Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for STERLING returned 190 results.
THUMP DRAG
THERE WAS A COUNSELOR AT CAMP NAMED JERRY. HE WAS BOSSY TO ABOUT
THREE CHILDREN. ONE DAY, AFTER A CAMP MOVIE, ONE OF THE CHILDREN TOOK
A CLUB AND HIT JERRY ON THE HEAD. THEN THEY TIED HIM UP AND POURED GAS
OVER HIM. THEY LIT A MATCH AND PRETENDED THEY WOULD IGNITE HIM. HALF OF
HIS BODY WAS BURNT. THE NEXT YEAR THE SAME CAMPERS CAME BACK. DURING THE
WINTER SOME OF THE FOOD AND SUPPLIES WERE STOLEN. THE DOCTOR THOUGHT IT
WAS A BEAR. THE CHILDREN CONFESSED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. IT WAS BELIEVED THAT
JERRY WENT INSANE. ONE DAY THEY HEARD A THUMP AND A DRAG. THIS WAS THE SOUND
THAT JERRY MADE BECAUSE HIS
LEG WAS BURNED. ONE DAY HE WALKED INTO A CABIN AND TOOK ONE OF THE
THREE CHILDREN. THE COUNSELOR HEARD THE NOISE AND CAME RUNNING. THUMP
DRAG DROPPED THE CHILD. THE COUNSELOR DECIDED TO GET THUMP DRAG. THEY
FOLLOWED HIM TO A SEWER AND SAW BLOOD AND BONES ALL OVER. THUMP DRAG
SMASHED THE HEADS OF TWO COUNSELORS. ONE COUNSELOR SHOT HIM BUT THUMP
DRAG DISAPPEARED. ONE YEAR LATER HE WAS FOUND DEAD BY A FARMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): BEOWULF ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
THE WITCH OF METRO BEACH
A WOMAN WHO DIED IN A CAR CRASH AT METROPOLITAN BEACH HAUNTS THOSE
WHO COME THERE TO PARK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): DETROIT, MICHIGAN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Marriage Dating Courtship |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
DEATH
WHEN MY GREAT GRANDFATHER DIED THE FRONT GATE OF HIS HOUSE STARTED
SWINGING BACK AND FORTH ALONE. WHEN MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER DIED HER
ROCKING CHAIR STARTED ROCKING BY ITSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
KNOCK KNOCK BRIDGE
A COUPLE WAS TRAVELING WITH THEIR DAUGHTER ACROSS A BRIDGE IN GROSSE
POINTE. THE LITTLE GIRL FELL OUT OF THE CAR. SHE WAS DRAGGED BY THE
SIDE OF THE CAR AND KNOCKED ON THE DOOR OF THE CAR AS SHE WAS
DRAGGED. NOW ANYONE THAT CROSSES THE BRIDGE CAN HEAR HER KNOCKING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): VARIANT OF KNOCK-KNOCK STREET
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
PAT AND MIKE STORY
PAT AND MIKE NEVER WENT TO THE COUNTRY. THEY WERE CITY SLICKERS. THEY
WENT TO THE COUNTRY ONE DAY AND MET A FARMER. THEY HAD NEVER BEEN
SWIMMING AND DECIDED TO TRY IT. THEY ASKED THE FARMER WHERE THEY
COULD GO SWIMMING. THE FARMER SAID TO WALK ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD
AND THERE WOULD BE A BIG GREEN LAKE. PAT AND MIKE WALKED ABOUT HALF A
MILE AND SAW A BIG GREEN PASTURE. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE LAKE. PAT
TOLD MIKE TO GO FIRST AND TELL HIM HOW IT FEELS. MIKE GOT ON THE
FENCE AND DOVE IN AND HIT HIS HEAD. PAT ASKED HOW IT FELT. MIKE SAID
"I DON'T KNOW BUT I THINK YOU BETTER DIVE A LITTLE TO THE RIGHT,
I HIT A SAND BAR."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): OUTLANDER
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman IRIS |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
CLANCY
CLANCY WAS A COOK AT CAMP OZANAM. HE LIVED IN AN APARTMENT NOW CALLED
ASH. CLANCY WAS BELIEVED TO BE FROM ANOTHER PLANET. ONE DAY CAMPERS
HEARD SCREAMS. THE COUNSELORS WENT IN AND SAW A MEAT GRINDER AND SOME
KIDS. CLANCY WOULD TAKE KIDS AND GRIND THEM UP. HE WAS SERVING THE
CAMP CHILDREN GROUND UP PEOPLE. THE COUNSELORS CALLED THE POLICE AND
CLANCY RAN OUT. THE POLICE SHOT CLANCY BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. CLANCY
RAN ONTO A ROCK AND SHOT UP INTO THE AIR. HE WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): CANNIBALISM ; INEFFECTIVE BULLETS INVULNERABILITY
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Supernatural Being BELIEF -- Planet |
Date learned: 11-00-1973
LUKE THE SPOOK
THERE IS A GHOST HOUSE ON 26 MILE ROAD. EERIE SOUNDS ARE HEARD FROM
INSIDE AND NO ONE KNOWS WHAT CAUSES THEM. SOME SAY A GHOST NAMED LUKE
THE SPOOK LIVES THERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
WART REMEDY
PUT A PIECE OF RAW MEAT UPON A WART, BURY THE MEAT, WHEN THE MEAT
ROTS, YOUR WART WILL BE GONE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFER
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Body part Senses Specific distinguishing characteristic Dimple, wart, mole, scar, freckle, birthmark, strawberry mark, bruise, spot (on any part of body) BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 11-15-1973
HAIR ON CHEST
WHEN I WAS SSMAL, MY FATHER TRIED TO CONVINCE
ME TO EAT SOME DISTASTEFUL VEGETABLE BY TELLING ME IT WOULD
PUT HAIR ON MY CHEST.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE: POSITIVE ; ADVICE: POSITIVE ; FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
BELIEF
IF A MAN S SHOES SQUEAK, IT MEANS HE S A PENNY PINCHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-07-1972
BELIEF
IF YOU DROP A KNIFE, IT MEANS A MAN IS COMING TO VISIT. THE
DIRECTION IT IS POINTING IS THE DIRECTION THE MAN WILL COME FROM.
IF YOU DROP A SPOON, IT MEANS A LADY IS COMING TO VISIT. THE
DIRECTION IT IS POINTING IS THE DIRECTION THE WOMAN WILL COME
FROM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-07-1972
BELIEF
IF A BIRD HITS THE WINDOW, IT MEANS SOMEONE CLOSE TO YOU HAS DIED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 02-07-1972
REALIZATION OF DEATH
INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT WHEN HIS LITTLE BROTHER WAS IN MT. CARMEL
HOSPITAL SUFFERING FROM CYSTIC FIBROSIS, HE WAS IN AN OXYGEN TENT.
A DAY OR TWO BEFORE HE DIED HE SUDDENLY THREW HIS OXYGEN MASK AWAY
WHEN HIS MOTHER ASKED HIM WHY, HE REPLIED, "MOMMY, I'M ALL DONE", AND
AND THEN WENT INTO A COMA. HE DIED IN 1968 AT THE AGE OF NINE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | Observation |
HAIR ON CHEST
WHEN I WAS SMALL, MY FATHER TRIED TO CONVINCE ME TO EAT SOME DISTASTEFUL VEGETABLE BY TELLING ME THAT IT WOULD PUT HAIR ON MY CHEST.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights ; 34552 Richard O Dr.
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; FUNCTION ; Positive
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Plant food Vegetable Food Drink -- Special Form and PurposeObject of Bodily Consumption BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PATRON SAINT FOR FOGLIZZO, PIEMONTE, ITALY IS SANTA MADALENA WHICH
TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH IS MARY MAGDALEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Religious hero |
ON EASTER SUNDAY IN FOGLIZZO, PIEMONTE, ITALY THERE IS A PROCESSION
THAT MARCHES ALL OVER THE CITY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 12-00-1977
IN FOGLIZZO, PIEMONTE ITALY THEY CHOOSE AMONG THE YOUNG PEOPLE
KING AND A QUEEN FOR EASTER. THEY ARE HELD IN HIGH ESTEEM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: 12-00-1977
THE WEDDINGS IN FOGLIZZO, PIEMONTE, ITALY HAVE A THREE DAY LONG
RECEPTION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Reception |
Date learned: 12-00-1977
IN FOGLIZZO, PIEMONTE, ITALY NOBODY WILL WALK IN FRONT OF THE
CEMETARY WHEN THE CHURCH BELL IS ABOUT TO RING AT MIDNIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 12-00-1977
IN FOGLIZZO, PIEMONTE, ITALY AFTER THE CHRISTMAS MIDNIGHT MASS THE
PEOPLE HAVE A CELEBRATION IN THE HOMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Sterling Heights
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 12-00-1977