Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for DEARBORN returned 823 results.
NOT GIVEN
A FRIEND OF MINE FROM LENNON, MICHIGAN, CLAIMS THAT THE TOWN IS
SO SMALL THAT BOTH CITY LIMIT SIGNS ARE ON THE SAME POST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; LENNON
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Lie Tall tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
INDIAN CHIEF TREASURE
IT IS REPORTED THAT "TWO COPPER KETTLES FULL OF MONEY" WERE BURIED
BY A CHIPPEWA CHIEF IN THE NORTHERN PART OF BENZIE COUNTY NEAR THE
MOUTH OF THE PLATTE RIVER IN MICHIGAN. LATER THE INDIAN CHIEF
DROWNED WHEN HIS CANOE CAPSIZED IN GREEN BAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MILWAUKEE TREASURE
ACCORDING TO A STORY A POTAWATOMI CACHE OF $35,000 WAS BURIED
IN A DEEP PIT ALONG THE BANK OF THE MILWAUKEE RIVER ON THE
PRESENT SITE OF THE CITY OF THE SAME NAME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HOUSE OF DAVID TREASURE
IN BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN, IN THE HOUSE OF DAVID (KING BEN
PURNELL'S RELIGIOUS SECT), IT IS BELIEVED THAT A SUM OF TEN
MILLION DOLLARS IS HIDDEN BEHIND A PANEL WITH A SECRET SPRING.
PURNELL IS REPORTED TO HAVE COLLECTED MANY MILLIONS THROUGH
HIS ENTERPRISE AND THE MONEY HAS BEEN CHECKED AND TRACED, BUT
TEN MILLION DOLLARS ARE UNACCOUNTED FOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
PAYROLL TREASURE
VARIOUS TALES TELL ABOUT A "POT OF GOLD" BURIED ON DRUMMOND
ISLAND, MICHIGAN, BY A BRITISH COMMISSARY OFFICER TO INSURE ITS
SAFETY. HOWEVER, DURING HIS STAY ON THE ISLAND, HE HAD SO MUCH
TO WORRY ABOUT THAT HE BECAME MENTALLY DERANGED AND AS A RESULT
WAS UNABLE TO RECALL THE LOCATION OF HIS HIDDEN TREASURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CAVES OF THE BLOODY CHIEFS
THE PICTURED ROCKS EXTEND EASTWARD ALONG THE LAKE SUPERIOR SHORE-
LINE FROM MUNISING. SOME OF THE VARIOUS FORMATIONS IN THE ROCKS
ARE NAMED. THE CAVES OF THE BLOODY CHIEFS ARE SO NAMED BECAUSE
INDIAN CHIEFS SUPPOSEDLY TORTURED THEIR VICTIMS THERE. THEY
WOULD BE BOUND AND LEFT FOR THE WAVES TO DASH THEM TO PIECES. THE
ROCK OF THE CAVES IS BRIGHTLY COLORED BY MINERAL SEEPAGE, MOSTLY
IRON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-00-1966
HERMIT ISLAND TREASURE
ON HERMIT ISLAND, ONE OF THE APOSTLE GROUP IN LAKE SUPERIOR, A
SHORT DISTANCE OUT OF BAYFIELD, WISCONSIN, IS BURIED A BRITISH
PAYROLL. IT WAS BURIED TO KEEP IT FROM HOSTILE INDIANS, WHO
RAIDED THE OUTPOST AND MASSACRED ALMOST ALL OF THE TROOPS
STATIONED THERE. TWO MEN SURVIVING TOLD OF THE BURIAL OF THE
MONEY BUT DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE OFFICERS BURIED IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of quality Medium of exchange BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE BELLS OF GLEN LEE
THE INFORMANT WENT TO LONDON WITH THE LAIRD'S FAMILY WHILE HER
FAMILY STAYED BEHIND AT GLEN LEE, THE COUNTRY ESTATE, AS CARE-
TAKERS. THEY SLEPT IN THE SERVANTS' QUARTERS ABOVE THE KITCHEN
WHERE THE BELLS WERE TO CALL THE SERVANTS. THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE
IN THE HOUSE, BUT SEVERAL TIMES THEY HEARD THE BELLS RING. THE
INFORMANT'S FATHER ATTEMPTED TO DISCOVER A CAUSE, BUT WAS UNABLE
TO DO SO. THIS WAS ABOUT 1917. GLEN LEE IS IN NEW GALLOWI,
KIRKCUDBRIGHTSHIRE IN SCOTLAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; NEW GALLOWAY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Home |
Date learned: 03-00-1968
UNFAITHFUL ARMY HUSBAND
IN NORTH CAROLINA WHERE I WAS STATIONED IN THE ARMY,
THERE WAS A FRIEND OF MINE WHO TOLD ME HE HAD A
FRIEND WHO WAS A LITTLE UNFAITHFUL TO HIS WIFE WHILE
HE WAS ON SEA DUTY. WELL, SHE FOUND OUT ABOUT HIS LITTLE
ADVENTURES, AND WHEN HE CAME HOME FROM LEAVE, THEY WENT
TO BED AND HE FELL ASLEEP BEFORE SHE DID. SHE THEN CUT
HIS SEX ORGAN OFF WITH A PAIR OF SCISSORS AND HE DIED.
Submitter comment: PENIS OF UNFAITHFUL HUSBAND CUT OFF BY WIFE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): ADULTERY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Romantic Realistic |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
(CLIMAX OF HORRORS)
THEN THERE WAS THE STORY ABOUT THE SOUTHERNER WHO
FINALLY RETURNED TO HIS PLANTATION AFTER DESERTING
HIS WIFE YEARS AGO. HE RAN INTO HIS HEAD SERVANT,
AN OLD NEGRO, AT THE GATE TO THE HOUSE AND ASKED IF
ANYTHING HAD CHANGED SINCE HE HAD LEFT. "NO SIR,"
THE SERVANT REPLIED, "EVERYTHING JUST ABOUT THE SAME."
"OH, SIR, YOUR DOG DIED FROM EATIN' THE BAD HORSE
MEAT."
MASTER: WHERE DID HE GET THE BAD HORSE MEAT?
SERVANT: IT CAME FROM THE DEAD HORSES IN THE BARN THAT
BURNT.
MASTER: HOW DID THE BARN BURN?
SERVANT: IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE FLAMES FROM THE HOUSE.
MASTER: HOW DID THE HORSE CATCH ON FIRE?
SERVANT: IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE FLAMES FROM THE CANDLES
THAT LIT THE CURTAINS.
MASTER: WHAT WERE THE CANDLES FOR?
SERVANT: THEY WAS FOR YOUR GRANDMOTHER'S FUNERAL.
MASTER: HOW DID MY GRANDMOTHER DIE?
SERVANT: SHE DIED OF A HEART ATTACK WHEN YOUR WIFE
RAN OFF WITH MY SON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A MAN HAS A SON WITH NO LEGS, ARMS OR TRUNKS ONLY A
HEAD. HE AND HIS SON (THE HEAD) GO TO BAR TO CELEBRATE
THE SON'S 21ST BIRTHDAY. THE FATHER ORDERS TWO BEERS
AND THEY BOTH DRINK UP. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SON
SPROUTS LEGS, ARMS AND A TRUNK. TO CELEBRATE THIS
MIRACLE, FATHER AND SON DRINK ANOTHER BEER. THEN
THE SON SHRIVELS UP AND DISAPPEARS. THE MORAL OF THE
STORY IS "BE HAPPY WHILE YOU'RE AHEAD."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): PUN AHEAD=A HEAD
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Formula tale |
Date learned: 03-06-1971
SWEDISH LITTLE PEOPLE TALE.
MY GRANDFATHER TOLD ME SEVERAL TIMES WHEN I WAS A SMALL
CHILD, AND ALSO WHEN HE WAS SOMEWHAT UNDER THE WEATHER--
THE SWEDES DO LIKE TO DRINK--ABOUT ONE TIME WHEN HE WAS
YOUNG AND HE WAS COMING HOME LATE IN THE AFTERNOON, BUT
HE HAD TO CROSS THIS CAVERN. THERE WAS A LOG ACROSS
THIS DITCH. WELL, JUST AS HE GOT UP TO THIS LOG, HE
LOOKED DOWN AND, WOOOOOOO, HE SAW A LITTLE MAN. HE
NEVER SAW ONE BEFORE AND HE DIDN'T BELIEVE IN THEM
BEFORE THAT TIME. WELL, HE RAN BACK AND GOT HIS DAD,
MY GREAT GRAND DAD, AND THEY BOTH CAME BACK TO THE
VERY SAME SPOT, BUT NO LITTLE MAN! BUT THERE WAS
SMALL FOOTPRINTS, AND THEY FOLLOWED THEM FOR A WAYS
BUT THEY DISAPPEARED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 10-00-1968
SUPERSTITION
ON A SPECIFIC STREET IN DETROIT {MICHIGAN} IT IS
BELIEVED THAT A LITTLE GIRL WAS ONCE HIT BY A CAR
COMING HOME FROM SCHOOL, AND NOW HER SPIRIT REMAINS
THERE AND KNOCKS ON CARS AFTER DARKNESS, WHEN THEY
PASS OVER THIS STREET.
Submitter comment: HEARD MANY TIMES FROM FRIENDS FOR ENTERTAINMENT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1960
IN A SMALL TOWN IN NEW YORK STATE, A YOUNG ENGINEER
WAS TRYING TO PURCHASE AN OLD TWIN ENGINE AIRPLANE.
THE OWNER TOLD HIM THAT THE PLANE HAD BEEN BURNT
DOWN TO THE SKELETON OF THE PLANE YEARS BEFORE.
THE PLANE BURNT QUICK BECAUSE IT WAS A FABRIC-
COVERED PLANE. THE ENGINEER STARTED THE PLANE UP WITH
THE HELP OF THE OWNER AND THEN HE SAT ALONE IN THE
COCKPIT READING THE GAUGES. SUDDENLY, A MAN WITH AN
OLD BROWN FLIGHT JACKET AND LEATHER HELMET TAPPED
HIM ON THE SHOULDER AND SAID, "GET OUT QUICK, PLANE'S
ON FIRE!" THE ENGINEER JUMPED OUT AND RAN FROM THE
PLANE. WHEN HE TURNED AROUND NOTHING WAS LEFT BUT THE
SMOLDERING SKELETON.
WHEN THE OWNER ASKED HIM WHAT HAPPENED, WHEN HE
RETURNED, THE ENGINEER TOLD THE WHOLE STORY AND
DESCRIBED THE MAN WHO WAS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND. THE
OWNER REPLIED, "THAT SOUNDS LIKE MY BROTHER." THE
ENGINEER THEN ASKED WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM. THE OWNER
THEN SAID, "HE DIED WHEN THE PLANE BURNT THE FIRST
TIME YEARS BEFORE!"
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; NEW YORK, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): REPEATED TRAGEDY
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE LEGEND OF THE TRUMPETER OF CRACOW
IN OLD POLAND THERE IS A LEGEND CONCERNING A CHURCH TOWER
AND ITS TRUMPETER, WHO WAS PLEDGED TO SOUND THE ANGELUS
TO THE PEOPLE OF CRACOW WITH A BEAUTIFUL MELODY.
ONCE, WHEN THE PEOPLE WERE DEFENDING THEIR CITY AND CHURCH
AGAINST THE HEATHEN TARTARS, THEY WERE ON THE VERGE OF
GIVING IN TO THE ONSLAUGHT OF GENGHIS KHAN. WEAK AND
WOUNDED, THEY WERE READY TO GIVE THEMSELVES OVER TO THE
MERCILESS ENEMY, WHEN A FAMILIAR SOUND ROSE ABOVE THE
FIGHTING AND GAVE THEM NEW STRENGTH AND COURAGE. IT WAS
THE SOUND OF THE TRUMPET FROM THE TOWER OF THE CHURCH
OF PANNA MARJA, THE CHURCH OF "LADY MARY," PLAYING
THE ANGELUS. THE TRUMPETER NEVER FINISHED HIS SONG,
SINCE A TARTAR ARROW KILLED HIM. CRACOW WAS SAVED, HOWEVER,
BY HIS INSPIRATION.
EVER AFTER, THE TRUMPETERS OF PANNA MARJA HAVE LEFT
THE MELODY UNFINISHED IN MEMORY OF THE TRUMPETER OF
CRACOW, WHO DIED RATHER THAN TO LET THE WHIM OF A HEATHEN
KEEP HIM FROM FULFILLING HIS VOWS TO MARY.
THE MELODY IS PLAYED, DAILY, TO THIS DAY FROM THE CHURCH
TOWER. THERE, IN CRACOW, I HEARD IT MYSELF, AS WELL AS
THE LEGEND, WHICH I KNEW FROM CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): KRAKOW
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE LEGEND OF KRAKUS
AFTER THE FOUNDING OF POLAND (550 A.D.) BY A LEGENDARY
HERO NAMED LECH, THERE FOLLOWED TWELVE PALANTINES.
THEIR RULING WAS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE. FINALLY, THE
PEOPLE CHOSE A YOUNG PRINCE NAMED KRAKUS. HE WAS KNOWN
TO HAVE KILLED A TERRIBLE DRAGON LIVING IN A CAVE,
UNDER THE HILL OF WOWEL NEAR THE VISTULA RIVER,
AFTER WHICH THE CITY OF KRAKOW, OR CRACAW, WAS BUILT.
SINCE KRAKUS WAS SUCH A JUST AND NOBLE RULER, THE PEOPLE
BUILT UP A MOUND, BY HAND, IN HONOR OF HIM. THIS MOUND
EXISTS TO THIS DAY.
THE LEGEND OF KRAKUS' VICTORY OVER THE FIERY DRAGON GOES
LIKE THIS:
FOR MANY YEARS THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THIS AREA FEARED THE
DRAGON THAT LIVED IN THE CAVE. OFTEN HE WOULD ROAR
WHEN HE WAS HUNGRY, SHAKING THE EARTH AS HE DID. ONCE
A YEAR THE DRAGON WOULD COME OUT INTO THE FIELDS WHERE
THE SHEPHERDS HAD THEIR SHEEP GRAZING. HE WOULD ROAR
WITH FIRE COMING OUT OF HIS MOUTH. TO SATISFY THE ANGRY
DRAGON, THE PEOPLE WOULD OFFER A YOUNG MAIDEN, EVERY YEAR,
{FOR HIM} TO CONSUME. HE WOULD THEN RETURN TO HIS CAVE
FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
KRAKUS, BEING A CLEVER YOUNG MAN, DECIDED TO CONQUER THIS
DRAGON. THE PEOPLE PROMISED HIM THE KINGDOM IF HE COULD.
HE TOOK A LAMB, CUT IT OPEN, AND STUFFED IT WITH
BRIMSTONE. HE LEFT THIS LAMB OUT IN THE FIELD WHEN THE
ANGRY DRAGON CAME OUT. SEEING NO YOUNG MAIDEN AROUND,
THE HUNGRY DRAGON QUICKLY DEVOURED THE LAMB. SUDDENLY,
HE WAS VERY THIRSTY. IN HIS THIRST, HE WENT TO THE
VISTULA RIVER TO DRINK. HE DRANK AND DRANK, UNTIL HE
BURST OPEN. THUS THE TERRIBLE DRAGON WAS DEAD AND
KRAKUS WAS THE HERO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE LEGEND OF WANDA
WANDA WAS THE DAUGHTER OF KRAKUS, A LEGENDARY HERO
AND POLISH RULER IN PAGAN TIMES. A YOUNG GERMAN PRINCE,
NAMED RYDYGIER, WANTED TO MARRY WANDA WHEN SHE WAS
REIGNING. SHE DID NOT WANT TO MARRY HIM, AS HE WAS
A GERMAN. IN ORDER TO FORCE THIS MARRIAGE, RYDYGIER
BROUGHT HIS WHOLE ARMY TO THE CITY OF CRACOW, WHERE
WANDA RULED. WANDA'S ARMY CONQUERED HIS AND SO THAT
HER PEOPLE WOULD NOT HAVE TO SUFFER FOR HER CAUSE, SHE
THREW HERSELF INTO THE VISTULA RIVER. IT IS ALSO SAID
THAT WANDA HAD VOWED HER DEATH TO THE GODS IF HER ARMY
CONQUERED RYDYGIER'S. IN HER HONOR A MOUND WAS BUILT,
BY HAND, BY HER PEOPLE, WHICH EXISTS TODAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
THE WANDERING JEW IN JANOWIEC, POLAND
IT IS BELIEVED IN JANOWIEC, POLAND, A SMALL VILLAGE,
THAT THERE IS A WANDERING JEW WHOM NOONE REALLY
REALLY KNOWS BUT ONLY SEES FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE
AREA. THIS "WANDERING JEW" IS MOST LIKELY SEEN
BRINGING ON A STORM; THAT IS, AS HE CROSSES THE
VALLEY OF JANOWIEC A STORM FOLLOWS BEHIND HIM.
THE INHABITANTS OF JANOWIEC BELIEVE THIS,
PARTICULARLY THE OLD ONES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; POLAND
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 10-22-1967
THE WATER SPRITES' BOAT
THE CHILDREN IN NORWAY ARE TAUGHT NEVER TO LEAVE A TINY NAIL
SLIVER ANYWHERE FOR THE WATER SPRITES TO FIND. THE LITTLE
SPRITES COLLECT ALL THE CUTTINGS THEY CAN FIND, BECAUSE THEY ARE
BUILDING A GREAT BOAT OUT OF THEM. WHEN THE BOAT IS FINISHED
THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO SAIL IT INTO A FJORD, AND ON REACHING THE
END, THE BOAT WILL EXPLODE AND CAUSE SUCH AN EARTHQUAKE
THAT THE WORLD WILL COME TO AN END.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
Keyword(s): FINGERNAILS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
AMONG THE SWEDISH OF AMERICA, AS AMONG THEIR ANCESTORS,
THERE IS BELIEVED TO BE LITTLE PEOPLE. AND THEY ARE
REFERRED TO AS "THE LITTLE PEOPLE" OR IN SWEDISH
"TANTAGUBAN."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: 10-00-1968