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The violence of the legendary Hatfield-McCoy feud in the late 19th century left an indelible mark on American folklore, and the tragedy was particularly severe for Randolph McCoy, who lost five of his children as a result of the bitter conflict. But while the feud may have simmered down in the early 1900s, the Hatfield family, under patriarch "Devil Anse" Hatfield, remained entangled in violence—this time driven by business interests and the rapid economic changes of West Virginia’s coalfields.

On October 17, 1911, a deadly shootout involving two of Devil Anse’s sons, Troy and Elias Hatfield, unfolded not over family honor but over the cutthroat saloon trade in Fayette County. This violent encounter with an Italian immigrant named Octavo Gerome was a pivotal moment in West Virginia’s complex history, reflecting the intersection of industrialization, alcohol sales, and community tensions.

From Feud to Fortune: The Hatfields Enter the Saloon Business

By the early 1900s, the once-feuding Hatfield family had turned its focus to profiting from the coal boom that was transforming West Virginia. The Hatfields, particularly Troy and Elias, saw great financial potential in the growing coal mining workforce, whose demand for entertainment and liquor seemed endless. Recognizing this opportunity, they invested in one of the few saloons in the Boomer area, strategically located near mining camps.

Miners with disposable income flocked to the Hatfield saloon on payday, eager to spend their hard-earned wages on drinks. A former bartender from the Hatfield-owned bar later recalled in a 1950s article in the Charleston Daily Mail that the establishment could bring in as much as $3,000 on a single payday, and even on slow nights, it rarely made less than $300. This lucrative business was the Hatfields' primary source of income, and they guarded it with the same fierce loyalty and ruthlessness that had defined their approach during the Hatfield-McCoy feud.

Brewing Tensions: Competition in the Coalfields

The coal boom had drawn a diverse population to Fayette County, including immigrants from Europe, many of whom found work in the mines and related industries. As the population surged, so did the competition among saloon owners eager to cash in on the influx of miners. Among those who entered the saloon business was Carl Hanson, who opened a bar in Cannelton, not far from the Hatfields' saloon.

Rather than allow the competition to escalate into violence, Troy and Elias Hatfield made an agreement with Hanson to respect each other’s territories—Hanson would keep his bar in Cannelton, while the Hatfields would control the Boomer area. This arrangement seemed to keep the peace for a time, but it wasn’t long before conflict arose.

One of Hanson’s employees, an Italian immigrant named Octavo Gerome, violated the agreement. Gerome began selling beer and liquor in Boomer, directly competing with the Hatfields. Despite receiving warnings from the Hatfields, Gerome persisted, setting the stage for a violent confrontation.

The Gunfight of October 17, 1911

On October 17, 1911, the simmering tensions finally boiled over. Octavo Gerome, aware that trouble was brewing, spotted Troy and Elias Hatfield approaching his home in Harewood, a small community near Smithers. Fearing for his life, Gerome took the offensive.

Before the Hatfields could take action, Gerome opened fire. He killed Elias Hatfield on the spot and fatally wounded Troy. But Troy, despite his mortal injury, managed to draw his gun and fire a shot that struck and killed Gerome. The bloody encounter left all three men dead, ending the conflict in the most tragic way possible.

Aftermath and Impact on Prohibition

The violence surrounding the Hatfields' saloon business was not unique to Fayette County or even West Virginia. Across the United States, the sale of alcohol had long been a contentious issue, and incidents like the shootout at Harewood only fueled the national debate over the morality of alcohol consumption and its role in society.

In West Virginia, the deadly gunfight in 1911 intensified calls for prohibition. The increasing violence associated with alcohol, especially in working-class communities, led many to believe that banning its sale was the only way to restore order. In 1912, just a year after the deaths of Troy and Elias Hatfield, West Virginia voters approved a law to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol within the state. This was a major victory for the temperance movement and foreshadowed the nationwide prohibition that would be enacted in 1920.

The Legacy of the Hatfield Brothers and the Gunfight

While the Hatfield family will always be remembered for their violent feud with the McCoys, the gunfight on October 17, 1911, highlights a lesser-known but equally significant chapter in their history. Troy and Elias Hatfield, like their father before them, sought to carve out a legacy, but theirs was tied to the changing economy and culture of early 20th-century West Virginia.

Their deaths, along with Octavo Gerome’s, were a tragic reminder of the deep tensions surrounding alcohol, competition, and violence in coalfield communities. The Hatfields, once infamous for their family feud, became entangled in the broader social and economic struggles of their time.

Today, the story of the Hatfield brothers’ fatal encounter serves as a reflection of West Virginia’s turbulent past—one where the forces of industrialization, immigration, and moral reform collided in dramatic and sometimes deadly ways.

Conclusion

The gunfight of October 17, 1911, involving the Hatfield brothers and Octavo Gerome, was more than a simple barroom dispute. It was a microcosm of the broader social and economic upheavals taking place in West Virginia during the coal boom. The clash between the Hatfields and Gerome was not just a personal feud; it reflected the violent consequences of competition in a rapidly changing world. And in the wake of their deaths, the state’s push toward prohibition gained new momentum, further shaping the history of West Virginia and the nation.