Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-12-10
HATFIELD-M'COY FEUD.
Experiences of q photographer Who
TOOK" the tiatfieIds.
New York Sun

] II vi NCol wig una dhd hCuluGk ",
was declared at an end in April, 1897,
the families OF old Randolph Mccoy
and the descendants of old Deacon
Ellison Hatfield, led by the notorious
Devil Anse, gathered on the banks OF
the Big Sandy river to sanction the
wedding of Mary Mccoy and Young
Aaron Hatfield. There are rumors
now that this peace protocol is over
and talk of fresh outbreak Whether
there is any ground for the belief that
the feud is to be reopened it is hard
to tell, for fighting, not talking is
VIII at both families engage in when
the ill-feeling comes to the top and
there are scores to be settled
Four times the Hathelds and the
McCoys gathered to declare off the
feud that has passed down through
three generations, and three times out
of the four blood was shed before the
negotiations were concluded. Moon
shine whiskey, which both families
make and drink i'll large quantities,
has been responsible mainly for the
/ breaking of these compacts, and if the
families 60 at each other again it will
probably be because of the evil effects
of the product of the illicit distilleries
of the West Virginia mountains. 1t
is almost incredible that such feud
could start up again and continue
with the same freedom that it did
twenty years ago, but it is possible,
for the authorities of that State are as
powerless to stop it today as they
were years ago, when Parish and Sam
Mccoy shot and killed young Bill
Stayton from ambush, thereby she'd
ding the first blood of the feud.
fter Cap Hatfield escaped from Jail
in July, 1897, he made for Devil
Anse's old home on Tug river, near
the mouth of Peter creek, where he
was joined by the others. Some
! fifteen miles away, at small settle
ment, photographer had set up an
establishment and he drove out to the
Tug river cabin to get picture of the
Hathelds. The Hatfields received
him decently enough, but refused to
allow him to take a picture at first.
Cap was particularly vehement in his
| objections, but Devil Anse was good
natured about the matter. He knew
that he and Cap and other members
of the family had had cameras snapped
at them during visits to West Virginia
towns time and again, and he finally
got the whole crowd together and told
the photographer to fire away.
The photographer took the plate
away, promising to send back a set
of the pictures. The next day Cap
Hatfield was in an ugly mood. He
cursed Anse, himself and everybody
else Tor sitting for photograph, par
| ticularly at a time when officers were
on his track, and, armed to the teeth,
| he set out for the settlement to do
things to the photographer and his
outfit. Now, of all the Hatfelds,
Cap is the most reckless and murder
Gus. He, more than any other men,
Der of the family, with the possible
exception of Ellison Mounts, is re-
spousible for the killing and NAL
treating of women in the feud now
supposed TO be closed and he is a
scoundrel without morals or mercy.
Killing is his pleasure, and there is
no doubt in the world that he would
have murdered that photographer if
he'd ever caught him.
But Devil Anse looked out for that.
With Elias, Tray and Joe he headed
Cap off and sent him back to the cab
in. All Hatfields have way of do
ing what Devil Anse tells them to do,
and even the bloodthirsty Cap is sub
servient to him. The old man told
Cap that he'd see that none of the
pictures were printed, and with his
three younger sons he set out to keep
his word,
The photographer declared on his
solemn oath that he had sent the
plate away to be developed. He was
lying when he said it, and it was
good thing for him that it was Devil
Anse and not Cap that he tried to
fool. Anse and his boys found the
plate and destroyed it. Then, as