Missouri Memories
Henry C. Fike (1832-1919), Diaries, 1851-1919
Henry Clay Fike was born and raised in Mascoutah, Illinois. After the Civil War, in which he served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, he, his wife Cimbaline (1835-1906), and daughter Ellie (1861-1950) migrated to Warrensburg, Missouri, where he established himself as a miller. In later years, he worked as a claims agent and bookkeeper. Fike was active in the Methodist Episcopal Church and was instrumental in the establishment of the State Normal School at Warrensburg. A prolific diarist, Fike wrote everyday and at the time of his death had completed 43 volumes.
A transcription of the above page is as follows:
June 1903 1. Monday-- Went to Kansas City on fast mail. Owing to high water, across the east bottoms, our train had to switch over to the Santa Fe road, on which we came into K.C. on the South side.
A flood of most disastrous character, is now on the East, north and west of Kansas City. Water is 6 feet deep on first floor of union depot; and freight cars are standing in water up to the roof of the cars. In Harlem, on north side of river, water is up to eaves of one story houses--Hundreds and hundreds of people are without homes, their houses having been washed away.
Took a look at the flood from west bluffs.
The city has no gas or water; the flood having submerged the water works and lights plant (gas and electric).
2.Tuesday--Took a look at flood on north side of city. It is terrific.
Note home, giving a brief account of the situation--
Yesterday I received my May salary $102.20. Paid Mrs. Cook $6.00 for my room for June. Sent $75 to bank at Warrensburg.
The stage of the water at Kansas City stands at 35 feet-has so stood for last 24 hours. LW.
3.Wednesday--After business hours Asher Williams and I viewed the flooded district from the north bluffs and south bluffs. The water has begun to fall very considerably.
Contributed $1.00 to the relief fund.
Wrote to W.S. Elkins, at Granite, Colorado, inquiring about work in the New Year Mine.