The Bell Witch

[Millergirl4]

The story of the Bell Witch started in 1817, in Adams, Tennessee when the Bell family, prosperous farmers from Tennessee, began experiencing strange phenomena in their home. First, they heard knocking and rapping noises and scratching sounds. Then blankets were pulled from beds, family members were kicked and scratched and their hair pulled. The witch seemed Particularly interested in tormenting 12-year-old Betsy Bell, who was slapped, pinched, bruised and stuck with pins. At first, John Bell (Betsy's Dad) was determined to keep the events secret, but soon confided in a friend , who then formed an investigative committee. They soon learned that the strange force in the house had an eerie intelligence. It soon found a voice and from that day on. . .was seldom silent.

The spirit identified itself as a witch by the name of Kate Batts, once a neighbor of the Bell's. In the past John had experienced bad business dealings over some purchased slaves. Soon "Kate" became famous all over town, not only making daily appearances in the Bell home but also around Robertson county. General Andrew Jackson also came to visit the famous haunting. He claimed to have experienced some of the Witch's wraith when his wagon wheels would not turn until Kate decided to let them leave.

John Bell soon became strangely ill. Kate quickly claimed responsibility. While John was sick in bed, the spirit cursed and prodded him, never allowing him to rest. One day John just couldn't get out of bed anymore, to ill to carry on with even mundane daily routines. One morning a strange bottle was found near his bed, inside the bottle some unidentified black liquid which was also smelt on the breath of John's now senseless body. To test this mystery liquid a drop of it was placed on the tongue of a cat and the animal dropped dead. Shortly after that John also passed away but his death was anything but peacful. It is said that Kate screamed in triumph. Her victory stretched on for the funeral as well. She was heard laughing, cursing and singing as John bell was laid to rest.

Kate stuck around after John's death. Her torment turned towards Betsy whom she would not allow to marry the love of her life, Joshua Gardner. In later years the witch did allow Betsy to marry local school teacher Richard Powell. After the wedding all seemed peacful and it stayed that way for seven years when Kate returned and plagued the family for two weeks. She appeared at the home of John Bell Jr. and made a number of predictions that Bell recorded. The warning proved true, reflecting the Civil War and the later World Wars of the next century. "Kate" said that she would return again 107 years later, in 1935, but the year came and went without incident.

It is said that Kate fled to the caves near the Bell home and can still be heard and experienced there. Here is the link to some pictures of the homestead and cave. Tours are available. Here is the official website for the cave tours:

www.bellwitchcave.com/pictures.htm

[Spooky]

I would love to go on a tour of the cave.

[Millergirl4]

It's only $7 American. I'd go. We need to go on a haunted tour.

[Spooky]

We as in you and me?

We would giggle so hard we would be crying.

[Millergirl4]

I don't know about giggling. I'm a real chickenshit. ;D

[Spooky]

I am too but I laugh when I am scared or nervous.

I'm chickennuts but I'll do it. Rather have the scare of my life then not to have experienced it.

[SwampFire]

This is actually the most documented haunting in existence. I have tons of info on this including copies of the book that a family member wrote about the experiences.

The soon to be President of US, Andrew Jackson, heard about this haunting while he was a military commander and actually went to visit the site. One of the books I have detail his account of what happened and his decision to turn around and leave after having travelled hundreds of miles to get there. Very spooky. I wish "An American Haunting" would have focused on a different aspect of the case instead of the not so widely accepted poltergeist/incest story.

[Spooky]

I didn't know much about The Bell Witch until I watched "An American Haunting". Even though it was just a movie it made me buy a few books about the actual case.

I thought the movie was entertaining though.

[SwampFire]

It was but it painted the haunting as a poltergeist brought upon by the daughter. Poltergeists are generally very specific as to who they target as the wisdom dictates that they are generated of negative energy in young females and their feelings somewhat control the activity. The poltergeist explanation doesn't explain the experiences that others had who the daughter didn't even know.

My guess is that whatever 'Kate' was it was more along the lines of a demonic entity.

[Millergirl4]

admin said:

My guess is that whatever 'Kate' was it was more along the lines of a demonic entity.

I think so too!

[bellwitch74]

I have arrived!!!

[Millergirl4]

As per your username I can see that you are a fan. What is it about this story that fascinates you?

[bellwitch74]

Well, I find it interesting that it's dubbed the first ghost to actually kill someone. What exactly was it there for? Did she really kill John Bell? Why did she go away but come back? Lot of questions. I'd love to know what brought it around in the first place. I first got interested in it when the last movie came out. I'm not sure I buy the incest/rape version of the story, though.

[Millergirl4]

I don't buy the incest/rape theory that the movie used. I thought that it was interesting just how many witnesses they had to this case.

[bellwitch74]

I also find it interesting that it was so boistrous. It's really the first ghost/spirit that I've heard of being a show off in the extreme. That doesn't seem to fit the profile of a ghost/spirit.