The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MCGEE, THE BOGEYMAN

WHEN I WAS LITTLE THERE WAS A DOOR IN MY BEDROOM WHICH LED TO AN
ATTIC. I WAS ALWAYS AFRAID TO GO TO SLEEP BECAUSE I THOUGHT SOMEONE
WAS UPSTAIRS. AFTER I HAD BEEN IN BED QUITE A WHILE, AND I HAD NOT
FALLEN ASLEEP, MY FATHER WOULD COME INTO THE ROOM AND ASK WHY I
WAS NOT ASLEEP. I WOULD TELL HIM I COULDN'T SLEEP. HE WOULD THEN
TELL ME ABOUT A BOGEYMAN WHO WAS UP IN THE ATTIC. HE SAID IF I DID
NOT GO TO SLEEP, THIS LITTLE MAN, CALLED MCGEE, WOULD COME DOWN THE
STAIRS AND CARRY ME OFF. HE WAS DESCRIBED AS A MUSTACHED BLACK-
CAPED PERSON, MUCH LIKE THE VILLIANS OFTEN SEEN IN THE OLD TIME
MOVIES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT