The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

DEATH HITCHED A RIDE

A TRUCKER WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE SMOKEY MOUNTAINS
PULLING A LARGE SEMI-TRUCK-TRAILER ONE NIGHT. SUDDENLY
THE TRUCKER HAD A STRANGE FEELING THAT HE WAS NOT
ALONE. LOOKING OVER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, HE SAW
A CHARACTER IN A DARK COAT, COLLAR PULLED UP, AND
A DARK HAT PULLED DOWN OVER HIS BROW. WHEN THE
TRUCKER BRAKED AND CALLED OUT "WHAT IN THE HELL ARE
YOU DOING HERE," THE FIGURE OPENED THE DOOR AND
LEAPED OUT, APPARENTLY TUMBLING DOWN THE MOUNTAINSIDE.
THE TRUCKER CALLED THE STATE POLICE, BUT THEY SEARCHED
FOR THE BODY IN VAIN.
ON THE RETURN TRIP THE TRUCKER'S RIG JACKKNIFED AT THE
VERY SPOT AT WHICH THE FIGURE HAD EARLIER LEAPED DOWN
TO HIS FATE.
THE FIGURE, ACCORDING TO THE LEGEND, HAD BEEN DEATH
HIMSELF.

Submitter comment: DON'T KNOW WHERE INFORMANT HEARD THIS ONE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-23-1965