Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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TO CURE WARTS RUB THEM WITH A COIN (MONEY) (SIC).
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): MONEY
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
TO HAVE PRETTY SKIN WASH YOUR FACE IN BABY URINE.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
Date learned: 06-00-1972
WHEN ONE PERSON'S NAME IS SAID IN PLACE OF ANOTHER, THE
ORIGINAL NAME SPOKEN IS TALKING ABOUT THE PRESENT SPEAKER.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
IF THE HEM OF YOUR DRESS IS ACCIDENTALLY TURNED UPWARD,
KISS IT AND YOU'LL RECEIVE A NEW ONE.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
IF YOU WALK BACKWARDS YOU'RE CURSING YOUR MOTHER.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Curse |
SWEAT ON YOUR NOSE MEANS YOU'RE MEAN.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Nose |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
IF YOUR INDEX TOE IS LARGER THAN YOUR FORETOE, IT IS A
SIGN THAT YOU WILL LOSE YOUR HUSBAND.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Measure of space: distance, height, depth |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
A FROG'S URINE WILL CAUSE WARTS.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
ALWAYS BURN YOUR HAIR THAT COMES OUT. IF YOU THROW IT AWAY
AND A BIRD GETS IT AND BUILDS A BIRD NEST, YOU'LL HAVE A
HEADACHE.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
IF A BLACK CAT CROSSES YOUR PATH WHILE DRIVING OR RIDING IN
A CAR, THROW OUT A PIECE OF THREAD FROM YOUR GARMENT TO WARD
OFF BAD LUCK.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
Date learned: 06-00-1972
FOR SORE THROAT RELIEF, TIE A STRING DIPPED IN TURPENTINE
AROUND YOUR NECK OVERNIGHT.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 06-00-1972
THE GOLD CHESTS
IT (W)AS DOWN THERE IN DECATURVILLE, TENNESSEE, 'N
MY COUSIN WAS SUPPOSED TO MARRY ALVIN BOGGS (HE LIVED
DOWN THERE WHERE THE INTERSTATE NOW RUNS THROUGH LINDEN).
WELL, SHE UP 'N RAN AWAY WITH JESSIE CARTER ON HER
WEDDIN' DAY. WELL, BOGGS WAS SO UPSET HE MOVED TO
TEXAS AND WE DIDN'T HEAR FROM HIM FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS.
THEN ONE DAY HE CAME IN BY TRAIN AND HE HAD FIVE BIG CHESTS
WITH HIM. IT TOOK ABOUT FOUR MEN TO GET THEM CHESTS
OFF THE TRAIN AND TO HIS HOUSE. WELL EVERYBODY THOUGHT
HE HAD GOLD IN 'EM, BUT HE NEVER WOULD OPEN 'EM. HE
SHOT ONE MAN WHO TRIED TO STEAL ONE. WELL, IT WASN'T
'TIL HE WAS ON HIS DEATH BED AND ONE OF HIS COUSINS ASKED
HIM IF HE COULD OPEN THE CHEST. YOU KNOW WHAT WAS IN
THERE? SCRAP IRON. EVER' ONE OF 'EM FILLED WITH
SCRAP IRON. AN ALL THIS TIME WE THOUGHT THEY WERE
FILLED WITH GOLD; AND THAT'S THE TRUTH.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being BELIEF -- Mineral |
Date learned: 08-08-1968
DEATH STORY
DID YOU HEAR WHAT HAPPENED TO VIRGINIA GARTON WHEN
VIRGINIA SMITH'S MOTHER DIED? WELL, SHE HAD BEEN TO
TOWN AND INSTEAD OF GOING IN HER HOUSE AND PUTTING HER
PACKAGES DOWN, SHE WENT UP TO VIRGINIA SMITH'S TO SEE
IF THERE WAS ANYTHING SHE COULD DO TO HELP OUT. A FEW
DAYS LATER, AFTER MRS. SMITH'S MOTHER DIED, MRS. GARTON
MISSED ONE OF HER PACKAGES AND CALLED MRS. SMITH TO SEE
IF SHE HAD LEFT IT THERE. SHE ASKED, "VIRGINIA, DID
I LEAVE A PACKAGE AT YOUR HOUSE THE OTHER DAY? IT HAD
A SLIP IN IT." MRS. SMITH WAS KIND OF QUIET FOR A
MINUTE AND THEN SAID, "WHEN I SAW THE SLIP, I THOUGHT
IT WAS ONE MY MOTHER HAD BROUGHT WITH HER AND I BURIED
HER IN IT." MRS. GARTON SAID, "OH, THAT'S ALL RIGHT,
I GOT IT ON SALE ANYWAY." TO WHICH MRS. SMITH VERY
CALMLY REPLIED, "THAT'S EVEN BETTER--MOTHER ALWAYS
DID LOVE A BARGAIN."
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 08-13-1968
REGIONAL STORY
THERE'S A RIVER, WELL, CANAL, I GUESS YOU'D CALL IT,
THAT CONNECTS THE HUDSON AND HARLEM RIVERS IN UPPER
MANHATTAN, AND EVEN THOUGH IT'S WIDER THAN THE
CUMBERLAND (RIVER), IT'S CALLED A CREEK, SPUYTENDYVIL
(SPITE-IN-DIE-VAL) CREEK. THE STORY GOES THAT WHEN
THE DUTCH SETTLED NEW YORK, THERE WAS A SUPERSTITION
THAT THE DEVIL LIVED IN THAT CREEK IN THE FORM OF A
GIANT SEA TURTLE, AND ALTHOUGH A STORM HAD WASHED THE
BRIDGE AWAY, THE LEADER OF THE DUTCH SAID THAT HE WOULD
SWIM THE CREEK "SPUYTENDYVIL," (IN SPITE OF THE DEVIL).
HE DID AND SUPPOSEDLY WAS TAKEN BY THIS TURTLE AND WAS
NEVER SEEN AGAIN. EVEN TODAY, THAT RIVER IS CALLED OLD
SPUYTENDYVIL CREEK.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon PROSE NARRATIVE -- Animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name PROSE NARRATIVE -- Still water Small body. Lake, pond.... |
Date learned: 08-13-1968
THE BELL WITCH
THE BELL WITCH, OF SUPERNATURAL ORIGIN, IS SAID TO HAVE
EXISTED IN ROBERTSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE ABOUT 75 YEARS
AGO. SHE STARTED OUT WITH GOOD INTENTIONS BUT, AFTER
ATTENDING TWO CHURCH SERVICES AT THE SAME TIME, SHE
TURNED BAD. HER MAIN INTENT SEEMED TO BE TO INFLICT
SUFFERING, PARTICULARLY UPON JOHN BELL. SHE TORMENTED
HIM TO HIS DEATH.
ANDREW JACKSON, AMONG MANY OTHERS, IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE
SEEN THE BELL WITCH.
THE LATE CHARLES BRYAN, FORMER MEMBER OF THE PEABODY
COLLEGE SCHOOL OF MUSIC, WROTE A CANTATA CALLED "THE
BELL WITCH CANTATA."
Where learned: DORM ; NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): MUSICAL COMPOSITION ; PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 05-09-1969
ECCENTRIC CHARACTERS
ABOUT TWELVE MILES FROM GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA,
THERE IS A RUNDOWN LOOKING HOUSE UP AN EMBANKMENT FROM
THE MAIN HIGHWAY. THE STORY TOLD IS THAT SOME TYPE OF
TRAGEDY (PERHAPS A TRAGIC DEATH) OCCURRED IN THE HOUSE.
THE OWNERS NOW WILL NOT LIVE IN THE HOUSE BUT LIVE IN A
WHITE CAR BESIDE THE HOUSE. I HAVE SEEN THE HOUSE AND
THE CAR. A COLLEGE STUDENT EXPLORING AROUND THE HOUSE
WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN CHASED OFF BY SOMEONE WITH A GUN.
I HAVEN'T TALKED WITH ANYONE DIRECTLY CONNECTED WITH THE
FAMILY, BUT THOSE WHO TELL THE STORY BELIEVE THAT THE
PEOPLE TRULY LIVE IN THE CAR.
Where learned: DORM ; NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-06-1969
IN ST. LOUIS, THE "VEILED PROPHET" HAS BECOME A LEGENDARY
FIGURE. ACCORDING TO THE LEGEND, THIS PROPHET OR KING
FROM A FAR-AWAY LAND VISITS EVERY YEAR THE FAIREST CITY IN
THE LAND (WHICH IS ALWAYS ST. LOUIS) AND THERE SELECTS HIS
QUEEN OF LOVE AND BEAUTY, WHO WILL REIGN WITH HIM FOR A
YEAR. IN REALITY, THE ANNUAL OCCASION IS A SOCIAL AFFAIR
AT WHICH THE DEBUTANTES ARE PRESENTED TO SOCIETY. BUT IT
IS CARRIED OUT WITH ALL THE SPLENDOR AND POMP BEFITTING
HIS ROYAL MAJESTY WHO APPEARS AT THE BALL IN ROYAL ROBES
AND WITH VEILED FACE ACCOMPANIED BY HIS PAGES, HERALDS
(WHO ANNOUNCE THE DEBUTANTES WHOSE NAMES, ESPECIALLY
THAT OF THE CHOSEN QUEEN, HAVE BEEN KEPT SECRET UNTIL THIS
SHINING HOUR), AND THE BENGAL LANCERS WHO FORM AN HONOR
GUARD FOR THE QUEEN.
THE DAY AFTER THE BALL, THE VEILED PROPHET, HIS QUEEN AND
HER COURT, RIDE THROUGH THE STREETS OF THE CITY IN THE
ANNUAL VEILED PROPHET PARADE, COMPLETE WITH FLOATS,
MARCHING BANDS, ETC.
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PPARADE THE PROPHET "DISAPPEARS"
UNTIL HIS NEXT ANNUAL VISIT. (BUT SOMEHOW THE QUEEN
ALWAYS STAYS BEHIND TO PRESIDE AT ALL THE SOCIAL AFFAIRS OF
THE CITY.)
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Maturity CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Festival |
Date learned: 04-08-1969
WHISKEY HILL
IN AND NEAR THE TOWN OF DUBOIS (WYOMING?) THERE IS A
MOUNTAIN, CALLED BY THE TOWNSPEOPLE "WHISKEY HILL."
THE NAME COMES FROM THE LEGEND THAT IN THE EARLY DAYS
OF TIMBER CUTTING IN THAT AREA, THE LUMBERJACKS WOULD
GET EXTREMELY COLD IN THE THIRTY-BELOW WEATHER PREVALENT
IN THAT AREA. SO IN THE SUMMER MONTHS, THEY WOULD BUY
WHISKEY AND STASH IT IN PLACES KNOWN ONLY TO THEMSELVES
ON THE MOUNTAIN. THEN, IN THE WINTER, THEY WOULD BE
ABLE TO WARM THEMSELVES. NO TOWNSPEOPLE EVER FOUND
ANY OF THE STASHED (HIDDEN) WHISKEY SO NO ONE KNEW
IF IT WAS A TRUE STORY.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): CACHE ; TEMPERATURE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
HAUNTED WELL
IN COBB COUNTY, GEORGIA THERE IS A HAUNTED WELL.
EVERY YEAR ON A CERTAIN DAY YOU CAN GO TO THE FIELD
SURROUNDING THE WELL AND HEAR A BABY CRYING IN IT.
THE STORY IS THAT A BABY FELL IN THE WELL AND WAS
NOT FOUND UNTIL TOO LATE. IT CRIED EVERY YEAR ON
THE NIGHT OF THE ANNIVERSARY OF ITS DEATH.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Still water Man made container. Well, pool.... |
Date learned: 00-00-1964
CABIN FEVER
IN THE MOUNTAINS IN WYOMING THERE IS A PARTICULARLY
BLEAK TIME OF THE YEAR DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WITH
THE INTENSE COLD AND GREAT QUANTITIES OF SNOW. DURING
THIS TIME, THE NATIVES WILL WARN YOU OF "CABIN FEVER,"
WHICH REFERS TO THE STIR-CRAZY ATTITUDE ONE CAN GET
DURING THIS TIME. ONE FEVER STORY CONCERNS TWO LOGGERS
WHO WERE SENT UP INTO THE TIMBER IN THE EARLY AUTUMN
AND TOLD TO COME DOWN WHEN THEY HAD CLEARED THE AREA.
THESE TWO MEN QUARRELED RIGHT ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF THE
CABIN FEVER TIME AND QUIT SPEAKING. WEEKS WENT BY AND
THE TWO MEN CONTINUED TO WORK OPPOSITE ENDS OF A SAW,
SHARING BED AND BOARD, YET NEVER SPEAKING TO ONE
ANOTHER, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE AROUND
TO SPEAK TO. THEN, ONE DAY AFTER ABOUT SIX WEEKS OF
THIS, THEY FINISHED THE JOB AND WENT INTO DUBOIS TO
CELEBRATE. THAT NIGHT THEY ENCOUNTERED EACH OTHER NINE
TIMES IN THE BARS AND EACH TIME THEY HAD A VIOLENT
FIGHT. TOWNSPEOPLE WILL STILL POINT OUT WINDOWS THAT
WERE BROKEN AND WHERE BLOOD WAS SPILLED. AFTER THIS
RIOTOUS NIGHT, THE TWO MEN SHOOK HANDS AND WENT
BACK TO THE HILLS AGAIN. CABIN FEVER WAS OVER.
Where learned: NASHVILLE ; TENNESSEE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): BOREDOM ; LONLINESS ; WILDERNESS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 00-00-1964