Folks in the Arkansas hills have a tradition of strong family ties, which has sometimes led to unfortunate results. Like the time that Jeb Hollings stole a mule from the McCrary place.
When the McCrary boys went to recover the mule, one of the Hollings clan shot Frank McCrary for trespassing. This started the blood feud that lasted almost three years.
An Arkansas feud is a serious thing. During those three years the Hollingses knew that the McCrary land was off limits. And the McCrary clan knew that they had best avoid the Hollings place. Jeb and Frank never went anywhere without an armed escort. The whole county took sides with either the Hollingses or the McCrarys.
Until one day when Jeb paid a visit on the McCrary house -- alone. Jeb Hollings said to Grandpa
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