Tags
Appalachia, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, history, justice of the peace, Kentucky, Logan County, Pike County, Sam McCoy, Tolbert Hatfield, Wall Hatfield, West Virginia
Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk | Filed under Hatfield-McCoy Feud
21 Thursday Apr 2022
Tags
Appalachia, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, history, justice of the peace, Kentucky, Logan County, Pike County, Sam McCoy, Tolbert Hatfield, Wall Hatfield, West Virginia
Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk | Filed under Hatfield-McCoy Feud
21 Thursday Apr 2022
Posted Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Matewan
inTags
Allen Hatfield, Anse Ferrell, Beech Creek, Cap Hatfield, Devil Anse Hatfield, Double Camp Hollow, Elias Hatfield, Ellison Hatfield, Estil Hatfield, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Island Creek, John Hennen, Kentucky, Mate Creek, Matewan, Mingo County, North Matewan, Pigeon Creek, Pike County, Rutherford Hollow, Tom Chafin, Truman Chafin, Vicy Hatfield, Wall Hatfield, Warm Hollow, West Virginia, Williamson, Willis Hatfield
On June 21, 1989, scholar John Hennen interviewed Tom Chafin (1911-1997) of Williamson, West Virginia. What follows here is an excerpt of Mr. Chafin’s story about the death of his grandfather Ellison Hatfield in 1882 and other general memories of the Hatfield family.
JH: Okay, let’s go ahead and just follow that line. Tell me about Ellison Hatfield. And of course Ellison Hatfield was one of the participants in the early days of the so called Hatfield and McCoy feud.
TC: He’s the one that the McCoys killed. Uh, he lived up Mate Creek at the mouth of a hollow they call Double Camp Holler. He came down to Matewan here and got with some of his friends and they had a saloon here. It was called a saloon then, not the liquor store like we call it.
JH: Do you have any idea where that saloon was?
TC: Uh…the saloon was close to where the liquor store is now.
JH: Okay.
TC: I’m…I’m sure it was in the same building. That’s the Buskirk building. And he got with some of his friends and they got to drinking and was a having an election across the river in Pike County, Kentucky. Just across the river here. And he said to them said, some of his friends said, “Let’s go over and see how the elections goin’,” and when they got over there, they got into it with them and he was cut all to pieces with knives. He didn’t die in Kentucky. They loaded him up and hauled him back in a wagon. They hauled him back through the river up here at the upper end of Matewan and took him to Warm Holler. Now this is Warm Holler straight across from the bank on the right goin’ down there. You go across the railroad tracks. Uncle Anse Ferrell lived there. That was Ellison’s uncle. Uncle Anse Ferrell lived there in a big old log house. And they took Ellison there to his house that evening and he stayed there all that evening, all that night, and all day the next day and died the next evening. Just about dark. But in the mean time now, the Hatfields captured the three McCoy boys that they said did the killin’ of Ellison. Cuttin’ him up with knives. They captured them and took them up to a place they call North Matewan just out of Matewan here. They had and old school house there at the mouth of Rutherford Hollow. And they had an old school house there at the mouth of Rutherford Holler and that’s where they kept the three McCoy boys. All this evening, all night tonight, all day tomorrow, until tomorrow evening. And they brought him back down here, took him across the river and then a little drain, I call it, instead of a holler. It’s not a holler, it’s just a drain where water runs out where you go up to the radio station. That’s where they tied them to three papaw bushes. Now, we don’t have any papaw bushes around like we used to. We used to have whole orchards of them but they all disappeared. Why, they was papaws everywhere You could pick up a bushel of papaws anywhere when I was a boy. But you don’t even see a papaw tree any more. They said they tied them to three papaw bushes and killed all three of them.
JH: And this was after Ellison died?
TC: They waited until Ellison died. Say he died this evening and they went up there and got them and took them over there I believe the next morning.
JH: Who were some of the Hatfields involved in this?
TC: Well, to be exact, I’d say Cap… Cap was the head man. He was Devil Anse’s oldest son.
JH: I’d like you to tell me a little bit more about Cap Hatfield and well, do you have a personal memory of Devil Anse? I know you have been to his house when you were a boy.
TC: No.
JH: You can’t remember anything directly about him?
TC: I’ve been to his house. I know where his house is. I knew what kind of house it was. It was a log house and it had a window in that end of it and a window in this end of it and it was across the creek. I could show you right where it is on Island Creek over there and I can remember goin’ over there with my grandfather Mose Chafin. Now, he was a brother to Devil Anse’s wife, Aunt Vicy. We’d go over and see Aunt Vicy after Uncle Anse had died. I believe he died in 1921 and I was ten years old when he died. And when I would go over there with him, probably I was twelve or thirteen or something like that, after Uncle Anse had died. And we’d ride a horse. I’d ride on the hind and my grandfather Mose Chafin. And I could tell you exactly how to go. We’d go up Mate Creek across the hill into Beech Creek and from Beech Creek into Pigeon Creek and Pigeon Creek into Island Creek.
JH: And Vicy was still living at that time?
TC: Yeah.
JH: So you knew her then?
TC: Yeah. She was a pretty big fat woman. She wasn’t too big and fat. She was about, say, hundred and sixty, something like that, I’m guessin’. I’m gonna guess it. About a hundred and sixty pound. Anyhow, she was a big fat woman.
JH: Now, Cap lived on up into…to be an old man?
TC: Yeah. Willis is the last man that…last one to die.
JH: He was the son of Devil Anse also?
TC: Yeah. I was with him at a birthday party for Allen Hatfield on Beech Creek. That was his cousin. Allen was Elias’ boy* and he was Ellison’s boy**. Willis was. That made them first cousins and Willis was the only Hatfield left on Island Creek so we got him to come to that… Allen’s boy Estil Hatfield got him to come over to the birthday party, and I believe Truman went with me. He died in seventy-eight. I can tell you when he died.
JH: Willis?
TC: Willis died. Last child that Devil Anse had died in seventy-eight. 1978.
*Should read as “Wall’s boy”
**Should read as “Anse’s boy”
21 Thursday Apr 2022
Posted Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Matewan
inTags
A.W. Ferrell, Asa McCoy, David Mounts, Ephraim Hatfield, genealogy, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, history, John Ferrell, Joseph Simpkins, justice of the peace, Logan County, Magnolia District, Michael A. Ferrell, Mingo County, Samuel F. Varney, Wall Hatfield, West Virginia, William Tiller
The following list of justices of the peace for Magnolia District in present-day Mingo County, West Virginia, is based on historical documents available at the Logan County Courthouse in Logan. Several things to consider: (1) The list will be expanded over time based on new research; (2) the targeted area for this research is the Hatfield-McCoy feud region; (3) some justices included in this list may have in fact been located outside of the feud region; (4) dates for justices are primarily derived from deeds and county court/commissioner records; and (5) Mingo County was formed from Logan County in 1895.
John Ferrell (1838)
April 26, 1838
David Mounts (1838-1840)
April 26, 1838
January 31, 1840
March 23, 1840
August 22, 1840
Samuel F. Varney (1861)
March 14, 1861
Ephraim Hatfield (1861)
March 14, 1861
William Tiller (1867)
October 1867
Valentine “Wall” Hatfield (1870-1885)
February 11, 1873
April 8-9, 1873
August 12-16, 1873
February 10-12, 1874
October 13-14, 1874
December 8-12, 1874
December 29, 1874
August 10, 1875
October 12-16, 1875
August 8-9, 1876
elected October 10, 1876
July 1, 1878
October 1879
July 1880
December 10, 1880
December 14, 1880
appointed June 13, 1881
January 28, 1882
July 22, 1885
Asa McCoy (1873-1876)
February 11-12, 1873
August 12-16, 1873
December 9-12, 1873
June 16, 1874
October 22, 1874
December 9, 1874
February 11, 1875
June 9, 1875
June 13-17, 1876
August 8-9, 1876
Ephraim Hatfield (1876-1878)
elected October 10, 1876
February 11, 1878
A.W. Ferrell (1880)
April 1880
referenced on February 8, 1881 as a former justice
Joseph Simpkins (1882)
appointed to fill unexpired term, October 17, 1882
Michael A. Ferrell (1888)
elected November 6, 1888
20 Saturday Jun 2020
Posted Big Sandy Valley, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Music
inTags
Appalachia, banjo, Beech Creek, Early Mahon, genealogy, history, Mingo County, music, photos, Plyant Mahon, Vicie Mahon, Wall Hatfield, West Virginia
Early Mahon (1884-1969), son of Plyant and Vicie (Hatfield) Mahon. Plyant Mahon was a participant of the Hatfield-McCoy Feud. Early was the grandson of Valentine “Wall” Hatfield. The family holds the original photo.
31 Thursday May 2018
Posted Culture of Honor, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Matewan
inTags
Appalachia, Bud McCoy, Doc Mayhon, Ephraim Hatfield, feud, feuds, G.W. Pinson, genealogy, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, history, Jeff Whitt, Kentucky, Pharmer McCoy, Pike County, Plyant Mahon, Tolbert McCoy, Tug Fork, Wall Hatfield, West Virginia
The killing of Tolbert, Pharmer, and Bud McCoy by a Hatfield-led gang on August 8, 1882 represented one of the most sensational events of the Hatfield-McCoy Feud. What follows is Ephraim Hatfield’s deposition regarding the affair:
COMMONWEALTH VS DOC MAYHORN &C
Bill of Exceptions
FILED Sept. 1889
G.W. Pinson, Clk
I know Jeff Whitt. I had a conversation with Jeff Whitt the day Wall Hatfield was tried and after he had been sworn as a witness on said trial. In said conversation he said That if he swore on the trial of Wall Hatfield that Dock and Plyant Mayhone was on this side of the river where the McCoy boys were killed. He didn’t know what he was saying. That he was scared and that they were not there.
31 Thursday May 2018
Posted Culture of Honor, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Matewan
inTags
Appalachia, Bud McCoy, Elias Hatfield, feud, feuds, G.W. Pinson, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, history, Pharmer McCoy, Tolbert McCoy, W.S. Ferrell, Wall Hatfield
The killing of Tolbert, Pharmer, and Bud McCoy by a Hatfield-led gang on August 8, 1882 represented one of the most sensational events of the Hatfield-McCoy Feud. What follows is W.S. Ferrell’s deposition regarding the affair:
COMMONWEALTH VS DOC MAYHORN &C
Bill of Exceptions
FILED Sept. 1889
G.W. Pinson, Clk
Who Says I am acquainted with Defts. and known them since they were boys. I am acquainted with their General Moral character in the neighborhood in which they live and it is good. I was summoned and brought here as a witness for the commonwealth. I was at Elias Hatfield’s house the nights the McCoy boys were killed, and was awake when the crowd came with Wall. I didn’t see Defendants there. I saw them next day at the funeral. I was around among the crowd a Good deal that nights at Elias Hatfield’s.
27 Sunday May 2018
Posted Culture of Honor, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, Matewan
inTags
Appalachia, Blackberry Creek, Bud McCoy, county clerk, Doc Mayhorn, Elias Hatfield, Elijah Mounts, feuds, G.W. Pinson, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, history, Joe Davis, Kentucky, Pharmer McCoy, Pike County, Plyant Mahorn, Tolbert McCoy, Tug Fork, Wall Hatfield, West Virginia
The killing of Tolbert, Pharmer, and Bud McCoy by a Hatfield-led gang on August 8, 1882 represented one of the most sensational events of the Hatfield-McCoy Feud. What follows is Joe Davis’ deposition regarding the affair:
COMMONWEALTH VS DOC MAYHORN &C
Bill of Exceptions
FILED Sept. 1889
G.W. Pinson, Clk
The Commonwealth then introduced as a witness Jo Davis who Proves that he lives at the mouth of Blackberry Creek in Pike County Ky and was at home on the 9th day of August 1882. the mouth of Blackberry is about one mile above the mouth of Sulphur. knows Deft Plyant Mayhorn. saw him on Aug 9 1882 with with (sic) Wall and Elias Hatfield and Lige Mounts. Wall ask me if the little McCoy boy cut his brother. I told him he did and Wall said that was all right. it was all he wanted to know or something to that effect. They all turned and went back down the river. from the mouth Sulphur to mouth Mate Creek it is something over ½ mile. As soon as Wall and the others left him he turned and got in his skiff and sailed(?) across the river and went up first Bank(?) 8 or 10 steps and stopped and talked with Fanan(?) for about 3 or 4 minutes. walked on 10 or 12 steps to a fence. throwed his leg across it and heard guns or Pistols firing down the river. There is 3 fords in the river between Blackberry & Sulphur. Wall spoke to him in an ordinary tone of voice. Wall, Elias, Elijah Mounts and deft. Plyant Mayhorn wen(t) just opposite my house where Wall asked me about the little boy stabbing his brother. It was nearing dusk.
Written on left margin: In giving the distance from my house [corner torn] I have reference to the distance on the Ky shore [page torn]. It is nearer on the WVa side. I rowed the skiff ____ up the river about 25(0?) yds. Tug River is the boundary line between Ky & WVa and the river was low. I went down in the morning and saw the boys dead and the little one that Wall inquired about had the top of his head shot off.
For more information about this incident, follow these links:
http://explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/785?tour=55&index=3
http://wvpublic.org/post/three-mccoys-killed-hatfields-kentucky-august-8-1882#stream/0
http://hatfield-mccoytruth.com/2017/04/22/in-hatfield-country-blackberry-creek-in-the-1880s/
04 Sunday Feb 2018
Posted Hatfield-McCoy Feud
inTags
Appalachia, crime, F.M. Chafin, F.M. White, genealogy, Hatfield-McCoy Feud, history, Logan County, Plyant Mahon, Plyant Mahorn, S. Kelly, Thomas H. Harvey, Valentine Hatfield, Vicie Hatfield, Vicie Mahon, Wall Hatfield, West Virginia
Plyant Mahon/Mayhorn, born c.1855, married Vicie Hatfield, daughter of Valentine “Wall” Hatfield in 1877 in Logan County, WV. He was an active participant in the Hatfield-McCoy Feud.
State of West Virginia
Logan County to wit
The Petition of Plyant Mayhorn filed in the Circuit Court of Logan County in vacation
To the Hon. Thos. H. Harvey, Judge of the Circuit Court of said County.
Your Petitioner would beg to represent unto your Honor that at the April term 1889 of the circuit court of Logan County he was indicted by the Grand Jury of said County there in session at said term of said court for unlawfully accepting a gift with the intent that he your said Petitioner should vote for one F.M. White at a general election held in this county in November 1888 that he was not apprised or notified of the finding of said indictment during the said term of said court that he was not aware nor had he any knowledge whatever of the existence of said indictment until a few days ago it then being fifty days after the finding of said indictment.
Your Petitioner would further represent unto your Honor that a few days since a capias was issued from the circuit court of this county in said indictment and placed in the hands of F.M. Chafins sheriff of said county who immediately and unceremoniously arrested your Petitioner, ruthlessly tore him from his home and family in the dead of night and hurled him into the Jail of this County where he is now ignominiously incarcerated.
And your Petitioner would still further represent unto your Honor that he is a husband and father with a wife in delicate health and five children of tender age looking up to him alone for bread, that he is a farmer without any other means whatever of support but the product of the soil of his little farm realized by the hard and continuous daily labor of your Petitioner, that this is the season of the year in which the husbandmen must attend carefully to his sewing or there will be no reaping next harvest, and that he is ready and willing to comply with any order made by the circuit court of this County or by your Honor in vacation.
Your Petitioner therefore prays that your Honor make an order in vacation directing the clerk of the circuit court of Logan County to admit your Petitioner to bail taking bond with good security in such sum as your Honor may see fit to fix. He also prays such other and general relief as your Honor may see fit to grant. And in duty bound he will ever pray etc.
Plyant Mahorn
Plaintiff
***
State of West Virginia
Logan County to wit
Plyant Mahorn the Petitioner in the foregoing Petition being duly sworn says that the facts and allegations therein contained are true.
Plyant Mayhon (his mark)
Taken, sworn and subscribed before me this __ day of May 1889.
S. Kelly, Notary
Source: Logan County Clerk’s Office, Logan, WV.
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