Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THE HEN-PECKED DEVIL
SEVERAL HUNDRED YEARS AGO THE MAYOR OF HAMBURG, GERMANY,
CONTRACTED TO HAVE A BRIDGE BUILT OVER THE ELBE. THE CONTRACTOR
PROMISED TO HAVE THE JOB COMPLETED BY A CERTAIN DATE, BUT,
BECAUSE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, HE WAS HOPELESSLY BEHIND SCHEDULE.
SINCE THE BUILDER KNEW THAT THE MAYOR WOULD NOT FULFILL HIS END
OF THE CONTRACT UNLESS THE BRIDGE WAS COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE
SPRING FESTIVALS, HE MADE A PACT WITH THE DEVIL FOR ITS COMPLE-
TION. THE DEVIL WOULD COMPLETE CONSTRUCTION IN RETURN FOR THE
SOUL OF THE FIRST PERSON TO CROSS THE BRIDGE.
WHEN THE BRIDGE WAS COMPLETED AND TO BE DEDICATED, THE MAYOR AND
BUILDER ARGUED WITH ONE ANOTHER ABOUT WHO SHOULD BE THE FIRST TO
WALK ACROSS THE SPAN. THE MAYOR, SUSPECTING SOMETHING WAS AMISS
BECAUSE OF THE JOB'S RAPID COMPLETION, INSISTED THAT THE BUILDER
PROCEED FIRST. IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS, THE BUILDER HAD TUCKED
A HEN UNDER HIS COAT. WHEN HE APPROACHED THE MIDWAY MARK OF THE
BRIDGE WHERE THE DEVIL WAS LURKING BEHIND A COLUMN, HE THREW THE
HEN OUT TO HIM. THE DEVIL SEIZED THE BIRD, BUT WHEN HE SAW THAT
HIS CATCH WAS ONLY A HEN, HE THREW IT DOWN IN DISGUST. THE
DEVIL'S ANGER WAS SUCH THAT THE HEN WENT CLEAN THROUGH THE BRIDGE,
AND TO THIS DAY THERE IS A HOLD IN THE BRIDGE WHICH WILL NOT BE
FILLED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD TALE FROM A GERMAN PHILOSOPHY PROFESSOR AT
GANNON COLLEGE, ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE ; GANNON COLLEGE
Date learned: 10-23-1965
THE BODY IS WAKED IN THE HOME FOR TWO (DAYS?)
THEN IT IS BROUGHT TO THE CHURCH FOR OVERNIGHT.
THE NEXT MORNING, MASS IS SAID OVER THE CASKET.
Submitter comment: FAMILY CUSTOM IN IRELAND.
Where learned: MERCY COLLEGE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-01-1967
TRADITIONAL SPEECH
STRENGTH IS OFTEN COMPARED TO THE CEDAR(S) OF LEBANON.
THE LEBANESE FLAG EVEN HAS A CEDAR TREE ON IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
NAMING
GERMANS WHEN THEY FIRST CAME TO THE UNITED STATES
WERE CALLED "EASTERLINGS." WITH THEM THEY BROUGHT
THEIR FINE PRECIOUS METAL WORK IN SILVER. THE
FIRST TWO LETTERS OF EASTERLING WERE DROPPED AND
THE SILVER WORK WAS CALLED "STERLING."
THEY WERE CALLED "EASTERLINGS" BECAUSE THEY CAME
FROM THE EAST.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name Food Drink -- Service Table furnishing and decoration Implement to handle food |
Date learned: 05-13-1969
BELIEF
TO WARD OFF RABBITS, PLANT EMPTY GINGER ALE BOTTLES
IN THE GARDEN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CLASS ASSIGNMENT ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY COLLEGE, ASSUMED
James Callow Keyword(s): GINGERALE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal |
BELIEF
TO FRIGHTEN OFF BIRDS FROM YOUR GARDEN, PLACE A
LENGTH OF GARDEN HOSE IN IT AND THEY WILL THINK
IT'S A SNAKE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; CLASS ASSIGNMENT ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY COLLEGE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Insect |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
IF YOU WANT TO GET DRUNK AGAIN THE MORNING AFTER YOU HAVE
BEEN DRUNK, DRINK A TLL GLASS OF WATER. YOU WON'T NEED
TO DRINK ANY MORE LIQUOR.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY COLLEGE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
POPULAR SAYING
WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY COLLEGE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
FOLK SPEECH
A WATCHED POT NEVER BOILS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY COLLEGE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Metaphor |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NOT GIVEN
TO EACH HIS OWN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY COLLEGE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NOT GIVEN
NO REST FOR THE WICKED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY COLLEGE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
NOT GIVEN
NO REST FOR THE WEARY.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY COLLEGE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
DEAN COOK IS A GREAT GUY. HE'D DO ANYTHING HE COULD TO HELP
OUT THE STUDENTS.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY COLLEGE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Human Being BELIEF -- School |
Date learned: 02-12-1969
THE CUSTOM HERE, WHEN A GIRL GETS "PINNED" OR ENGAGED,
IS FOR ALL OF HER FRIENDS AND HALLMATES TO THROW HER FULLY
CLOTHED INTO THE SHOWER AND KEEPING HER THERE UNTIL SHE IS
THOROUGHLY DRENCHED.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; PEABODY COLLEGE, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage |
WHEN SETTLERS WERE PUSHING INWARD, ONE FAMILY BY THE NAME OF
MOON, SETTLED IN ALBERMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, ALONG THE JAMES
RIVER. AFTER THE CIVIL WAR, THE HOUSE BECAME UNINHABITED, IN
TIME TO BECOME FAMOUS FOR THE MOON GHOST. THERE ON DARK, STORMY
NIGHTS, MANY WEIRD TALES ORIGINATED BY PASSING TRAVELERS.
ONE PERSON WHO DIDN'T BELIEVE IN GHOSTS, DECIDED TO PROVE HIS
POINT. WITH A LAMP AND BOOK, HE SETTLED DOWN FOR A BORING NIGHT.
JUST THEN, A LARGE CAT WALKED INTO THE ROOM. THE CAT ACTED REAL
SOCIABLE, AND JUMPED ON THE TABLE. HE SAID TO THE MAN, "THERE
DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANYONE BUT YOU AND ME HERE TONIGHT." THIS
WAS TOO MUCH FOR THE MAN, SO HE SAID, "IN A MINUTE, THERE WON'T BE
ANYONE HERE BUT YOU."
HE THEN RAN FOR THE DOOR. HE WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT THE MOON
GHOST.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
THIS MAN USED TO BEAT HIS HORSE AND HE WOULD MAKE IT WORK HARD
AND WOULDN'T LET IT REST. WHEN THE HORSE GOT OLD, THE MAN
SHOT IT AND JUST LET IT LAY TO DECAY. IF YOU GO BY THE MAN'S
HOUSE YOU CAN SEE THE HORSE WORKING IN THE FIELDS. THEY SAY
THAT THE HORSE CAME BACK TO LIFE AND KILLED HIS MASTER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
THIS BOY IN SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA WAS DATING A GIRL WHO LIVED NEXT
TO A GRAVEYARD. THEY USED TO WALK THROUGH IT AT NIGHT AND LOOK
AT THE TOMBSTONES.
ONE NIGHT, WHILE THEY WERE WALKING, HE SAW THAT A GRAVE HAD
BEEN DUG UP BUT SHE PAID NO ATTENTION TO IT. HE FELT SOMETHING
GRAB HIS SHOULDER AND HE STARTED RUNNING TOWARD HOME. HE
DIDN'T FIND OUT WHAT IT WAS AND HE NEVER CALLED ON THE GIRL
AGAIN.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
THIS BOY WAS GOING TO HIS COUSIN'S TO GO FISHING WITH THEM.
WHEN HE GOT OFF THE TRAIN, NOBODY WAS THERE TO MEET HIM, SO HE
TOLD THE TRAINMASTER THAT HE WOULD WALK. THE TRAINMASTER THEN
SAID, "BEWARE OF JACOB MARLEY." THE BOY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT
HE MEANT, BUT HE STARTED WALKING TOWARD HIS COUSIN'S HOUSE. IT
WAS RAINING AND THUNDERING WHEN HE HAD SET OUT. HE HADN'T BEEN
WALKING VERY LONG WHEN HE HEARD A WAGON AND HORSES BEHIND HIM.
HE SAW AN OLD MAN DRIVING AN OLD WAGON. WHEN THE WAGON CAME
NEARER, HE YELLED OUT, "CAN I HAVE A RIDE?" NO ANSWER CAME
FROM THE MAN, SO THE BOY JUMPED ON.
WHEN HE WAS NEARING HIS COUSIN'S HOUSE HE SAID, "I GET OFF HERE,"
BUT THE WAGON KEPT GOING. HE JUMPED OFF, BUT HE HAD LEFT HIS
SUITCASE ON THE WAGON. HE WENT IN AND TOLD HIS COUSINS ALL ABOUT
WHAT HAPPENED. THEY SAID, "YOU MUST OF BEEN RIDING WITH JACOB
MARLEY."
THIS IS THE STORY THEY TOLD HIM:
ONE NIGHT, IT WAS THUNDERING AND LIGHTENING, AND IT WAS RAINING
VERY BAD. JACOB MARLEY WAS DRIVING HIS CARRIAGE ALONG THAT SAME
ROAD THAT NIGHT. THERE WAS A SHARP RIGHT TURN ABOVE THEIR
HOUSE, AND MARLEY HAD GONE OVER THE CLIFF.
THE NEXT MORNING THEY WENT DOWN TO THE CLIFF AND FOUND HIS
SUITCASE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
James Callow Keyword(s): GHOST HAUNTS SCENE OF ACCIDENT.
Date learned: 03-07-1969
THESE PEOPLE WENT DRIVING NEAR ROANOKE, VIRGINIA. THEY STOPPED
THE CAR AND WERE SITTING THERE, WHEN A HAND REACHED OUT AND
CAUGHT HOLD OF THE HANDLE OF THE CAR DOOR OUTSIDE. A HAND WAS
ALL THEY COULD SEE. IT WAS ALL BLOODY AND TORN UP. THEY TOOK
OFF AS FAST AS THEY COULD, BUT THE HAND FELL OFF AND THEY
COULDN'T FIND IT.
THEY FOUND OUT THE NEXT DAY THAT A MAN HAD BEEN KILLED WHERE THEY
WERE THAT NIGHT.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE ; COLLEGE ASSIGNMENT
James Callow Keyword(s): GHOST HAUNTS SCENE OF ACCIDENT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-07-1969
IF YOUR NOSE ITCHES, YOU'RE GOING TO KISS A FOOL.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; PEABODY COLLEGE ; NASHVILLE
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Body part Senses Mouth, teeth, lips, tongue BELIEF -- Sensations and involuntary actions Itching nose |
Date learned: 05-13-1969