The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE MISSING HEAD

MY GRANDFATHER WORKED IN THE COAL MINES OF WEST VIRGINIA.
AFTER A HARD DAY'S WORK HE AND HIS CO-WORKERS USUALLY
WALKED TO TOWN, TO VISIT THE LOCAL WATERING HOLE.
ONE PARTICULAR NIGHT AROUND 9:30 P.M., MY GRANDFATHER
LEFT THE TAVERN FEELING NO PAIN. AS HE WALKED HOME
DOWN THE RAILROAD TRACKS HE KICKED SOMETHING. HE WALKED
ABOUT 20 PACES BEFORE HE DECIDED TO GO BACK AND SEE WHAT HE
HAD KICKED. AS HE GOT DOWN ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES FEELING
THE GROUND HE GRABBED AHOLD OF SOMETHING HEAVY. HE
LIFTED IT UP TO THE STREET LIGHT---IT WAS A HUMAN HEAD!
HE DROPPED THE HEAD AND CALMLY WALKED HOME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT