(Morrison pioneer justice, or Ned kills Ed kills Ned, 1879)
Morrison Pioneers to Have Their Say
“The old folks will get the opportunity they’ve been looking for -- a chance to have their say– at Morrison’s unique Pioneer Day celebration, July 30,” reported the Rocky Mountain News, July 17, 1949. Among the highlights of the event:
And there will be a dramatic story of the “Deadly Duel Fought in Morrison,” as newspaper headlines proclaimed. The duel took place in 1879 when Ed Sunderland was playing pool in Schrock’s Saloon at Morrison. Ned Pratt entered and started shooting out the lights, an exercise that caused Ed to descend upon him with a billiard cue.
One thing led to another, and Ned shot Ed twice in the forehead. The town marshall happily was close by and rushed in to charge Ned with murder.
But at that moment Ed raised himself on one knee, held his left hand over his wounds, and with his right hand sent a .45 caliber bullet crashing through Ned’s midsection. Ned died instantly, and Ed followed him 15 minutes later.
NOTE that above is a story passed down and written some 60+ years after the event. See comment below for links to “more accurate” accounts from the time, which was apparently 1885. Thanks, Joel…
Pioneer Days were celebrated for more than a half-century in Morrison, and the parade down Bear Creek Avenue was especially popular. Stagecoach rides, showdowns, and visits to “jail” were other popular activities during the event.
Morrison History 
Thanks for sharing this story!
Another illustrious story for consideration involves the shooting of my grandfather James William Hair by John Anderson at the pool hall in July of 1928. My grandfather was with the Secret Service so his shooting and all that followed was headline news. See attached file for more info.
Luann (Hair) Erickson
Luann, Where is the file attached so we can read more? Thanks! Gaye Jacobs, Foothills GS
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Here’s a good/more accurate accounting of the shootout which occurred in 1885, from the Rocky Mountain News.
https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=RMD18850416-01.2.123&srpos=4&e=-03-1885–10-1885–en-20–1–img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-pratt——-0——
Ed Sunderland died a few days later, and James (Jim) Pratt died the day after Ed. https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=RMD18850422-01.2.65&srpos=10&e=-03-1885–04-1885–en-20-RMD-1–img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA-pratt——-0——