Research Paper On The Bell Witch

Bell Witch The Bell Witch is America’s greatest ghost story ever told. The spirit, or witch, first appeared to the Bell Family. Where the story took place, what it was looking for, how dangerous the spirit was, if the spirit was helpful or intelligent, will be discussed below. The story took place right here in Tennessee. According to the story, John Bell moved his family from North Carolina to the Robertson County in the early 19th century. He and his family settled in the community located on the red river in Robertson County, Tennessee. People ask, “What exactly was the witch looking for”? The first appearance of the spirit provides its origin saying, “I am a spirit. I once was very happy, but I have been disturbed and made unhappy.

The Bell children began to see strange creatures near their property. They also complained about strange sounds around their house. Betsy, Drewry and John began to hear someone knocking on their door and windows. Sometimes they heard wings flapping against their ceilings and the sound of rats gnawing on the bedposts, the sound of a heavy object hitting the floor, the sound of what appeared to be “beds suddenly and roughly pulled apart”, fighting dogs chained together. The list goes on. Those noises were deafening. The paranoia that arose from all of these sounds and events made it dangerous to live in such an environment (http://www.tennessee.gov/tsla/exhibits/myth/bellwitch.htm). The spirit increased its activity sometimes and began to physically abuse members of the Bell Family. Joel, Richard William and especially Betsy, the youngest daughter, were subjected to being struck, pinched and having their hair pulled relentlessly by the Bell Witch. The Witch disliked the Family’s slave. The witch beat the slave up and would refuse to allow the slave into the Bell house. In one instance, their neighbors and some visitors were not aware of the witch’s activity. According to the story, the witch sent three dogs (Caesar, Tige and Bulger) on the visitors when they arrived to the Bell house. After that incident, those visitors would not step foot back onto the Bell