The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE HOUSE ON GUINE

MY MOTHER WAS SO SCARED IN THIS HOUSE THAT SHE NEVER LIKED TO STAY
ALONE AT NIGHT. ONCE MY FATHER WAS AWAY FOR A WHILE, SO SHE
ASKED EDITH VISENEAU TO STAY ALL NIGHT WITH HER. EDITH HAD A DATE
BUT SAID THAT SHE WOULD COME OVER AFTER SHE GOT HOME. HER DATE
TOOK HER UP TO THE DOOR OF THE HOUSE ON GUINE. SHE OPENED THE DOOR,
WENT IN, AND CLOSED THE DOOR BEHIND HER. SOME HUGE DARK THING
WITH ITS ARMS STRETCHED OUT WOULD NOT LET HER GO ANY FURTHER.
SHE SCREAMED AND RAN OUT OF THE HOUSE.
AFTER THIS MY MOTHER WENT TO VISIT HER MOTHER ON HARSEN'S ISLAND.
MY FATHER CAME TO THE HOUSE ON GUINE TO CHANGE HIS CLOTHES BEFORE
HE TOO WENT TO HARSEN'S ISLAND. HE TOOK HIS SHOES OFF AND DECIDED
TO REST A WHILE FIRST ON THE COUCH DOWNSTAIRS. HE HEARD A
NOISE AND OPENED HIS EYES. HE LOOKED UP AND SAW A WOMAN
COMING DOWN THE STAIRS TOWARD HIM. SHE HAD A BLACK DRESS ON
THAT RUSTLED. HE PICKED UP HIS SHOES, AND BACKED OUT OF THE HOUSE.
HE NEVER WENT BACK IN. MY MOTHER WANTED TO SELL THE HOUSE BUT IT WA
HIT BY LIGHTENING AND IT BURNED TO THE GROUND.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER MOTHER AND FATHER
ABOUT 1885 IN DETROIT.

Data entry tech comment: CORRECTED SPELLING

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Keyword(s): MANIFESTATIONS

Date learned: 05-12-1965