A family with deep roots in Moorhead, Minnesota, has made a significant contribution to local history by donating a rare artifact. The Kiefer family gifted an 1863 Colt revolver to the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, a piece that played a role in one of the town’s earliest criminal events. This revolver has remained in the Kiefer family for nearly 150 years, marking a unique connection to the city’s past.
Markus Krueger, the Clay County historian, described Moorhead’s formative years as a time when individuals sought refuge from the law. “Drawn to the town were people who wanted to live one step ahead of the rule of law,” he said. In its infancy, Moorhead developed a reputation characterized by gamblers and gunfighters, a reflection of its status as a burgeoning river town with no established government. “The wild west happened in the snowy north. Moorhead was Minnesota’s wild west town,” Krueger added.
The revolver is linked to a pivotal event that occurred in April 1872. During a confrontation on a dusty road, Shang Stanton used the Colt revolver to fatally shoot fellow gambler Slim Jim Shumway. “He took this very gun and shot him in the gut,” Krueger recounted, emphasizing the revolver’s historical significance.
Jim Kiefer, a member of the Kiefer family, shared details about the donation, stating, “It has been in the family continuously from 1878 until February 2026 … this morning.” He recounted a conversation with his cousin Ray Kiefer about the future of the revolver, saying, “Our discussion was ‘I don’t want to own it,’ and Ray said ‘I don’t want to own it either,’ and that led to this vision.”
The revolver originally belonged to their great-grandfather, Jacob Kiefer, who served as Moorhead’s mayor. He received it as a souvenir after the notorious shooting incident. The family’s dedication to preserving its history is evident, with Jacob’s great-granddaughter, Katie Kiefer, conducting extensive research on the revolver. “This gun was our dad’s pride and joy,” she explained. “If he met anyone, he would ask, ‘Have you seen my gun? Can I tell you about my gun?’ My mom called the gun ‘That damn Colt.'”
At the time of the shooting, Moorhead lacked a police force or judicial system. The community rallied together to appoint respected members to prosecute the case, marking the beginning of Moorhead’s journey toward official governance. This led to the establishment of its first sheriff and county attorney, Solomon Comstock, who would leave a lasting impact on the region.
Now, the Colt revolver, a symbol of Moorhead’s rugged beginnings, resides in a museum where it can be appreciated by the public. Krueger described it as “certainly the holy grail of Clay County artifacts.” This donation not only preserves a vital piece of local history but also honors the legacy of those who shaped Moorhead during its formative years. The story of Slim Jim and the revolver is now part of the narrative that defines the cultural heritage of this Minnesota town.
