The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE BEAUTIFUL BABY CORPSE

INFORMANT TOLD ME OF A GUEST THAT SHE HAD IN HER HOME
WHO WORKED FOR THE WILBUR VAULT COMPANY. THIS MAN WAS
A MEMBER OF THE BURYING PARTY AT SEVERAL CEMETERIES.
ONE INCIENT HE SWEARS HE WILL NEVER FORGET WAS ONCE,
WHEN HIS CREW HAD TO BURY THE BODY OF A TWO-YEAR-OLD
BOY WHO HAD JUST RECENTLY PASSED AWAY. WHEN THESE MEN
LAID THE COFFIN ON TOP OF THE NYLON RUNNERS WHICH
SUPPORTED IT, THIS COFFIN SLIPPED OFF THE RUNNERS AND
SOMEHOW THE BABY FELL OUT. WHEN THIS MAN WENT DOWN TO THE
BOTTOM OF THE GRAVE TO RETRIEVE THE CHILD, HE SAID THAT
IT WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BABY THAT HE HAD EVER SEEN.
THIS INFANT SO IMPRESSED HIM (HE HAD A TWO-YEAR-OLD OF
HIS OWN) THAT HE INQUIRED ABOUT THE MANNER IN WHICH
IT HAD DIED. HE FOUND THAT THE BABY HAD UNSCREWED A
BOLT FROM HIS CRIB AND HAD SWALLOWED IT. THE BOLT
LODGED IN THE BABY'S THROAT AND IT WAS RUSHED TO THE
HOSPITAL, BUT THE DOCTORS WERE UNABLE TO SAVE THE
LITTLE BOY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): INFANT DEATHS

Date learned: 11-29-1971