Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for PENNSYLVANIA returned 515 results.
THE MYSTERY
NEAR PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, THERE WAS AN OLD STRIP MINE THAT
HAD BEEN BURIED OVER AND LEFT BY A MINING COMPANY. TWO LITTLE
KIDS WANDERED NEAR THIS OLD STRIP MINE AND DISAPPEARED. A SEARCH
PARTY SET OUT TO FIND THE TWO KIDS AND HEADED TOWARD THIS ONE
PARTICULAR STRIP MINE WHERE THE KIDS WERE LAST SEEN. NEAR THIS
OLD STRIP MINE WAS AN OLD BARN. WHEN THE SEARCH PARTY ARRIVED AT
THE MINE, THERE WAS NO TRACE OF THE TWO KIDS OR THE OLD BARN.
THEY ALL JUST DISAPPEARED.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-07-1968
THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE
LATE IN THE 1950'S, CONSTRUCTION BEGAN ON A BRIDGE ACROSS THE
ALLEGHANY RIVER LINKING DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH WITH THE CITY'S
NORTHSIDE. THE BRIDGE WAS BUILT AT GREAT EXPENSE, OR IT SHOULD
BE SAID THAT IT WAS ALMOST BUILT. ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER CONSTRUC-
TION BEGAN, IT ENDED, SOME 40 FEET SHORT OF THE OPPOSITE BANK.
NOT ONLY WASN'T THERE ANY ROAD ON THE OTHER SIDE TO CONNECT THE
BRIDGE TO, BUT RIGHTS-OF-WAY HAD NOT YET EVEN BEEN PURCHASED.
THE BRIDGE REMAINED UNCOMPLETED FOR 14 YEARS, AND QUICKLY ASSUMED
THE NAME OF THE "BRIDGE TO NOWHERE." THE BRIDGE BECAME A SYMBOL
FOR INEFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT AND THE TARGET FOR NUMEROUS JOKES.
MANY STORIES ARE TOLD ABOUT PEOPLE DRIVING OFF THE END OF IT
(SOME ACTUALLY DOCUMENTED). THE BRIDGE WAS FINALLY COMPLETED IN
1970 AND OFFICIALLY NAMED THE FORT DUQUESNE BRIDGE, BUT PITTSBURGH
RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO REFER TO IT AS THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Plan, design, color, building material, and technic ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Bridge |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
FU BIRD
THERE WERE THREE ADVENTURERS FROM A MAJOR BIRD CONSERVA-
TORY IN THE UNITED STATES WHO HAD READ INFORMATION
CONCERNING A "FU" BIRD WHICH EXISTED IN TROPICAL AFRICA.
THERE WAS NOT SUFFICIENT INFORMATION ON THE BIRD, AND NO
ONE HAD EVER TAKEN A PICTURE OF THE CREATURE. THEREFORE,
THEY DECIDED TO TAKE AN EXCURSION TO OBTAIN FIRST-HAND
KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIRD.
THEY ARRIVED IN AFRICA WITH LITTLE TROUBLE. THEY BEGAN
THEIR JOURNEY INTO THE WILD COUNTRY WITH THEIR CARAVAN
OF GEAR. THEY CAME TO THE APPROXIMATE LOCATION OF THE
HOME OF THE ANIMAL AND DECIDED TO SET UP CAMP. THE
ADVENTURERS WENT INTO A NEARBY VILLAGE TO GET SOME INFOR-
MATION FROM THE RESDIDENTS ON WHAT THE APPROACH OR THE
ACTUAL WHEREABOUTS OF THE FU BIRD WAS. TO THEIR AMAZEMENT
UPON MENTIONING THE NAME OF THE BIRD, THE VILLAGERS WERE
AT ONCE TERRIFIED. WHEN THEY HAD BEEN CALMED DOWN, THE
EXPLORERS WERE ABLE TO SEE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO USE
EXTREME CAUTION WHEN DEALING WITH THIS ANIMAL. THE VILLAGERS
WERE AFRAID OF THE BIRD, BECAUSE IF IT WERE DISTRUBED, IT
WOULD SWOOP DOWN AND SHIT ON ITS ENEMY. THE PENALTY FOR
TRYING TO REMOVE IT WAS DEATH, AND IT WAS NOT KNOWN OF
ANYONE ESCAPING THIS FATE. THE ADVENTURERS COULD NOT
BE DETERRED, AND DECIDED TO GO LOOKING FOR THESE BIRDS
THE NEXT MORNING.
THEY STARTED AWAY FROM CAMP ALONE THE NEXT MORNING,
CARRYING THE NECESSARY FOOD, MAPS, AND PHOTOGRAPHIC
EQUIPMENT FOR A DAYS OUTING. ALL OF A SUDDEN, NOT TOO
LONG AFTER THEY HAD GONE, THEY SPOTTED ONE OF THESE FU
BIRDS SITTING IN A NEARBY TREE. THEY IMMEDIATELY BEGAN
TAKING PICTURES AND NOTES. HOWEVER, FOR SOME REASON, THE
BIRD DIDN'T LIKE THIS INVASION OF HIS PRIVACY AND QUICKLY
SWOOPED DOWN FROM HIS PERCH AIMED AT THE EXPLORERS. HE
TOOK PERFECT AIM, SHITTING DIRECTLY ON TOP OF EACH OF
THEIR HEADS.
THE MEN WERE SHOCKED TO SAY THE LEAST. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY,
THE FIRST MAN RAISED HIS HAND AND REMOVED THE MESS FROM
HIS HEAD. NO SOONER HAD HE DONE THIS, THAN HE FELL OVER
DEAD. THE OTHER TWO WERE HORRIFIED AT THIS OCCURRENCE,
DECIDING THEY HAD BETTER LEAVE THINGS AS THEY WERE. THEY
GATHERED UP THEIR EQUIPMENT AND HEADED BACK TO CAMP.
THERE, THEY COMPILED AS MUCH INFORMATION AS THEY COULD,
DECIDING THEY HAD ENOUGH FOR THEIR COLLEAGUES AT HOME.
SO, THEY BEGAN PACKING THEIR BELONGINGS SO THAT THEY COULD
LEAVE THE NEXT MORNING. HOWEVER, DURING THE NIGHT, THE
SECOND MAN COULDN'T STAND THE SMELL OF THE PILE ON HIS
HEAD, SO HE SWISHED IT OFF HIS HEAD. IMMEDIATELY, HE
FELL OVER DEAD.
THE THIRD AND ONLY REMAINING MEMBER OF THE GROUP RETURNED
WITH HIS INFORMATION, AND THE SAD TALE OF HIS COPANIONS
DEALINGS WITH THE FU BIRD. THE SOCIETY WAS GRATEFUL FOR
ALL THE TROUBLE THAT THE THREE HAD ENDURED.
SO, THE THIRD MAN CONTINUED TO LIVE IN THE UNITED STATES.
HOWEVER, THE AWFUL STENCH AND UGLY SIGHT OF THE FU SHIT ON
HIS HEAD COST THE MAN HIS REPUTATION, HIS FRIENDS, AND
FINALLY HIS WIFE. HE WAS SO REJECTED THAT ONE NIGHT HE
WIPED THE MESS FROM HIS HEAD, AND DROPPED DEAD.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS, IF THE FU SHITS, WEAR IT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 11-07-1970
THE MYSTERY
NEAR PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, THERE WAS AN OLD STRIP MINE THAT
HAD BEEN BURIED OVER AND LEFT BY A MINING COMPANY. TWO LITTLE
KIDS WANDERED NEAR THIS OLD STRIP MINE AND DISAPPEARED. A SEARCH
PARTY SET OUT TO FIND THE TWO KIDS AND HEADED TOWARD THIS ONE
PARTICULAR STRIP MINE WHERE THE KIDS WERE LAST SEEN. NEAR THIS
OLD STRIP MINE WAS AN OLD BARN. WHEN THE SEARCH PARTY ARRIVED AT
THE MINE, THERE WAS NO TRACE OF THE TWO KIDS OR THE OLD BARN.
THEY ALL JUST DISAPPEARED.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-07-1968
THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE
LATE IN THE 1950'S, CONSTRUCTION BEGAN ON A BRIDGE ACROSS THE
ALLEGHANY RIVER LINKING DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH WITH THE CITY'S
NORTHSIDE. THE BRIDGE WAS BUILT AT GREAT EXPENSE, OR IT SHOULD
BE SAID THAT IT WAS ALMOST BUILT. ABOUT TWO YEARS AFTER CONSTRUC-
TION BEGAN, IT ENDED, SOME 40 FEET SHORT OF THE OPPOSITE BANK.
NOT ONLY WASN'T THERE ANY ROAD ON THE OTHER SIDE TO CONNECT THE
BRIDGE TO, BUT RIGHTS-OF-WAY HAD NOT YET EVEN BEEN PURCHASED.
THE BRIDGE REMAINED UNCOMPLETED FOR 14 YEARS, AND QUICKLY ASSUMED
THE NAME OF THE "BRIDGE TO NOWHERE." THE BRIDGE BECAME A SYMBOL
FOR INEFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT AND THE TARGET FOR NUMEROUS JOKES.
MANY STORIES ARE TOLD ABOUT PEOPLE DRIVING OFF THE END OF IT
(SOME ACTUALLY DOCUMENTED). THE BRIDGE WAS FINALLY COMPLETED IN
1970 AND OFFICIALLY NAMED THE FORT DUQUESNE BRIDGE, BUT PITTSBURGH
RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO REFER TO IT AS THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Plan, design, color, building material, and technic ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Bridge |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
CUT A LEMON IN HALF AND SQUEEZE EACH SECTION TO
REMOVE JUICE. RUB THE ELBOWS WITH THE REMAINING
RIND AND THE DIRT WILL BE REMOVED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HER MOTHER (1920S)
AND STILL PRACTICES IT. SHE CLAIMS IT WORKS.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-02-1971 ; 00001920S
HEALING COIN
IN YUGOSLAVIA, WHEN A YOUNG GIRL GETS MARRIED, HER
HAIR IS BRAIDED. A COIN IS THEN WEAVED INTO THIS
BRAID, WHERE IT MUST STAY FROM THAT DAY FORWARD.
NOW, THE COIN IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HEALING POWER,
AND EVERYONE BELIEVES IT. THE STEPSISTER OF THE
INFORMANT ON A VISIT TO THE COUNTRY RECENTLY, WAS
APPROACHED BY A BOY WITH A CASE OF HIVES. SHE
TOOK HIM TO A POND, WASHED HIM AND DRESSED HIM.
THE BOY WAS HEALED BY THE NEXT DAY, ALL DUE TO THE
HEALING EFFECTS OF THE COIN.
Submitter comment:
TOLD BY A NEIGHBOR, MRS. BENESTELLI, AT THE RESIDENCE
FROM HER MOTHER WHO HAD JUST RETURNED FROM YUGO-
SLAVIA, ON TAPE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
James Callow Keyword(s): Yugoslavia
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Curer BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
CUT THE TOP OFF A KITCHEN MATCH AND PLACE IT ON THE WART.
THEN IGNITE THE MATCH, WHICH WILL BURN OUT THE WART.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT ACTUALLY SAW THIS PRACTICED AS A BOY IN THE
LATE 1920S.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-02-1971 ; 00001920S LATE
TAKE HAIRS FROM A HORSE'S MANE AND PUT THEM IN A RAIN
BARREL. WHEN THE HAIRS BEGIN TO WIGGLE, YOUR WARTS WILL
FALL OFF.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS SAID WHEN YOUNG (AROUND 1920) BUT DOES
NOT REMEMBER SEEING IT EVER PRACTICED.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-02-1971 ; 00001920 CA.
RUB A WART WITH A RAW POTATO. THEN BURY THE POTATO. THE WART
SHOULD SHORTLY DISAPPEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT ACTUALLY DID THIS WHEN YOUNG (1920S) AND CLAIMS
THAT WARTS DID DISAPPEAR.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
James Callow Keyword(s): PLUGGING TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Method of Curing |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
TIE A HORSE HAIR AROUND A WART AND THE WART WILL DISAPPEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS SAID WHEN YOUNG (AROUND 1920) BUT DOES
NOT REMEMBER SEEING IT EVER PRACTICED.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
James Callow Keyword(s): MEASURING
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
IN YUGOSLAVIA, IT IS BELIEVED THAT BY WAVING A
SILVER KNIFE AROUND, IT WILL WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS.
Submitter comment:
RECOUNTED FROM MRS. BENESTELLI'S MOTHER, A
NEIGHBOR, JUST RETURNED FROM YUGOSLAVIA.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; YUGOSLAVIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
IF YOU PICK DANDELIONS, YOU WILL WET THE BED THAT NIGHT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS SAID WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD IN THE
1920S. SHE DOES NOT BELIEVE IN THIS PRACTICE.
DANDELION'S ARE CALLED "PEE-THE-BEDS." INFORMANT HAS
USED THIS SINCE SHE WAS A CHILD IN THE 1920S AND STILL
USES THIS TERM TODAY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping |
Date learned: 10-02-1971 ; 00-00-1920
IF IT RAINS WHEN YOU DIE, IT MEANS YOUR SOUL IS BEING WASHED
PURE AND CLEAN.
Submitter comment:
THIS WAS BELIEVED BY INFORMANT'S MOTHER. THE INFORMANT
HEARD THIS SAID WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG, BUT DOES NOT BELIEVE
IN THE TRUTH OF THE STATEMENT NOW. (1920S).
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001920S ; 10-02-1971
IF YOU TAKE FLOWERS FROM A GRAVE, THEY WILL NEVER GROW.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HER MOTHER (1920S) WHO
BELIEVED IT, BUT INFORMANT DOES NOT BELIEVE IT NOW.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001920S ; 10-02-1971
IN BELGIUM, IT IS BELIEVED THAT YOU CAN DETERMINE THE
TYPE OF PERSON SOMEONE IS BY THEIR HANDSHAKE.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-01-1970
THOSE WHO WEAR PURPLE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE CRAZY ACCORDING
TO THE CUSTOM IN PITTSBURG (PENNSYLVANIA).
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Color |
Date learned: 11-18-1968
BEFORE CUTTING UNSLICED BREAD, MAKE THE SIGN OF THE
CROSS ON IT WITH THE KNIFE YOU WILL USE TO SLICE
THE BREAD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD AND SAW THIS PRACTICED AS A CHILD
(1920S) AND ACTUALLY PRACTICES IT TODAY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Cross and its various modifications |
Date learned: 10-02-1971 ; 00001920S
IF YOU DROP A COMB, STEP ON IT BEFORE YOU PICK IT
UP OR YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS AND SAW IT PRACTICED SINCE
SHE WAS YOUNG (1915). SHE DOES NOT BELIEVE IT
OR PRACTICE IT. HER SISTER STILL PRACTICES IT
TODAY, BUT INFORMANT DOES NOT THINK HER SISTER
BELIEVES IT, RATHER IT IS JUST HABIT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Conversions Sharp objects |
Date learned: 00-00-1915
A CRICKET IN YOUR HEARTH BRINGS GOOD LUCK. NEVER
KILL IT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS BELIEF FROM PARENTS WHEN SHE WAS
A YOUNG GIRL, DURING THE 1920S. THINKS PARENTS
BELIEVED IN THE SAYING, BUT THERE WAS NO HEARTH
IN THEIR HOME TO CONFIRM THE BELIEF.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Good luck Animals |
Date learned: 10-02-1971 ; 00001920S