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