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The Southwest Times has been reliably providing local news to Liberal, Seward County and the surrounding area for more than 100 years.
The history of this newspaper begins when it was established in 1886 as the Fargo Springs News. It was founded by two homesteader brothers from Missouri, Abe K. and William Stoufer. Renamed the Arkalon News, it initially was very active in efforts to move the Seward County seat to Arkalon after the paper relocated there when the Rock Island railroad was extended to the Oklahoma-Kansas state line in 1888. Soon after, the Rock Island depot became a bustling new center of commerce and Liberal was subsequently selected as the county seat in the 1890's.
The Arkalon News was sold to Ray Millman in 1900, relocated once again, and underwent another name change to the Liberal News. It was the lone survivor of over 20 failed newspaper ventures in the county.
In 1916, Millman sold the paper to Warren Zimmerman. Once natural gas was discovered, drilling started up, which drew in more money and new families to Liberal. The Liberal News became a daily paper soon afterwards and became known as the Southwest Daily Times.
In June 1948, Kenneth J. Powell bought the paper from Zimmerman and assumed the title of publisher. Bert Powell became his business manager. Soon afterwards, a new building was constructed and the press was purchased. The building was later remodeled with skylights, glass, and many modern influences that still continue to look great today. A time capsule was enclosed in a block on the front sidewalk outside the office on May, 12, 1991, and will be opened on May 12, 2041.
History has been a big part of this publication since history in the making has been reported at the Times. Many events have been captured in print and pictures over time and through the years there have been many different faces involved.
After changing to a tri-weekly publication, the name has been shortened to The Southwest Times. The Times is now part of the Lancaster family-owned group of 18 newspapers in nine states. James Gutzmer is the publisher. Gutzmer brings years of newspaper experience to the area's longest running paper.
Liberal, Seward County and the surrounding area have come to depend on The Times as a reliable source of area news. For the most local news, read The Southwest Times. The Southwest Times will faithfully deliver the news... just as it has always done since its start 123 years ago.
© 2008-2009 swdtimes.com
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