When the department purchased this 1950 Ford pumper, certificates for rural fire protection were sold to pay for it.  Today we have township taxes that fund our department.
This is an article from the Humeston New Era.  If you click on it you can read about the research that was done before the 1950 Ford pumper was purchased.
This is a picture of our old horse drawn pumper.  We have no idea as to the age of this photo.  If anybody viewing this website does, please e-mail the webmasters.
BACK
FRONT
Prior to approximately 1950, members could only serve on the department for 10 years. They were presented with the certificate you see above after their tenure with the department.
Photo from 1908 following the drug store fire.  Today, this buliding houses Horton Floor Covering.
Back Row (L to R):  Kenny Newell, Wayne Street, Joe Doze, Don Bright, Bill Carlton, Luke Roe

Front Row (L to R):  Charles Humeston, Harold Roe, Bill Williams, Kenny Surbaugh, Wes Nickelson, Hoyt Snyder, Dick Williams, Kenny Vandell

According to our research, this photo was taken on April 18, 1961.  The story goes that the FD was having their annual steak dinner when they were called away to a fire at the Fred & Ruby Johnson residence.  Following the fire, Humeston New Era publisher Merle Stanley took a photo of the fire department members in front of the newspaper office.  A story then appeared in the Humeston New Era calling the Humeston Fire Dept the best dressed fire department in the state of Iowa.

Thanks to Dick Humeston for providing the picture to the FD.  Also thanks to Mary Ellen Stanley, Pauline Williams, Butch Gibbs and Bill Williams, via his son Ted Williams for historical information regarding this photo.
1 2
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1