Tag Archives: Mingo County

Don Chafin: The Most Famous Sheriff in the United States (1925)

26 Saturday Jun 2021

Posted by in Battle of Blair Mountain, Matewan, Williamson

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From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this item about Don Chafin, sheriff of Logan County during the Armed March. The story is dated November 6, 1925.

Don Chafin Renowned as Sheriff of Logan

His Prowess During Threatened Invasion of Union Miners is Recalled in Mingo Republican

Bids Friends Goodbye

Don Chafin, former sheriff of Logan county, paid what might be his farewell visit to Williamson for a long time on Tuesday. While here he expressed to many his appreciation of their concern for him in his present plight.

Chafin was the most famous sheriff in the United States during his regime in Logan county, where he ruled with an iron hand. He was the main prop in the Democratic machine there and a prominent figure in the life of the county.

Sheriff Chafin won his greatest fame during the threatened invasion of Logan county by the armed march of 5,000 or more miners bent on destroying the Logan court house and finally reaching Williamson to release from the local jail a number of union men charged with violations of Gov. Morgan’s martial law.

Sid Hatfield and Ed Chambers, two well known union men of Matewan, had just been killed on the court house steps at Welch and the passions of the miners were thoroughly aroused. The armed march was once halted but was resumed after a midnight battle between the officers and miners on the county road near Sharples.

The invasion then began with forts and vigor. The offenders of Logan under the leadership of Sheriff Chafin were intrenched along a wide front and several clashes took place. The fame of the the doughty sheriff caused many from the outside to rally to his banner.

Mr. Chafin has numerous relatives and friends here to whom the parting was one of real regret. They are steadfast in their belief in his innocence, claiming that he is the victim of a frameup. Chafin was profuse in his expressions of gratitude over the loyalty of his friends on this side of the Logan line.

Albert G. McCoy Property in Magnolia District (1881-1887)

12 Wednesday May 2021

Posted by in Matewan

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The following land information is derived from Land Book 1880-1886 and Land Book 1887-1892 at the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV:

Albert G. McCoy (of Logan County)1

[On April 15, 1880, Asa and Nellie McCoy deeded 75 acres to A.G. McCoy for $200. References the first hollow below the forks of Sulphur Creek. A.W. Ferrell was a justice of the peace. Deed Book __, page 189-190.]

[On April 15, 1880, Asa and Nellie McCoy deeded 50 acres to Albert G. McCoy for $50. References the first hollow on the right hand side of Sulphur. Deed Book __, page __.]

1881: Magnolia District

75 acres Sulphur Creek Sandy River $1.75 per acre no building $131.25 total

[transferred from Asa McCoy]

1882: Magnolia District

Pages missing.

1883: Magnolia District

Pages are mostly blank

1884-1885 Magnolia District

75 acres Sulphur Creek Sandy River $2 per acre no building $150 total

50 acres Sulphur Creek Sandy River $2 per acre $20 building $100 total

1886-1887: Magnolia District

125 acres Sulphur Creek Sandy River $2 per acre $20 building $250 total

***

1Son of Asa McCoy, brother of Selkirk McCoy.

Sarah Ann McCoy Property in Magnolia District (1873-1887)

12 Wednesday May 2021

Posted by in Big Sandy Valley

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The following land information is derived from Land Book 1873-1874 and Land Book 1880-1886 at the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV:

Sally McCoy (of Logan County)

No property listed in 1865-1872.

[Note: Her name is given as Sally McCoy in 1873-1874, then as Sarah Ann McCoy in 1875-1876.]

1873-1874: Magnolia District

200 acres John Ferrell Farm and Vance &c $2.50 per acre no building $500 total

[Transferred from E. Rutherford.]

1875-1876: Magnolia District

200 acres Sandy River $2.50 per acre $25 building $500 total

1877: Magnolia District

No records for this year for Magnolia District

1878: Magnolia District

200 acres Sandy River $2.50 per acre $25 building $500 total

[Note: Her name is listed as Sary Ann McCoy of Logan County.]

1879: Magnolia District

No records for this year for Magnolia District

1880: Magnolia District

200 acres Sandy River $2.50 per acre $25 building $500 total

1881: Magnolia District

200 acres Sandy River $3 per acre $30 building $350 total

1882: Magnolia District

Missing pages.

1883: Magnolia District

Pages are mostly blank.

1884: Magnolia District

200 acres Sandy River $3.50 per acre $30 building $790 total

1885: Magnolia District

200 acres Sandy River $3.50 per acre $30 building $700 total

1886-1887: Magnolia District

200 acres Sandy River $3.50 per acre no building $700 total

William McCoy Property in Magnolia District (1878-1887)

12 Wednesday May 2021

Posted by in Big Sandy Valley, Matewan

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The following land information is derived from Land Book 1873-1874, Land Book 1880-1886, and Land Book 1887-1892 at the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV:

William McCoy (of Logan County)

No property listed in 1865-1877.

1878: Magnolia District

[On February 11, 1878, Asa and Nellie McCoy deeded 150 acres to William McCoy for $500. References the mouth of Mate Creek and the land occupied by William McCoy. Ephraim Hatfield was justice of the peace. Deed Book __, page 484-485.]

150 acres Sandy River $1.75 per acre no building $262.50 total

[Transferred from Asa McCoy.]

1879: Magnolia District

No records for this year for Magnolia District

1880: Magnolia District

150 acres Sandy River $1.75 per acre no building $262

1881: Magnolia District

150 acres Sandy River $2.50 per acre $25 building $500 total

[100 acres to S. Simpkins and M.B. Lawson]

1882: Magnolia District

Pages missing.

1883: Magnolia District

Pages are mostly blank

1884-1885: Magnolia District

50 acres Sandy River $4 per acre $25 building $200 total

1886-1887: Magnolia District

50 acres Sandy River $4 per acre no building $200 total

E. Hatfield Survey (1878)

01 Thursday Apr 2021

Posted by in Big Sandy Valley, Matewan

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E. Hatfield survey, 95 1/2 acres, Mate Creek (1878), Surveyors Record Book B, page __, Logan County Clerk’s Office, Logan, WV. Note: This property is located in present-day Mingo County.

Anse Hatfield Letter to Perry Cline (1886)

06 Saturday Mar 2021

Posted by in Big Sandy Valley, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Pikeville

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Logan County, W.Va.

December 26, 1886

Mr. P.A. Cline

Pikeville, Ky.

Dear Sir:

I had to answer your Letter in regard to the Late Trouble. We are all very sorry that the Trouble occurred but under Somewhat aggravated circumstances it hapened. but I know and solemnly affirm that if such could have been prevented by me I would have stoped the Trouble. but it has gone by & cannot be ___. Cap was away from Home and Jeff went there to his house in the presents of his wife lying on her sick bed and had been under Treatment of the Doctor for three or four weeks and in undertaking to arrest Wallace shot into the House and when Cap came home he went and arrested Jeff to hand him over to a peace officer. & he met with Tom Wallace, and Wallace went with him and at William S. Ferrell’s he Broke loose in the presents of Wallace, and swam the river and Wallace followed shooting at him. I hope that if their is any question Relative to this affair that it will be ___ by a fair statement of the case.

Your friend

Ans. Hatfield

William S. Ferrell statement

At the time Jeff started Cap was of conversing with me some 40 or 50 yds and I never seen Cap Hatfield fire a single shot. You can write to Wm S. Ferrell for now in conclusion I will say to all the relatives of Jeff McCoy that neither one of the Hatfields has any animosity against them and very sorry that such has occurred and sincerely Trust that there will be no more Trouble in regard to the matter. Perry the very Bottom of this crime is nothing more nor less than Mary Daniels and her girls. Now Bill is gone and says he won’t come back. No person is going to Trouble him let him come back.

Very Respectfully,

Anderson Hatfield

NOTE: Ron G. Blackburn owns the original letter. A copy can be seen in Thomas Dotson’s The Hatfield & McCoy Feud After Kevin Costner: Rescuing History (2013), p. 232-233. Coleman Hatfield said that Nancy E. Hatfield, wife of Cap, wrote the letter, while Tom Dotson feels that Preacher Anse Hatfield wrote the letter.

Johnson McCoy Property in Magnolia District (1866)

01 Monday Mar 2021

Posted by in Big Sandy Valley, Hatfield-McCoy Feud

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The following land information is derived from Land Book 1866-1872 at the Logan County Clerk’s Office in Logan, WV:

Johnson McCoy (of Logan County)1

No property listed in 1865.

1866: Magnolia Township

150 acres Sandy River $10 per acre $50 building $1500 total

No property listed thereafter.

***

1Most likely, this is William Johnson McCoy (1836-1901), brother-in-law to Anderson Hatfield.

Significant Tracts in Magnolia District (1867, 1870, 1876, 1886-1889)

19 Friday Feb 2021

Posted by in Beech Creek, Big Sandy Valley, Matewan, Wharncliffe

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What follows is a list of 1000-plus-acre tracts in Magnolia Township/District of Logan County, WV, for 1867, 1870, and 1886-1889…

1867

Jacob Cline’s Heirs, Logan County, 5000 acres, Sandy River

William Ferrell, Logan County, 3900 acres, Sandy River

Richard Maynard, Logan County, 3250 acres, Sandy River

David Mounts, Logan County, 3000 acres, Tug River and Tributaries

John Ferrell, Logan County, 2812 acres, Sandy River

Warren Alderson, Logan County, 2740 acres, Right Fork Ben Creek

John Ferrell, Logan County, 1814 acres, Pigeon Creek

Richard Ratliff, Logan County, 1340 acres, Stafford and Beech Creek

John W. Deskins, Logan County, 1305 acres, Thacker Creek and Sandy River

Warren Alderson, Logan County, 1300 acres, Spring Fork of Ben Creek

John Ferrell, Logan County, 1100 acres, Sandy River

Jacob Phillips, Logan County, 1000 acres, Sandy River

1870

Jacob Cline’s Estate, Logan County, 5000 acres, Sandy River

Richard Ferrell, Logan County, 3900 acres, On Sandy River

John Ferrell, Logan County, 3075 acres, 7 Tracts on Pigeon

David Mounts Estate, Logan County, 3000 acres, Tug Fork and Tributaries

Warren Alderson, Logan County, 2740 acres, Right Fork Ben Creek

Richard Maynard, Logan County, 2430 acres, On Sandy River

John W. Deskins, Logan County, 1305 acres, Turkey Sandy River

Warren Alderson, Logan County, 1300 acres, Spring Fork Ben Creek

William S. Ferrell, Logan County, 1100 acres, Sandy River

1876

Jacob Cline’s Heirs, Kentucky, 5000 acres, Grape Vine and Sandy

William S. Ferrell, Logan County, 3000 acres, Thacker and Sandy River

Warren M. Alderson, Kentucky, 2640 acres, Right Fork of Ben Creek

Isabella Rutherford, Logan County, 1600 acres, Sandy River

Michael A. Ferrell, Logan County, 1300 acres, Sandy River

Warren M. Alderson, Kentucky, 1175 acres, Spring Fork Ben Creek

Richard Ratcliff, Logan County, 1140 acres, Stafford Branch Sandy

Julius Williamson, Logan County, 1000 acres, Sandy and Branches

1886

William S. Ferrell, Logan County, 2650 acres

Warren Alderson, Morehead KY, 2640 acres, Sandy River

Lewis Rutherford, Logan County, 1600 acres

Jacob Smith, Mouth of Pond KY, 1500 acres

James Vance, Jr., Logan County, 1500 acres

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 1481 acres

Elias Hatfield, Logan County, 1431 acres

M.A. Ferrell, Logan County, 1300 acres

T.W. Blankenship, Roane County, 1200 acres

1887

William S. Ferrell, Logan County, 2650 acres, Thackers Creek and Sandy River

Warren Alderson, Morehead KY, 2640 acres, Sandy River

Anderson Hatfield, Logan County, 2360 acres, Grape Vine

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 1481 acres, Beech Creek

Elias Hatfield, Logan County, 1471 acres, Four tracts on Mates Creek

M.A. Ferrell, Logan County, 1300 acres, Sandy River

T.W. Blankenship, Roane County, 1200 acres, Spruce Fork of Ben Creek

1888

Anderson Hatfield, Logan County, 2656 1/2 acres, Grapevine Creek

William S. Ferrell, Logan County, 2650 acres, Thacker and Sandy

J.C. Williamson, Logan County, 1837 acres, Four tracts on Alum and Sandy River

Lewis Ratcliff, Logan County, 1600 acres, Sandy River

John Francesco, Logan County, 1500 acres, Grapevine and Thacker

Simpkins and M.B. Lawson’s Heirs, Logan County, 1500 acres, Richard Ratcliff Farm and Sandy River

Elkhorn Sandy R. Trust Co., Logan County, 1481 acres, Ben Creek and Sandy

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 1385 acres, Sandy River

M.A. Ferrell*, Logan County, 1300 acres, Sandy River

1889

Anderson Hatfield, Logan County, 2656 1/2 acres, Grapevine Creek

W.S. Ferrell, Logan County, 2650 acres, Thacker and Sandy River

J.C. Williamson, Logan County, 1837 acres, 4 Tracts on Alum and Sandy River

Lewis Rutherford, Logan County, 1600 acres, Sandy River

Jacob Smith, Logan County, 1500 acres, Richard Ratcliff’s Farm and Sandy River

John Francesco, Logan County, 1500 acres, Grape Vine

Elkhorn Sandy River Trust Company, Logan County, 1481 acres, Ben Creek and Sandy River

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 1385 acres, Sandy River

Joseph Glen, Logan County, 1377 acres, Tug River Below Mouth Bend

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 1354 1/4 acres, Mates Creek

J.D. Sergeant, Philadelphia PA, 1338 3/4 acres, Grapevine

M.A. Ferrell*, Logan County, 1300 acres, Sandy River

Alex D. Trent, Logan County, 1246 acres, Spring Fork Ben Creek

Note: On November 6, 1888, M.A. Ferrell was elected justice of the peace; his term commenced on January 1, 1889.

Source: Land Book 1866-1872, Land Book 1873-1874, Land Book 1880-1886, and Land Book 1887-1892.