Hatfields and McCoys page 2

Hatfields and McCoys page 2 by ric Gustafson


When the Civil War ended, Devil Anse Hatfield and the Logan Wildcats were still looking for Union ties and sympathies. Devil Anse returned home to find it in disrepair and his family starving. One day, Devil Anse and the Logan Wildcats had found out that Asa Harmon McCoy had been employed as a Union spy. Asa was warned of trouble by Jim Vance. Asa left and hid in a nearby cave. The Logan Wildcats found out his location. He was killed on Jan 7 1865. It was not known if Jim Vance or Devil Anse Hatfield were involved in his murder.
By 1877, several members of the Hatfield clan were serving in West Virginia politics. Devil Anse Hatfield was gaining influence and property in Logan County. That same year, Devil Anse became involved in a land dispute with Perry Cline. Cline was a cousin of Randall McCoy.
In 1878, Randolph McCoy went to court accusing Floyd Hatfield of stealing some of his hogs. Presiding over the trial was ' Preacher' Anderson Hatfield. Anderson Hatfield was a cousin of Devil Anse. A star witness was Bill Staton. Staton was a nephew of Randolph McCoy. Staton swore under oath that the hogs belonged to Floyd Hatfield. Six Hatfields and six McCoys were the jury. In the end, Selkirk McCoy changed his vote and the Hatfields won the court case.
Historians believe that this court case decision started the Hatfield McCoy feud.


research help: ' Bloodlines' by Whitman Publishing


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric