The Bell House

   The case of the Bell House is one of the most well- documented cases of poltergeist activity and one of the few cases which resulted in a death.

   The activity began in 1817, when John Bell, the father of the family, spotted an odd, dog- like creature in the cornfields. When he shot at the animal, it vanished. This was followed by rappings in the house and what sounded like clawing. This was followed by furniture being knocked over and an escalation in the unexplained noises. Later, the activity went on to include physical attacks such as slaps across the face, pulled hair and a rain of rocks and sticks when outdoors.

   The activity seemed to center around twelve year old Betsy Bell, who experienced convulsions, fainting and a disembodied voice (first only heard by Betsy, but eventually heard by the entire Bell family). The voice called itself “the Witch” and seemed especially hostile towards John Bell, who experienced brutal beatings.

   News of the activity spread and people began to visit the Bell home in the hopes of witnessing the activity. President Andrew Jackson had dishes and furniture hurled at him and he ended his visit by fleeing the home.

   Eventually, John’s health deteriorated and he died. After John’s death, the activity mostly ceased, but even today has not completely disappeared. The house was burned to the ground by neighbors, but a memorial stands where the house once was. The current activity is attributed to “the Witch”, John Bell and Betsy Bell and includes some of the noises originally experienced by the Bell family, apparitions of a dark- haired woman and a young girl and floating ghostly lights.

D&A Paranormal Investigators