Hillerk Legacy
(Interesting Tidbits of Local Lore)
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"Devil" Anse Hatfield, the leader of the Hatfield clan
of West Virginia during the famous, legendary, and perhaps most well
known feud in American history. |
| Randall McCoy, leader of the McCoy clan of Kentucky. |
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Ellison Hatfield, brother of Devil Anse.
Ellison Hatfield was attacked by three of Randall McCoy's sons, suffering
26 knife wounds and one pistol shot. He lingered for a full day before
dying of his wounds. Devil Anse and his clan captured the three McCoy
boys and locked them up while standing vigil by Ellison's side.
Devil Anse swore that if his brother died that he would kill the
three McCoy boys.
Devil Anse was a man of his word, and carried out his threat. This
proved a major turning point in the feud, and after this sequence
of events the war
was pursued for another 20 years. |
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Johnse Hatfield and Roseanna McCoy, star crossed lovers
and victims of the feud. Their chapter in the story of the feud is
perhaps one of the most tragic.For a more complete account click
here |
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| Frank Phillips, Bad Man among Bad Men. An ally of the
McCoys, Frank Phillips served on the staff of Kentucky Governor Buckner,
and was a close friend of the McCoys. He and Randall McCoy staged
raids across the Tug River into West Virginia to capture allies of
the Hatfields and return them to Kentucky to face trial. Frank was
known for his ability with a pistol and his capacity for both moonshine
and women. He came to a not surprising end, killed in a drunken brawl
in a Virginia bar. |
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The Hatfield Family Cemetary, Sara Ann, West Virginia.
This marble statue of Devil Anse was imported from France to mark
his final resting place.
Before his death in 1911, Devil Anse found religion, accepted Christ,
and lived his remaining days embracing his faith in God. |
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