Grandpa's Tale

George Manning was born in Nacogdoches, Texas in 1874. In his eighties, George wrote of his Old West experiences for posterity. I have edited and contributed to my grandfather’s original story and present Grandpa’s Tale to you. A novel revolving around his befriending a wounded Charlie Wilson, he becomes a messenger between the U.S. Marshals and Wilson, gathering information used to deliver western justice near the Jack Fork Mountains.

Grandpa wrote his original manuscript back in the 1950s. I was aware that it existed when in my teens in the mid 50s. My cousin Joan presented me with a typed version in 2011.  My uncle Floyd in Maryland scanned the document with, as I understand, Russian developed technology that could make the jump from 1950 hunt n' peck ribbon typewrwiter images to modern word processing management capabilities. That worked great, but every now and then I would hit the wrong button and the whole thing scrambled right in front of my face.  I then sought and received technical expertise from Kenny at SUNY Delhi.  Managing the document from that point on was a 'piece of cake.'

I estimate that Grandpa spent some 200 hours creating the story framework in cursive and on yellow, lined paper.  I have dedicated a minimum of 2000 hours editing and rounding out Grandpa's Tale.  I remained true to his story threads in presenting this book.

Grandpa's Tale is written as an action western novel.  I specify information in the epilogue that can be considered as factual, which should help the reader decide how much weight to attach to what.  I believe the information will also give you an appreciation as to why I would commit so much time and energy in authoring Grandpa's Tale.

This is a self-publish undertaking.  Readers here in the northeast have had such things to say as, "It should be made into a movie," to, "It's surprisingly good," to, "Great book," to, "I am envious."

I'll put Grandpa's story of his boyhood rite of passage among cowboys, outlaws, and U.S. Marshals up against any action western on the market!  There is at least one sleeper out there now...and that's Grandpa's Tale!

Enjoy! 

The 'boy's' grandson, Gary!

Gary L. Manning spent a number of his formative years on a dairy farm. Upon graduating from college, he served three years as a Marine infantry officer. Joyce and Gary then moved back home to upstate New York to work, raise their children, and retire. Along the way, Gary served as supervisor of two different townships and as a village mayor. He remains active in the American Legion.