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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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COLONEL TALBOT
A SETTLER NAMED COLONEL TALBOT CAME TO THE AREA KNOWN AS ST.
THOMAS, ONTARIO, CANADA. HE PLANTED A CROP BUT DUE TO DROUGHT,
THE HARVEST FAILED. HE WAS IN DEBT TO MANY PEOPLE "UP TO HIS
EYEBALLS." HE DECIDED TO STAY FOR A YEAR. HIS CROP WAS SUCCESS-
FUL. HE THEN STAYED YEAR AFTER YEAR. THE MAIN STREET IN ST.
THOMAS IS NAMED TALBOT STREET AFTER COLONEL TALBOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
COLONEL TALBOT
A SETTLER NAMED COLONEL TALBOT CAME TO THE AREA KNOWN AS ST.
THOMAS, ONTARIO, CANADA. HE PLANTED A CROP BUT DUE TO DROUGHT,
THE HARVEST FAILED. HE WAS IN DEBT TO MANY PEOPLE "UP TO HIS
EYEBALLS." HE DECIDED TO STAY FOR A YEAR. HIS CROP WAS SUCCESS-
FUL. HE THEN STAYED YEAR AFTER YEAR. THE MAIN STREET IN ST.
THOMAS IS NAMED TALBOT STREET AFTER COLONEL TALBOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
THIS IS A STORY ABOUT A WATER-SKIER WHO FELL WHILE SKIING
AND BECAME TANGLED IN THE SEAWEED. BY THE TIME THE BOAT
HAD TURNED AROUND AND REACHED THE SKIER, THE PERSON HAD
ALREADY DROWNED.
I HEARD THIS WHEN I WAS LITTLE AND DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS
TRUE OR NOT. I THINK IT SERVES AS A WARNING TO WATER-
SKIERS TO WATCH OUT FOR SEAWEEK. BEING A WATER-SKIER,
I KNOW THAT IT IS EASY TO BECOME TANGLED IN SEAWEED, BUT
IT IS EASY TO PULL IT OUT IF ONE IS BADLY TANGLED,
DROWNING WOULD NOT BE THAT EASY. BUT KNOWING THE STORY
EVERYTIME I HAVE FALLEN IN SEAWEED, IT SENDS CHILLS
THROUGH ME.
Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): ACCIDENTAL DROWNING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
COLONEL TALBOT
A SETTLER NAMED COLONEL TALBOT CAME TO THE AREA KNOWN AS ST.
THOMAS, ONTARIO, CANADA. HE PLANTED A CROP BUT DUE TO DROUGHT,
THE HARVEST FAILED. HE WAS IN DEBT TO MANY PEOPLE "UP TO HIS
EYEBALLS." HE DECIDED TO STAY FOR A YEAR. HIS CROP WAS SUCCESS-
FUL. HE THEN STAYED YEAR AFTER YEAR. THE MAIN STREET IN ST.
THOMAS IS NAMED TALBOT STREET AFTER COLONEL TALBOT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Plant husbandry Farming |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
WAGER
PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS.
Where learned: BIRMINGHAM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
BELIEF (CUSTOM)
THE MIDWIFE PUTS AN AXE UNDER THE BED OF A LABORING
WOMAN TO "CUT THE PAINS" OF CHILDBIRTH.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A CUSTOM OF THE BAHAMA NEGROES IN THE
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; FLORIDA ; BAHAMAS ; NASHVILLE ; MIAMI ; PEABODY LIBRARY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 05-09-1969
THE SHANTY BOY
"AS I WALKED OUT ONE EVENING, JUST AS THE SUN WENT DOWN.
I CARELESSLY DID RAMBLE TILL I CAME TO SAGINAW TOWN.
I HEARD TWO GIRLS CONVERSING, AS SLOWLY I PASSED THEM BY;
ONE SAID SHE LOVED A FARMER'S SON, AND THE OTHER A SHANTY
BOY.
"THE ONE THAT LOVED THE FARMER'S SON, THESE WORDS I HEARD
HER SAY,
'THE REASON WHY I LOVE HIM IS AT HOME WITH ME HE'LL STAY;
HE'LL STAY AT HOME ALL WINTER, TO THE WOODS HE WILL NOT GO,
AND WHEN THE SPRINGTIME COMES AGAIN, HIS LANDS HE'LL
PLOW AND SOW.'
'I SHALL ALWAYS PRAISE MY SHANTY BOY WHO GOES TO THE
WOODS IN THE FALL,
HE IS BOTH STOUT AND HEARTY AND FIT TO STAND A SQUALL;
WITH PLEASURE I WILL GREET HIM IN THE SPRING WHEN
HE COMES DOWN.
HIS MONEY ON ME HE'LL SPEND IT FREE WHEN YOUR MOSSBACK
HE HAS NONE.'
HOW CAN YOU PRAISE YOUR SHANTY BOY WHO TO THE WOODS
DOES GO?
HE'S ORDERED OUT BEFORE DAYLIGHT TO FACE THE FROST AND SNOW,
WHILE HAPPY AND CONTENTED MY FARMER'S SON WILL LIE,
SOFT TALES OF LOVE HE'LL TELL TO ME WHILE THE STORMS
ARE BLOWING BY.'
'I NEVER CAN STAND THAT SOFT TALK,' THE OTHER GIRL DID SAY,
'THE MOST OF THEM THEY ARE SO GREEN THE COWS COULD EAT
THEM FOR HAY;
HOW EASY IT IS TO KNOW THEM WHEN THEY COME INTO TOWN,
THE SMALL BOY SHOUTING AFTER THEM, "MOSSBACK, HOW COME
YOU DOWN?'
'WHAT I'VE SAID UNKIND OF YOUR SHANTY BOY, I DO NOT
MEAN IT SO,
AND IF EVER I MEET WITH ONE OF THEM ALONG WITH HIM
I'LL GO,
AND LEAVE MY MOSSBACK FARMERS' SON TO PLOUGH AND PLANT
HIS FARM.
WHILE MY SHANTY BOY SO BOLD AND FREE WILL SAVE ME FROM
ALL HARM.
Submitter comment:
THIS SONG COMES FROM NOT AN EDUCATED PERSON BUT FROM
THE HEART OF A LUMBERING CREW. IT FITS THE MENTALITY
OF THE AVERAGE LOGGING CREW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): LOGGING SONGS ; SHANTY BOY
James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRASTED OCCUPATIONS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic |
Date learned: 03-04-1990
PROVERB: CAT
HAPPY AS A CAT IN A CREAMERY.
Submitter comment:
USED TO DENOTE EXTREME HAPPINESS OF A PERSON OR ANIMAL IN A GIVEN
CIRCUMSTANCE.
INFORMANT USED THIS WHEN HE SAW HIS SECRETARY WAS VERY HAPPY. HE
LEARNED WHEN HE WAS A CHILD.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): EUPHEMISM
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Comparison |
Date learned: 11-01-1971
RIDDLE
Q: WHY DID THE MAN THROW THE CLOCK OUT THE WINDOW?
A: HE WANTED TO SEE TIME FLY.
Data entry tech comment: 3 OTHER EXAMPLES IN THE 5 X 8 CARD FILES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): ACTIONS (Q) ; AN ACTION (A) ; METAPHORICAL NONOPPOSITIONAL
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 09-25-1965
Entry filtered.
Entry filtered.
SILVER JACK
HE WAS JOHN DRISCOLL, FRIENDS--AND BEST KEEP A CIVIL
TONGUE IN YOUR HEAD AND BE SPARING WITH THE LINGERING
LOOK, IF YOU WERE IN HIS WHEREABOUTS WHEN THE SAGINAW
VALLEY WAS STREWN WITH THE SAWDUST AND GAUDY LEGENDS OF
LUMBERJACKS AND RIVERMEN.
HE WAS THE REDOUBTABLE "SILVER JACK" DRISCOLL. THEY SAID
HE COULD BEND A RAILROAD SPIKE BARE-HANDED - THAT HE
COULD BOOST A BARREL OF SALT UP OVER HIS HEAD AND HOLD
IT THERE WHILE DRINKING A PINT OF WHISKEY HELD BETWEEN
CLENCHED TEETH.
THEY SAID YOU NEVER SAW A BIG MAN SO CAT-QUICK -- WHETHER
WHIRLING HIS BIG, HARD FISTS IN A SALOON BRAWL, OR
KNUCKLED TIGHTLY ABOUT THE HANDLE OF A TWO-BITTED AXE
MEASURING A FOREST PINE.
THEY SAID SILVER JACK WAS A KIND OF ROUGHSHOD, LUMBER
DAY ROBIN HOOD WHO CUDGELED TORMENTORS OF THE WEAK.
THEY SAID HE WAS A SAVAGE VARLET AND BULLY WHO LIKED
TO WATCH BLOOD SPURT AFTER HIS FIST STRUCK.
THEY SAID MANY THINGS OF SILVER JACK DRISCOLL, MOST
CONTROVERSIAL LUMBERJACK AND RIVERMAN OF HIS TIME.
HE PLIED THE LENGTH AND BREADTH OF THE MICHIGAN
PINELANDS AND LOG STREAMS. THERE IS A RECORD OF HIM
IN MINNESOTA AND CANADA. BUT IT WAS IN THE SAGINAW
VALLEY THAT DRISCOLL ENDURED LASTING FAME -- CALL
IT NOTORIETY IF YOU WILL.
SOME SAID HE WAS CALLED SILVER JACK BECAUSE OF
PREMATURELY WHITE HAIR. OTHERS SAID HIS WAS FLAXEN-
WHITE. THERE ARE SEVERAL OLD-FASHIONED "TINTYPE"
PHOTOGRAPHS WHICH SHOW HIM A WITH CAREFULLY POMADED
MANE OF BLACK HAIR.
OLDTIME LOGGERS -- LONG DEPARTED FROM THIS VALE OF
NEON LIGHTS AND CHROME-PLATED GADGETS OF MODERN LIVING
ONCE TALKED OF THE SIGHT IT WAS TO SEE SILVER JACK
SWINGING DOWN THE CHALK-COVERED BOARDWALKS OF EAST
SAGINAW (NOW THE EAST SIDE) AND SAGINAW CITY (NOW
THE WEST SIDE).
THEY SAID NEVER WAS SUCH A ONE AS SILVER JACK TO
"BLOW HER IN" WITH A FAT WINTER'S PAYCHECK, AFTER
THE LOGS HAD BEEN DRIVEN DOWN THE RIVER OVER
FRESHET-SWOLLEN TRIBUTARIES OF THE SAGINAW.
OTHERS CLAIMED JACK DRISCOLL WAS GOADED INTO MOST
OF HIS MANY FISTIC INTERLUDES -- THAT HE HAD, IN
THE LUMBER ERA, THE EQUIVALENT OF A WILD WEST
TWO-GUN REPUTATION SOMEBODY ALWAYS WANTED TO TEST.
SOME VOWED HE WAS MUCH MISUNDERSTOOD AND MALIGNED -
A CHAP AN EARNEST PREACHER MIGHT HAVE FASHIONED INTO
AT LEAST A PROPER DEACON IN A DESERVING PARISH.
BUT HISTORY RECORDS THAT DRISCOLL, AN ACKNOWLEDGED
SOMETIME VISITOR IN LOCAL VILLAGE "POKEYS" IN THE
MICHIGAN PINELANDS, ALSO SERVED FIVE YEARS'
IMPRISONMENT IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN PRISON. HE
WAS SENTENCED BY SAGINAW COUNTY CIRCUIT JUDGE
DEWITT GAGE ON A CHARGE OF ARMED ROBBERY. ADMIRERS
SAID HE WAS FRAMED. THE LAW SAID OTHERWISE.
SILVER JACK DRISCOLL DIED APRIL 1, 1895, IN A
HOTEL IN L'ANSE, MICHIGAN.
WHATEVER HIS EPITAPH, IT COULD HARDLY BE ADEQUATE,
SAINT OR SCALAWAG. HISTORIANS AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL,
ARE NOT AGREED EVEN TODAY.
Submitter comment:
I AM NOT SURE WHO WROTE THIS STORY BUT IT DID COME
FROM THE FIRST ANNUAL TIMBER TOWN FESTIVAL
MAGAZINE AROUND 1950.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
Keyword(s): LUMBERJACKS ; SAGINAW VALLEY LOGGING
James Callow Keyword(s): STRONG MEN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
8-BALL DRINKING GAME
IN THIS DRINKING GAME, FILL UP A GLASS TO A CERTAIN
POINT WITH BEER. THEN THE PERSON WITH THE GLASS
"HIGH FIVES" EVERYONE SITTING AT THE TABLE IN ORDER
WITHOUT MISSING A SINGLE PERSON. AFTER HE/SHE COMPLETES
THE PROCEDURE, THEY GUZZLE THE BEER. THE GLASS IS PASSED
TO THE PERSON ON THEIR LEFT. THE PROCEDURE IS REPEATED WITH
THE NEXT PERSON.
THE GAME CAN GO ON FOR AS MANY ROUNDS AS YOU MAKE IT.(ONE
ROUND EQUALS THE COMPLETION AROUND THE TABLE BACK TO THE
PERSON WHO STARTED THE GAME.) THE PENALTIES OF THE GAME ARE
PROMPTED BY MISSING A PERSON OR MISSING A TURN. THIS PERSON
WILL HAVE TO DRINK A BEER. IF THE OBJECT PERSON (WHO IS TO
DRINK THE BEER) DOESN'T WANT TO MISS A PERSON, HE CAN "HIGH
FIVE" THE PERSON NEXT TO THE MISSING PERSON TWO TIMES.
Submitter comment:
THE NAME CAME ABOUT FROM THE GLASS FIRST USED. THE GLASS
WAS ROUND AND HAD AN 8-BALL PAINTED ON IT. THE GAME STARTED
AS MY FRIENDS AND I, BORED OF THE SAME OLD DRINKING
GAMES, WANTED A CHANGE.
8-BALLED CAN BE VARIED BY MAKING NEW RULES AFTER EACH
ROUND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
James Callow Keyword(s): EIGHT BALL
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1985
WHEN SOMEBODY DROPS SILVERWARE ON THE KITCHEN
FLOOR, IT USUALLY MEANS COMPANY IS COMING OVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 00001970S
BELIEF
MAKE A VISIT IN A CHURCH YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN IN BEFORE AND
WHILE YOU ARE THERE, MAKE A WISH. IT WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Church |
Date learned: 02-01-1970
A WOMAN SHOULD ALWAYS DRINK BEER DURING PREGNANCY.
IT MAKES THE BABY GOOD LOOKING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT REVEALED THAT HE HEARD THIS FROM HIS FATHER WHO OWNED A BA
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Fermented BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-26-1971
IN AN IRISH CHRISTMAS CAKE THERE IS ALWAYS PLACED
A GOLD RING SO THAT WHOEVER EATS THE PIECE OF CAKE
AND FINDS THE GOLD RING, WILL BE MARRIED WITHIN THE
NEXT YEAR.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS FROM MY IRISH LANDLADY AT CHRISTMAS TIME
OF 1970. I DON'T THINK SHE REALLY BELIEVED IT WOULD
HAPPEN.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
FORD'S CURVE; DEAD MAN'S CURVE
ON LAKESHORE ROAD, BETWEEN 8 AND 9 MILE ROADS IN GROSSE POINTE
SHORES, MICHIGAN, THERE IS A CURVE IN THE ROAD KNOWN AS "FORD'S
CURVE." THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTED MANY ACCIDENTS FROM KIDS
DRAG RACING ON THIS STREET. BRIAN, AT 19, RECEIVED A 1966
CORVETTE STING RAY FOR HIS BIRTHDAY. ONE DAY, DRIVING DOWN
LAKESHORE, ANOTHER CORVETTE APPROACHED HIM; THEY DECIDED TO
"DRAG." THE BOY IN THE OTHER CAR DIDN'T MAKE IT AFTER REACHING
THE CURVE--HE DIED 3 HOURS LATER. BRIAN ALSO ENDED UP IN
CRITICAL CONDITION FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. AFTER THIS FATAL ACCIDENT
THE CURVE WAS NAMED "DEAD MAN'S CURVE."
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
HAPPY IS THE BRIDE THE SUN SHINES ON
Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; WARREN ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): MARRIAGE ; WEATHER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 01-22-1970
EXTRA CORPORAL MEANS OF COMMUNICATION/ TO BE HEARD
ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, THE NOVICES (THOSE WAITING TO PROFESS THEIR
RELIGIOUS VOWS) WOULD WALK THROUGH THE CORRIDORS OF THE CONVENT
SINGING CHRISTMAS HYMNS. OTHERWISE, THE SISTERS WERE AWAKENED AND
PUT TO BED BY A BELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; SAINT RITA CONVENT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. SPEECH -- To Be Heard |
Date learned: 03-01-1970