Letters From Grandpa #553

• LETTERS FROM GRANDPA
• 553

Dearest grandchild,

Today’s letter will deal with this Biblical promise of peace: “He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” (Isaiah 2:4) Those who believe the Bible cherish this blessed hope!

Our world, as you know, is plagued with long standing feuds and wars between people all over the world who hate one another. Hear are a few examples – the Sunnis and the Shias – the Hutus and the Tutsis – the Catholics and the Protestants - the proletariat and the bourgeoisie – the blacks against the Boers in South Africa - the Russians against the Ukrainians – the Israelis against the Palestinians – the civil war in Myanmar has brought death to thousands – the civil war in Somali that has displaced 1.1 million people – the Sudanese civil war has brought death to an estimated 2 million – America’s civil war brought death to over 600,000 - more than 45 armed conflicts are currently taking place throughout the Middle East and North Africa - etc. etc. etc.

Other than the civil war, America’s most famous feud was between the Hatfields and the McCoys. It lasted from 1863 to 1891. According to historian Virgil Carrington Jones the feud stopped when Devil Anse Hatfield and his sons were baptized into Christ in the cold clear waters of Main Island Creek! Praise the Lord! This is the way that peace can take place everywhere!

Here is a brief history of this famous feud. It apparently began in 1863 with a dispute over a razorback hog and a litter of pigs. Floyd Hatfield and Randolf McCoy (who married sisters) both claimed ownership of the hog. The case went to court and McCoy lost. He was a sore loser, accused Hatfield of lying, and hit him with a rock. Sadly, “this was the beginning of sorrows.”

The leader of the Hatfield clan was William Anderson Hatfield, better known as “Devil Anse.” He was tall and heavenly bearded, and his nose was shaped like a scimitar. He had 13 children and as a former Confederate general he ran his family like an officer. His cabin was far back in the mountains and was built like a fort. It was fashioned out of 23 foot timbers that were 2 feet thick. The door was 12 inches thick and made of solid oak. The stream in front of his house had steep banks and a draw bridge. A watchman stood guard 24 hours a day and Hatfield’s hatred for McCoys governed his life!

When Johnse Hatfield secretly married Rose Anne McCoy it was almost more than Devil Anse could stand. His rage was like a smoldering fire ready to erupt into flames. Sadly, on election day, Aug. 7, 1882, the first blood was shed. Everybody got liquored up and three McCoy brothers stabbed Ellison Hatfield 26 times and then shot him in the back. Two days later the McCoy brothers were all dead. The Hatfields had generously spared the police the burden of a trial. The victims were tied to paw-paw bushes with leather thongs and their bodies were riddled with bullets. Randolf was in a kneeling position with the top of his head blown off. Tolbert died with a bloody hand in front of his face and a bullet in his brain. Phamer was swinging from his armpits like a sack of grain.

On Sept. 4, 1882 the Circuit Court for Pike County convened. Twenty men were indicted, but it was difficult to get a conviction in those mountains. Judge Findley of Williamsburg explained why. He once brought an accused man to trial but the defendant showed up with a double barreled shotgun and a belt full of revolvers. He had 20 men with him all armed in the same way. Judge Findley didn’t hold court for 2 years.

In 1888 the Hatfields set fire to a McCoy cabin and Allifair McCoy was murdered when she tried to put out the fire. Her distraught daughter was clubbed in the head for trying to help her. Calvin McCoy was also killed in the attack. On Tue. Feb. 18,1889 Ellison Mounts was hanged for the murder of Allifair McCoy and thousands showed up for the occasion. Some were happy and other’s wept.

Newspapers picked up the story that a virtual state of war existed in the mountains. While the Governors of two states debated jurisdiction, the violence and killing continued. Typical of being trigger happy, Elias and Troy Hatfield were both killed by an Italian liquor salesman. Before dying, however, Troy pulled his pistol and shot the salesman three times – once between the eyes – once in the heart – and once in the stomach! Fortunately, with the help of Jesus, times have changed!

On Sept. 21, 2022 the Hatfields and McCoy families came together for a family reunion. Staff writer Crystal Ripkoski covered the story. She wrote: “William Billy Keith Hatfield, great grandson of Devil Anse Hatfield and Ron McCoy, great great great grandson of Randolph McCoy — two of those who came to Pikeville for the event — said they have become friends and brothers in Christ.”

How beautiful! “this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.” (1 John 3:11-12) Jesus said: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt. 5:43-38)

Yes! Let’s continue to look forward to the wonderful time when Christ will be King and all mankind will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks!

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce