This wide-ranging study of Texas death lore offers intriguing oral histories, legends, and reflections on customs and beliefs. Kenneth Untiedt, secretary-editor of the Texas Folklore Society, has succeeded in gathering meaningful material from local residents of diverse ethnicities. His book includes an overview of death lore, essays on cemeteries and on pre- and post-death rituals, narratives related to ghosts, and "thoughts, musings, and pure speculation" about death (vi).
Untiedt’s introduction, "The Lore of Death," clearly explains his subject’s significance. Death is "the great unknown," a common destination that inspires curiosity and fear (3). He offers well-chosen examples of death lore such as Pennsylvania Germans’ "dead cakes," inedible cookies delivered to friends and relatives as mementos of the deceased (8). While his coverage of American folklore works well, his broader conclusions on death lore seem overly general at times. "Regardless of cultural background, black is recognized practically everywhere as the proper mourning attire" (8) does not do justice to the prevalence of white mourning clothes in Asia and to other kinds of funeral raiment around the world. Perhaps it is true that a "wide array of death lore exists, more so than any other type of lore" (10), but this statement needs substantiation.
In collecting death lore of Texas, however, Untiedt demonstrates expertise and sensitivity to people’s need to put death in a meaningful context. Many of his essay writers demonstrate both substantial insight and a sense of humor. Texas death lore is rich in ironic and hilarious incidents, as well as moments of great sadness and mystery. Mildred Boren Sentell’s humorous essay, "Most People in Texas Don’t Die," for example, examines euphemisms and customs that make death seem easier to handle. One of the most impressive examples of extreme death lore is transportation of the deceased to "his final resting place in the custom-made sidecar of a large—very large—black Harley" (87). Sentell also notes that contemporary Texans tend to avoid the stark term "funeral," finding "celebration of life" to be more palatable (86).
Some of the most intriguing essays describe contexts that are unfamiliar to many people. A.C. Sanders’s "A Most Unusual Upbringing" explains the complexities of growing up in a family that owns a funeral home. He recalls being dragged to the principal’s office after telling his teacher that his grandparents spent Christmas in a funeral home because they live there. Fortunately, the principal, a friend of his grandmother, understands that he is not being a "smart ass" (101). Ruth Massingill’s "Death Behind the Walls: Rituals, Folktales, and True Stories" provides many fascinating details about the highly ritualized environment of the "execution capital of the world" in Huntsville. With particular attention to last words, last meals, and the "ritualized countdown to death" (125), Massingill provides insight into this controversial subject.
Another very interesting part of the book is the ghost lore section, which includes Charlie Oden’s historical study of "The Spirit that Walked toward Hornsby’s Bend," Mary Margaret Dougherty Campbell’s "Messages from the Spirit World," and Hortense Warner Ward’s "The Yellow Flower of Death." Two amusing accounts of loving spirits are Edward R. Raasch’s "Oscar—The Friendly Ghost" and Jennifer O. Curtis’s "A Grave Mistake." Carolyn Arrington’s "Chipita Rodriguez: The Only Woman Hanged in Texas during the Civil War" tells the story of a woman’s conviction for murder on circumstantial evidence. Arrington’s essay ends with her own "Ballad of Chipita Rodriguez" and includes a photograph of the author singing and playing her guitar.
This highly readable and well-organized anthology of Texas ghost lore would be a good text for courses on Texas history and folklore of the supernatural. The editor should be commended for his selection of essays and narratives that reflect the diversity of Texas residents and the richness of their customs, beliefs, and narratives.
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[Review length: 632 words • Review posted on November 17, 2009]