ADAMS, Tenn. (WKRN) — Is it history, or haunting? The Bell Witch story has blurred that line for more than two centuries.

Adams, Tennessee, which was home to the Bell family, is known for one of the most famous supernatural legends in American history: The Bell Witch.

“Voices and strange noises in the cave is actually very common, but there’s been stuff actually happening all over the farm,” explained Candy Hooton, director of operations at the Bell Witch Cave. “It’s not just the cave, we’ve had tapping and knocking in the cabin or heard footsteps, and nobody’s there.”

According to legend, a spirit terrorized the Bell family in the early 1800s. What started as faint tapping grew into a presence so strong, it could speak, eventually tormenting not only the Bells but much of the surrounding community of Adams.

“The whole community of Adams witnessed this,” Hooton said. “It attended church, but it gave multiple identities of itself, saying that it was an Indian spirit and an immigrant spirit.”

Even Andrew Jackson reportedly heard the tale. 

The story became etched into history when John Bell’s death was blamed on the spirit, believed to be the only documented case of a person killed by the supernatural.

“It didn’t take long to realize that we weren’t talking about your typical campfire story but more of a historical mystery,” said researcher and author Pat Fitzhugh. Who is working on his third book devoted to the legend. “One that involved a family that endured four years of harassment.”

For more than two centuries, the legend of the Bell Witch has drawn visitors from across the globe.

“We’ve had people from the Czech Republic, Australia, Japan, all over Europe,” Hooton said.

Tours begin inside a replica of the Bell family cabin before descending into the dark cave below. Visitors hear the history of how the family once used the cave for storage, and even for children’s picnics. Some say the Bell Witch still makes her presence known today.

“There have been times where we’ve heard somebody walk up on the pavilion and there’s nobody there,” Hooton said. “We’ve come in, and there are books all over the floor in the gift shop. That’s happened multiple times, actually.”

Every October, the story comes alive through hayrides, tours, and the annual Bell Witch Festival, where locals still refer to the spirit by the name “Kate.”

Whether history or haunting, the legend has put Adams on the map. And if you are wondering whether the ghost revealed itself during our visit, that secret stays behind closed doors. You have got to visit for yourself.

“I think it’s important that in today’s world, we preserve our history and keep using our oral traditions to pass this history down,” Fitzhugh said.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/on-tour-middle-tn/the-bell-witch-adams-robertson-history/