Smith professed to be something of a wizard, or rather boasted of his power to hypnotize and lay spells on people, subjecting any one who came under his influence to his will, and it was reported that he claimed to have derived this power from the mantle of the Bell Witch. The witch claimed to have put the poison there for the purpose of killing Mr. Bell. As another amusement, the witch shared gossip about activities in other households, and at times appeared to leave for brief moments to visit homes after an inquiry. [69], Brian Dunning wrote that there was no need to discuss the supposed paranormal activity until there was evidence that the story was true. and the voice answered feebly, "I am a spirit; I was once very happy but have been disturbed. Soon the entity pulled hair and scratched the children with particular emphasis on Betsy who was slapped, pinched and stuck with pins. While she was inside, her lantern blew out despite no breeze inside the cave. One of the soldiers was sitting on a rock and expressed skepticism of the legend when something invisible grabbed him around the chest. After some car trouble, the woman walked out into a field and found a black iron kettle turned over. [100], Nashville Children's Theatre premiered Our Family Trouble: The Legend of the Bell Witch in 1976. Near the Red River, on the former Bell farm, is a cave that has been called the "Bell Witch Cave". claims". Betsy married her former school teacher, Richard Powell, and moved to what was then Panola County, Mississippi, later in life when he died, to live with other members of the Bell family who had moved here. In his book An Authenticated History of the Bell Witch, author Martin V. Ingram published that the poltergeist's name was Kate, after the entity claimed at one point to be "Old Kate Batts' witch," and continued to respond favorably to the name. When Baby Girl was about 12, I took her to Adams, Tennessee, to tour the Bell Witch Cave. Taff. It tells how Bell’s father, John Bell (1750–1820), having settled his family on a farm in Robertson County, Tennessee (Figure 1), was plagued by what would today be called poltergeist phenomena, beginning in about 1817. Robertson County historian Yolanda Reid states, "they came to the conclusion that the wife was tying it into the bottom of her skirt to make the sounds, nobody ever proved it. [10] In 1821, as a result of the witch's entreatment, Betsy Bell called off her engagement to Joshua Gardner. She reported to have explored the cave with her friends for several years. [55] At the end of March, it was announced publisher W. P. Titus of Clarksville would print the work. There's some newer head stones way up front. Sanders walked faster, but the rabbit kept pace even as he broke out into a run. All Hail Dissonance 28,249 views [2], The haunting began sometime in 1817 when John Bell witnessed the apparition of a strange creature resembling a dog. On the occasion of Ingram's death in October 1909, editor of the Clarksville Leaf Chronicle, W. W. Barksdale, wrote of his friend and colleague: We doubt exceedingly if there ever lived a man who performed as much self-sacrificing labor to further the interests of the community in which he lived. Sarah was buried three days later, but it wouldn't be the last time I saw her. The phenomenon created a domestic disturbance between the couple, as a local carpenter, Gill Walling, accused Laura Nuckolls of creating the noise with an iron ball attached to a rubber belt hidden under her clothes. [70], A prophecy was reported by May 1903 that the witch could return on the centennial of the Bell family arrival in Tennessee. Goodspeed Brothers' 1886 History of Tennessee, recorded a short account of the legend that identified the spirit as female and stated that interest in the phenomenon was widespread in the region at the time. The author of the sketch is unknown and the article is undated. He began to walk towards town when a rabbit came out of the woods and began to follow him. Can Vivienne become the witch … Tiny town keeps story of the Bell Witch alive. During the years in question, Jackson's movements were well documented, and nowhere in history or his writings is there evidence of his knowledge of the Bell family. The members of the 'witch family' had the names of Blackdog, Mathematics, Cypocryphy, and Jerusalem. [35], The journal Studies in Philology, in 1919, published a study of witchcraft in North Carolina by folklorist Tom Peete Cross. The witch countered, "I'll teach you a lesson," and appeared to beat the man and led him out the door by his nose. [45] Ingram began his editing and publishing career in April 1866 with the Robertson Register with no previous experience. The reported contributions of Richard Williams Bell, approximately 90 pages in length, are recorded in Chapter 8 of Ingram's work, entitled Our Family Trouble. A Gray Media Group, Inc. Station - © 2002-2021 Gray Television, Inc. Damage has been reported and tornadoes have been spotted as severe storms traveled through Central Mississippi Friday evening. The author goes on to state that Betsey Bell had fallen in love with Joshua Gardner and had discovered the skill of ventriloquism. The figure of "progress" Gen. Andrew Jackson was brought nearly to heel and the master, John Bell, was dead. [60], Now, nearly seventy-five years having elapsed, the old members of the family who suffered the torments having all passed away, and the witch story still continues to be discussed as widely as the family name is known, under misconception of the facts, I have concluded that in justice to the memory of an honored ancestry, and to the public also whose minds have been abused in regard to the matter, it would be well to give the whole story to the World. As they reached the gate, a loud, high pitched scream emanated from inside the cave. [67], The account of General Andrew Jackson's visit is confined to Chapter 11 of Ingram's work. The rocking chair was acquired in Willett's estate sale by Mrs. J. C. Adams, owner of an antique store on U.S. 41. "[48] In February 1890, Ingram resigned as editor of the Clarksville Chronicle. The primary narrative of the Bell Witch is “Our Family Trouble,” reportedly compiled by Richard Williams Bell (1811–1857) in 1846. According to legend, from 1817-1821, his family and the local area came under attack by a mostly invisible entity that was able to speak, affect the physical environment, and shapeshift. It has not been long since a man claiming to be the witch was waylaid and murdered by two men who were cleared, on the plea that the murdered man had bewitched them.[28]. The Bell Witch – How it all began. [108], Pat Fitzhugh and Mike Richards released a folk song "The Bell Witch (Let the Game Begin)" in October, 2020. [80] Jim Brooks relates that a family member detailed familial obligations as the likely explanation. He stated his father gave him the manuscript and family notes shortly before his death in 1857. Tennessee Author. Betsy Bell's grave: Book by Harriet Parks Miller Published in 1930: Book by M.V. Jackson exclaimed, "By the eternal, boys, it is the witch." The Bell family was supposed to have been subjected to the supernatural tormenting of Kate Batts in the forms of knockings on the walls, voices, and even physical torture as with the case of Betsy, who was often punched and scratched and had her hair pulled. [31], The Springfield floor knocking occurred at the residence of John W. Nuckolls, a prominent physician. Time, however, usually justified him in the positions which he assumed. The cultural change left religious interpretations of such voices to more marginalized groups and secular interpretation of those beliefs as provincial or "rustic." However, the writer interviewed Hon. According to local legend, many believe that after the Witch left the Bell family, she went to the cave. She turned the kettle over and found a pearl buckle in the grass. [66] Mahala Darden detailed what she understood family and friends were experiencing at the time of the haunting, expressed her great fear the witch would come visit her home and also related the spirit sang "Row me up some brandy, O" at the conclusion of John Bell's graveside service. "[6] The spirit offered diverse explanations of why it had appeared, tying its origin to the disturbance of a Native American burial mound located on the property, and sent Drew Bell and Bennett Porter on an unproductive search for buried treasure. A customer sat down in the chair, after learning it was not for sale, and while rocking in the chair asked Mrs. Adams if she believed in the supernatural. For a lady who lived to be 82 years old; born in Robertson County, Tennessee in 1806. [39] The frequency of the coal drops declined by the end of the week. His return trip, on October 19, 1820, crossed the Red River at Port Royal, Tennessee. The Mysterious Talking Goblin that Terrorized the West End of Robertson County, Tennessee, Tormenting John Bell to His Death. Again at early morning, the witch woke him to voices of his parents worried as they had heard his voice as well. Whether you believe in it being real or not, there’s no disputing that ‘something’ does happen to these people in these situations. "Vague stories indicate that there was a witch in the area. “I think this story has endured over time because it has never been debunked. Back here in the older section of the cemetery are graves from the late 1800's. The Legend of the Bell Witch is probably one of the most famous pieces of Southern lore. During the stay, Bell is told of a young woman accompanied by a voice. Afterward the child was returned to Laura Nuckolls who was living with her father, Asa Hopkins. Alex Gunn and John Bell Jr. tested the poison on the cat with a straw, which "died very quick." However, some believe that Kate never left the area due to the strange things that occur in and around the town of Adams and the Bell Witch Cave. The Herald also stated the copyright for Ingram's work had passed to his son Tolbert who was working at The Denver Times. So great was the excitement that people came from hundreds of miles around to witness the manifestations of what was popularly known as the "Bell Witch." John T. Bell, the grandson of John Bell, and his family were allegedly tormented by the Bell Witch in Panola and Yalobusha Counties. Such legends, which may persist in a locale for generations, upon receiving a media treatment can spread far outside of the area where the legend originated. Mrs. Quaite was injured as a piece struck her on top of the head and she required medical attention. [96], In 2018, the Travel Channel series Haunted Live featured paranormal investigative team, the Tennessee Wraith Chasers visiting the town of Adams, Tennessee, where the descendants of the Bell family take them to the cabin. He became a citizen of Clarksville forty years ago and from that time practically until the day of his death his greatest concern was the advancement and welfare of his adopted town and county ... A man of true mold, he despised all deceit, trickery, and littleness, and with a courage which nothing could daunt, he laid on the journalistic lash unsparingly whenever he thought the occasion required. Instead of camping out, the party stayed at the Bell home that evening. When he arrived at the house, the horses and women were gone. That all this actually occurred will not be disputed, nor will a rational explanation be attempted. John Bell died the next day on December 20, 1820. Jackson exclaimed, "By the eternal, boys, I never saw so much fun in all my life. [17] The journal connection to the Bell Witch legend was disclosed by local historian David Britton during a television broadcast produced for the Discovery Channel in November, 2020.[18]. The report concludes saying that many people were visiting to see the witch. The article stated that Smith claimed to use these occult powers on Clinard and Burgess, leading to the conflict between them. Rawls testified that the Bell Witch was a frequent topic of conversation during her lifetime and pointed to a murder of a man for witchcraft as evidence for this claim. This Betsy Bell was a central figure in the infamous Bell Witch hauntings that took place in Adams, Tennessee from about 1817 until 1821. Farmer John Bell Sr. resided with his family along the Red River in an area currently near the town of Adams. The horses began moving again. "[85], According to Ben Radford, the Bell Witch story is an important one for all paranormal researchers: "It shows how easily legend and myth can be mistaken for fact and real events and how easily the lines are blurred" when sources are not checked. Ibby Gunn shared some experiences of Dean including the creation of a witch ball made of hair by her sister Kate for her husband Dean, the use of which appeared to anger the entity. Bell Witch on the media. [68], Paranormal investigator Benjamin Radford, as well as Brian Dunning, conclude that there is no evidence that Andrew Jackson visited the Bell family home. The Bell family was supposed to have been subjected to the supernatural tormenting of Kate Batts in the forms of knockings on the walls, voices, and even physical torture, as with the case of Betsy, who was often punched and scratched and had her hair … The untimely death of her mother reveals a family secret. Y ou have likely heard of Tennessee's infamous Bell Witch haunting, which centered on the John Bell family of Robertson County, Tennessee, near present-day Adams, Tennessee, and involved both supernatural phenomena and paranormal activity. [5] The apparition began to speak out loud and was asked, "Who are you and what do you want?" "[62][69] Carl Lindahl, affiliated with the University of Houston, writes that the Andrew Jackson encounter is an example of how belief and history mix together in the formation of legend. Look it up on line sometime. [22] The Freeman was affiliated with the abolitionist Liberty Party. The displaced, blacks, widows and girls, act as witness to a force polite society cannot comprehend. [73], Charles Bailey Bell, a grandson of John Bell Jr., and neurologist in Nashville, published a book entitled The Bell Witch: A Mysterious Spirit in 1934. She managed to relight the lantern and it blew out again. [35], The week of January 20, 1890 hundreds of persons were reported to have visited a house 2.5 miles east of Hopkinsville, Kentucky as word spread of coal mysteriously falling from the ceiling in the family room. [15], The Centennial sketch stated the witch could appear as a rabbit, bear or black dog, and imitate various animal sounds. [79], Attorney Charles Romaine Willett (1886-1963), son of Sarah Elizabeth Bell, began an interest in the newspaper business at the age of 16. Roger Clarke, former film critic for The Independent, argues the legend has also had a measurable influence on cinema such as in the Poltergeist film series, the found footage Paranormal Activity film series, The Witch released in 2015, the trope of burial ground disturbance in The Amityville Horror, and the apport of cherries to the children in Mama released in 2013. Yancey explained that his grandfather, Whitmel Fort, was a witness to phenomena at the Bell homestead and Fort had related the story of Jackson's visit which was undated in the letter. Dunning also concluded that Ingram was guilty of falsifying another statement, that the Saturday Evening Post had published a story in 1849 accusing the Bells' daughter Elizabeth of creating the witch, an article which was not found at the time. "[65], Among those who were alive during the haunting, Ingram conducted interviews with Ibby Gunn, born in 1806, a daughter of Uncle Zeke and the sister-in-law of Dean, as well as Mahala Byrns Darden, born circa 1807, daughter of James Byrns. Rather a singular circumstance was here related to me, of a young girl of about 15 years of age, residing but 3 miles from Murphey, a voice accompanies her which says she should marry a man a neighbor - thousands of persons have visited her to hear this voice, in many instances, it will reply to questions put to it, the visitors have left as little satisfied in their curiosity as before they heard it, many are under the impression, that it is ventrelequism [sic] imposed upon the hearers either by the girl or her brother - who it seems is generally in her company, her family is respectable. The entity arrived and taunted the witch layer to shoot her. [30] In a follow up report from April 26, 1880, the writer reported that several hundred people had visited the home attempting to witness the phenomenon with many camped out over night despite the home owners asking them to leave. During the argument, the subject of 'ghosts' between the men was reported by an eyewitness as Nuckolls attempted to shoot Hopkins but was restrained. [74], In 1937, there were reports of quirky events. The phenomenon attracted wide interest. In the work, he recounted stories he stated were told to him by his great aunt Betsy later in her life. The “witch” reportedly haunted the family of John Bell of Tennessee beginning in 1817. [53], Ingram subsequently traveled to Chicago in October 1893, while editor of the Progress-Democrat, in an attempt to publish his manuscript, An Authenticated History of the Famous Bell Witch. [98], Nashville music group The Shakers released Living In The Shadow Of A Spirit in 1988 on vinyl record EP. John F. House, who was council for the defense, on the subject, who says that no such evidence was produced in the trial, but that the lawyers handled the Bell Witch affair for all that it was worth in the defense of their clients, presenting the analogy or similarity of circumstances with good effect on the jury.[29]. Brooks inquired what the couple thought about the rumor in the early 1960s. Terrified, she crawled along the water path of the cave in the dark until she reached the entrance where she saw an opened can of pork and beans and marshmallows. Tiring of the bravado, Jackson whispered, "By the eternals, I do wish the thing would come, I want to see him run." “Believe it or not, they teach it in some of the schools here. The house was occupied by a prominent minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, W. G. L. Quaite, his wife, step-daughter Belle Hall, as well as an unnamed sixteen year old female servant. The land around the Bell Witch cave was sacred. Later that day, Bell stopped at the Murphey residence in Robertson County to eat dinner. [42] The article was republished a few days later with the subtitle "More Tales of a Fishy Flavor." They went back to the first cave room but heard a rumble near the entrance. The witch told Jackson she would uncover another rascal the next night. The freaks it performed were wonderful, and seemingly designed to annoy the family. The episode happened in Tennessee and is well known. The witch could speak in several languages and would "set the dogs" on unsuspecting victims. The man's gun would not fire. After haunting the Bell family relentlessly, John Bell passed away and the malevolent entity disappeared as well, but only after promising to visit John Bell’s direct descendant 107 years later. John Bell, Jr. died of pneumonia on April 8, 1862, and is buried with his wife and several of their children in a small cemetery near where their house stood. Bell descendants described the sound of something rubbing against a house, a paper like object that flew out the door and reentered through a side door, and faint music heard from a piano. Brooks explores the possibility that Ingram would have had an enhanced opportunity to modify the story by not returning the papers. Bell Witch - Longing (the River of Ash) YouTube Bell Witch - Suffocation, A Drowning: II – Somniloquy (The Distance of Forever) - Duration: 22:56. Mr. Rowland dug that night until exhaustion. After retiring for the evening at the Bell home, Johnston was awakened that night by the same phenomena. [8], At times, the spirit displayed a form of kindness, especially towards Lucy, John Bell's wife, "the most perfect woman to walk to earth." [52] Ingram left the editorial position with the Leaf-Chronicle the same month. According to Chris Kirby, who with her husband Walter are the current owners of the property, “one by one" the bones of the little girl were stolen [5] The entity was well acquainted with Biblical text and appeared to enjoy religious arguments. Naturally, his was not a pathway strewn with roses – his was an aggressive nature, a fact which often brought him into serious collision with those with whom he took issue. The circumstances of the shooting were contested and S. B. Hopkins was acquitted of murder. On April 24, 1880 an article was published regarding a 'haunted house' in Springfield, Tennessee where knocking underneath the floor was heard. [23] The unidentified author described the apparition as the 'Tennessee Ghost' or 'Bell Ghost,' and stated the event occurred 30 years or more from the time the article was written. It was replaced with by this one. She left English class, playing 'hooky,' and borrowed a lantern from Mrs. Garrison, the cave owner. In 1888, she passed away and was buried in the remotely-located Long Branch Cemetery near Water Valley, where she remains to this day. [20][21] The Farmer was a weekly agricultural journal. Bell also detailed a series of prophecies he stated were given to his ancestors in 1828 by the spirit, including a declaration the witch was set to return again in 1935, 107 years after her last visit to the Bell family. Bell fired at the animal but it disappeared. [99], Ann Marie DeAngelo and Conni Ellisor choreographed and composed a ballet entitled The Bell Witch for the Nashville Ballet. Cross cites a column from the Nashville Banner where it mentions the paper had sent a reporter to Robertson County in the 1880s, John C. Cooke, to investigate reports of the possible reemergence of the Bell Witch phenomenon. They explored the wiring to the lights looking for a reason for the noises. The writer stated the source of the first portion of the narrative from "F. R. Miles, William Pride, W. J. Gooch, Ben. Soon word of the haunting spread with some traveling great distances to see the witch. Nuckolls was recently married to Laura Hopkins Jones, a union opposed by her family. Bell, a son of Richard Williams Bell and a grandson of John Bell Sr., explained that his father had met with his brother John Bell Jr. before his death and they agreed no material he had collected should be released until the last immediate family member of John Bell Sr. had died. This is part of Tennessee history,” Chris says. The witch replied with his grandmother's accent, "Hut tut, what has happened now?" This Betsy Bell was a central figure in the infamous Bell Witch hauntings that took place in Adams, Tennessee from about 1817 until 1821. The Bell farm is in a secluded area in Adams, Tennessee and it is a very beautiful representation of the state of Tennessee with it's rolling green hills and farm land. The Wonder of the 19th Century, and Unexplained Phenomenon of the Christian Era. The truth of her lineage only complicates Vivienne's life further. The role of the trickster not played by the Br'er Rabbit but the witch-rabbit, the spirit's common animal form. Being asked how it was going to administer the poison, it said by pouring it into the dinner pot. [77] Jim Brooks published in 2015 that his mother was in attendance at the roast, and relates that the minister caught up to the youth on the road to town after discovering no explanation for the figure. "[68], The Bell household was strained of resources from visitors and Jackson brought a wagon load of supplies with his men. The Bell Witch cave . The woman's daughter reported a jeweler estimated the buckle to be 160 to 200 years old. This account is reminiscent of vampire lore. That August, John Nuckolls retrieved his infant child from his wife, running through town with his estranged wife following in anguish. Walking back to the entrance they discovered the rumble was noise from a jet. [103], A play by David Alford, Spirit: The Authentic Story of the Bell Witch of Tennessee, performed in Adams, TN during the Bell Witch Fall Festival in late October. That morning he told John Bell it was a "spirit, just like in the Bible." Native of Adams, Tennessee. She’s become an iconic witch… It does matter that people believe they are. Subsequently, an "unwavering groan" repeated again with greater volume and accompanied by several loud thumps. They sat down and the dog began to fight with something invisible. "[81], Bonnie Haneline, in 1977, recounted a time during her childhood in 1944 when she was exploring the cave. [24], In September 1868, an article was published entitled "Witchcraft and Murder: Hobgoblins and Old Gray Horses the Incentive to Crime." Dean, a person enslaved by the Bell family, reported being followed by a large black dog on evenings he visited his wife. [31] On Wednesday night, April 28, 1880, the family were reported to have left the home for the night and a smaller group of investigators around the home heard knocking from fifty yards away. The body was placed in the tomb inside the cave. Buried deep within her family’s history of magic is a deadly curse that has plagued her family for generations. On remarking on his family overseas, the witch suddenly began to mimic his English parents. Novel. Published posthumously. The author states that Ms. Bell then used her skill to attempt to convince Joshua Gardner to marry her. That would have been in 1935. She credited the witch with helping her avoid them. While in the first cave room they heard a noise from deeper in the cave Jarrard estimated at 30 yards. The Mississippians were the last Native nation to live in that area. Copyright 2016 MSNewsNow. The name may RING a bell if you know anything about early unexplained events in Tennessee. 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