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and loaded them with goods and produce to
    sell for high dollar in New Orleans. When the Red
    River rose enough for safe passage, usually in the
    spring, they would begin their journey up the Red
    River to the Cumberland, then to the Ohio and
    Mississippi rivers, landing in New Orleans some
    weeks later. After selling their goods, they would sell
    the scrap lumber from their flatboats for extra money
    to return home on.
    The first marriages in the Bell family took place in
    1817 when daughter Esther and son Jesse married
    their neighborhood sweethearts, Alex Porter and
    Martha Gunn, respectively.
    Because of their acts of kindness, fair business
    dealings, and strong religious convictions, the Bells
    became a family of great prominence and enjoyed a
    good rapport with other families in the community.
    John Bell was a man of great wealth and influence in
    the community, eventually becoming an elder of Red
    River Baptist Church, an honor that he and his
    family held in the highest regards. 14 The Bell home
    was the site of many social gatherings where the
    Johnstons, Gunns, Forts, Frank Miles, and others
    frequently gathered for dinner, chat and worship.
    One of the most frequent visitors to the Bell home
    was Professor Richard Powell. A man of knowledge

    13 Tennessee Grant Book K , p. 403.
    14 Red River Baptist Church Minutes (1791-1826) .

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    35
    and polite manner, Powell always made it a point to
    visit the Bells when he was in the area. He always
    began his visits by praising Elizabeth’s progress in
    school, and often spoke of her irresistible charm and
    beauty.
    Another frequent visitor to the Bell home was
    Joshua Gardner, a handsome and well-mannered
    young man who lived on a farm that bordered the
    south side of the Bell property. It seemed the only
    thing Gardner and Professor Powell shared in
    common was their unmistakable fondness for
    Elizabeth Bell.
    Joshua Gardner, six years Elizabeth’s senior, was
    known as one of the brightest and most outspoken
    young men in the community, and never once
    attempted to hide his fondness for her. The Bells
    were very fond of Gardner and his family, and had no
    problems with his visiting Elizabeth on a regular
    basis. At the young age of 12, Elizabeth was not yet
    ready for serious courtship and spent much of her
    time with other girls.
    Elizabeth’s two closest friends were Rebecca Porter
    and Partheny (Theny) Thorn. Rebecca Porter was the
    younger sister of Alex Porter, who married Elizabeth’s
    older sister, Esther. Theny Thorn was the adopted
    daughter of James and Jane Johnston. The three
    girls were the best of friends, and often slumbered,
    went on picnics, and took hikes together through the
    forest and along the Red River.

    36 P A T
    F I T Z H U G H
    CHAPTER THREE
    Trouble Begins
    A LARGE AND HAPPY FAMILY, the Bells
    enjoyed everything life had to offer — until
    one day in 1817. What happened on that
    cool, fall day would remain with John Bell’s family
    for the next eleven years, inflicting terror and
    humiliation that would alter their lives forever and
    baffle the most learned of scholars.
    Strange Animals and People Appear
    John Bell was walking through one of his
    cornfields when he came upon a strange-looking
    animal standing in a corn row. Its body was
    unmistakably that of a dog, but the head closely
    resembled that of a rabbit and had bright, green
    eyes. Unlike anything Bell had ever seen before, the
    creature stared at him for several minutes without
    moving.
    Baffled and somewhat frightened, Bell loaded his
    shotgun and took aim at the creature. As quickly as

    THE BELL WITCH: THE FULL ACCOUNT
    37
    he could put his finger on the trigger, the creature
    ran away. He looked through every corn row for the
    creature but found nothing, not even a track.
    Although he could not easily forget the sinister look
    that the creature gave him, Bell decided it was
    probably a mix-bred dog that had strayed into the
    cornfield.
    Bell