Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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IF A DOG HOWLS--DEATH CLOSE BY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: 09-20-1967
THE PERSON CATCHING A LADYBUG AND RELEASING IT ALIVE
WILL SOON RECEIVE MONEY.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): INSECT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Use of Object Animals |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A DROWNING PERSON WILL ALWAYS BOB THREE TIMES IN THE WATER
BEFORE DROWNING.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-01-1967
THE HAUNTED STREET
IN DETROIT--STRASBURG. SHE HEARD THE STORY OF A LITTLE GIRL BEING
HIT BY A CAR AND KILLED WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
NOT GIVEN
THEY HAVE A TRADITION IN POLAND WHICH SAYS THAT ONE SHOULD TAKE
A SQUARE OF LAND WITH ONE WHEN HE MOVES, PLANT IT IN ONE'S NEW
DWELLING, AND HE WILL GET GOOD LUCK.
MRS. BONAROWSKI HAD LOST HER WEDDING RING TEN YEARS BEFORE SHE
MOVED FROM POLAND TO 7 MILE AND VAN DYKE. WHEN SHE REPLANTED
THE SQUARE OF LAND SHE HAD BROUGHT HERE, SHE FOUND HER WEDDING
RING.
Submitter comment: BOTH MRS. BONAROWSKI AND GRANDSON TOM MERVACK BELIEVE THIS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Earth BELIEF -- Good luck Leaving Entering Returning home Travel |
Date learned: 11-01-1967
NAME
"SOURDOUGH" WAS THE NAME GIVEN TO THE PROSPECTORS WHO MINED FOR
GOLD IN ALASKA. THESE MEN SAVED A PIECE OF BREAD DOUGH EACH TIME
THEY BAKED, AND CARRIED IT WITH THEM IN ORDER TO HAVE LEAVENING
OR A "STARTER" FOR THE NEXT BAKING.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Metal Stone Bone Gold Silver Copper Food Drink -- Plant food Cereal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FOLK TALE
THIS IS SAID TO HAVE HAPPENED IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN SOME 25 YEARS
AGO. LATE ONE NIGHT FOUR YOUNG MEN WHO WERE DRIVING ALONG IN A
CAR STOPPED BY A BRIDGE AS A MYSTERIOUS LIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE
CAUGHT THEIR ATTENTION. THREE OF THEM WALKED TO THE OTHER SIDE
WHILE THE OTHER WAITED. SINCE THEY WERE GONE FOR A LONG TIME AND
THE LIGHT HAD DISAPPEARED, THE FOURTH MAN WENT LOOKING FOR THEM
AND FOUND ALL THREE DEAD AND THEIR BODIES BADLY MUTILATED. HE
WENT TO GET HELP AND WHEN THEY RETURNED TO THE BRIDGE, THE LIGHT
WAS AGAIN THERE. AS THEY STARTED ACROSS, THE LIGHT STARTED COMING
RAPIDLY TOWARD THEM. A SHORT WHILE LATER A PASSERBY CAME UPON A
NUMBER OF MUTILATED BODIES ON THE BRIDGE. ALL THE MEN WERE DEAD
EXCEPT ONE, WHO TOLD HIM ABOUT THE LIGHT BUT DIED BEFORE HE COULD
EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. TO THIS DAY, THE LIGHT WAS NEVER
SEEN AGAIN AND NO ONE HAS SOLVED THE MYSTERY OF THESE MURDERS.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Date learned: 11-05-1969
THE CARPENTER'S ROAD LEGEND
TWO COUPLES WENT TO THE PROM AND THEN OUT TO PARK ON CARPENTER'S
ROAD, WHICH IS A DESERTED ROAD IN THE WOODS OF BEAVERCREEK. WHILE
NECKING, THEY HEARD A KNOCKING AND SCRATCHING NOISE OUTSIDE. ONE
OF THE BOYS WENT OUT TO CHECK IT OUT. AND AFTER A LONG WORRISOME
WAIT DURING WHICH HE HADN'T RETURNED, THE SECOND BOY LEFT. AGAIN
AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, THEY STILL HADN'T RETURNED, SO ONE GIRL WENT
FOR HELP WHILE THE OTHER WAITED. THE LAST GIRL FINALLY LEFT AND
FOUND THE POLICE. AFTER A LONG SEARCH, THE THREE WERE FOUND. THE
TWO BOYS WERE ENTIRELY CHEWED UP, BLOODY AND JUST TOTALLY MUTILA-
TED. THE GIRL, WITH HER HAIR, ONCE BRUNETTE, NOW HAD STARK WHITE
HAIR STANDING ON END AND HAD DIED OF FRIGHT. NOW NOBODY KNOWS
IF THIS IS TRUE BUT NO ONE GOES THERE UNLESS HE'S LOOKING FOR A
SCARE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
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 |
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
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 |
BELIEF
ARABS BELIEVE THAT TO TEMPER A STEEL BLADE PROPERLY, YOU MUST
KILL A SLAVE AND TEMPER THE RED-HOT BLADE IN THE FRESH BLOOD.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
SUPERSTITION
ON THE CORNER OF CANFIELD AND BURNS WAS A GROCERY STORE RUN BY AN
ELDERLY COUPLE. THE HUSBAND DIED. THE CHILDREN OF THE NEIGHBOR-
HOOD CLAIM THEY SEE THE OLD LADY COME IN THE STORE EVERY NIGHT
AND PREPARE FOR BUSINESS AND ACTUALLY SELL THINGS TO MAKE-BELIEVE
CUSTOMERS, EVEN THOUGH THE STORE IS BOARDED UP.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 00-00-1943