Free Research Paper About Hatfield And Mccoy

The feud of Hatfield and McCoy is considered synonymous for any two parties in an argument or disagreement regarding family honor, justice, and revenge. The Hatfield and McCoy feud is dated back to 1863-1891. This feud took place between two families living in the Kentucky region of West Virginia along Tug Fork of River Sandy. William Anderson Hatfield who was also known as “Devil Anse” was the leader of the Hatfields. On the other hand, Randolph McCoy, who was popular as, “Ole Ran I” was leading the McCoy family. However, the feud did not come into existence in 1863; rather it was ongoing since the time of Ephraim Hatfield and William McCoy.
A majority of the Hatfield’s were fighting for confederacy during the American Civil War. Similarly, most of the McCoy’s were also fighting for the same purpose with the exception of Asa Harmon McCoy. Asa Harmon McCoy was fighting for union as opposed to other members of his group. The feud arose when Asa Harmon McCoy was murdered by the Logan Wildcats, who were ex-confederate Homeguards. It was initially suspected that Devil Anse was responsible for committing the murder; however, investigations proved otherwise. The Hatfield’s were able to get away with their acts because they were politically strong, and were part of the affluent group in society. Consequently, many of the McCoy’s depended upon Hatfield for their bread and butter. Nobody could have been held responsible for the murder of Harmon because his own military force was disloyal. Along with this, Harmon’s family believed he had called the murder upon himself.
The second stage of the feud arose after Roseanna McCoy got involved in a relationship Devil Anse’s son Johnson. Roseanna moved to West Virginia and settled with the Hatfield’s. Die to misunderstandings between the couple Roseanna returned to her family and when Johnson tried to make up to the relationship he was arrested by the McCoy family. Eventually Johnson betrayed Roseanna and married Nancy McCoy. Moreover, the feud was worsened after Ellison Hatfield was murdered by Roseanna’s younger brothers. Similarly, the feud took its form in different ways and there were mass killings of the McCoy family by the Hatfield’s.
The media started intensive reporting in 1887 about the behavior of Hatfield’s. They were portrayed as violent and criminal people who were always looking for ways to stir up havoc and chaos. Consequently, this local story began to gain public recognition and was widely narrated throughout the country. It is often referenced to when talking about feuds amongst families. Eventually, the Hatfield’s had to pay for their wrong doings. In the beginning of 1889, eight members of the Hatfield’s and their supporters were sentenced to life imprisonment along with death sentence to the son of Ellison Hatfield. As time passed, both families decided to end the enmities and carry on with their normal lives without interference of either family. Randolph McCoy joined the profession of a ferry operator and continued to live so till he was burned to death in 1914. People have claimed that he was haunted by the death of his children for as long as he lived. The names of Hatfield and McCoy are still relatable to family feuds even after the feud has subsided for a long period of time. This feud took on local as well as national coverage because of the intensity of the acts of both families.