Feuding Hatfields, McCoys Sign Truce

AP ^ | Mon, Jun 16, 2003

[presidio9]

A pen and ink sealed the end of Appalachia's most infamous bloody feud instead of a shotgun and bullets.

Descendants of the Hatfield and McCoy families gathered Saturday in Pikeville to sign the truce, making a largely symbolic and official end to a feud that had claimed at least a dozen lives from the two mountain families.

"We ask by God's grace and love that we be forever remembered as those that bound together the hearts of two families to form a family of freedom in America," says the truce, signed by more than 60 descendants.

Reo Hatfield of Waynesboro, Va., came up with the idea as a proclamation of peace.

The broader message it sends to the world, he said, is that when national security is at risk, Americans put their differences aside and stand united. If these two feuding families can come together, anyone can, he said.

"We're not saying you don't have to fight because sometimes you do have to fight," Hatfield said. "But you don't have to fight forever."

The more than a century of feuding between the McCoys of Kentucky and Hatfields of West Virginia is believed to have its origins in a dispute over a pig. A court battle over timber rights escalated the tension in the 1870s, and by 1888, as many as a dozen lives were lost.

Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton and West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise also signed proclamations declaring June 14 Hatfield and McCoy Reconciliation Day.

Ron McCoy, a founder of Hatfield-McCoy Festival, now in its fourth year, said the families haven't decided what to do with the signed proclamations.

"The Hatfields and McCoys symbolize violence and feuding and fighting," he said, "but by signing this, hopefully people will realize that's not the final chapter."

[lawgirl]

I am a Hatfield and I never heard of any such silliness.

There hasn't been a feud in 100 years- it was over in the 1880s. More of my retarded cousins trying to make money from the family name. *yawn*

[ricpic]

"....bound together the hearts of two families to form a family of freedom in America."

Say what? Why does everything nowadays have to be clothed in inflated rhetoric?

How about "We's plumb tuckered out. Feudin's over."

[tdadams]

There hasn't been a feud in 100 years- it was over in the 1880s.

That is so not true. Perhaps you're not of that Hatfield clan. My grandfather was born in Pikeville, KY in 1904. He grew up with several of the McCoys. He said they still hated the Hatfields well into their adult years (in the 1950s and 60s) and would have killed any of them given the chance and the slightest reason.

[nravoter]

I'm confused. How can there be a lasting peace without the establishment of a separate Hatfield state and dismantling of the McCoy settlements?

[stimpyone]

what did they decide to do about the settlements and refugees?

oh wait, wrong feud. :-)

[Devil_Anse]

This article makes them almost sound like... politicians.

How terrible.

Surely the Hatfield and McCoy genes can't have been THAT hideously distorted in a mere 100 years??

[RandallFlagg]

Hetfields?!.. OH! HATfields..

OK. Nevermind.

[Liberty Tree Surgeon]

FR Laugh of the Month

[rattrap]

well thank god that's over, now we can get on with the business of life.

[adam_az]

"Ron McCoy, a founder of Hatfield-McCoy Festival, now in its fourth year, said the families haven't decided what to do with the signed proclamations."

I don't know, maybe issue silly press releases to draw more attention to the Hatfield-McCoy Festival?

[kidd]

If these two feuding families can come together, anyone can, he said.

I feel a group hug coming on. I'm outta here...

[skeeter]

I'll drink to that.

[Orange1998]

The 60 who sign might have been in disagreement until the signing. Anyhoo, your profile looks great. I agree with all your comments. Save and Except the hunk pictures, I am a guy.

[lawgirl]

LOL- thanks for the compliment on my profile. It's an ongoing thing- I just keep adding and adding and can't seem to cut anything............. ;-D

[lawgirl]

Yes, I am from that clan. And my father grew up in Pike County as well and, although the feud wasn't talked about as a rule, he never knew anyone that had any animosity towards the McCoys. Interesting.

[Poohbah]

There hasn't been a feud in 100 years- it was over in the 1880s

Oh, c'mon, they're just implementing the roadmap :o)

[Revolting cat!]

Naw, this one!

[Revolting cat!]

And these! War of the Bands!

[Revolting cat!]

And let's not forget him!