Even before it ended, the Hatfield-McCoy Feud had become legendary—and helped shape many of the negative Appalachian stereotypes people still associate with the region today. The feud, especially in its later years, was made worse by enterprising detectives, poorly deputized posses, sensationalized newspaper reports, and meddling lawyers. As the story was retold and illustrated—like in works such as An American Vendetta and A Mountain Feud—the conflict became even more exaggerated, linking West Virginia with images of barbaric feuding in the minds of many. In reality, family feuds have been rare in the state’s history, with the Hatfields and McCoys being one of the few major exceptions.