Who would have ever thought the 19th-century feud between two of the most famous families would ever come to this point? Its just kind of crazy, Amber Bishop said. She is the great (times three) granddaughter of William Anderson Devil Anse Hatfield. Her mother, Nancy Hatfield is considered the oldest living descendant of Devil Anse, and she agrees with her daughter. The initial feud between the families happened in the late 1870s, reportedly over one of the McCoys joining the Union Army, instead of the Confederate Army, then there was the rumored stolen pig and land feuds. During the course of many years, actions continued to escalate, including a shootout between the two groups that claimed 12 lives. In modern times, the descendants of the Hatfields and McCoys came together in 2003 to sign a truce and end the battles.
In the same year (2012), the drama mini-series between the families appeared on cable, starring Bill Paxton and Kevin Costner, Ambers husband, Chad was working to acquire permits to begin the distillery. West Virginia passed legislation permitting moonshine distilleries to become cemented, with strong regulations. Chad acquired the necessary licenses, worked with his wife, mother-in-law, and Randolph Ole Ran I' McCoys great-great grandson for consulting on the business. McCoy does not have a financial stake in the business, citing religious reasons.
Both families are highly religious but Nancy claims making moonshine was just what she raised doing, and will continue to do so. I come from a moonshining daddy. He to used to bootleg when I was a little girl, she reminisced, adding I used to bottle it for him in the bathtub.
The demand for the Drink of the Devil is reaching incredible heights. The family adds a price-tag of $32.99 per bottle, and consistently sell up to $3,000 bottles monthly.
The family works on the process inside a converted garage just mere miles from the grave marker of Devil Anse, where he probably is sitting back and enjoying the show of his continued legacy. Or perhaps not, considering the family turned to a McCoy for consulting on the business.
Chad says the bottled mix is as close as youll get to the way it was made 150 years ago.