The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-10-09
DEVIL ANSE HATFIELD.
Prominent Figure in Famous Feud
Nearing His End

Old timers in Kentucky and West
Virginia and the thousands who have
followed the famous Hatfeld-McCoy
feud in the newspapers are wondering
whether Devil Anse" Hatfield, one OF
the. most famous of the hghtlng
mountaineers, is to die in bed. Re-
cent DISPATCHES from Whitfield, Ky,
says he is entering what is likely 10
be his last illness at the age of "a
years.
Devil Anse" led his four sons in
defying the authorities for many
wears. Long ago, when the feud was
at it's height, it was predicted that
some day."Devil Anse" would die
violent death. In the years which
have intervened the feud has died
down, and now it seems likely that
the famous leader will die with none
to disturb his last days save perhaps
his memories.
Start of the Feud.
A few days after a pistol duel at
Canneltown, w. Va, October, 1911,
in which two of his sons, Troy and
Elias, were shot and killed, Anse Hat
field embraced religion and was bap-
tized declaring that he wished to lead
an upright, Christian life.
The Hatfield Mccoy. feud, known
as the most bloody of all the Ken
tucky mountain vendettas, began in
1890 when Floyd Hatfield, who lived
on the West Virginia side of Tug
Fork, tributary of the Big Sandy
river, drove half dozen hogs out of
the woods into his pen in String
town
Randolph Mccoy from the other
side of the creek happened to ride
through Stringtown one day and rec
ognized the porkers as belonging to
the McCoys, accused Hog Floyd" Of
stealing them. Bad feeling was caus-
ed, but the affair was settled peace
ably in the court.
Another Killing.
Some months later members of the
rival factions met by accident and
after the passage of few heated re-
marks skirmisb took place in which
Sam Mccoy killed Stanton Hatfield.
The case came to trial and Mccoy
gained his acqquittal.
Little by little bitterness and
hatred grew until 1882, when friend
and relative of both clans ran for
Office in Pike county, KY. Hathelds
and McCoys gathered on election day
to boost their candidate.
All seemed peaceful and Kentucky
"moonshine' flowed without stint.
Suddenly a Mccoy walked up to a
Hatfield and demanded payment of
an old debt. A>
Fight at Election.
Dark and threatening glances
passed between the enemies. In an
instant pistols cleaned and pitched
battle ensued. Ellison Hatfield was
fatally wounded.
Devil Anse" taking the law in his
own hands captured three McCoys,
and assisted by gang of followers
made off with them to an old but
safely hidden house in the woods.
Here he held his prisoners awaiting
report from the bedside of his wound
ed kinsman.
When after three days news came
of Ellison's death a mock trial took
place and the helpless defendants,
none of whom were really guilty,
were taken out, tied to paw paw
bushes and made the targets of twen-
ty-three rifles.
After the occurrence Mccoy was
prepared to kill Hatfield on sight
and the feud ragged furiously. Mat
tiers were by no emans improved
when Gov. Wilson, of West Virginia.
refused to honor requisition made out
for the capture of Hatfield and his
sons of Gov. Buckner. of Kentucky.
'tSix feet of devil and 1S0 pounds
of hell" was the description given the
eldest son of old Anderson Hatfield by
his enemies. It was Cap who, at the
instigation of his father, burned the
Mccoy house to the ground and killed
old Randall McCoy's daughter.