The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IN VIRGINIA THE BARBERS WERE ALSO BLOOD-
LETTERS. THEY WOULD BLEED PEOPLE TO CURE
THEIR SICKNESSES. TO ADVERTISE THAT THEY
WERE BLOODLETTERS, THEY USED TO HAVE A
BLOODY WHITE SHEET OUTSIDE THEIR DOORS.
AFTER A LOT OF COMPLAINING ABOUT THE STENCH,
THEY STARTED JUST HANGING OUT A SHEET WITH
RED DYE ON IT.
THIS IS THE WAY THE BARBER POLE CUSTOM WAS
STARTED.

Where learned: TENNESSEE, ASSUMED ; GALLATIN ; ROUTE 3

Date learned: NOT GIVEN