<P> Between 1880 and 1891, the feud claimed more than a dozen members of the two families . On one occasion, the governors of West Virginia and Kentucky even threatened to have their militias invade each other's states . In response, Kentucky Governor S.B. Buckner sent his Adjutant General Sam Hill to Pike County to investigate the situation . More than a dozen people died and at least 10 people were wounded . A few days after the New Year's Massacre, a posse led by Pike county deputy sheriff Frank Philipps rode out to track down Devil Anse's group across the border into West Virginia . The posse's first victim was Jim Vance, who was killed in the woods after he refused to be arrested . Philipps then made other successive raids on Hatfield homes and supporters and captured three before cornering the rest in Grapevine Creek on 19th January . Unfortunately for Philipps, Devil Anse and other Hatfields were waiting for them with an armed group of their own . A battle ensued between the two parties, and the Hatfields were eventually apprehended . Two Hatfield supporters were killed, and a deputy, Bill Dempsey, was executed by Frank Philipps after they surrendered . Wall Hatfield and eight others were arrested and brought to Kentucky to stand trial for the murder of Alifair McCoy (sometimes spelled Allaphare, Randolph's young daughter), killed during the New Year's Massacre . </P> <P> Because of issues of due process and illegal extradition, the United States Supreme Court became involved (Mahon v. Justice, 127 U.S. 700 (1888)). The Supreme Court ruled 7--2 in favor of Kentucky, holding that, even if a fugitive is returned from the asylum state illegally, instead of through lawful extradition procedure, no federal law prevents him from being tried . Eventually, the men were tried in Kentucky and all were found guilty . Seven received life imprisonment, while the eighth, Ellison "Cottontop" Mounts, was executed by hanging . Thousands attended the hanging in Pikeville . </P> <Ul> <Li> Valentine "Uncle Wall" Hatfield, elder brother of Devil Anse, was overshadowed by Devil Anse's ambitions but was one of the eight convicted, dying in prison of unknown causes . He petitioned his brothers to assist in his emancipation from jail but none came for fear of being captured and brought to trial . He was buried in the prison cemetery, which has since been paved over . </Li> <Li> William Anderson "Devil Anse" Hatfield, the younger and more militant brother of Valentine Hatfield, led the clan in most of their combative endeavors . </Li> <Li> Doc D. Mahon, son - in - law of Valentine and brother of Pliant, one of the eight Hatfields convicted, served 14 years in prison before returning home to live with his son, Melvin . </Li> <Li> Pliant Mahon, son - in - law of Valentine, served 14 years in prison before returning home to rejoin his ex-wife, who had remarried but left her second husband to live with Pliant again . </Li> </Ul> <Li> Valentine "Uncle Wall" Hatfield, elder brother of Devil Anse, was overshadowed by Devil Anse's ambitions but was one of the eight convicted, dying in prison of unknown causes . He petitioned his brothers to assist in his emancipation from jail but none came for fear of being captured and brought to trial . He was buried in the prison cemetery, which has since been paved over . </Li>

What started the feud between hatfield and mccoys