Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for 82 returned 2860 results.
CURSED THEATER.
THE MARTIN-BECK THEATER IN NEW YORK CITY HAD A CURSE ON IT
FOR MANY YEARS. BUT THE PLAY THAT FINALLY BROKE THE CURSE
WAS THE PLAY DRACULA. SINCE IT OPENED, NOTHING BAD HAS HAPPENED.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Curse |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
SUPERSTITIONS IN THE THEATER.
AT NOTRE-DAME THERE WAS A GHOST WHO USED TO RATTLE THE PIPES THAT
HELD THE SCENERY UP, AND AT ONE TIME TOUCHED A FRIEND OF MINE.
HE WAS UPSTAIRS IN THE OFFICE WHEN HE HEARD FOOTSTEPS COMING UP
THE STAIRS. HE HID IN THE HALL SO HE COULD SEE WHO IT WAS,
BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE ANYONE THERE.
HE WAITED AND WAITED, BUT THE SOUND WAS ALL HE COULD HEAR. THEN
THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED. HE WENT DOWN THE STAIRS TO SEE WHO IT
WAS BUT THERE WAS NO ONE ON THE STAIRS. AS HE CAME DOWN EVEN FURTHER,
HE FELT SOMEONE PAT HIM ON THE BACK. HE FINALLY REALIZED THAT HE
HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE THEATER'S GHOST. I SUPPOSE THAT THE
GHOST WAS AT ONE TIME, A VERY GOOD ACTOR, AND WHEN HE PATTED MY
FRIEND ON THE BACK, HE WAS TELLING HIM HOW GREAT HE WAS. MY FRIEND
WAS A REALLY GOOD ACTOR.
Submitter comment:
HER FRIEND AT NOTRE-DAME TOLD HER THIS A FEW HOURS AFTER HIS
ENCOUNTER.
NOTRE-DAME UNIVERSITY IS LOCATED IN INDIANA.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-00-1979
MORAL
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN WHO HAD A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER
WHO REFUSED TO MARRY ANY OF THE YOUNG MEN WHO LIVED
NEARBY. SO, A DEVIL LIVING IN A FAR OFF TOWN HEARD
ABOUT HER AND DECIDED TO MARRY HER. SO HE BORROWED
THINGS FROM HIS FRIENDS, E.G., EYES, A NOSE, TEETH,
ETC. DRESSED UP IN ALL THIS, HE LOOKED VERY HANDSOME,
AND THE YOUNG GIRL FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM. AFTER THE
WEDDING AS HE WAS RETURNING HOME, HE RETURNED ONE BY
ONE, THE THINGS HE HAD BORROWED. WHEN THEY FINALLY
REACHED HIS HOME, ALL HE HAD LEFT WAS AN EYE IN THE
MIDDLE OF HIS HEAD, ONE FUNNY ARM, AND ONE LEFT LEG.
MORAL: NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A GIRL WAS WALKING ALONE, WHEN A STRANGE MAN OFFERED
HER A RIDE. SHE ACCEPTED, BUT BEFORE THEY HAD
DRIVEN VERY FAR, SHE LOOKED OVER AT HIM AND NOTICED
THAT HIS HANDS AND FEET WERE CLOVEN IN HOOFS.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEVIL SATAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
AS A CHILD, WHENEVER I LOST A TOOTH I WOULD PLACE
IT UNDER MY PILLOW OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT DAY I WOULD
FIND SOME MONEY IN ITS PLACE, WHICH MY FAIRY
GODMOTHER WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE LEFT FOR ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HURRICANE
IN 1930 THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC HAD A HURRICANE IN WHICH
THE WIND BLEW SO STRONG, THAT IT BLEW A BEAM OF WOOD
THROUGH A PALM TREE IN THE FORM OF A CROSS.
WHEN THAT HAPPENED, THE HURRICANE STOPPED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado |
Date learned: 10-24-1968 ; 00-00-1930
SPIDERS
IN SCOTLAND, SPIDERS ARE GOOD LUCK AND THIS STORY
DATES BACK TO THE 15TH OR 16TH CENTURY. WHEN THE
CLANS WERE AT WAR IN SCOTLAND, THE CLAN THAT WAS
BEING DEFEATED STARTED TO RETREAT AND THE PRINCE OF
THAT CLAN SOUGHT REFUGE IN A CAVE. ONCE INSIDE,
HE SAW A SPIDER AND WAS JUST ABOUT TO KILL IT, WHEN HE
THOUGHT TO HIMSELF THAT HE KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE
HUNTED AND HE DECIDED TO LET THE SPIDER LIVE. AFTER
A TIME THE SPIDER WOVE A WEB ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE
CAVE AND WHEN THE ENEMY CLAN CAME TO SEARCH THE CAVE
FOR THE PRINCE, THEY SAID, "HE COULD NOT BE IN THERE
BECAUSE THE SPIDER WEB WOULD HAVE BEEN BROKEN." SO
THEY PASSED THAT CAVE ON AND THE PRINCE'S LIFE WAS
SAVED. THAT IS WHY IT IS BAD LUCK TO KILL A SPIDER.
Submitter comment:
CELIA HEARD THIS LEGEND WHILE HITCHHIKING FROM
EDINBURGH TO GLASGOW IN THE FALL OF 1970. I DON'T
THINK SHE BELIEVES IT; BUT DOES THINK THE LEGEND
IS INTERESTING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect |
Date learned: 10-14-1971 ; 00-00-1970
WHITE DRESSES
IN HIGH SCHOOL, THE NUNS TOLD THE GIRLS NOT TO WEAR
WHITE DRESSES TO THE PROM, BECAUSE IT WOULD MAKE
THE BOYS THINK OF BEDSHEETS AND GIVE THEM "SINFUL"
THOUGHTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DANCE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MIDNIGHT SKULKER
HE IS SOME MYSTERIOUS PERSON OR BEING WHO COMES AROUND
THE CAMPUS UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT, LEAVING MESSAGES
IN STRANGE PLACES, TO THE EFFECT THAT THE "MIDNIGHT
SKULKER" WAS HERE. HE LEFT A SYMBOL (REPRODUCED BELOW)
AND ONCE LOOTED THE VARSITY NEWS OFFICE LAST YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THE MIDNIGHT SKULKER HAS BEEN AROUND
FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS.
Data entry tech comment: DRAWING OF AN UPRIGHT ARROW WITH A CIRCLE IN THE MIDDLE,
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 04-03-1967
GHOST STORY OF BONITSIA, GREECE
THERE WAS AN EVIL OLD WOMAN LIVING IN THIS TOWN. SHE
WAS A RECLUSE, EXCEPT FOR HER DAUGHTER WHO LIVED AND
TOOK CARE OF HER. THE OLD WOMAN WAS VERY JEALOUS OF
ANYBODY WHO EVEN DREAMED OF TAKING THE GIRL AWAY.
THERE WAS A BOY IN THIS TOWN WHO MANAGED TO TAKE THE
GIRL AWAY. HE WAS VERY MUCH IN LOVE WITH HER AND
PERSUADED HER TO LEAVE HER MOTHER AND TO GO LIVE WITH
HIM AND HIS FAMILY. EVENTUALLY, THE OLD WOMAN DIED
AND ALL WAS FORGOTTEN.
ONE WINTER, WHEN THE HUSBAND WAS ALONE, HE HEARD A KNOCK
ON THE DOOR, BUT WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR ONLY THE WIND
WAS THERE. HE THEN HEARD A TAPPING ON THE WINDOW AND
THERE AT THE WINDOW, HE COULD SEE A WHITE FACE IN A
BLACK SHROUD CURSING HIM. THIS WAS, OF COURSE, THE
DEAD MOTHER. THE MAN CALLED OUT THE SOLDIERS AND THEY
SAW THE APPARITION AND SHOT IT. NEXT DAY, THEY COULD SEE
BLOOD STAINS ON THE GROUND. IN BONASTIA, TODAY, THE
CURSE OF THE OLD WOMAN CAN BE HEARD IN THE WIND ON
COLD WINTER NIGHTS.
Submitter comment: JAMES'S GRANDFATHER TOLD HIM THIS STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; GREECE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
GHOSTS
IN THIS SMALL OHIO FARMING TOWN, THERE IS THE LEGEND THAT
ONE NIGHT AT SUNDOWN, A MAN WAS OUT IN HIS FIELD PICKING
UP THE DEBRIS FROM A FENCE HE HAD JUST PUT UP. HE SAW
HIS COUSIN COMING WHOM HE RECOGNIZED BECAUSE OF THE
BOOTS HE HAD ON AND THE LANTERN HE WAS CARRYING. HE
SAID HELLO TO HIM AND HIS COUSIN MERELY NODDED AND
KEPT GOING. THE FIRST MAN THEN WENT HOME AND HIS
MOTHER TOLD HIM SHE WAS GOING TO HIS COUSIN'S BECAUSE
HE HAD JUST DIED. THE MAN EXCLAIMED IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE
BECAUSE HE HAD JUST SEEN HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-20-1968
SYMBOLISM OF NATURE
THUNDER WAS A SIGN THAT THE ANGELS WERE HAVING A WAR.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A CHILD FROM HER PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 04-04-1967
PAN TWARDOWSKI
THE POLISH NOBLEMAN AND SORCERER, TWARDOWSKI (OCCASIONALLY
REFERRED TO AS THE "POLISH FAUST") SOLD HIS SOUL TO THE
DEVIL IN EXCHANGE FOR POWERS IN ALCHEMY. IT WAS ONLY
THROUGH LAST MINUTE REPENTENCE AND INVOCATION OF
THE BLESSED VIRGIN THAT HE ESCAPED HIS INFERNAL
REWARD, BUT WAS FORCED TO SPEND THE ETERNITY ON
THE MOON--HALFWAY BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
THE LEGEND OF MR. KREPSI {INDIAN KILLER}
IN THE EARLY 1800S NEAR ORTONVILLE, MICHIGAN (NEAR
PONTIAC) THERE LIVED A FARMER, THOMAS KREPSI. THERE
WAS A TRIBE OF INDIANS LIVING THERE AT THE TIME--
TAMARAC INDIANS. KREPSI HATED THE INDIANS. HE WAS CRUEL
TO THEM AND ONCE HE EVEN KILLED AN INDIAN.
ONE DAY, KREPSI BROUGHT HIS GOODS TO FORT DETROIT TO
SELL THEM. WHEN HE GOT HOME LATE IN THE EVENING, HE
FOUND HIS CABIN ON FIRE. THE INDIANS HAD DONE THIS IN
RETALIATION. KREPSI RAN INSIDE THE CABIN TO SAVE HIS
WIFE AND HIS THREE DAUGHTERS.
WHILE KREPSI WAS INSIDE, THE ROOF CAVED IN. ONLOOKERS
REPORTED SEEING SOMETHING BADLY BURNED CRAWL OUT OF A
WINDOW--KREPSI. HE CREPT INTO THE SWAMP AND WAS NEVER
FOUND.
A FEW MONTHS LATER A BADLY BURNED MAN WAS SEEN LEAVING
THE INDIAN RESERVATION AFTER KILLING THREE INDIAN GIRLS.
IN THE 1930S A DUCK HUNTER WAS ATTACKED IN THE SWAMP
BY HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT. LATER HE RETURNED TO THE SWAMP
OUT OF CURIOSITY AND WAS NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN.
IN THE 1960S THERE WERE REPORTS OF SOME ONSTER IN THAT
AREA. NOBODY KNEW WHAT IT WAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 02-01-1971
THE RED HAND OF THE O'NEILLS
A LONG TIME AGO, THE KING OF IRELAND DIED. SO THE CITIZENS
HAD TO FIND A NEW KING. APPARENTLY, THE SUCCESSOR WAS
IN DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO MEN, ONE OF THEM A NOBLE NAMED
O'NEILL. THE PEOPLE DEVISED A RACE, WHERE THE FIRST
MAN TO CROSS A BODY OF WATER WOULD BECOME KING. THE RACE
BEGAN, BUT HUGE WAVES PREVENTED THEM FROM LANDING. THE
FUTURE KING WOULD HAVE TO TOUCH THE SHORE TO BECOME KING.
THE O'NEILL BEING THE CLEVER MAN, REALIZED HE NEEDED HIS
RIGHT HAND TO RULE. SO HE TOOK A SWORD AND CUT OFF HIS
LEFT HAND AND THREW IT ON THE SHORE. THUS HE WAS THE
FIRST MAN TO TOUCH SHORE AND BECAME KING. THE RED HAND
OF THE O'NEILLS CAN STILL BE SEEN ON THE FAMILY COAT OF
ARMS.
Submitter comment:
THE O'NEILLS RULED IN ULSTER AND LIMERICK. THE COAT
OF ARMS OF ULSTER HAS THE RED HAND OF THE ONEILLS ON IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 12-08-1972
POPIEL AND PIAST
A POLISH LEGEND: A MYTHICAL POLISH RULER WAS THE EVIL
PRINCE POPIEL, A PREDECESSOR OF PIAST. HE WAS UNIVERSALLY
DESPISED FOR HIS RUTHLESSNESS, AND WHEN HIS PEOPLE
REVOLTED, HE SOUGHT REFUSE IN A TOWER AT KRUSZEVICA ON
ON LAKE GOPLO, ONLY TO BE DEVOURED ALIVE BY MICE AND
RATS. THE HUMBLE WHEELWRIGHT, PIAST, KNOWN FOR HIS
GOODNESS, HOSPITALITY AND HONESTY, WAS THEN ELECTED TO
SUCCEED THE EVIL POPIEL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
TRUMPETER OF KRAKOW STORY
LONG AGO THE TARTARS WERE ATTACKING POLAND. THE POLES
HAD CHECKED THE ADVANCE OF THE TARTERS, ON MOST FRONTS,
BUT SOMEHOW THE ENEMIES MANAGED TO GET INTO THE CITY
OF KRAKOW. ALL THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY HAD FLED WHEN
THEY HEARD THE TARTERS WERE COMING. ONLY ONE MAN
REMAINED, A TRUMPETER, WHO HAD VOWED TO PLAY A HYMN
TO THE VIRGIN MARY ON HIS TRUMPET EVERY DAY IN THE TOWER
OF MARY'S CHURCH IN THE CITY. SINCE HE HAD MADE THIS
VOW, HE COULD NOT FLEE. SO, WHILE THE TARTERS WERE
INVADING THE CITY, THIS TRUMPETER WAS IN THE TOWER
PLAYING. SUDDENLY, HE WAS HIT IN THE HEART BY AN ARROW
OF ONE OF THE TARTERS. HE STOPPED HIS PLAYING IN
MID-NOTE AND DROPPED DEAD. TO THIS DAY, THE POLES PLAY
AND SING THIS HYMN, WHICH THEY CALL THE "HYMN OF THE
BROKEN NOTE."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): POLISH TRADITION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 10-15-1971
CHAUCER
DR. WOLFF ONCE TOLD HIS CHAUCER CLASS THE STORY OF HIS
YOUNGER DAYS WHEN HE WAS A STUDENT STUDYING CHAUCER
UNDER A JESUIT. IT SEEMED THAT THIS PRIEST LOVED
CHAUCER, BUT HATED THE SMUTTY PARTS. EACH CLASS MEMBER
WAS TO MEMORIZE A GIVEN NUMBER OF LINES IN EACH TALE
OF THE CANTERBURY TALES. WHEN DR. WOLFF WAS REPEATING
ABSOLOM'S ROLE IN A CERTAIN TALE, HE WAS SUDDENLY STOPPED
AND GIVEN AN A BY HIS INSTRUCTOR THE JESUIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PRUDISHNESS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 03-00-1970
BACK TO THE HOUSE THAT HE AND HIS WIFE LIVED IN
AND EVER SINCE HE HAS NEVER TURNED ON ANY LIGHTS AND HE
LIVES THERE. THERE IS ELECTRICAL WIRES HOOKED UP TO
THE HOUSE AND EVERYTHING.
Data entry tech comment: SOMETHING MISSING HERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 10-20-1971
SEA MONSTER AT BELLE ISLE {MICHIGAN}
NEAR THE GOLF COURSE ON BELLE ISLE {DETROIT, MICHIGAN}
BY A LAGOON, A SEA MONSTER COMES OUT ONCE A YEAR AND
SNATCHES THE COUPLE PARKING NEAREST TO HIM, AND TAKES
THEM BACK IN THE WATER WITH HIM. THEY ARE NEVER
SEEN AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-17-1967