Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HOW CHEYBOYGAN GOT ITS NAME
MANY YEARS AGO IN THE CHEYBOYGAN, MICHIGAN, AREA THERE WAS AN
INDIAN WHO HAD TEN SONS. HE AND HIS WIFE WERE HOPING FOR A GIRL.
WHEN THE ELEVENTH CHILD WAS BORN THE INDIAN WENT INTO HIS TENT
AND ASKED IF THEY HAD FINALLY HAD A GIRL. "NO," SAID THE WIFE,
"SHE BOY AGAIN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 06-00-1965
THE CROOKED TREE
WASHINGTON PARK IN CHEBOYGAN HOLDS A CURIOUSLY SHAPED RUSSET
TREE WHOSE HUGE LIMBS SPREAD DOWN TOWARD THE GROUND IN A SPIDER
FASHION. HOW IT GOT THIS SHAPE IS THE SUBJECT OF MANY STORIES
RANGING FROM A SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
TO BEING MISUSED BY A BLACKSMITH. THE LATTER TELLS OF A THOUGHT-
LESS BLACKSMITH WHO PILED HIS SCRAP METAL ON TOP OF THE TREE,
WHICH, IN ITS FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL, GREW ITS LIMBS WHEREVER THERE
WAS AN OPENING. CONSEQUENTLY THE TREE HAS ITS PRESENT PECULIAR
PATTERN.
ANOTHER "OLD TIMER" RUMOR ATTRIBUTES ITS SHAPE TO INDIANS WHO,
SEEKING A TRAIL GUIDE, BENT THE YOUNG TREE AS A MARK SHOWING A
TURN POINT IN AN IMPORTANT TRAIL.
WHICHEVER EXPLANATION IS TRUE, IT IS STILL A MYSTERY, BUT ONE
THAT IS OFTEN SPECULATED UPON BY NATIVE INHABITANTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
BEAR-MAN LEGEND
THIS STORY CONCERNS THE NAMING OF A NEARBY CHEBOYGAN LAKE WHICH
IS NOW KNOWN AS DEVEREAUX LAKE. THE NAME IS A FAMILY NAME
BELONGING TO MANY NATIVES OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN, ESPECIALLY IN THE
CHEBOYGAN VICINITY. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT CERTAIN WHICH FAMILY IS
THE GENUINE DESCENDANT OF "OLD MAN DEVEREAUX," NUMEROUS PERSONS
CLAIM HIM AS THEIR ANCESTOR.
THIS SOUGHT AFTER PERSONAGE LIVED APPROXIMATELY SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS
AGO. TOWARDS THE END OF AN APPARENTLY LONG LIFE, HE LIVED ALONE
AND HAD THE FUNNY HABIT OF CARRYING AROUND WITH HIM AN UNLOADED
MUSKET. ONE DAY WHILE HE WAS PICKING BERRIES NEAR A LAKE, HE WAS
CONFRONTED BY A LARGE BEAR. IT IS NOT QUITE CLEAR WHAT ENSUED
(VERSIONS VARY), BUT THERE DID TAKE PLACE A TREMENDOUS HAND-TO-
HAND STRUGGLE, LASTING FOR A LONG TIME (ALSO VARIES). EVENTUALLY,
BOTH WORN OUT AND DEATHLY EXHAUSTED, THE OLD MAN LAY DOWN NEAR
THE WATER WHILE THE BEAR RETREATED TO A NEARBY KNOLL. THERE, IN
THEIR RESPECTIVE PLACES, THEY WENT TO MEET THEIR MAKER. AND SO
THEY NAMED THE BODY OF WATER AFTER THE OLD GENTLEMAN, DEVEREAUX
LAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-22-1964
HOW CHEYBOYGAN GOT ITS NAME
MANY YEARS AGO IN THE CHEYBOYGAN, MICHIGAN, AREA THERE WAS AN
INDIAN WHO HAD TEN SONS. HE AND HIS WIFE WERE HOPING FOR A GIRL.
WHEN THE ELEVENTH CHILD WAS BORN THE INDIAN WENT INTO HIS TENT
AND ASKED IF THEY HAD FINALLY HAD A GIRL. "NO," SAID THE WIFE,
"SHE BOY AGAIN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 06-00-1965
THE CROOKED TREE
WASHINGTON PARK IN CHEBOYGAN HOLDS A CURIOUSLY SHAPED RUSSET
TREE WHOSE HUGE LIMBS SPREAD DOWN TOWARD THE GROUND IN A SPIDER
FASHION. HOW IT GOT THIS SHAPE IS THE SUBJECT OF MANY STORIES
RANGING FROM A SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
TO BEING MISUSED BY A BLACKSMITH. THE LATTER TELLS OF A THOUGHT-
LESS BLACKSMITH WHO PILED HIS SCRAP METAL ON TOP OF THE TREE,
WHICH, IN ITS FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL, GREW ITS LIMBS WHEREVER THERE
WAS AN OPENING. CONSEQUENTLY THE TREE HAS ITS PRESENT PECULIAR
PATTERN.
ANOTHER "OLD TIMER" RUMOR ATTRIBUTES ITS SHAPE TO INDIANS WHO,
SEEKING A TRAIL GUIDE, BENT THE YOUNG TREE AS A MARK SHOWING A
TURN POINT IN AN IMPORTANT TRAIL.
WHICHEVER EXPLANATION IS TRUE, IT IS STILL A MYSTERY, BUT ONE
THAT IS OFTEN SPECULATED UPON BY NATIVE INHABITANTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
BEAR-MAN LEGEND
THIS STORY CONCERNS THE NAMING OF A NEARBY CHEBOYGAN LAKE WHICH
IS NOW KNOWN AS DEVEREAUX LAKE. THE NAME IS A FAMILY NAME
BELONGING TO MANY NATIVES OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN, ESPECIALLY IN THE
CHEBOYGAN VICINITY. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT CERTAIN WHICH FAMILY IS
THE GENUINE DESCENDANT OF "OLD MAN DEVEREAUX," NUMEROUS PERSONS
CLAIM HIM AS THEIR ANCESTOR.
THIS SOUGHT AFTER PERSONAGE LIVED APPROXIMATELY SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS
AGO. TOWARDS THE END OF AN APPARENTLY LONG LIFE, HE LIVED ALONE
AND HAD THE FUNNY HABIT OF CARRYING AROUND WITH HIM AN UNLOADED
MUSKET. ONE DAY WHILE HE WAS PICKING BERRIES NEAR A LAKE, HE WAS
CONFRONTED BY A LARGE BEAR. IT IS NOT QUITE CLEAR WHAT ENSUED
(VERSIONS VARY), BUT THERE DID TAKE PLACE A TREMENDOUS HAND-TO-
HAND STRUGGLE, LASTING FOR A LONG TIME (ALSO VARIES). EVENTUALLY,
BOTH WORN OUT AND DEATHLY EXHAUSTED, THE OLD MAN LAY DOWN NEAR
THE WATER WHILE THE BEAR RETREATED TO A NEARBY KNOLL. THERE, IN
THEIR RESPECTIVE PLACES, THEY WENT TO MEET THEIR MAKER. AND SO
THEY NAMED THE BODY OF WATER AFTER THE OLD GENTLEMAN, DEVEREAUX
LAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-22-1964
BETTER THAN AN ENGRAVED INVITATION
THE INVITING OF WEDDING GUESTS AMONG THE RURAL POLISH
PEOPLE OF RIGGSVILLE (CHEBOYGAN), MICHIGAN HAS
FINALLY SUCCUMBED TO THE MODERN MEANS OF PRINTED
INVITATIONS. HOWEVER, UP TO TWENTY YEARS AGO,
WITH ONE KNOWN RECENT EXCEPTION, THE MANNER OF
INVITATION WAS PERFORMED IN A VERY PERSONAL AND
RICHLY TRADITIONAL WAY.
FORMERLY, THE PROSPECTIVE GROOM WOULD SELECT TWO MEN
TO ACT AS THE OFFICIAL INVITERS AND USHERS KNOWN AS
THE "DROZBY." THESE MEN WOULD WEAR BLUE AND WHITE
RIBBONS; THE ONE WEARING THE LONGER RIBBON WOULD BE
THE HEAD, WHILE THE OTHER WOULD BE THE AIDE WHOSE MAIN
FUNCTION WAS TO DRIVE THE HORSES, MAKING SURE THEY
STOPPED AT EACH TO-BE-INVITED GUESTS' FARM.
UPON REACHING SUCH A FARM, THE HEAD WOULD FIRE A SHOT
BEFORE ENTERING THE FARM GATE TO ANNOUNCE THEIR ARRIVAL.
AFTER ENTERING THE YARD BOTH WOULD RAP ON THE DOOR, AND
WHEN ANSWERED, THE HEAD WOULD INVITE THE ENTIRE HOUSE-
HOLD TO THE WEDDING USING A TRADITIONAL INVITATION
WHICH UNFORTUNATELY, I COULD NOT FIND VERBATIM. THIS
INVITING WOULD LAST FROM TWO DAYS TO A WEEK, DEPENDING
UPON THE LENGTH OF THE GUEST LIST.
AT THE WEDDING RECEPTION ITSELF, THESE SAME TWO MEN
TOOK CHARGE OF SEEING TO THE COMFORTS OF THE GUESTS
AND THE BRIDAL PARTY. THE IDEA OF A LONG POLISH
CELEBRATION IS NOT UNFOUNDED FOR THESE RECEPTIONS
WOULD LAST ANYWHERE FROM THREE TO SEVEN DAYS WITH
INTERRUPTIONS FOR ONLY THE MOST NECESSARY FARM CHORES.
THE WEDDING DAY'S CELEBRATION WAS ALSO FILLED WITH
MANY CUSTOMS SURROUNDING THE WISHING OF A HAPPY AND
FRUITFUL MARRIAGE. THESE ARE CARRIED OUT IN VARYING
DEGREES DURING POLISH WEDDINGS OF MODERN DAY. THE
FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE CUSTOMS WHICH MAY STILL BE
DONE IN PART OR FULL.
UPON ENTERING THE PLACE OF RECEPTION, THE BRIDE'S
MOTHER PRESENTS THE COUPLE WITH A GOBLET OF WINE AND A
PIECE OF BREAD. THE COUPLE SHARES THE BREAD AND WINE
AS A SYMBOL OF FUTURE WEDDED HOLINESS (WINE) AND
PROSPERITY (BREAD).
TOWARDS THE EVENING, THE BRIDE'S UNVEILING IS VERY
RITUALISTIC. BEFORE HER VEIL IS REMOVED HER MOTHER
AND PERHAPS SOME OLDER WOMEN WOULD SING THE "TWELVE
ANGELS," A SONG IN WHICH THE COUPLE IS WISHED THE
BLESSINGS OF TWELVE ANGELS EACH BEARING A SPECIAL
MATRIMONIAL GIFT TO MAKE THEIR MARRIAGE A HAPPY AND
SUCCESSFUL ONE. THE BRIDE'S GRANDFATHER WOULD THEN
MAKE A PERSONAL BLESSING OF THE COUPLE IN HIS OWN
WORDS. THE VEIL IS THEN REPLACED WITH A DUSTCAP TO
REMIND THE BRIDE THAT HER MAIN DUTIES ARE NOW THOSE OF
A HOUSEWIFE. SINCE THE BRIDESMAIDS (DRUHNY) WERE
USUALLY SINGLE, THE BRIDES' VEIL WOULD BE GIVEN TO
EACH BEGINNING WITH THE MAID OF HONOR AS A HOPEFUL
SIGN THAT THEY WOULD BE THE NEXT BRIDE. AFTER EACH
WORE IT FOR A DANCE IT WOULD BE RETURNED TO THE BRIDE
BUT SHE WOULD NO LONGER WEAR IT FOR SHE WAS NOW
OFFICIALLY A HOUSEWIFE.
THE BRIDE'S DANCE WOULD BE HELD EITHER BEFORE OR AFTER
THE UNVEILING BUT, IN MY EXPERIENCE, I FOUND THIS
WHIRLING FESTIVITY WOULD USUALLY BE HELD BEFORE THE
UNVEILING. THE DANCE CONSISTED OF THE FASTEST
POLKAS THE BAND COULD PLAY. ON A TABLE NEAR THE DANCE
FLOOR A TABLE WITH A DISHPAN FULL OF OLD BUT INTACT
PLATES WOULD BE PLACED. THE PAN WAS COVERED WITH A THICK
DISHTOWEL. THE BRIDE WOULD BE ALONE ON THE DANCEFLOOR
AND MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN WOULD TAKE TURNS DANCING
WITH HER FOR A SHORT BUT EXHAUSTING POLKA. WHEN THE
BAND WOULD STOP, THE BRIDE'S PARTNER WOULD THEN VIGOR-
OUSLY PITCH A SILVER DOLLAR INTO THE DISHPAN ATTEMPTING
TO BREAK ONE OF THE PLATES. IF SUCCESSFUL, THE HURLER
WOULD BE TREATED TO A CIGAR OR SHOT OF THE BEST
LIQUOR, SAVED FOR THIS OCCASION. THE SILVER DOLLARS
WOULD BE GIVEN TO THE NEWLYWEDS AS PART OF THEIR
WEDDING PRESENTS.
THESE MAIN CUSTOMS PERFORMED, THE GUESTS WOULD THEN
PROCEED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DUTY OF "PUPLI-VINI"
(GETTING RID OF THE WINE) WHICH VARIED AS THE PROVISIONS
AND BAND HELD OUT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Ceremony |
Date learned: 00-00-1944
THE CAMEL STORY
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN WHO WANTED TO BE WEALTHY ENOUGH TO TRAVEL
AROUND THE WORLD. HE DECIDED ON THIS AT THE AGE OF SIXTEEN AND
CAME UP WITH A SCHEDULE TO FOLLOW IN ORDER TO SAVE ENOUGH MONEY
TO GO ON THIS TRIP AT AN EARLY AGE. WHEN HE FINISHED HIGH SCHOOL
HE WENT STRAIGHT TO COLLEGE. HE GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE AT THE
AGE OF TWENTY-0NE AND FOUND A JOB. HE WORKED FOR A FEW YEARS
AND FOUND THAT HE WAS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. HE THOUGHT HE WOULD BE
ABLE TO SUPPORT A WIFE SO HE GOT MARRIED. HE FOUND THAT HE WORKED
ALL DAY AND HIS WIFE SPENT ALL THE MONEY HE WOULD EARN. HE
DICOVERED HE WAS OFF SCHEDULE AND COULD NO LONGER AFFORD TO BE
MARRIED. HE EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO HIS WIFE, AND SHE UNDERSTOOD
HIS SITUATION. SHE AGREED TO A DIVORCE. THE MAN BEGAN SAVING AGAIN.
BY NOW HE WAS FORTY-FIVE. HE WANTED TO GO ON THE TRIP BY THE AGE
OF SIXTY-FIVE. HE WORKED AND WORKED AND GOT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
HE WAS NOW FIFTY-FIVE AND THOUGHT HE COULD MARRY AGAIN. SO HE
CALLED HIS EX-WIFE AND SHE AGREED TO REMARRY HIM. THINGS WERE
HAPPY UNTIL HE REACHED THE AGE OF SIXTY. HE DISCOVERED HE WAS OFF
SCHEDULE AGAIN AND ASKED HIS WIFE FOR A DIVORCE AGAIN. SHE, BEING
A GOOD PERSON, AGREED. HE NOW HAD FIVE YEARS TO WORK AND BUILD UP
THE NECESSARY CASH RESERVES. FINALLY, AT THE AGE OF SIXTY-FIVE
HE HAD ENOUGH MONEY AND LEFT ON HIS TRIP. HE WENT EVERYWHERE. HE
SAW THE GRAND CANYON. HE WENT TO HAWAII AND DANCED WITH THE HULA
GIRLS. HE SAW ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND AND WENT TO THE VINEYARDS OF
FRANCE. HE WENT TO EGYPT TO SEE THE PYRAMIDS. HE WENT TO AFRICA
ON A HUNT. HE WAS NOW ON THE EDGE OF THE SAHARA DESERT. HE WAS
RUNNING OUT OF MONEY BUT WANTED TO TAKE A TRIP ACROSS THE DESERT
BEFORE HE WENT HOME. HE WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WHEN HE LOOKED THROUGH
HIS FIELD GLASSES AND SAW SOMETHING OUT IN THE DESERT.
"DO YOU SEE ANYTHING OUT THERE?" HE ASKED A CAMEL JOCKEY.
"NO", SAID THE CAMEL JOCKEY. HE TOOK ANOTHER LOOK THROUGH HIS
FIELD GLASS AND COULD SWEAR HE SAW SOMETHING. NOW HE WAS CAPTIVATED.
HE DECIDED TO STAY AND WAIT TO SEE WHAT WAS OUT THERE. HE WAITED
UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING AND ASKED THE SAME CAMEL JOCKEY IF HE SAW
ANYTHING OUT IN THE DESERT. THE CAMEL JOCKEY LOOKED THROUGH THE
FIELD GLASSES. HE SAID, "I THINK I SEE SOMETHING. IT'S ABOUT TWO
DAYS OUT." THIS MADE THE MAN EVEN MORE INTERESTED AND ANXIOUS TO
SEE WHAT IT WAS. HE DECIDED TO SIT AND WAIT UNTIL HE COULD FIND
OUT WHAT IT WAS OUT IN THE DESERT. BY THIS TIME IT WAS NEARING
HIS DEPARTURE TIME HOME TO THE USA. HE GOT UP THE NEXT MORNING
AND COULD SEE SOMETHING. IT LOOKED LIKE A CAMEL WITH SOME PEOPLE.
HE COULDN'T QUITE MAKE OUT WHAT THEY LOOKED LIKE. NOW HE WAS
REALLY INTERESTED. HE DECIDED TO FORGET ABOUT THE TRIP ACROSS
THE DESERT AND WAIT UNTIL THE PEOPLE CAME INTO THE OASIS. THE
NEXT MORNING HE GOT UP AND COULD MAKE OUT THE PEOPLE WITH THE
CAMEL. THERE WAS A MAN ON THE CAMEL AND A WOMAN WITH A BABY WALKING
BEHIND. THEY WERE ABOUT TWELVE HOURS OUT. THE MAN WAITED
PATIENTLY. AT ABOUT NOON HE LOOKED OUT INTO THE DESERT AGAIN. NOW
HE COULD MAKE OUT THE PICTURE CLEARLY. THE MAN STOPPED THE CAMEL
AND LET THE WOMAN CHANGE THE BABY. AFTER SHE WAS FINISHED HE GOT
BACK ON THE CAMEL AND CONTINUED THE JOURNEY. THE WOMAN TRAILED
BEHIND AND KEPT FALLING IN THE SAND WITH THE BABY. NOW THE MAN
WAS UPSET. WHY WOULDN'T THE MAN LET THE WOMAN RIDE THE CAMEL?
HE DECIDED HE WOULD WAIT AND ASK THE DRIVER. FINALLY AT ABOUT
SIX P.M. THE MAN RODE THE CAMEL IN AND HIS WIFE FOLLOWED BEHIND.
FIRST THE MAN GOT A DRINK OF WATER THEN HE LET HIS CAMEL DRINK.
AFTER THE CAMEL FINISHED DRINKING THEN IT WAS THE WIFE'S TURN.
NOW THE MAN WAS ENRAGED. HE ASKED THE CAMEL JOCKEY, " WHY WOULDN'T
YOU LET YOUR WIFE RIDE THE CAMEL?!!" THE CAMEL JOCKEY ANSWERED,"
BECAUSE IN OUR COUNTRY IT IS A CUSTOM FOR THE MAN TO RIDE THE
CAMEL." HAVING RECEIVED THE ANSWER, THE MAN FINISHED HIS JOURNEY
HOME.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY WAS TOLD TO ME BY AN ENGLISH TEACHER BACK IN HIGH SCHOOL.
IT ORIGINATED IN THE DESERT DURING WWII. IT WAS PASSED ALONG THROUGH
THE TROOPS AND MADE IT HOME TO THE USA. IT WAS DESIGNED TO AD-LIB
TO FIT THE MOOD OF THE TELLER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): SHAGGY DOG STORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 00-00-1980
IT IS A TRADITION AT CHEBOYGAN HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE SENIOR CLASS
TO NAME THE INCOMING FRESHMAN CLASS AFTER SOME LIVING THING OR
CHARACTERISTIC OF A LIVING THING. THE FRESHMAN CLASS THEN ASSUMES
THIS APPOINTMENT AND CARRIES THE NICKNAME THROUGH THEIR FOUR
YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL. WHEN OFFICIAL REFERENCE IS MADE TO THIS
CLASS, THE NICKNAME IS USED.
Submitter comment:
THE TRADITION WAS STARTED WHEN THE NEW HIGH SCHOOL (NOW THE
JUNIOR HIGH) WAS BUILT IN 1958.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School SPEECH -- Proper Name |
Date learned: 09-00-1978
HOW CHEYBOYGAN GOT ITS NAME
MANY YEARS AGO IN THE CHEYBOYGAN, MICHIGAN, AREA THERE WAS AN
INDIAN WHO HAD TEN SONS. HE AND HIS WIFE WERE HOPING FOR A GIRL.
WHEN THE ELEVENTH CHILD WAS BORN THE INDIAN WENT INTO HIS TENT
AND ASKED IF THEY HAD FINALLY HAD A GIRL. "NO," SAID THE WIFE,
"SHE BOY AGAIN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 06-00-1965
THE CROOKED TREE
WASHINGTON PARK IN CHEBOYGAN HOLDS A CURIOUSLY SHAPED RUSSET
TREE WHOSE HUGE LIMBS SPREAD DOWN TOWARD THE GROUND IN A SPIDER
FASHION. HOW IT GOT THIS SHAPE IS THE SUBJECT OF MANY STORIES
RANGING FROM A SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF BEING STRUCK BY LIGHTNING
TO BEING MISUSED BY A BLACKSMITH. THE LATTER TELLS OF A THOUGHT-
LESS BLACKSMITH WHO PILED HIS SCRAP METAL ON TOP OF THE TREE,
WHICH, IN ITS FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL, GREW ITS LIMBS WHEREVER THERE
WAS AN OPENING. CONSEQUENTLY THE TREE HAS ITS PRESENT PECULIAR
PATTERN.
ANOTHER "OLD TIMER" RUMOR ATTRIBUTES ITS SHAPE TO INDIANS WHO,
SEEKING A TRAIL GUIDE, BENT THE YOUNG TREE AS A MARK SHOWING A
TURN POINT IN AN IMPORTANT TRAIL.
WHICHEVER EXPLANATION IS TRUE, IT IS STILL A MYSTERY, BUT ONE
THAT IS OFTEN SPECULATED UPON BY NATIVE INHABITANTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure |
Date learned: 07-00-1964
BEAR-MAN LEGEND
THIS STORY CONCERNS THE NAMING OF A NEARBY CHEBOYGAN LAKE WHICH
IS NOW KNOWN AS DEVEREAUX LAKE. THE NAME IS A FAMILY NAME
BELONGING TO MANY NATIVES OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN, ESPECIALLY IN THE
CHEBOYGAN VICINITY. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT CERTAIN WHICH FAMILY IS
THE GENUINE DESCENDANT OF "OLD MAN DEVEREAUX," NUMEROUS PERSONS
CLAIM HIM AS THEIR ANCESTOR.
THIS SOUGHT AFTER PERSONAGE LIVED APPROXIMATELY SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS
AGO. TOWARDS THE END OF AN APPARENTLY LONG LIFE, HE LIVED ALONE
AND HAD THE FUNNY HABIT OF CARRYING AROUND WITH HIM AN UNLOADED
MUSKET. ONE DAY WHILE HE WAS PICKING BERRIES NEAR A LAKE, HE WAS
CONFRONTED BY A LARGE BEAR. IT IS NOT QUITE CLEAR WHAT ENSUED
(VERSIONS VARY), BUT THERE DID TAKE PLACE A TREMENDOUS HAND-TO-
HAND STRUGGLE, LASTING FOR A LONG TIME (ALSO VARIES). EVENTUALLY,
BOTH WORN OUT AND DEATHLY EXHAUSTED, THE OLD MAN LAY DOWN NEAR
THE WATER WHILE THE BEAR RETREATED TO A NEARBY KNOLL. THERE, IN
THEIR RESPECTIVE PLACES, THEY WENT TO MEET THEIR MAKER. AND SO
THEY NAMED THE BODY OF WATER AFTER THE OLD GENTLEMAN, DEVEREAUX
LAKE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CHEBOYGAN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |