The Bell Witch haunting is a famous ghost story that took place in Tennessee in the early 19th century. The haunting involved a family named the Bells and a malicious, supernatural entity known as the Bell Witch. This haunting is one of the most well-documented cases of paranormal activity in American history, and it has been the subject of numerous books, articles, and films. The main players in The Bell Witch haunting were John Bell and his family. John Bell was a farmer, landowner, and community leader in the small town of Adams, Tennessee. He and his wife, Lucy Bell, had several children, including Betsy Bell, who was the primary target of the Bell Witch's torment.
In 1820, John Bell died, becoming, Fitzhugh said, "the only person in history whose death was attributed to the doings of a Spirit."
Kate took pleasure in tormenting him during his affliction, finally poisoning him one December morning as he lay unconscious after suffering a number of violent seizures. Several newspapers published accounts of the sightings and at least one, The Montgomery Advertiser, posited the theory that the animal was a form of the Bell Witch.
He and his wife, Lucy Bell, had several children, including Betsy Bell, who was the primary target of the Bell Witch's torment. The haunting began in 1817 when strange occurrences began happening in the Bell household. It started with knocking sounds on the doors and walls, but soon escalated to physical attacks on the family members.
Did infamous Bell Witch of Tennessee haunt Alabama in 1912?
The legend of the Bell Witch of Tennessee is not only one of the most famous reported hauntings in the history of the South, but in the country, having been the subject of books and movies and the upcoming A&E TV show, "Cursed: The Bell Witch," premiering Monday.
Although the original tale takes place between 1817 and 1821 in Adams, Tenn., events that occurred nearly a century later near Florence had some people wondering if the witch had come to Alabama. The newspaper accounts suggested the witch crossed the state line in one of her supernatural forms, that of a wolf-like creature.
So what really happened in Alabama in 1912? Was the legendary Bell Witch to blame?
The legend of the Bell Witch
John Bell (1750-1820) was a prominent farmer in Robertson County, Tenn., in a community then known as Red River, according to an account by author Pat Fitzhugh on bellwitch.org. John and Lucy Bell had nine children, including youngest daughter Betsy Bell, born in 1806.
It would be John and Betsy who bore the brunt of the Bell Witch haunting. It began when John Bell spotted a mysterious creature in the corn field with "the body of a dog and the head of a rabbit," which was portrayed as a wolf in the film "An American Haunting."
Soon after the sighting, the Bell children began hearing scratching noises and experiencing various disturbances, thought to be the result of a curse by a local woman with whom John had a property dispute, Kate Batts.
Fitzhugh wrote: "The encounters escalated, and the Bells' youngest daughter, Betsy, began experiencing brutal encounters with the invisible entity. It would pull her hair and slap her relentlessly, often leaving welts and hand prints on her face and body."
In 1820, John Bell died, becoming, Fitzhugh said, "the only person in history whose death was attributed to the doings of a Spirit."
He continued: "In 1817, Bell contracted a mysterious affliction that worsened over the next three years, ultimately leading to his death. Kate took pleasure in tormenting him during his affliction, finally poisoning him one December morning as he lay unconscious after suffering a number of violent seizures."
Fitzhugh said the haunting of the Bell family "involved real people and is substantiated by eyewitness accounts, affidavits and manuscripts penned by those who experienced the haunting first hand. This distinction led Dr. Nandor Fodor, a noted researcher and psychologist, to label the Bell Witch legend as 'America's Greatest Ghost Story.'"
The film "An American Haunting," starring Sissy Spacek and Donald Sutherland, was based on the legend but it was panned by critics when it included the unsubstantiated aspect of child abuse by John Bell.
Bell Witch in Alabama?
In February 1912, residents in Lauderdale County, Ala., began seeing a strange animal that resembled a dog but had a high-pitched "scream."
Several newspapers published accounts of the sightings and at least one, The Montgomery Advertiser, posited the theory that the animal was a form of the Bell Witch. According to ExploreSouthernHistory.com, the article appeared on Feb. 24, 1912, with the headline: "Bell Witch with Terrifying Scream Abroad in Lauderdale."
The article said: "The Bell witch, which many years ago brought terror and destruction to an East Tennessee family, has reappeared, this time in Blackburn beat, this (Lauderdale) county, according to the belief of some residents of that place. The story has reached Florence that a strange animal is seen roaming in that section which resembles a large dog, but the most terrifying part of it is its scream. This can be heard for a mile or more and resembles the scream of a woman in terror. The animal is reddish brown color with a white streak about its throat.
"Few have seen it but many have heard it and the boldest are afraid to be abroad after dark. Remembering the sad fate of Judge Bell no one has had courage to shoot at the animal. Squire Silas L. Bradley, of Blackburn beat, who was a recent visitor to Florence, is convinced that a deep mystery surrounds the strange animal."
Other newspapers took a more practical approach to the sightings. The Times Daily of Florence reported in February: "The people of Blackburn beat, in the northern section of Lauderdale, are disturbed by a wild animal that roams in that section and has established a kind of curfew law among all the people."
The animal was described as a large reddish-brown shepherd dog with a white streak on its throat. Local attorney Silas Bradley told the reporter he "was firmly convinced that they were favored with an unusual visitation."
In April, the mystery of the creature would be solved, for the most part: An article published April 12, 1912, in The Times Daily reported "Wild Varmint Killed."
The article said a local man named Plummer Daniels killed the animal as it was being attacked by Daniels' dog. This time the story said: "It looked like a dog, but was not exactly one. It was an aged creature. Mr. Daniels reports that its growl was something startling and shook the very ground with its roar."
No further information on the animal was given.
Join al.com reporter Kelly Kazek on her weekly journey through Alabama to record the region's quirky history, strange roadside attractions and tales of colorful characters. Find her on Facebook or follow her Odd Travels and Real Alabama boards on Pinterest.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
The witch's presence was also accompanied by eerie voices, faint whispers, and other disturbing sounds. The Bell family was not the only ones to witness the haunting. Many neighbors and friends also experienced the Bell Witch's presence first-hand. The witch seemed to have a particular disdain for John Bell and would often taunt him and physically abuse him. The witch also seemed to have a strange relationship with Betsy Bell, as she would communicate directly with her and even predict her future. In addition to the Bell family, there were also a few significant individuals involved in the Bell Witch haunting. These included a man named Andrew Jackson, who would later become the 7th President of the United States. Jackson visited the Bell family after hearing about the haunting and reportedly witnessed the witch's antics firsthand. Another key figure was James Johnston, a local schoolteacher who spent a significant amount of time at the Bell's home documenting and investigating the haunting. Despite many attempts to rid the Bell family of the ghostly presence, the haunting persisted for several years. It was only in 1821, after John Bell's death, that the witch declared that she was leaving. She claimed responsibility for John Bell's demise, stating that she had poisoned him. The Bell Witch left behind a prophecy that she would return in seven years, but she never did. The Bell Witch haunting is a fascinating and chilling tale that has captivated audiences for generations. The fact that it involved a real family and was witnessed by numerous people lends credibility to the story. While the true nature of the haunting remains a mystery, it continues to be a topic of interest for paranormal enthusiasts and historians alike..
Reviews for "The Key Players in The Bell Witch Haunting: Exploring Their Stories"
1. John - 1 star - I found "The Players in the Bell Witch Haunting" to be incredibly dull and unengaging. The plot was predictable, and the characters lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them on any level. The pacing of the movie was slow, and there were several unnecessary scenes that added nothing to the overall story. The supposed horror elements felt forced and failed to create any genuine scares. Overall, I was highly disappointed and would not recommend this film to anyone seeking a thrilling and engaging supernatural horror.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - While "The Players in the Bell Witch Haunting" had potential with its intriguing premise, the execution fell flat. The acting was subpar, with performances lacking authenticity and emotion. The special effects were unconvincing and failed to create a sense of horror or suspense. Additionally, the story felt disjointed and confusing, making it difficult to follow the plot. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and unimpressed with this film, and would not recommend it to others who are looking for a captivating supernatural horror experience.
3. Mike - 2.5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Players in the Bell Witch Haunting," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The film had potential with its historical background, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, with moments of slow and dragged-out scenes followed by rushed and confusing sequences. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. The scares were predictable, and the overall atmosphere failed to create a sense of dread. While the film had its moments, it ultimately fell short of being a truly engaging and terrifying supernatural horror film.
4. Emily - 2 stars - I had heard great things about "The Players in the Bell Witch Haunting," but I was left disappointed after watching it. The film had a lot of potential with its intriguing premise, but the execution was lackluster. The dialogue felt forced and often cheesy, taking away from the overall experience. The pacing was slow, and the scares were underwhelming. The resolution of the story left many unanswered questions, and I was left feeling unsatisfied by the ending. While the film had some atmospheric moments, it failed to deliver a truly memorable and chilling supernatural horror experience.