The Feud Ignites: 1878-1880
The next significant event occurred in 1878, when Randolph McCoy accused fellow Pike Countian and Devil Anse relative Floyd Hatfield (shown here) of stealing a hog. Floyd Hatfield was acquitted, in part, due to the testimony of Randolph’s nephew Bill Staton. Members of the McCoy clan exacted revenge by murdering Staton.