What caused the Hatfield McCoy feud?

The feud started over a dispute of ownership of two razor-backed hogs and later escalated with Hatfield’s interest in Rose Anna McCoy, Ole Ran’l McCoy’s daughter.

How did Cap Hatfield die?

Pneumonia
Devil Anse Hatfield/Cause of death

Death. Hatfield died on Thursday, January 6, 1921 in Stirrat, Logan County, West Virginia at the age of 81 of pneumonia at his home along Island Creek.

How did Cap Hatfield lose his eye?

He was also described as having a eye injury that was caused by a percussion cap explosion, giving him the appearance of being wall-eyed. Cap was perhaps better suited for his role as Devil Anse’s Lieutenant than Johnse, as Cap’s quarrelsome demeanor and affinity for violence is legendary.

Was the Hatfield McCoy feud real?

The Hatfield–McCoy feud, also described by journalists as the Hatfield–McCoy war, involved two rural American families of the West Virginia–Kentucky area along the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River in the years 1863–1891. Those involved in the feud were descended from Joseph Hatfield and William McCoy (born c. 1750).

What was wrong with cotton top Hatfield?

On February 18, 1890, Ellison “Cotton Top” Mounts was hanged in Pikeville, Kentucky, for his role in the Hatfield-McCoy Feud. It’s believed that Mounts was involved in the worst atrocity of the feud, which occurred on New Year’s Day 1888.

Did Anse Hatfield desert the Confederate army?

Early in 1864, dozens of soldiers, including Hatfield, deserted the Confederate unit for unknown reasons. Some sources maintain the desertions occurred because the 45th Battalion had been ordered to move out of the area and the men were not willing to leave their homes unprotected from bushwhackers.

Did Cap Hatfield marry?

Cap married Nancy Elizabeth Smith (1866-1942) on October 11, 1883 and had the following children: Coleman Anderson Hatfield (1889-1970) who married Bertha Marie Caldwell (1883-1963) aka Mossie Caldwell; Sheppard “Captain S” Hatfield (1891-?); Levicy Hatfield (1893-?); Pinkie Hatfield (1894-?); Louise “Lou” Hatfield ( …

What stopped the Hatfield and McCoy feud?

Although they ended the feud in 1891 and shook hands in 1976, Saturday, June 14, 2003, marked the official end to the Hatfields and McCoys’ feud when the families signed a truce, in an event broadcast by the The Saturday Early Show.

Was Ellison Cotton Top Mounts mentally challenged?

Nicknamed Cottontop, Mounts was known to be mentally challenged, and many viewed him as a scapegoat even though he had confessed his guilt. Although public executions were against the law in Kentucky, thousands of spectators gathered to witness the hanging of Ellison Mounts on February 18, 1890.

Did top Hatfield cotton hang?

On February 18, 1890, Ellison “Cotton Top” Mounts was hanged in Pikeville, Kentucky, for his role in the Hatfield-McCoy Feud. It was the only legal execution of the feud. Mounts was believed to be the illegitimate son of Ellison Hatfield—the brother of Hatfield family patriarch, “Devil”Anse.

What happened to the Hatfields?

Justice. In its 7-2 decision, the court ruled in favor of Kentucky, allowing for the trials and subsequent convictions of all the Hatfield men. Seven of them received life sentences, and one, Ellison “Cotton Top” Mounts, was executed for his crimes.

Why was cotton top mounts hanged?

On February 18, 1890, Ellison “Cotton Top” Mounts was hanged in Pikeville, Kentucky, for his role in the Hatfield-McCoy Feud. It was the only legal execution of the feud. Mounts was believed to be the illegitimate son of Ellison Hatfield—the brother of Hatfield family patriarch, “Devil”Anse.

Why did the Hatfields laugh at cotton top?

The Hatfield’s laughter was incongruent with the grim business of what they were about to do. Cotton Top was teased about this and mocked by the others using disguised voices long after the raid. Also, Cotton Top was the most easily recognized that night. Alifair knew who he was by his hair right away. 3. How does the Hatfields remember Cotton Top?

What happened to mounts Hatfield father?

Mounts was believed to be the illegitimate son of Ellison Hatfield—the brother of Hatfield family patriarch, “Devil”Anse. In 1882, Mounts’ father was killed by three of Randolph McCoy’s sons. The Hatfields retaliated for Ellison’s murder by tying the three McCoy boys to pawpaw bushes and executing them.

Was cotton top the last person hanged in Kentucky?

Ellison “Cotton Top” Mounts was hanged in Pikeville, Kentucky on February 18, 1890. Cotton Top was one of the last people to be hanged in Pike County, and many believe his hanging was the final incident of the infamous Hatfields & McCoys feud.