Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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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
LEGEND OF CHRIST
WHILE OUR LORD WAS BEING CRUCIFIED, TWO BIRDS WHO
WERE FLYING ACROSS CALVARY NOTICED HIM. AS THEY SAW
HIS TORMENT, THEY SWOOPED OVER TO HIS ARMS AND TRIED
TO REMOVE THE NAILS WITH THEIR BEAKS. AFTER THEY
TRIED FOR AWHILE, THEY LEFT, BEING UNABLE TO REMOVE
THEM. THEY AND THEIR OFFSPRING WERE REWARDED
FOR THEIR COMPASSION BECAUSE THE BLOOD FROM
CHRIST'S WRISTS STAINED THEIR BREASTS AND MADE THE
ROBIN EASILY IDENTIFIABLE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): REASONS FOR ANIMAL CHARACTERISTICS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird |
Date learned: 03-16-1968
THE HELPFUL DOLPHIN
DURING THE EARLY 1800S THERE WAS A STRAIT NEAR ICELAND
THAT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR A SHIP TO TRAVEL THROUGH
WITHOUT CRACKING UP. ONE SHIP MAKING THE JOURNEY
SPOTTED A DOLPHIN SWIMMING AROUND THE SHIP. IT
FOLLOWED THE DOLPHIN AND MADE IT THROUGH SAFELY.
OTHER SHIPS ALSO STARTED TO FOLLOW THE DOLPHINS
AND THEY MADE IT THROUGH. THIS CONTINUED FOR ABOUT
TWENTY YEARS UNTIL THE DOLPHIN DISAPPEARED AND
WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fish |
Date learned: 11-20-1968
THE PITTSBURG ORANGUTAN
ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO, THERE WAS A STORY GOING AROUND THE
HIGH SCHOOLS IN PITTSBURG ABOUT A FIGHTING ORANGUTAN.
THE ORANGUTAN WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BROUGHT TO A NEARBY
SHOPPING CENTER WHERE A CONTEST WAS TO BE HELD.
ANYONE WHO COULD REMAIN IN THE CAGE WITH THE ORANGUTAN
FOR TEN SECONDS WOULD WIN ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE
RUMOR SPREAD FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND THE DAY CAME FOR
THE CONTEST. SEVERAL HUNDRED YOUTHS SHOWED UP AT THE
SHOPPING CENTER, BUT THE ORANGUTAN NEVER MADE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; PITTSBURGH
Keyword(s): ANIMALS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-18-1968
ALBERT EINSTEIN
ONE TIME EINSTEIN WAS MAKING A JOURNEY BY TRAIN.
WHEN THE CONDUCTOR CAME TO COLLECT THE TICKETS, HE
SEARCHED THROUGH HIS POCKETS, BUT COULDN'T FIND HIS
TICKET. THE CONDUCTOR RECOGNIZED HIM AND TOLD HIM
TO FORGET ABOUT IT. EINSTEIN REPLIED THAT HE HAD
TO FIND THE TICKET, BECAUSE HE COULDN'T REMEMBER
WHERE HE WAS GOING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): MEMORY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
GREEK GHOSTS
BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF GRAVES THAT ARE IN GREECE,
ESPECIALY THOSE OF SOLDIERS, THE GREEKS BELIEVE
THAT THEY CAN HEAR THE CRYING OF THE SOLDIERS IN THE
WIND AT NIGHT.
Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- P535 |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
SCHIFF RESERVATION
THE SCHIFF RESERVATION, NOW A BOY SCOUT CAMP, HAS
A STRANGE LEGEND BEHIND IT. IN 1920, THERE WAS A
DAM BEING BUILT, AND A MAN WHO WAS WORKING ON THE
DAM SUPPOSEDLY FELL INTO THE NEWLY POURED CONCRETE
AND WAS BURIED ALIVE. IT IS RUMORED THAT YOU CAN
HEAR HIM SCREAMING FOR HELP ON WINDY NIGHTS.
Submitter comment:
LEE LEARNED THIS ON A BOY SCOUT TRIP IN THE
RESERVATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 09-25-1967 ; 00001920S
NEAR CURTIS, OHIO THERE IS A LEGEND OF A WOMAN AND
HER GARDENER LOVER WHO PLOTTED AND KILLED THIS WOMAN'S
HUSBAND. A FEW YEARS AFTER THE MURDER, THE GARDENER
DIED AND THE WOMAN BECAME A VIRTUAL HERMIT. THIS IS
BECAUSE, AS THE LEGEND GOES, HER HUSBAND'S GHOST
SWORE THAT IF SHE EVER LEFT THE HOUSE OR PREMISES,
HE WOULD KILL HER.
Submitter comment: BRIAN LEARNED THIS WHILE ON VACATION NEAR CURTIS, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CURTIS
Keyword(s): FAITHLESSNESS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-15-1967
PONDLILLY LOOKOUT POINT
PONDLILLY LOOKOUT POINT IS LOCATED IN WATERLOO
RECREATION AREA NEAR JACKSON, MICHIGAN. THERE USED TO
BE A FORT LOCATED ON THIS POINT; IT WAS SITUATED ON
A VERY STEEP, ALMOST UNSCALABLE RIDGE. IN THE MIDDLE
OF A HUGE BLIZZARD ONE DAY, INDIANS SCALED THE RIDGE
AND MASSACRED ALL THOSE IN THE FORT.
TO THIS DAY, ONE CAN SUPPOSEDLY HEAR THE SOUND OF
INDIANS RUNNING ALONG THE RIDGE DURING ANY SNOW STORM.
Submitter comment:
MIKE SAYS THAT THERE IS ANOTHER VERSION WHICH SAYS
YOU CAN HEAR A HORSEMAN RIDING ALONG THE RIDGE DURING
A BLIZZARD. HE IS SAID TO BE RACING TO WARN THOSE IN
THE FORT OF THE ATTACK.
MIKE SAYS THAT THERE IS JUST SUCH A SOUND DURING A
SNOWSTORM, BUT BEING MORE LOGICALLY-MINDED,
ATTRIBUTES IT TO THE SNOW FALLING INTO THE THICK
GROWTH OF MAPLE TREES WHICH CHOKE THE SLOPE BELOW
THE RIDGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; JACKSON
Keyword(s): GHOSTLY NOISES
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-10-1968