I too am one who has never held Mr.Menk in regard, but he was also known as
a good business man. I remember talking with other people sandbagging during
the flood of 1993 about the participation by the railroad in the flood
fighting work. During '93 it was limited to a work train at West Quincy
hauling sandbags to areas that can't be driven to. But during the flooding
of the mid 1960's, the Burlington went all out. It was said that it went to
the presidents office in Chicago and he authorized "keep the line open at
all costs". Anything the crews needed, including a new cat dozer, was sent
west to keep the line open. The people around here that would have been
affected by the flooding remembered how well they were taken care of in
their efforts . Maybe this is why the tracks came out of the floods in the
sixties in much better shape then in '93. Yes I realize the flood of '93 was
the worst flood of the century (I know, I almost got laid off because of
it). But Menk spared nothing to keep the rails open whereas I recall not
seeing much presence by the BN on the K-line in '93
All I have learned from many different people has shown me another side to
the man. Like everything else there's pro's and con's to everything
Regards,
John Jacobs
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