Little Bits of History Along U.S. Roadways: Elections

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Hog Trial/Election Fight

Pike County, KY
Marker Number: 2066

Marker Text: In 1873 Randolph McCoy accused Floyd Hatfield of stealing his hog. A trial followed, presided over by Reverend Anderson Hatfield, justice of the peace. To be fair, the jury consisted of six Hatfields and six McCoys. One witness, William Staton, stated he had seen Floyd mark the hog's ear. This resulted in Floyd's acquittal. Presented by Pikeville-Pike County Tourism.

Election Fight (reverse) - In August 1882 an election was held near Jerry Hatfield's house. A fight broke out between Tolbert McCoy and Elias Hatfield. Tolbert's brothers joined in the fight as did Ellison Hatfield, who was stabbed and shot. He later died in West Virginia. The McCoy brothers were captured and killed in the "pawpaw tree" incident. Presented by Pikeville-Pike County Tourism.

Location: In McCarr, Kentucky next to McCarr Post Office, KY Route 319 (Toler Road) west of KY Route 1056, the McCoy Cemetery Marker is located on the same lot. Erected by the Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways in 2001.

After the killing of Asa Harmon McCoy in 1865, an uneasy peace reigned for a few years in the Tug Valley. Then one day in 1873, Randolph McCoy stopped to visit Floyd Hatfield, a cousin of Devil Anse Hatfield. Floyd lived in Stringtown on the Kentucky side of the Tug River. Randolph McCoy happened to see a hog which he said bore the McCoy marking on its ear. McCoy accused Floyd Hatfield of penning up one of his hogs. Floyd Hatfield denied stealing the hog. Randolph went to Preacher Anderson Hatfield (Preacher Anse), a Baptist minister and a justice of the peace. There he brought suit against Floyd for the recovery of his hog.

Another Hog Trial marker is at the site. Text and close up photo is below. Click any photo to enlarge.

The pig was only in the fight because some of the Hatfields believed that since the pig was on their land, it was theirs. Some of the McCoys objected, saying the "notches" (markings) on the pig's ears were McCoy marks, not Hatfield marks.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Birthplace of the Direct Primary

Crawford County, PA

Marker Text: Here in Crawford County on Sept. 9, 1842, direct primary elections were born when county Democrats used this system to nominate county offices. Republicans here began voting by this method in 1860. This "Crawford County System" gradually spread to other counties and to other states. By the early 20th century, it had become the nation's standard system for selecting party nominees for most offices.

Location: On the east side of Diamond Park in front of the Crawford County Courthouse, Meadville, PA. Erected by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in 2000.

Description

When I travel the U.S. roadways, I prefer driving on the two lane highways rather than the interstate highways, when time and my route permits. One reason is my interest in state and county historical road markers. I have taken photos of these markers and their related landmarks on and off for several years, since I was a teenager. In the past few years I have made the photographing these markers and studying these little bits of history into my hobby. This blog contains my personal photos of these markers taken during my travels. My blog is more than just a collection of photos, I will also share some of the things I have learned, as I read, studied and followed-up on the information common in these markers. There are often interesting stories and other connections related to these markers, which frequently lies just below the surface. I will also connect the dots and share the series of stories that are common among multiple markers.
My chief interest is in the stories of the metal state and county historical road markers, but I will include photos and information about other markers, when they relate to my main entry. To learn more about how my interest in historical road markers developed, read my introduction to this blog entered on October 8, 2009.
I invite you to share your comments about stories, facts, and other information shared in these markers. I have attempted to keep my entries brief without getting into extensive background information, (I did not want to get carried away with every historical detail) just that information that I found interesting, unusual or fascinating. Maybe you live near one of these markers, maybe you are related to the person, or have personal knowledge about the topic, event or location. I would love to learn from you more details and history. The history of our country is not only informative, but I find it also amazing, exciting and some times humorous as we learn about those people, places and events that shaped who we are as Americans. Regardless of our background, history or heritage, we share a common history as a nation and as a people.