The Bloody Feud of the Hatfields and McCoys – Legends of America
The saga of the Hatfields and McCoys, two families locked in a decades-long feud, is a story deeply embedded in American folklore. Rooted in the tumultuous years of the Civil War, this legendary conflict unfolded in the rugged Appalachian Mountains, along the border that divides West Virginia and Kentucky. Spanning from 1863 to 1891, the bloody feud captured the nation’s attention, stirring up generations of resentment, and drawing in not only local law enforcement but also the intervention of state governors and even the Supreme Court.
To truly understand this enduring tale of animosity, it’s essential to delve into the details of the families themselves, the landscape they inhabited, and the historical backdrop that set the stage for their bitter rivalry.
The Setting: Tug Fork and the Appalachian Divide
Imagine the rugged terrain of the Appalachian Mountains, a landscape of dense forests, steep hills, and winding rivers. This is where the story of the Hatfields and McCoys unfolded. The Tug Fork, a tributary of the Big Sandy River, served as a natural dividing line between the two families. On the West Virginia side, in present-day Mingo County (formerly part of Logan County), lived the Hatfields. Across the river, in Pike County, Kentucky, resided the McCoys.
This geographical separation played a significant role in shaping the dynamics of the feud. The river not only marked a physical boundary but also symbolized the differences in the families’ economic and social standing.
The Hatfields: Wealth and Political Influence
The Hatfields, led by the imposing figure of William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield, were generally considered the more affluent and politically connected of the two families. Devil Anse, a shrewd businessman, amassed wealth through his timbering operations, providing employment for dozens of men, including some McCoys.
The Hatfield family’s influence extended beyond their financial success. They were known for their political connections, which often gave them an advantage in legal disputes and local affairs. This disparity in power would become a key factor in the escalating tensions between the families.
The McCoys: A Family of Farmers and Moonshiners
In contrast to the Hatfields, the McCoys, under the leadership of Randolph "Ole Ran’l" McCoy, were a more modest, middle-class family. While Randolph owned a sizable 300-acre farm and livestock, their economic standing was generally lower than that of their West Virginian neighbors.
Like many families in the region, the McCoys were also involved in the production and sale of illegal moonshine. This illicit activity was a common practice in the Appalachian Mountains, providing a means of supplementing income in a region with limited economic opportunities.
Kinship, Loyalty, and the Shadow of the Civil War
Both the Hatfields and McCoys were deeply rooted in complex kinship and social networks. Family loyalty was paramount, often determined by blood ties, employment, and geographical proximity. These intricate connections would play a crucial role in the unfolding drama of the feud.
The Civil War cast a long shadow over the region, further fueling the tensions between the families. While both groups primarily sided with the Confederacy, there were exceptions. Asa Harmon McCoy, Randolph’s brother, served in the Union Army, a decision that branded him a "traitor" in the eyes of many in the area, including some of his own family members.
William "Devil Anse" Hatfield and Randolph McCoy both served in the Confederate Home Guards, known as the Logan Wildcats. In the fall of 1863, the Kentucky Home Guard launched multiple Union guerilla attacks on the West Virginia side of the Tug River, instigated by William H. Francis, Jr. "Bill France." As a result, the Logan Wildcats surrounded Francis’ home in Pike County, Kentucky, and Devil Anse killed him. Asa H. McCoy was a friend and neighbor of William Francis.
Asa McCoy was released early from the Army in December 1864 because he had a broken leg and returned to Kentucky. He returned home to a warning from Jim Vance, the uncle of Devil Anse Hatfield, that he could expect a visit from the Logan Wildcats. When Asa heard gunshots as he drew water from his well, he hid in a nearby cave, but the Wildcats followed him there and shot him on January 7, 1865. Devil Anse Hatfield was a suspect at first but was later confirmed to have been sick at home at the time of the murder. It was then widely believed that his uncle, Jim Vance, had committed the murder.
The Spark: A Stolen Pig and a Contested Trial
While the Civil War and differing loyalties created a backdrop of tension, it was a seemingly minor incident that ignited the flames of the feud. In 1878, Randolph McCoy accused Floyd Hatfield, a cousin of Devil Anse, of stealing one of his pigs.
The ensuing trial, presided over by Justice of the Peace Anderson "Preacher Anse" Hatfield, another cousin of Devil Anse, further inflamed the situation. The key witness, Bill Staton, testified in favor of Floyd Hatfield, leading to the charges being dropped. The McCoys were outraged, believing that the Hatfields had used their influence to manipulate the outcome of the trial.
Escalation: Murder, Romance, and Betrayal
Two years later, in 1880, Bill Staton was killed in a dispute with Sam and Paris McCoy, nephews of Randolph. Although Sam stood trial for the murder, he was acquitted on the grounds of self-defense.
Adding fuel to the fire, a romantic entanglement further complicated the already strained relationship between the families. At a local election day gathering in 1880, Johnse Hatfield, Devil Anse’s 18-year-old son, met Roseanna McCoy, Randolph’s daughter. The pair fell in love and began a clandestine affair.
Roseanna, defying her father’s disapproval, fled to West Virginia to be with Johnse. However, their romance was short-lived. A McCoy posse arrived at the Hatfield home and arrested Johnse on outstanding bootlegging warrants. Devil Anse retaliated, gathering his own crew to rescue his son.
The couple eventually separated, and Roseanna, pregnant with Johnse’s child, gave birth to a daughter, Sarah Elizabeth McCoy, in the spring of 1881. However, Johnse had already moved on, marrying Nancy McCoy, the daughter of Asa Harmon McCoy and Roseanna’s cousin, in May 1881.
Roseanna’s father disowned her, and her baby daughter died at the age of eight months from measles. Heartbroken, Roseanna never recovered and died at the young age of 29.
The Cycle of Violence: Revenge and Retaliation
The affair between Johnse and Roseanna deepened the animosity between the families, setting the stage for a cycle of violence and retaliation. On August 5, 1882, at another election day event in Kentucky, three of Randolph McCoy’s sons, Tolbert, Pharmer, and Bud, engaged in a violent altercation with two of Devil Anse’s brothers.
In the ensuing melee, Ellison Hatfield was stabbed multiple times and shot in the back by one of the McCoy brothers. The McCoys were apprehended, but the Hatfields intercepted the constables and took the McCoy brothers by force. They were taken to West Virginia to await the fate of the mortally wounded Ellison Hatfield.
When Ellison died, the Hatfields exacted their revenge. The McCoy brothers were tied to pawpaw bushes and executed, with a total of 50 shots fired.
The New Year’s Massacre and the Intervention of the Law
The authorities indicted 20 men, including Devil Anse and his sons, for the deaths of the McCoy brothers. However, the Hatfields evaded arrest, further infuriating the McCoys.
Perry Cline, an attorney who had married Martha McCoy, the widow of Randolph’s brother, Asa Harmon McCoy, took up their cause. Cline, who also had a personal vendetta against Devil Anse, used his political connections to offer rewards for the arrest of the Hatfields, including Devil Anse.
The feud reached a boiling point on January 1, 1888, when the Hatfields launched a surprise attack on the Randolph McCoy home. Led by Cap Hatfield and Jim Vance, the house was set on fire to drive the McCoys into the open. Randolph McCoy and some of his family members escaped, but his son, Calvin, and daughter, Alifair, were killed in the crossfire. Randolph’s wife, Sarah, was severely beaten and suffered a crushed skull.
The attack, known as the New Year’s Massacre, prompted the intervention of Kentucky Governor Simon Buckner, who sent special officer Frank Phillips and 38 men to arrest the Hatfields.
The Battle of Grapevine Creek and the Supreme Court
Frank Phillips and his posse tracked down Jim Vance, who was killed when he resisted arrest. They also captured several other Hatfield supporters. The Hatfields, led by Devil Anse, prepared for a final confrontation.
On January 19, Phillips’ group met the Hatfields on the West Virginia side of the Tug Fork River, resulting in the Battle of Grapevine Creek. The Hatfields suffered casualties and retreated.
The legal battles that followed involved the extradition of the Hatfields across state lines. The case eventually reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that the Hatfields could be tried in Kentucky.
Trials, Executions, and the End of the Feud
The Hatfield prisoners were put on trial in 1889 for their crimes, including the murder of the McCoy brothers and the killing of Alifair McCoy during the New Year’s Massacre. Eight Hatfields were found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Cottontop Ellison Mounts was sentenced to death for the murder of Alifair McCoy.
Mounts, who was mentally challenged, was hanged on February 18, 1890, in a public execution attended by thousands of spectators. His last words were reportedly: "They made me do it! The Hatfields made me do it!"
Legacy and Remembrance
The hanging of Mounts marked a turning point in the feud. Trials continued for years, but the violence gradually subsided. By the time of the 1901 trial of Johnse Hatfield, the last of the feud trials, the conflict had largely come to an end.
Randolph McCoy died in 1914 at the age of 88 from burns suffered in an accidental fire. Devil Anse Hatfield, who had long been skeptical of religion, was baptized at the age of 73 and founded a Church of Christ congregation. He died of pneumonia in 1921 at the age of 81.
The story of the Hatfields and McCoys has become a part of American folklore, immortalized in books, movies, and television programs. Today, tourists visit the region to explore the historic sites associated with the feud. The Hatfield-McCoy Feud Driving Tour offers a self-guided exploration of the key locations in Kentucky and West Virginia, allowing visitors to delve into the history and legends of this enduring American saga.
The bloody feud of the Hatfields and McCoys remains a cautionary tale of the destructive power of resentment, the importance of justice, and the enduring legacy of a conflict that shaped the history and culture of the Appalachian region.