One of the most haunted spots in America is located in Adams, Tennessee on the former farm of John Bell. It is a location of eerie sounds, apparitions, voices in the night, poltergeist pranks, and even death. It became so well known that General Andrew Jackson, who later was elected President, came to see for himself. He experienced strange events attributed to the witch upon his visit. This is the Bell Witch Haunting.

It all began in 1817 on the farm of John Bell. It started with knocking, rapping, and scratching noises being heard by the family in the house. It escalated into more poltergeist-like activity with blankets being pulled from beds and family members being kicked and scratched. The spirit particularly targeted John Bell's daughter, Betsy. She was terrorized by being slapped until she was bruised for days, pinched, and even stuck with pins.

At first the spirit was silent, but after it spoke, they were able to find out who was claiming to haunt the farm. She identified herself as Kate Batts, a former neighbor of the Bell's. John Bell had some unfortunate dealings with her over slaves. Now, weither it was this "Kate" or manifestations of her hatred that caused an entity to cause the torment is not known. After becoming quite vocal, the witch/spirit became well known throughout the country. John Jr. and Jesse Bell had served under General Andrew Jackson (before being elected President) in the Battle of New Orleans and after hearing of the disturbances, he decided to visit. As his wagon approached the Bell property, it suddenly stopped. After being unable to get the wagon going, Jackson proclaimed it must be the witch. Then a strange female voice was heard telling him that he may proceed and she would "see" him later. Then the wagon was able to move.

The witch turned her attentions to John Bell's daughter, Betsy. She interfered to the point that Betsy had to break off her engagement to the man she loved, Joshua Gardner, but did eventually marry another man, Richard Powell. The witch left for a period of years, but returned to plague John Bell, Jr. and made predictions that were recorded by him. She warned of the Civil War, the World Wars, and promised to return herself in 1935.

John Bell was tormented by a strange illness that Kate took credit for. He finally became ill, and couldn't rest because of the cursing and prodding by the witch to the point he was found unconscious one morning and died. She even made her presence known at his funeral by singing, cursing, and laughing.

The witch that haunted the Bell farm over 200 years ago is believed to be the source of sounds and apparitions in the area today. Pictures are difficult to get there and some have even been developed with ghostly manifestations in them. There have also been reports of small lights moving over the fields. Kate, the Bell Witch, will not be forgotten since there is a website devoted to all information related to her, and there is even a "KateFest" held every year in late September in Adams, Tennessee. And hidden on the side of a bluff near the old cemetery is a cave. It is believed that when the Bell Witch departed, she fled to the sanctuary of this cave. It is not known if she did or not, but the cave is host to strange events and sounds being reported through the years. It is still to this day a place of unexplained phenomena. It is open to visitors from May 1 to Halloween for those who are brave enough to approach it.