The Bell Witch is one of the most well-known stories of supernatural activity in American folklore. It centers around the Bell family, who lived in Adams, Tennessee in the early 19th century. The haunting began in 1817 when John Bell, the patriarch of the family, encountered a strange creature while walking through his cornfield. This creature resembled a dog with the head of a rabbit and disappeared without a trace. Soon after, the Bell family began experiencing unusual phenomena in their home, such as knocking on walls, objects moving, and strange noises. The haunting intensified over the years, with the entity, believed to be a witch or a spirit, targeting John Bell and his daughter Betsy in particular.
The evening of June 23, the night before St. John the Baptist's birthday, "St. John's Day," is the most important date for Voodoo practitioners. The night before, Marie II would hold a celebration on the banks of Bayou St. John. Bonfires brought light to the dancing, and prayers that gave thanks to the saints. This celebration still continues today, and can be found alongside Bayou St. John at the Magnolia Bridge across from Cabrini High School on Moss Street.
Ann, between Rampart and Burgundy streets with the high, frail looking fence in front over which a tree or two is visible, have noticed through the open gateway a decrepid old lady with snow white hair, and a smile of peace and contentment lighting up her golden features. Their label, Epic Records, felt that this could be a career killer and refused, although Epic did press copies that were distributed in Europe, where it became a Number 1 hit.
The haunting intensified over the years, with the entity, believed to be a witch or a spirit, targeting John Bell and his daughter Betsy in particular. The Bell Witch would torment them, slapping Betsy, pulling her hair, and even leaving bruises on her body. It would also mimic voices of family members and visitors, recite hymns and sermons, and engage in lengthy conversations with John Bell and his wife.
The Ghosts of Marie Laveau's House
In 1974, a live recording titled "Marie Laveau," sung by country singer Bobby Bare and written by Shel Silverstein and Baxter Taylor, made it to the top spot of the U.S. Billboard Hot Country singles. Nearly 40 years later, Marie Laveau was again thrust into mainstream American pop-culture, with the success of American Horror Story: Coven. Even though the series was plagued with historical inaccuracies, such as the nonexistent relationship between Laveau and “Mad” Madame Delphine LaLaurie, in the end, it was good business, something Marie Laveau surely would have appreciated.
A long standing rumor perpetuated by many tour guides to this day in New Orleans is that Marie was a hairdresser, despite the fact that there is no archival evidence that she ever was. Perhaps the explanation for this rumor is simplistic in nature; perhaps, it was a cover story used by some of the elite women on Marie's large "client list," who may have been concerned about associating with a “scandalizing” voodoo priestess. Regardless, Marie would go their homes to perform her tasks. While there, she would earn favor with the slaves by giving them charms, prayers and even spells. In return, the slaves would tell Marie secrets about their masters, in which Marie used this information to captivate (fool) her clients with the incredible insights that the spirits shared with her, and she, of course, was always willing to help with any issue. For a fee.
With her unique blending of Voodoo rituals and Catholicism, it did not take long before Marie Laveau became known throughout the city as the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.
The fame of the Bell Witch spread throughout the local community and beyond. People from neighboring towns and even distant states came to witness the haunting for themselves. Numerous eyewitness accounts were documented, including those from future President Andrew Jackson, who visited the Bell family in 1819. Eventually, in 1820, John Bell fell ill and died under mysterious circumstances. It is said that the Bell Witch claimed responsibility for his death, stating that she had poisoned him. After his death, the haunting ceased, leaving the Bell family to live in relative peace. The story of the Bell Witch has captivated generations of people, with books, movies, and documentaries being made about the haunting. While skeptics argue that the events were a result of elaborate hoaxes or mass hysteria, many believe that there was indeed a supernatural entity involved. The indication of the Bell Witch is not only found in the physical manifestations and interactions with the Bell family but also in the widespread witness accounts and the endurance of the legend over time. It continues to be a fascinating example of paranormal activity and remains a prominent part of American folklore..
Reviews for "The Unsolved Mysteries of the Bell Witch Encounters"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "The Indication of the Bell Witch" based on all the positive reviews, but I was left extremely disappointed. The plot was incredibly slow and the characters lacked depth. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself not caring about what happened to them. The writing style was also quite dull and didn't engage me at all. Overall, I found the book to be a boring and forgettable read.
2. John - 1/5 - "The Indication of the Bell Witch" was one of the worst books I've ever read. The story had so much potential, but it was poorly executed. The author didn't do justice to the plot or the legend of the Bell Witch. The characters were one-dimensional and the dialogue felt forced. I found myself skimming through most of the book because I simply couldn't get into it. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
3. Lisa - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Indication of the Bell Witch", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was disjointed and confusing, making it difficult to follow the story. The author also introduced too many unnecessary subplots that didn't add anything to the overall plot. The pacing was off, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed and unsatisfying resolutions. While the concept was intriguing, the execution left much to be desired. I was left disappointed and frustrated by the end of the book.
4. Mark - 2/5 - "The Indication of the Bell Witch" was a disappointment for me. The writing felt amateurish and lacked polish. The characters were bland and lacked depth. I couldn't connect with them or understand their motivations. The plot was predictable and didn't offer any surprises. The book felt like a wasted opportunity to explore the fascinating legend of the Bell Witch. Overall, I found it to be a mediocre and forgettable read.