But was this true? First, let's examine the word feud itself - Webster defines a feud as, "a mutual enmity or quarrel that is often prolonged or inveterate".
Over the next few posts, we will examine the provable facts of the conflict between these two families and make our own determination based on several key questions.
One: Was this conflict truly due to a long period of enmity between the two families and was it inveterate, or firmly established by long persistence?
Two: Were Anderson Hatfield and Randolph McCoy clan leaders? Did they each command a sizeable number of relations to aid in the so-called feud?
Three: When did events begin that led to the legendary feud and when did they cease? What led to the creation of the feud legend and were there outside influences that fueled public perception of the events?
By looking at these event with "accuracy motivated reasoning", we will find answers to those questions and resolve in our minds whether the Hatfield and McCoy feud is mythology or fact.