Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HAUNTED HOUSE
IN BARABOO, WISCONSIN, WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG, THERE WAS A
HAUNTED HOUSE ON OUR BLOCK AND WE KEPT SEEING PEOPLE IN WHITE
WALKING AROUND IN THERE, AND DOGS HOWLING UP THERE AT NIGHT.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE ; BARABOO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WHEN YOU ARE MAKING A QUILT AND YOUR TYING THE KNOTS, EVERY
TIME YOU PEEK YOURSELF WITH THE NEEDLE, SOMEONE WILL BE
KISSED UNDER THE QUILT.
Submitter comment: PEEK=PRICK
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; CHILTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Routine activity |
Date learned: 07-27-1968
PINK LADY
THERE IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF THE PINK LADY EVERY
HALLOW'S EVE AT THE GIRL'S BOARDING SCHOOL IN
WISCONSIN THAT I WENT TO FOR HIGH SCHOOL. ALL OF THE
UPPERCLASSMEN (WOMEN) GIVE THE FRESHMEN GORY TALES
OF THE PINK LADY. ONE TALE IS THAT A SENIOR TOOK SOME
FRESHMEN UP TO SHOW THEM THE BELL TOWER, AND WHILE
SHE WAS UNDER THE BELL, THEY RANG IT UNTIL SHE WENT
NUTS AND JUMPED OUT OF THE TOWER. NOW SHE COMES BACK
EACH YEAR AND CARRIES OFF SELECTED FRESHMEN AND SOME
COME BACK BLOODY AND BRUISED, WHILE SOME OTHERS DON'T
COME BACK AT ALL. AFTER ALL THE FRESHMEN ARE
THOROUGHLY SCARED OVER THESE TALES OF THE PINK LADY,
HALLOW'S EVE NIGHT ARRIVES, AND THE SENIOR CLASS
PRESIDENT AND THE SENIORS FROM THE PRESENT YEAR AND
YEAR BEFORE ARE IN A CANDLELIGHT PROCESSION AND WALK
THROUGH THE FRESHMEN DORMS CHANTING SONGS. THE
SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT, DRESSED IN A LONG, PINK DRESS,
ADDRESSES THE FRESHMEN AND TELLS THEM TO BE LOYAL TO
THEIR SCHOOL AND TO GOD.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A VERY OLD TRADITION AT SINSINAWA.
Where learned: WISCONSIN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IT IS A COMMON PRACTICE IN APPLETON, WISCONSIN TO THROW
GRAINS OF RICE ON THE NEWLYWEDS AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN
MARRIED AND COME OUT OF THE CHURCH.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT PERSONALLY WITNESSED THIS MANY TIMES.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; APPLETON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Rice |
Date learned: 10-16-1967
IF YOU'RESEWING SOMETHING, LIKE A BUTTON, ON SOMEONE,
THEY SHOULD KEEP A THREAD IN THEIR MOUTH TO KEEP FROM
GETTIN' PEEKED.
Submitter comment: PEEKED=PRICKED
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; CHILTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Routine activity |
Date learned: 07-27-1968
IF A BIRD COMES TO YOUR WINDOW YOU WILL HEAR A RELATIVE
DIED.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; CHILTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-27-1968
SUPERSTITION - MIRROR
DON'T LET A CHILD LOOK IN A MIRROR BEFOE HE IS A YEAR OLD OR
ELSE HE WILL BE NAUGHTY.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; CHILTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Custom |
Date learned: 07-27-1968
HAUNTED HOUSE
IN BARABOO, WISCONSIN, WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG, THERE WAS A
HAUNTED HOUSE ON OUR BLOCK AND WE KEPT SEEING PEOPLE IN WHITE
WALKING AROUND IN THERE, AND DOGS HOWLING UP THERE AT NIGHT.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE ; BARABOO
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PINK LADY
THERE IS AN ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF THE PINK LADY EVERY
HALLOW'S EVE AT THE GIRL'S BOARDING SCHOOL IN
WISCONSIN THAT I WENT TO FOR HIGH SCHOOL. ALL OF THE
UPPERCLASSMEN (WOMEN) GIVE THE FRESHMEN GORY TALES
OF THE PINK LADY. ONE TALE IS THAT A SENIOR TOOK SOME
FRESHMEN UP TO SHOW THEM THE BELL TOWER, AND WHILE
SHE WAS UNDER THE BELL, THEY RANG IT UNTIL SHE WENT
NUTS AND JUMPED OUT OF THE TOWER. NOW SHE COMES BACK
EACH YEAR AND CARRIES OFF SELECTED FRESHMEN AND SOME
COME BACK BLOODY AND BRUISED, WHILE SOME OTHERS DON'T
COME BACK AT ALL. AFTER ALL THE FRESHMEN ARE
THOROUGHLY SCARED OVER THESE TALES OF THE PINK LADY,
HALLOW'S EVE NIGHT ARRIVES, AND THE SENIOR CLASS
PRESIDENT AND THE SENIORS FROM THE PRESENT YEAR AND
YEAR BEFORE ARE IN A CANDLELIGHT PROCESSION AND WALK
THROUGH THE FRESHMEN DORMS CHANTING SONGS. THE
SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT, DRESSED IN A LONG, PINK DRESS,
ADDRESSES THE FRESHMEN AND TELLS THEM TO BE LOYAL TO
THEIR SCHOOL AND TO GOD.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A VERY OLD TRADITION AT SINSINAWA.
Where learned: WISCONSIN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF YOU SWEEP YOUR FLOOR AFTER SUNSET, YOU SWEEP ALL YOUR
PROFITS OF THE DAY AWAY.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; CHILTON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Home BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour BELIEF -- Measure of time Working BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 07-27-1968
ENGAGEMENT CUSTOMS
THE GIRL IN THE DORMS IS THROWN INTO THE SHOWER, FULLY
CLOTHED, WHEN SHE BECOMES ENGAGED.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage After engagement: fun with friends, etc. |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
YULE LOG CEREMONY
THE SENIORS PREPARED A LOG WITH PINE BOUGHS, BOWS, HOLLY AND ANYTHING
ELSE PRETTY AND CHRISTMASSY THAT THEY COULD GET AHOLD OF. THEN, ONE
EVENING SHORTLY BEFORE THE GIRLS WENT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS, THE
SISTERS CARRIED OUT THE LOG IN PROCESSION DOWN THE DRIVEWAY TO THE
FRONT OF THE SCHOOL, AND WERE FOLLOWED BY PAIRS OF GIRLS, ONE HOLDING
A LIGHTED CANDLE, THE OTHER, A SONG BOOK, SING CHRISTMAS CAROLES.
(CAROLS) THE SR. CLASS OFFICERS EACH GAVE A SHORT SPEECH ON A VIRTUE
AND PASSED THE CANDLES OF LOVE, TRUTH, LOYALTY AND TRADITION ON TO
THE SUCEEDING OFFICER IN THE JUNIOR CLASS. THE CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED
BY A PARTY INDOORS.
ANNUAL CELEBRATION, GIRLS BOARDING SCHOOL SINSINAWA, WISCONSIN
Submitter comment: THEIR ANNUAL CELEBRATION, GIRLS BOARDING SCHOOL, SINSINAWA, WISCONSIN
Data entry tech comment: AT MANY ALL GIRLS SCHOOLS THEY HOLD SIMILAR CEREMONIES TO
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; GIRLS BOARDING SCHOOL ; SINSINAWA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Yule log |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
IF YOU HAVE THE HICCUPS, SOMEONE IS THINKING ABOUT YOU. IF
YOU CAN TELL WHO IS THINKING ABOUT YOU, THE HICCUPS WILL
GO AWAY.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT ACTUALLY BELIEVES IN THIS METHOD OF CURING THIS
THIS PARTICULAR AILMENT.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; MENONOMEE FALLS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
RELIGIOUS HERO
THE ORDER OF NUNS THAT TAUGHT ME, THE SINSINAWA DOMINICANS, WAS
FOUNDED BY FATHER SAMUEL MAZZUCHELLI. THEY ARE PUTTING HIM UP
FOR BEATIFICATION. HE WAS SAID TO HAVE BUILT MANY CHAPELS AND
WORKED MANY MIRACLES AFTER HIS DEATH.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A BUTTON IN THE POTATOES
AT THE BOARDING SCHOOL I WENT TO FOR HIGH SCHOOL, EVERY YEAR ON THE
DAY BEFORE LENT STARTS, CALLED SHROVE TUESDAY, THE COOKS WOULD
PREPARE THE POTATOES WITH A RING, A BUTTON, AND A MEDAL IN EACH ONE
(BOWL). TRADITION HAD IT THAT THOSE RECEIVING A BUTTON WOULD BE
AN OLD MAID; THOSE WITH A RING, MARRIED; AND THOSE WITH A MEDAL,
BECOME NUNS.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | 663 Mardi Gras CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Season CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Palm Sunday |
Date learned: UNKNOWN
PALM SUNDAY CUSTOMS
WHEN OUR FAMILY RECEIVES PALM BRANCHES FROM CHURCH ON PALM SUNDAY,
WE BRAID THEM, USING TWO OR FOUR STRANDS, AND DISPLAY THEM IN OUR
HOME.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE
Keyword(s): RELIGIOUS CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | 663 Palm Sunday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Tuesday |
Date learned: UNKNOWN
THE LEPRECHAUN SONG
IN A SHADY NOOK ONE MOONLIT NIGHT,
A LEPRECHAUN I SPIED
WITH SCARLET CAP, AND COAT OF GREEN,
A CROOKSKEIN BY HIS SIDE.
'TWAS 'TICK 'TUCK 'TICK HIS HAMMER WENT,
UPON A WEENY SHOE.
OH, I LAUGH TO THINK OF A PURSE OF GOLD,
BUT THE FAIRY WAS LAUGHING TOO.
WITH TIPYTOE STEP AND BEATING HEART,
QUITE SOFTLY I DREW NIGH.
THERE WAS MISCHIEF IN HIS MERRY FACE,
A TWINKLE IN HIS EYE.
HE HAMMERED AND SANG WITH TINY VOICE,
AND DRANK HIS MOUNTAIN DEW.
OH, I LAUGHED TO THINK HE WAS CAUGHT AT LAST,
BUT THE FAIRY WAS LAUGHING TOO.
AS QUICK AS I THOUGHT I SEIZED THE ELF,
"YOUR FAIRY PURSE," I CRIED.
"THE PURSE," HE SAID, "TIS IN YOUR HAND
THAT LADY AT YOUR SIDE."
I TURNED TO LOOK THE ELF WAS OFF,
NOW WHAT WAS I TO DO?
OH, I LAUGHED TO THINK HOW HE FOOLED ME SO,
AND THE FAIRY WAS LAUGHING TOO.
Submitter comment:
AN AUTHENTIC IRISH SONG SUNG EACH YEAR ON SAINT PATRICK'S DAY
AT THE GIRLS' BOARDING SCHOOL IN WISCONSIN THAT I WENT TO.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Emotion |
Date learned: 12-00-1968
MIXER DANCES
WHEN THE AUTHORITIES AT MY BOARDING SCHOOL WANTED TO
START A LITTLE INTERACTION AT MIXERS WITH A BOYS'
SCHOOL, THEY WOULD OFTEN START A TIE DANCE, WHERE
THE BOYS ALL TAKE OFF THEIR TIES. THE TIES ARE POOLED
AND THE GIRLS PICK ONE TIE, AND THE BOY HAS TO DANCE
WITH THE GIRL WHO PICKED HIS TIE.
Submitter comment: OCCASIONALLY, THE GIRL KEPT THE TIE FOR A KEEPSAKE.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MIXER DANCES
WHEN THE AUTHORITIES AT MY BOARDING SCHOOL WANTED TO
START A LITTLE INTERACTION AT MIXERS WITH A BOYS'
SCHOOL, THEY WOULD OFTEN ORGANIZE A SHOE DANCE,
WHERE ALL THE GIRLS TAKE OFF ONLY ONE SHOE. THE
SHOES ARE POOLED, THE BOYS PICK ONE SHOE, AND HE
TRIES TO MATCH IT WITH THE SHOE THAT IS STILL ON THE
GIRL'S FOOT. HE DANCES WITH THIS GIRL THEN.
Submitter comment:
USUALLY, MOST OF THE GUYS GIVE UP, TOSS THE SHOE
BACK IN THE PILE, FIND A GIRL MISSING A SHOE AND
LOOK FOR HERS SO THAT HE CAN DANCE WITH HER.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LIVING ROSARIES
AT THE GIRLS' BOARING SCHOOL I WENT TO IN WISCONSIN,
IN GOOD WEATHER, OCCASIONALLY, THE NUNS WOULD GET
A GROUP OF GIRLS TOGETHER AND FORM A CIRCLE AROUND
A GROTTO. (IF NOT A CIRCLE, THEN A CHAIN, A LINE,
A ROW). EACH GIRL WOULD RECITE ONE PRAYER OF THE
ROSARY, AND THEY WOULD FINISH WITH A SONG.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN