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Hatfield Family Postcards

Posted by Jane Metters LaBarbara.
March 16th, 2020

Blog post by Jane Metters LaBarbara, Assistant Curator, WVRHC.

In light of the current turbulence of COVID-19, I thought we could all use something nice and light to enjoy on the blog.  Below I am sharing a small sampling of postcards from our new (currently in-process) Hatfield family collection.

Boy seated next to dog, outside a house
This postcard was just labeled “Master Joe Hatfield and his Jack Dog”
Two men seated at pillars on opposite sides of a residential front door
J.D. Hatfield and Bob Hunter in front of an unknown house, demonstrating safe social distancing
Two children outside, standing next to a dog seated on a chair.
This postcard was labeled ” Uncle Joe, Mother, ‘Toby'” — I increased the contrast because the original is a bit faded.
Two men on either side of a saloon bar, with dog lounging on the bar
“John R. Caldwell in Elias Hatfield Saloon” (no mention of the dog’s name, but I’m wondering if it’s Toby at his day job). This photo was also faded quite a bit, so I altered the colors.
Man and woman standing outside a home
Labeled “Anderson Hatfield and Wife”–Devil Anse as an older man, with his wife Louvisa.

In case you, too, crave certainty and resolution, I wanted to end the post with the ceremonial peace treaty style document signed by members of both families in 2003, declaring that they had put the feud far behind them and embraced unity. Also included is the governor’s declaration of June 14, 2003 as Hatfield-McCoy Reconciliation Day.

A unity statement between the Hatfield and McCoy families, signed by Reo B. Hatfield, Bo McCoy, and Ron McCoy, dated June 14, 2003.
A unity statement between the Hatfield and McCoy families, signed by Reo B. Hatfield, Bo McCoy, and Ron McCoy, dated June 14, 2003.
Second page document of the unity statement between the Hatfields and McCoys, with signatures of dozens of family members.
An extension of the unity statement between the Hatfields and McCoys, with signatures of dozens of family members.
Official declaration document (with state seal) of June 14, 2003 as Hatfield-McCoy Reconciliation Day, by Governor Bob Wise
Official declaration of June 14, 2003 as Hatfield-McCoy Reconciliation Day, by Governor Bob Wise

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