What People Said Inspired Lee Norssex Swindle
An analysis of the Kansas Great Depression era through William L White's What People Said, tracing Lee Norssex’s rise and settlement into wealth via dubious banking, embezzlement, and bond schemes. The piece notes Finney of Emporia as the template and exposes the era’s belief in wealth as a moral duty.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Kansas
Kansas University Division of Education
Kanu Radio
Kansas Committee For the Humanities
Caroline E. Hewitt Foundation
William L. White
Lee Norssex
Ronald Finney
Emporia
Finney
William Allen White
What People Said and the Finney Bond Scandal
The piece follows Lee Norssex who forges government bonds to secure loans and amasses wealth, drawing envy and admiration before a bank inspector uncovers the fraud. His trial yields 30 years for Lee, his father’s suicide, and public reflection on crime, wealth, and the American dream.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Lee Norssex
Lee
Athena
Junior
Oklarado
Norssex
Isaac Norssex
White
Finney
Ronald Finney
Warren
Horton, Kan
Bridge project funding and right of way delays cited
Continued from Paget s higher bridge the roadway descent to the bridge raises cost concerns for local funding. The commission worries about acquiring rights of way as Swank cites a nearby west of Rantoul bridge project delayed by a court battle over right of way, resulting in a lower settlement for the county.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pagets Higher Bridge
Swank
Rantoul
Angi shows work and residency plans at Ottawa studio
Angi, a Kansas University artist, explores pottery and functional pieces amid a residency in Ottawa. She will stay in town after January, teaching possibilities open, as Ottawa Community Arts Council hosts an open house to view her display at Mammel Arts Center.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Angi
University
Fila
Florida
New York
Ottawa Community Arts Council
Mammel Arts Center
Greenwood Bridge project discussed with county officials
Jeanie Rossman asks which bridge to prioritize as Swank notes only three river bridges remain and two are under contract. County will consult engineers Cook Flatt and Strobel to assess needs, including height and roadwork, before funding and final approval. Community members urge action amid population growth and travel impacts.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Jeanie Rossman
Pomona Rfd 2
Swank
Cook, Flatt
Also Mentioned on This Page
Elm Valley Bank
Page
United Nations
Soviet Union
United States
U.S
Europe
Andrei Gromyko
General Assembly
Moscow
U.S.S.R
U.S.A
Gromyko
U.N
Javier Perez de Cuellar
Greenwood Bridge
Royal Buckley
Ottawa
RFD 3
Keith
Charles Mavity
Greenwood
Fort Scott Crossing
Pinkston Bridge
High St
Baldwin
Hollywood
Kodak
Kansas Historical Quarterly
Hahn
Lenora Frye
Mid-West Auctions
Woolworth
Dupont
Joel Wash
Burlington
P. Stevens
Valens
S. Main
Baniaree
Phys
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!