70 Years Ago
February 1950
HUMBOLDT — Frank Fussman, 82, died last night at his farm home. He played a leading part in the early development of Humboldt. He was the son of Charles Fussman and Sophia Louise Wenthe, who came to this area in 1857 and homesteaded near the present site of Humboldt. Frank Fussman was an engineer and designed the bridge across Elm Creek just south of Iola. He also participated in the opening of the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma. He was a pioneer in the oil and gas industry in the area and the well sunk on his farm near Humboldt is believed to be the first drilled in this area. It is still producing. For many years his company provided the natural gas for the city of Humboldt. He helped organize the Humboldt Fire Department and served on it for over 50 years.
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Dr. Gerald Pees, city health officer, told the city commission he had received several complaints about outdoor toilets which have no connection with sewer lines, or are dry toilets which cannot be flushed. He estimates that at least 556 of these two types are still in use within the city limits. Both are outlawed by an ordinance passed several years ago.
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Allen County was presented with a bronze and walnut plaque on Feb. 7 for winning the state dairy bull contest sponsored by the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Ivan Strickler, president of the Farm Bureau, received the award at a banquet given to about 100 local dairymen and farmers by the KC Chamber. In giving the award, John M. Collins, editor of the Weekly Kansas City Star, said agriculture and the processing of agricultural products is the most important industry in the Kansas City trade area.
