Tag Archives: Paris Brumfield

Al Brumfield Deed to Louisa Wiley (1903)

28 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Fourteen, Lincoln County Feud, Wewanta

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Al Brumfield to Louisa Wiley 2

Deed Book 56, page 40, Lincoln County Clerk’s Office, Hamlin, WV. Al Brumfield was the son of Paris and Ann (Toney) Brumfield. Hollena Brumfield was the daughter of Henderson and Sallie (Adams) Dingess. Both were leading figures in the Lincoln County Feud.

Al Brumfield to Louisa Wiley 3

Deed Book 56, page 40, Lincoln County Clerk’s Office, Hamlin, WV. Louisa (Nester) Wiley was the daughter of John S. and Fine M. (Dalton) Nester. Her father was a first cousin to Al Brumfield.

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Deed Book 56, page 41, Lincoln County Clerk’s Office, Hamlin, WV. NOTE: Al Brumfield was literate; he signed this document with an “x” because he had gone blind by 1903.

Harts, WV (2018)

03 Sunday Jun 2018

Posted by in Big Harts Creek, Guyandotte River, Harts

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During the feud, this site hosted Bill Fowler’s store and saloon, as well as the Hart Post Office. During the 1890s, Al Brumfield’s saloon and store was situated here. 24 May 2018.

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Looking up the Guyandotte River from Harts, WV. The mouth of Big Harts Creek is just to the right. 24 May 2018.

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Looking up the CSX (former C&O) Railroad tracks from Harts, WV. This site is part of the old Isaac and Aaron Adkins farm. 24 May 2018.

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Here’s a cramped view of the new Harts PreK-8 School, built on what was once the Paris Brumfield farm. Charley Brumfield’s family owned this property from the 1890s until several years ago. 24 May 2018.

Writers Can Read Open Mic Night at Empire Books in Huntington, WV (2017)

22 Friday Dec 2017

Posted by in Huntington, Lincoln County Feud

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Many thanks to Eliot Parker for inviting me to appear as a featured author and read from Blood in West Virginia: Brumfield v. McCoy at the Writers Can Read Open Mic Night at Empire Books in Huntington, WV. I dedicated my reading to the feudists and their descendants. Paris Brumfield and Boney Lucas descendants were among the listeners–thrilling! I met some really great folks and enjoyed the event. 18 December 2017.

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As always, thanks to Dave Lavender for promoting the event in the Herald-Dispatch. http://www.herald-dispatch.com/features_entertainment/empire-books-hosting-writers-can-read/article_02abde5d-bb75-55bb-8a0d-d9451c00b8e2.html

Rachel (Brumfield) Spry Grave and Estate (1922)

06 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by in Atenville, Cemeteries, Harts, Lincoln County Feud

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Commissioners Record Book No. 13, page 135, Lincoln County Clerk’s Office, Hamlin, WV. Rachel Spry (1863-1922) was the daughter of Paris and Ann (Toney) Brumfield and the wife of Absalom “App” Spry. I descend from her brother, Bill.

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Aunt Rachel’s grave, Harts, Lincoln County, 10 May 2016. Photo by Mom.

Harts Area Deed Index (1893-1909)

03 Sunday Dec 2017

Posted by in Atenville, Big Ugly Creek, Harts, Little Harts Creek

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The following deed index is based on Deed Book 50 at the Lincoln County Clerk’s Office in Hamlin, WV, and relates to residents of the Harts Creek community. These notes are meant to serve as a reference to Deed Book 50. Researchers who desire the most accurate version of this material are urged to consult the actual record book.

James and Sidney J. Brumfield to Olga Brumfield     land for $245     30 June 1909     p. 46-47

L.C. and Rhoda Gartin to William Adkins     32 acres Dry Branch     2 June 1893     Elias Vance, JP     p. 58-59

Caroline and Charles Brumfield to William Workman     50 acres Forks of Ike Fry Branch for $180     28 July 1904     Isaac Fry, JP     p. 100-101

Allen and Hollena Brumfield to William Workman     195 acres Brown’s Branch for $200     26 June 1900     Isaac Fry, JP     p. 101-102

W.L. Ferguson, Trustee of George W. Dillon (bankrupt), to William Workman and Rachel Spry     7 acres Mouth of Bridge Branch     18 November 1907     p. 103-104

Charles and Caroline Brumfield to William Workman and Rachel Spry     10 acres at Mouth of Little Harts Creek for $175     16 September 1909

Calls of Land Allotted to Rachel Spry from the Paris Brumfield Estate (Lot 7)     80 acres below Little Hart     p. 106

Allen and Hollena Brumfield to Sarah Mullins and Mary A. Vance     25 acres Bridge Branch for $12     24 December 1903     p. 108-109

Charles Brumfield to Caroline Brumfield     Three Tracts on Ike Fry Branch     07 August 1894     p. 111-112

Hollena and Wesley Ferguson, Ward Brumfield, Hendrix and Georgia Brumfield, to Charlie Brumfield     100 acres Guyan River     20 March 1907     Charles Adkins, JP     p. 113-114

David and Alice Dingess to Caroline Brumfield     50 acres on Lower Branch of Little Harts Creek for $200     02 January 1909     Charles Adkins, JP     p. 114-115

Walton and Daisy Brumfield to L.C. Denison     156, 59, 72 acres on Big and Shingle Branches of Big Ugly Creek     18 July 1908     p. 292-294

Enos and Lettice M. Adkins to Martha J. Dial     93 acres East Fork of Big Harts Creek for $250     12 June 1893     Elias Vance, JP     p. 308-309

Note: I copied all of these deeds.

Rufus Stowers

18 Tuesday Apr 2017

Posted by in Hamlin, Lincoln County Feud

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Rufus Stowers, who resided at Hamlin in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Son of William Larkin and Rebecca (Lambert) Stowers, was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, January 26, 1842, and settled in Lincoln county in 1872. His father died in Tazewell county in 1857, and his mother in 1856. Mr. Stowers taught school thirteen years, but is now a farmer in Carroll district, owning about 127 acres of land on Scary creek, seven miles southeast from Hamlin. The farm is in good condition, containing a large orchard of apple, pear and peach trees, and a portion of it is heavily timbered with poplar, sugar, maple, beech, hickory, and walnut. In Tazewell county, August 16, 1859, Rufus Stowers was united in wedlock with Sarah Elizabeth Lambert. She is a daughter of Hiram H. and Priscilla E. (Lambert) Lambert, and she was born in Tazewell county, April 26, 1844. October 28, 1882, Mrs. Stowers died, leaving a husband and six children to mourn her loss. She was the mother of seven children, one deceased, who were born as follows: George Washington, September 8, 1860; Matilda Jane, March 29, 1862; Mary Priscilla, August 14, 1864; Martha Rebecca Alice, August 9, 1871; Emma Eva Christina, October 7, 1875; James Addison, March 8, 1877, died July 5, 1878; Luella Ann, April 16, 1879. Mr. Stowers is a member of the United Baptist Church; his wife was a member of the same church at the time of her death. William Stowers, father of Rufus, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Rufus Stowers was at one time constable and commissioner of revenue in Bland county, Virginia. Any mail for him may be addressed to Hamlin, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 117.

NOTE: During the Lincoln County Feud, Paris Brumfield accidentally shot Mr. Stowers. Mr. Stowers appears in the song, “The Lincoln County Crew.”

Evermont Ward Brumfield

09 Sunday Apr 2017

Posted by in Civil War, Hamlin

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Evermont Ward Brumfield, who resided at Hamlin in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Is a native of Lincoln county, born July 15, 1841, and he is a son of John H. and Rachel (Haskins) Brumfield. In Lincoln county, February 14, 1867, E.W. Brumfield was joined in marriage with Laury Johnson, born in Lincoln county, October 22, 1843, and is a daughter of Perry and Irena (Gilkinson) Johnson. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Brumfield are: Junea Lilly, May 14, 1868; Spicy, October 1, 1871; Maud Eske, April 24, 1881; all at home. Mr. Brumfield served in the Federal army during the Civil War, in Company G, 3rd West Virginia Volunteer Cavalry. He enlisted November 15, 1863, and served until the close of the war, and was a participant in the following battles: Winchester, Piedmont, Mount Crawford, Rudes Hill, and Bunker Hill. One brother of E.W. Brumfield, William Randolph, was killed in the late war. Mr. and Mrs. Brumfield joined the Methodist Episcopal Church July 16, 1869, in which Mr. Brumfield has been class leader. His grandfathers were among the earliest settlers of Lincoln county. E.W. Brumfield owns about 105 acres of fine farming land in Sheridan district, on Bear creek, four miles northwest of Hamlin; the land is well cultivated, and has upon it a large orchard of apple, peach, plum and cherry trees. Beside tilling the soil, in Carroll district, the subject of this sketch is jailer and deputy sheriff of Lincoln county, which office he has held two years. Direct mail to Hamlin, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 108-109.

NOTE: Paris Brumfield, brother to E.W. Brumfield, is my great-great-great-grandfather.

Lewis Adkins

27 Monday Mar 2017

Posted by in Fourteen, Ranger

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Lewis Adkins, who resided at Fourteen in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Was born in Wayne county, (then) Virginia, in 1814, and in 1841 came to what is now Lincoln county. Jacob and Pheobe (Bradshaw) Adkins were his parents, both now deceased. Lewis Adkins has been twice married; his first wife, Melcina Hunter, died, leaving eight children, born as follows: Evermont, February 1, 1839; Anderville, February 28, 1842; Albert M., August 27, 1844; Hansford, October 27, 1847; Emily, August 1850, died in 1866; Hugh C., April 17, 1853; Spencer, May 17, 1856; Richard, May 26, 1861. In Cabell county, in 1866, Mr. Adkins was again united in wedlock, with Emma Brumfield, and to them one child was born: Sampson, December 27, 1866. Mrs. Adkins was born in this county, in 1824, the year in which her parents, John and Rachel (Haskins) Brumfield, settled here. Mr. Adkins is one of the farming population of Laurel Hill district, and any mail for him may be addressed to Fourteen, Lincoln county, West Virginia.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 139.

NOTE: Emmazetta (Brumfield) Adkins was a sister to my ancestor, Paris Brumfield.

Isham Roberts

13 Monday Mar 2017

Posted by in Harts, Lincoln County Feud

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From “Hardesty’s History of Lincoln County, West Virginia,” published by H.H. Hardesty, we find this entry for Isham Roberts, who resided at Hart in Lincoln County, West Virginia:

Son of Isham and Dicie (Roberts) Collins, was born in Martin county, Kentucky, in 1861, and settled in Lincoln county in 1877. His mother resides in this county, but his father is in Minnesota. Isham Roberts was united in the holy bonds of matrimony, in Lincoln county in 1883, with Martha J. Brumfield. She was born in 1865, and her parents, Paris and Annie (Toney) Brumfield, are natives of this county. Mr. Roberts is a prosperous young merchant in Hart Creek district, having his business headquarters on Guyan river, at the mouth of Big Hart creek. His prices are the most reasonable and the business very extensive. Hart, Lincoln county, West Virginia, is the post office address of Isham Roberts, Jr.

Source: The West Virginia Encyclopedia, Vol. 7 (Richwood, WV: Jim Comstock, 1974), p. 137.

NOTE: Isham Roberts married my great-great-great-aunt, Martha J. Brumfield. His sister, Louisa Jane (Collins) Mullins, married Bob Hatfield (son of Devil Anse).

Paris Brumfield Grave (2016)

06 Tuesday Dec 2016

Posted by in Civil War, Harts, Lincoln County Feud

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Here we are placing the marker. Paris Brumfield Family Cemetery, Harts, Lincoln County, WV. 29 November 2016. Photo by Mom.

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Paris Brumfield served in the 45th Battalion Virginia Infantry from 1863-1864 and also under Lt. Col. Vincent “Clawhammer” Witcher in the 34th Battalion Virginia Cavalry from 1864-?.

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Paris Brumfield is my great-great-great-grandfather and a major character in my book, “Blood in West Virginia: Brumfield v. McCoy.” Photo by Nathan Kirk.

Morg Hollow of Big Ugly Creek (2016)

09 Saturday Jan 2016

Posted by in Gill

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Named for Morgan Brumfield, son of Allen B. and Rebecca (Johnson) Brumfield. Allen met his wife, a native of West Hamlin, while riding rafts down the Guyandotte River. 2 January 2016

 

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Named for Morgan Brumfield, son of Allen B. and Rebecca (Johnson) Brumfield. Allen served in the Confederate Army. 2 January 2016

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Named for Morgan Brumfield, son of Allen B. and Rebecca (Johnson) Brumfield. Morgan was named for John Hunt Morgan. 2 January 2016

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Named for Morgan Brumfield, son of Allen B. and Rebecca (Johnson) Brumfield. Allen was a brother to feudist Paris Brumfield. 2 January 2016

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Named for Morgan Brumfield, son of Allen B. and Rebecca (Johnson) Brumfield. Morgan Brumfield was a participant in the Lincoln County Feud. 2 January 2016

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Named for Morgan Brumfield, son of Allen B. and Rebecca (Johnson) Brumfield. Morgan is buried near this property. 2 January 2016

Price Lucas Family Cemetery (2015)

05 Saturday Sep 2015

Posted by in Cemeteries, Sand Creek

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The Price Lucas Family Cemetery, which I visited on 3 September 2015, is located on Sand Creek ridge in Lincoln County, WV. Today, this cemetery is popularly known as the Lucas Cemetery or Lucas-Farley Cemetery. To reach the cemetery, drive 3.5 miles up the Big Fork or Laurel Fork of Saw Mill Hollow of Sand Creek. A four-wheel drive vehicle is required. I last visited this cemetery on 12 September 2002.

Row 1

unmarked rock headstone — Homer Maynard

Roger Lee Maynard (03 November 1965-13 December 1992)

Row 2

Johnny A. Farley (05 May 1956-30 May 1958)

Rachel Farley (04 July 1945-04 July 1945); d/o Melvin Clay and Causby Elvira (Lucas) Farley

Causby Elvira Farley (04 December 1917-13 July 1983); d/o David Price and Nancy (Neace) Lucas; m. Melvin Clay Farley

Melvin Clay Farley (19 November 1905-13 October 1989); s/o Matthew Clay and Rachel (Lucas) Farley

Howard Adkins, Jr. (27 July 1935-12 September 1998); s/o Causby Elvira Lucas

Dencil Ray Johnson (30 July 1940-24 November 2006)

Pearl Johnson (1939-still alive); d/o Melvin Clay and Causby Elvira (Lucas) Farley; m. Dencil Ray Johnson

Michael Johnson (1975-2014)

Clayton D. Johnson (1965-2009); s/o Dencil Ray and Pearl (Farley) Johnson

Debra Johnson (1965-still alive); m. Clayton D. Johnson

Row 3

NOTE: In 2002, I noted a tin marker reading “Lettie Farley” here

Ralph Farley (1886-1967); s/o R. Lee and Elvira (Lucas) Farley

rock headstone and footstone — Ralph’s second wife

rock headstone and footstone — c/o Vergie Thompson

“B.R.P.” carved on rock headstone with footstone

“R.F.” carved on rock headstone with footstone

(little gap)

NOTE: IN 2002, I noted two unmarked graves here.

Jane (1883-1920); d/o Ralph and Emmazetta (Nelson) Lucas; m. David Robinson Farley

Joe Farley (1919-1920); s/o David R. and Jane (Lucas) Farley

rock headstone and footstone

D.L. (died March 28, 1939)

NOTE: In 2002, I noted a rock here reading “C.R.” or “O.R.”

Row 4

Lilburn L. Farley (05 November 1931-23 January 2011); s/o Ralph “Rafe” and Nancy V. (Neace) Farley

Violet I. Farley (04 September 1937-02 November 1997); m. Lilburn L. Farley

Jocko and Jean Farley Baby (d. May 1957)

rock headstone with tiny footstone

rock headstone and footstone — child

rock headstone and footstone

(slightly out of row)

rock headstone and footstone

rock headstone and footstone

(gap)

hickory tree

large round rock headstone with rock footstone

“F.B.R.” carved on rock

rock headstone and small rock footstone

rock headstone and footstone

Susan Rakes (1858-1925); s/o John Clay and Rebecca (Elkins) Farley; m. Levi C. Rakes

Levi Rakes (1835-1929); s/o Levi and Ola Rakes

round rock headstone and tiny rock footstone; c/o Levi and Susan (Lucas) Rakes

rock headstone; c/o Levi and Susan (Lucas) Rakes

Row 5

rock headstone nearly buried

rock headstone laying on ground and footstone

tiny rock headstone and footstone

“F.L.” carved on rock

“D.P.L.” carved on rock; d. Nov 17, 1917; David Price Lucas; s/o John and Mary (Fry) Lucas

hickory tree

Row 6

rock headstone with hickory tree at footstone

rock headstone pile with tiny rock footstone

rock footstone

Edar M. Vance (1922-1998); d/o Tolbert and Nancy L. Adkins; m. Maxcil Vance

Charley Vance, Jr. (1942-2013)

Row 7

Margaret Ann Lucas (1876-1951); d/o Ralph and Emmazetta (Nelson) Lucas; m1. Owen O. Vance; m2. Allen Green Lucas

rock headstone

Florie Vance (27 February 1925-14 November 1927); born 28 October 1927; d/o Charles and Hazel (Nelson) Vance

Nellie Vance (09 June 1930-25 September 1931); d/o Charles and Hazel (Nelson) Vance

cement square headstone and rock footstone

cement square headstone and rock footstone

rock headstone and footstone

E. Vance — difficult to read — “June 14” — likely Elbert Vance, born c.1929, s/o Charley and Hazel (Nelson) Vance

rock headstone and footstone

Charley Vance (17 August 1898-11 July 1950); s/o Owen O. and Margaret (Lucas) Vance

Hazel Vance (1901-1966); born 1898; d/o Allen and Sibby (Lovejoy) Nelson; m. Charley Vance

cement square headstone

cinderblock headstone

Larry Owen Vance (22 January 1945-03 November 1986)

Maxcil Vance (16 February 1923-02 December 1988); s/o Charley and Hazel (Nelson) Vance

Mauna Rogers (1947-1994); d/o Charley and Hazel (Nelson) Vance

Row 8

Annie Lambert (10 April 1915-22 June 2001); d/o Ralph “Rafe” and Nancy V. (Neace) Farley; m. Albert A. Lambert

Albert A. Lambert (20 February 1921-30 January 1976); s/o Henderson and Lilly Mae (Lucas) Lambert; PVT US ARMY WWII; m. Anna D. Farley

Allen Green Lucas (1876-1960); s/o John W. and Sarah (Clark) Lucas

(gap)

hickory tree

rock laying on ground at hickory tree

rock headstone laying on ground

rock headstone and footstone

rock headstone and footstone

NOTE: Among the four unmarked graves listed above, three reportedly belong to “colored” people.

Row 9

“H.A.” carved on rock

(gap)

hickory tree

Robert L. Lucas (1906-1974); s/o Allen Green and Margaret A. (Lucas) Lucas

Lula Belle Lucas (17 November 1923-08 May 1950); d/o Bird and Lizzie (Tipton) Nelson; m. Robert Lucas

Roger Dale Lucas (23 December 1949-18 September 1950); s/o Robert and Lula Belle (Nelson) Lucas

Row 10

rock headstone and footstone (child)

(gap)

rock headstone and footstone

rock headstone and hickory tree as footstone; tin marker is faded

Row 11

Robert Brumfield (03 May 1935- still alive); s/o Paris and Julia A. (Lucas) Brumfield

Paris Brumfield (22 August 1888-11 January 1939); s/o John H. and Susan Ellen (Lucas) Brumfield

rock headstone and footstone

Jhonnie Hicks; s/o Bill and Chessie (Brumfield) Hicks

(large gap)

three trees

Thomas Clayton Church (01 December 1933-29 December 1999)

Sylvia Sibby C. Church (10 December 1935-17 December 2003); d/o Charley and Hazel (Nelson) Church; m. Thomas C. Church

Row 12

Ellen Louise Collins (15 May 1954-20 March 2011)

Row 13

Henry Luke Shelton (20 January 2007-20 January 2007); s/o Clifford and Pauline Shelton

George E. Lambert (03 June 1939-still alive); s/o Henderson and Lilly Mae (Lucas) Lambert

Fannie Lambert (20 April 1929-21 September 2011); m. George E. Lambert

Wheeling, West Virginia (2015)

24 Wednesday Jun 2015

Posted by in Lincoln County Feud

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Hart, 1882

27 Saturday Dec 2014

Posted by in Big Harts Creek, Harts

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"Hart," Polk's West Virginia State Gazetteer and Business Directory, 1882-1883.

“Hart,” Polk’s West Virginia State Gazetteer and Business Directory, 1882-1883.

Interview with John Dingess 2 (1996)

11 Friday Jul 2014

Posted by in Big Harts Creek, Culture of Honor, Ed Haley, Lincoln County Feud, Warren

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Al rounded up a gang of men to accompany him on his ride to fetch the prisoners in Williamson. Albert and Charlie Dingess were ringleaders of the posse, which included “Short Harve” Dingess, Hugh Dingess, John Dingess, Burl Farley, French Bryant, John Brumfield, and Charley Brumfield. Perhaps the most notorious member of the gang was French Bryant – “a bad man” who “did a lot of dirty work for the Dingesses.” On the way back from Kentucky, he tied Milt and Green by the arms and “drove them like a pair of mules on a plow line.”

“French Bryant run and drove them like a pair of horses ahead of these guys on the horses,” John said. “That’s quite a ways to let them walk. Old French, he married a Dingess. I knew old French Bryant. When he died, he was a long time dying and they said that he hollered for two or three days, ‘Get the ropes off me!’ I guess that come back to him.”

When the gang reached the headwaters of Trace Fork — what John called “Adams territory” — they sent a rider out ahead in the darkness to make sure it was safe to travel through that vicinity.

Waiting on the Brumfield posse was a mob of about 100 men hiding behind trees at Sycamore Bottom, just below the mouth of Trace Fork. This mob was led by Ben and Anthony Adams and was primarily made up of family members or people who worked timber for the Adamses, like Tom Maggard (“Ben’s right hand man”).

As the Brumfield rider approached their location, they began to click their Winchester rifles — making them “crack like firewood.” Hearing this, the rider turned back up Trace Fork, where he met the Brumfields and Dingesses at Boardtree Bottom and warned them about the danger at the mouth of Trace. They detoured safely up Buck Fork, then stopped at Hugh Dingess’ on Smokehouse where they remained for two or three days, not really sure of what to do with their prisoners. They made a “fortress” at Hugh’s by gathering about 100 men around them, fully aware that Ben Adams might make another effort to recapture Milt and Green.

While at Hugh’s, they got drunk on some of the red whiskey and apple brandy made at nearby Henderson’s. They also held a “trial” to see if Milt and Green would admit their guilt. They took one of the men outside and made him listen through the cracks between the logs of the house as his partner confessed on the inside. About then, the guy outside got loose and ran toward Bill’s Branch but was grabbed by “Short Harve” Dingess as he tried to scurry over a fence.

After this confession, the Brumfields and Dingesses considered killing Milt and Green on the spot but “got scared the Adamses was gonna take them” and headed towards Green Shoal.

John didn’t know why they chose George Fry’s home but figured Mr. Fry was a trusted acquaintance. He said they “punished” them “quite a bit there” but also got one to play a fiddle.

“These people that killed them, they made them play their last tune,” John said. “One of them would play and one guy, I think, he never would play for them.  I forgot which one, but they never could get one guy to do much. The other one’d do whatever they’d tell him to do. That’s just before they started shooting them. The tune that they played was ‘Hell Up Coal Hollow’. I don’t know what that tune is.”

After that, the mob “shot their brains out” and left them in the yard where the “chickens ate their brains.”

A neighbor took their bodies through Low Gap and buried them on West Fork.

John said there was a trial over Haley and McCoy’s murders, something we’d never heard before. Supposedly, about one hundred of the Brumfields and their friends rode horses to Hamlin and strutted into the courtroom where they sat down with guns on their laps. The judge threw the case out immediately because he knew they were fully prepared to “shoot up the place.”

This “quick trial,” of course, didn’t resolve the feud. Back on Harts Creek, Ben Adams often had to hide in the woods from the Dingesses. One time, Hugh and Charlie Dingess put kerosene-dowsed cornstalks on his porch and set them on fire, hoping to drive him out of his house where they could shoot him. When they realized he wasn’t home, they extinguished the fire because they didn’t want to harm his wife and children. Mrs. Adams didn’t live long after the feud. Ben eventually moved to Trace Fork where he lived the rest of his life. Charlie never spoke to him again.

John also said there seemed to have been a “curse” on the men who participated in the killing of Haley and McCoy. He said Albert Dingess’ “tongue dropped out,” Al Brumfield “was blind for years before he died,” and Charlie Dingess “died of lung cancer.” We had heard similar tales from Johnny Farley and Billy Adkins, who said mob members Burl Farley and Fed Adkins both had their faces eaten away by cancer. Vilas Adams told us about one of the vigilantes drowning (Will Adkins), while we also knew about the murders of Paris Brumfield, John Brumfield, Charley Brumfield, and Bill Brumfield.

Just before hanging up with John, Brandon asked if he remembered Ed Haley. John said he used to see him during his younger days on Harts Creek.

“When he was a baby, old Milt wanted to make him tough and he’d take him every morning to a cold spring and bath him,” he said. “I guess he got a cold and couldn’t open his eyes. Something grew over his eyes so Milt took a razor and cut it off. Milt said that he could take that off so he got to fooling with it with a razor and put him blind.”

John said Ed made peace with a lot of the men who’d participated in his father’s killing and was particularly good friends with Cecil Brumfield, a grandson of Paris.