Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for TENNESSEE returned 5179 results.
FARM BELIEF
PULL THE LONGEST LEG OFF A DADDY LONG-LEGS
AND THEY WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COWS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): SPIDER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 08-08-1968
TURN BULL CREEK
JOAN RELATES THE STORY OF HOW TURNBULL CREEK OF CRAGGIE
HOPE, TENNESSEE GOT ITS NAME. TURNBULL CREEK GOT ITS
NAME FROM THE TIME A MAN RODE HIS AXE (OX?) INTO THE
SWOLLEN STREAM. FINDING IT TOO DEEP TO FORD, HE
STARTED YELLING, "TURN, BULL! TURN, BULL!"
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 07-00-1968
THE HAND OF GOD
ONCE THIS OLD COUPLE WHO LIVED ON A FARM AWOKE ONE MORNING
TO FIND A HORSE MISSING. NOW ON THE FARM THEY HAD A
HIRED MAN NAMED TOMMY LYTLE EDGAR WHITAKER JOHN KNOX
FREEMAN WYNN, AND AS HE SAID "AND COOPER COMES IN THAR
SOMEWHAR." SO THEY SENT THIS MAN OUT TO LOOK FOR THE
HORSE, WITH HIS FATHER. IN A FIELD THEY FOUND THE HORSE
UNDER A DEAD TREE THAT HAD BEEN STRUCK BY LIGHTNING AND
FALLEN ON THE ANIMAL, KILLING HIM. THE FATHER OF THE
HIRED MAN SUMMED UP THE SITUATION IN THIS WAY, "YOU TAKE
GOD UP ONE SIDE AND DOWN T'OTHER AND HE DOES JUST ABOUT
AS MUCH HARM AS HE DOES GOOD."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): GOD EVALUATED, FOUND EQUALLY HELPFUL AND HARMFUL ; HUMOROUS NAME
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Gods PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 08-12-1968
BELCHEWELL SOPHIE
THE INFORMANT CAN DATE THIS STORY IN HIS FAMILY AT LEAST
AS FAR BACK AS 1820.
ONCE THERE WAS A COW WHO HAD A PARTICULARLY POPULAR CALF,
LOVED BY ALL THE OTHER ANIMALS. THIS CALF'S NAME WAS
BELCHEWELL SOPHIE, AND EVERY EVENING AT DINNERTIME, THE
MOTHER COW WOULD CALL OUT:BELCHEWELL SOPHIE
COME GET YOUR INDIA LINEN
COME GET YOUR CALICO
AND THE CALF WOULD COME FOR HER DINNER. ONE NIGHT WHEN
THE MOTHER COW CALLED, BELCHEWELL SOPHIE DIDN'T COME.
NOR DID SHE COME HOME THE NEXT DAY. BY THIS TIME, THE
MOTHER WAS SURE SHE HAD BEEN EATEN BY ONE OF THE OTHER
ANIMALS, SO A CONCLAVE OF ALL THE ANIMALS WAS CALLED TO
DECIDE HOW TO FIND THE CULPRIT. FINALLY, IT WAS DECIDED
THAT THEY WOULD BUILD A BONFIRE AND ASK ALL THE ANIMALS
TO JUMP OVER IT, THE IDEA BEING THAT ANY ANIMAL WHO HAD
EATEN AS MUCH AS A CALF WOULD BE TOO FAT TO MAKE IT OVER
THE FIRE. SO THE FIRE WAS BUILT, AND THE ANIMALS LINED UP
TO JUMP OVER. THE RABBIT WAS FIRST AND AS HE JUMPED, HE SANG
(MUSIC WRITTEN ON THE 5 X 8 CARD):
I AIN'T NO LIAR AND I AINT NO ROGUE;
I DIDN'T EAT BELCHEWELL SOPHIE SO JUMP OVER ITT
AND OVER HE WENT. ALL THE OTHER ANIMALS FOLLOWED HIM
SINGING THE SAME SONG, EXCEPT THE WOLF. HE SLUNK IN THE
SHADOWS AND REFUSED TO JUMP. FINALLY WHEN HE HAD
EXHAUSTED THE PATIENCE OF THE OTHERS, HE APPROACHED
THE FIRE AND SANG:
(MUSIC ON THE 5 X 8 CARD)
I AM A LIAR AND I AM A ROGUE;
I DID EAT BELCHEWELL SOPHIE SO JUMP IN IT.
SO HE JUMPED INTO THE FIRE AND WAS BURNED UP.
(MUSIC WRITTEN ON 5 X 8 CARD)
James Callow comment: MUSIC ON THE 5 X 8 CARD
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): CANTE FABLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal |
Date learned: 08-12-1968
THE HOOK
A MAN WITH A HOOK INSTEAD OF A HAND ROAMS THROUGH WARNER
PARK AT NIGHT. A COUPLE WITH A CONVERTIBLE (CAR) PARKED
THERE ONE NIGHT AND HEARD A RIPPING SOUND. WHEN THEY
GOT HOME AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR, A HOOK WAS IN THE
CONVERTIBLE TOP.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
MURDERED BOYFRIEND
A GIRL AND BOY ON A DATE RAN OUT OF GAS ON A DARK,
LONELY ROAD. THE BOY TOLD HER TO STAY IN THE LOCKED
CAR AND NOT LOOK BACK, WHILE HE WENT FOR HELP. SHE
STAYED ALL NIGHT, AND IN THE MORNING, SHE TURNED AND
LOOKED OUT THE BACK WINDOW. HER BOYFRIEND'S HEAD WAS
ON THE TRUNK, LOOKING IN AT HER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): HORROR ; The Boyfriend's Death
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00001960 CA
GHOST ON RAILROAD TRACK
AT MIDNIGHT AT THE RAILROAD CROSSING IN CHAPEL HILL,
TENNESSEE, A LIGHT IS SEEN TO APPROACH FROM DOWN THE
TRACK. THIS IS THE LANTERN CARRIED BY THE GHOST OF
HENRY NEESE, WHO WAS DECAPITATED HERE, BY A TRAIN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00001962 CA
NEGRO WITH BRICK
SOMETIMES A GIRL AT THE OXFORD HOUSE DORMITORY OF
VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY WILL FIND HERSELF ALONE IN AN
ELEVATOR WITH A NEGRO MAN HOLDING A BRICK. AS SHE
STARTS TO STEP OUT, HE DROPS THE BRICK ON HER FOOT.
THIS MAN HAS REPORTEDLY ALSO APPEARED IN THE WOMEN'S
QUADRANGLE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 12-00-1969
PHANTOM TRAIN
AT MIDNIGHT AT THE RAILROAD CROSSING OF CHAPEL HILL,
TENNESSEE, THE INFORMANT AND A FRIEND SAW A LARGE LIGHT
APPROACHING FROM DOWN THE TRACK. THE LIGHT SEEMED
TO HAVE NO CENTER. WHEN IT WAS ONLY A FEW FEET AWAY,
SHE SAW IT WAS A TRAIN AND SHE QUICKLY STEPPED OFF THE
TRACK. AS IT PASSED HER AND DISAPPEARED, IT MADE NO
NOISE AT ALL.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): GHOST TRAIN ; PHANTOM TRAIN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-00-1969
COLLEGE STUDENT ON PILLS
THERE WAS AN AVERAGE STUDENT WHO CAME FROM A VERY
WEALTHY FAMILY. HIS PARENTS SENT HIM TO ONE OF THE IVY
LEAGUE SCHOOLS IN THE EAST. THE BOY COULD NOT MAKE
HIS GRADES BY DOING AN AVERAGE AMOUNT OF STUDYING, SO HE
STARTED TAKING DEXEDRINE PILLS. EVERY OTHER NIGHT FOR
AN ENTIRE YEAR HE DIDN'T GO TO BED. AT THE END OF THE
SCHOOL YEAR HE WENT HOME AND WENT TO SLEEP. HIS
PARENTS LET HIM SLEEP FOR TWENTY FOUR HOURS, THEN
TRIED TO AWAKEN HIM. HE WAS DEAD.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): DRUG OVERDOSE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 08-10-1968
SECULAR HERO
LEGEND WAS CIRCULATED AT TIME OF DEATH OF ACTOR
JAMES DEAN THAT ACTUALLY HE WAS NOT DEAD BUT ALIVE
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
SECULAR HERO
MRS. ORR TELLS A STORY OF HOW AN EXTRA LARGE BATHTUB
HAD TO BE BUILT FOR PRESIDENT GROVER CLEVELAND WHEN
HE VISITED NASHVILLE AND STAYED AT BELLE MEADE
MANSION.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Abnormal in size |
Date learned: 05-00-1969
LOCAL TALE OF PREMONITION
THERE WAS THIS COUPLE WHO WAS PARKING IN PERCY WARNER
PARK, AND AFTER A WHILE, THE GIRL GOT COLD CHILLS AND
REQUESTED THAT THEY LEAVE. THE BOY, THINKING THAT SHE
WAS MAKING EXCUSES, THOUGHT SHE WAS JUST BEING SILLY.
BUT SHE INSISTED THAT THEY LEAVE BECAUSE SHE HAD A
FEELING THAT SOMETHING WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. THE BOY
FINALLY CONSENTED AND THEY LEFT. WHEN THEY GOT HOME,
THERE WAS A HAND PRINT ON THE DOOR OF THE CAR, AND IT
WAS SMUDGED AS IF PERHAPS THE MOVEMENT OF THE CAR AS
THE COUPLE STARTED TO LEAVE HAD SMUDGED IT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): HOOK
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
BELL-WITCH LEGEND
THIS FAMILY MOVED TO TENNESSEE FROM SOMEWHERE AND THEY
HAD SEVERAL DAUGHTERS. THE BELL WITCH PICKED OUT ONE
GIRL AND KEPT PESTERING HER LIKE PULLING HER HAIR
AND PICKING HER NOSE--ALWAYS BOTHERING HER. SHE
FELL IN LOVE AND GOT ENGAGED AND THE BELL WITCH
GOT MAD AND HE VOWED THAT NO ONE WOULD HAVE HER BUT
HIM, SO HE KEPT BOTHERING HER. IT JUST HAD TO BE--
SHE BROKE HER ENGAGEMENT. SHE GOT SICK AND LAY
THERE DYING ALL PALE AND WAN. HER FAMILY GATHERED
AROUND. THEY HAD ASKED THE BELL WITCH TO GO AWAY AND
THE FATHER ASKED THE BELL WITCH FOR SOME SIGN.
THE BELL WITCH SAID "GIVE ME YOUR HAND." THE FATHER
DID AND SOMETHING GRASPED HIS HAND AND IT WAS SOFT TO
THE TOUCH AS A BABY'S HAND WOULD BE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 04-24-1969
BELL WITCH LEGEND
A FAMILY WAS PLAGUED BY THE BELL WITCH SO THEY MOVED AND
THE BELL WITCH MOVED WITH THEM. SHE APPEARED IN WHITE.
EVERYTIME SHE APPEARED SOMETHING AWFUL WOULD HAPPEN
TO THE FAMILY. I BELIEVE SHE TOLD THEM ABOUT ONE
OF THE WARS (WORLD WARS). "I WILL RETURN IN SEVEN
YEARS," SHE SAID AND TO LOOK FOR HER CAUSE SHE'D
BE BACK AND SOMETHING TERRIBLE WOULD HAPPEN. AND
SURE ENOUGH, SHE RETURNED IN SEVEN YEARS. SHE'D TELL
THEM THAT SHE'D BE BACK AT A CERTAIN TIME AND
SURE ENOUGH SHE'D BE BACK AND SOMETHING TERRIBLE
WOULD HAPPEN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 04-24-1969
SPIRIT OF THE FOREST PINE
THE STORY TAKES PLACE IN A BEAUTIFUL GROVE OF PINE
TREES. THE SPIRIT OF THE FOREST PINE LIVED IN THE
FOREST BY WATER, BECAUSE EVERYTHING INDIAN IS BY
WATER BECAUSE THEY LIKE WATER. A BEAUTIFUL INDIAN
PRINCESS USED TO GO AT NIGHT TO BEG THE SPIRIT TO TAKE
HER TO HIS PALACE, CASTLE OR WHATEVER IT WAS. SHE
JUST WANTED TO GO WHERE HE LIVED. SHE USED TO SING TO
HIM TO TRY TO LURE HIM TO HER. SHE FELL ASLEEP AND
WHEN SHE WOKE UP THERE WERE TINY LITTLE MARKS AROUND HER
AND A GARLAND OF FLOWERS AND PINE NEEDLES WAS ON HER
HEAD. SHE GOT REAL EXCITED. THE NEXT NIGHT SHE WENT
BACK AND SANG TO HIM AGAIN. SHE FELL ASLEEP AND HAD
A DREAM THAT TINY SPIRITS WERE DANCING AROUND HER. THE
LITTLE SPIRITS SPOKE TO HER AND SAID "YOU MAY COME
TO LIVE WITH THE SPIRIT BUT YOU MAY NEVER LEAVE THE
FOREST" AND SHE THOUGHT ABOUT HOW SHE LOVED THE SUN-
SHINE AND SHE DIDN'T WANT TO LIVE THERE WITHOUT THE
SUNSHINE FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE. SO SHE SAID
NO AND THEY SAID OK. SO THE NEXT MORNING SHE WAS
HEARTBROKEN, BECAUSE SHE WANTED MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE
TO LIVE WITH HIM. SHE WENT BACK EVERY NIGHT AND SANG
TO HIM CAUSE SHE'D BLOWN HER CHANCE AND THEY NEVER
CAME BACK. SHE ALWAYS GRIEVED FOR THAT FOREST LAND
BECAUSE SHE GAVE IT UP.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 04-24-1969
THE SOLDIERS' RETURN
I BELIEVE THAT THIS HAPPENED IN KENTUCKY. A GIRL WAS
ENGAGED TO AN ARMY LIEUTENANT WHO WAS SENT OUT ON AN
INDIAN DEAL. HE WAS KILLED. SHE HAD PROMISED TO WAIT
BUT SHE DIDN'T WAIT TOO LONG, 'CAUSE SHE GOT ENGAGED
TO A CAPTAIN. THEY HAD A BIG WEDDING ON THE POST AND
A BIG DANCE AFTER THE WEDDING. EVERYONE WAS DANCING,
WHEN THE DOORS OPENED AND IN STAGGERED THE DEAD
LIEUTENANT, ALL MOIST FROM THE GRAVE. HE WALKED
OVER AND STARTED DANCING WITH THE GIRL AND THE LONGER
SHE DANCED, THE PALER SHE GOT AND JUST DIED DANCING
WITH HIM BECAUSE SHE WASN'T FAITHFUL. SHE DIDN'T WAIT
VERY LONG AT ALL.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 04-24-1969
COOPERS' ROCKING CHAIR--HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
MR. COOPER WHO OWNED THE HOUSE USED TO SIT OUT ON THE
FRONT PORCH IN HIS ROCKING CHAIR IN THE EVENINGS,
KIND OF A RITUAL, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE DID. HE
DIED AND HIS WIFE, MISS TEXIE, CONTINUED TO RUN HIS
BUSINESS AND SHE KEPT HIS CHAIR ON THE FRONT PORCH.
IT WAS COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT AFTER MR. COOPER DIED,
THE CHAIR WOULD SOMETIMES ROCK ITSELF.
James Callow comment: GHOST CONTINUES EARTHLY ACTIVITY AFTER DEATH
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
THE THORNTON GHOST--HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA
AROUND 1900 OR 1910, A YOUNG GIRL, ANNIE THORNTON,
GOT SOME MYSTERIOUS DISEASE WHICH THE DOCTORS COULD NOT
DIAGNOSE. HER PARENTS HAD A SOCIAL FUNCTION IN THEIR
HOME ONE EVENING WHILE ANNIE WAS SICK. THEY LEFT HER
IN THE CARE OF A NURSE, WHO LEFT THE ROOM FOR A WHILE
AND RETURNED TO FIND THE LITTLE GIRL DEAD. THEY BURIED
HER IN THE FAMILY CEMETERY ON THE HILL BEHIND THE
HOUSE. AFTER THIS, THEY STARTED NOTICING AND SAYING
THAT ANNIE WAS UP WALKING AROUND AT NIGHT AND SOME OF
THEM (THE FAMILY) CLAIM TO HAVE SEEN HER. BUT EVERY
TIME THEY WOULD SEE HER WALKING AROUND, THEY WOULD
GO OUT TO THE GRAVEYARD AND SEE HER TOMBSTONE TURNED
OVER. TODAY, THEY CALL THE ROOM WHERE SHE DIED,
"ANNIE'S ROOM." THEY USE IT AS A PARLOR ONLY FOR
LARGE SOCIAL OCCASIONS. THEY BELIEVE WHEN ANNIE WALKS,
THAT SHE CAN UNLOCK DOORS, SO THEY HAVE TO PROP CHAIRS
AGAINST THE DOOR TO KEEP HER FROM WALKING THE HOUSE.
TWO VIOLENT DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED SINCE THIS GIRL'S
DEATH. ONE WAS AN AUNT WHO WAS KILLED BY AN ESCAPED
CONVICT WHO AFTER THE MURDER HID OUT IN THE CAVES BY
THE TENNESSEE RIVER AND WAS NOT FOUND UNTIL ALMOST A
YEAR AFTER THE MURDER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
VANDY HAUNTED HOUSE
THE HOUSE WAS LOCATED ACROSS THE STREET FROM
BRANSCOMB QUADRANGLE NEXT TO THE CHI OMEGA HOUSE.
THE STORY WAS TOLD TO ME BY SOME PEOPLE WHO LIVED
THERE. THE LADY WHO OWNS THE HOUSE AND LIVES
THERE HAD A HUSBAND WHO DIED. FROM THE FRONT OF THE
HOUSE, THERE IS A STAIRWELL GOING TO THE UPSTAIRS
WHERE HER HUSBAND'S ROOM WAS, AND THE WOMAN KEEPS
THAT DOOR LOCKED. THERE IS SAID TO BE A FALSE WALL
OR DOUBLE WALL NEXT TO THE STAIRS. AT THE TOP OF
THE STAIRS IS A MIRROR. SOMEHOW THE MAN GETS OUT OF
THE ROOM AND WALKS UP AND DOWN THE STAIRS, AND
SOMETIMES YOU CAN SEE HIM IN THE MIRROR.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 04-13-1969