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THE TRAPPER

IN ISHPEMING, MICHIGAN, THERE IS A TALE ABOUT A FRENCH-
CANADIAN FUR SELLER WHO WAS FAIRLY RICH. HE ALWAYS
WORE HIGH BLACK BOOTS, A LARGE CAP, AND DRESSED VERY
NICELY. IT IS SAID THAT HE WAS ROBBED AND KILLED ONE
DAY IN HIS CANOE BUT HIS BODY WAS NEVER FOUND.
ABOUT THIRTY YEARS LATER, HIS GREAT GRAND-CHILD WAS
WALKING ON THE BEACH AND SAW AN OVERTURNED CANOE WITH
A PAIR OF BLACK BOOTS COMING OUT FROM UNDER IT. HE
PICKED UP THE CANOE AND SAW A MAN WITH OLD BUT VERY
NICE LOOKING CLOTHES, LONG BLACK BOOTS, AND A LARGE
CAP. HE THOUGHT IT TO BE HIS GREAT GRANDFATHER AND RAN
HOME TO TELL HIS PARENTS. WHEN HIS PARENTS CAME TO SEE,
THE BODY WAS NOT THERE, BUT THE CANOE WAS, WITH A
BLOODY CAP INSIDE. THERE WERE ALSO FOOTPRINTS LEADING
FROM THE CANOE TO THE WOODS. THEY LEFT, BUT CAME BACK
NEXT DAY AND FOUND NOTHING. NOTHING WAS EVER HEARD
ABOUT IT AGAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; APARTMENT ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; ISHPEMING

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 11-12-1969

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THE HEADLESS

IN TOLEDO {OHIO} THERE WAS A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
IN WHICH THE DRIVER LOST HIS HEAD.
NOW ON THE SAME ROAD, YOU CAN SEE ONE HEADLIGHT
COMING AT YOU (USUALLY AROUND MIDNIGHT), BUT
WHEN IT GETS CLOSE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT OUT, IT
DISAPPEARS. IT IS SAID TO BE THE MOTORCYCLIST
LOOKING FOR HIS HEAD.

Where learned: OHIO ; APARTMENT ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 11-12-1969

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CRAZY CHARLY

THERE IS A TALE IN NORTHEAST DETROIT {MICHIGAN} ABOUT
A MAN NAMED CHARLY WHO WENT CRAZY. FIRST HE KILLED
HIS WIFE, AND THEN HIMSELF (WITH AN AX).
IT IS REPORTED THAT HE HAS BEEN SEEN CHASING TEENAGERS
PARKED NEAR HIS OLD HOME WITH A BLOODY AX.

Where learned: APARTMENT ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 11-12-1969

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THE TRAPPER

IN ISHPEMING, MICHIGAN, THERE IS A TALE ABOUT A FRENCH-
CANADIAN FUR SELLER WHO WAS FAIRLY RICH. HE ALWAYS
WORE HIGH BLACK BOOTS, A LARGE CAP, AND DRESSED VERY
NICELY. IT IS SAID THAT HE WAS ROBBED AND KILLED ONE
DAY IN HIS CANOE BUT HIS BODY WAS NEVER FOUND.
ABOUT THIRTY YEARS LATER, HIS GREAT GRAND-CHILD WAS
WALKING ON THE BEACH AND SAW AN OVERTURNED CANOE WITH
A PAIR OF BLACK BOOTS COMING OUT FROM UNDER IT. HE
PICKED UP THE CANOE AND SAW A MAN WITH OLD BUT VERY
NICE LOOKING CLOTHES, LONG BLACK BOOTS, AND A LARGE
CAP. HE THOUGHT IT TO BE HIS GREAT GRANDFATHER AND RAN
HOME TO TELL HIS PARENTS. WHEN HIS PARENTS CAME TO SEE,
THE BODY WAS NOT THERE, BUT THE CANOE WAS, WITH A
BLOODY CAP INSIDE. THERE WERE ALSO FOOTPRINTS LEADING
FROM THE CANOE TO THE WOODS. THEY LEFT, BUT CAME BACK
NEXT DAY AND FOUND NOTHING. NOTHING WAS EVER HEARD
ABOUT IT AGAIN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; APARTMENT ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; ISHPEMING

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 11-12-1969

View just this record

THE HEADLESS

IN TOLEDO {OHIO} THERE WAS A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
IN WHICH THE DRIVER LOST HIS HEAD.
NOW ON THE SAME ROAD, YOU CAN SEE ONE HEADLIGHT
COMING AT YOU (USUALLY AROUND MIDNIGHT), BUT
WHEN IT GETS CLOSE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT OUT, IT
DISAPPEARS. IT IS SAID TO BE THE MOTORCYCLIST
LOOKING FOR HIS HEAD.

Where learned: OHIO ; APARTMENT ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 11-12-1969

View just this record

CRAZY CHARLY

THERE IS A TALE IN NORTHEAST DETROIT {MICHIGAN} ABOUT
A MAN NAMED CHARLY WHO WENT CRAZY. FIRST HE KILLED
HIS WIFE, AND THEN HIMSELF (WITH AN AX).
IT IS REPORTED THAT HE HAS BEEN SEEN CHASING TEENAGERS
PARKED NEAR HIS OLD HOME WITH A BLOODY AX.

Where learned: APARTMENT ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 11-12-1969

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BURIAL CUSTOM OF NAVAL AIRFORCE

IN THE NAVAL AIRFORCE A SQUADRON IS USUALLY MADE UP OF
FOUR OR FIVE PLANES. WHEN ONE OF THE MEMBERS DIES, THE
OTHERS FLY OVER THE BURIAL SERVICE IN FORMATION, MINUS
THE DECEASED MEMBER LEAVING AN EMPTY PLACE IN THE
FORMATION.

Submitter comment: TOLD AT WHITEHEAD AND KALES MILL STREET PLANT AND NOTED
ON ALL TV STATIONS AT FUNERALS OF THE ASTRONAUTS.

Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; WORK ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

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WAGER

I'LL BET MY BOTTOM DOLLAR.

Where learned: BIRMINGHAM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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WAGER

PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS.

Where learned: BIRMINGHAM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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PROVERBIAL COMPARISON

NERVOUS AS A HEN ON A HOT SHOVEL

Submitter comment: MY GRANDMOTHER LEARNED THIS EXPRESSION AS A CHILD ON A FARM IN CASEVILLE, MICHIGAN

Where learned: HOME ; BIRMINGHAM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): BIRDS

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; ANXIETY

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison

Date learned: 00-00-1960

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FEVER

GENERALLY USED IN THE CASE OF AN INFANT:
TAKE THE LEAF OF A CACTUS PLANT, CUT IT IN HALF,
AND PLACE ON THE BABY'S STOMACH.
THIS WILL GRADUALLY DRAW THE FEVER OUT.

Where learned: WESTERN YMCA ; DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): CHILD'S FEVER

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Remedy

Date learned: 11-12-1971

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IF YOU SPILL SALT WHILE YOU ARE EATING AT THE TABLE,
YOU WILL FIGHT SOMEONE. IF YOU THROW SOME SALT
OVER YOUR SHOULDER, YOU WILL AVOID THE FIGHT.

Submitter comment: MRS. MALONY LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD,
BEING RAISED IN IRELAND.

Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; IRELAND ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME

Subject headings: Food Drink -- Flavoring
BELIEF -- Use of Object Food

Date learned: 02-19-1967

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IF YOU DROP A DISHCLOTH, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A
VISITOR.

Submitter comment: FR. MALONY LEARNED THIS FROM HIS MOTHER AT HOME,
WHO IS OF IRISH DESCENT.

Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Use of Object Domestic object, wax, needle, dishware

Date learned: 02-19-1967

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NEVER PUT A SHOW ON THE KITCHEN TABLE. IF YOU DO,
YOU WILL HAVE A QUARREL WITH SOMEONE IN YOUR
FAMILY.

Submitter comment: MRS. MALONY LEARNED THIS WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.

Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Use of Object Domestic object, wax, needle, dishware

Date learned: 02-19-1967

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WHEN A TORNADO IS COMING, PUT AN AXE IN FRONT OF YOUR
HOUSE WITH THE BLADE TOWARD THE TORNADO; THE AXE
WILL SPLIT THE TORNADO IN HALF AND DRIVE IT AROUND
THE HOUSE.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AS A MEMBER OF A RURAL
COMMUNITY NEAR KINNECOTT, ONTARIO.

Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; KINNECOTT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Use of Object Manufactured objects, homemade, machined

Date learned: 02-19-1967

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TO FIND OUT THE INITIAL OF THE PERSON YOU WILL MARRY
PEEL AN APPLE CONTINUOUSLY AND COMPLETELY AND
THROW THE PEEL OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER , MAKING A
WISH. THE PEELING WILL FALL IN THE SHAPE OF THE INITIAL
OF THE PERSON YOU WILL MARRY.

Submitter comment: FR. MALONY LEARNED THIS FROM HIS MOTHER AT HOME, WHO
IS OF IRISH DESCENT.

Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME

Subject headings: 862 Use of object for determining future spouse

Date learned: 02-19-1967

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IF YOU FIND A HAIRPIN PUT IT IN YOUR SHOE AND YOU
WILL MARRY THE NEXT PERSON THAT YOU MEET.

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: 862 Use of object for determining future spouse

Date learned: 02-19-1967

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IF A WINDSTORM IS APPROACHING, BURN A BLESSED PALM
ON THE WINDOW SILL; THE SMOKE WILL RISE CARRYING
THE WIND OVER THE TOP OF THE HOUSE.

Submitter comment: FATHER MALONY LEARNED THIS FROM HIS MOTHER, WHO IS
OF IRISH DESCENT AND WAS RAISED IN A RURAL
COMMUNITY NEAR KINNECOTT, ONTARIO (CANADA).

Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Control Prevention Provocation Protection P892.1
BELIEF -- Control Prevention Provocation Protection P892.25

Date learned: 02-19-1967

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BURN A BLESSED CANDLE IN A WINDOW TO PROTECT THE
HOUSE FROM STORM DAMAGE.

Submitter comment: FATHER MALONY LEARNED THIS FROM HIS MOTHER, WHO IS
OF IRISH DESCENT AND WAS RAISED IN A RURAL
COMMUNITY NEAR KINNECOTT, ONTARIO (CANADA).

Where learned: DETROIT ; RECTORY ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; HOLY NAME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Control Prevention Provocation Protection P892.1
BELIEF -- Control Prevention Provocation Protection P892.25

Date learned: 02-19-1967

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IF YOU ARE GOING SOMEWHERE AND HAVE FORGOTTEN
SOMETHING, DO NOT GO BACK TO GET IT. LEAVE IT
BEHIND, FOR IF YOU DO GO BACK TO GET IT, IT WILL
BRING BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT 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 -- Bad luck Leaving Entering Returning home Travel

Date learned: 02-19-1967

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