The telephones were hooked up in circuits, each containing 5 to 18 phones with their own distinctive rings. People called other members of their circuit by simply turning their phone's rank. To call outside of the circuit, people called "Central" and he operator hooked up the two hours Up to 18 girls were employed as operators.

Muenster, Wolverine, Fulda and Golden Acre had Humboldt so"Central" and could call each other without paying long disancc bills. Many small towns were c not a:s fortunate Any calls made outside of their circuit were considered long distance, and a bill was issued for them on top of the $11 per year they paid for use of the phone.

In 1954, $260,000

Problems, such as the lack of privacy, became evident. All of the people belonging to a circuit could listen in on phone calls. As well, phone lines often became damaged by lightning, tall trees, birds, or farmers carrying loads of straw with the pitch forks sticking out too high. When this occurred, the whole circuit was inoperable until the linemen fixed them or installed new line. Horses sometimes helped stretch the phone line during installations. Ross Bell used to hire out his horse, but he warned that at 12 p.m. the line must be untied from his horse. One day, this warning was forgotten and when the noon whistle blew, the horse bolted home, knowing it was lunch time, and dragged the phone line with it.