The Bell Witch

The story of the Bells, an early 19th-century Tennessee farm family who begin to notice strange occurrence--odd noises, bangings, and gurglings. Eventually, an entity reveals itself to the family, calling itself, simply, the Witch, and makes it clear from the outset that it was sent to kill the family patriarch, John Bell. Word of its existence spreads, first through the Bell's slaves, then through the rest of the community. It tells jokes, makes predictions, offers unwanted advice, sings, and shows an intimate knowledge of the Bible, history and politics. It harasses those who annoy it, but saves its ire for John Bell and his teenage daughter, Betsy. These two become the focus of the apparition's attacks, both verbal and physical. Ultimately, the Witch fulfills its promise of killing John Bell.