Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE NUMBER OF DOGS IN AUGUST WILL EQUAL THE NUMBER OF SNOWS THAT
WINTER.
Where learned: CARMICHAEL TOWERS ; VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
WHY DO ELEPHANTS WEAR RED SHOES?
THEY'RE ALL ON THE SAME BASKETBALL TEAM.
Where learned: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- Riddle Question |
Date learned: 08-00-1968
SUPERSTITIONS AND CONTAGIOUS MAGIC
A PACKET CONTAINING NAIL PARINGS, A LOCK OF HAIR AND
THREE DROPS OF BODY FLUID, USUALLY BLOOD, PLACED UNDER THE
BOTTOM STEP OF A LOVE OBJECT WILL ENSURE THAT THE LOVED (ONE)
WILL LOVE NO OTHER. MM
A MIXTURE OF ROOSTER BLOOD, CORN WHISKEY, AND A SMALL
AMOUNT OF DRIED BULL DUNG WILL ENSURE POTENNENCE AND MALE
OFFSPRING. CC POTENCY MM
A WOMAN WHO HANDLES ANY ANIMALS DURING HER PREGNANCY
"MARK" HER BABY WITH EITHER ANIMALISTIC FEATURES OR
BEHAVIOR. CC MARKS? MM
IF YOU ALLOW AN ALBINO PERSON TO TOUCH YOU YOU WILL BE
BLINDED OR ONE LEG WILL BECOME SHORTER THAN THE OTHER
BY THE NEXT FULL MOON FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA ; COLUMBUS
Date learned: 00-00-1918
THUMP-DRAG
ABOUT THIRTY YEARS AGO WHEN WHAT IS NOW CYO CAMP FOR GIRLS IN
CARSONVILLE WAS JUST STARTED, IT WAS A BOYS CAMP. MANY OF THE
BUILDINGS THAT ARE THERE NOW WEREN'T EVEN BUILT YET. WHAT IS NOW THE
NATURE NOOK WAS IN THE STOREROOM. A YOUNG CHEMISTRY STUDENT WAS IN
CHARGE OF NATURE. ONCE HE WAS REACHING UP TO A HIGH SHELF TO GET SOME
CHEMICALS FOR AN EXPERIMENT. THE SHELF COLLAPSED AND A BOTTLE OF ACID
SPILLED ALL OVER HIM. HE JUMPED BACK SO QUICKLY THAT HE FELL AND
BROKE HIS LEG. HE LAY ON THE FLOOR WRITHING AND SCREAMING AS THE ACID
BURNED HIS FACE. SOMEONE HEARD HIM AND RAN FOR HELP. SOON A WHOLE
GROUP OF COUNSELORS CAME. WHEN THEY SAW THE ACID BURNING THEY
GRABBED HIM AND DRAGGED HIM TO THE LAKE. EVENTUALLY THEY WERE ABLE
TO STOP THE BURNING BUT BY THIS TIME MOST OF HIS FACE HAD BEEN EATEN
AWAY BY THE ACID, HIS BROKEN LEG WAS HOPELESSLY MANGLED AND THE
UNBEARABLE PAIN HAD MADE HIS MIND SNAP. HE WAS COMMITTED TO A MENTAL
INSTITUTION BUT HE ESCAPED SOON AFTER. PEOPLE IN THE CARSONVILLE
AREA REPORTED SEEING HIM, HIS FACE A REPULSIVE BLOB, LIMPING AROUND.
CHILDREN HEARD HIM WALKING--A THUMP FOLLOWED BY THE DRAG OF HIS
USELESS LEG. ONE NIGHT HE RETURNED TO THE CAMP. HE MET UP WITH A
CAMPER AT THE BIFFY. HE LUNGED TO GRAB THE CHILD BUT TRIPPED AND
FELL, KNOCKING THE CAMPER UNCONSCIOUS. AFTER THAT THE POLICE SET OUT
DRAGNETS TO TRY AND CATCH HIM. THE CAMP REQUIRED THAT ALL CAMPERS
TAKE A BUDDY WHEREVER THEY GO. STILL THUMP-DRAG GOES TO A DIFFERENT
CAVELL, YMCA AND YWCA. EVERY SEVENTH YEAR HE RETURNS TO THIS CAMP,
THE SCENE OF HIS ACCIDENT AND SEEKS REVENGE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CYO CAMP ; CARSONVILLE
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL LEGEND
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
When I was playing football in college and injured my ankle on
a play, because medical treatment was limited the coaches took my
ankle and packed it in red clay and sent me back to the dormitory.
The next day the swelling had left and most of the soreness,
I was able to resume practice in a couple of days.
Where learned: NORTH CAROLINA ; Salisbury
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 |
SAYING
THERE'S AN OLD SAYING ABOUT A DOG IN THE MANGER THAT WE USE
TODAY WHEN WE KEEP THINGS TO OURSELVES WHEN WE CAN'T USE THEM
BUT WE WON'T LET SOMEONE ELSE HAVE THEM IF HE CAN USE THEM.
THIS CAME FROM A FABLE ABOUT A DOG WHO WAS KEEPING WATCH OVER
SOME HAY AND HE WOULDN'T LET A HORSE HAVE ANY EVEN THOUGH THE
DOG COULDN'T EAT IT HIMSELF.
Data entry tech comment: THE SAYING ITSELF IS "DOG IN THE MANGER."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: 08-03-1968
VOODOO PEOPLE IN CRIPPLE CREEK WILL TURN YOU GREEN AND MAKE YOU
HOP LIKE A FROG.
Where learned: NORTH CAROLINA ; CRIPPLE CREEK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
TREE BELIEF
THERE IS A CERTAIN KIND OF TREE, I DO NOT REMEMBER THE NAME,
THAT IS CALLED THE STICKER TREE BECAUSE IT HAS HUGE THORNS
AND IS THE SHAPE OF A CROSS, BECAUSE IT IS THE WOOD
OF WHICH THE CROSS OF CHRIST WAS MADE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): Botany ; Christ ; Cross ; Pricker ; Sticker ; SYMBOLISM ; Thorns ; Tree ; WOOD
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 09-20-1969
THE DEVIL AND THE MISER
A RICH, GREEDY, OLD MISER AGREED TO SELL
HIS SOUL TO THE DEVIL IF THE DEVIL WOULD
FILL HIS BOOT WITH GOLD. HE PUT A HOLE
IN THE FLOOR BY THE FIRE PLACE. SO THE
NEXT MORNING HIS WHOLE BASEMENT WAS FULL
OF GOLD. THE MAN DIED EARLY AND WENT
TO HELL.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED ; VANDERBILT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 08-10-1968
INDIAN LEGEND
IN TUCUMCARI, THERE IS A MOUNTAIN BY THE SAME NAME.
THERE IS AN INDIAN LEGEND THAT TELLS HOW THE MOUN-
TAIN WAS NAMED. IT SEEMS THAT THERE WAS AN INDIAN
PRINCESS WHO WAS LOVED BY TWO BRAVES. SHE LOVED ONLY
ONE AND HE WAS NAMED TUCUMCARI. SO THEY TOOK THE TWO
BRAVES TO THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN AND HERE THEY WERE
TO FIGHT IT OUT UNTIL ONE OF THEM KILLED THE OTHER
ONE. THE FIGHTING WENT ON FOR A FEW DAYS AND
FINALLY THE ONE BRAVE PUSHED TUCUMCARI OVER THE
MOUNTAIN. INSTEAD OF MARRYING THE MAN WHOM SHE DID
NOT LOVE, THE PRINCESS JUMPED OVER THE MOUNTAIN ALSO
AND FROM THIS FIGHT, THE MOUNTAIN WAS NAMED.
Where learned: NEW MEXICO ; TUCUMCARI
James Callow Keyword(s): LOVERS' LEAP
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Legend |
Date learned: 06-00-1965
FRIENDSHIP
WHEN THE FUTURE IS PRESENT,
AND THE PRESENT IS PAST,
MAY THE LIGHT OF OUR FRIENDSHIP
SHINE BRIGHT TO THE LAST.
Where learned: OHIO ; VERSE ON DECORATED POSTCARD ; IRONTON
Keyword(s): RHYME: ABCB ; WISH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse |
THE HEADLESS SWITCHER
DURING THE CIVIL WAR A SWITCHER IN MANTEO, NORTH
CAROLINA WAS WAVING DOWN A TRAIN WITH A LANTERN, BUT
THE TRAIN FAILED TO STOP AND THE SWITCHER WAS CUT DOWN
AND DECAPITATED. HIS HEAD WAS NEVER FOUND.
TWENTY YEARS LATER, RESIDENTS OF THE AREA AND
PASSENGERS ON THE RAILROAD LINE BEGAN REPORTING
THEIR SEEING A LANTERN WAVING ALONG THE LINE AROUND
ABOUT MANTEO. CLOSER SURVEILLANCE, THEY SAID, SHOWED
THAT THE LANTERN WAS BEING WAVED BACK AND FORTH BY
THE HEADLESS SWITCHER.
THE LEGEND THAT GREW FROM THESE REPORTS HAD IT THAT
THE SWITCHER WAS SEARCHING FOR HIS HEAD.
A PRIEST WAS CALLED IN FROM WILMINGTON TO EXORCISE
THE SWITCHER'S GRAVE, BUT THE EFFORT WAS FRUITLESS,
BECAUSE THE SWITCHER WAS NOT AN EVIL SPIRIT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD TALE WHILE A STUDENT AT BELMONT
ABBEY COLLEGE, NORTH CAROLINA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; NORTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-23-1965
A.D.A. HANDSHAKE
YOU RHYTHMICALLY SQUEEZE SOMEONE'S HAND WHILE SHAKING IT
AND SAY "AMERICAN DAIRY ASSOCIATION, GLAD TO MEET YOU."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CYO CAMP ; CARSONVILLE
| Subject headings: | 602 Body Parts Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dramatic SPEECH -- Body parts involved SPEECH -- Greetings Salutations SPEECH -- Games Riddles Jokes |
Date learned: 00001970 SUMMER
TAY TARA TOOSSAY OR
EVERYONE SITS IN A CIRCLE. EACH PERSON HAS A SHOE, STICK
OR GLASS OR REASONABLE FACSIMILE. YOU SING THIS SONG:
TAY TARA TOSSAY OR,
TAY TARA TOSSAY OR,
TARA, TOSSA, TARA TOSSAY ORIUM,
KAY OGYZUM, KAY OGYZUM,
KAY ZIGGY, ZIGGY ZOOM.
ON EVERY SYLLABLE, YOU PASS THE OBJECT TO YOUR RIGHT
AND PICK UP THE ONE PASSED TO YOU ON YOUR LEFT.
WHEN YOU GET TO "ZIGGY, ZIGGY" INSTEAD OF PASSING,
YOU TOUCH IT TO THE RIGHT, THEN TO THE LEFT AND
FINALLY PASS IT ON THE WORD "ZOOM." IF YOU BREAK THE
RHYTHM, YOU ARE OUT. THE GAME CONTINUES UNTIL THERE
IS ONLY THE WINNER LEFT. DONE PROPERLY, THIS TAKES
ON A RITUALISTIC EFFECT.
Submitter comment:
MY SISTER LEARNED THIS AT CYO CAMP FOR GIRLS, CARSONVILLE,
MICHIGAN IN 1966.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; CYO CAMP ; CARSONVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Special Object or Implement |
Date learned: 00-00-1966
THE LEGEND OF THE MAID OF THE MIST HAS BECOME AN IMPORTANT
PART OF THE CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS {NEW YORK}. IT IS BELIEVED
THAT IN THE DAYS OF THE INDIANS, WHO WORSHIPPED THE FALLS
AS A GOD, IN ORDER TO APPEASE THE THUNDERING DEITY, THEY
CHOSE THE PRETTIEST MAIDEN IN THE VILLAGE, PUT HER IN A BOAT
FILLED WITH FRUITS AND MEATS AND SACRIFICED HER TO THE GOD OF
THE THUNDERING WATERS.
Where learned: NOT ON 5 X 8 CARD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
SHOOTING STAR
WHEN YOU SEE A SHOOTING STAR (FALLING STAR) MAKE A WISH
AND IT WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: WINSTON SALEM ; NORTH CAROLINA ; informant's home ; 2108 E. 25th St.
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Comet BELIEF -- Prayer |
Date learned: 09-08-1971
GHOST STORY
MY AUNT SAID THAT ONE DAY HER AND HER FATHER WERE WALKING THROUGH
THE GRAVEYARD ON THEIR WAY TO THE THEATER DOWNTOWN. BEFORE THEY
CAME TO THE EDGE OF THE CORNER STONES. MY AUNT SAID SHE TOLD MY
GRANDFATHER THAT SHE DID NOT SEE A MAN STANDING BY THE STONE. HOW-
EVER, MY GRANDFATHER INSISTED THAT HE SAW THE MAN. HE TOLD MY AUNT
THAT WHEN HE STOOPED DOWN SHE WAS TO LOOK OVER HIS LEFT SHOULDER.
SHE DID AND SURE ENOUGH SHE DID SEE THE MAN. SHE SAID SECONDS LATER
THE FIGURE VANISHED RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEIR EYESIGHT.
Where learned: SOUTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
THE HEADLESS SWITCHER
DURING THE CIVIL WAR A SWITCHER IN MANTEO, NORTH
CAROLINA WAS WAVING DOWN A TRAIN WITH A LANTERN, BUT
THE TRAIN FAILED TO STOP AND THE SWITCHER WAS CUT DOWN
AND DECAPITATED. HIS HEAD WAS NEVER FOUND.
TWENTY YEARS LATER, RESIDENTS OF THE AREA AND
PASSENGERS ON THE RAILROAD LINE BEGAN REPORTING
THEIR SEEING A LANTERN WAVING ALONG THE LINE AROUND
ABOUT MANTEO. CLOSER SURVEILLANCE, THEY SAID, SHOWED
THAT THE LANTERN WAS BEING WAVED BACK AND FORTH BY
THE HEADLESS SWITCHER.
THE LEGEND THAT GREW FROM THESE REPORTS HAD IT THAT
THE SWITCHER WAS SEARCHING FOR HIS HEAD.
A PRIEST WAS CALLED IN FROM WILMINGTON TO EXORCISE
THE SWITCHER'S GRAVE, BUT THE EFFORT WAS FRUITLESS,
BECAUSE THE SWITCHER WAS NOT AN EVIL SPIRIT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD TALE WHILE A STUDENT AT BELMONT
ABBEY COLLEGE, NORTH CAROLINA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; NORTH CAROLINA
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-23-1965
SCHLAMIEL
YOU WALK IN STEP UNTIL THE COUNT OF TEN. AT TEN YOU
STOP AND SAY: "SCHLAMIEL, SCHLAMILE, SHA HOTSENFEFER,
HOOTCHIE, COOTCHIE." WHILE SAYING THE VERSE YOU
EXTEND FIRST YOUR RIGHT HEEL, THEN YOUR LEFT HEEL
WITH YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HIPS. BEND YOUR KNEES ON
"HOTSENFEFER" AND SWING YOUR HIPS ON "HOOTCHIE,
COOTCHIE." BEGIN WALKING AGAIN AND COUNTING TO TEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CYO CAMP ; CARSONVILLE
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Singing Dancing Marching |
Date learned: 00001970 SUMMER
THE LEGEND OF THE MAID OF THE MIST HAS BECOME AN IMPORTANT
PART OF THE CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS {NEW YORK}. IT IS BELIEVED
THAT IN THE DAYS OF THE INDIANS, WHO WORSHIPPED THE FALLS
AS A GOD, IN ORDER TO APPEASE THE THUNDERING DEITY, THEY
CHOSE THE PRETTIEST MAIDEN IN THE VILLAGE, PUT HER IN A BOAT
FILLED WITH FRUITS AND MEATS AND SACRIFICED HER TO THE GOD OF
THE THUNDERING WATERS.
Where learned: NOT ON 5 X 8 CARD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: NOT ON 5 X 8 CARD