The Bell Witch: The Full Account by Pat Fitzhugh Page A

surprise to Elizabeth. This
    was certainly better than having her face slapped,
    her hair pulled, and being forced to vomit brass pins.
    The Bells enjoyed a quiet afternoon together in the
    family room after the party was over. All of the
    visitors except Joshua Gardner had left, and it was a
    time for them to pray together and thank the
    Almighty for allowing others to see fit in socializing

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    F I T Z H U G H
    with John Bell. Up to this point, the Bells had very
    little reason to believe that others in the community
    would associate with Bell because of his
    excommunication from the church a year earlier.
    As the afternoon ended and the aroma of dinner
    began filling the house, they heard a knock at the
    door. Much to their surprise and astonishment, the
    visitor was Reverend Sugg Fort. Being viewed as an
    outcast in the eyes of the church, John Bell did not
    understand why Reverend Fort would be visiting his
    home, or how he should act when greeting him at the
    door.
    Rev. Fort Keeps his Vow to Help
    Before Bell had time to fully open the door and
    address him, Reverend Fort said, “John, I’ve not been
    to see you as of late because I know you’ve been
    feeling bad and have needed time to yourself. In
    hopes that you would get to feeling better, I held off
    as long as the Lord and my conscience would let me;
    but John, as your friend I consider this to be very
    important and can’t continue to let my feelings about
    your Spiritual matter remain silent.
    “I want you to know, John, that despite all which
    has happened to you in the church, the vow made by
    myself and the Gunns to fully support you and your
    family throughout these disturbances still holds true,
    and our feelings are just as strong now as they were
    the day you first told us about them. Everything
    happens for a reason, and mortals like us don’t
    always understand the Lord’s reasons. His word and
    teachings make it incumbent upon us to accept
    these things regardless, as they are His will and done
    for a reason.
    “Please understand that the Gunns and I will
    continue to do everything in our power to support

    THE BELL WITCH: THE FULL ACCOUNT
    89
    and comfort you during this most difficult time. Our
    love for you and your family has not changed, and we
    continue to pray for each of you.”
    With a tear in his eye, Bell replied, “Thank you,
    Reverend Fort. You do not know how much we
    appreciate what you just said. Lucy and I have
    always believed that we would never be able to
    conquer this evil Spirit without the help of God and
    men like you, the Gunns, and James Johnston.
    Please come in and make yourself at home. We
    would like very much for you to stay and have dinner
    with us this evening if you see fit. It should be on
    the table in a few minutes.”
    John Bell Tortured at Dinner
    Reverend Fort graciously accepted the invitation
    and they all soon sat down for a hearty dinner.
    About halfway through the meal, John Bell felt the
    onset of an episode with his tongue and stopped
    eating. He continued talking with Reverend Fort as
    he waited for the episode to pass, but not more than
    a minute later, his chair forcefully flew out from
    under him — sending him to the floor where he
    began trembling and vomiting.
    Reverend Fort and Drewry Bell quickly rushed to
    his side, where they remained until the episode had
    passed. After Bell began regaining his color, they
    helped him back into his chair. Several mysterious,
    laughing voices began to fill the room. Coming from
    the walls and ceiling, these voices sounded as if they
    were making fun of John Bell.
    Another disembodied voice began speaking in
    reverse, saying, “Bell Jack Ol’, beginning the only is
    this. You just wait and see what’s in store for you. I
    will kill you and make sure you die the slowest and
    most horrible death anyone could ever think of.”

    90 P A T
    F I T Z H U G H
    Reverend Fort began saying a prayer. Tears now
    rolling down his face and overtaken by