The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THEY REMEMBER A REFUSE COLLECTOR GOING THROUGH ALLEYS
BOTH DETROIT, MICHIGAN AND TOLEDO, OHIO, AND THEY REFERRED
TO HIM AS THE SHEENY MAN.
MRS. GENTILE SAID THE ONE IN TOLEDO HAD A KAZOO-LIKE HORN
WHICH HE BLEW, TO LET PEOPLE KNOW HE WAS COMING.
MR. GENTILE SAID THAT THE BOYS USED TO SWITCH THE REINS
ON THE HORSE AROUND, SO THAT WHEN THE MAN CAME BACK
FROM MAKING HIS COLLECTIONS IN THE HOUSES,
HE HAD A HARD TIME STEERING THE ANIMAL, SINCE THE
LINES WERE REVERSED.
MRS. GENTILE SAID THAT WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG AND LIVING
IN TOLEDO, OHIO, HER BROTHER {JOHN}, BEING JEALOUS OF A
NEW BORN BROTHER {PAUL}, WANTED TO GIVE HIM AWAY TO THE
SHEENY MAN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OHIO ; TOLEDO ; DETROIT ; HUNTINGTON WOODS