American Folklore

Pecos Bill In American folklore, a tough Western hero who was the subject of many adventures. Edward O’Reilly created the figure of Pecos Bill for the Century magazine in 1923. After the

Paul Bunyan In American folklore, giant lumberjack of the Great Lakes and the Pacific Northwest. Various places claim Paul Bunyan as their own: Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, and the Canadian woods. As

Oakley, Annie (1860–1926) In American history and folklore, stage name of Phoebe Anna Oakley Mozee, a markswoman and member of Buffalo Bill’s Original Wild West Show. While the Wild West show was

Old John In American folklore, a tramp printer who could make type fall into place instantaneously with one sweep of his left hand. At his death, Old John was believed to have

Two-Toe Tom In American folklore, a 14foot alligator, in Alabama marsh country near Montgomery, who ate people and animals. When his pond was dynamited by Pap Haines, the monster escaped by an

Tony Beaver is in American folklore, a comic hero of the West Virginia lumberjacks whose antics often take place in the Cumberland Mountains. In one tale he built a wagon cart that

Tom Quick is in American folklore, the “Indian Slayer” or “The Avenger of the Delaware.” According to one legend, Tom avenged himself on various Indians for the murder of his father by

Johnny Appleseed (1774–1847) : In American history and folklore, popular name of John Chapman, Massachusetts-born orchardist, who planted fruit trees in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Johnny Appleseed was a hermit and

John Henry In American folklore, a black hero, born in Black River Country “where the sun don’t never shine.” When John Henry was born, he weighed 44 pounds. His mother said he

Joe Magarac: The Superhuman Steelworker of American Folklore Joe Magarac, a towering figure in American literary folklore, embodies the grit, determination, and spirit of the steelworkers who powered the Pittsburgh steel mills