 The new company in 1908 bought the Bell equipment, and in 1909 changed its name to the Citizens Mutual Telephone Co. Long Distance calls were routed via Bell System equipment in Napoleon to the toll center in Maumee, and onward.In the 1940s, the company opened a five-circuit toll line to Bowling Green, replacing the two-line circuit to Napoleon for long distance traffic.In the 1960s, realizing the need to modernize, the Citizens board began to consider selling the company.