Dark Friends Series
The Bell Witch
(from the 09/13/21 newsletter)
If you’ve been keeping up with the most recent episodes of Wraiths of the Appalachian, you’re anticipating the conclusion of the two-chapter adventure in which Eddie and Snarly Yow get trapped in the Bell Witch cave (pictured above) near Adams, Tennessee.
And I have a very, VERY special interview related to those two episodes!
If you’re not caught up, don’t worry, no real spoilers here. But if you don’t want ANY hints of what’s to come whatsoever, I recommend that you stop reading and wait until after you’ve listened to Episode 7 (which goes live at midnight tonight!) to finish this newsletter.
But I do want to share with you my recent interview––with a ghost!
The danger of writing about real haunted places is that sometimes you attract the attention of the spirit subjects of your story or article. That’s apparently what happened to me. But I did get the chance to learn some unique things about the spirit that inhabits that cave, as you will also learn if you keep reading.
Here’s what happened.
I had just wrapped up the seventh episode of the story called “Pushing Limits” and decided to take a walk down the wooded path that borders my property. A slight breeze gave me a taste of the approaching autumn weather that I love so much, and there was just enough light to make my way safely in the dimming twilight.
A mist formed suddenly on the path before me gradually taking the shape of a woman. I froze in place as her figure grew more visible until it was nearly opaque.
She appeared much as I had described the ghostly figure at the beginning of Episode 6 who addressed Eddie Bowen as he peered into the empty cabin at the Bell Witch attraction. Seeing that the spirit’s attention was clearly focused on me, I asked in a cracking voice, “What…who are you?”
“I would think you’d know since you’ve just written about me.”
“Are…are you, Kate Batts?” I stuttered.
“Pssssh!” The woman made a face of disgust. “I thought you of all people would know better than that.”
“Well, are you, uh, the spirit that inhabits the Bell Witch cave?”
She nodded. “It’s as good a place as any to be.”
“So, why are you here? It’s a long way from Adams, Tennessee.”
“You do interviews for your newsletter, right?”
“Yes, I do. You…want to be interviewed?”
“Is that a problem?” She seemed to grow taller and the woods darker.
“No, no, not at all,” I said.
“But I don’t have my field recorder or any paper to take no––”
The spirit’s eyes glowed red and her eyebrows drew together in a scowl that made me take a step backward.
“Wait! I just remembered. I do have a recording app on my phone!” I pulled out my cell and showed it to her. Her eyes dimmed and she crossed her arms as the gentle glow of twilight returned around us.
“All right then. Let’s get on with it,” she said.
“Okay, sure. Um, let’s see…where to start?” As I sat on a stump beside the trail, I gestured feebly at the trunk of a fallen tree on the other side of the path. She settled herself on it, straightened her long skirts, and stared at me, clearly ready for her first question.
The Interview
Well, let’s start with the obvious. What’s your name?
I’m not sure.
You don’t know?
It’s been a while since I was alive.
Were you around in the early 1800s when John Bell and his family built their home in Robertson County?
Around, yes. Alive, no.
So, you died before the Bells arrived.
Yes.
How much before?
A long time.
During the Revolutionary War?
Before then.
Before Columbus discovered America?
Plenty of people were here. We weren’t just waiting to be discovered.
You were one of the early indigenous people of this continent?
Yes. Among other lives.
You’ve lived multiple lives?
Yes. So have you. Everyone has. Well, nearly everyone.
Nearly everyone? What do you––never mind. Let’s just stick with the basics. So why do you want me to interview you? And why now?
Well, when I sensed that you were writing about the Bell Witch story, I thought it might be a good time to set the record straight.
Wait. You ‘sensed’ that I was writing about the Bell Witch?
Yes.
And you…influenced my writing of it?
You really thought you came up with all that on your own? [She laughs.] People keep feeling sorry for the Bell family and making poor Kate Batts out to be some kind of horrible demon when the Bells were the whole freaking problem.
‘Freaking’? Your language is pretty hip for a centuries-old ghost.
Thank you.
So, the Bells lied about all the supernatural events they claimed happened there?
Oh, no, all of that happened. Knocking on walls and windows. Getting rats to gnaw on their bedposts. Slapping and pinching Betsy Bell–that brat. Yeah, that was all me.
How about the black dog that John Bell said appeared mysteriously from time to time on the property? The one he shot at but couldn’t kill?
I think you know who that was.
Snarly Yow? Snarly’s real?
[The ghost smiles.]
Well, that’s cool. But reports from the time say that people came from all over the region to the Bell’s home to witness the strange phenomena. They said Betsy talked in a strange voice, saying vile things. Did that happen?
Oh, that was the best part! Taking over Betsy’s body and having her smack herself. “Betsy! Why are you hitting yourself, Betsy? Stop hitting yourself, Betsy! [The ghost laughs again.] And making her swear like a sailor. Having her reveal all kinds of dirty little secrets about those pillars of that Puritanical, stuck-up community and watching them nearly wet themselves. Ah, that was so much fun!
And you’re saying that you influenced my story, too?
Right. You want specifics?
No, no! My listeners haven’t concluded this part of the story yet. They’ve just heard how a hand grips Eddie’s hand in the darkness of the cave and he hears a feminine voice say, “Such a handsome boy.”
[The ghost chuckles) I liked that part!
Yeah, me too.
You’re welcome.
Well, now I’m confused about what I thought I made up and what you planted in my mind. Are you the spirit in the Bell Cave?
Yes.
And you do sometimes play tricks on tourists in the cave?
How else is a spirit to entertain herself alone in a dark, wet cave? You should come and visit sometime. All by yourself, like Eddie did. I might even sing you a song.
Um, no thanks. That might be a bit too creepy.
Suit yourself.
Well, now that we know that Kate Batts is not the Bell Witch, is there anything else you’d like my listeners and readers to know?
Well, there is that whole “witch” thing. It’s pretty disgusting how often it’s happened throughout history that when a woman in a patriarchal society exhibits a bit of intuitive knowledge or presents herself as knowing as much or more than the males in charge––a pretty low bar more often than not––she’s been regarded as a threat and labeled a witch.
So, there is no Bell Witch?
Have you been listening at all?
Got it. Well, if there’s nothing else, thanks for, uh, appearing and clearing all that up.
No problem.
Will you be going back to the cave?
I haven’t decided. Maybe I’ll just stay here. I hear you might be having a party…?
Uh, that’s not been decided. But thanks for the interview.
[The ghost vanishes.]
* * *
The references to the Bell Witch legacy in this interview allude to events found in Episodes 6 and 7 of the thirteen-episode story of Wraiths of the Appalachian on the Dark Corners podcast, which can be found on most podcast apps.
The Bell Witch Cave is open to paying visitors in Adams, TN. Information about the Bell Witch legend and information about visiting the site can be found here: The Bell Witch Cave.