The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

A FEISTY IRISHMAN

IN 1905 JOHN EMMETT SULLIVAN WAS EN ROUTE TO DETROIT FROM ANN
ARBOR. HE WAS THE OWNER OF A CIGAR FACTORY AND HAD BEEN ON A
TOBACCO PURCHASING TRIP. AFTER A BUSY DAY HE BOARDED THE
AFTERNOON TRAIN. THE TRAIN WAS COMPLETELY FILLED EXCEPT FOR ONE
SEAT WHICH HAD A CASE ON IT. JOHN ASKED THE GENTLEMAN, "MAY I
USE THIS SEAT?" "NO, THIS CASE BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE." SAID
THE SURLY GENTLEMAN. SULLIVAN STOOD FUMING THE ENTIRE TRIP. WHEN
THE TRAIN STOPPED AT DETROIT, THE GENTLEMAN PICKED UP THE CASE
AND DISEMBARKED. "ARREST THIS MAN," CALLED JOHN SULLIVAN, "HE
IS TAKING SOMEONE ELSE'S CASE." THE SELFISH MAN WAS TAKEN AWAY
BY THE POLICE.

Submitter comment: JOHN SULLIVAN WAS AN ECCENTRIC, FEISTY MAN. HE WOULD BE MY GREAT
GRANDFATHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1905