The Bell Witch: The Full Account (20 page)

stronger than love, and no love is stronger than my

love for you; I love you even more than my own life,

and no force, no matter how great, can come between

us and destroy what we have endured so many

hardships to build.” The arrival of spring was much

awaited, as the winter of 1820 and 1821 had been

bitterly cold, gloomy, and tragic — a time that

everyone wanted to forget.

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Spring Arrives

The spring of 1821 came early and with all its

beauty and splendor — the birds singing cheerful

melodies in concert with the ripples of the Red River,

wildflowers blooming in the meadow and along the

river, and the sweet aroma of honeysuckle and

budding trees filling the air around the countryside.

Spring’s arrival blew an uplifting breath of fresh air

through the countryside, reviving the smiles and

Spirits of those who lived there.

Easter soon came in all its glory, and it was on this

day that Joshua Gardner and Elizabeth Bell sealed

their mutual intention to spend the rest of their lives

together.

A Proposal of Marriage

Joshua came to visit Elizabeth early that morning,

and the two lovers took a pleasant stroll through the

orchard before taking a seat under their favorite pear

tree. After Elizabeth’s fervent acceptance of his

proposal, Joshua slipped an engagement ring onto

her finger. They sat silent and motionless, looking

into each other’s eyes and embracing in a deep kiss

as tears of happiness flowed freely down their

cheeks. Smiles came to their faces as they began

discussing their future together, and after a happy

discussion, they returned to announce their

engagement.

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147

Joshua Gardner proposes to Elizabeth Bell

under the pear tree.
31

Visiting the Bell home that morning was John and

Calvin Johnston, Reverend Thomas Gunn, Jesse

Bell, and Frank Miles. As Joshua held the front door

open for Elizabeth, a big smile came to her face, and

her eyes began to sparkle as she entered the front

room where everyone was sitting.

“Why Miss Betsy, I never seen ya’ so happy an full

of yourself before! What’s goin’ on in that purdy little

head of yours!” inquired Frank Miles. Embarrassed,

Elizabeth turned her head and rested it on Joshua’s

chest to conceal her blushing from the visitors.

Joshua hugged her tightly, and then gave her a pat

on the back as he looked in the direction of the

others and displayed a bold and happy smile. “I

believe there is something they want to tell us,” an

31 Engagement photo from
Authenticated History of the Bell Witch,
M.V. Ingram, 1894.

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excited Lucy Bell told everyone. “It was your older

sister first, then me,” Jesse remarked, “and now it’s

you, little sister. Am I right?” “Oh Jesse, must you

rub it in like that?” Elizabeth asked laughingly. “Oh,

yes indeed!” replied Jesse.

Standing with his arm around Elizabeth, Joshua

Gardner then proclaimed, “It is with the greatest of

pleasure that Elizabeth and I inform you that we

sealed our mutual and holy commitment to spend

the rest of our lives together ‘as one’ earlier this

morning.” Smiles came to the faces of everyone in

the room, and Elizabeth ran over to her mother and

began hugging her. Lucy Bell whispered into her ear,

“It is the will of God, it was the will of your father,

and it is my will that you marry Joshua and live a

lifetime of happiness. I am sure your father is very

proud right now.” “I know, mother,” said Elizabeth,

“but it deeply saddens me that he didn’t live to see

this day,” said Elizabeth. “But he is here with us in

Spirit, my dear child; and, he will continue to look

down and rejoice over the happiness you have

found,” replied Lucy Bell

“Well, let’s see your ring, Elizabeth,” Calvin

Johnston said, “I know that with all the love Joshua

has for you, it must be a real beauty of a ring!”

Elizabeth extended her arm, showed the beautiful

emerald engagement ring to her mother, and then

walked around the room to let the others see it.

Following just behind her was Joshua, who after

hugging Lucy Bell began receiving congratulatory

handshakes and pats on the back from the others.

“Gardner, now you always know’d I think of Miss

Betsy like my little sis; so you’d better treat er’ rite or

ya’ know I’ll come a lookin’ fer’ ya’,” Frank Miles

jokingly remarked. “And I will, too!” exclaimed a

happy Reverend Thomas Gunn, “and I hate having to

be selfish, but I must be honest and say that I would

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149

be most disappointed if I didn’t receive the honor of

joining your hands as ‘one’ in the sight of the Lord.”

“The feeling is mutual, Reverend Gunn,” replied

Joshua Gardner, “and we are hoping to be married

very soon.” “Have you lovebirds decided on the big

day?” inquired Reverend Gunn. Elizabeth replied,

“No, Reverend; but we will tell you as soon as we

decide. You need to be one of the first to know!”

“Well I know what the big news will be at

tomorrow’s festivities,” remarked John Johnston;

“many of us have wondered how long it would be

until you two decided to take the big step, and the

news that you have finally overcome the obstacles to

your happiness and are forging ahead will be well-

received by everyone; well, almost everyone.” “Oh, I

think Professor Powell will be most happy to hear the

news; he has always cared a great deal about

Elizabeth,” Lucy Bell remarked. “We shall soon find

out!” Johnston exclaimed.

Everyone continued happily discussing Elizabeth

and Joshua’s engagement, teasing Joshua about

treating her well and teasing Elizabeth about how

many children they planned to have and what their

names would be. Alex and Esther Porter soon

stopped in for a visit and were delighted to hear the

good news. After the initial excitement began to die

down, discussion shifted to the events planned for

the following day, Easter Monday — the day following

Easter customarily set aside for picnics, games and

fishing along the Red River. Even the slaves were

given the day off to enjoy the fun and festivities.

“What are your plans for tomorrow, Elizabeth?”

inquired Esther. “Joshua and I will be hunting

wildflowers, picnicking and fishing with Theny, Alex,

Rebecca and James. We’re going to meet out in the

orchard first thing in the morning and then go to

Brown’s Ford together,” replied Elizabeth. “Do they

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know of the recent excitement in your life?” “No; I

was thinking of telling Theny, but Joshua and I

decided that we want it to be a surprise for everyone

tomorrow!” Elizabeth exclaimed. Joshua then

added, “And there’s no better way to begin Easter

Monday than by sharing our good news with

everyone. It will set a nice, warm tone for the day;

and who knows, it might just be what it takes to get

Alex and James more interested in Theny and

Rebecca!”

“Nothing would be more beautiful than you three

couples marrying at the same time,” Calvin Johnston

chimed in. “That would be a most wonderful idea,

Mr. Johnston,” exclaimed Lucy Bell, “but I don’t

know that Theny and Rebecca are as close to their

suitors as Elizabeth is to Joshua; however I could be

wrong!”

Dinnertime was drawing near and the guests

began dispersing. Elizabeth walked Joshua to the

front door and hugged him goodbye, telling him she

would be waiting for him bright and early the next

morning.

Easter Monday on the Red River

A clear sky and the sweet scent of honeysuckle

and wildflowers over the countryside greeted the

dawn of Easter Monday. After an unusually cool

night, the rising sun quickly began drying the dew

and warming the cool, gentle breeze blowing through

the orchard.

Joshua Gardner hurried to the Bell home and

found Elizabeth waiting on the front porch. The two

joined hands and made their way to the orchard,

discussing their happy future as they strolled toward

the place they were to meet the other couples. As

they neared an opening in the trees, they spotted the

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151

other couples talking, laughing, and frolicking.

Theny Thorn was the first to spot Elizabeth and

Joshua, and her first words were, “Oh! There you

are! I am so happy for you, dear!” Elizabeth’s plan

to surprise her friends had apparently been foiled;

the news of her and Joshua’s engagement had

already spread around the community. Everyone

was happy to hear the good news; that is, with the

possible exception of Professor Richard Powell.

“Do you see those beautiful pear trees, arrayed in

white, representing the bride of the morning?” asked

Elizabeth; “they bow to us a hearty welcome this

lovely holiday.” “Yes, I see,” replied Theny, “they are

lovely; but you overlook the peach trees on the other

side of the path, dressed in pink. They represent the

bridesmaids.” “Then I should like to know what

these pretty little violets represent which you all are

unconsciously mashing under your big feet?” asked

Rebecca Porter. “They’re Cupid's arrows,” answered

Joshua; “they cannot be crushed by trampling; see

how quickly they rise back up?” “Why yes,”

exclaimed Elizabeth, “that’s why I love them so

much; break or bruise one, and it comes out again as

fresh as ever!” Alex Gooch then asked, “Please, Miss

Elizabeth, what does this refreshing zephyr, which

blows such a pleasant gale, represent in your

beautiful Easter picture?” “Oh, that is the breath of

the bridegroom!” Elizabeth exclaimed. 32

Picnicking by the River

“Oh, poo!” exclaimed James Long, “please hold up

a bit and find your equilibrium. We started out to go

fishing, but you girls are about to turn to fairies and

32 M.V. Ingram,
Authenticated History of the Bell Witch
(1894).

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F I T Z H U G H

take wings on the morning air!” “Yes,” agreed

Joshua, “lets go fishing; why linger here?” The

couples made their way through the orchard, across

the meadow, and down to the bank of the Red River

where they found many of their friends and

neighbors already picnicking, playing, and fishing.

After picking some wildflowers and frolicking a bit,

the three couples treated themselves to a picnic at

the edge of the river.

As they were finishing their food and beginning to

clean up the area, they heard the sound of a horse

approaching. Professor Powell soon appeared on his

black horse, greeting the couples by name and

expressing his joy about being there, and reminiscing

about how close they all had been when he taught

them in school. The couples were overjoyed to see

Powell as he had been very popular among his

students and they held a great deal of respect for

him. After more than an hour of pleasant

conversation, Professor Powell politely bade farewell

to the couples and wished them good luck with their

fishing trip.

Powell Speaks Privately to Elizabeth

After he had mounted his horse and proceeded

several yards, Powell turned around and said to

Elizabeth, “Miss Elizabeth, would you please join me

for a moment over by the bluff? There is an

important and rather private matter I wish to discuss

with you if Mr. Gardner does not have any

objections.” Joshua Gardner indicated his approval

in his usual pleasant and mannerly style. Elizabeth

walked next to Powell’s horse as they made their way

to a nearby bluff and climbed up to a large rock

guarding the mouth of a cave overlooking the river.