The Kansas River Flood of 1903: Preserving Earl Dewey Fisher's Earliest Childhood Memory

Aug 02, 2026

Some memories stay with us for a lifetime, even if they happened when we were very young. For my latest illustration in The Biography of Earl Dewey Fisher audiobook series, I wanted to recreate one of Earl's earliest remembered experiences—a dramatic day when he and his siblings watched the swollen Kansas River carry an entire house downstream during the Kansas River Flood of 1903.

This artwork, titled The Kansas River Flood of 1903, accompanies Episode 4: Early Memories Near Topeka and transforms Earl's written recollections into a visual scene that helps preserve both his family history and an important moment in Kansas history.

A Childhood Memory Along the Kansas River

In Episode 4, Earl explains that he remembers very little before he was about six years old. His family lived in eastern Kansas near Topeka, with the Kansas River flowing through a nearby canyon. Heavy rains would sometimes cause the river to overflow its banks, flooding farms and surrounding communities.

Although Earl's family home sat far enough from the river to remain safe, curiosity drew the children to the riverbank during one particularly severe flood. Together they watched the raging water carry trees, debris, and eventually an entire house that had been swept into the current.

For a young child, witnessing a full-sized home floating down a river must have been unforgettable. More than a century later, Earl's recollection allows us to experience that remarkable moment through his own words.

Bringing History to Life Through Art

When planning this illustration, I wanted to capture not only the flood itself but also the perspective of the children watching history unfold before their eyes. Rather than focusing entirely on the destruction, the composition places Earl and his siblings in the foreground, emphasizing the wonder and amazement they felt while observing the immense power of nature.

The drifting house naturally becomes the focal point, while the rushing river and distant landscape provide context for the scale of the flood. Together, these elements help tell Earl's story visually while remaining faithful to his autobiography.

Creating the Artwork

Like the other illustrations in this series, this piece combines several traditional art techniques.

Materials Used

  • Mechanical Pencil
  • Kneaded Eraser
  • Colored Pencil
  • India Ink Pen
  • Fine Liner Pen
  • Acrylic Paint Pen
  • Edited with Snapseed

The artwork was created primarily with colored pencil, while India ink pen established the gray values throughout the flood scene. After completing the drawing, I added the decorative border with an acrylic paint pen, signed the artwork using a fine liner pen, and made final adjustments in Snapseed.

A Window into Kansas History

Although this illustration represents one family's memory, it also reflects a significant chapter in Kansas history. Flooding along the Kansas River has shaped communities throughout the state for generations, and Earl's firsthand recollection provides a personal perspective that history books often cannot.

Stories like these remind us that historical events are ultimately experienced by ordinary people whose memories become invaluable records for future generations.

Watch the Artwork Come to Life

You can watch the complete speed drawing and hear more about this memorable chapter of Earl's life on YouTube.

🎥 YouTube Short

Collect the Artwork

If you'd like to own this piece, it's available in several formats.

Open Edition Prints

Featured Merchandise

Continuing Earl's Story

Every illustration in The Biography of Earl Dewey Fisher series transforms another chapter of Earl's autobiography into visual art. My goal is not only to preserve his written memories but also to help viewers experience them through detailed traditional illustrations.

By combining genealogy, history, and storytelling through art, I hope these pieces encourage others to preserve the stories of their own families before they are lost to time.

Thank you for following along as I continue illustrating Earl Dewey Fisher's remarkable life—one memory at a time.