The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

WHILE HITCHHIKING IN 1936, WE WERE GOING TO NEW YORK. WE HAD GOTTEN
A RIDE FROM A FARMER BUT HE HAD TO LEAVE US ON THE OPEN ROAD. MY
FRIEND AND I DECIDED TO REST ON A BLUFF WHERE WE COULD SEE IF ANY
CARS WERE COMING. WE WERE THERE FOR A WHILE WHEN WE HEARD FOOTSTEPS.
THE MOON WAS FULL AND WE WERE SURE THAT WE DIDN'T SEE ANYBODY ON THE
ROAD. AN OLD MAN WAS WALKING TOWARD US. AFTER EXCHANGING GREETINGS,
HE ASKED IF WE WERE HUNGRY. HE THEN OFFERED US A COCONUT HE GOT
FROM A FARMER. HE SLOWLY WALKED AWAY AND DISAPPEARED FROM OUR SIGHT.
I CLIMBED TO THE TOP OF THE BLUFF ONLY TO FIND A CEMETERY. SCARED,
WE WENT TO THE ROAD AND HITCHED A RIDE TO A DINER. THERE THE SHERIFF
WAS DESCRIBING AN OLD MAN, THE ONE WE MET. HE HAD BEEN DEAD FOR
FOUR WEEKS. WHEN WE HEARD THIS, WE FAINTED. AFTER TELLING WHAT
HAPPENED TO THE SHERIFF, HE TOLD US THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME IT
HAD HAPPENED IN TWO WEEKS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): MEMORATE

Date learned: 10-29-1972