By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Serving the longest term in the history of the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, Brian Bellendir already has a legacy of his own. But in March 2025, he took on a new project: securing the service pistol of George Moses, the first sheriff of record in Barton County. Tuesday morning, Bellendir approached the Barton County Commission with a resolution on how the possession of that 1860 Army percussion revolver will be handled in the future.
“I thought the final goal as being sheriff was to be the longest-serving sheriff in the history of the county,” Bellendir said. “I achieved that, then this thing popped up. In my mind, this is a bigger goal than serving the longest as sheriff because this is something that will be there, hopefully, for generations to come.”
Within 24 hours of reaching a deal with the owner in New Jersey, Bellendir was able to raise more than $10,000 for the project. No tax dollars will be used to purchase or transport the weapon back to Kansas. Part of the resolution passed on Tuesday regulates the future of the firearm.
“If for some reason, the county would no longer want to display it, or no longer want to possess it, it would to go the Historical Society,” said Bellendir. “If, for some reason, the Historical Society doesn’t want it, it remains in the possession of the county. If they still want to dispose of it, it has to go to an institution where it would be displayed.”
Moses was a Civil War veteran before moving to the area. Before being elected the first sheriff, Moses worked as a guide along the developing rail lines in the area. The Moses family played a key role in several aspects of the development of Barton County.
Bellendir came upon the gun by accident. Each month, he meets with the chiefs of police in the county. Sixteen months ago, Ellinwood Chief Chance Bailey tossed down a copy of an article in the Washington Post. Bellendir learned the current owner of the gun is a professional writer on the East Coast, but he found no personal details about her. He sent letters to all the publications in which she had a byline.
“About three weeks down the road, after I sent the letters out, the phone rings,” Bellendir said. “I look down and it says ‘New York City.’ I thought, ‘Here we go, someone selling me insurance.’ I about didn’t answer it.’”
The call happened to be from an friend of Katie Roberts, great-granddaughter of Moses, who could get Bellendir in touch. Within a couple of weeks, the pair made direct contact. They have been in negotiations ever since. Roberts had the history of the gun appraised and examined by experts to determine its worth and lineage.
While the firearm will be displayed at the Barton County Courthouse, Tuesday’s resolution also allows other institutions to borrow it for educational and display purposes, with certain stipulations that the pistol cannot be modified in any way, Barton County can demand it back at any point, or the gun must be returned with six months.
Commissioners change. Sheriffs change. The resolution also addresses future ownership of the gun. To dispose of the weapon in the future, three of the five commissioners must approve the move, and the sitting sheriff must also sign off on the transaction.
“It’s going to be get difficult to get rid of without following this resolution that you’re putting in place,” Bellendir said.
Bellendir is now working to acquire a display case to house the pistol and other artifacts provided by the Barton County Historical Society, which can swap out photos and memorabilia to keep the display fresh. Bellendir is also seeking service weapons from all other previous Barton County sheriffs to include in the display.
Bellendir said a $100 donation toward the project will secure the donor’s name on the display. Contact the Barton County Sheriff’s Office for more information.