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WAYNE EYER MANNING Iwas born at 1303 Utah Street, Toledo, Ohio, with help of Dr. Aunt Anna Gaoff- Smith, next door. The back yard with fruit trees corner, was enclosed in a high wooden fence; butterfly chrysalides were abundant on the fence. I, Helen, cousins Rollo, Harold, Margaret Smith played in back and front yards. We saw a big rat crossing the street; I picked it up, got bitten (finger), but okay (Aunt Anna). Utah St. near Fasset St. bridge across Maumee River, Rollo, Harold and I caught bullhead fish, catfish along the river; Rollo and Harold decided to teach me to swim; they threw me into the river; I was mad and stayed on the bottom; they had to dive after me. It was many years before I dared trying to swim. We often visited Uncle Willard, Aunt Ella, Homer, Ernie, Margaret (Beryl) Manning. Margaret died of pneumonia, age 22, In 1907 moved to new town of Ambridge, PA. along the OhioRiver, 16 miles northwest of Pittsburgh (720 Park Road). Next to Ambridge was small, vacant, "dead" part of village of Economy founded by Economites from Germany in 1824; economy- one hand on clock, one door to brick house, the back door; every thing in common; no marriage as Christ was coming in their generation. I often explored the old village but never entered a house. New part of Economy with business and homes away from the river. Original part of Economy is now a PA state park. Our house was one of first in Ambridge; the factory (American Bridge Co.) and office building, bridge and boats must have been built before we arrived. House, 3 floors, in basement large cistern (one-half basement) brick lined, holding rain water (soft) from roof, (had filter) so three faucets in kitchen, cold town water, cold soft water, hot town water. Washing clothes was by boiling (gas burner) in basement, octagon soap (bought by the case), wrappers used as coupons for "gifts"., A series (3) of live in "maids" (not called that), to take care of children, cleaning, cooking, Martha Gore was the first. Presumably these "maids" were being helped as no other job available; they lived in a room on the third floor; bathroom on third floor as well as on first and second floor. In my room on the third floor I raised cecropea moth caterpillars, eggs to caterpillars, to cocoons, to moths. I spent much time roaming the woods studying birds. I collected mushrooms (morels in May in big old orchard between Ambridge, river part, and old part of Economy), common field mushroom, now cultivated, in 1/2 mile long park across the street from us, and puffballs, little and big inky-caps and shaggy mane--coprinus. Identification was by colored pictures in encyclopedia and with help of a neighbor, Mr. Morrison. I was a boy scout in 1912, studied trees (Pennsylvania Trees), learned to play chess. About 1913 a nature club was founded by four boys: Herbert Graham, wild flowers; Ed Graham, trees; Kenneth Doratt, mammals; I, birds and as I was oldest, I was the president. All received PhDs. All kept in touch with each other as long as they lived (two now dead). I collected postage stamps for many years. 1

WAYNE EYER MANNING Iwas born at 1303 Utah Street, …When Iwas 10 to 12 or so years old, dad and mother sent me to Elkhart summers, (2 or 3 years), I stayed on Grandfather George Smith's

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Page 1: WAYNE EYER MANNING Iwas born at 1303 Utah Street, …When Iwas 10 to 12 or so years old, dad and mother sent me to Elkhart summers, (2 or 3 years), I stayed on Grandfather George Smith's

WAYNE EYER MANNING

I was born at 1303 Utah Street, Toledo, Ohio, with help of Dr. Aunt Anna Gaoff­Smith, next door. The back yard with fruit trees corner, was enclosed in a highwooden fence; butterfly chrysalides were abundant on the fence. I, Helen, cousinsRollo, Harold, Margaret Smith played in back and front yards. We saw a big ratcrossing the street; I picked it up, got bitten (finger), but okay (Aunt Anna). Utah St.near Fasset St. bridge across Maumee River, Rollo, Harold and I caught bullhead fish,catfish along the river; Rollo and Harold decided to teach me to swim; they threw meinto the river; I was mad and stayed on the bottom; they had to dive after me. It wasmany years before I dared trying to swim. We often visited Uncle Willard, Aunt Ella,Homer, Ernie, Margaret (Beryl) Manning. Margaret died of pneumonia, age 22,

In 1907 moved to new town of Ambridge, PA. along the OhioRiver, 16 milesnorthwest of Pittsburgh (720 Park Road). Next to Ambridge was small, vacant, "dead"part of village of Economy founded by Economites from Germany in 1824; economy­one hand on clock, one door to brick house, the back door; every thing in common; nomarriage as Christ was coming in their generation. I often explored the old village butnever entered a house. New part of Economy with business and homes away from theriver. Original part of Economy is now a PA state park.

Our house was one of first in Ambridge; the factory (American Bridge Co.) and officebuilding, bridge and boats must have been built before we arrived. House, 3 floors, inbasement large cistern (one-half basement) brick lined, holding rain water (soft) fromroof, (had filter) so three faucets in kitchen, cold town water, cold soft water, hot townwater. Washing clothes was by boiling (gas burner) in basement, octagon soap(bought by the case), wrappers used as coupons for "gifts"., A series (3) of live in"maids" (not called that), to take care of children, cleaning, cooking, Martha Gore wasthe first. Presumably these "maids" were being helped as no other job available; theylived in a room on the third floor; bathroom on third floor as well as on first and secondfloor.

In my room on the third floor I raised cecropea moth caterpillars, eggs tocaterpillars, to cocoons, to moths. I spent much time roaming the woods studyingbirds. I collected mushrooms (morels in May in big old orchard between Ambridge,river part, and old part of Economy), common field mushroom, now cultivated, in 1/2mile long park across the street from us, and puffballs, little and big inky-caps andshaggy mane--coprinus. Identification was by colored pictures in encyclopedia andwith help of a neighbor, Mr. Morrison.

I was a boy scout in 1912, studied trees (Pennsylvania Trees), learned to playchess. About 1913 a nature club was founded by four boys: Herbert Graham, wildflowers; Ed Graham, trees; Kenneth Doratt, mammals; I, birds and as I was oldest, Iwas the president. All received PhDs. All kept in touch with each other as long as theylived (two now dead). I collected postage stamps for many years.

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Page 2: WAYNE EYER MANNING Iwas born at 1303 Utah Street, …When Iwas 10 to 12 or so years old, dad and mother sent me to Elkhart summers, (2 or 3 years), I stayed on Grandfather George Smith's

Dad (Rollo G. Manning, civil engineer of American Bridge Co.) designed a woodencabinet (low drawers) for holding blue prints, this cabinet (and other furniture) wasfinally built in a new company, Economy Drawing Table Co. Adrian, Michigan. HaroldSmith (my cousin), President. Money from this company helped to pay for my collegeeducation and Helen's (according to R.G.M .). During the 1920's, bridge and boatbuilding was not in good health. Dad was ordered to hire draftsmen for a job, fire themat end of job, hire them for another job, etc. Dad could not stand treating his manyfriends like that so he resigned from the Bridge Co. and became vice president incharge of investments at the excellent Ambridge Savings and Trust Co. of which hehad been founder earlier.

From 1921-1927 I was at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; 1927-1928University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois; 1928-1945, Smith College, Northampton, Mass;1945-1995 Bucknell University, Lewisberg, PA. (retired 1968).

When I was 10 to 12 or so years old, dad and mother sent me to Elkhart summers,(2 or 3 years), I stayed on Grandfather George Smith's model farm (six miles fromElkhart.) Water from hand pump on back porch. Big barn for cattle, hay etc, I did notdo any work, I also visited relatives in town, Aunt Anna (Smith) Short, Uncle Wesley(deaf, bicycle) Uncle Elmer (sheriff) and Aunt Ella Manning. Aunts (sisters of dad, buthe did not not inform me; I should have known).

A. In our auto, camping or staying in motels, we took other trips besides Mexico. A.1934 went to Chicago World's Fair. Left Alan with Harold Smith, Adrian, Michigan,Mother Manning joined us for fair.

B. 1934. Partly camping trip; Wayne S. Manning, Margaret, Alan, Mother andFather Sheldon. Started from Northampton, Mass. to S. Maine. Went to AcadiaNational Park; S. New Brunswick (famous tidal wave--but only 2 inches then); W. NovaScotia, Evangeline country, Halifax; Mt. Katabden, Maine. Father and I climbed to thetop; camped at base. Portage and Portage Lake, N. Maine launched where Peg andher mother camped in 1905; crossed Portage Lake, six miles up Fish River, 3 milesmore, launch broke down, so I collected water plants with canoe, got small whitewaterlily, could not identify it. Prof. Fernald at Gray Herbarium, Harvard U., told me mycollection was first one for the United States, so not in Gray's Manual (article, 1936).Auto up Mt. Washington, beautiful unusual clear day at top.

C. 1937 Gaspe Peninsula, Nova Scotia, partly camping, partiy stayed at French"Hotels". Collected special northern plants. Gravel roads, cliff on one side, steep droptoward ocean on other side. Saw cement outdoor French oven, 9 wood fire in ovenbefore bread dough put in. Perce' rock--many ocean bird's nests.

D. 1956 N. VT, N. N.H, N. Maine. In NH stayed at hunting lodge, man crippled hadbeen guide for hunters. His wife now in charge. On wall of our room was painting ofthe owner (guide) by a man who had been guided, signed DWE (Eisenhower)

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Page 3: WAYNE EYER MANNING Iwas born at 1303 Utah Street, …When Iwas 10 to 12 or so years old, dad and mother sent me to Elkhart summers, (2 or 3 years), I stayed on Grandfather George Smith's

E. 1970 N. Maine, S.E. New Brunswick, took ocean boat trip (with auto) to GrandManane Island (Atlantic Ocean). Two weeks at "Hotel", former Captain's House. Manyinteresting people there (lodgers and meals) Many shore birds, also Puffins. Tripsaround island with two men from Boston.

F. Also other trips to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia (includingCape BretanLand trips to Florida in 1936, 1938. In addition I went on walking,collecting trips through Vermont, White Mountains of New Hampshire, mountains ofMaine, New Jersey. Pine Barrens with members of New England Botanical Clubs,Botanical Society of American, Torrey Botanical.

SOME SPECIALS TRIPSMexico 1953 for 3 months. Central Europe (1959) England, Holland, Germany,

Austria. (1971) Hawaii and California--Yosemite; (1972) N. Europe- Scotland, NorwaySweden Denmark, Ireland; (1974) Glacier Natl Park, Canadian Rockies.

NATURE IN THE WORLD AROUND US.We saw many interesting living organisms around us; all were interesting to us.

Jlvderlived <::mes were special. Many of these in N.H., but some in PA.MAMMALS: gray squirrels, red squirrels, regular and star-nosed moles, shrews,chipmunks, holes in ground leading to underground apartments; otter eating musselson raft about dusk; skunks, one on our back porch, white skunk. Dick Frisbe and ourcat were sprayed in the eyes; wild cat, fox, rabbits. Various Red Newts (salamander)in the lake and in damp woods, frogs, turtles, voles (meadow mice) white footed mice(in the cottage), snakes, many brought by our cat. Slugs eating leaves of plants in ourflower garden in NH, collected 12 one night with flashlight at 11 PM.

INSECTS: Carpenter bees bore holes in wood for young; leaf cutting bees (pieces ofleaves separating with food for larvae; tcamites (common in NH also in Lewisburg,even hardwood floor 27 Brown St.; ant lions, "hole" in sand to catch ants; showed tomany visitors; kept to adults resembl1ng damsel flies; solitary wasps (holes in sand forparalyzed spiders for food for larvae); paper wasps; tent caterpillars; gypsy moths, Icollected over 500 egg masses on trees around the lake cottages one fall; yellowjackets (holes in ground; dug one up, flat layers of nests like honey for larvae; bees,Peg stung, very sensitive; big moths-raised eggs of cecropis moths to stages ofcaterpillars to cocoons, to hatching of moths from cocoons--also collected cocoons ofluna moth, polyphamus promethea; var.ious moths and cocoons now very rare;various butterflies with chrysolids, various beetles. ANTS: saw big battles of hundredsof ants on dirt road in front of cottage between two different kinds of ants, at end of anhour-no ants. Big ant mound on one lot six inches high, one foot in diameter, big nonbiting ants; spiders and spider webs.

BIRDS: Studied birds for a great many years; specialized in warblers (identified 34species) and vireos; nests of warblers, ovenbirds, vireos, flycatchers, wood peckers,

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Page 4: WAYNE EYER MANNING Iwas born at 1303 Utah Street, …When Iwas 10 to 12 or so years old, dad and mother sent me to Elkhart summers, (2 or 3 years), I stayed on Grandfather George Smith's

wood thrush in early days at the lake but almost all disappeared; formerly manywarblers in trees at fall migration, later rare. Saw pileated woodpecker on oak treeright at our back porch.NEW HAMPSHIRE

In June 1937, we bought an unfinished cottage on a 50 x 100 foot partly wooded lotclose to Forest Lake, near Winchester, NH (SW N.H.) for $400. No water no electricity,no bath room, outside tar paper, inside three rooms separated by partial beaverboard partitions, the doors merely holes in the beaver board-living room, 1 bed room,kitchen, (black sink, kerosene stove, of course, no refrigerator). floor of living roomcovered by odd pieces of linoleum, big front and side porch, one fireplace. I thought itwas impossible; Peg thought it had real possibilities. We had two carpenters: a roughcarpenter, Joe, one French Canadian who, we learned several years later, had nevergone to school and a cabinet maker. They spent all summer (1937) making changes(most of the ideas were Peg's) We added wood partitions,ctoofS-, back porch, bathroom (beside the back porch, cabinets in kitchen and bathroom, stairway, two upstairsbed rooms, (roof raised) dormers, five with windows opened by swivels, windowsabove side door, screens on front, side porch and back porch. Oh, yes, water fromneighbor pump, 150 ft. or more of surface iron pipe, and electricity. At first icerefrigerator (ice from lake) and kerosene stove and kerosene hot water heater,outdoors brick fireplace, furniture,--other words a wonderful summer cottage, 40 milesfrom Northampton, Mass. We made almost no changes over the years--only movableglass windows on back porch; on ceiling of living room, glass insulation, covered bygood pine boards; white Styrofoam ceiling on upstairs bed rooms;; electric stove,refrigerator, hot water heater. Peg and I stained the siding brown and painted the trimgreen. One time the green paint for the trim on the porches was very poor (war years)and the trim was sticky for several years. I finally had to remove that paint using a blowtorch and trowel and then repaint-- took two years!

We had over 100-150 guests (visitors, some overnight, some for meals) from 1945­1993. At least 50 were from Lewisburg, PA. We usually stayed from June 15 to Oct15, except that we stayed in Lewisburg for summer school some summers, but wewere in N.H. before and after summer school. Of course college usually began aboutSept 1. We took most guests to visit famous cathedral of the pines near Mt.Monadnosh. One Decoration Day (1939) we invited many Smith College faculty; thatmorning kerosene heater in one bathroom ran out of oxygen and oily soot was all overwalls and ceiling; room black. We often took 4 Smith College students to our cottageSat noon to Sunday P.M., and especially Mountain Day, October 10th.

Weather was wonderfully cool, (or cold), low humidity, few mosquitoes. We fed redand gray squirrels, chickadees, blue jays, red .and white nuthatches, tufted titmice,woodpeckers and others. We learned to feed chickadees and red-breasted nut­hatches out of our hands (sunflower) and anyone else could also do this. We stoppedfeeding from our hands the last few years. Oh, yes, we soon bought two lots on eastside of us, and one across from us, so we had 6 lots (also high taxes, finally $1500 ayear.) Hurricane of Sept 15, 1938 blew down millions of trees around Forest Lake and

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Page 5: WAYNE EYER MANNING Iwas born at 1303 Utah Street, …When Iwas 10 to 12 or so years old, dad and mother sent me to Elkhart summers, (2 or 3 years), I stayed on Grandfather George Smith's

surrounding southern NH, We lost many trees--1200 board feet.

We had good neighbors (and good friends). The young children of one neighbor,Dewey Medrick, spent much time with us indoors and outdoors. We took 6.7, 8 yearold Beth Medrick on frequent nature walks in nearby big woods. She gave show andtell talks at school. Beth is now married with 3 young children in northern NJ, andbrings her children to Forest Lake for 2 weeks.

I have kept in touch for many years primarily at Christmas time with about 75 formerstudents, I keep in touch with faculty members of the Bucknell Biology Dept. Peg and Ihave enjoyed working together over 70 years.

FUNGIIn an excellent two year graduate course in smaller fungi, many microscopic, at

Cornell, I identified perhaps 200 or 300 fungi; mushrooms were not included. Sincethen I have identified over 100 mushrooms and other large fungi. We have eaten wildmushrooms. I showed the college president and dean and others, fluorescentmushrooms (light after dark). I discovered that one special kind of mushroom, Boletus,can cause skin rash (on my face) under certain conditions. I made a rather largecollection of woody fungi. I sold the collection to a botanist friend who has a verylarge personal herbarium) I also made a collection of fascinating slime mold fungi, amoving naked protoplasm, animal like at one stage, spores in small to larger sporangias reproduction plant like at another stage.

I made hundreds of beautiful mushroom spore prints (cap cut off, placed on white orblack paper, covered by dish overnight), Five colors; prints pinned upon wall; theseprints have taught and intrigued many individuals; I spent one summer in NHentertaining with making spore prints an extremely destructive 12 year old boy; thisprobably saved him from a life in prison.

SPECIAL SUMMARYIn addition to my teaching, research, greenhouse development, taking care of the

garden, lectures and talks, specimens for the Bucknell, Wayne E. Manning Herbariumwere collected during many trips.Trips through all of new England, Gaspi Peninsula,Nove Scotia and New Brunswick, Florida, Canadian Rockies. Collections in NJ andNorthwest by former students; large collection by a Bucknell faculty wife (OctoriaReed); collections by exchange using my duplicate specimens from Universities inFlorida and Arizona; also exchange with U.S, topographic map-maker (he had a largepersonal herbarium). I have made a collection of postage stamps, woody fungi, slimemolds mosses (all sold). I have known well many important American and Europeanbotanists, I have written and received hundreds of botanical letters, I have helpedvarious U.S. colleges by identifying their specimens of hickories; I have identified theherbarium specimens of several U,S. and European museums. I have helped aGerman botanist (and artist) learn the literature and identify specimens for him; I have

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Page 6: WAYNE EYER MANNING Iwas born at 1303 Utah Street, …When Iwas 10 to 12 or so years old, dad and mother sent me to Elkhart summers, (2 or 3 years), I stayed on Grandfather George Smith's

helped for many years a former student (who writes letters once a week) personally.

TRAGEDIES AND NEAR TRAGEDIES:a) When my sister Sue was 6 years old she fell down the steps (to upstairs) holding

a glass of water. The broken pieces of glass cut the arteries, tendons and nerves ofher right wrist. Doctors finally sewed things together, but this was not completelysatisfactory. Sue had to learn to write with her left hand.

b) About 1924, the social worker, who lived in a room on our third floor (Ambridge),returned home one day. She found mother asleep on the couch,could not waken her,called father. father opened all windows. Mother almost died of carbon monoxidepoisoning. ' - - ' '. , '.

c) and d) Family Finances. The stock of the Ambridge Savings and Trust Co.,founded by dad, was considered by him as very valuable. But during the depressionRoosevelt became president of USA in 1933 and closed every bank in USA. No bankcould then open without sufficient cash reserves. The Ambridge bank never openedagain as such (loans made to draftsman etc--these men had no jobs). Bank takenover by Economy bank, so Ambridge bank stock was worthless. Dad had stroke about1929, died in 1933, about time Roosevelt became president, so did not know about thebank.

A few years after dad died, mother moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, to be with mysister, Sue, who was a buyer for clothes for a large department store there. Someyears later, Sue got married and moved away to Rome, NewYork, but mother stayedin Indianapolis. She kept her bank account in Ambridge (now Economy Bank andTrust) A life long family church friend, Harriet Garrison (a few years younger than I.was), a trusted bank employee had charge of mother's account. All investmentdividends went to the bank, and Harriet notified mother by mail about her account.Several years later there was some confusion about the account. Helen and herhusband, Jim, left Pittsburgh to visit mother. Helen called Jim about mother's bankaccount. Jim had Mother Manning go to Pittsburgh. Harriet finally told them that shehad stolen all of mother's money! Harriet stayed in the bank, was not arrested, but wasforced to sell her auto, house, etc. to h.elp repay mother in part. Later Harriet becamein charge of getting materials for junior departments of the Ambridge MethodistChurch but no materials arrived, the money was gone; then Harriet was countytreasurer; money gone. She was arrested, but she died a few months later before anyreal trial. Peg and I did not count on mother's estate to take care of us, but it was aterrible personal tragedy to realize that a personal family friend (I knew Harriet well)had run off with mother's money. Some money was left by mother.

e. When Alan was 12 years old, he and two other boys were pushing a very longboard across our cove of Forest Lake. About two yards from our shore the two boyssuddenly swam away thus pushing the board from Alan. Peg and I helpless (no boat),scared, watching Alan, not yet a swimmer, trying to swim very slowly toward the board.Alan almost drowned.

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Page 7: WAYNE EYER MANNING Iwas born at 1303 Utah Street, …When Iwas 10 to 12 or so years old, dad and mother sent me to Elkhart summers, (2 or 3 years), I stayed on Grandfather George Smith's

LIFE AND NEAR DEATHThree times auto smashed into mine, I was alone. Two times I landed in the

hospital, one time broken collar bone.One night, about Aug 15, 1960 I woke up at 3 AM upstairs in our NH cottage

smelling smoke. I thought it was probably a little smoke from the evening fire in the fireplace, so did not want to get up. But I did get up, opened the bedroom door, found theliving room full of smoke. Could see nothing with light on. Peg and I went downstairs.Coals in ashes I had taken out of the fireplace and put in a paper bag near thefireplace (not on the brick hearth) and by a partition separating the kitchen,had burned almost through two layers of boards and a layer of linoleum. If Ihadwaited 4 or 5 hours the cottage and we would have burned up. Our carpenter and hisson chopped out the burned wood, replaced the wood. They gave us a coal scuttlepail! ~- - - -

MEXICOOn trip to Mexico were warned about food and water. We carried chlorine tablets

for water, sulfa medicine for bacillary dystentary. Food and water unsafe even in bighotels. On long, all day hot trip south of Mexico City we were tired and thirsty. Pegdrank water before chlorine tablets took effect. That morning--Oanaca--she haddysentery--Iost 10 Ibs in one day. Used Swiss medicine bought in Mexico City; thismeant we did not have to stay in bed for a week or so, but could go on. From MontorreI had gone with Jose', a Mexican medical student into the mountains to find a man whoknew location of walnuts. On this trip I paid cost of hotel (25cents a night, nomatress,etch) Jose' told me to take a drink from a small can of sugary juice fromcentury plant, Agave, related to sisal hemp plant, carried by two little Mexican boys.As a result of that drink, I believe, I returned to Lewisberg with hepatitis and an internalparasite, and was in bed for about 3 months (5,000 calories a day without fat such asbutter, milk,etch). Students came to the house for lectures after 3 former students gavemy lecture (I wrote them out) for me, fora month. These students did take care of thelaboratory and a good student found most of the trees and shrubs for a class indendrology.

I am "thinking" of writing out many interesting items that happened on our trip toMexico. May 1954 I gave an illustrated lecture (mostly slides) about my trip to Mexico(1953). At the end of my talk, several people asked me questions. An elderly man,sitting in front said "Dr. Manning, I would like to ask you a personal question. You donot need to answer it if you do not wish to do so. What good was your wife on thetrip?" That brought the house down. I did answer him, told about encouragement andideas given to me by Peg, (I believe the man did not care for women!)

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