Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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FOLKLORE OF OMENS
FIND A HAIRPIN, PICK IT UP AND YOU WILL MAKE A NEW FRIEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: CA00001915
ROBERT JOHN STREET IN GROSSE POINTE IS HAUNTED.
THE HANDS OF A LITTLE GIRL, WHO WAS STRUCK AND
KILLED ON THAT STREET, KNOCK AND POUND ON PASSING
CARS.
Submitter comment:
QUITE A FEW PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO EITHER HEARD
OF THE TALE OR HEARD THE KNOCKING THEMSELVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal P477.13 |
Date learned: 09-20-1971
OLE PETE BATEESE
OLE PETE BATEESE GOT CHASE ONE NIGHT
BY WOLF UP BY THE SOO.
DESE WOLF DEY T'REE, FOUR IN DE PACK
AND DEY SCARE HIM TRU AND TRU.
PRETTY SOON OLE PETE CLIMB UP A TREE;
HE T'INK HE STAY AWHILE.
DESE WOLF DEY SIT DOWN IN DE SNOW
AND LICK DERE CHOPS AND SMILE.
PETE QUICK TWO WOLF GO TROT AWAY;
PETE T'INK DE REST SOON GO.
PRETTY QUICK DESE WOLF COME RIGHT STRAIGHT BACK;
PETE'S SPIRITS DEY SINK LOW.
FOR W'AT YOU T'INK DESE WOLF DEY GOT?
BIG BEAVER- ONE? NO- TWO!
DEY SET DEM DOWN BESIDE DAT TREE
AND SAY, "BY GAR, NOW CHEW."
DOSE BEAVER START IN CHEW DAT TREE;
DEY CHEW LIKE BEAT DE BAND.
PETE T'INK HE SOON BE ON DE GROUN'
UNLESS HE TAKE A HAND.
SO PETE PULL OUT HIS ONE-QUART HOOCH
AND LET IT RUN OUT SLOW.
IT TRICKLE DOWN DE TRUNK TO WHERE
DOSE BEAVER CHEW BELOW.
DOSE BEAVER DEY GOT DRUNK, BY GAR.
DEY DON'T SEE NONE TOO GOOD.
DEY MAKE MISTAKE AND CHEW DE WOLF
INSTEAD OF CHEW DE TREE.
DOSE WOLF RUN 'WAY, AND PETE CLIMB DOWN
AND SIT DOWN IN DE SNOW.
AND CRY AND CRY TO T'INK FOR WHERE
HIS ONE-QUART HOOCH SHE GO.
Submitter comment:
THIS POEM IS RECITED ON WEEKEND PARTIES BY
CHEERS FROM THE LOGGING CREWS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
James Callow Keyword(s): FRENCH DIALECT
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse |
LOCAL LEGEND: THE THREE BEARS (THE MOTHER AND HER TWO CUBS)
AN ENORMOUS FOREST FIRE BROKE OUT ON THE WISCONSIN SIDE OF LAKE
MICHIGAN. A MOTHER BEAR AND HER TWO CUBS WERE FORCED TO SWIM
TOWARD THE MICHIGAN SIDE TO ESCAPE THE FLAMES. SHORTLY BEFORE
THE TWIN CUBS REACHED THE MICHIGAN COAST NEAR LELAND, THEY GREW
EXHAUSTED AND DROWNED. THE MOTHER BEAR, A STRONGER SWIMMER,
REACHED LAND FIRST AND, UNAWARE OF HER CUBS' FATE, FELL INTO A
DEEP SLUMBER TO AWAIT THEIR ARRIVAL. THE CUBS NEVER ARRIVED,
BUT CAN BE SEEN FROM THE SHORELINE AS NORTH AND SOUTH MANITOU
ISLANDS. THE BEAR STILL SLEEPS; THE ENORMOUS SANDY BLUFFS TO
THIS DAY ARE KNOWN AS SLEEPING BEAR DUNES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Air Weather Fire PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LOCAL LEGEND: THE THREE BEARS (THE MOTHER AND HER TWO CUBS)
AN ENORMOUS FOREST FIRE BROKE OUT ON THE WISCONSIN SIDE OF LAKE
MICHIGAN. A MOTHER BEAR AND HER TWO CUBS WERE FORCED TO SWIM
TOWARD THE MICHIGAN SIDE TO ESCAPE THE FLAMES. SHORTLY BEFORE
THE TWIN CUBS REACHED THE MICHIGAN COAST NEAR LELAND, THEY GREW
EXHAUSTED AND DROWNED. THE MOTHER BEAR, A STRONGER SWIMMER,
REACHED LAND FIRST AND, UNAWARE OF HER CUBS' FATE, FELL INTO A
DEEP SLUMBER TO AWAIT THEIR ARRIVAL. THE CUBS NEVER ARRIVED,
BUT CAN BE SEEN FROM THE SHORELINE AS NORTH AND SOUTH MANITOU
ISLANDS. THE BEAR STILL SLEEPS; THE ENORMOUS SANDY BLUFFS TO
THIS DAY ARE KNOWN AS SLEEPING BEAR DUNES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Air Weather Fire PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
If you tip a cow when it is asleep the milk from that cow
will become sour.
Submitter comment:
A farmer told our family this story when we stopped to
buy some fresh fruits and vegetables from his farm on our
way to Traverse City.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
Keyword(s): drink, sour.
James Callow Keyword(s): cow tipping
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 00-00-1983
PROVERBIAL
MY STOMACH FEELS AS IF MY THROAT WAS CUT....
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-02-1970
TAUNT
AN INSULT: WHERE DO YOU GO ?--YUBA U.?
OR WHERE ARE YOU GOING AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, YUBA U.?
Submitter comment:
YUBA IS A HICK TOWN TRADING POST IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN.
ASKING SOMEONE IF THEY ARE GOING TO YUBA UNIVERSITY
IS MEANT AS AN INSULT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 03-02-1970
PROVERB
COURTSHIP IS BLISS;
MATRIMONY IS BLISTER
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID HER FATHER USED THIS SAYING WHILE ATTENDING COLLEGE
IN 1904.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC
Keyword(s): DEFINITION ; SEMANTICS
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; OBSERVATION
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
FOLKART-CONVERSION OF ARTICLES TO NEW USES.
CANDLEHOLDER MADE FROM BABYFOOD JARS.
Submitter comment:
TO MAKE THIS ITEM, YOU TAKE THREE BABY FOOD JARS AND GLUE THEM
TOGETHER, KEEP THE LIDS ON. WHEN GLUE IS SETTLED (ABOUT ONE NIGHT)
TAKE A COVER FROM ANOTHER JAR, ABOUT 2-3 INCHES WIDE AND PLACE ON
TOP OF THE JARS. THEN TAKE VARNISH AND WOOD PAINT AND APPLY
TO THE JARS AND LID. LET THAT SETTLE OVERNIGHT THEN DECORATE THE
INSIDE OF THE LID WITH TINY PLASTIC FLOWERS AND PLACE CANDLE IN THE
MIDDLE.
FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
FOLKART-CONVERSION OF ARTICLES TO NEW USES.
MAGAZINE HOLDER THAT WAS CONVERTED FROM A FLOWER BASKET.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A WIDE BOTTOM BASKET THAT WAS USED BY A FLORIST TO ARRANGE
FLOWERS IN.
FUNCTIONAL SHIFT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
FOLKART-CONVERSION OF ARTICLES TO NEW USES.
MILK CAN CONVERTED TO A PATIO ORNAMENTATION.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS LOOKING FOR VARIOUS ARTIFACTS THAT WOULD COMPLETE
HER DECOR OF HER HOME IN EARLY AMERICAN. SHE WANTED TO CARRY THIS
THEME THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE AND INTO THE SURROUNDING AREA.
FUNCTIOMAL SHIFT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Household furniture and utensil ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Accessories: Fireplace, stove, oven, lighting, etc. |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
GEOGRAPHY
CURIOUSLY, WHEN ONE IS HEADED NORTH ON LAKE MICHIGAN, ONE IS "DOWN-
WARD," AND HEADED SOUTHWARD TO CHICAGO, ONE IS "UPBOUND." THIS OCCURS
ONLY ON LAKE MICHIGAN. THE NAVIGATIONAL AND MARITIME TRADITION WHICH
DEFINES THE CONCEPTS "UPBOUND"AND "DOWNBOUND" IS THAT "DOWNBOUND" IS
ALWAYS "SEAWARD TO THE HEAD OF NAVIGATION." HENCE, ON THE GREAT LAKES
"DOWNWARD" IS THE DIRECTION OF THE ST. LAWRENCE SEAWAY FROM THE
LAKES. YET, ON LAKE ERIE, SAILORS DO NOT DESIGNATE DIRECTION BY
"UPBOUND" OR "DOWNBOUND" BUT "EASTBOUND" OR "WESTBOUND"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 02-21-1970
INFORMANT TOLD ME OF HOW IN HER KENTUCKY CHILDHOOD, HER PARENTS
WOULD HAVE THE MINISTER FROM THEIR CHURCH THEY ATTENDED COME
OVER FOR A CHICKEN DINNER ON SUNDAY AFTRNOON. ON ONE PARTICU-
LAR SUNDAY, SHE AND HER BROTHER THOUGHT OF A WAY TO MAKE THE
MINISTER (WHOM THEY BOTH FOUND INSUFFERABLE) LEAVE EARLY.
THAT MORNING, BEFORE CHURCH, THE INFORMANT'S BROTHER STUCK
A PAIR OF HUGE SCISSORS UNDER THE THIN CUSHION THAT WAS ON THE
MINISTER'S FAVORITE CHAIR HE ALWAYS CHOSE TO SIT ON WHENEVER
HE VISITED THEIR HOME. LATER THAT AFTERNOON, AFTER DINNER,
THE FAMILY RETIRED TO THE PARLOR. THE MINISTER WAS NOTICE-
ABLY UNCOMFORTABLE, AND EVENTUALLY GOT UP TO LEAVE. AFTER
TH MINISTER LEFT, THEY ADMITTED TO THEIR GRANDMOTHER WHAT
THEY HAD DONE AFTER SHE FOUND THE SCISSORS, AND THEY RECEIVED
THEIR DUE PUNISHMENT. HOWEVER, THE GRANDMOTHER SAID, "I HOPE
HE WASN'T TOO UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT I NEVER LIKED HIM TOO MUCH
ANYWAY."
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS COMPARABLE TO "THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA" IN
CONTENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; KENTUCKY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation Food Drink -- Food |
Date learned: 11-29-1971
INFORMANT TOLD ME OF HOW IN HER KENTUCKY CHILDHOOD, HER PARENTS
WOULD HAVE THE MINISTER FROM THEIR CHURCH THEY ATTENDED COME
OVER FOR A CHICKEN DINNER ON SUNDAY AFTRNOON. ON ONE PARTICU-
LAR SUNDAY, SHE AND HER BROTHER THOUGHT OF A WAY TO MAKE THE
MINISTER (WHOM THEY BOTH FOUND INSUFFERABLE) LEAVE EARLY.
THAT MORNING, BEFORE CHURCH, THE INFORMANT'S BROTHER STUCK
A PAIR OF HUGE SCISSORS UNDER THE THIN CUSHION THAT WAS ON THE
MINISTER'S FAVORITE CHAIR HE ALWAYS CHOSE TO SIT ON WHENEVER
HE VISITED THEIR HOME. LATER THAT AFTERNOON, AFTER DINNER,
THE FAMILY RETIRED TO THE PARLOR. THE MINISTER WAS NOTICE-
ABLY UNCOMFORTABLE, AND EVENTUALLY GOT UP TO LEAVE. AFTER
TH MINISTER LEFT, THEY ADMITTED TO THEIR GRANDMOTHER WHAT
THEY HAD DONE AFTER SHE FOUND THE SCISSORS, AND THEY RECEIVED
THEIR DUE PUNISHMENT. HOWEVER, THE GRANDMOTHER SAID, "I HOPE
HE WASN'T TOO UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT I NEVER LIKED HIM TOO MUCH
ANYWAY."
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS COMPARABLE TO "THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA" IN
CONTENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; KENTUCKY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Occupation Food Drink -- Food |
Date learned: 11-29-1971
VOCABULARY: GREAT LAKES SAILING
"SQUAWK BOX" (THE RADIO TELEPHONE)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 02-21-1970
VOCABULARY: GREAT LAKES SAILING
"DEAD SEA" (A HEAVY SEA AFTER THE WIND HAS DIED)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 02-21-1970
VOCABULARY: GREAT LAKES SAILING
"ARM THE LEAD LINE" (TO STICK SOAP OR WAX IN THE LEAD, LOWER IT TO
THE BOTTOM WHICH STICKS TO TO SOAP OR WAX IN ORDER TO TELL THE BOTTOM
TEXTURE)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 02-21-1970
VOCABULARY: GREAT LAKES SAILING
"PICKING US UP" (DURING A FEVERISH RACE AT FULL STEAM FOR FIRST
POSITION TO UNLOAD IN THE PORT, THE ASTERN GAINS)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 02-21-1970
VOCABULARY: GREAT LAKES SAILING
"DROP THE HOOK" (LOWER THE ANCHOR)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TRAVERSE CITY
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Trade & commerce |
Date learned: 02-21-1970