Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for KANSAS returned 115 results.
WHEN LEAVING A BUILDING, IT IS BAD LUCK TO GO OUT ANY
DOOR, EXCEPT THE ONE THROUGH WHICH YOU ENTERED.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: Arkansas ; RUSSELLVILLE
Keyword(s): Bad ; Door ; Enter ; Exit ; Leave ; LUCK
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Bad luck Leaving Entering Returning home Travel |
Date learned: 10-07-1973
KRAKOWIAK (POLISH DANCE)
LIKE THE AMERICAN SQUARE DANCE.
Where learned: CHILDHOOD ; NOT GIVEN ; HOME ; PENNSYLVANIA ; MICHIGAN ; LETTER ; OHIO ; NEW JERSEY ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; AUTOGRAPH BOOK ; GROSSE POINTE ; HARPER WOODS ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; WARREN ; JAPAN ; RUSSIA ; GRAND RAPIDS ; SHIPLE HALL ; GARDEN CITY ; ROYAL OAK ; TOLEDO ; TRENTON ; FARMINGTON ; KALAMAZOO ; CANADA ; ONTARIO ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT ; MAIL ; INDIANA ; DETROIT, ASSUMED ; TOLD AT HOME ; FERNDALE ; SOUTHFIELD ; TENNESSEE ; MACKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL ; HAMTRAMCK ; DEARBORN ; MINNESOTA ; ILLINOIS ; NEW YORK ; FLORIDA ; KOREA ; WISCONSIN ; NEW HAMPSHIRE ; STUDENT UNION ; READING ; AUSTRALIA ; Sylvania ; Sterling Heights ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; GROSSE POINTE PARK ; OAK PARK ; SOUTHGATE ; STURGEON LAKE ; REDFORD ; TOORAK ; VICTORIA ; ROSEVILLE ; LINCOLN PARK ; TRAVERSE CITY ; HUNTINGTON WOODS ; PONTIAC ; TROY ; PORT CHESTER ; SOUTH AMERICA ; BROOKVILLE ; MONTREAL ; SEOUL ; NORTH OLMSTED ; EASTOWN THEATER ; ERIE ; University of Notre Dame ; FRANKLINVILLE ; TORONTO ; TOLD AT ; TOLD BY ; TOLD IN ; SCRANTON ; MONROE ; GLENVIEW ; MOSCOW ; GULLEY ; FINLAND ; HARBOR BEACH ; HOUGHTON LAKE ; Hudson Lake ; INDIANAPOLIS ; JONESBORO ; KANSASVILLE ; LEXINGTON ; MASSILLON ; MAUCH CHUNK ; MELVINDALE ; MILFORD ; NEW ROCHELLE ; NIAGARA FALLS ; PANAMA CITY ; PATAGONIA ; ARGENTINA ; RESIDENCE HALL ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; TOLD AT HONORS HOUSE ; AMERICAN HISTORY CLASS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Dance |
PROVERB: PICKING A WIFE
WHEN YOU PICK A WIFE, REMEMBER TO GET 'EM YOUNG, TREAT 'EM ROUGH,
AND DON'T TELL 'EM ANYTHING.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS MY GRANDFATHER, AND THIS WAS HIS REPLY WHEN ASKED
ON HIS FIFTIETH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY WHAT HE ATTRIBUTED HIS
SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE TO.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; KANSASVILLE
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 11-00-1970
IF YOU ATTACH A NEEDLE WITH A SHORT THREAT ATTACHED TO IT
INTO THE ERASER OF A SHORT PENCIL AND HANG THE APPARATUS
OVER THE PALM SIDE OF THE WRIST, THE PENCIL WILL TELL
YOU WHETHER YOU WILL HAVE BOYS OR GIRLS AND HOW MANY. THE
PENCIL WILL MOVE PARALLEL TO THE ARM IF IT IS A GIRL,
AND HORIZONTAL FOR A BOY. WHEN HE APPARATUS COMES TO A
HALT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES OR BEGINS TO CIRCLE, THAT IS
ALL THE CHILDREN YOU WILL HAVE. DOES NOT WORK ON
PREGNANT WOMEN.
Where learned: KANSAS CITY
James Callow Keyword(s): ANAPEL
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
THIRTEEN AT A TABLE
IF THIRTEEN PEOPLE EAT AT THE SAME TABLE, ONE OF THEM WILL DIE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT IS MY GRANDMOTHER, AND SHE CLAIMS THAT ONE TIME SHE
SAT AT A TABLE WITH THIRTEEN PEOPLE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE MEAL,
ONE OF THE PEOPLE DIED.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; KANSASVILLE
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described |
Sex of Child
If a pregnant woman "carries" her child "high" or close to her
breasts, she is expecting a girl; if she carries the child "low" or
closer to her pelvis, she is expecting a girl.
Submitter comment: She's about 95% accurate by my experience.
Where learned: Arkansas ; PINE BLUFF
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Birth |
Brooms
It is bad luck to walk over a broom. If you do, you should
step backwards over the broom to undo the damage.
Where learned: Arkansas ; PINE BLUFF
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Bad luck BELIEF -- Conversions |
Gossiping
If someone is gossiping about you (sullying your good name),
put a penny in your shoe for a week and "walk" that person out of
your life.
Where learned: Arkansas ; PINE BLUFF
Child Rearing
If a child is slow to walk (over one year old), stand the child
behind any door in your home and sweep his/her feet with a straw
broom.
Submitter comment:
This really works!!! I tried it with my son, within three days
he was walking.
Where learned: Arkansas ; PINE BLUFF
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
GOOD LUCK OMEN (NEGRO)
WHEN MOVING, MOVE IN A BROOM FIRST.
Where learned: Grandmother ; Arkansas ; TOLD BY
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. |
Date learned: 10-00-1969
IF YOU DREAM OF A DEATH, WEDDING IN THE FAMILY;
IF YOU DREAM OF A WEDDING, DEATH IN THE FAMILY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: Arkansas ; RUSSELLVILLE
Keyword(s): DEATH ; Dream ; FAMILY ; Meaning ; Opposite ; SIGN ; SYMBOL ; WEDDING
James Callow Keyword(s): CHIASMUS ; CONTRAST ; ITERATION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about weddings, funerals, and other crucial moments of life |
Date learned: 10-20-1973
THE TITANIC
OH, THEY BUILT THE SHIP TITANIC TO SAIL THE OCEAN BLUE,
AND THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD A SHIP THAT THE WATERS
COULDN'T GET THROUGH,
BUT THE GOOD LORD RAISED HIS HAND, SAID THIS SHIP WOULD NEVER LAND,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD, IT WAS SAD,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE --
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN. MM
OH, THEY NEARED THE ICY SHORE WHEN THE RAINS BEGAN TO POUR,
AND THE RICH REFUSED TO ASSOCIATE WITH THE POOR,
SO THEY PUT THEM DOWN BELOW, WHERE THEY'D BE THE FIRST TO GO,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD.... MM
OH, THE SIDES BEGAN TO BREAK AND THE BOW BEGAN TO BURST,
AND THE CAPTAIN SHOUTED, "WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST."
THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN CRIED, WHILE ALL AROUND THEM DIED,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD... MM
SO THEY PUT THE LIFEBOATS OUT ON THE DARK AND STORMY SEA,
AND THE BAND STRUCK UP WITH "NEARER MY GOD TO THEE."
THE CAPTAIN TRIED TO WIRE, BUT THE WIRES WERE ALL AFIRE,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD... MM
OH, THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS WHEN YOU PUT OUT TO SEA,
YOU SHOULD WEAR A LIFE PRESERVER OR ON THE BOTTOM YOU'LL BE,
THE TITANIC NEVER WAS, NOW IT NEVER MORE SHALL BE,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD, IT WAS SAD,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE--
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
KER-PLUNK
BUBBLE, BUBBLE.
Submitter comment:
THERE WAS AN ALTERNATE LINE FOR THE REFRAIN IN PLACE OF
THE "HUSBANDS AND WIVES..." LINE:
"UNCLES AND AUNTS, LITTLE CHILDREN WET THEIR PANTS"
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad Epic SPEECH -- Onomatopoeia |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
IF YOU KICK A CAT YOU'LL GET RHEUMATISM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: Arkansas ; RUSSELLVILLE
Keyword(s): ANIMAL ; Animal Cruelty ; CAT ; CRUELTY ; ILLNESS ; Kick ; OMEN ; PUNISHMENT ; Rheumatism
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
IT'S A TRADITION IN THIS FAMILY THAT THE FIRST BORN SON TAKES
HIS FATHER'S MIDDLE NAME AND HIS MIDDLE NAME IS HIS FATHER'S FIRST
NAME. THESE RESPECTIVE NAMES ARE ALEXANDER AND STEPHEN, SO
THAT ALTERNATE GENERATIONS HAVE THE SAME NAMES AND THE IN-BETWEEN
GENERATIONS HAVE THE SAME NAMES REVERSED.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. |
Date learned: 00-00-1975
A CAT LOOKING OUT A WINDOW IS "LOOKING FOR RAIN."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: Arkansas ; RUSSELLVILLE
Keyword(s): ANTHROPOMORPHISM ; CAT ; CAT ; Rain ; SIGN ; Window
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew |
Home remedy
Place peachtree leaves in a cloth bag and place the bag up
against the body where fever is located to draw the fever out.
James Callow comment:
Cf. Puckett, Ohio, no. 9518: "To cure fever, bind peach
leaves tightly to the forehead."
Where learned: Camben ; Arkansas
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00-00-1945
GHOSTS
ONE TIME, AT NIGHT, IN THE HILLS SURROUNDING CENTER
RIDGE, ARKANSAS, MY GRANDFATHER WAS OPOSSUM HUNTING.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A FRIEND AND HIS HUNTING DOG
WHEN HE SAW A WHITE FIGURE WALKING THROUGH THE BRUSH.
THE FIGURE WAS A GLOWING WHITE. THE DOG ALSO SAW
THE "GHOST" AND STARTED AFTER IT. MY GRANDFATHER'S
FRIEND DID NOT SEE THE GHOST SINCE HE WAS NOT LOOKING
IN THAT DIRECTION. THE FRIEND DID NOT BELIEVE THE
TALE. HOWEVER, MY GRANDFATHER LEARNED LATER THAT
HE WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE TO SEE THE GHOST. OTHERS
HAD SPOTTED THE FIGURE IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA
ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Arkansas ; CENTER RIDGE ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-30-1968
GHOSTS
ONE TIME, AT NIGHT, IN THE HILLS SURROUNDING CENTER
RIDGE, ARKANSAS, MY GRANDFATHER WAS OPOSSUM HUNTING.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A FRIEND AND HIS HUNTING DOG
WHEN HE SAW A WHITE FIGURE WALKING THROUGH THE BRUSH.
THE FIGURE WAS A GLOWING WHITE. THE DOG ALSO SAW
THE "GHOST" AND STARTED AFTER IT. MY GRANDFATHER'S
FRIEND DID NOT SEE THE GHOST SINCE HE WAS NOT LOOKING
IN THAT DIRECTION. THE FRIEND DID NOT BELIEVE THE
TALE. HOWEVER, MY GRANDFATHER LEARNED LATER THAT
HE WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE TO SEE THE GHOST. OTHERS
HAD SPOTTED THE FIGURE IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA
ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Arkansas ; CENTER RIDGE ; Mount Clemens
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-30-1968
After Easter throw wheat so that there will be a
good harvest. You should also throw wheat inside
your home to insure that you will have bread to
eat in the coming year. This was important
because most people worked on the farm and this
was their only income, so a bad crop was
disastrous.
Submitter comment:
Mrs. Wojtan grew up in Kansas on a farm with over
forty acres of wheat. Before the depression this
was the only income. This was practiced every
year and she believed that it worked.
Where learned: KANSAS ; Manhattan
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F535 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting |
Date learned: 00001920S
If you dream of teeth and they hurt, it means
someone close to your family will die. If they
don't hurt, a distant person will die.
Submitter comment:
Mrs. Wojtan really believes in her dreams and
told me that they often come true.
Where learned: KANSAS ; Manhattan
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Dreams |
Date learned: 00001920S