The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FOLK TALE

THIS IS SAID TO HAVE HAPPENED IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN SOME 25 YEARS
AGO. LATE ONE NIGHT FOUR YOUNG MEN WHO WERE DRIVING ALONG IN A
CAR STOPPED BY A BRIDGE AS A MYSTERIOUS LIGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE
CAUGHT THEIR ATTENTION. THREE OF THEM WALKED TO THE OTHER SIDE
WHILE THE OTHER WAITED. SINCE THEY WERE GONE FOR A LONG TIME AND
THE LIGHT HAD DISAPPEARED, THE FOURTH MAN WENT LOOKING FOR THEM
AND FOUND ALL THREE DEAD AND THEIR BODIES BADLY MUTILATED. HE
WENT TO GET HELP AND WHEN THEY RETURNED TO THE BRIDGE, THE LIGHT
WAS AGAIN THERE. AS THEY STARTED ACROSS, THE LIGHT STARTED COMING
RAPIDLY TOWARD THEM. A SHORT WHILE LATER A PASSERBY CAME UPON A
NUMBER OF MUTILATED BODIES ON THE BRIDGE. ALL THE MEN WERE DEAD
EXCEPT ONE, WHO TOLD HIM ABOUT THE LIGHT BUT DIED BEFORE HE COULD
EXPLAIN EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. TO THIS DAY, THE LIGHT WAS NEVER
SEEN AGAIN AND NO ONE HAS SOLVED THE MYSTERY OF THESE MURDERS.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings:

PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Vehicle propelled by mechanical or other force on land
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Bridge
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 11-05-1969