The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

ONE OF MY FRIENDS AT LIPSCOMB (DAVID LIPSCOMB COLLEGE) TOLD ME
THIS STORY. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE HAPPENED IN HER HOME TOWN:
THE BRIDE HAD BEEN MARRIED ONLY A SHORT TIME. SHE AND HER
HUSBAND WERE STILL ON THEIR HONEYMOON. THE BRIDE'S YOUNGER
SISTER AND SOME OF HER FRIENDS WERE TALKING AND PLAYING IN
THE ROOM OF THE YOUNGER GIRL. HER ROOM HAD A COMMON WALL
WITH HER SISTER'S, THE NEW BRIDE'S ROOM.
THE GIRL HEARD A SOUND ON THE WALL, WHICH SOUNDED LIKE A
KNOCKING. SHE WENT INTO THE ADJOINING ROOM, BUT COULD SEE
NOTHING THAT WOULD CAUSE THE NOISE. SHE WENT BACK TO HER
ROOM, BUT AGAIN, SHE HEARD THE KNOCKING. THIS TIME WHEN
SHE OPENED THE DOOR TO THE EMPTY ROOM, A BREEZE OR DRAFT
BLEW THROUGH AND RUFFLED THE SCARF ON THE DRESSER. THE
WINDOW WHICH HAD BEEN CLOSED SINCE HER SISTER LEFT, WAS NOW
OPEN. THERE WAS NO REASONABLE EXPLANATION FOR IT. SHE CALLED
MOTHER AND TOLD HER ABOUT IT. SHE CAME UP AND SAW IT, THEN
SENT THE GIRL BACK TO HER ROOM TO PLAY.
LATER, THE GIRL'S MOTHER CALLED HER DOWNSTAIRS AND SENT HER
TO THE STORE. AS SHE STARTED OUT OF THE HOUSE AND DOWN THE
WALK, SHE HEARD THE PHONE RING. A SECOND LATER HER MOTHER
CALLED TO HER AND AS SHE TURNED AROUND, SHE SAW A BLACK SHADOW
OVER HER SISTER'S WINDOW. THE TELEPHONE CALL HAD BEEN SOMEONE
TELLING THEM THAT THE YOUNG BRIDE AND BRIDEGROOM HAD BEEN
KILLED IN AN AUTOMOBILE WRECK.

Where learned: KENTUCKY ; HOPKINSVILLE

Date learned: 07-27-1968