An American Vendetta

Originally published in 1889, An American Vendetta by journalist Theron Clark Crawford offers one of the earliest and most vivid accounts of the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud. Through firsthand interviews—including a rare conversation with Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield—Crawford paints a sensational and dramatic portrait of the violence that erupted between these two Appalachian families along the Kentucky–West Virginia border.

This reprint honors the historical significance of Crawford’s work while placing it in proper context with newly added material by Jackie L. Hatfield Jr., the 3rd great-grandson of Devil Anse Hatfield. Jack’s thoughtful commentary and updated insights help readers separate fact from fiction, revealing how 19th-century media shaped national perceptions of Appalachian people as backward, lawless, and violent.

Part historical document, part cultural reflection, this edition is essential reading for anyone interested in the legacy of the Hatfield-McCoy feud, Appalachian history, or the evolution of journalism and public opinion in post-Civil War America.

With its combination of original narrative and modern perspective, An American Vendetta is both a gripping read and a valuable educational resource that reclaims the voices and truths of a complex chapter in American history.