Authentic pistol owned by “Devil Anse” Hatfield and commemorative Hatfield and McCoy rifle to go on display at Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud™ Theater for one year
Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Sept. 26, 2018 —
An authentic pistol that William Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield (1839-1921) kept in his front coat pocket according to history, as well as a unique American Legacy “Henry Repeater Rifle,” (the Hatfield & McCoy commemorative 150-year rifle) will be on display in the lobby of The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud™ Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., beginning Sept. 25 for a period of one year.
The true story of the Hatfield and McCoy feud spanned several decades, and was one of the longest and most infamous family feuds in history. No one knows how the feud began but some say the fight began over a stolen pig. A historic truce was signed between the two families in 2003 on national television, although the actual fighting had been over for a long time.
“Devil Anse” Hatfield was one of the patriarchs of the infamous Hatfield and McCoy feud. His great-great-great-granddaughter, Judy Hatfield as well as his great-great-great, grandsons, Reo and Jack Hatfield, were all on hand to present the weapons to the theater. Ron McCoy, great-great-great-grandson of Randolph McCoy, patriarch of the McCoy clan, was also in attendance. Reo’s wife, Roxanne Hatfield, and Jack’s partner, Miguel Castillo-Diaz were there as well.
Kimball Keller, general manager and producer of The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud™ said, “While the Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud is not associated with the two actual families or feud, the show keeps the family names alive as we entertain thousands of guests a year. We are pleased that the two families met in peace at our theater to continue their legacy and present these guns to our show.” The firearms will be on display in a locked alarmed case in the gift store at The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud™. Historians do not think that “Devil Anse” shot anyone with either of these weapons and they are valued at over $50,000.
The Pistol
The pistol, approximately 6 inches by 4 inches, was sent to Reo Hatfield by a member of The West Virginia House and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Etched into the finish of the wood is a timeline of events between the two feuding clans and engraved signatures from both Hatfield and McCoy family members. The “Henry Repeater Rifle” is hand carved and very ornate with wood and gold engraving and depicts both families, one family per side as a tribute. The rifle is approximately 45 inches x 6 inches long. The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud™ Theater received a certificate of authenticity for this limited-edition item that was purchased by Judy Hatfield.
Ron McCoy said, “We don’t deny our family history but we learn from it and we celebrate it. We hope that people can learn from it the same way we have. Not many people thought the McCoys and the Hatfields would ever break bread together, but here we all are at The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud Theater. It is a great show about our families and it is a privilege to have the opportunity to share our family history.”
Hedrick said, “The only fussin’ and fuedin’ going on between the Hatfields and McCoys now is at our dinner show and it is all in good fun. We want everyone to come and have a good time and see a great show. We also want to encourage people to come to our all new ‘Hatfield and McCoy Christmas Dinner Disaster’ that begins Nov. 1 – Jan. 1. The 2018 production is brand new and simulates everything that you would expect at a holiday gathering.”
Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud
The “Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Feud™” is a hit production inspired by real-life events that will put a mountain feast in people’s bellies and a smile on their faces! They’ll watch a lively competition between Pa Hatfield and Ma McCoy and their clans where the battlefield is the stage. This two-hour live show offers loads of laughs including a rowdy battle at a barn dance, extraordinary musical performances, and award winning hillbillies, divers and cloggers. After three years of undergoing a $3 million renovation to the stage area, the theater added a 24-foot-deep Olympic diving pool with 300,000 gallons of water. It is the only stage of its kind in the Smoky Mountains, and it made possible the addition of high-diving hillbillies and long-jumping canines.
For more information about the show…
Visit www.HatfieldMcCoyDinnerFeud.comor call (865) 908-7469 (SHOW). The Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Theater is located at 119 Music Road between traffic lights 0 and 1 on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge between WonderWorks and the Titanic.
The Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group, one of the largest show production companies in the southeast. The group also owns and produces other major shows in the Smoky Mountains including; “The Comedy Barn®,” “The Smoky Mountain Opry™,” and “Magic Beyond Belief™” starring Darren Romeo. In November and December the company produces “A Comedy Barn Christmas®,” “Christmas at the Smoky Mountain Opry™” starring Chris Blue, Season 12 winner of ‘The Voice,’” The “Hatfield and McCoy Christmas Disaster Dinner and Feud™,” and “Magic Beyond Belief™” starring Darren Romeo in a magical Christmas.
