Haunted Places in America: The Bell Witch Cave
The bell witch cave is one of the most popular haunted spots in America that draws the attention of many visitors each year that are interested in the legend and the paranormal activity that occurs within this region. Interestingly enough, although the cave itself is haunted with a witch who apparently has apportioned glowing balls of fire and other mysterious pictures to visitors, the actual events which are said to have caused the happenings are not found within the cave.
On the land nearby inhabited by John Bell and his family, who relocated to the Tennessee area in the 1800s, the family experienced some weird phenomena with strange looking animals becoming present on the property and then disappearing. These were minor compared to the experiences which were reported after John Bell shot at a dog and it disappeared. At night, the family would hear strange animal noises and scratching and banging on the side of their house. Rats apparently took over the house and could be heard but not seen and the children experienced their covers being torn from the bed and violent beatings during the night. There were apparently hand prints left on the children’s faces and bodies from these invisible attackers.
After this point, the ghost was referred to as a witch and brought interest from all of the members of the community. Apparently, a widow in the community named Kate was thought to be the bell witch and one of her main goals was to kill John Bell. Kate was said to have remarkable powers; one of these alleged powers was to be in two places at once. She could also tell people what she saw in their past and their future – seemly justifying the claims that Kate was indeed a witch.
She tormented the family daily and created apparitions and caused illnesses to John and his daughter Betsy. She caused him to become weaker and weaker, which she hoped would lead to his death.
Finally, she achieved this goal and he was poisoned to death in 1820. It was shocking that Kate took full responsibility for the death and later in the next year for causing the breaking of an engagement between the daughters that Kate tormented as well. At this point Kate left and said that she would return in seven years time. That she did, she returned and had a talk with John Bell’s son, John Bell Jr. and has claimed that there was a reason that John Bell Sr. had to die. She continued to take full responsibility and made some predictions about the future of the family. When it was time for Kate to leave, she stated that she was going to return one hundred and seven years later.
Although it was never demonstrated if she returned, there are many people in the area that believe that she has never left and remains in the cave – haunting the many worldwide visitors that come to witness the Bell witch.
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