The Bell Witch: The Full Account by Pat Fitzhugh

any longer. I am willing
    to try anything that might rid my family, my house
    and my soul of this terrifying and demonic creature
    from Hell.” Johnston responded, “John, I agree. No
    family anywhere, for any reason, deserves this kind
    of treatment; so to that end, I will go along with your
    wishes even though I still believe that only the
    Almighty can eradicate evil Spirits.”
    Drewry then suggested, “If it will make you feel any
    better, I would like for you to journey with me to
    Franklin, Kentucky and discuss our trouble with ‘Dr.
    Mize.’ Although he comes highly-recommended,
    father and I would feel uncomfortable having him as
    a guest here without your first discussing the topic of
    religion with him.” “I would feel most honored to join
    you, Drew; that is, provided your father has no
    objections,” replied Johnston. “Not at all, James; I
    appreciate your continued sympathy and concern
    during in this unfortunate time of need,” John Bell
    responded.

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    “We need as little interference from the Spirit as
    possible, so I would recommend that we leave around
    three o’clock in the morning so we can be well out of
    the area by daybreak,” advised Drewry; “the Spirit
    has never manifested itself during that time.” “Three
    o’clock is quickly approaching; you’d better get some
    sleep now,” suggested John Bell.
    At three o’clock the next morning, Drewry Bell and
    James Johnston met at the Bell-Johnston property
    line and headed toward Springfield, where they
    picked up the main trail to Franklin, Kentucky.
    When day broke, they were well beyond Springfield
    and galloping up the trail to Franklin when they
    happened upon what looked to be a sick rabbit lying
    in the middle of the trail.
    They stopped to give the rabbit a chance to move
    out of the way, but it lay still. James Johnston
    jokingly remarked, “Well, Drewry, I guess that’s your
    ‘Spirit’ there; take her up in our lap, she looks tired!”
    “If the thing didn’t look so sick, I’d shoot it and fry it
    up,” Drewry responded. As they proceeded to guide
    their horses around the rabbit, it slowly hopped off
    the trail and into the woods. They arrived in
    Franklin by eight o’clock that morning to look for Dr.
    Mize, who was easy to find because of his popularity
    in the area.
    Greeting them at his front door, Dr. Mize asked
    Bell and Johnston what brought them to the area.
    They took a seat and proceeded to describe in vivid
    detail everything from when the Spirit first appeared
    up until the present. Mize listened carefully as the
    men told story after story of the Spirit’s remarkable
    demonstrations and how it mercilessly and
    relentlessly tortured the Bells and terrified everyone
    in the community.
    “Well, gentlemen, I must say that I have heard so
    many different versions of this story in the past that I

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    F I T Z H U G H
    was convinced it was a ploy to entice people into
    visiting that area to engage in the constant and
    fervent worship it is known for; however, I am now of
    a different opinion after hearing these remarkable
    stories from one of the Bell family and a close
    neighbor.” Mize continued, “The ‘sprit’ you speak of
    is outside the realm of ordinary phenomena, but I am
    confident that with my experience in wizardry and
    exorcism, I can rid your home of this horrible
    creature. With your permission, I would like to visit
    the farm in about ten days to spend about one week
    conducting experiments.”
    “Yes, by all means!” exclaimed Drewry; “you are
    most welcome in our home, and father and I will see
    to it that you get anything you need to conduct your
    experiments.” They thanked Dr. Mize for his time
    and left for Springfield where they had business the
    next morning. The men returned to the Bell home
    the following evening to find the Spirit gleefully
    telling everyone present about their trip to visit Dr.
    Mize, repeating their exact words