The Bell Witch: An English Gentleman's Visit

 

Upon reflecting about the diverse strange incidents related to me by the contemporary Centrahoma family, it was obvious that the novelty of paranormal phenomena described in 'talking poltergeist' cases has at times surpassed any conceivable expectation of what is possible.  Nonetheless, parallels may be recognized between the various case studies of anomalous happenings.  The following passage is an example from a book chronicling the first Bell family 'talking poltergeist' case, The Bell Witch: A Mysterious Spirit (1934) by Charles Bailey Bell, M.D.  This excerpt is about "a gentleman from England" who "visited at the Bell home, remaining several months, with the expressed determination (made known only to John Jr.) of solving this mystery."  Charles Bailey Bell commented: ". . . the Bells were of English descent; however, this may not have been the cause of the visit."

It was expressly understood that this visitor’s name and residence were not to be made known by the family, which was readily agreed to.  Strange to say, the Spirit made no announcement to outsiders giving the identity of this gentleman, but did some extra performances apparently for his enlightenment, telling him he would have some real tales to write up on his return to England, and "Be sure to get it all straight."  The gentleman was highly entertained and experienced such performances as would satisfy the most skeptical of the absolute supernatural powers displayed.

During this time, at a Sunday night meeting at the Bell home, the Spirit repeated the sermon of Rev. James Gunn, preached at Bethel Methodist Church, for the benefit of those who had not attended the morning services.  Rev. Gunn was present and his voice was imitated so that those present thought he must be talking; his text and prayers were given with exactness, he admitting it to be so.

Some one present said to the other preacher, Rev. Sugg Fort: "Brother Fort, you have the advantage; your sermon was not heard."  The Spirit began at once repeating Rev. Fort’s sermon and prayers in his voice and exact words, giving out hymns, etc.  Rev. Fort said it was all correct.  This performance was so astonishing that it left all present and all who have heard of it since in complete mystery.

The Englishman, about this time, was thinking in a most serious way of this, and many other things he had heard the Spirit say; the Spirit told him of his thoughts and that he was a sensible man to have remained, making no fuss and not saying the foolish things others had.  It told him he was puzzled over the things he had seen and heard, and it would now give him another to think about.  It told him within two or three hours he would hear from home, as usual (the Spirit had kept him informed as to what was going on at his home in England all this time, which the Englishman always learned was true when he received letters from his home) and asked him what he should tell the home folks; that it would convey any message to them he wished; this it had never done before.

The Englishman said, "Tell them that in my opinion, never since the world was created have men seen and heard the marvelous things I have witnessed during the past three months."

Within three hours a voice began repeating astonishment at what was being told them, and another voice exclaimed incredulously, "Why, that is brother’s voice; where are you, brother?"

The Englishman told John Bell and John, Jr., who were the only other persons present, that the voices were his mother’s and brother’s.  (The Spirit had given a perfect imitation of their voices.)

The Spirit then gave their return message in the voice of the mother, "Tell him not to stay any longer; he has heard and seen enough, and we do not want any more visits like that here."

The Englishman knew his mother’s voice, yet, to prove conclusively that it was she, he wrote John Jr., as soon as he arrived home that all that had been said was correct and that all who believed it were amazed, but few people believed it could actually have happened.  John Jr.’s veracity was unquestionable, as will be seen in his recollections given to his son, J. T. Bell.

This incident actually occurred and was never told to any person other than to J. T. Bell, who was equally as silent on the subject of the "Bell Witch."

This Englishman saw and heard many things told of in the chapter devoted to the recollections of John Jr., and at no time after a thorough investigation did he doubt the supernatural origin of the manifestations exhibited.  He went home carrying with him an experience which has been handed down in that country for generations, and which will likely never be forgotten.  It is not known with certainty at this time who the Englishman was; John Jr.’s assurance was that he was a high-class man and of great intelligence.