIVED ITS NAME BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT, WHEN CHRIST
WAS CRUCIFIED, THIS BIRD WAS ALLEGED TO HAVE TRIED TO PULL THE
NAILS OUT AND THUS RECEIVED ITS TWISTED BILL.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED FROM HER GRANDMOTHER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NOT GIVEN
STORY ABOUT GUY WHO WAS STUCK IN THE THUNDER BAY AREA OF CANADA
FOR 41 DAYS BECAUSE HE COULDN'T GET A RIDE.
Submitter comment:
STORY TOLD AT YOUTH HOSTEL IN AREA AND BELIEVED. IT SEEMS
USUALLY TAKES ABOUT 2 DAYS TO GET A RIDE ANYWAY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ISOLATED, VAST AREA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Earth PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 07-00-1971
A TALL TALE
DID YOU EVER HEAR OF THE HOUSE THAT PAUL BUNYAN BUILT IN THE
NORTH WOODS?
IT WAS SO HIGH THAT HE HAD TO PUT THE LAST FIVE STORIES ON
HINGES TO LET THE MOON GO BY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size PROSE NARRATIVE -- Moon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: 06-00-1964
SCOTT FOUNTAIN
THIS FOUNTAIN LOCATED ON BELLE ISLE WAS DONATED BY ONE OF
DETROIT'S MOST NOTORIOUS GAMBLERS AND PRACTICAL JOKERS, WHOSE
NAME THE FOUNTAIN BEARS. THE MONEY FOR THIS HISTORIC LANDMARK
WAS SUPPOSEDLY WON FROM THREE OF DETROIT'S MORE PROMINENT FIGURES
IN A GAME OF CHANCE. IT WAS THE OBJECTION OF THESE THREE THAT
DELAYED ITS CONSTRUCTION FOR SOME THIRTY YEARS. THE FOUNTAIN
NOW STANDS AS AN ETERNAL MOCKERY OF THESE NOBLE CITIZENS, WHO
SCOTT ONCE CUSSED BY SAYING HE WOULD GET THE LAST LAUGH.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Fountain Well Aqueduct |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE AXEMAN
A GROUP OF THE INFORMANT'S FRIENDS WHEN IN HIGH SCHOOL USED TO
PASS THE BLOOMFIELD ESTATES CEMETERY ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL EVERY
MORNING. EACH MORNING IN THE CEMETERY WAS A MAN WHO CARRIED AN
AXE STANDING AT HIS WIFE'S GRAVE. THE GROUP OF TEENAGERS CALLED
HIM "CHARLIE THE AXEMAN." THEY USED TO TEASE HIM EVERY MORNING
UNTIL ONE DAY ONE OF THE FELLOWS FOUND THIS AXE WEDGED THROUGH
THE HOOD OF THE CAR. THERE WAS NO FURTHER TEASING AFTER THAT.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM THIS GROUP OF FRIENDS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 03-31-1967
THE DEVIL ON SEYBURN
AS A LITTLE GIRL THE INFORMANT LIVED ON SEYBURN IN DETROIT. ON
ONE OF THE CORNERS OF SEYBURN THERE WAS A HOUSE WHICH HAD BEEN
POSSESSED BY THE DEVIL. WHEN THE PRIEST DROVE THE DEVIL FROM THE
HOUSE, HE CHASED IT INTO THE GARAGE. THE DEVIL RAN ACROSS THE
FLOOR UP THE WALL AND HALF WAY ACROSS THE CEILING BEFORE LEAVING.
THERE ARE IMPRINTS OF HIS FOOT IN THE CEMENT FLOOR OF THE GARAGE.
ON THE WALL AND ON THE CEILING THERE ARE HAND AND BELLY PRINTS.
THESE PRINTS CANNOT BE REMOVED WITH PAINT OR BY RECEMENTING THE
FLOOR. THEY ALWAYS REAPPEAR. THE INFORMANT HAS SEEN THE PRINTS
HERSELF.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
A LEGENDARY GAME
THERE WAS A PLAGUE IN ENGLAND AND THE GAME "RING AROUND THE ROSEY"
WAS REALLY A RASH WITH A RING AROUND IT, SO IT'S RING AROUND THE
ROSEY. IT USED TO SMELL, SO THEY KEPT POSIES IN THEIR POCKETS,
POCKET FULL OF POSIES. IT ALSO USED TO MAKE THEM SNEEZE, AND AFTER
THEY SNEEZED THEY WOULD FALL DEAD, SO IT ISN'T REALLY ASHES, ASHES,
THEY ALL FALL DOWN, BUT ACHOO, ACHOO, THEY ALL FALL DEAD.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Medicine |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
MARBLES ON THE UPSTAIRS FLOOR
THE INFORMANT'S AUNT WAS BORN AND RAISED IN IRELAND. SHE HAD
MOVED TO THE U.S. BUT HAD GONE BACK TO IRELAND AFTER THE DEATH
OF ONE OF HER CHILDREN. WHEN RETURNING TO IRELAND, THEY MOVED
INTO A HOUSE IN WHICH THEY DID NOT USE THE SECOND FLOOR. RETURN-
ING ONE EVENING FROM GOOD FRIDAY DEVOTIONS IN CHURCH, THE AUNT
NOTICED A LIGHT MOVING FROM ONE END OF THE HOUSE TO THE OTHER
ON THE SECOND FLOOR. THEY THOUGHT NOTHING OF THE LIGHT AT FIRST,
UNTIL THEY REALIZED THAT THE LIGHT COULD NOT MOVE FROM ONE END
OF THE HOUSE TO THE OTHER WITHOUT GOING THROUGH A COUPLE OF
WALLS. WHEN THEY RETURNED HOME THEY QUESTIONED THE CHILDREN
ABOUT HAVING BEEN UPSTAIRS. THE CHILDREN CLAIMED THAT THEY HAD
NOT BEEN UP THERE. THE FATHER AND TWO BROTHERS WENT UPSTAIRS
TO LOOK AROUND BUT COULD FIND NOTHING. THE DOG WOULD NOT GO
UPSTAIRS. THAT NIGHT THERE WAS A TYPE OF NOISE ON THE FLOOR
UPSTAIRS. THE NOISES CONTINUED EVERY NIGHT, GETTING LOUDER AND
LOUDER AND TURNING INTO SOFT CRIES AND MOANING. THE AUNT HAD THE
HOUSE BLESSED TWICE WITHIN TWO WEEKS TO RID IT OF THE NOISE.
AFTER SOME TIME AS THE NOISE GOT LOUDER, THE PRIEST WAS AGAIN
CALLED TO BLESS THE HOUSE. THE FAMILY WENT TO TOWN AND LOOKED
UP THE HISTORY OF THE PREVIOUS OWNERS OF THE HOUSE. THEY FOUND
THAT THE HOUSE HAD ONCE BEEN OWNED BY A VERY WEALTHY MAN. THIS
MAN'S MAID WENT INSANE AND ONE DAY CHOKED THE TWO LITTLE CHILDREN
TO DEATH BY STUFFING MARBLES DOWN THEIR THROATS. UPON RETURNING
TO THE HOUSE WITH THE PRIEST TO AGAIN BLESS IT, THEY FOUND MARBLES
ON THE UPSTAIRS FLOOR. THESE MARBLES HAD BEEN MAKING THE NOISE
IN THE NIGHT. THE BODIES OF THE TWO CHILDREN HAD BEEN PLACED IN
THEIR TOY CHESTS. THESE CHESTS HAD LONG BEFORE BEEN REMOVED.
Where learned: DETROIT ; IRELAND ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 03-31-1967
OLD POLISH STORY: TIRED TRAVELER
A CERTAIN TRAVELER HAD STOPPED AT MANY INNS TO FIND SHELTER FOR
THE NIGHT BUT HAD NO SUCCESS IN FINDING A ROOM. FINALLY, HE
AGREED TO AN INNKEEPER'S BARN. WHEN HE ENTERED, HE SAW THERE
WAS NO PLACE FOR HIM TO RECLINE. HE SAW ONLY SOME HOOKS WHERE
THE TOOLS WERE HUNG. HE PROMPTLY DISASSEMBLED HIMSELF AND PUT
AN ARM ON ONE HOOK, A LEG ON ANOTHER, AND SO ON.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 01-20-1968
STRETCHING THE LOG
BACK IN POLAND, MANY YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A FARMER WHO WAS
BUILDING A BARN. HAVING CUT ONE OF THE LOGS TOO SHORT, THE
FARMER CALLED TO HIS NEIGHBOR TO BRING HIS OXEN. THE TWO
FARMERS HITCHED BOTH OF THEIR ANIMALS TO THE SHORT LOG AND
PULLED IT UNTIL IT WAS THE RIGHT SIZE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS 81 YEARS OLD.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Wood Gourd ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Animal housingBarnPen |
Date learned: 01-20-1968
THE IRISH BELIEF IN LITTLE FAIRY-LIKE CREATURES WHO SEEM
TO CORRESPOND TO THE AMERICAN FAIRY GODMOTHERS. EACH
OF THESE LEPRECHAUNS IS BELIEVED TO OWN HIS OWN POT
OF GOLD.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 11-02-1967
THERE WAS A STORY AT OLIVET COLLEGE ABOUT THE FRESHMAN
ENGLISH PROFESSOR WHO GRADED EXAMS BY THROWING
THEM DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS; THE "A'S" WERE ON
THE TOP STEP, THE "A-'S" ON THE NEXT, ETC.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; OLIVET
Keyword(s): ACADEMIC JOKES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 12-00-1971 ; 00-00-1960
THE RUBY, THE JULY BIRTHSTONE, IS A SYMBOL FOR
PASSION.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- July BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 11-23-1967
THE TOPAZ, THE NOVEMBER BIRTHSTONE, IS A SYMBOL FOR
CHEERFULNESS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F110 BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 11-08-1967
ANOTHER POPULAR MYTH IS THAT OF THE OWL. THE OWL
IS HARDLY ONE OF THE WISEST ANIMALS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bird |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOU EAT A LOT OF CARROTS YOU WILL HAVE CURLY
HAIR.
Submitter comment: SOURCE: FRIEND
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
EVERY TIME MY KNEES HURT ME SO BADLY THAT I CANNOT
STAND, I KNOW IT IS GOING TO RAIN. AND WHEN I
CANNOT KNEEL THERE IS GOING TO BE A TERRIBLE STORM.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Pains |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN YOU CUT GRASS BEFORE A STORM, LIGHTNING WILL
STRIKE YOUR HOME.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER PARENTS, WHO ARE
OF IRISH DESCENT.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder BELIEF -- Use of Object Plant BELIEF -- Sign or prediction through Human condition and activities |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
IF YOU ACCEPT SOMETHING SHARP AS A GIFT FROM SOMEONE
YOU MUST PAY THEM A PENNY FOR THE PRESENT TO AVOID
A FIGHT WITH THAT PERSON. IF YOU DON'T, IT WILL
CUT OFF THE FRIENDSHIP.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MALONY LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD. SHE
WAS BORN AND RAISED IN IRELAND.
Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; IRELAND ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Good luck P881.18 |
Date learned: 02-19-1967