Purpose: The audience will understand the
history, causes and results of the famous Hatfield and McCoy Feud from the
McCoy point of view.
Introduction: There have been many stories, movies and
legends about the Hatfield and McCoy feud. As with any argument, there are two
separate sides to the story. I am going to tell the story from the McCoy side.
This was researched by Truda Williams McCoy who spent fifteen years among the
McCoys during the 1920’s and 1930’s gathering information about the feud
Body:
I: The first sign of trouble was when
Harmon McCoy was killed while on leave from the Union Army during the Civil
War.
A.
Anderson Hatfield and Randall McCoy served in
the same regiment of the Confederate Army.
1.
Anderson Hatfield acquired the name “Devil Anse”
by his “fierceness” during the war.
2.
Anse deserted in 1863.
3.
Hatfield organized a “home guard” unit
4.
Randall returned to KY in 1865.
B.
Harmon McCoy remained undecided until 1861 at
which time he joined the Union Army.
a.
Harmon was wounded in action and given a
furlough.
b.
While on his way home Harmon met Jim Vance and
boasted of serving with “Old Abe”
c.
Jim threatened to inform Devil Anse and have him
“taken care of.”
d.
Harmon decided to hide out until things cooled
off. Hid in a
cave.
e.
Harmon was found dead by his wife. Found by his wife, not his kids.
II. Things
remained calm until 13 years later when Randall lost a sow and pigs.
A.
It was custom to mark hogs and turn them out to
the hills.
1.
When they were rounded up in the fall one was
discovered missing.
2.
They were found at the home of Floyd Hatfield.
a.
Floyd denied stealing the pigs.
B.
Randall decided to let the law handle the
matter.
1.
The trial was held in Logan County.
2.
The jury was to be 6 Hatfields and 6 McCoys.
a.
Selkirk McCoy was considered a Hatfield in the
eyes of the McCoys. He was married to a Hatfield.
C.
The jury found in favor of the Hatfields.
III. Bill
Stanton was killed.
A.
Stanton had testified for the Hatfields.
B.
Sam and Paris McCoy went squirrel hunting.
1.
Bill Stanton shot and wounded Paris. “First blood” by Stanton.
2.
Sam fought and killed Bill. Killed him but not brutally like was shown.
3.
Sam was arrested and taken to Logan County for
trial.
a.
The McCoys went to the trial armed.
b.
The verdict was self-defense.
IV. Roseanna
McCoy met Johnse Hatfield at the election in Pike County in 1880.
A.
Randall warned Roseanna to stay away from
Johnse.
B.
Roseanna left the election with Johnse.
1.
Devil Anse prevented them from getting married.
a.
Roseanna was disgraced in the eyes of the
McCoys. If they had married, she would simply have been
disowned and thought of as a Hatfield.
1)
Randall sent for her to come home.
2)
Randall threatened the life of Johnse.
C.
Roseanna discovered she was pregnant.
1.
She went to live with Aunt Betty.
2.
Johnse visited Roseanna at Aunt Betty’s.
a.
Randall set a trap for Johnse. Randall, not the boys.
1)
Johnse was captured by Randall
2)
Roseanna warned Devil Anse.
V. Ellison
Hatfield was killed at the 1882 election.
A.
Tolbert picked a fight with Elias Hatfield.
B.
Ellison joined the fight and tried to kill
Tolbert.
1.
Tolbert stabbed Ellison
2.
Bill stabbed Ellison. Bill,
not Bud – Bud was only 15 and was not even involved in the fight.
3.
Pharmer shot Ellison.
C.
The boys were arrested and were to be taken to
the Pike County jail.
1.
Bud was taken instead of Bill.
2.
Randall left right away to arrange for their
release.
D.
Devil Anse captured the boys on the way to jail.
1.
Devil Anse promised Sarah the boys would be
returned to KY alive. Sarah was Randall’s wife’s name,
though she sometime was called Sally.
2.
Ellison died while the boys were held captive.
a.
The boys were returned to KY alive but they were
then tied to trees and shot.
E.
Warrants were issued for 23 Hatfields for the
murder of the boys.
1.
The governor of VA refused to honor the
warrants.
2.
The governor of KY told the McCoys to “go and
get them.”
3.
Raids across the border were made by both sides.
a.
McCoys crossed the river and brought some
Hatfields back for trial.
b.
Hatfields crossed the river and burned the home
of Randall.
1)
Alifair was killed by Cap Hatfield. Not by Cotton Top!
2)
Sarah was beaten and crippled by Jim Vance.
3)
Calvin was killed.
VI. The McCoys
waged war on the Hatfields.
A.
Jim Vance was killed.
B.
Johnse was captured.
C.
Cotton Top was captured.
D.
Wall Hatfield was captured. Captured – he did not turn himself in.
E.
The governors waged a paper war. Both sided knew
the fighting had to stop.
1.
Warrants were issued on McCoys for kidnapping.
2.
Governor Buckner asked for a volunteer to be
tried.
a.
Frank Phillips volunteered and was tried.
1)
Frank was arrested by a U.S. Marshall.
2)
The Federal Court found they had no jurisdiction
and Frank was released.
VII. The trials
began in Pike County.
A.
Many were given life at hard labor.
B.
Cotton Top was found guilty and was hanged.
1.
The McCoys were against the hanging because they
knew was innocent.
2.
With the hanging came the effective end of the
feud.
a.
Both governors had ordered an end to the
fighting
b.
Randall and Anse were growing old and were tired
of fighting.
Conclusion:
Both
families had once been wealthy. During the feud, they had both sold off much of
their land and belongings to cover the cost of supplies and ammunition. Many
family members had been killed or were serving time in prison.
Devil Anse
joined the church and was later convinced to make a movie of the feud. When it
was scheduled to be shown in Pikeville, Randall McCoy and some of his immediate
family prevented it. When asked why, they replied, “Because it wasn’t the
truth.”
Randall
McCoy died March 28, 1914 after being burned in an accident. He was 88 years
old.
Anderson
Hatfield died at the age of 82 in 1921. Johnse was pardoned after six years and
passed away in 1921, three months after his father.
