By ELLE HUTCHINSON
Barton County Media Consultant
During Tuesday's Barton County Commission meeting, Sheriff Brian Bellendir shared a meaningful piece of local history and a personal goal that reflects the County’s deep roots and longstanding traditions of service.
Bellendir spoke about George Moses, the first sheriff of Barton County. Moses was appointed to the position in the early days of the county’s formation, during a time when railroads were pushing west and communities across Kansas were just beginning to take shape. Before serving as sheriff, Moses worked as a guide along the expanding rail lines and later became involved with the town company that helped establish the city of Great Bend.
The Moses family played an important role in Barton County’s early development, contributing to local industry and community life. Sheriff Moses himself was also a Civil War veteran, carrying with him the experiences and responsibilities of a nation in transition into the challenges of building a new community on the frontier.
As part of preserving that legacy, Bellendir shared that he is working to bring Sheriff Moses’s original Colt revolver back to Barton County to place it on public display in the courthouse so residents and visitors can experience this piece of local history firsthand.
Bellendir noted that artifacts connected to Sheriff Moses and his service represent more than individual history—they tell the story of Barton County’s earliest days, its leadership, and the people who helped lay its foundation. Preserving those pieces of history helps connect current residents to the generations who came before them.
As he reflected on his time in office, Bellendir shared that honoring the legacy of those who served before him is an important part of Barton County’s story and something he hopes future generations can continue to learn from and appreciate.
The discussion served as a reminder that Barton County’s history is not only found in books and records, but also in the people, stories, and legacies that continue to shape the community today.