The history of the Hatfield & McCoy’s goes all the way back to the late 1800’s when both families shared opposite sides of the Tug River valley. The Tug River divides Kentucky and West Virginia state lines. The families lived in relative proximity consider the rough terrain and often brutal conditions. Nobody can say definitively how the Hatfield & McCoy feud began but many attest the feud to Civi
l War, timber rights, a lovers quarrel, a pig, or even just jealously. No matter the cause; the feud lasted about twelve years and cost as many lives. The death toll certainly not staggering by accounts of other mountain feuds however, no other feud has been given such publicity and infamy. The Hatfield’s & McCoy’s are infamous and legendary for being violent however, the truth behind the story is filled with love, pain, sorrow, and pride. The story doesn’t end in the 1800’s as the families have reconciled and now celebrate a common family heritage. In 2000, more than 5000 Hatfield’s and McCoy’s returned to Pikeville,KY and Matewan, West Virginia to hold the first joint Hatfield and McCoy family reunion. The reunion made international press and was featured on Good Morning America, within People Magazine, via countless radio and television news casts. In 2003, the families signed the definite ‘truce’ which ended feud officially and seal the families joint heritage as one. Today, the Pikeville and Matewan area tourism departments continue to celebrate that union with an annual festival. HATFIELD & MCCOY MOUNTAIN JUICE TELLS THE STORY OF THE FEUD WITH EACH NEW BOTTLE RELEASED.
