By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Historical Society celebrates Kansas Day, local history
new slt KS-day-Bardwell CityHotel176 flipped
In the early 1880s, Bardwells City Hotel was located 1400 block of Peter Ave. (now Kansas Ave.), roughly in between the current sheriffs office and the jail complex.
Susan Thacker
Updated: Jan 26, 2013, 9:03 PM
Published: Jan 26, 2013, 9:06 PM


Two locally produced documentaries will be shown this week at the Barton County Historical Museum. The historical society will celebrate Kansas Day with a program today, and local history with its annual meeting on Monday, Executive Director Beverly Komarek said. Kansas became the 34th state on Jan. 29, 1861.
The public is invited to today’s free Kansas Day program at the museum, located just south of Great Bend’s Arkansas River bridge on U.S. 281. At 2 p.m., Wendell Hinkson will provide the program, a 57-minute video titled “Astra per Aspera – Kansas: Territory to Statewood.”
“The public is invited and encouraged to attend,” Komarek said. “Following the program, the little train will run, weather permitting.”
Ten governors, seven years, four constitutions, national politics, economics, westward expansion and slavery all contributed to the struggle over the government of the Territory of Kansas. The period from May 30, 1854, to January 29, 1861, is one of the most confused and confusing in Kansas and United States history. This period’s list of characters, hero or villain, depending on your outlook includes John Brown, Jim Lane, John W. Geary and many others. Abraham Lincoln said, “No other territory has ever had such a history.”
“Astra per Aspera – Kansas: Territory to Statehood,” is a Sunflower Showcase video produced by Sagebrush Video Productions in Otis, which is headed by Rachel Harmon, a professional photographer and videographer.

Annual meeting Monday
The Barton County Historical Society annual meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, at the museum. It is open to members and prospective new members, Komarek said.
A short business meeting will be followed by the showing of “Long Days Journey to Sundown,” produced for the historical society in 1995 by Mark Adams at Barton Community College. This 22-minute documentary portrays historical features of the Sante Fe Trail from Plum Buttes to Fort Larned, and serves as a good review for the experienced historian as well as newcomers to this area.
Refreshments will be provided.
The Santa Fe Trail was well established by the time Kansas became a state, while settlement of Barton County came about 10 years later. All are worth remembering on Kansas Day, and for those interested in learning more, the Barton County Historical Society is a good place to start.
Police busy with Meth arrests
police_drug_bust.jpg
Published: Mar 13, 2025, 7:40 PM

Great Bend Chief of Police Steve Haulmark issued a press release Thursday morning pertaining to the arrest of three individuals on drug and weapons charges.

At approximately 2:25 p.m., Monday, March 10, an officer with the Great Bend Police Department stopped a white in color Chevrolet Tahoe in the 800 block of Morphy Street in Great Bend, driven by Mitchell Anspaugh, W/M 63. Anspaugh was placed under arrest for driving with a suspended driver’s license. Great Bend Police K9 Niko responded to the stop to assist. A free air sniff of the vehicle was performed during which K9 Niko alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics in the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and located methamphetamine, evidence of distribution, and drug paraphernalia. 

Anspaugh was transported the Barton County Jail on requested charges of Distribution of Methamphetamine (3.5-100 grams), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, No Drug Tax Stamp, and Driving While Suspended. Anspaugh was booked in lieu of $100,000 cash surety bond. Anspaugh was also booked on an outstanding Great Bend Municipal Court warrant for Failure To Appear. Anspaugh was booked on $1,000 cash surety bond for the warrant.

Later that same day, at approximately 5:47 p.m., officers from the Great Bend Police Department responded to United Parcel Services located at 2316 9th Street in Great Bend in reference to a suspicious package. Upon arrival, officers were notified that a package had been intercepted by staff and flagged as suspicious. Inside of the suspicious package, officers discovered 7.6 grams of crystal methamphetamine hidden within the contents of the package. Shortly thereafter, the investigating officers were able to identify the suspect attempting to mail the package.

On Tuesday, March 11, officers from the Great Bend Police Department responded to a residence located at 2087 NW 60th Street, in Stafford County, in reference to the execution of a Narcotics Search Warrant. Upon arrival, officers apprehended the suspect from the UPS incident identified as Chandler Wieland, W/M 57. Officers also apprehended Lisa Rugan, W/F 56, at the residence. During a search of the residence, officers located over 100 grams of Methamphetamine, Marijuana, other controlled substances, evidence of drug distribution, as well as illegal and stolen firearms. 

Wieland was arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail. Wieland was booked on two (2) counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Use of Weapons, Possession of a Stolen Firearm, and No Drug Tax Stamp. Rugan was also arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail. Rugan was booked on one (1) count of Distribution of Methamphetamine, Felony Interference with Law Enforcement, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Controlled Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Criminal Use of a Weapon, and No Drug Tax Stamp.  

These investigations are still ongoing. Anyone with further information regarding these or any other crimes is encouraged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or Crimestoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at p3tips.com.