Fun with Maps ISSUE 2025-124

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (August 7, 2025) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps, we visit the history of THEE ORIGINAL REAL family feud.     

FAMILY FEUD

The Hatfields and McCoys.  The family feud went on from 1863 to 1891.

A highlight, or lowlight was when on August 7, 1882 one of the Hatfields was stabbed over 20 times by the opposing clan.  In the 1880s about a dozen people from the families were killed.

All this and much more took place along the Big Sandy River bordering Kentucky and the then new state of West Virginia.

Interestingly, the feud may have been caused in part by a genetic disease among the McCoys that yields a predisposition to anger. 

Over time, the feud eased, in part because eight Hatfields were sent to prison or executed.

In 1979 family members competed on the TV show Family Feud.  There was no blood shed.

This pocket map of Kentucky is by Colton from 1872.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.