Joe Nickell Says Bell Witch Contrived.

. . Joe Nickell, senior research fellow at Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, is the latest to examine the Bell Witch Legend and to conclude it most likely was invented by Marvin Ingram.  In  the January./February issue of Skeptical Inquirer he summarized his analysis in an article titled, "The 'Bell Witch' Poltergist."  His primary contribution was a grammatical comparison of the letter, "Our Family Trouble," purported to be from Richard Bell to the book authored by Ingram.  He found a high degree of compatibility suggesting that Ingram wrote both.
. . About a decade ago, we concluded after a thorough examination of all available documentation, that Ingram invented the Bell Witch.  That was based on the total absence of third party corroboration, even though circumstances would have assured its existence.  Our conclusion was also predicated on the bizarre content of Ingram's report, his absurd report of claimed witnesses, and his personal background for tabloid type publications. It was simply another case where extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.  Absolutely nothing exists.
. . Nevertheless, the legend persists. It is just another example where people will choose to believe what they want, regardless, and no matter how irrational.