(1) Name of collector--
Chelsea Baker, student at Columbus State Community College, attending Introduction to Folklore.
(2) Type of folklore:
Legend Trip associated with Urban Legends. Our text, The Study of American Folklore, by Jan Brunvand states describes legend tripping as an “elaborate adolescent custom” [Brunvand 412] it continues to state that “during the years when cruising in automobiles is popular, a favorite destination for nighttime drives is some locally famous site associated with a supernatural legend. Places said to be cursed, haunted inhibited by witches, or manics, the scene of a terrible accident, or the like, and there retell the legends while half-hoping that something supernatural will take place.” [Brunvand 412]
(3) Informant, place and date of collection:
I collected these folk legends from various informants as I was growing up either from a friend, sleepovers which entailed the telling of ghost stories or from teachers in middle/high school. Specifically, I remember one autumn night in 2009 my sophomore year in high school, my friend Danielle Yoakum’s (female 15 years old) older cousin Kassandra Yoakum (female 18 years old) decided to tell me and Danielle about “Dog Lady Island.” We then visited the island and conducted our own ritual to bring forth the Dog Lady. Kassie, as we called her, was your typical high school senior trying to us by telling us the legend. I learned the legend of the “Irish Castle” while I was at the museum researching my other subjects for my final project just last month (March 2014). The Curator of Collections at the Museum, Chris Kull (female approximately in her 40’s) had given me two thick folders of ghost stories associated with Monroe. I had found an article on the Boyd Home, which she later told me, was referred to as the Irish Castle, she then proceeded to tell me the legend, and how her own son-in-law had had an encounter with the ghost of the home. My other informants came from books, newspaper articles, the sites themselves, and unnamed locals of Monroe County.
(4) The exact text, custom or object:
I explored various sites during my legend trip;
The first was “Dog Lady Island” there is various versions of this legend, one version goes as follows: An old woman lived on an island in Monroe, formerly known as Kausler island, years ago and, after her husband died, she surrounded herself with many dogs. The dogs were there to protect her, but one day they turned on her, ripping out her tongue, leaving her incapable of speech and partially blind. She came to be known as “the Dog Lady.” She became reclusive and liked it that way. So she developed the habit of jumping onto the cars of anyone who dared park near the island. Dog Lady later was murdered by members of the motorcycle gang The Iron Coffins, who had committed a heinous crime that the old woman unfortunately witnessed, so the story goes. Gang members became the new occupants of the island, and they allegedly kept Dog Lady’s body in a coffin on the island. Locals say that today Dog Lady, or her ghost, continues to scare off teenagers who go out to the island to make out, drink, or cause mischief. She will consequently run them off and create quite a frightening growl/bark which was very unusual and unrecognizable. As the teenagers dashed for their cars she would jump atop your hood and growl viciously at you licking her chops. Her pack of dogs would aid her in the act creating a malicious sight and a terrifying ruckus.
The second legend was that of the “Irish castle” it goes as follows: Built in 1848, and purchased by a one Mr. William H. Boyd in 1855. Mr. Boyd and his wife had two children, a son Edgar Seymour, and a little girl, Clara Anna. Unfortunately, however, both contracted scarlet fever during the epidemic. Edgar had only one week before his death attended Sunday School and assisted in singing his last hymn. Edgar, who was 12 years old, was buried Monday May 13th. His younger sister in attendance planted a flower at his grave with her little hands. Just three days later Clara herself was overcome by the illness and died Thursday May 17th, 1860 at nearly three years of age. On Friday she was laid by her brother's side. After Clara's passing there have been numerous sightings of a ghostly figure of a young girl inside the Boyd House also known as the "Irish Castle".
Chelsea Baker, student at Columbus State Community College, attending Introduction to Folklore.
(2) Type of folklore:
Legend Trip associated with Urban Legends. Our text, The Study of American Folklore, by Jan Brunvand states describes legend tripping as an “elaborate adolescent custom” [Brunvand 412] it continues to state that “during the years when cruising in automobiles is popular, a favorite destination for nighttime drives is some locally famous site associated with a supernatural legend. Places said to be cursed, haunted inhibited by witches, or manics, the scene of a terrible accident, or the like, and there retell the legends while half-hoping that something supernatural will take place.” [Brunvand 412]
(3) Informant, place and date of collection:
I collected these folk legends from various informants as I was growing up either from a friend, sleepovers which entailed the telling of ghost stories or from teachers in middle/high school. Specifically, I remember one autumn night in 2009 my sophomore year in high school, my friend Danielle Yoakum’s (female 15 years old) older cousin Kassandra Yoakum (female 18 years old) decided to tell me and Danielle about “Dog Lady Island.” We then visited the island and conducted our own ritual to bring forth the Dog Lady. Kassie, as we called her, was your typical high school senior trying to us by telling us the legend. I learned the legend of the “Irish Castle” while I was at the museum researching my other subjects for my final project just last month (March 2014). The Curator of Collections at the Museum, Chris Kull (female approximately in her 40’s) had given me two thick folders of ghost stories associated with Monroe. I had found an article on the Boyd Home, which she later told me, was referred to as the Irish Castle, she then proceeded to tell me the legend, and how her own son-in-law had had an encounter with the ghost of the home. My other informants came from books, newspaper articles, the sites themselves, and unnamed locals of Monroe County.
(4) The exact text, custom or object:
I explored various sites during my legend trip;
The first was “Dog Lady Island” there is various versions of this legend, one version goes as follows: An old woman lived on an island in Monroe, formerly known as Kausler island, years ago and, after her husband died, she surrounded herself with many dogs. The dogs were there to protect her, but one day they turned on her, ripping out her tongue, leaving her incapable of speech and partially blind. She came to be known as “the Dog Lady.” She became reclusive and liked it that way. So she developed the habit of jumping onto the cars of anyone who dared park near the island. Dog Lady later was murdered by members of the motorcycle gang The Iron Coffins, who had committed a heinous crime that the old woman unfortunately witnessed, so the story goes. Gang members became the new occupants of the island, and they allegedly kept Dog Lady’s body in a coffin on the island. Locals say that today Dog Lady, or her ghost, continues to scare off teenagers who go out to the island to make out, drink, or cause mischief. She will consequently run them off and create quite a frightening growl/bark which was very unusual and unrecognizable. As the teenagers dashed for their cars she would jump atop your hood and growl viciously at you licking her chops. Her pack of dogs would aid her in the act creating a malicious sight and a terrifying ruckus.
The second legend was that of the “Irish castle” it goes as follows: Built in 1848, and purchased by a one Mr. William H. Boyd in 1855. Mr. Boyd and his wife had two children, a son Edgar Seymour, and a little girl, Clara Anna. Unfortunately, however, both contracted scarlet fever during the epidemic. Edgar had only one week before his death attended Sunday School and assisted in singing his last hymn. Edgar, who was 12 years old, was buried Monday May 13th. His younger sister in attendance planted a flower at his grave with her little hands. Just three days later Clara herself was overcome by the illness and died Thursday May 17th, 1860 at nearly three years of age. On Friday she was laid by her brother's side. After Clara's passing there have been numerous sightings of a ghostly figure of a young girl inside the Boyd House also known as the "Irish Castle".
The Woodland Cemetery has no specific legend associated with it but there have been reports of ghostly figures wandering the grounds in historical 1800’s clothing. Since there is no specific legend I will instead post a picture of the cemetery:
Like the Woodland Cemetery The River Raisin Battlefield also has no explicit legend connected to the site. Although there have been reported sightings and supernatural events that have taken place that have been attributed to the gruesome battle that occurred there and the surrounding area. Here is a photo of part of the extensive battle field:
(5) Context:
As an amateur folklorist and legend tripper I did to the best of my ability to show the depth of the history in Monroe. I first had to decide what site I would explore further, so I began to ask friends, family, and other locals to Monroe what ghost stories/urban legends they were aware of or even better had experienced personally. Quite collectively the first response I received was the notorious legend of Dog Lady Island, which I personally grew up knowing. I proceeded to choose a few other historic areas of Monroe to focus on including: the Irish Castle in downtown Monroe, the Woodland Cemetery where some of the Custer family is buried, and the River Raisin Battlefield where thousands lost their lives in a ghastly battle. After deciding on my sites, my mom, Panoka, drove me so that I could hang out the window taking pictures like a crazed paparazzo. Together we visited each spot and took various pictures to display on my website; since I am a very visual person I felt that it would be beneficial for others to be able to see the exact cemetery, battlefield, house, etc. I was speaking of. After gathering numerous pictures, I decided to design a webpage to better present my findings (I used Weebly.com because it was free and had all the essentials for my project). Now that I had a place to exhibit my exploration, I proceeded to the Monroe Historic Museum where they have an enormous database of materials including maps, family papers, documents, photographs, and genealogy relating to Monroe County. I was also able to view, with the help of the staff, obituaries, genealogies, cemetery indexes, and other items on Monroe County people. Within my search I discovered an entire folder dedicated to ghost stories and legends with newspaper clippings, photographs and local inquiries. I made various photo copies, and collected some of my own notes. At the museum I met the Curator of Collections and she was able to further evaluate and answer any remaining questions I had. Finally, after I had composed all of the necessary materials and information I began to incorporate it all on my website.
As an amateur folklorist and legend tripper I did to the best of my ability to show the depth of the history in Monroe. I first had to decide what site I would explore further, so I began to ask friends, family, and other locals to Monroe what ghost stories/urban legends they were aware of or even better had experienced personally. Quite collectively the first response I received was the notorious legend of Dog Lady Island, which I personally grew up knowing. I proceeded to choose a few other historic areas of Monroe to focus on including: the Irish Castle in downtown Monroe, the Woodland Cemetery where some of the Custer family is buried, and the River Raisin Battlefield where thousands lost their lives in a ghastly battle. After deciding on my sites, my mom, Panoka, drove me so that I could hang out the window taking pictures like a crazed paparazzo. Together we visited each spot and took various pictures to display on my website; since I am a very visual person I felt that it would be beneficial for others to be able to see the exact cemetery, battlefield, house, etc. I was speaking of. After gathering numerous pictures, I decided to design a webpage to better present my findings (I used Weebly.com because it was free and had all the essentials for my project). Now that I had a place to exhibit my exploration, I proceeded to the Monroe Historic Museum where they have an enormous database of materials including maps, family papers, documents, photographs, and genealogy relating to Monroe County. I was also able to view, with the help of the staff, obituaries, genealogies, cemetery indexes, and other items on Monroe County people. Within my search I discovered an entire folder dedicated to ghost stories and legends with newspaper clippings, photographs and local inquiries. I made various photo copies, and collected some of my own notes. At the museum I met the Curator of Collections and she was able to further evaluate and answer any remaining questions I had. Finally, after I had composed all of the necessary materials and information I began to incorporate it all on my website.
(6) Analysis:
The function of an Urban Legend which is associated with legend tripping is more often than not used as a scare tactic to keep the youth in line. Typically born in small towns where word of mouth is circulated quickly. This kind of folklore is held close to the history of the town it originated in and locals begin to take pride in living in such a place that has a notorious legend and history.
When considering what the folklore may reveal about that certain person or group of people you must ask how it originated. The urban legend of Dog Lady Island started off innocently enough with an elderly couple living on a small island in Monroe. However it quickly turned sour and assumptions were made about the poor woman who may or may not have actually existed. Mostly teens can be credited for this legend. Perhaps they created it out of boredom, resentment, or merely as a scare tactic to prank their friends. The fact that the legend includes such details as the woman having her tongue being ripped out by her dogs, or possibly cut out by a tough biker gang ensues that someone had quite the imagination, was extremely morbid, or really witnessed something quite devastating.
As one listens to an urban legend for the first time your innocence and gullible nature are being taken advantage of. Typically the story is told by older teens to their younger counter parts as a way to dominate them and make them feel insecure and afraid of the unknown. Every so often, however, the legends are told by the old timers who have already been through the initiation of the legend and are ready to introduce it to the new generation. I know for a fact that my grandfather used to tell me urban legends as a way to get a good laugh out of my fear and contemplation for the next week or so. The act of the legend trip itself is a test of character and moral judgment. Typically the trip includes trespassing on private property which is the first test of “right from wrong.” How one might respond to the event may also be a tell-tale of their personality; whether or not they become frightened easily or make light of the situation.
The function of an Urban Legend which is associated with legend tripping is more often than not used as a scare tactic to keep the youth in line. Typically born in small towns where word of mouth is circulated quickly. This kind of folklore is held close to the history of the town it originated in and locals begin to take pride in living in such a place that has a notorious legend and history.
When considering what the folklore may reveal about that certain person or group of people you must ask how it originated. The urban legend of Dog Lady Island started off innocently enough with an elderly couple living on a small island in Monroe. However it quickly turned sour and assumptions were made about the poor woman who may or may not have actually existed. Mostly teens can be credited for this legend. Perhaps they created it out of boredom, resentment, or merely as a scare tactic to prank their friends. The fact that the legend includes such details as the woman having her tongue being ripped out by her dogs, or possibly cut out by a tough biker gang ensues that someone had quite the imagination, was extremely morbid, or really witnessed something quite devastating.
As one listens to an urban legend for the first time your innocence and gullible nature are being taken advantage of. Typically the story is told by older teens to their younger counter parts as a way to dominate them and make them feel insecure and afraid of the unknown. Every so often, however, the legends are told by the old timers who have already been through the initiation of the legend and are ready to introduce it to the new generation. I know for a fact that my grandfather used to tell me urban legends as a way to get a good laugh out of my fear and contemplation for the next week or so. The act of the legend trip itself is a test of character and moral judgment. Typically the trip includes trespassing on private property which is the first test of “right from wrong.” How one might respond to the event may also be a tell-tale of their personality; whether or not they become frightened easily or make light of the situation.
(7) Works Cited:
Brunvand, Jan Harold. The Study of American Folklore: An Introduction, Third Edition. 4th ed. New York: Norton, 1987. Print.
Grassley, Dave. "River Raisin Battlefield - Remember the Raisin." River Raisin Battlefield - Remember the Raisin. Floral City Images, 26 Feb. 2007. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <http://www.riverraisinbattlefield.org/>.
"Monroe, Michigan: Monroe in History; Civil War Letters and Historical Photographs." Monroe, Michigan: Monroe in History; Civil War Letters and Historical Photographs. Ed. Tim Chorzempa. Monroe County Historical Museum, Monroe County Community College, n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2014.
"Museum." Museum. Monroe County Michigan, 2009. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. <http://www.co.monroe.mi.us/government/departments_offices/museum/index.html>.
United States. National Park Service. "River Raisin National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service)." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 21 Apr. 2014. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. <http://www.nps.gov/rira/index.htm>.
Wing, Talcott Enoch. History of Monroe County, Michigan .. New York: Munsell, 1890. Print.
Brunvand, Jan Harold. The Study of American Folklore: An Introduction, Third Edition. 4th ed. New York: Norton, 1987. Print.
Grassley, Dave. "River Raisin Battlefield - Remember the Raisin." River Raisin Battlefield - Remember the Raisin. Floral City Images, 26 Feb. 2007. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. <http://www.riverraisinbattlefield.org/>.
"Monroe, Michigan: Monroe in History; Civil War Letters and Historical Photographs." Monroe, Michigan: Monroe in History; Civil War Letters and Historical Photographs. Ed. Tim Chorzempa. Monroe County Historical Museum, Monroe County Community College, n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2014.
"Museum." Museum. Monroe County Michigan, 2009. Web. 08 Apr. 2014. <http://www.co.monroe.mi.us/government/departments_offices/museum/index.html>.
United States. National Park Service. "River Raisin National Battlefield Park (U.S. National Park Service)." National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 21 Apr. 2014. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. <http://www.nps.gov/rira/index.htm>.
Wing, Talcott Enoch. History of Monroe County, Michigan .. New York: Munsell, 1890. Print.