Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TRAVELING VIGIL LIGHT OF MT. OLIVET CEMETRY.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO ONE OF THE GRAVES OF MT. OLIVET CEMETRY
WAS DUG UP AND THE BODY MOVED TO ANOTHER SPOT IN THE CEMETRY.
THE MOTHER OF THE DEAD PERSON LOOKED AND LOOKED FOR THE GRAVE
OF HER BELOVED BUT COULD NEVER FIND IT. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE
VIGIL LIGHT WHICH THE MOTHER KEPT BURNING ON THE GRAVE NOW
ROAMS THE CEMETRY SEARCHING FOR THE GRAVE OF THE BODY THAT
WAS MOVED. MANY PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO
SEE THE LIGHT MOVING ABOUT THE CEMETRY. ONE NIGHT WHEN AT A
GIRL FRIEND'S HOUSE THE INFORMANT WAS ASKED IF SHE WANTED TO GO TO
THE CEMETRY WITH A GROUP OF GIRLS TO LOOK FOR THE LIGHT. THE GIRL
FRIEND LIVED RIGHT NEXT TO THE CEMETRY AND KNEW THE SCHEDULE OF
THE WATCHMEN WHO WORKED IN THE CEMETRY. THE GIRLS CLIMBED THE FENCE
AND AFTER THEY HAD GONE A SHORT WAY INTO THE CEMETRY, THEY SAW THE
VIGIL LIGHT NOT MANY FEET IN FRONT OF THEM, MOVING ABOUT. THEY
RAN BACK TO THE HOUSE IN FEAR.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT WAS SURPRISED THAT MY BROTHER AND I WHO LIVE IN
THE IMMEDIATE NEIGHBORHOOD HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE TRAVELING
VIGIL LIGHT OF MT. OLIVET CEMETERY.
Data entry tech comment: THE WORD CEMETRY IS AS SPELLED BY THE COLLECTOR.
Where learned: HOME ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): GHOST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-31-1967
IF THE 24TH OF AUGUST BE BRIGHT AND CLEAR,
IF THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST BE UNUSUALLY WARM,
THE WINTER WILL BE WHITE, COLD, AND LONG
THEN HOPE FOR A PROSPEROUS AUTUMN THAT YEAR.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): COLOR ; METONYMY: WHITE FOR SNOW ; TEMPERATURE
Date learned: 02-15-1968
BIRTH CUSTOM
IN SOME UKRANIAN VILLAGES, WHEN A BABY GIRL IS BORN, HER FATHER
TAKES A BOTTLE OF PLUM WHISKEY AND BURIES IT IN THEIR BACKYARD.
ON THE GIRL'S WEDDING DAY, HE DIGS IT UP AND THEY TOAST THE YOUNG
COUPLE FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): WISH
James Callow Keyword(s): UKRAINIAN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Food Drink -- Alcoholic beverage Distilled BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 03-02-1971
CHRISTMAS MARITIME TRADITION
IT IS AN OLD MARITIME TRADITION ON CHRISTMAS DAY ABOARD SHIP, TO
LASH A YULE TREE TO THE MAST. THIS CUSTOM IS STILL FOLLOWED BY
MANY SHIPMASTERS IN MODERN TIMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; DEARBORN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED
IF YOU SEW OR IRON ON SUNDAY, GOD WILL PUNISH YOU BY ALLOWING
SOMETHING BAD TO HAPPEN TO YOU.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY COLLEGE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Home BELIEF -- Bad luck Time (year, season, week, hour, etc.) Occasion Event |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WISCONSIN KILLER
A MAN IN NORTHERN WISCONSIN WAS INVOLVED AND SUSPECTED IN A
NUMBER OF DISAPPEARANCES IN THE VICINITY. THE POLICE CAME TO HIS HOME
AND AFTER A BRIEF STAY, ONE OF THEM NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE
FURNITURE IN THE HOUSE WAS UPHOLSTERED IN HUMAN SKIN. LATER
INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT HIS COOKIE JAR WAS FILLED WITH HUMAN FINGERS
AND TOES.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): LOCAL LEGEND ; URBAN BELIEF TALE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 02-03-1968
IN THE THEATRE, A PERFORMER IS NEVER SUPPOSED TO WISH
ANOTHER PERSON GOOD LUCK IN THE NORMAL GOOD LUCK WORDS.
YOU KNOW LIKE "GOOD LUCK" OR "KNOCK 'EM DEAD." HE'S
SUPPOSED TO SAY "BREAK A LEG." I THINK THAT IT HAS
SOMETHING TO DO WITH WHEN JOHN WILKES BOOTH JUMPED ONTO
THE STAGE AFTER SHOOTING LINCOLN AND BROKE HIS LEG.
Where learned: NASHVILLE, ASSUMED ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | DRAMA -- D000 BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 07-23-1968
I'VE ALWAYS HEARD THAT OPENING AN UMBRELLA IN THE HOUSE
IS SUPPOSED TO BRING BAD LUCK.
Where learned: NASHVILLE, ASSUMED ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 07-23-1968
IF YOU BREAK A MIRROR, THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BRING YOU SEVEN
YEARS OF BAD LUCK, BUT IF YOU TOSS SOME SALT OVER YOUR
SHOULDER, THAT'LL COUNTERACT THE BAD LUCK AND YOU DON'T
HAVE TO WORRY.
Where learned: NASHVILLE, ASSUMED ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Date learned: 07-23-1968
BIRTH SUPERSTITION
MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO SAY THAT WHENEVER A BABY WAS BORN AND
IT HAD A BIRTHMARK OR SOMETHING ON ITS SKIN, THAT IT WAS
DUE TO SOME SIN OF THE MOTHER AND GOD WAS PUNISHING HER
BY MARKING UP HER CHILD.
Where learned: NASHVILLE, ASSUMED ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
Date learned: 07-23-1968
PROVERB
LET US NOT MEASURE FROM WHERE WE STARTED TO WHERE WE ARE
PRESENTLY, BUT FROM WHERE WE ARE PRESENTLY TO WHERE WE
HAVE TO GO.
Where learned: TRENTON ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 12-25-1969
(GRAPES)
IF YOU EAT THE GRAPE OFF THE VINE,
YOU WILL NEVER TASTE THE WINE.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): FRUIT
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |
Date learned: 02-02-1970
DRESS
INDIAN WOMEN WILL NOT CUT THEIR HAIR. GENERALLY, IT
IS BRAIDED WHEN IT BECOMES LONG AND THIS SHOWS
THE BEAUTY THAT SHE HAS.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 02-29-1968
THE TRAPPER
IN ISHPEMING, MICHIGAN, THERE IS A TALE ABOUT A FRENCH-
CANADIAN FUR SELLER WHO WAS FAIRLY RICH. HE ALWAYS
WORE HIGH BLACK BOOTS, A LARGE CAP, AND DRESSED VERY
NICELY. IT IS SAID THAT HE WAS ROBBED AND KILLED ONE
DAY IN HIS CANOE BUT HIS BODY WAS NEVER FOUND.
ABOUT THIRTY YEARS LATER, HIS GREAT GRAND-CHILD WAS
WALKING ON THE BEACH AND SAW AN OVERTURNED CANOE WITH
A PAIR OF BLACK BOOTS COMING OUT FROM UNDER IT. HE
PICKED UP THE CANOE AND SAW A MAN WITH OLD BUT VERY
NICE LOOKING CLOTHES, LONG BLACK BOOTS, AND A LARGE
CAP. HE THOUGHT IT TO BE HIS GREAT GRANDFATHER AND RAN
HOME TO TELL HIS PARENTS. WHEN HIS PARENTS CAME TO SEE,
THE BODY WAS NOT THERE, BUT THE CANOE WAS, WITH A
BLOODY CAP INSIDE. THERE WERE ALSO FOOTPRINTS LEADING
FROM THE CANOE TO THE WOODS. THEY LEFT, BUT CAME BACK
NEXT DAY AND FOUND NOTHING. NOTHING WAS EVER HEARD
ABOUT IT AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; APARTMENT ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; ISHPEMING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-12-1969
THE HEADLESS
IN TOLEDO {OHIO} THERE WAS A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
IN WHICH THE DRIVER LOST HIS HEAD.
NOW ON THE SAME ROAD, YOU CAN SEE ONE HEADLIGHT
COMING AT YOU (USUALLY AROUND MIDNIGHT), BUT
WHEN IT GETS CLOSE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT OUT, IT
DISAPPEARS. IT IS SAID TO BE THE MOTORCYCLIST
LOOKING FOR HIS HEAD.
Where learned: OHIO ; APARTMENT ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-12-1969
CRAZY CHARLY
THERE IS A TALE IN NORTHEAST DETROIT {MICHIGAN} ABOUT
A MAN NAMED CHARLY WHO WENT CRAZY. FIRST HE KILLED
HIS WIFE, AND THEN HIMSELF (WITH AN AX).
IT IS REPORTED THAT HE HAS BEEN SEEN CHASING TEENAGERS
PARKED NEAR HIS OLD HOME WITH A BLOODY AX.
Where learned: APARTMENT ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 11-12-1969
THE TRAPPER
IN ISHPEMING, MICHIGAN, THERE IS A TALE ABOUT A FRENCH-
CANADIAN FUR SELLER WHO WAS FAIRLY RICH. HE ALWAYS
WORE HIGH BLACK BOOTS, A LARGE CAP, AND DRESSED VERY
NICELY. IT IS SAID THAT HE WAS ROBBED AND KILLED ONE
DAY IN HIS CANOE BUT HIS BODY WAS NEVER FOUND.
ABOUT THIRTY YEARS LATER, HIS GREAT GRAND-CHILD WAS
WALKING ON THE BEACH AND SAW AN OVERTURNED CANOE WITH
A PAIR OF BLACK BOOTS COMING OUT FROM UNDER IT. HE
PICKED UP THE CANOE AND SAW A MAN WITH OLD BUT VERY
NICE LOOKING CLOTHES, LONG BLACK BOOTS, AND A LARGE
CAP. HE THOUGHT IT TO BE HIS GREAT GRANDFATHER AND RAN
HOME TO TELL HIS PARENTS. WHEN HIS PARENTS CAME TO SEE,
THE BODY WAS NOT THERE, BUT THE CANOE WAS, WITH A
BLOODY CAP INSIDE. THERE WERE ALSO FOOTPRINTS LEADING
FROM THE CANOE TO THE WOODS. THEY LEFT, BUT CAME BACK
NEXT DAY AND FOUND NOTHING. NOTHING WAS EVER HEARD
ABOUT IT AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; APARTMENT ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; ISHPEMING
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-12-1969
THE HEADLESS
IN TOLEDO {OHIO} THERE WAS A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
IN WHICH THE DRIVER LOST HIS HEAD.
NOW ON THE SAME ROAD, YOU CAN SEE ONE HEADLIGHT
COMING AT YOU (USUALLY AROUND MIDNIGHT), BUT
WHEN IT GETS CLOSE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT OUT, IT
DISAPPEARS. IT IS SAID TO BE THE MOTORCYCLIST
LOOKING FOR HIS HEAD.
Where learned: OHIO ; APARTMENT ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-12-1969
CRAZY CHARLY
THERE IS A TALE IN NORTHEAST DETROIT {MICHIGAN} ABOUT
A MAN NAMED CHARLY WHO WENT CRAZY. FIRST HE KILLED
HIS WIFE, AND THEN HIMSELF (WITH AN AX).
IT IS REPORTED THAT HE HAS BEEN SEEN CHASING TEENAGERS
PARKED NEAR HIS OLD HOME WITH A BLOODY AX.
Where learned: APARTMENT ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 11-12-1969
BURIAL CUSTOM OF NAVAL AIRFORCE
IN THE NAVAL AIRFORCE A SQUADRON IS USUALLY MADE UP OF
FOUR OR FIVE PLANES. WHEN ONE OF THE MEMBERS DIES, THE
OTHERS FLY OVER THE BURIAL SERVICE IN FORMATION, MINUS
THE DECEASED MEMBER LEAVING AN EMPTY PLACE IN THE
FORMATION.
Submitter comment:
TOLD AT WHITEHEAD AND KALES MILL STREET PLANT AND NOTED
ON ALL TV STATIONS AT FUNERALS OF THE ASTRONAUTS.
Where learned: DETROIT, ASSUMED ; WORK ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |