Free The Bell Witch: The Full Account by Pat Fitzhugh

just heard true?”
    The man who had been accused replied, “Yes, every
    single word of it.”

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    F I T Z H U G H
    Peddlers and Quacks
    The most unwelcome visitors to the Bell farm were
    peddlers, skeptics, and those who claimed the ability
    to rid the place of the Spirit. Visitors who had the
    misfortune of belonging to one of these groups
    quickly fell victim to the Spirit’s pranks and ridicule,
    and in some cases, even physical abuse.
    Peddlers, such as the Shakers, were met by the
    dogs and turned away as soon as they were seen
    coming down the lane, often having to hold their
    wide-brim hats on because their horses ran away so
    quickly. Those who claimed to possess supernatural
    powers or psychic abilities were referred to as “witch
    doctors” by the Bells and others in the community. g
    The Spirit took great pleasure in ridiculing, abusing,
    and exposing these “frauds” as it liked to call them.
    Skeptics were forced to endure ear-piercing noises,
    the mimicked screams and voices of their families,
    and color visions that caused significant mental
    disorientation. The minds of skeptics who visited the
    Bell farm succumbed to a temporary form of
    psychosis until enough courage could be mustered to
    step outside the door and leave.
    The Englishman
    One afternoon, an Englishman visiting relatives in
    nearby Kentucky came to visit the Bells and see what
    all the talk of “a Spirit” was about. Sitting in the
    family room, he told John Bell, “I have heard of such
    Spirits before in my home country and have done
    extensive research on their origin and purpose. I
    assure you that there is a rational explanation for
    what is going on in your home, Mr. Bell. There is
    always a rational explanation for such things, and I
    intend to seek out and share with you the
    explanation for what has been happening here. With

    THE BELL WITCH: THE FULL ACCOUNT
    65
    your permission, Mr. Bell, I wish to stay here for the
    next three nights until I have to begin my journey
    back to England. That should give me more than
    ample time to determine what is really happening
    here.”
    “You are more than welcome to stay here and look
    around the farm all you want to, even if it takes more
    than three nights,” Bell replied. “Thank you, Mr.
    Bell. That is most generous of you, and I appreciate
    your hospitality,” replied the Englishman. “I am
    missing my parents dearly and they must be missing
    me too; so I think I will be on my way after three
    nights.”
    Suddenly, the disembodied voices of a male and
    female with British accents were heard. “Oh, Phillip,
    I am missing Charles more and more each day; I do
    hope we hear from him soon.” “So do I, my dear
    Anne. It takes a long time for a letter to travel across
    the world, but I am sure we will hear from him soon.”
    Now very pale and trembling from head to toe, the
    Englishman turned to John Bell and exclaimed,
    “Those were the voices of my parents! How can that
    be! They are on the other side of the world, and
    nobody in this household knows their voices. Did
    you hear that, Mr. Bell?”
    “Indeed I did,” Bell replied with a mischievous grin
    on his face; “Well Charles, I shall leave you alone
    now. It seems you have your work cut out for you
    and I need to check on Lucy and the children. If you
    need me, don’t hesitate to let me know.” Charles
    wiped the perspiration from his forehead and
    continued sitting in the family room, not falling
    asleep until almost 5 o’clock in the morning when he
    was awakened by his mother’s screaming voice some
    three thousand miles away.
    “Charles, my God! I don’t know what has
    happened to you or if I am losing my mind, but I just

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    F I T Z H U G H
    distinctly heard you say ‘Those were the voices of my
    parents! How can that be? They are on the other
    side of the world, and nobody in this household
    knows their voices. Did you hear that, Mr. Bell?’ I
    don’t know where you are now, or if there is