Free The Bell Witch: The Full Account by Pat Fitzhugh Page A

a Mister
    Bell, but I am very worried about you; your father is
    concerned that I am beginning to lose my mind! I do
    know what I just heard. For God’s sake, Charles,
    come home quickly and tell me I am not losing my
    mind!”
    Upon hearing this, Charles quickly proceeded to
    change into some new clothes, which were now a
    necessity, and leave the Bell farm before anyone
    knew what happened. The Bells received a letter
    from him some two months later, stating that his
    mother had indeed heard his voice and that the
    conversation he heard repeated at the Bell home did
    actually take place. He went on to concede that
    there was not, nor would there ever be, a rational
    explanation of the goings-on at the Bell farm. He
    also went to great lengths to apologize for acting so
    arrogantly during his visit.
    Mr. Williams
    While some visitors left the Bell farm at the first
    inkling of trouble, others stayed and tried to either
    determine the Spirit’s identity or prove the
    disturbances to be a hoax. Detectives traveled great
    distances to investigate the disturbances, often with
    hopes of furthering their careers by exposing some
    type of hoax” and the masterminds behind it.
    One such detective was a Mr. Williams, who had
    gained great notoriety as a detective in the northern
    part of the United States. Upon his arrival at the
    Bell home, Williams shook hands with John Bell and
    proclaimed, “I am a professional detective and have

    THE BELL WITCH: THE FULL ACCOUNT
    67
    heard much about the mysterious disturbances that
    are taking place here. I do not believe in
    supernatural things, and I am an expert in detecting
    jugglery, ventriloquism, and the like. Having had
    extensive experience in solving mysteries, I would
    like to stay here and investigate the matter, with
    your permission of course.” Bell replied, “Then you
    are just the man we have been needing here for some
    time. Make my house your home, and make free
    with everything here as your own as long as you
    think it proper to stay.” Williams unpacked his
    belongings and ate a hearty dinner that evening.
    As was usually the case after dinner, several
    visitors from around the community visited the Bells
    to pray, sing hymns, and witness the Spirit’s
    demonstrations. Everyone sat in the family room for
    hours listening to Mr. Williams describe his various
    encounters in the detective business, where at many
    points he insisted that he would quickly expose the
    disturbances at the Bell farm. The Spirit did not
    appear in any form that night or the next night. All
    was quiet, and Williams became very impatient.
    Speaking to several other men, Williams
    commented that he was convinced the disturbances
    were a series of tricks performed by the Bells in an
    attempt to make money, and that they were afraid to
    do any tricks while he was there for fear of being
    exposed. John Bell got word of what Williams had
    said and became angry. When he began pondering
    the idea of ordering Williams to leave, he heard the
    Spirit’s voice say, “No you don’t, Ol’ Jack, let him
    stay; I will attend to the gentleman and satisfy him
    that he is not as smart as he thinks.”
    The Bells had many visitors that evening, each
    wanting to witness the Spirit’s demonstrations. As
    was the case the last two evenings, the crowd sat in
    the family room talking until late at night without

    68 P A T
    F I T Z H U G H
    hearing anything from the Spirit, as if it had decided
    to leave and never come back. Disappointed but
    relieved, everyone finally retired after the long
    evening of praying, singing and waiting. The candles
    were blown out, and the sounds of bedtime
    conversation soon gave way to snores. A short time
    later, everyone was awakened by Mr. Williams’ loud
    screaming.
    His shoulders were pinned to the floor and his face
    was being slapped repeatedly, back and forth. The
    slapping continued as Williams, unable to move his
    body, pleaded for his life. The slapping stopped