The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHEN I WAS LITTLE THERE WAS A RUMOUR GOING AROUND ON A OUR BLOCK THAT THE JERSEY DEVIL WAS BACK. THE JERSEY DEVIL WAS WEELL KNOWN
IN NEW JERSEY. HE WAS SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE A MAN WITH THE FACE OF
A WOLF, FEET OF A PIG AND HORNS. HE STOOD ON TWO LEGS. HE WAS
SUPPOSED TO PREY ON LITTLE CHILDREN, AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT THE
OLDER KIDS TOLD US. VERY ELABORATE MEANS WERE USED TO SCARE THE
LITTLE KIDS OUT OF THEIR WITS. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS DRESSED IN
RED CAPES AND HORNS AND RAN THROUGH THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND
SOMEONE EVEN MADE A COPY OF A PICTURE OF THE BEAST, WHICH WAS
SUPPOSED TO BE AUTHENTIC. NEEDLESS TO SAY I EVENTUALLY GREW OUT OF
MY FRIGHT OF THE JERSEY DEVIL BUT RECENTLY I HEARD SOMEONE ON TELEVIS
TALKING ABOUT THE JERSEY DEVIL. EVIDENTLY HE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A
TYPE OF BIGFOOT CREATURE. IT MAKES ME WONDER ABOUT ALL THE
THAT THERE REALLY WAS SOMETHING TO BE SCARED OF.

Where learned: NEW JERSEY ; TOMS RIVER

Date learned: 00001970S