Witch's antics still stir people's minds, even in Hollywood
It has been nearly 200 years since the ghostly entity known as the Bell Witch came to visit an affluent farmer and his family along the Red River in Robertson County. And two centuries later, the frightening tales and mysterious events surrounding the Bell family and the eerie voice that called itself "Kate" have caught Hollywood's attention.
Filmed in Romania, "An American Haunting," the 90-minute horror movie starring Donald Sutherland and Sissy Spacek, shows a supernatural drama that shocks even those who grew up with the legend. It opens today and is showing in Clarksville.
"My daughter, who now lives in Atlanta, said she caught the (movie) trailer, and it scared her," said Adams resident John Mantooth, who works part-time at the Adams Antique Mall ? just down the road from the Bell family cemetery.
The Bell Witch legend
Since the movie's promotion, more people have come to Adams to learn about the Bell Witch and the history and folklore surrounding her.
Numerous books have been written about the unexplained torments, which seemed especially cruel to John Bell and his daughter, Betsy. John Bell's death was documented by Tennessee as having been caused by an "unknown presence."
Mantooth said Kate Batts was a real person who lived in Red River.
"She was not well liked in the community," Mantooth said.
History cites that John Bell swindled her on a business deal. She later died, and her "spirit" returned to take revenge on the Bell family.
What is not disputed about the story is that John Bell and his family moved in the early 1800s from North Carolina to rural Red River, Tenn. ? now known as Adams.
It wasn't until 1817 when the first sign of trouble happened.
One day John Bell saw a strange beast in his cornfield that disappeared quickly. Later that night, knocking and scratching noises moved through the house, and something ripped the children's blankets from their beds.
The intruder picked on 12-year-old Betsy the most ? pulling her hair and pinching and slapping her. The Bells heard the faint voice of a woman. The voice sounded like it was praying and singing hymns. The voice also cursed a lot.
A neighbor spent the night with the Bells, and he also heard the voice.
Word spread through Tennessee and reached Gen. Andrew Jackson, before he became president.
When Jackson and his crew visited the Bell house, his wagon got stuck. Jackson's men couldn't budge the carriage until it was mysteriously released from its "hold."
One of Jackson's men said he heard a woman's voice.
The ghost became more violent and tormented John Bell. Some think the ghost killed him then taunted the family during the funeral.
After John Bell's death, the ghost forced Betsy Bell and a boy in town to break up, according to legend. The ghost finally "let" Betsy marry her former schoolteacher.
Mantooth said he thinks something happened to the Bell family, but he's not sure what because of so many versions of the haunting. He doesn't know what's folklore and what's truth.
He said he's curious to see how the movie relates to the books.
"I don't watch horror movies, but I'll see this one," he said.
Making Adams famous
Most reviewers say the movie will keep you on the edge of your seat, but some say the movie strays from the legend, especially at the end.
That doesn't bother Stephanie Harp and Tim Leek of Bowling Green, Ky., who drove to Adams this week to tour the Bell Witch cave. They didn't know they needed reservations.
"I guess they're not giving tours today," said Leek, who visited the Bell family cemetery. "I'm all about the paranormal ? I've always believed in it."
He said hundreds of small flies buzzed around his head in the cemetery, and he thought that was strange.
Harp said she read books about the Bell Witch and heard that after you finish a Bell Witch book it disappears.
"It happened to my mom," she said. "But I bought one, and I still have it."
Ashley Williams, who works at the Stuard's Market down the road from the cemetery, said she has heard the book rumor. Another tale she heard was about the cave ? if you take anything from it, you'll be cursed.
"I believe there's something there," she said. "I believe in the Bell Witch."
Mantooth and Williams said business has picked up a little since the movie, but not much.
In October, a play ? reported to be an authentic Bell Witch story ? is performed on the Bell School Grounds.
"Once the movie comes out, it will probably bring some more people to the community, which would be great," Mantooth said.
But as curiosity seekers stop by the Antique Mall to visit the museum and learn about the Bell Witch, Mantooth tells them there are some mysteries that will always be unsolved.
"I believe that most things can be explained," he said. "But there are some things in nature that cannot be explained."
Source: http://www.theleafchronicle.com/apps/pb ... 50364/1002
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