Musician Edward Manning
Kentucky Post, Saturday, 30 April 1904, page 1
When he left home nearly nine years ago, Edward Manning never
dreamed his little sister would be a miss of nearly 20 before she ever saw him
again. Now he is a member of the band of the Third Infantry at Ft Thomas and
during the concerts he plays on the trombone and the memories of home are far
off recollections that seem to him like a dream.
Manning is a fine looking soldier and loves the roving life of Uncle Sam's protectors. At his home in Connecticut, there is an old father who wants him to come back and take up the business where he left off and a sister who has not seen him since childhood is imploring him to give up soldiering forever and come back to the fold again. The other day Manning got a letter from his sister in which she stated that she was sure she would know him again if he should return.
"That little girl wouldn't know me from Adam," said the big soldier with a softened light in his eyes as he talked to a Post reporter of home. "She hasn't seen me since she was a little bit of a tot." Manning is anxious to go to Alaska with the army, but objects to having to re-enlist again, as he will have to do if he goes.
His father is a prosperous merchant near Hartford Ct. and is about to retire. He wants his son to come back and take up the reins but Manning hesitates. He is a well educated man, a fluent writer and has seen much of the world. During the Spanish American War, he was in Cuba throughout the struggle and helped enliven the boys in blue by playing the Star-Spangled Banner. Now Home Sweet Home is ringing in his ears, but he can't make up his mind to give up soldiering.