TELEPHONE INTERVIEW — TAPE #37, SIDE #1
Q: Mark Russell Bell
B: Michael Paul Russell (my twin brother in California)
K: Kim Cline, receptionist at Rogers & Cowan
P: Peggy Watts (a cousin of Maxine)
(TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: WITH THIS TAPE SIDE I RESUME INDICATING UNATTRIBUTED SOUNDS OCCASIONALLY. RADIO INTERFERENCE CAN BE HEARD ON THE PHONE LINE SPEAKING ALTERNATELY IN JAPANESE AND ENGLISH. ON THIS TAPE SIDE IT WAS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT THAN USUAL TO DIFFERENTIATE RADIO VOICES AND SPIRIT VOICES YET THE FORMER USUALLY AREN’T CLEAR ENOUGH TO BE TRANSCRIBED.)
(“OKAY” “WHAT”)
Q: Okay, I think it’s working. By the way, will you transfer — what is the name of your receptionist?
B: Kim.
Q: Kim. And her last name?
B: Oh God. (“MONEY”)
Q: Okay, well transfer me —
B: I think it’s Blumer.
Q: Transfer me over to her real quick.
B: Ask for Kim, okay?
Q: Okay.
K: Front desk.
Q: Hello, Kim?
K: Yeah?
Q: Hi, Kim. This is Mark Russell.
K: Oh, hi. One moment, okay?
Q: Okay. (pause)
K: Hi.
Q: Hi, I’m just making real quick notes for my book because of yesterday. Do you remember the name that you heard (“WHEN”) when we were talking?
K: Yeah.
Q: What was it?
K: Anthony.
Q: Anthony? Because I’m trying to figure — you know, I think you’re one of those rare individuals that my Entity has actually spoken to. (“BLUNT”) I mean He doesn’t do that very often. (“BUT”) And so usually the name means something.
K: But when you left, there were two hang-ups.
Q: Oh, okay. (“WE[LL]”) Well, that — you never know? Right?
K: Yeah. (“BUT UM”)
Q: So — (“BU[T]”)
K: But it hasn’t happened. (“BUT”)
Q: Right. Well, that happens a lot to me. (“I GET”) I got three hang-ups today on the Southern California HIV/AIDS Hotline (“YEAH”) where I volunteer. (“JUST LIKE”)
K: Like when you and your brother walked around the corner —
Q: Yeah. (“OH”)
K: You know, it just — (“UH IT EHHH”) you know, I, — (“GET THIS”) you know, I said “Rogers and Cowan” and it went click. (“YEAH”) And that was so bizarre. (“SO IT” “NO”)
Q: It’s either the Entity or the CIA. (“UH-HUH” “BUT”) Anyway, it’s a long story. (“NO”)
K: Yeah. (“BUT” “BECAUSE I DON’T TAKE”) You know. (“BUT” “I DON’T TAKE IT” “NO”) Your last name — is it Blumer?
K: Oh no no no. It’s Cline. (“ADD”)
Q: Well, if you figure out who Anthony is, let me know.
K: It was probably someone I met that day. That I remember. (“DID YOU”)
Q: Do you remember someone that you met that day?
K: Uh-huh. (“WEDNESDAY” “WHO”)
Q: Well, where did you meet him?
K: Uhh — (“DHH”) in Century City.
Q: Did you like him? (“NO”)
K: No.
Q: Isn’t that strange? Is he single or married? (“CALL” “ME”)
K: The latter. Divorced —
Q: Oh, okay. It’s just strange.
K: — separated or whatever.
Q: Uh-oh. (“OOO” “CAUSE”) Because Michael likes to play matchmaker.
K: Oh really?
Q: Yeah. (“UM-HUH”) You just never know, do you?
K: Yeah. But —
Q: You never know.
K: — I know because I had forgotten. You know. And then to, I guess, Tony (“SHAW” “SHH”) is a nickname for Anthony or whatever or whomever.
Q: Oh, you’re on a nickname basis — you’re calling him Tony now. Let me know if you start dating him.
K: Never.
Q: Really? What does he do?
K: Hold on, alright?
Q: Okay. (pause)
K: Okay.
Q: Well, maybe it’s another Anthony, but — (“IF IF SOME IF SOME”)
K: I’m sorry I put you on hold.
Q: — if you meet somebody important to you named Anthony.
K: Uh-huh. (“OR IF YOU SSS”)
Q: If you, you know — let me know.
K: Okay, I will.
Q: Because that name means something.
K: Okay. It does?
Q: Okay. (“MINNETTE”) What?
K: Why? How do you know? (“IT COULD BE”) Because (“E”) I’m curious.
Q: The entity will only say, like, one word.
K: Yeah. (“AND”)
Q: To choose one name out of all the hundreds that are out there —
Q: — it must have significance to you And I didn’t hear Him say it. (“SO”) So the word was obviously meaningful to you —
K: Right.
Q: — and not to me.
K: So it — (“SO”) so you say it’s significant, right?
Q: Well, it could be — I mean you just never know.
K: Uh-huh. I just went, “Not that I’m aware.” (“DID”)
Q: Did the voice sound like mine or different?
K: I didn’t pay attention.
Q: Right. (“I DID THE SAME THING”) That’s what happens.
K: Yeah. (“YEAH”)
Q: Okay, well let me know. (“I’LL SEE YOU”) The next time I come in I’ll say hello and you can tell me then.
K: Okay, you want me to switch you over to —
Q: No, that’s okay.
K: Okay.
Q: Okay, bye.
K: Bye.
(TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INTERVIEW IS WITH PEGGY WATTS. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL MONTHS TO RECEIVE BELL ANCESTRY INFORMATION, I ASKED MAXINE IF I COULD GET IN TOUCH DIRECTLY WITH THE RELATIVE FROM WHOM SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET THE INFORMATION AND MAXINE GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER. I BEGAN TRANSCRIBING THIS INTERVIEW TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1996.)
P: Hello?
Q: Hello, Peggy?
P: Yeah.
Q: Hi, this is Mark Russell Bell. Maxine Mc Wethy referred me to call you. (“DO”) Do you know about me? (“I’M” “YEAH” “I’M”) I’m writing a book about her experiences with Michael.
P: Now, wait a minute. Who are you (“WHA”) talking about?
Q: Maxine Mc Wethy.
P: My cousin.
Q: Right. (“TTT”)
P: Okay. (“RIGHT”) Uh-huh. (“YEAH”)
Q: Anyway, I’m writing —
P: I knew her as Maxine Bell forever, okay?
Q: Okay. Right. Exactly.
P: And how — are you related?
Q: I don’t know.
P: To Bell? (“I’M TRYING TO”)
Q: I’m trying to figure it out. I don’t think so. (“BUT IT’S”) It’s a long story. You know about Michael, right? Their Entity?
P: Who? (“YOU KNOW”)
Q: The Entity that’s living with Maxine?
P: No.
Q: You don’t? (“OH”) You didn’t see that special? (“SSS”) “Ghosts, Psychics, Mediums: Put To The Test.”
P: Oh yeah.
Q: You saw that?
P: Well, she told me about it.
Q: Right, okay. (“WELL”) Anyway, it’s a long story but I pretty much finished my first book (“NOT TRUE”) about the Entity known as Michael who is also — (“UH”) I’m also a focus for His activities. (“SSS”) So I’m writing a book about it and that’s why she — I guess she called —has been in contact with you about getting the Bell family tree.
P: Uh-huh. (“IN FACT I’M”)
Q: Can I make notes about this (“FOR THIS CONVERSATION”) for my book? You don’t mind, do you?
P: Well, what is it you’re wanting from me?
Q: Just some information (“ON THE BELL”) on that Bell family tree that she had asked about.
P: Okay.
Q: Nothing specific. (“I MEAN I”) Just conversationally. Anyway, —
P: Hang on just a moment.
Q: Okay. (pause) (“RU” “BAD BUDGETS” “BEL-MARDUK” “NO” “SHE WOULD” “LOVE YOU” “THE LORD”)
P: Okay, I’m sorry.
Q: Oh, that’s okay. (“NOT A PROB”)
P: Bye. (small laugh)
Q: Someone’s leaving?
P: Yeah, well they came in and now they’re leaving again.
Q: Oh okay. So, now I guess (“YOUR HU”) your husband Eddie is the family tree historian.
P: He’s a computer nut, okay?
Q: He is? Well, that comes in handy for a family historian.
P: We don’t have everything on the computer yet. I haven’t updated her part of it.
Q: I see. What about (“TTT”) — are you very knowledgeable about the family tree?
P: Some of it.
Q: Do you know anything about the Bells that lived in Nashville? (“LLL” “TENNES”) Around the (“NAMED”) Tennessee area?
P: No. The only Bells we knew (“POOR JAMES”) were Ada, Stratford and Coalgate. We were never in contact. (“WITH ANYBODY ELSE”)
Q: I mean — but on the family tree does it go back that far?
P: It goes back all the way to England or somewhere.
Q: Oh great. Okay.
P: She has that letter.
(TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL I THOUGHT SHE HAD SAID HE INSTEAD OF SHE.)
Q: Is he home now? (“THE BIBLE”)
P: No, he isn’t. (“NO”)
Q: Okay. Maybe I should call him back sometime.
P: But Maxine has that letter. (“RIGHT”)
Q: No, she said (“THAT SHE”) that she was still waiting for a few pages or for him to update it or something. (“YEAH WE’RE”)
P: We were putting her family in there. Hang on just a minute will you please?
Q: Okay. (pause)
( . . . )
P: . . . got a mobile phone here where I can walk. (“NOT”)
Q: Oh great. (“WE[LL]”) Well, anyway, it’s a long story. (“BUT UM” “O”)
P: Okay, I’m still here. I just hung up the other phone.
Q: Do you have the family tree in front of you anywhere or —
P: No, that’s where I’m going. (“NNN”) That’s why I had to grab this phone.
Q: I turned on my tape recorder too (“BE” “SO I COULD” “MORE FACTS”) so I can keep this information. (“OH BOY”) I’m calling from Los Angeles.
P: You’re writing a book?
Q: Yeah. (“IT’S CA” “WAIT”) Right. (“IT WILL” “UHH-UHH”) Well, I’m transcribing it, actually. It’s all based on interviews. So I believe I finished the first book. I might do a sequel. (“THAT YOU KNOW YYY”) I don’t know yet. (“BUT” “DO”) Are you (“FAMILIAR”) familiar with The Bell Witch? (“HHH”)
P: I didn’t know there was a Bell Witch. (“FR”)
Q: From the early 19th century — well, that’s just a name. It doesn’t mean anything. There was a similar poltergeist that interacted with a family named Bell that lived in Tennessee in the early 19th century. (“HITCHCOCK”)
P: That was in our family? (“WELL IT WAS IN THE”)
Q: Yeah. The Bell family.
P: Where did you find that? (“WELL”)
Q: Well, it’s common knowledge for people who know about poltergeists. I mean there’s — (“THERE’VE BEEN SE[VERAL]” “NOW WA”)
P: Now wait a minute. I’m not following you here. Did you say there was a witch? (“WELL THEY — THEY CALLED” “BELL FAMILY” “RIGHT”)
Q: There was a poltergeist which they called The Bell Witch.
P: Oh, okay. Not anything to do with a —
Q: No.
P: Okay. (“UNLESS”)
Q: Unless it was Michael, who is the Entity living (“YOU KNOW”) with Maxine. Basically. (“WITCH”)
P: I don’t remember any Michael. (“WELL”)
Q: Well, I mean her Entity.
P: Ohhh.
Q: Like on — you saw the special?
P: No, I didn’t. (“YOU DIDN’T SEE THE”)
Q: Well, anyway, they have this Entity living with them named Michael who probably is an angel. I mean (“THE EARTH”) that’s a better word I think than witch or poltergeist. (“ANYWAY”) Or alien. (“HUH”) But it’s interesting —
P: Oh, I’ve been hearing. I don’t know where to go with it. (“OH OKAY”)
Q: You have it in front of you? The family tree?
P: No, I (“OH”) brought up the program and I got to where I’m going to go with it.
Q: Oh, okay. (“DUH”) Fine.
P: You read different places you can go.
Q: Right. Well, anyway —
P: And he won’t be home for another hour or so. (“DOG” “J”) Let’s see. (“TALK TO” “DOUBLE”)
Q: Who is (“ON UM”) in the Bell family? Is it your side or your husband’s side?
P: Mine.
Q: Yours?
P: Um-huh.
Q: Wow.
P: (laughs) That’s why I —
Q: That’s quite a distinguished name. (“UH-HUH”) (pause) While I’m waiting, have you had any activity? Any paranormal activity?
P: No. Never.
Q: Not that you would know. (“ANYWAY”)
P: Oooooooh. (pause) (“WEIGH HEART”) (pause)
Q: If you want, I could just call your husband back.
P: I’ll add this.
Q: Okay. (“G” “POWELL”)
( . . . )
(“HAVE — HAVE YOU KNOWN”)
Q: Do you know Maxine very well or is she just —
P: I haven’t seen her in years. I knew her when I was younger and she was still married to my cousin, Carlton. She’s not actually my cousin.
Q: I went to his funeral.
P: Did you? I didn’t even know he’d died, okay?
Q: My goodness. Oh my gosh.
P: Isn’t that terrible? But I didn’t. I didn’t have any idea. (“FLORENCE”) That is fact. (“DISCLAIMER” “WELL IT’S”)
Q: At least (“IHH”) the family is continuing — he’s not the end of the family. (“SHE” “I MEAN”)
P: Yeah. (“D[O]”)
Q: Do you have kids and what-have-you?
P: I have (“TAPE” “OF IT” “TO[M]” “KEEPS ME” “FROM A” “TUSK”) two children
Q: What are their names?
P: Jason and Jeremy.
Q: Okay. Jason.
P: Uh-huh.
Q: What (“WHERE WOULD”) is the — but who gave you the incentive for that name? (“IS IT”) Just one you liked or — (“SWIMMING”)
P: His name is Jason Christopher and it’s just one I chose. I named my first child after my (“BIBLE”) father and my husband. And he died.
Q: Um-huh. (“ME”) And the other name’s a very religious name. (“DOCTOR”)
P: Well, see, Jason was a doctor in the Bible. (“GREAT MAN” “TOO MUCH”)
Q: They’re both Bible names.
P: Uh-huh. And then my next one is (“TOM”) Jeremy (“YOU SHOULD”) Allen. (“CLEAN UP” “UM-HUH”)
Q: Like Jeremiah.
P: Uh-huh.
Q: Right. (“NO”) Are you a Christian? (“HOUSE”)
P: I am. I am. (“AND MARK”)
Q: That makes —
P: All of us.
Q: Right. (“WRONG” “TTT” “NOT REALLY” “IF WE”) I guess I’m non-denominational Christian. (“ONCE” “BLAME US”)
P: It’s hard to relate with any religion in this day and time, I think.
Q: Well, especially when you look at it historically because — (“LIKE”) like for example in my family I have all these different (“SHOULD I”) people from Ireland and Scotland and Europe and who knows where. In fact, I also have — (“LIKE” “THE KI”) my mother’s original name was King — (“MY” “AND THAT’S”) And that’s possibly a Jewish name so I could have all these different — (“A”) mixture of all these different religions. So (“THAT’S RIGHT” “ANY JURY”) I just sort of look at God as love and (“JUST”) don’t worry too much about it (“DO YOU REALLY”) after that.
P: Uh-huh.
Q: I just read a very interesting book — (“WHICH ARE LIKE”) the lost writings of Mark Twain involving God and the angels. And it’s an absolute scream because it talks about how everyone wants to go to heaven so they can sing in heavenly choirs for etern(“ITY”)ity when most people can’t even stand to go to church for an hour a week.
P: Yeah. (“ZELIG”)
Q: So (“THE BLOOD”) it sort of said in the real heaven people have — angels can have sex for a century and all this — (“YOU KNOW IT STUCK” “DADA”) it’s hilarious. Sort of scary, though, too. (“BUT” “I MEAN”) This one particular letter I’m talking about was written by Satan. (“SO I DON’T”) I sort of take it with a grain of salt. But anyway —
P: That’s about the only way you can.
Q: Exactly. (“BUT”) Some of the things are very true like (“PROTECT”) it talked about God as being a very (“YEAH”) jealous God. (“AND HE”) Sort of petty.
P: Really? (“JUST A LITTLE BIT”) Golly.
Q: And that’s why He’s still mad at Adam and Eve. (“REALLY”) So that’s why (“YOU KNOW” “HE” “ALL”) there are all these diseases in the world and why the fly is His (“LIKE”) favorite little animal. Because He uses it to (“TO”) plague mankind. (“I MEAN IT’S”) It sort of (“VERY”) has a very ironic bite to it.
P: Yeah. (“BUT UM”)
Q: But I personally think that (“IF”) God is a God of love. So I think that this is just one aspect of the universal truth and not the only aspect. (“PAPA”)
P: Yeah.
Q: I think that God is probably like a split personality — (“SO HE HAS LIKE” “WHAT ELSE”) a little bit of good and evil in Him. (“AND WE” “JUST”) I just hope He’s in a good mood each morning. (“YEAH”) You know?
P: I don’t think that (“CALL YVONNE”) God has any evil in Him. I think that (“WE NEED” “QUESTION”) — that happen whenever — (“SHE’S GREAT” “MEET SOMEONE” “YOU NEEDED TO HANDLE HER LIKE SHEBA”) — Well, I did something I can’t get out of now. (laughs) (“BROTHER”)
Q: Okay. No rush. (“IT’S OKAY”) We’re all in something we can’t get out of right now. It’s called life. (“MAYBE START TAKING NOTES” “THIS ISN’T LIKE PAI GOW” “HE’LL BE PLEASED —”)
P: Anyway. (“— WON’T HE” “TELL ME”)
Q: What kind of computer do you have?
P: It’s a Packard-Bell. (“FORTY”)
Q: Oh, of course. Are you kidding? Bell — Packard-Bell.
P: (laughs) That didn’t have anything to do with it. (laughs)
Q: That’s what you think.
P: Oh, no, it didn’t. No, it didn’t. You may like to believe so but nope, I don’t.
Q: Well, (“I”) my local telephone service is (“DHH”) Pacific Bell. I didn’t really have much of a choice in that.
P: I know. Ours is (“SSS”) Southwestern Bell and AT&T.
Q: Well, it kind of makes you wonder. (pause) I hope you don’t have Windows.
P: I do.
Q: Oh, well, (“NO”) that’s why you’re having so many problems. (“SSUH”)
P: No, I’m having so many problems because I don’t know what I’m doing.
Q: Oh, okay. Should I call your husband back or —
P: Well, you can but —
Q: Okay, I’ll wait (“UH”) if you think you can get into the file. (“STARGATE”) I’m dying to ask. (“SMART LIE”)
P: (laughs)
Q: I want to see if there are any John Bells in the family.
P: Yes, there’s a John Franklin.
Q: John Franklin Bell? What year is that? (“YOU’LL KNOW”) Well, you — I’ll wait. (pause)
P: It didn’t want me to do that. (“THEY”)
( . . . )
Q: When I went to visit Maxine I flew into Oklahoma City Airport. (“WHAT DID”) What do you think of that horrible bombing that happened there?
P: It is horrible.
Q: Do you believe that they have (“THE”) the right culprits.
P: I have no idea. (“YEAH”) (pause)
( . . . )
P: . . . got to know how he does this.
Q: By the way, your last name is Watts?
P: That’s right.
Q: You know, there’s a character in the book Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor that has that name. Did you ever read that book?
P: What is it?
Q: Wise Blood.
P: No. (“LITTLE KID”) I don’t know what I’m doing here. He’s going to have to be here to tell you.
Q: Should I call back in an hour?
P: You certainly may. Your name again?
Q: Mark Russell Bell. Okay, I’ll call —
P: You don’t think that you’re any kin, huh?
Q: Well, I don’t know.
P: I’ve never seen either name in the family tree.
Q: I don’t know. (“I”)
P: But it’s not a complete family tree.
Q: I don’t think so; however, I think it might be — but there’s something very strange going on. And my family historian didn’t show up the last time she was supposed to.
P: (small laugh)
Q: So it’s possible. It might be — I also — I don’t know. (“THAT THERE’S” “EH”) It might be reincarnation or I might be close to the energy of someone named Bel. It’s a long, long story.
P: Really?
Q: But whenever you have (“NINJA”) supernatural Entities in the picture anything is possible.
P: Yeah. (“LIKE”)
Q: For example, there was this entity who lived in Egypt named Bel-Marduk. And it’s sort of close to my name. Reversed. So (“SHOCK” “MAYBE”) I think it has something to do with that. (“UH-HUH”) So maybe that’s the Bel in my family tree. Or maybe — who knows? (“MAYBE THEY’RE”) There are lots of Bells named Belle. There’s at least one Belle in my family tree.
P: Is that right?
Q: Yeah. (“NOT IN OU”)
P: Not in ours. Not that I’ve found, anyway.
Q: Right. (“ON YOUR FAMILY”)
P: Well, I’m even looking for the hard copy of that.
Q: Oh, okay. I’ll hang on a moment then. (“AT”)
P: At here — (“ON THE”) family — (pause)
( . . . )
Q: Okay, it starts out with Alexander Thomas Bell. And what year was that? (“AND TWO FIFTY”)
P: That looks like 1700. (“SO”)
Q: Okay. (“THIS”)
P: Handwritten, okay?
Q: Right. Oh, of course. (“SO”) Is it like an old parchtone paper?
P: Well, I have that somewhere.
Q: Okay. Well, I’m (“YOUR GRANDDAD” “CUR”) most curious about the early 19th century. (“DON’T SAY”)
P: Early 19th?
Q: Yeah. (“EBF”) Any (“REPE”) living in the state of Tennessee, especially?
P: A lot of them came from Tennessee.
Q: Right.
P: My daddy was born in North Carolina but I think the rest of them were in Tennessee. My daddy was born in 1900. (“WAS A BROWN HATCHET” “AND LEAD A”)
Q: What was his name? (“GIDEON” “FOUND THE HATCHET”)
P: His name was Andrew Wilson.
Q: Okay. (“TRY TO GIVE THEM THE POSTERS”)
P: His dad was John Franklin. (“UM-HUH”) Okay. There’s 1889. (“LOVELY” “HHH”) He was born in 1870 in Tennessee. (“NO F” “BIG CHANGE” “THE BOOK”) Cheyenne Spring County, Tennessee.
Q: Okay. And so who was his father?
P: His father? (“UM-HUH”) William Virgil Bell and Mary A. (“LOVELY”) Bell. (“TAKE”)
Q: And when was he born? William? (“HI” “GEE”)
P: You’re really taking me back, aren’t you? (“UM-HUH”)
Q: Yeah. (“HOW WOULD YOU HAVE DONE THAT” “SOMEONE SHE” “GAY”)
P: And see I never knew I was born after any — (“THE FORCE”) I mean named after anybody. (“IT’S ALL WRITTEN”)
Q: Um-huh. (“NOW CALL STANLEY” “HE”)
P: He was born in Green County, Tennessee on August 15, 1838. (“SINCE I” “WE” “TWO O’CLOCK” “WATCH OUT”)
Q: William. (“BATHSHEBA” “KAY”) Does it say who his parents were? (“NO”)
P: Son of John W. and Jane. (“ARDUOUS” “ME”)
Q: John W. and Jane. (“USE OUR PHONE” “YOU DO”) And when was John born? (“MAYA” “BECAUSE OF YOU”) Does it say?
P: He was born in Green County, Tennessee in 18?? and it leaves it blank. (“YEAH” “UH SHE’S A TOP PERFORMER”)
Q: I don’t think that’s the same one (“THE”) of the other Bell family. But it’s hard to say. Does it say who his sisters and brothers were? (“THERE WAS NONE” “OH WELL” “SON”)
P: Now you’re wanting to know which one’s sisters and brothers?
Q: Well, (“SAY HI”) John.
P: You want the John William?
Q: Yeah. (“NOT”) It’s that early period in the early 19th century that I’m most interested in.
P: It says “John W. Bell, Samuel C. Bell, (“IT WAS MAYBE A SON”) Luther M. Bell, Benjamin Franklin Bell, (“JOHN” “A P M”) Joseph Warren Bell, Jacob D. Bell, Leonidas F. Bell.
Q: I see. So this is a different family than the one I was — (“I’M”) that I’m especially interested in. (“BUT UM”) Does it have a lot of other Bells in your family tree? (“GO SEE ‘DEAD MAN'” “SON”)
P: If I could get into the tree I could tell you. But all that information was taken from this letter. (“TERMS”) This is Record of the Descendants of Alexander Thomas Bell.
Q: Right. And I know Maxine fits in there, too, somewhere. Her family.
P: Maxine was married to my cousin.
Q: Carlton.
P: Carlton. Okay? And, like I said, my dad was born in 1900. I was born in 1947. (“TOM”) He’s just (“IF YOU’D SEE”) a few months and forty-eight years older than me. (FORTY-FIVE YEARS OLD”)
Q: I know you were nice enough to send a few pages of the family tree already to Maxine and there were a few more, I guess, (“THAT YOU WERE — THAT”) you or your husband were going to send? (“ALLAH”)
P: Well, she said she was missing one page.
Q One page. I see. (“UM”)
P: And I’m not missing one page.
Q: You’re not. (“NOW”)
P: She got it from my niece in Ada.
Q: Could I ask you a favor and could I have you send me a copy directly? I think it’ll save time. (“MMM” “THE KING”)
P: Well, (“UH”) I tell you what —
Q: I’d be glad to reimburse you for any expenses or anything.
P: You’re sitting here and asking me to do something for a total stranger.
Q: Yeah.
P: I have no way of knowing you’re who you say you are.
Q: I might be a cousin. (“SON”) Well, I’ll tell you a little bit about —
P: (laughs)
Q: — myself.
P: I mean —
Q: I’d be glad to tell you a little bit about myself.
P: (laughs) And —
Q: And Maxine knows me. I went to Carlton’s funeral. (“GEE”)
P: Did you know her just through this?
Q: Well, what happened is (“WELL I — I’M”) I purchased the film (“UH-HUH”) and book option to (“HER”) the family story.
P: Uh-huh.
Q: So I’m working with them basically on the book. I mean I consider them family. (“YEAH”) Even though it remains to be seen if I do have a Bell in my family tree. But I’m a very nice guy. (“UMM”)
P: (small laugh)
Q: I live in Los Angeles. I volunteer at AIDS Project Los Angeles. (“TTT”) I used to be a publicist at Paramount Pictures. (“MA”)
P: You what with Paramount?
Q: I was a publicist. (“UHH”) I was the staff writer (“TRY HER”) and then I was freelance for a while. I worked on all kinds of — (“LIKE I DID A HUNDRED”) over a hundred movies; press kits, news releases, speeches and everything. If you saw a Paramount movie this summer, I probably did the press kit for it.
P: Huhh.
Q: Or, at least, a version of one.
P: I wouldn’t know. I may have seen one.
Q: Like “Braveheart” or “Clueless” or “Congo” or “The Brady Bunch Movie.”
P: No, I don’t go to movies very often at all.
Q: That makes two of us. At least now that I’m working on my book I don’t have much time to go to movies. (“IT”)
P: Well, I don’t know who Jesse Bell was either.
Q: Jesse? That’s a very interesting name because I think one of the sons in the family I’m especially interested in was named Jesse.
P: You keep saying the family you’re “interested in.” Is this your line?
Q: No, but see the same family — (“SEE”) the Entity that Maxine’s family has —
P: I don’t know.
Q: — is exactly like this poltergeist (“THAT”) this other Bell family had. (“HAVE YOU SEEN”)
P: Huhhh.
Q: In fact, it probably is the same — I’m sure it’s the same one. (“YEAH”) So —
P: I understood it was there before they moved in.
Q: Well, it would have been.
P: That’s what I understand.
Q: Well, of course. (“BECA”) If He was with the other Bell family —
P: But this doesn’t have anything to do with them.
Q: Well, that’s what my book is about. (“YEAH”) It reveals the secrets. You know, it’s like a great mystery/adventure. (“AND”) I mean it would be too much (“IF IF”) if I were to tell you (“UH-HUH”) even part of the truth. (“YOU WOULD JUST”) You would not believe it.
P: Well, you might be surprised. (“BUT”)
Q: Well, let’s say — (“THE”) the Bell has a very religious, symbolic meaning.
P: Well, let’s put it this way, okay? I named my first baby after my father, okay?
Q: Right.
P: And he died when he was two weeks old. From complications — oh, well, the hole in his heart didn’t close at birth, okay?
Q: Oh dear.
P: And I have two nephews (“SSS”) that are named after — one of them’s named after my father; one of them’s named after my father’s father. And one of them had severe problems at birth. Almost died. The other one has had some severe ear problems. So everyone I know that was named after my father or his family has had health problems.
Q: And your father’s name (“ALL BUT FOUR HAVE DIED”) was John?
P: Huh?
Q: What was your father’s name again?
P: My father’s name was Andrew Weldon. (“OKAY”)
Q: Well, that’s good. (“BECAUSE THE — THE”) The John in the original family that I’m talking about — the Entity killed him. (“MMM”)
P: Let’s see. I have a nephew named John — (“UM-HUH”)
Q: How’s his health?
P: — named after my grandfather. He has severe ear problems. And then Weldon, who was named after my dad, had all kinds of problems. He was the one who almost died at birth.
Q: But I’m glad he actually didn’t. (“BEETLE”) I think it’ll be worth your while to cooperate with me because (“UH-HUH”) it can’t hurt. You know? Did you hear (“YEAH”) any weird bleeping noises?
P: Do I hear what?
Q: I’m hearing all these weird bleeping noises on my — I don’t know if it’s because I’m taping this call or not but —
P: I think it’s your tape recorder.
Q: Okay. Yeah. (“WAS IT”)
P: And I’m moving around too so that (“SEE”) —
Q: It might be because I’m running out of tape on this side.
P: Can you blame me for being skeptical? (“WHY”)
Q: No — (“BUT”) skeptical about what? (“THE RING”)
P: About sending you anything.
Q: Oh, well —
P: I will tell you this. I’ll — (“I WILL LEAVE THOUGHT”) to my husband first.
Q: Okay, fine, or you know what — (“OR”) well, see, Maxine was going originally to send me a copy. And (“WAIT HOLD ON LET ME”) I’m sure it would happen — if you sent a copy of the missing page to Maxine, she’ll forward the entire letter to me.
(TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: I FINALLY RECEIVED FROM MAXINE FOUR PAGES OF THE FIVE-PAGE ANCESTRAL DOCUMENT ON SATURDAY, MAY 11TH — THE SAME EVENING THAT I FINISHED TRANSCRIBING THIS TAPE SIDE AT 1:45 A.M. [MAY 12TH].)
(“OKAY” “WHAT”)
Q: Okay, I think it’s working. By the way, will you transfer — what is the name of your receptionist?
B: Kim.
Q: Kim. And her last name?
B: Oh God. (“MONEY”)
Q: Okay, well transfer me —
B: I think it’s Blumer.
Q: Transfer me over to her real quick.
B: Ask for Kim, okay?
Q: Okay.
K: Front desk.
Q: Hello, Kim?
K: Yeah?
Q: Hi, Kim. This is Mark Russell.
K: Oh, hi. One moment, okay?
Q: Okay. (pause)
K: Hi.
Q: Hi, I’m just making real quick notes for my book because of yesterday. Do you remember the name that you heard (“WHEN”) when we were talking?
K: Yeah.
Q: What was it?
K: Anthony.
Q: Anthony? Because I’m trying to figure — you know, I think you’re one of those rare individuals that my Entity has actually spoken to. (“BLUNT”) I mean He doesn’t do that very often. (“BUT”) And so usually the name means something.
K: But when you left, there were two hang-ups.
Q: Oh, okay. (“WE[LL]”) Well, that — you never know? Right?
K: Yeah. (“BUT UM”)
Q: So — (“BU[T]”)
K: But it hasn’t happened. (“BUT”)
Q: Right. Well, that happens a lot to me. (“I GET”) I got three hang-ups today on the Southern California HIV/AIDS Hotline (“YEAH”) where I volunteer. (“JUST LIKE”)
K: Like when you and your brother walked around the corner —
Q: Yeah. (“OH”)
K: You know, it just — (“UH IT EHHH”) you know, I, — (“GET THIS”) you know, I said “Rogers and Cowan” and it went click. (“YEAH”) And that was so bizarre. (“SO IT” “NO”)
Q: It’s either the Entity or the CIA. (“UH-HUH” “BUT”) Anyway, it’s a long story. (“NO”)
K: Yeah. (“BUT” “BECAUSE I DON’T TAKE”) You know. (“BUT” “I DON’T TAKE IT” “NO”) Your last name — is it Blumer?
K: Oh no no no. It’s Cline. (“ADD”)
Q: Well, if you figure out who Anthony is, let me know.
K: It was probably someone I met that day. That I remember. (“DID YOU”)
Q: Do you remember someone that you met that day?
K: Uh-huh. (“WEDNESDAY” “WHO”)
Q: Well, where did you meet him?
K: Uhh — (“DHH”) in Century City.
Q: Did you like him? (“NO”)
K: No.
Q: Isn’t that strange? Is he single or married? (“CALL” “ME”)
K: The latter. Divorced —
Q: Oh, okay. It’s just strange.
K: — separated or whatever.
Q: Uh-oh. (“OOO” “CAUSE”) Because Michael likes to play matchmaker.
K: Oh really?
Q: Yeah. (“UM-HUH”) You just never know, do you?
K: Yeah. But —
Q: You never know.
K: — I know because I had forgotten. You know. And then to, I guess, Tony (“SHAW” “SHH”) is a nickname for Anthony or whatever or whomever.
Q: Oh, you’re on a nickname basis — you’re calling him Tony now. Let me know if you start dating him.
K: Never.
Q: Really? What does he do?
K: Hold on, alright?
Q: Okay. (pause)
K: Okay.
Q: Well, maybe it’s another Anthony, but — (“IF IF SOME IF SOME”)
K: I’m sorry I put you on hold.
Q: — if you meet somebody important to you named Anthony.
K: Uh-huh. (“OR IF YOU SSS”)
Q: If you, you know — let me know.
K: Okay, I will.
Q: Because that name means something.
K: Okay. It does?
Q: Okay. (“MINNETTE”) What?
K: Why? How do you know? (“IT COULD BE”) Because (“E”) I’m curious.
Q: The entity will only say, like, one word.
K: Yeah. (“AND”)
Q: To choose one name out of all the hundreds that are out there —
Q: — it must have significance to you And I didn’t hear Him say it. (“SO”) So the word was obviously meaningful to you —
K: Right.
Q: — and not to me.
K: So it — (“SO”) so you say it’s significant, right?
Q: Well, it could be — I mean you just never know.
K: Uh-huh. I just went, “Not that I’m aware.” (“DID”)
Q: Did the voice sound like mine or different?
K: I didn’t pay attention.
Q: Right. (“I DID THE SAME THING”) That’s what happens.
K: Yeah. (“YEAH”)
Q: Okay, well let me know. (“I’LL SEE YOU”) The next time I come in I’ll say hello and you can tell me then.
K: Okay, you want me to switch you over to —
Q: No, that’s okay.
K: Okay.
Q: Okay, bye.
K: Bye.
(TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INTERVIEW IS WITH PEGGY WATTS. AFTER WAITING SEVERAL MONTHS TO RECEIVE BELL ANCESTRY INFORMATION, I ASKED MAXINE IF I COULD GET IN TOUCH DIRECTLY WITH THE RELATIVE FROM WHOM SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO GET THE INFORMATION AND MAXINE GAVE ME THE PHONE NUMBER. I BEGAN TRANSCRIBING THIS INTERVIEW TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1996.)
P: Hello?
Q: Hello, Peggy?
P: Yeah.
Q: Hi, this is Mark Russell Bell. Maxine Mc Wethy referred me to call you. (“DO”) Do you know about me? (“I’M” “YEAH” “I’M”) I’m writing a book about her experiences with Michael.
P: Now, wait a minute. Who are you (“WHA”) talking about?
Q: Maxine Mc Wethy.
P: My cousin.
Q: Right. (“TTT”)
P: Okay. (“RIGHT”) Uh-huh. (“YEAH”)
Q: Anyway, I’m writing —
P: I knew her as Maxine Bell forever, okay?
Q: Okay. Right. Exactly.
P: And how — are you related?
Q: I don’t know.
P: To Bell? (“I’M TRYING TO”)
Q: I’m trying to figure it out. I don’t think so. (“BUT IT’S”) It’s a long story. You know about Michael, right? Their Entity?
P: Who? (“YOU KNOW”)
Q: The Entity that’s living with Maxine?
P: No.
Q: You don’t? (“OH”) You didn’t see that special? (“SSS”) “Ghosts, Psychics, Mediums: Put To The Test.”
P: Oh yeah.
Q: You saw that?
P: Well, she told me about it.
Q: Right, okay. (“WELL”) Anyway, it’s a long story but I pretty much finished my first book (“NOT TRUE”) about the Entity known as Michael who is also — (“UH”) I’m also a focus for His activities. (“SSS”) So I’m writing a book about it and that’s why she — I guess she called —has been in contact with you about getting the Bell family tree.
P: Uh-huh. (“IN FACT I’M”)
Q: Can I make notes about this (“FOR THIS CONVERSATION”) for my book? You don’t mind, do you?
P: Well, what is it you’re wanting from me?
Q: Just some information (“ON THE BELL”) on that Bell family tree that she had asked about.
P: Okay.
Q: Nothing specific. (“I MEAN I”) Just conversationally. Anyway, —
P: Hang on just a moment.
Q: Okay. (pause) (“RU” “BAD BUDGETS” “BEL-MARDUK” “NO” “SHE WOULD” “LOVE YOU” “THE LORD”)
P: Okay, I’m sorry.
Q: Oh, that’s okay. (“NOT A PROB”)
P: Bye. (small laugh)
Q: Someone’s leaving?
P: Yeah, well they came in and now they’re leaving again.
Q: Oh okay. So, now I guess (“YOUR HU”) your husband Eddie is the family tree historian.
P: He’s a computer nut, okay?
Q: He is? Well, that comes in handy for a family historian.
P: We don’t have everything on the computer yet. I haven’t updated her part of it.
Q: I see. What about (“TTT”) — are you very knowledgeable about the family tree?
P: Some of it.
Q: Do you know anything about the Bells that lived in Nashville? (“LLL” “TENNES”) Around the (“NAMED”) Tennessee area?
P: No. The only Bells we knew (“POOR JAMES”) were Ada, Stratford and Coalgate. We were never in contact. (“WITH ANYBODY ELSE”)
Q: I mean — but on the family tree does it go back that far?
P: It goes back all the way to England or somewhere.
Q: Oh great. Okay.
P: She has that letter.
(TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL I THOUGHT SHE HAD SAID HE INSTEAD OF SHE.)
Q: Is he home now? (“THE BIBLE”)
P: No, he isn’t. (“NO”)
Q: Okay. Maybe I should call him back sometime.
P: But Maxine has that letter. (“RIGHT”)
Q: No, she said (“THAT SHE”) that she was still waiting for a few pages or for him to update it or something. (“YEAH WE’RE”)
P: We were putting her family in there. Hang on just a minute will you please?
Q: Okay. (pause)
( . . . )
P: . . . got a mobile phone here where I can walk. (“NOT”)
Q: Oh great. (“WE[LL]”) Well, anyway, it’s a long story. (“BUT UM” “O”)
P: Okay, I’m still here. I just hung up the other phone.
Q: Do you have the family tree in front of you anywhere or —
P: No, that’s where I’m going. (“NNN”) That’s why I had to grab this phone.
Q: I turned on my tape recorder too (“BE” “SO I COULD” “MORE FACTS”) so I can keep this information. (“OH BOY”) I’m calling from Los Angeles.
P: You’re writing a book?
Q: Yeah. (“IT’S CA” “WAIT”) Right. (“IT WILL” “UHH-UHH”) Well, I’m transcribing it, actually. It’s all based on interviews. So I believe I finished the first book. I might do a sequel. (“THAT YOU KNOW YYY”) I don’t know yet. (“BUT” “DO”) Are you (“FAMILIAR”) familiar with The Bell Witch? (“HHH”)
P: I didn’t know there was a Bell Witch. (“FR”)
Q: From the early 19th century — well, that’s just a name. It doesn’t mean anything. There was a similar poltergeist that interacted with a family named Bell that lived in Tennessee in the early 19th century. (“HITCHCOCK”)
P: That was in our family? (“WELL IT WAS IN THE”)
Q: Yeah. The Bell family.
P: Where did you find that? (“WELL”)
Q: Well, it’s common knowledge for people who know about poltergeists. I mean there’s — (“THERE’VE BEEN SE[VERAL]” “NOW WA”)
P: Now wait a minute. I’m not following you here. Did you say there was a witch? (“WELL THEY — THEY CALLED” “BELL FAMILY” “RIGHT”)
Q: There was a poltergeist which they called The Bell Witch.
P: Oh, okay. Not anything to do with a —
Q: No.
P: Okay. (“UNLESS”)
Q: Unless it was Michael, who is the Entity living (“YOU KNOW”) with Maxine. Basically. (“WITCH”)
P: I don’t remember any Michael. (“WELL”)
Q: Well, I mean her Entity.
P: Ohhh.
Q: Like on — you saw the special?
P: No, I didn’t. (“YOU DIDN’T SEE THE”)
Q: Well, anyway, they have this Entity living with them named Michael who probably is an angel. I mean (“THE EARTH”) that’s a better word I think than witch or poltergeist. (“ANYWAY”) Or alien. (“HUH”) But it’s interesting —
P: Oh, I’ve been hearing. I don’t know where to go with it. (“OH OKAY”)
Q: You have it in front of you? The family tree?
P: No, I (“OH”) brought up the program and I got to where I’m going to go with it.
Q: Oh, okay. (“DUH”) Fine.
P: You read different places you can go.
Q: Right. Well, anyway —
P: And he won’t be home for another hour or so. (“DOG” “J”) Let’s see. (“TALK TO” “DOUBLE”)
Q: Who is (“ON UM”) in the Bell family? Is it your side or your husband’s side?
P: Mine.
Q: Yours?
P: Um-huh.
Q: Wow.
P: (laughs) That’s why I —
Q: That’s quite a distinguished name. (“UH-HUH”) (pause) While I’m waiting, have you had any activity? Any paranormal activity?
P: No. Never.
Q: Not that you would know. (“ANYWAY”)
P: Oooooooh. (pause) (“WEIGH HEART”) (pause)
Q: If you want, I could just call your husband back.
P: I’ll add this.
Q: Okay. (“G” “POWELL”)
( . . . )
(“HAVE — HAVE YOU KNOWN”)
Q: Do you know Maxine very well or is she just —
P: I haven’t seen her in years. I knew her when I was younger and she was still married to my cousin, Carlton. She’s not actually my cousin.
Q: I went to his funeral.
P: Did you? I didn’t even know he’d died, okay?
Q: My goodness. Oh my gosh.
P: Isn’t that terrible? But I didn’t. I didn’t have any idea. (“FLORENCE”) That is fact. (“DISCLAIMER” “WELL IT’S”)
Q: At least (“IHH”) the family is continuing — he’s not the end of the family. (“SHE” “I MEAN”)
P: Yeah. (“D[O]”)
Q: Do you have kids and what-have-you?
P: I have (“TAPE” “OF IT” “TO[M]” “KEEPS ME” “FROM A” “TUSK”) two children
Q: What are their names?
P: Jason and Jeremy.
Q: Okay. Jason.
P: Uh-huh.
Q: What (“WHERE WOULD”) is the — but who gave you the incentive for that name? (“IS IT”) Just one you liked or — (“SWIMMING”)
P: His name is Jason Christopher and it’s just one I chose. I named my first child after my (“BIBLE”) father and my husband. And he died.
Q: Um-huh. (“ME”) And the other name’s a very religious name. (“DOCTOR”)
P: Well, see, Jason was a doctor in the Bible. (“GREAT MAN” “TOO MUCH”)
Q: They’re both Bible names.
P: Uh-huh. And then my next one is (“TOM”) Jeremy (“YOU SHOULD”) Allen. (“CLEAN UP” “UM-HUH”)
Q: Like Jeremiah.
P: Uh-huh.
Q: Right. (“NO”) Are you a Christian? (“HOUSE”)
P: I am. I am. (“AND MARK”)
Q: That makes —
P: All of us.
Q: Right. (“WRONG” “TTT” “NOT REALLY” “IF WE”) I guess I’m non-denominational Christian. (“ONCE” “BLAME US”)
P: It’s hard to relate with any religion in this day and time, I think.
Q: Well, especially when you look at it historically because — (“LIKE”) like for example in my family I have all these different (“SHOULD I”) people from Ireland and Scotland and Europe and who knows where. In fact, I also have — (“LIKE” “THE KI”) my mother’s original name was King — (“MY” “AND THAT’S”) And that’s possibly a Jewish name so I could have all these different — (“A”) mixture of all these different religions. So (“THAT’S RIGHT” “ANY JURY”) I just sort of look at God as love and (“JUST”) don’t worry too much about it (“DO YOU REALLY”) after that.
P: Uh-huh.
Q: I just read a very interesting book — (“WHICH ARE LIKE”) the lost writings of Mark Twain involving God and the angels. And it’s an absolute scream because it talks about how everyone wants to go to heaven so they can sing in heavenly choirs for etern(“ITY”)ity when most people can’t even stand to go to church for an hour a week.
P: Yeah. (“ZELIG”)
Q: So (“THE BLOOD”) it sort of said in the real heaven people have — angels can have sex for a century and all this — (“YOU KNOW IT STUCK” “DADA”) it’s hilarious. Sort of scary, though, too. (“BUT” “I MEAN”) This one particular letter I’m talking about was written by Satan. (“SO I DON’T”) I sort of take it with a grain of salt. But anyway —
P: That’s about the only way you can.
Q: Exactly. (“BUT”) Some of the things are very true like (“PROTECT”) it talked about God as being a very (“YEAH”) jealous God. (“AND HE”) Sort of petty.
P: Really? (“JUST A LITTLE BIT”) Golly.
Q: And that’s why He’s still mad at Adam and Eve. (“REALLY”) So that’s why (“YOU KNOW” “HE” “ALL”) there are all these diseases in the world and why the fly is His (“LIKE”) favorite little animal. Because He uses it to (“TO”) plague mankind. (“I MEAN IT’S”) It sort of (“VERY”) has a very ironic bite to it.
P: Yeah. (“BUT UM”)
Q: But I personally think that (“IF”) God is a God of love. So I think that this is just one aspect of the universal truth and not the only aspect. (“PAPA”)
P: Yeah.
Q: I think that God is probably like a split personality — (“SO HE HAS LIKE” “WHAT ELSE”) a little bit of good and evil in Him. (“AND WE” “JUST”) I just hope He’s in a good mood each morning. (“YEAH”) You know?
P: I don’t think that (“CALL YVONNE”) God has any evil in Him. I think that (“WE NEED” “QUESTION”) — that happen whenever — (“SHE’S GREAT” “MEET SOMEONE” “YOU NEEDED TO HANDLE HER LIKE SHEBA”) — Well, I did something I can’t get out of now. (laughs) (“BROTHER”)
Q: Okay. No rush. (“IT’S OKAY”) We’re all in something we can’t get out of right now. It’s called life. (“MAYBE START TAKING NOTES” “THIS ISN’T LIKE PAI GOW” “HE’LL BE PLEASED —”)
P: Anyway. (“— WON’T HE” “TELL ME”)
Q: What kind of computer do you have?
P: It’s a Packard-Bell. (“FORTY”)
Q: Oh, of course. Are you kidding? Bell — Packard-Bell.
P: (laughs) That didn’t have anything to do with it. (laughs)
Q: That’s what you think.
P: Oh, no, it didn’t. No, it didn’t. You may like to believe so but nope, I don’t.
Q: Well, (“I”) my local telephone service is (“DHH”) Pacific Bell. I didn’t really have much of a choice in that.
P: I know. Ours is (“SSS”) Southwestern Bell and AT&T.
Q: Well, it kind of makes you wonder. (pause) I hope you don’t have Windows.
P: I do.
Q: Oh, well, (“NO”) that’s why you’re having so many problems. (“SSUH”)
P: No, I’m having so many problems because I don’t know what I’m doing.
Q: Oh, okay. Should I call your husband back or —
P: Well, you can but —
Q: Okay, I’ll wait (“UH”) if you think you can get into the file. (“STARGATE”) I’m dying to ask. (“SMART LIE”)
P: (laughs)
Q: I want to see if there are any John Bells in the family.
P: Yes, there’s a John Franklin.
Q: John Franklin Bell? What year is that? (“YOU’LL KNOW”) Well, you — I’ll wait. (pause)
P: It didn’t want me to do that. (“THEY”)
( . . . )
Q: When I went to visit Maxine I flew into Oklahoma City Airport. (“WHAT DID”) What do you think of that horrible bombing that happened there?
P: It is horrible.
Q: Do you believe that they have (“THE”) the right culprits.
P: I have no idea. (“YEAH”) (pause)
( . . . )
P: . . . got to know how he does this.
Q: By the way, your last name is Watts?
P: That’s right.
Q: You know, there’s a character in the book Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor that has that name. Did you ever read that book?
P: What is it?
Q: Wise Blood.
P: No. (“LITTLE KID”) I don’t know what I’m doing here. He’s going to have to be here to tell you.
Q: Should I call back in an hour?
P: You certainly may. Your name again?
Q: Mark Russell Bell. Okay, I’ll call —
P: You don’t think that you’re any kin, huh?
Q: Well, I don’t know.
P: I’ve never seen either name in the family tree.
Q: I don’t know. (“I”)
P: But it’s not a complete family tree.
Q: I don’t think so; however, I think it might be — but there’s something very strange going on. And my family historian didn’t show up the last time she was supposed to.
P: (small laugh)
Q: So it’s possible. It might be — I also — I don’t know. (“THAT THERE’S” “EH”) It might be reincarnation or I might be close to the energy of someone named Bel. It’s a long, long story.
P: Really?
Q: But whenever you have (“NINJA”) supernatural Entities in the picture anything is possible.
P: Yeah. (“LIKE”)
Q: For example, there was this entity who lived in Egypt named Bel-Marduk. And it’s sort of close to my name. Reversed. So (“SHOCK” “MAYBE”) I think it has something to do with that. (“UH-HUH”) So maybe that’s the Bel in my family tree. Or maybe — who knows? (“MAYBE THEY’RE”) There are lots of Bells named Belle. There’s at least one Belle in my family tree.
P: Is that right?
Q: Yeah. (“NOT IN OU”)
P: Not in ours. Not that I’ve found, anyway.
Q: Right. (“ON YOUR FAMILY”)
P: Well, I’m even looking for the hard copy of that.
Q: Oh, okay. I’ll hang on a moment then. (“AT”)
P: At here — (“ON THE”) family — (pause)
( . . . )
Q: Okay, it starts out with Alexander Thomas Bell. And what year was that? (“AND TWO FIFTY”)
P: That looks like 1700. (“SO”)
Q: Okay. (“THIS”)
P: Handwritten, okay?
Q: Right. Oh, of course. (“SO”) Is it like an old parchtone paper?
P: Well, I have that somewhere.
Q: Okay. Well, I’m (“YOUR GRANDDAD” “CUR”) most curious about the early 19th century. (“DON’T SAY”)
P: Early 19th?
Q: Yeah. (“EBF”) Any (“REPE”) living in the state of Tennessee, especially?
P: A lot of them came from Tennessee.
Q: Right.
P: My daddy was born in North Carolina but I think the rest of them were in Tennessee. My daddy was born in 1900. (“WAS A BROWN HATCHET” “AND LEAD A”)
Q: What was his name? (“GIDEON” “FOUND THE HATCHET”)
P: His name was Andrew Wilson.
Q: Okay. (“TRY TO GIVE THEM THE POSTERS”)
P: His dad was John Franklin. (“UM-HUH”) Okay. There’s 1889. (“LOVELY” “HHH”) He was born in 1870 in Tennessee. (“NO F” “BIG CHANGE” “THE BOOK”) Cheyenne Spring County, Tennessee.
Q: Okay. And so who was his father?
P: His father? (“UM-HUH”) William Virgil Bell and Mary A. (“LOVELY”) Bell. (“TAKE”)
Q: And when was he born? William? (“HI” “GEE”)
P: You’re really taking me back, aren’t you? (“UM-HUH”)
Q: Yeah. (“HOW WOULD YOU HAVE DONE THAT” “SOMEONE SHE” “GAY”)
P: And see I never knew I was born after any — (“THE FORCE”) I mean named after anybody. (“IT’S ALL WRITTEN”)
Q: Um-huh. (“NOW CALL STANLEY” “HE”)
P: He was born in Green County, Tennessee on August 15, 1838. (“SINCE I” “WE” “TWO O’CLOCK” “WATCH OUT”)
Q: William. (“BATHSHEBA” “KAY”) Does it say who his parents were? (“NO”)
P: Son of John W. and Jane. (“ARDUOUS” “ME”)
Q: John W. and Jane. (“USE OUR PHONE” “YOU DO”) And when was John born? (“MAYA” “BECAUSE OF YOU”) Does it say?
P: He was born in Green County, Tennessee in 18?? and it leaves it blank. (“YEAH” “UH SHE’S A TOP PERFORMER”)
Q: I don’t think that’s the same one (“THE”) of the other Bell family. But it’s hard to say. Does it say who his sisters and brothers were? (“THERE WAS NONE” “OH WELL” “SON”)
P: Now you’re wanting to know which one’s sisters and brothers?
Q: Well, (“SAY HI”) John.
P: You want the John William?
Q: Yeah. (“NOT”) It’s that early period in the early 19th century that I’m most interested in.
P: It says “John W. Bell, Samuel C. Bell, (“IT WAS MAYBE A SON”) Luther M. Bell, Benjamin Franklin Bell, (“JOHN” “A P M”) Joseph Warren Bell, Jacob D. Bell, Leonidas F. Bell.
Q: I see. So this is a different family than the one I was — (“I’M”) that I’m especially interested in. (“BUT UM”) Does it have a lot of other Bells in your family tree? (“GO SEE ‘DEAD MAN'” “SON”)
P: If I could get into the tree I could tell you. But all that information was taken from this letter. (“TERMS”) This is Record of the Descendants of Alexander Thomas Bell.
Q: Right. And I know Maxine fits in there, too, somewhere. Her family.
P: Maxine was married to my cousin.
Q: Carlton.
P: Carlton. Okay? And, like I said, my dad was born in 1900. I was born in 1947. (“TOM”) He’s just (“IF YOU’D SEE”) a few months and forty-eight years older than me. (FORTY-FIVE YEARS OLD”)
Q: I know you were nice enough to send a few pages of the family tree already to Maxine and there were a few more, I guess, (“THAT YOU WERE — THAT”) you or your husband were going to send? (“ALLAH”)
P: Well, she said she was missing one page.
Q One page. I see. (“UM”)
P: And I’m not missing one page.
Q: You’re not. (“NOW”)
P: She got it from my niece in Ada.
Q: Could I ask you a favor and could I have you send me a copy directly? I think it’ll save time. (“MMM” “THE KING”)
P: Well, (“UH”) I tell you what —
Q: I’d be glad to reimburse you for any expenses or anything.
P: You’re sitting here and asking me to do something for a total stranger.
Q: Yeah.
P: I have no way of knowing you’re who you say you are.
Q: I might be a cousin. (“SON”) Well, I’ll tell you a little bit about —
P: (laughs)
Q: — myself.
P: I mean —
Q: I’d be glad to tell you a little bit about myself.
P: (laughs) And —
Q: And Maxine knows me. I went to Carlton’s funeral. (“GEE”)
P: Did you know her just through this?
Q: Well, what happened is (“WELL I — I’M”) I purchased the film (“UH-HUH”) and book option to (“HER”) the family story.
P: Uh-huh.
Q: So I’m working with them basically on the book. I mean I consider them family. (“YEAH”) Even though it remains to be seen if I do have a Bell in my family tree. But I’m a very nice guy. (“UMM”)
P: (small laugh)
Q: I live in Los Angeles. I volunteer at AIDS Project Los Angeles. (“TTT”) I used to be a publicist at Paramount Pictures. (“MA”)
P: You what with Paramount?
Q: I was a publicist. (“UHH”) I was the staff writer (“TRY HER”) and then I was freelance for a while. I worked on all kinds of — (“LIKE I DID A HUNDRED”) over a hundred movies; press kits, news releases, speeches and everything. If you saw a Paramount movie this summer, I probably did the press kit for it.
P: Huhh.
Q: Or, at least, a version of one.
P: I wouldn’t know. I may have seen one.
Q: Like “Braveheart” or “Clueless” or “Congo” or “The Brady Bunch Movie.”
P: No, I don’t go to movies very often at all.
Q: That makes two of us. At least now that I’m working on my book I don’t have much time to go to movies. (“IT”)
P: Well, I don’t know who Jesse Bell was either.
Q: Jesse? That’s a very interesting name because I think one of the sons in the family I’m especially interested in was named Jesse.
P: You keep saying the family you’re “interested in.” Is this your line?
Q: No, but see the same family — (“SEE”) the Entity that Maxine’s family has —
P: I don’t know.
Q: — is exactly like this poltergeist (“THAT”) this other Bell family had. (“HAVE YOU SEEN”)
P: Huhhh.
Q: In fact, it probably is the same — I’m sure it’s the same one. (“YEAH”) So —
P: I understood it was there before they moved in.
Q: Well, it would have been.
P: That’s what I understand.
Q: Well, of course. (“BECA”) If He was with the other Bell family —
P: But this doesn’t have anything to do with them.
Q: Well, that’s what my book is about. (“YEAH”) It reveals the secrets. You know, it’s like a great mystery/adventure. (“AND”) I mean it would be too much (“IF IF”) if I were to tell you (“UH-HUH”) even part of the truth. (“YOU WOULD JUST”) You would not believe it.
P: Well, you might be surprised. (“BUT”)
Q: Well, let’s say — (“THE”) the Bell has a very religious, symbolic meaning.
P: Well, let’s put it this way, okay? I named my first baby after my father, okay?
Q: Right.
P: And he died when he was two weeks old. From complications — oh, well, the hole in his heart didn’t close at birth, okay?
Q: Oh dear.
P: And I have two nephews (“SSS”) that are named after — one of them’s named after my father; one of them’s named after my father’s father. And one of them had severe problems at birth. Almost died. The other one has had some severe ear problems. So everyone I know that was named after my father or his family has had health problems.
Q: And your father’s name (“ALL BUT FOUR HAVE DIED”) was John?
P: Huh?
Q: What was your father’s name again?
P: My father’s name was Andrew Weldon. (“OKAY”)
Q: Well, that’s good. (“BECAUSE THE — THE”) The John in the original family that I’m talking about — the Entity killed him. (“MMM”)
P: Let’s see. I have a nephew named John — (“UM-HUH”)
Q: How’s his health?
P: — named after my grandfather. He has severe ear problems. And then Weldon, who was named after my dad, had all kinds of problems. He was the one who almost died at birth.
Q: But I’m glad he actually didn’t. (“BEETLE”) I think it’ll be worth your while to cooperate with me because (“UH-HUH”) it can’t hurt. You know? Did you hear (“YEAH”) any weird bleeping noises?
P: Do I hear what?
Q: I’m hearing all these weird bleeping noises on my — I don’t know if it’s because I’m taping this call or not but —
P: I think it’s your tape recorder.
Q: Okay. Yeah. (“WAS IT”)
P: And I’m moving around too so that (“SEE”) —
Q: It might be because I’m running out of tape on this side.
P: Can you blame me for being skeptical? (“WHY”)
Q: No — (“BUT”) skeptical about what? (“THE RING”)
P: About sending you anything.
Q: Oh, well —
P: I will tell you this. I’ll — (“I WILL LEAVE THOUGHT”) to my husband first.
Q: Okay, fine, or you know what — (“OR”) well, see, Maxine was going originally to send me a copy. And (“WAIT HOLD ON LET ME”) I’m sure it would happen — if you sent a copy of the missing page to Maxine, she’ll forward the entire letter to me.
(TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: I FINALLY RECEIVED FROM MAXINE FOUR PAGES OF THE FIVE-PAGE ANCESTRAL DOCUMENT ON SATURDAY, MAY 11TH — THE SAME EVENING THAT I FINISHED TRANSCRIBING THIS TAPE SIDE AT 1:45 A.M. [MAY 12TH].)
