Hatfields and McCoys (History Channel)

I saw that when I looked at the family tree, and they had 15 kids! No wonder Sally didn't want to go through another birth. Between the two families I think they had 28 kids between them.

 

That topic could be an outstanding film along these lines but will likely never happen for the simple reason that most outside Kansas and Missouri have never heard of it. These things cost too damn much to make to risk only a couple middle states being interested.

Conversely, nearly everybody's at least heard the term "Hatfields and McCoys", even if only because of it's metaphoric adoption into American lexicon and pop culture. You know you've got a historical miniseries winner when your topic's been spoofed by the Flintstones and Scooby Doo.

 

The other thing to keep in mind is that the budget for this thing ain't exactly small, and whether you like Costner and Paxton or not, there are heavyweights in and behind this thing. History went about this the right way, but it can't just come back with low-budget offerings. Remember ESPN's "movies" on Bob Knight and Pete Rose?

I think History does really well with things like last year's "Gettysburg." Also, the "Rise-" and "Fall of the Third Reich" two-part series was well done. A few years ago, "Lincoln's Melancholy" (at least that was the subject of it) was excellent, as was the doc on the Lincoln assassination and manhunt for Booth. And as mentioned before, "The Universe" still kicks ass on H2, though I rather it be on the regular History. But more movies? They've got to be bankrolled AND have the instant recognizability as the H&Ms.

 

I think the ratings for H&M kind of leaves the network without a choice to do something next year. Figure some other network might try something different besides endless marathons, if they don't. Very good timing as well, minimal competition.
I liked the show they did last year about how the states got their states, and their "History of US" a few years back was interesting focusing on the engineers, innovators and entrepreneurs of history.

 

I call bullshit. How do they bite necks with no teeth?

 

I'd love to see History do a multi-part documentary on Vicksburg similar to Gettysburg last year. All anyone has ever really focused on is the eastern half of the war and Atlanta, but there are tons of stories to be told from the western battles.

 

In terms of dying ..

Per Wiki ...

[1] 1865: Former Union soldier Asa Harman McCoy killed January 7, 1865, probably by the "Logan Wildcats" led by Jim Vance.[12]
[2] 1878: Bill Staton (nephew of Randolph McCoy – not shown on family tree) was killed in 1878 as revenge for testifying on behalf of Floyd Hatfield in his trial for stealing a McCoy hog.[13] Shot by Sam McCoy-nephew of Randolph McCoy Sr.[14]
[3] 1882: Ellison Hatfield is mortally wounded in a fight with Tolbert, Pharmer, and Randolph McCoy, Jr. on August 7, 1882, dying two days later on August 9.[15]
[4] 1882: Tolbert McCoy tied to pawpaw trees & killed as revenge for Ellison Hatfield's shooting/stabbing on August 9, 1882, the day Ellison died.
[4] 1882: Pharmer McCoy tied to pawpaw trees & killed as revenge for Ellison Hatfield's shooting/stabbing on August 9, 1882, the day Ellison died.
[4] 1882: Randolph McCoy Jr. tied to pawpaw trees & killed as revenge for Ellison Hatfield's shooting/stabbing on August 9, 1882, the day Ellison died.[16]
[5] 1886: "Jeff McCoy" killed in fall of 1886 following his murder of mail carrier Fred Wolford,[17] shot by "Cap" Hatfield[14]
[6] 1888: Alifair McCoy killed January 1, 1888 at Randolph's house by nine attackers led by Jim Vance. The attackers failed in their attempt to eliminate witnesses against them.
[6] 1888: Calvin McCoy killed January 1, 1888 at Randolph's house by nine attackers led by Jim Vance. The attackers failed in their attempt to eliminate witnesses against them.[18]
1888 January 7: Jim Vance killed by Frank Phillips[14]
1888 January 18: Bill Dempsey killed by Jeff McCoy and Frank Phillips[19]
1890: Ellison Mounts was hanged on February 18, 1890[20] for Alifair's murder.[11]

For those keeping score at home
(Deaths attributed to):
Hatfields 8, McCoys 3
Chalk one up to the state for hanging Ellison Mounts.

 

Not that a dozen people being killed isn't bad, but it seems like the whole deal is blown out of proportion. From the first killing in 1865 until the final hanging in 1890 and the official end of the feud in 1891, there averages out to be less than one every two years. Factor in that four of the deaths occurred within two days in 1882, four others happened in a cluster in 1888 and one was a legal execution, it's not like these people were having running battles or taking pot shots at each other on a daily basis.

My guess is both sides went about their lives most of the time and the rate of deaths wasn't really that much different from anywhere else in the country at the time. It just so happens that because these people were secluded back in the hills, they happened to be related.

 

I imagine people who learned about the feud from only the miniseries would be quite surprised by how low that final body count was--in particular that the McCoys only killed three people (the Hatfields plainly do appear to have been the more bloodthirsty bunch). The film gave the impression of a larger bloodbath.

 

Keep in mind .. This was one - if not THE - bloodiest feud in American history.
12 bodies are a result of feud seems small until you consider it was an unsanctioned and illegal war between two families.

Off the top of my head I can't think of another family feud that resulted in that many deaths.

 

The Sutton-Taylor feud in south Texas resulted in more than 25 deaths. But I guess it's not technically a true family feud since the Sutton side was populated by corrupt members of the Texas State Police and not necessarily true kinfolks.

The Hatfields and McCoys became ingrained in the culture thanks to the media of the time. Both the patriarchs turned into real media whores there at the end.

 

Actually more than 35 deaths if this wiki link can be trusted: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_feuds_in_the_United_States#Sutton-Taylor

Just speculatin here, but I'd guess one reason why Hatfield/McCoy became the most famous feud was due to geography. Looks like the other big feuds occurred out west (Texas, in particular, appears to have been feud central), thousands of miles from the Eastern papers that dominated national perception back then. An Eastern Appalachian feud was certainly more accessible to media coverage.