Randolph's brother, Asa, was killed by a local militia group ...that counted some Hatfields among its members. Though even many members of Asa's family regarded him as a traitor ...having served in the Union Army during the Civil War.

It was 13 years after Asa's death that Randolph McCoy accused a Hatfield of stealing his pig.

It went to trial, and everything hinged on the testimony of a star witness ...a McCoy relative married to a Hatfield.

The McCoys were infuriated by the court verdict.

(The McCoy clan did not turn their displeasure towards their own McCoy relative for marrying a Hatfield, and testifying against them in court ...but against the prosperous Hatfield.)

Two years later, Randolph's nephew killed the McCoy relative who had testified in court.  The nephew was acquitted for self-defense reasons.  

Within months, Devil's 18 year old son encountered Roseanna McCoy, Randolph's daughter ...and it was a too friendly encounter, as they disappeared for hours.

Fearing that the friendly mingling would stir hostilities, Roseanna stayed at the Hatfield residence ...drawing the ire of the McCoys.

Later, the following year, Devil's son married Roseanna's cousin ...having abandoned the pregnant Roseanna.

The following year, as members of both families happened to exchange words, the hostilities erupted ...and the vicious violent clashes unleashed.