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CAP HATFIELD GUILTY.Tim Verillct Involuntary Mauntaughtrr nml tlie Sentence Will Il«- I.lglil.Wii.uam-'-on. VV. Va.. April 12,—Tha jury in the Gap Hatfield trial, after being nut all night, returned a verdict of involuntary manslaughter, which means only such flno and imprisonment as the jndgo may see proper to inflict. The jail sentence nan not exceed 00 days in accordance with West Virginia law.The trial of Hatfield's stepson is be* 'I i: heard this week.The Hntfield'McCoy feud is probably the most famous of southern vendettas, and (Jap Hatfield is the most prominent actor in its tragic scenes. The McCoys and Hatfields lived on Tng river, in Pike county, Ky. Their first trouble started over a hog. which a McCoy claimed a Hatfield had stolen.After the first hostilities began scarcely a day passed that there was not a fight between some members of the factions. Bill Slayton was the first victim of the feud. He was killed by the McCoys. Up to August, 1862, the feud claimed three men.The bloodiest fight of all took place in Matowan, on election day in tliat month.The Hatfields. 25 strong. r.nd the Me-Coys fought all afternoon. The results of that battle startled the country. When the smoke of battle had cleared away 10 Hntfl'-’ds had been wounded. Deacon Ellison, who was the worst hurt, having 26 wounds. He had been half scalped by Talbot McCoy when rescued by friends.Three McCoys, Talbot, Dick anil Randoph. Jr.. the last a boy of 16, who fought hack to buck with his brothers, were cuntnred and held by the Hatfields to await the result of Ellison’s injuries. Ellison died two days later. The three prisoners were taken to a secluded spot, tied to trees among some dead dogs, and shot one at a time.Bushwhacking followed this battle for several years, a number of men being slain. Filially, in 1887, Governor Buckner of Kentucky placed n price on half a dozen Hartields Detectives hounded them throngh the mountains, bat they were never caught.The McCoys made a raid on the Hatfields in .liuinary, 1888, and captured 10 without much trouble. Wall Hutlield was Imaged and four followers were sent to prison for life for the murder of the three McCoys after the election day fight.The Hatfields then bnilt their famous log and stone fort, which still remains on Island creek, Mingo county. W. Va., and which a few men can hold against an army. With this as a refuge to which to flee they made raid after raid upou the surrounding country, adding more murders to the list.The buttle of Grapevine creek occurred in 1880, when two Hatfields were killed and a number wounded. Cap Hatfield and Johnson Hatfield Aim! the country, going to Dakota. Washington aud Manitoba, but Anally returning to thfir native mountains.Last election day at Mate wan, on the West Virginia side of the river, Cap Hatfield's young stepson shot one of tne Chambers gong, who were former Hatfield adherents. Hatfield himself killed Dr. Rutherford and his brother For this, the lntest crime in the feud. Hatfield ami his son were arrested.Altogether more than -10 men wero murdered in the fend, and twice as mauy bear the scars of battle Peace has probably been sealed by the mur-riuve lute lust year of Aaron Hatfield to Mary McCoy. While their kinsmen fought, they had gone on luviug tach other for years
Newspaper Details
Maysville Evening Bulletin
Maysville, Kentucky, US
Mon, Apr 12, 1897
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Ron B.
USA 09 Feb 2025
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