Monday, 5 September 2011

newspaper article from 1888

A DEADLY INTER-STATE FEUD
THREE OF THE HATFIELD GANG KILLED BY THE M'COYS
Catlettsburg, Kentucky Jan.12,1888
The way of extermination continues between the McCoys of Pike County, Kentucky, and the Hatfields of Logan County, West Virginia. As soon as the last sad rites of the late butchery were over the McCoys organized a posse and visited the Hatfield settlement in West Virginia for the purpose of annihilating the gang. The posse visited the Hatfield house, and finding no one at home they repaired to the woods to consult a few moments. 
Their secrecy was of short duration, for the Hatfield party was soon upon them, and a regular battle ensured. After the smoke cleared away it was found that the Hatfield party were badly worsted and three of their number were killed, while none of the McCoy party posse was hurt.

Those known to be killed were Johnson Hatfield, Thomas Chambers, and James Vance. Vance was shot seven times. Satisfied with their day's work the McCoy posse returned to their settlement to await developments. Vance had killed several men in the McCoy neighborhood and had to leave in consequence. He had been a bold, daring, desperate fellow. The authorities be waged until one side or the other is completely exterminated.

No comments:

Post a Comment