Excitement ran through the city when it became known that "The Horse" was coming home. "The Horse" is the one that long stood in the window of Heck Saddlery on the east side of the Moniteau County Courthouse in California. Plans are to restore it and place it in the window of the Moniteau County Historical Society building.
The sadly decrepit "animal" returned to the city last week, courtesy of a truck loaned by Burgers' Smokehouse. The Historical Society plans to restore the horse, which returned to the city minus the leather ears, and one eye and with the tail lying across its back. It was purchased at an auction held June 10-11. It was brought back to California a week later and has now been taken to an expert in restoration to obtain information how much work it will be and, of course, the cost. It was purchased at auction for a bid of $1,300 by Paul Jungmeyer, in his role as president of the Historical Society. It was purchased from the Wagon Master Museum in Dardenne Prairie, near O'Fallon.
The horse is 126 years old, and for decades was used to model some of the saddles and bridles which were manufactured by the saddlery. It was sold after the business closed in 1976.