The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THUMP-DRAG

A STAFF MEMBER WAS PUTTING AWAY SUPPLIES IN THE STORAGE ROOM AND A
BOTTLE OF ACID FELL OFF THE TOP SHELF ONTO HIS FACE AND HE FELL
AND BROKE HIS LEG. HE RAN AS WELL AS HE COULD TO THE LAKE TO RELIEVE
THE PAIN. HE ALWAYS SWORE HE WOULD GET REVENGE ON THE CAMP EVEN
THOUGH IT WASN'T THE CAMP'S
FAULT. EVER SINCE THAT INCIDENT HAPPENED
THERE HAS BEEN ONE VICTIM TAKEN AWAY EVERY SEVEN YEARS. WE FIGURED
OUT THAT THE REASON WHY IT WAS EVERY SEVEN YEARS WAS BECAUSE IT WAS
HIS SEVENTH YEAR AS A CAMP MAINTENANCE MAN WHEN IT HAPPENED. NO ONE
KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM AFTER HE GOT HURT. HIS VICTIMS ARE
USUALLY TAKEN FROM THE JUNIOR UNIT CABINS AND THE CAMPERS IN THE
WOODS CABINS CAN HEAR THE THUMP-DRAG (BECAUSE HE HAD TO HAVE HIS
LEG AMPUTATED) WHEN HE COMES BACK BUT NO ONE CAN EVER CATCH HIM. SO
IF YOU HEAR THE THUMP-DRAG LET US KNOW BECAUSE THIS IS THE SEVENTH
YEAR.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY IS TOLD TO CAMPERS AT CYO (CATHOLIC YOUTH
ORGANIZATION) CAMP IN PORT SANILLAC, MICHIGAN.
THIS STORY IS TOLD TO THE OLDER CAMPERS BECAUSE THEY LIKE TO HEAR
SCARY STORIES RIGHT BEFORE GOING TO BED. IT HAS BEEN A CAMP CUSTOM
TO DO SO. FRIENDS OF MINE WHO WERE CAMPERS THAT WERE ALSO CAMP
COUNSELORS HEARD VARIATIONS OF THIS STORY WHEN THEY WERE CAMPERS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Port Sanilac

Date learned: 00-00-1975