Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-26

THE uArrtELDs AND McC0Ys.
a History Of tho Feud-Doubic Deal
Ing.

A History of tho Feud-Doublc Deal
ing.
A Charleston Nv. Va.) special says
Mr.. J. b. Floyd, of this city, who has
been a resident of Logan county and is
we'll acquainted with all the facts, gives
the following history OF the Hatfield
Mccoy imbroglio which has led to the
recent murders in Logan county, W.
Va.
The accounts published in the papers
OF this State make the Ha.fields outlaws
and murderers. Now, have known all
of the Hatfelds for fifteen or twenty
years, and lived within eighteen miles OF
them the greater part of that time, and |
never regarded them in the light OF
criminals or desperadoes, and they are
not SO regarded by the people of Logan
county. On the contrary, some of these
Hatfelds are regarded as being OF the
very best and w-abiding citizens of that
county.
MCoys INACCURATE MURDER.
The trouble which has brought about
the present state of affairs in Logan
county, West Virginia, and Pike county,
Kentucky, began during the war of seces-
sion
When the war ceased the differences
between the Hatfields and McCoys
seemed also to have practically come to
an end, but in 1882 Ellison Hatfield went
from his home in West Virginia across
Tug river into Kentucky, only few
miles from his home, to an election over
there, and during that day three OF the
McCoys deliberately laid their plans to
assassinate Hatfield, and they carried
them out by cutting and shooting him to
pieces. Before the McCoys could get
out OF reach they were themselves killed
by some of the relations OF Hatfield.
This having taken place in Kentucky,
the Hatfields and several other citizens of
Logan county were indicted in Pike
county, KY, for the killing of the Nc
COys.
After the indictments we're made no
further steps were taken in the matter
by the Kentucky authorities, and the
matter reGed for five years, because the
authorities of Pike county regarded the
McCoys as the aggressors, and they
knew that the McCoys were just about
as bad as men get to be.
MONEY REyGvEs OLD GRUDGRs.
Every one thought the trouble was
over; but few months ago a man
named p. A. Cline. lawyer. and | am
told the jailer OF Pike county, concluded
that he would stir up the thing again
and make some money out of it, know
ing that the Hatfields owned some good
property in Logan county, West Nir-
ginia.
He therefore looked mp the old indict-
ments, and by misrepresentation in
duced the Governor OF Kentucky TO offer
a reward OF 81, 700 for the capture of the
Hatfields and to grant requisition for
them.
This done he let the Hatfelds know OF
the fact, and at the same time intimated
that if he could get some $i0O or $500 he
would have the proceedings put an end
to. Well, he agreed to take 1925, and
the money was placed in the hands of A.
j. Auxier, a prominent lawyer at Pike
Courthouse, for Cline when he had full
filed his agreement.
DOUBLE-DEALISG TRIED.
Cline made pretence OF having the
reward and requisition recalled, but in
the mean time his co-workers, John Kite,
who is one OF the most notorious muir
derers in West Virginia or Kentucky,
and Frank Phillips, have been making
desperate efforts TO get hold of the Hat
fields so as to secure the reward.
They also succeeded in interesting old
Randall Mccoy in the enterprise, and
worked him up to the pitch of exacting
vengeance for the death of the boys in
1882. The reinforced gang With volun.
teer followers have been bullying every
body along the border for the last two or
three months, the Hatfields mean while
keeping out of the way SO as to avoid
trouble.
HOUSE BURNISGs AND KILLINGS.
TIE result of this marauding was the
burning of McCoy's house and the kill
ing of bis son and daughter on the lst of
January, and an effort to kill old Randall
Mccoy himself. Everybody knew that
Mccoy had been waylayiDg the houses
of the Hatfields trying to kill them, and
when this occurrence took place twas at
once placed to the credit OF the Hatfelds
by the men who were after them to bet
ter enable them to capture the Hatfeds.
The circumstances surrounding the
Hathelds may have been sufficient TO
Justify them TO try aud kill Mccoy, yet
they did not and knew nothing of the
matter, rs can and has been shown be-
yond all question.
The people OF Logan county are alarm
ed and indignant, and the prospects are
that they will soon unite on some deter
mined action in the matter.
Especial telegram to the Dispatch.l
CHARLESTON, w. Va, January 25.-
The war between the Hatfields and Nc
Coys is still 10 progress, and there is no
telling when or how it will terminate.
Authentic information was received here
from Logan county tonight confirming
the reports of another encounter between
the two factions, and an appeal has been
made 10 the State officials here for aid.
Governor Wilson, who was seen by your
correspondent tonight, admits this, but
refuses to be interviewed further upon
the subject.