"Bad" Frank Phillips |
"Bad" Frank Phillips was born July 27, 1861 and Died July 12, 1898. His body lies in a grave on a hillside in a small hollow not far from the area where the infamous gun fight in the Historic feud between the Hatfields and McCoys took place.
Frank married Nancy McCoy, the daughter of Asa Harmon McCoy, after she was divorced from Johnse the son of "Devil Anse" Hatfield. Her body is laid to rest on this cemetery next to Phillips.
Phillip's ties to the Hatfield & McCoy families ran deep. He had early dealings with "Devil Anse" that went bad and he sought out revenge on the Hatfield Family in retaliation.
He was an enterprising lawyer and gun for hire who convinced the Kentucky Govenor to increase the focus on the feud. Kentucky Governer Buckner offered rewards on the capture of the Hatfield gang. He also named Frank as his special deputy to track down and capture or kill the Hatfield's, a job he seemed to enjoy.
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"Bad" Frank captured Wall Hatfield and eight others and brought several of the Hatfield gang to Kentucky to stand trial for the murder.
In January of 1888, ten days after the killing of Jim Vance, "Bad" Frank Phillips, with 18 other men made another raid on Hatfield's and Hatfield supporters. The two posses met on the banks of Grapevine Creek, in the last skirmish of the feud, Not far from where his grave is today.
Shot in the leg during another battle at the early age of 37 his leg had to be amputated in an effort to save his life. That attempt failed and he died within weeks. The small hand cut stone grave where his leg was buried is only 20 foot from where he and Nancy are buried today.
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