Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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DEAN OF WOMEN TALE
FRIENDS OF MINE IN OTHER GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOLS WERE
TOLD BY THE NUNS NOT TO WEAR PATENT LEATHER
SHOES OR PEARLS, BECAUSE BOTH REFLECT.
Data entry tech comment: ONE CAN SEE THE REFLECTION OF UNDERWEAR IN PATENT
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 BELIEF -- P439 |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
GENERAL DE GAULLE WAS BUYING CEMETERY PLOTS.
THE GUY SAID IT COST $2,000. DE GAULLE SAID, "ISN'T
THAT QUITE A BIT--I ONLY PLAN ON STAYING THREE DAYS."
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): RESURRECTION IMMORTALITY FRENCH
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Secular hero PROSE NARRATIVE -- Man |
Date learned: 11-30-1967
INITIATION
A SORORITY AND FRATERNITY DECIDED TO HOLD THEIR
INITIATION PARTY TOGETHER SO THEY HANDCUFFED THEIR
PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS TO ONE ANOTHER--A GUY TO A GAL--
AND LEFT THEM IN A PICNIC AREA FOR THE AFTERNOON.
THEY EVEN PROVIDED THE PICNIC BASKETS--IN WHICH ALL THE
FOOD HAD BEEN LIBERALLY SPIKED WITH A VERY STRONG
LAXATIVE. MIDWAY THROUGH THE AFTERNOON, THE PROSPEC-
TIVE MEMBERS BEGAN TO FEEL THE EFFECTS OF THE CONTENTS
OF THE PICNIC BASKETS AND TRIED TO HANDLE THE
SITUATION AS DIPLOMATICALLY AND POLITELY AS POSSIBLE--
HANDCUFFED ARMS STRETCHED OVER BUSHES AND AROUND TREES
AS NECESSITY PREVAILED. ONE COED, HOWEVER, NOT HAVING
EATEN MUCH, COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE FIGITINGS OF HER
PARTNER, AND HE, UNAWARE THAT SHE KNEW NOTHING OF HIS
PLIGHT, BEGAN TO PULL DOWN HIS TROUSERS. SHE IMMEDIATELY
SUSPECTED THE WORST AND STARTED TO RUN, TRIPPING THE
POOR BOY AND DRAGGING HIM BEHIND HERSELF.
Submitter comment:
I PRESUME THAT THIS WAS A UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN {ANN
ARBOR, MICHIGAN} INITIATION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Initiation rite Hazing |
Date learned: 10-24-1967
CURVAVASFIADABA (BLOODY WEDDING)
A YOUNG PEASANT BOY AND GIRL FELL IN LOVE IN GREECE
DURING THE OCCUPATION OF THAT COUNTRY BY THE TURKS.
THE GIRL WAS BEAUTIFUL AND THE COUPLE WANTED TO
GET MARRIED, BUT HAD TO GET THE TURKISH OVERSEER'S
PERMISSION FIRST. THE TURKISH OFFICIAL ASKED THE
COUPLE TO COME FOR AN INTERVIEW AT HIS VILLA. WHEN
THE OFFICIAL SAW THE GIRL'S BEAUTY, HE WANTED HER
FOR HIMSELF BUT HIS ADVANCES ON THE GIRL WERE REFUSED
AND THIS INFURIATED THE TURK. THE COUPLE BEGGED
FOR HIS PERMISSION BUT HE REFUSED THEM IN A ROUND-
ABOUT WAY. THE COUPLE DECIDED TO GET MARRIED ANYWAY
AND THE VILLAGE READIED ITSELF FOR THE BIG FEAST.
AFTER THE WEDDING AND AT FEAST, EVERYONE WAS HAPPY.
THE TURK CAME AND THE PEOPLE HOPED THAT HE WOULD GIVE
THE COUPLE HIS BLESSING. WHEN THE TURK CONFRONTED
THE BRIDEGROOM, HE SHOT HIM DEAD AND TRIED TO STEAL
THE BRIDE AWAY. SHE STRUGGLED AND WHILE STRUGGLING
SHE HERSELF WAS KILLED.
THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE STABBED THE OFFICIAL, AND
HIS TROOPS OPEN FIRE ON THE VILLAGERS. THE
REMAINING TROOPS CARRY THE LORD'S BODY AWAY
TO THE VILLAGE FOR HIDING. LATER ON THE TURK IS
BROUGHT BACK TO HIS VILLA AND THE VILLA IS ATTACKED
BY THE PITCHFORK-LADEN PEASANTS AND THEY OBTAIN
VICTORY.
Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS RELATIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
TOLD AS A TRUE STORY TO MY INFORMANT:
A YOUNG FELLOW WAS IN A DRIVE-IN IN THAT NEIGHBOR-
HOOD AND WAS TRYING TO SHOW HIS BRAVERY TO HIS GIRL
AND ANOTHER COUPLE IN HIS CAR. HE TOOK A REVOLVER
WITH ONE BULLET IN IT AND HELD IT TO HIS HEAD.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS THE CHAMBER WITH THE LIVE
CARTRIDGE AND HE KILLED HIMSELF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; COLORADO ; DETROIT ; CORTEZ
James Callow Keyword(s): RISK
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
A GIRL RETURNING FROM A PARTY WAS OFFERED A RIDE BY
TWO FELLOWS DRIVING HOME FROM THE SAME PARTY. SHE
ACCEPTED, AND WHEN SHE LEFT THE CAR, THE BOYS SAID
THEY WOULD WAIT FOR A LIGHT TO APPEAR IN THE DARK
HOUSE, TO BE CERTAIN SHE WAS SAFE. SHE TOLD THEM
NOT TO BOTHER.
IGNORING THE LAST COMMENT, THEY WAITED QUITE A WHILE,
AND STILL NO LIGHT APPEARED. SO THEY WENT TO THE
DOOR AND KNOCKED. AN OLDER COUPLE APPEARED, APPARENTLY
AWAKENED FROM THEIR SLEEP. AFTER BEING TOLD THE
SITUATION, THEY EXPLAINED THAT THEIR DAUGHTER HAD
DIED TEN YEARS AGO, THAT DAY, IN A CAR ACCIDENT,
RETURNING FROM A PARTY. THEY FELT THAT THIS WAS HER
REMINDER TO THEM TO PRAY THE PRAYERS THEY HAD PLEDGED
FOR HER, TO GET HER SOUL OUT OF PURGATORY.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS STORY FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): VANISHING HITCHHIKER
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
A NUN DIED RATHER SUDDENLY, BEFORE SHE EVER HAD THE TIME
TO RETURN THE MONEY SHE HAD RECEIVED AS A GIFT TO THE
CONVENT'S COMMUNITY FUND. SINCE THE VOW OF POVERTY
IS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT TO NUNS, IT APPEARED THAT HER
SOUL COUNT NOT REST.
OTHER NUNS PASSING HER ROOM COULD HEAR MOANS AND CHAINS
RATTLING, UNTIL ONE WAS BRAVE ENOUGH TO INVESTIGATE.
SHE RETURNED THE MONEY, AND THE MOANS SUBSIDED.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS ONE FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
TWO SISTERS WERE HOME ALONE FOR THE NIGHT AND HAD
RETIRED TO BED. THEY HEARD A STRANGE NOISE DOWNSTAIRS
AND THE BRAVE ONE DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE. SHE
RETURNED SHORTLY, AND GOT INTO BED. WHEN HER SISTER
QUESTIONED HER, SHE MADE NO SOUNDS THE OTHER SISTER
GOT OUT OF BED TO SEE WHAT WAS THE MATTER WITH HER
AND FOUND HER SISTER LYING IN BED, HAIR TURNED WHITE
AND BODY COLD AS ICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HAIR TURNED WHITE FROM FRIGHT.
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
MORAL
THERE WAS ONCE A MAN WHO HAD A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER
WHO REFUSED TO MARRY ANY OF THE YOUNG MEN WHO LIVED
NEARBY. SO, A DEVIL LIVING IN A FAR OFF TOWN HEARD
ABOUT HER AND DECIDED TO MARRY HER. SO HE BORROWED
THINGS FROM HIS FRIENDS, E.G., EYES, A NOSE, TEETH,
ETC. DRESSED UP IN ALL THIS, HE LOOKED VERY HANDSOME,
AND THE YOUNG GIRL FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM. AFTER THE
WEDDING AS HE WAS RETURNING HOME, HE RETURNED ONE BY
ONE, THE THINGS HE HAD BORROWED. WHEN THEY FINALLY
REACHED HIS HOME, ALL HE HAD LEFT WAS AN EYE IN THE
MIDDLE OF HIS HEAD, ONE FUNNY ARM, AND ONE LEFT LEG.
MORAL: NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
A GIRL WAS WALKING ALONE, WHEN A STRANGE MAN OFFERED
HER A RIDE. SHE ACCEPTED, BUT BEFORE THEY HAD
DRIVEN VERY FAR, SHE LOOKED OVER AT HIM AND NOTICED
THAT HIS HANDS AND FEET WERE CLOVEN IN HOOFS.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS FROM THE NUNS IN HIGH SCHOOL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEVIL SATAN
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
AS A CHILD, WHENEVER I LOST A TOOTH I WOULD PLACE
IT UNDER MY PILLOW OVERNIGHT. THE NEXT DAY I WOULD
FIND SOME MONEY IN ITS PLACE, WHICH MY FAIRY
GODMOTHER WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE LEFT FOR ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
HURRICANE
IN 1930 THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC HAD A HURRICANE IN WHICH
THE WIND BLEW SO STRONG, THAT IT BLEW A BEAM OF WOOD
THROUGH A PALM TREE IN THE FORM OF A CROSS.
WHEN THAT HAPPENED, THE HURRICANE STOPPED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Wind Whirlwind Hurricane Cyclone Tornado |
Date learned: 10-24-1968 ; 00-00-1930
SPIDERS
IN SCOTLAND, SPIDERS ARE GOOD LUCK AND THIS STORY
DATES BACK TO THE 15TH OR 16TH CENTURY. WHEN THE
CLANS WERE AT WAR IN SCOTLAND, THE CLAN THAT WAS
BEING DEFEATED STARTED TO RETREAT AND THE PRINCE OF
THAT CLAN SOUGHT REFUGE IN A CAVE. ONCE INSIDE,
HE SAW A SPIDER AND WAS JUST ABOUT TO KILL IT, WHEN HE
THOUGHT TO HIMSELF THAT HE KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE
HUNTED AND HE DECIDED TO LET THE SPIDER LIVE. AFTER
A TIME THE SPIDER WOVE A WEB ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE
CAVE AND WHEN THE ENEMY CLAN CAME TO SEARCH THE CAVE
FOR THE PRINCE, THEY SAID, "HE COULD NOT BE IN THERE
BECAUSE THE SPIDER WEB WOULD HAVE BEEN BROKEN." SO
THEY PASSED THAT CAVE ON AND THE PRINCE'S LIFE WAS
SAVED. THAT IS WHY IT IS BAD LUCK TO KILL A SPIDER.
Submitter comment:
CELIA HEARD THIS LEGEND WHILE HITCHHIKING FROM
EDINBURGH TO GLASGOW IN THE FALL OF 1970. I DON'T
THINK SHE BELIEVES IT; BUT DOES THINK THE LEGEND
IS INTERESTING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Insect |
Date learned: 10-14-1971 ; 00-00-1970
WHITE DRESSES
IN HIGH SCHOOL, THE NUNS TOLD THE GIRLS NOT TO WEAR
WHITE DRESSES TO THE PROM, BECAUSE IT WOULD MAKE
THE BOYS THINK OF BEDSHEETS AND GIVE THEM "SINFUL"
THOUGHTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DANCE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MIDNIGHT SKULKER
HE IS SOME MYSTERIOUS PERSON OR BEING WHO COMES AROUND
THE CAMPUS UNDER THE COVER OF NIGHT, LEAVING MESSAGES
IN STRANGE PLACES, TO THE EFFECT THAT THE "MIDNIGHT
SKULKER" WAS HERE. HE LEFT A SYMBOL (REPRODUCED BELOW)
AND ONCE LOOTED THE VARSITY NEWS OFFICE LAST YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAYS THE MIDNIGHT SKULKER HAS BEEN AROUND
FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS.
Data entry tech comment: DRAWING OF AN UPRIGHT ARROW WITH A CIRCLE IN THE MIDDLE,
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 04-03-1967
GHOST STORY OF BONITSIA, GREECE
THERE WAS AN EVIL OLD WOMAN LIVING IN THIS TOWN. SHE
WAS A RECLUSE, EXCEPT FOR HER DAUGHTER WHO LIVED AND
TOOK CARE OF HER. THE OLD WOMAN WAS VERY JEALOUS OF
ANYBODY WHO EVEN DREAMED OF TAKING THE GIRL AWAY.
THERE WAS A BOY IN THIS TOWN WHO MANAGED TO TAKE THE
GIRL AWAY. HE WAS VERY MUCH IN LOVE WITH HER AND
PERSUADED HER TO LEAVE HER MOTHER AND TO GO LIVE WITH
HIM AND HIS FAMILY. EVENTUALLY, THE OLD WOMAN DIED
AND ALL WAS FORGOTTEN.
ONE WINTER, WHEN THE HUSBAND WAS ALONE, HE HEARD A KNOCK
ON THE DOOR, BUT WHEN HE OPENED THE DOOR ONLY THE WIND
WAS THERE. HE THEN HEARD A TAPPING ON THE WINDOW AND
THERE AT THE WINDOW, HE COULD SEE A WHITE FACE IN A
BLACK SHROUD CURSING HIM. THIS WAS, OF COURSE, THE
DEAD MOTHER. THE MAN CALLED OUT THE SOLDIERS AND THEY
SAW THE APPARITION AND SHOT IT. NEXT DAY, THEY COULD SEE
BLOOD STAINS ON THE GROUND. IN BONASTIA, TODAY, THE
CURSE OF THE OLD WOMAN CAN BE HEARD IN THE WIND ON
COLD WINTER NIGHTS.
Submitter comment: JAMES'S GRANDFATHER TOLD HIM THIS STORY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; GREECE
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
GHOSTS
IN THIS SMALL OHIO FARMING TOWN, THERE IS THE LEGEND THAT
ONE NIGHT AT SUNDOWN, A MAN WAS OUT IN HIS FIELD PICKING
UP THE DEBRIS FROM A FENCE HE HAD JUST PUT UP. HE SAW
HIS COUSIN COMING WHOM HE RECOGNIZED BECAUSE OF THE
BOOTS HE HAD ON AND THE LANTERN HE WAS CARRYING. HE
SAID HELLO TO HIM AND HIS COUSIN MERELY NODDED AND
KEPT GOING. THE FIRST MAN THEN WENT HOME AND HIS
MOTHER TOLD HIM SHE WAS GOING TO HIS COUSIN'S BECAUSE
HE HAD JUST DIED. THE MAN EXCLAIMED IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE
BECAUSE HE HAD JUST SEEN HIM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-20-1968
SYMBOLISM OF NATURE
THUNDER WAS A SIGN THAT THE ANGELS WERE HAVING A WAR.
Submitter comment: LEARNED AS A CHILD FROM HER PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Angel BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder |
Date learned: 04-04-1967
PAN TWARDOWSKI
THE POLISH NOBLEMAN AND SORCERER, TWARDOWSKI (OCCASIONALLY
REFERRED TO AS THE "POLISH FAUST") SOLD HIS SOUL TO THE
DEVIL IN EXCHANGE FOR POWERS IN ALCHEMY. IT WAS ONLY
THROUGH LAST MINUTE REPENTENCE AND INVOCATION OF
THE BLESSED VIRGIN THAT HE ESCAPED HIS INFERNAL
REWARD, BUT WAS FORCED TO SPEND THE ETERNITY ON
THE MOON--HALFWAY BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Witch Shaman PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ordinary Tale |
Date learned: 10-11-1972
THE LEGEND OF MR. KREPSI {INDIAN KILLER}
IN THE EARLY 1800S NEAR ORTONVILLE, MICHIGAN (NEAR
PONTIAC) THERE LIVED A FARMER, THOMAS KREPSI. THERE
WAS A TRIBE OF INDIANS LIVING THERE AT THE TIME--
TAMARAC INDIANS. KREPSI HATED THE INDIANS. HE WAS CRUEL
TO THEM AND ONCE HE EVEN KILLED AN INDIAN.
ONE DAY, KREPSI BROUGHT HIS GOODS TO FORT DETROIT TO
SELL THEM. WHEN HE GOT HOME LATE IN THE EVENING, HE
FOUND HIS CABIN ON FIRE. THE INDIANS HAD DONE THIS IN
RETALIATION. KREPSI RAN INSIDE THE CABIN TO SAVE HIS
WIFE AND HIS THREE DAUGHTERS.
WHILE KREPSI WAS INSIDE, THE ROOF CAVED IN. ONLOOKERS
REPORTED SEEING SOMETHING BADLY BURNED CRAWL OUT OF A
WINDOW--KREPSI. HE CREPT INTO THE SWAMP AND WAS NEVER
FOUND.
A FEW MONTHS LATER A BADLY BURNED MAN WAS SEEN LEAVING
THE INDIAN RESERVATION AFTER KILLING THREE INDIAN GIRLS.
IN THE 1930S A DUCK HUNTER WAS ATTACKED IN THE SWAMP
BY HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT. LATER HE RETURNED TO THE SWAMP
OUT OF CURIOSITY AND WAS NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN.
IN THE 1960S THERE WERE REPORTS OF SOME ONSTER IN THAT
AREA. NOBODY KNEW WHAT IT WAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: 02-01-1971