123 year old photograph of Devil Anse Hatfield of the Hatfields and the McCoys

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Hatfield and McCoy Feud

Confederate veteran, legendary mountaineer and hunter, successful entrepreneur, exceptional marksman, and family patriarch of the feuding Hatfields, Captain William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield (1839-1921) was known internationally by the time this photograph was taken.

An article in Confederate Veteran magazine, in the October 1900 issue, stated, “Devil Anse goes always with a Winchester, a sack around his neck full of cartridges, a pair of good Smith and Wessons, and, I am told, that a pair of good Damascus blades luxuriate constantly from his boot legs … He virtually sleeps with one eye open, or, as someone said, ‘sleeps on one side at a time.’

“He has been hounded by officers and enemies so long that he is ever alert and watchful, so much so that, in addition to the five senses being all perfect, the boys say that he has also an eye in the back of his head … He was a good Confederate soldier, and is far more to be pitied now in his near three score and ten than condemned.”

Shown here, with thick leather boots, lever-action Winchester, shell-belt, with plenty of ammo: The Devil was ready for any circumstance or trial. He’s shown mounted on a magnificent animal—his favorite horse, Fred.

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