The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

I AM A MEMBER OF THE S.B.E.B.S.Q.S.A.,INC., A BARBERSHOP
QUARTET SOCIETY. THE INFORMANT TOLD THIS STORY TO A
GROUP OF BARBERSHOPPERS.
IT SEEMS THAT ONE OF OUR MEMBERS HAD BEEN DEVOTING MUCH
OF HIS TIME TO THE SOCIETY. IN FACT, HIS LIFE REVOLVED
AROUND ALL THE FUNCTIONS THAT OUR SOCIETY PERFORMS. HE
BELONGED TO A REGISTERED QUARTET, DIRECTED A CHORUS, WAS
THE LOCAL PRESIDENT AND PROGRAM CHAIRMAN.
ONE NIGHT, HE WAS OUT ESPECIALLY LATE WORKING ON A NEW
ARRANGEMENT. HE LEFT THE PRACTICE HALL AND ON THE WAY
TO HIS CAR, HE WAS ACCOSTED BY THREE MEN. THEY BEAT
HIM VICIOUSLY, KICKING HIM TIME AND TIME AGAIN. AFTER
HE WAS UNCONSCIOUS, THEY ROBBED HIM OF FIFTY DOLLARS.
HE WOKE UP ABOUT AN HOUR LATER, BLOODY, DISORIENTED, AND
SORE. HE MANAGED TO REACH INTO HIS POCKET AND PULLED
OUT HIS PITCHPIPE AND BLEW A "B FLAT" AND YELLED "HELP."
(RIGHT ON KEY).

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Date learned: 02-20-1967