The Hansford Investigator was established by owner Judge A.E. Townsend in the early part of 1907 in Hansford. The newspaper changed hands several times before being purchased by Howard Dean Kelly in 1917. After moving to Spearman in the 1920s the newspaper was renamed The Spearman Reporter. Kelly served as a director of the Panhandle Press Association and was president in 1927. In April 1932 W.J. Miller became the editor-manager, working for the Nunn-Warren Corp. 13 years before purchasing the business. His wife, Eddie, and two children Elizabeth and Billy, helped out. Upon his death in 1966 Billy became editor-publisher. Billy purchased The Hansford Plainsman and the Gruver Statesman, which combined to form The Hansford County Reporter-Statesman in 1990. Billy Miller sold the papers to Texas Independent Newspapers in April 1987. Current owners and operators Gary and Catherine Smith purchased the business in January 1996. The current staff includes Catherine Smith, editor. Gary Smith is the publisher.