Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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PROVERB
IF A GIRL ADMIRES HERSELF IN THE MIRROR TOO LONG, SHE WILL SEE
THE DEVIL BEHIND HER.
Submitter comment:
I ASKED MISS CLARK IF SHE REALLY BELIEVED THIS PROVERB AND SHE SAID
SHE DID BUT ONLY METAPHORICALLY.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): VANITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Devil Demon PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 03-27-1970
LEGEND
IN ST. THOMAS, ONTARIO, CANADA MANY YEARS AGO A FAMILY OF BOYS LIVED
ON A FARM. THESE BRADEY BOYS, AS THEY WERE CALLED, TERRORIZED THE
COUNTRY SIDE. WHEN THEY SEEMINGLY ALL DIED, THE TOWNSPEOPLE BURNT
DOWN THEIR HOMESTEAD IN REVENGE FOR ALL THE HARDSHIPS THE BRADEY BOY
CAUSED. TO THIS DAY THE BRADEY FARM LIES IN WASTE AS IN MEMORY OF TH
BRADEY'S DESTRUCTION AND ALSO IN FEAR THAT SOME OF THE BRADEY BOYS
MIGHT STILL BE ALIVE AND EVENTUALLY SEEK REVENGE IF ANYONE WOULD TAK
OVER THEIR LAND.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): FEAR ; PLACE NAMES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
KITTENS' PAWS
THIS MEATLESS DISH IS TRADITIONALLY SERVED ON CHRISTMAS EVE
WHICH IN THE PAST WAS A DAY OF TOTAL ABSTINANCE (ABSTINENCE).
A FILLING OF CHEESE, CHOPPED SPINACH AND SPICES IS ROLLED IN SQUARES
OF PASTRY. THE ENDS OF THESE ROLLS ARE PINCHED CLOSE IN SUCH A
FASHION AS TO RESEMBLE KITTENS' PAWS. THEY ARE THEN COOKED
IN A TOMATO SAUCE AND SERVED.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Vegetarian
| Subject headings: | 122 Christmas |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
RIDDLE
WHAT QUESTION CAN NEVER BE ANSWERED BY "YES"?
ARE YOU ASLEEP.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): HUMOR
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
TRAVELING VIGIL LIGHT OF MT. OLIVET CEMETRY.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO ONE OF THE GRAVES OF MT. OLIVET CEMETRY
WAS DUG UP AND THE BODY MOVED TO ANOTHER SPOT IN THE CEMETRY.
THE MOTHER OF THE DEAD PERSON LOOKED AND LOOKED FOR THE GRAVE
OF HER BELOVED BUT COULD NEVER FIND IT. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE
VIGIL LIGHT WHICH THE MOTHER KEPT BURNING ON THE GRAVE NOW
ROAMS THE CEMETRY SEARCHING FOR THE GRAVE OF THE BODY THAT
WAS MOVED. MANY PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO
SEE THE LIGHT MOVING ABOUT THE CEMETRY. ONE NIGHT WHEN AT A
GIRL FRIEND'S HOUSE THE INFORMANT WAS ASKED IF SHE WANTED TO GO TO
THE CEMETRY WITH A GROUP OF GIRLS TO LOOK FOR THE LIGHT. THE GIRL
FRIEND LIVED RIGHT NEXT TO THE CEMETRY AND KNEW THE SCHEDULE OF
THE WATCHMEN WHO WORKED IN THE CEMETRY. THE GIRLS CLIMBED THE FENCE
AND AFTER THEY HAD GONE A SHORT WAY INTO THE CEMETRY, THEY SAW THE
VIGIL LIGHT NOT MANY FEET IN FRONT OF THEM, MOVING ABOUT. THEY
RAN BACK TO THE HOUSE IN FEAR.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS SURPRISED THAT MY BROTHER AND I WHO LIVE IN
THE IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE TRAVELING
VIGIL LIGHT OF MT. OLIVET CEMETERY.
Data entry tech comment: THE WORD CEMETRY IS AS SPELLED BY THE COLLECTOR.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): GHOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
IF THE 24TH OF AUGUST BE BRIGHT AND CLEAR,
IF THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST BE UNUSUALLY WARM,
THE WINTER WILL BE WHITE, COLD, AND LONG
THEN HOPE FOR A PROSPEROUS AUTUMN THAT YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR ; METONYMY: WHITE FOR SNOW ; TEMPERATURE
Date learned: 02-15-1968
BIRTH CUSTOM
IN SOME UKRANIAN VILLAGES, WHEN A BABY GIRL IS BORN, HER FATHER
TAKES A BOTTLE OF PLUM WHISKEY AND BURIES IT IN THEIR BACKYARD.
ON THE GIRL'S WEDDING DAY, HE DIGS IT UP AND THEY TOAST THE YOUNG
COUPLE FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): WISH
James Callow Keyword(s): UKRAINIAN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Distilled BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-02-1971
(GRAPES)
IF YOU EAT THE GRAPE OFF THE VINE,
YOU WILL NEVER TASTE THE WINE.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): FRUIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 02-02-1970
DRESS
INDIAN WOMEN WILL NOT CUT THEIR HAIR. GENERALLY, IT
IS BRAIDED WHEN IT BECOMES LONG AND THIS SHOWS
THE BEAUTY THAT SHE HAS.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 02-29-1968
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 |
PROVERB
BE PREPARED TO MEET THOSE PEOPLE WHO,
IN THEIR SILENCE WILL CONVERT YOU.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; EASTOWN THEATER ; TOLD AT
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; RHYME
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
KRAKOWIAK (POLISH DANCE)
LIKE THE AMERICAN SQUARE DANCE.
Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; NOT GIVEN ; HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; LETTER ; OHIO ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; AUTOGRAPH BOOK ; GROSSE POINTE ; HARPER WOODS ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; WARREN ; JAPAN ; RUSSIA ; GRAND RAPIDS ; SHIPLE HALL ; GARDEN CITY ; ROYAL OAK ; TOLEDO ; TRENTON ; FARMINGTON ; KALAMAZOO ; CANADA ; ONTARIO ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; MAIL ; INDIANA ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; TOLD AT HOME ; FERNDALE ; SOUTHFIELD ; TENNESSEE ; MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL ; HAMTRAMCK ; DEARBORN ; MINNESOTA ; ILLINOIS ; NEW YORK ; FLORIDA ; KOREA ; WISCONSIN ; NEW HAMPSHIRE ; STUDENT UNION ; READING ; AUSTRALIA ; Sylvania ; Sterling Heights ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; OAK PARK ; SOUTHGATE ; STURGEON LAKE ; REDFORD ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; ROSEVILLE ; LINCOLN PARK ; TRAVERSE CITY ; HUNTINGTON WOODS ; PONTIAC ; TROY ; PORT CHESTER ; SOUTH AMERICA ; BROOKVILLE ; MONTREAL ; SEOUL ; NORTH OLMSTED ; EASTOWN THEATER ; ERIE ; University of Notre Dame ; FRANKLINVILLE ; TORONTO ; TOLD AT ; TOLD BY ; TOLD IN ; SCRANTON ; MONROE ; GLENVIEW ; MOSCOW ; GULLEY ; FINLAND ; HARBOR BEACH ; HOUGHTON LAKE ; Hudson Lake ; INDIANAPOLIS ; JONESBORO ; KANSASVILLE ; LEXINGTON ; MASSILLON ; MAUCH CHUNK ; MELVINDALE ; MILFORD ; NEW ROCHELLE ; NIAGARA FALLS ; PANAMA CITY ; PATAGONIA ; ARGENTINA ; RESIDENCE HALL ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; TOLD AT HONORS HOUSE ; AMERICAN HISTORY CLASS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance |
CHRISTMAS PREDICTION
THE TWELVE DAYS BEFORE X-MAS THE WAY YOU ACT THESE DAYS REFLECTS THE
WAY YOU WILL ACT THE NEXT YEAR.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED
Date learned: 10-22-1968