The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

EXORCISM

NOTE: EXORCISM, A COMPLICATED RITE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH INVOLVING
THE CASTING OUT OF DEVILS FROM POSSESSED PERSONS PROVIDES A NATURAL
BIRTHPLACE FOR MANY STRANGE STORIES, ONE WAS TOLD BY MRS. JAMES KEHOE
A GREAT GREAT AUNT OF MINE FROM CLINTON MICHIGAN, I HEARD IT FROM
MOTHER, MRS JAMES KEHOE WAS ONCE PRESENT AT AN EXORCISM IN CLINTON,.
AT THE POINT IN THE GRAVE CEREMONY WHEN THE DEVIL WAS FINALLY CAST
OUT A SMALL CREATURE RESEMBLING A WOODCHUCK WAS SEEN BY THOSE PRESENT
TO RUN ACROSS THE ROOM AND OUT THE DOOR. ALL AGREED THAT IT HAD NOT
BEEN IN THE ROOM BEFORE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Date learned: 10-00-1963