Bell Witch Cave

Hulen som 'Bell-heksen' siges at være flygtet til i 1821 efter at have hjemsøgt familien Bell i fire år.

Bell Witch Cave in Adams, Tennessee is the setting for one of America's most famous — and most thoroughly documented — ghost stories. The legend centres on the Bell family, who lived by the Red River in the 1800s.

According to the account, between 1817 and 1821 the family was afflicted by a largely invisible force that could speak, affect its surroundings and change form. It began with strange animals on the farm and eerie sounds in the cabin, but escalated into a voice heard in every room — one that particularly tormented the youngest daughter, Betsy, with blows that left her unconscious. The entity called itself "Kate" and expressed fierce anger when Betsy became engaged to a local young man.

The force swore to kill the father, John Bell, and claimed responsibility for his death on 20 December 1820, when a bottle of an unfamiliar liquid was found at his deathbed. Tennessee is consequently the only state to have recognised a death as caused by the supernatural. Even the future president Andrew Jackson is said to have remarked: "I would rather face the whole British army than spend another night with the Bell Witch."

Tours of the cave and a reconstruction of the family cabin are offered today, and thousands of visitors come each year to hear the story of the Bell Witch.

Sources: English Wikipedia "Bell Witch", bellwitchcave.com, themoonlitroad.com, exploresouthernhistory.com

FAQ

Hvor ligger Bell Witch Cave?

Bell Witch Cave ligger i Tennessee, USA.

Oplysningerne bygger på lokal folketro og vidneberetninger.

Image: Wikipedia: Bell Witch Cave