Stuff You Should Know – Short Stuff: The Bell Witch

Date: October 29, 2025
Hosts: Josh & Chuck
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

Overview

This “Short Stuff” episode explores the spooky legend of the Bell Witch haunting in early 19th-century Tennessee. Josh and Chuck recount the haunting of the Bell family, discuss historical sources, share the wildest claims, and reflect on the blend of folklore, history, and tourism surrounding the legend.

Key Discussion Points

The Bell Family and the Beginning of the Haunting

[00:46 - 01:33]

• The Bell family moved from North Carolina to Adams, Tennessee, in 1806, prospered as respected landowners, and lived peacefully—until 1817.
• The patriarch, John “Old Jack” Bell, was the first to encounter a supernatural being: “This large animal had the body of a dog, but the head of a rabbit.” (Josh, 01:35)

Early Encounters and Escalation

[01:35 - 04:23]

• Each family member had disturbing encounters:
  • Drury (or Drewry) Bell saw a “giant bird” that vanished when shot at.
  • Betsy Bell witnessed “a little girl in a green dress hanging from a tree.”
• The harassments escalated to nocturnal pounding on the house’s walls each night—unseen hands, according to the family.
• “This is basically like 1817 ding-dong ditch, I guess. But they never found a trace of anybody.” (Josh, 04:07)

Hauntings Become Physical and Vocal

[04:23 - 05:53]

• The family, especially Betsy and John, experienced physical attacks: sheets pulled off, hair-pulling, slapping (leaving welts), and pinching.
• Most disturbing: The witch began to converse, not just screech or whisper:
  • “Poltergeists don’t talk, everybody. Ask your parents. The witch started speaking. The witch ghost. And at first it was faint… But over time, the voice grew louder, clearer, and would sometimes hold conversations.” (Josh, 05:02)

Community Involvement and Enslaved Witnesses

[05:53 - 07:14]

• Others, including enslaved people on the Bell property, reported supernatural activity.
  • Dean, an enslaved man, faced a “two-headed dog” and was given a “witch ball” by his wife for protection.
• The legend extended beyond the Bell family, involving the wider community.

Lighter Moments & Banter

• “She was like, you know, I know tradition says it’s got to be a ball, but this two-headed dog just wants to get that ball. Can we go with something else?” (Josh/Chuck, 07:04)
• “How about a witch’s dick?” (Josh, 07:14)

The Witch’s Targeting of Betsy and John

[09:14 - 10:49]

• The witch especially tormented Betsy, allegedly interfering with her engagement to Joshua Gardner, which eventually ended.
• John Bell suffered the most: relentless verbal and physical abuse, seizures, declining health.
• “The witch saved the worst for him. She was verbally abusive to him. She was physically abusive to him.” (Josh, 10:03)
• On his deathbed, the witch reportedly gloated: “It’s useless for you to try and relieve old Jack. I’ve got him this time. He will never get up from that bed again. I put it there and gave old Jack a big dose of it last night while he was asleep, which fixed him nice.” (Chuck, 10:57)

The Haunting’s End and Legacy

[12:37 - 16:06]

• After John’s death in December 1820, the haunting reportedly ceased, though the witch interrupted his funeral with singing and mockery.
• The first commercial publication of the story (1849, Saturday Evening Post) accused Betsy of faking it; she threatened to sue and got a retraction.
• Over time, suspicion settled on a neighbor, Kate Batts, as the “witch.” Two primary origin stories emerged:
  • Kate Batts sought revenge for a land deal gone wrong involving her brother-in-law and John Bell.
  • Alternatively, a North Carolina version claims Bell had an affair with Kate, left her to die, and moved to Tennessee, but she “haunted” him across state lines.
• “Oh no, I don’t think you know how ghost witches work. We can travel interstate.” (Chuck, 14:58)

Fact vs. Folklore: Historical Roots

[15:02 - 16:24]

• Census and genealogical records confirm the existence of the Bells and Batts in the time and place described, adding authenticity to the legend.
• “This I think throws it in there with the category of like the Amityville house…these supposed real hauntings that took place for sure.” (Chuck, 16:06)
• Adams, TN, now capitalizes on the legend: locals rebuilt the Bell home, host tours, and encourage “ghost tourism.”
• “If they don’t have some sort of animatronic rabbit-dog, they’re doing it wrong.” (Chuck, 17:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This large animal had the body of a dog, but the head of a rabbit.” (Josh, 01:35)
• “Poltergeists don’t talk, everybody. Ask your parents.” (Josh, 05:02)
• “She was ghost slapped, apparently hard enough to leave welts and bruises.” (Chuck, 04:37)
• “It’s useless for you to try and relieve old Jack. I’ve got him this time. He will never get up from that bed again.” (Chuck, 10:57)
• “This actually happened.” (Josh, 16:06)
• “If they don’t have some sort of animatronic rabbit dog, they’re doing it wrong.” (Chuck, 17:03)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:46] — Introduction to Bell Witch folklore and the Bell family’s background
• [01:35] — John Bell’s first encounter with the “dog-rabbit”
• [02:24] — Subsequent family member encounters (Drury, Betsy)
• [04:37] — Hauntings become physical; Betsy’s injuries
• [05:02] — Witch begins to speak aloud and converse with the family
• [05:53] — Enslaved people’s experiences, especially Dean and the “witch ball”
• [09:14] — Betsy’s engagement sabotaged by the witch
• [10:03] — John Bell’s decline; witch’s cruelty
• [10:57] — Witch’s alleged confession to poisoning John Bell
• [12:37] — The legend’s publication; accusations against Betsy
• [13:18] — Suspicions about Kate Batts, the supposed “witch”
• [15:02] — Folklore meets verifiable history; ongoing impact in Adams, TN
• [16:24] — Modern tourism and haunted attractions

Closing Thoughts

Josh and Chuck expertly blend spooky storytelling, skepticism, and humor as they outline one of America’s most infamous ghost stories. The Bell Witch legend stands out because of its mix of documented family, local lore, and its profitability as a tourist draw—leaving listeners with the chills, a few laughs, and a sense of how folklore continues to shape culture and place.