Bena Mae’s Kitchen: A colorful piece of Kentucky history

 All of our lives, we native Kentuckians have heard about the feud between the Hatfields and McCoys. But do we know what started it?

While referencing another subject, I accidently ran across the story–or one version of it from the West Virginia Archives and History. Here is an abbreviated account of the now famous saga.

The Hatfields lived on the Kentucky side of Tug River while the McCoys lived on the West Virginia side. Both families were large, 13 kids each. And the boys in each family were wild and rowdy and usually bruising for a fight.

In 1873, two brothers-in-law had a lawsuit over a sow and some pigs. Rand’l McCoy claimed the hogs but Floyd Hatfield said they were his’n. But the hogs went to Hatfield. Witnesses were accused of lying in Squire Anderson Hatfield’s court which was held in his house. From then on it was plain to see that the devil was to pay sooner or later. A man with only one eye and half sense could see that.

Aug. 7, 1882, fell on a Monday and they were having an election. If you are up on the history of Kentucky you are well acquainted with the fact that an election in Kentucky is an occasion on which anything can happen – and usually does. It should also be stated that the two families had been on opposing sides in the Civil War, among other things.

Drinking was rife that day and those with old grudges were carrying chips on their shoulders. Everyone was looking for trouble, it seemed. Beneath a big tree was a table and about it sat the election authorities.

Suddenly an open quarrel flared up-back under other trees at the rear of the polling spot. It seems that Tolbert McCoy, 31, son of Randolph McCoy, had jumped “Bad ‘Lias” Hatfield to pay him the $1.75 which Tolbert claimed was due him on a fiddle he had recently sold “Bad ‘Lias.” 

Tolbert’s two brothers, Phamer, 19, and Randolph McCoy Jr., 15, joined in the quarrel and backed up their brother Tolbert. At this juncture, up came Ellison Hatfield, drunk, and in a foul mood. Tolbert McCoy stalked Ellison Hatfield and told him “I’m hell on earth.”

Ellison said, “You’re a d-n (vulgar word) hog.”

A fight ensued and Ellison Hatfield was stabbed and shot. Guns leaped from pockets and other shots were fired in anger. Those three McCoy boys, Tolbert, Phamer and Randolph were arrested and were being taken to Pikeville jail when Ellison’s brother, Anse  Hatfield and his friends took them away from the law officers.

After being taken to the home of Anderson Ferrel in Warm Hollow, just back of the depot at Matewan, W.Va., Ellison Hatfield expired the afternoon of Aug. 9,1882. Those 26 stab wounds and gashes, plus his gunshot wound, were too much for him.

That night the three McCoys were taken across the Tug River at Matewan and shot to death in a paw paw thicket. From then on for years there was open warfare and feuding between the Hatfields and the McCoys.

It would be interesting to know if there are any members of either family still around to tell their version of the tale.

What’s not to love in this easy-to-make moist cake.

Doodle Cake

cooks.com

CAKE:

2 c. plain flour

2 c. sugar

20 oz. can crushed pineapple (do not drain)

2 whole eggs

2 tsp. soda

1/2 tsp. salt

Mix cake ingredients and pour into 13 x 9 cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until done.

CAKE TOPPING:

1 c. evaporated milk

1 stick butter

1 1/4 c. sugar

1 c. chopped nuts

1 c. coconut

Boil milk, butter and sugar for 3 minutes on medium heat. Remove, add nuts and coconut. Pour over hot cake.