Original Collector: Susan Johnson
Title: Legends/Personal Experiences
Class: N/A
Semester/year: NA, 83
Contributor: Tracy John
The next legend collected is also done here on campus but it is a little different type of legend that is told to students here on IU campus. This legend is associated with the Kappa Sigma Fraternity house and told by an anonymous submitter.
“The Story of Michael Pfang”
“Back in the mid-60s, a pledge from the house had his head blown off by a cannon during an IU homecoming parade with the theme of “Gun down the Hawks of Iowa.” The name of the guy was Michael Pfang and when anything weird happens in the house we know that is was him. Some of the guys claim they have saw him walking around or knocking things over in the house. One time when I was asleep I felt something in my room and woke up and thought I saw an image of a man that fit the description of Michael. I am not sure to this day what I saw but I think it was Michael. When I mentioned it to other guys in the house they assured me it was him because they have seen him too.”
Context:
The context here involves the house itself. All the strange happenings take place here. The guys talk about not wanting to be in the house by themselves when everyone else is gone because the house is kind of eerie. Person 1 said this story is usually told to the newcomers to entertain and scare them at the same time. They use the story to play pranks regardless if they think it is real or not or if they think Michael will get mad. This interview takes place between Cathy Rosemeyer who is the collector and a 21 year old male student who wouldn’t give his name. Cathy approaches Person 1 and tells him she is doing a paper for her class about the house. Although he no longer lives there he still remembers the encounters he had at the Kappa Sigma House. The information was collected February 25, 1976 at 625 North Jordan in Bloomington Indiana in the living room.