The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FIRE BALL

OUTSIDE OF LAMBERTVILLE (MISSOURI), THERE IS A FARM WHERE A NEGRO
FAMILY WAS SHARECROPPING (ABOUT 30 OR SO YEARS AGO). ALMOST EVERY
NIGHT AFTER DARK, THEY'D SEE A BALL OF FIRE COME OUT OF THE FIELD,
ROLL ACROSS THE YARD AND DISAPPEAR AT THE CORNER OF THE FENCE
POLE. THIS SCARED THE FAMILY AND THEY SOON MOVED OUT, LEAVING THE
HOUSE ABANDONED. THE LOCAL YOUTHS TOOK THE FIREBALL AS A SIGN
THAT TREASURE WAS BURIED ON THE PROPERTY. ONE NIGHT THEY DETER-
MINED TO SNEAK OVER AND DIG IT UP. THEY WENT BUT WERE TOO SCARED
TO DIG AND THEY SOON LEFT. THEY HOWEVER DIDN'T SEE THE FIRE BALL.
(THE INFORMANT WAS ONE OF THESE YOUTHS.)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 11-16-1968