The California Area Chamber of Commerce made a $1,000 donation to support the restoration of the "Horse" which long stood in the window of Heck Saddlery on the east side of the Moniteau County Courthouse in California.
For an estimated 80 years, the Heck horse was used to model some of the saddles and bridles which were manufactured by the saddlery. It was sold in 1973. The business closed in 1976.
Another fundraiser to benefit the horse being held 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the home of Pam and Rich Green, the Eitzen Mansion, at 201 N. Oak St., California.
The 126-year-old "animal" was in serious condition when brought back to the city from its location in a museum in the St. Louis area in June. When restored, plans are to display the horse in the window of the Moniteau County Historical Society building.
Some re-enforcement work will have to be on the floor and its support structure before the horse and display can be mounted in the building. The society is also searching for some saddles and other gear from the Heck Saddlery to use on the horse. It has been suggested that a background resembling a stable might be added to the display eventually.
William Heck purchased a life-size display horse in 1890, and it was placed in the large window of his business, the William Heck Saddlery Co. The business was located east of the courthouse in California, the same building where Arkansas Feather Company is now located.
According to the Heck family, the horse was never formally named, but now he is officially known as "Heck." Longtime residents of the county born prior to 1965 may remember Heck patiently and quietly gazing out his window where he stood for 83 years. Children were especially fond of Heck. They enjoyed sitting on the horse and others viewing him from outside were reported to have seen his ear twitch or his head nod slightly! In 1973, William's son Richard sold the horse, and the William Heck Saddlery went out of business in 1976.
Heck was lost for 43 years but not forgotten. About 10 years ago, Morris and Dolores Burger started in earnest to find Heck. Following leads, the search took them to various places in Missouri, so they were surprised when they heard of Heck's whereabouts when they were right here at home in California. One Sunday afternoon, the late Dick Spieler was in McDonald's and mentioned that the search was on for the Heck horse. Bill Embry, an auctioneer from Clarksburg, overheard him and said he knew the location of the horse. He said it was in an antique museum in O'Fallon, Missouri. With that information in 2013, Heck was found at a business called "The Wagon Master." Poor Heck was a pitiful sight to see showing every bit of his 126 years with parts missing or damaged to include an eye, the mane, ears and tail, but the Burgers, after such a long search, thought he was a beautiful sight to behold! Unfortunately, the elderly owner felt the same way. He was very fond of the horse and didn't want to sell. But as luck would have it, "The Wagon Master" had an auction in 2016 and MCHS purchased Heck on June 10. Presently, Heck is at Chase Studio in Cedar Creek where he has undergone reconstructive surgery. He should be well enough to come home sometime in early 2017.
The Bringing Heck Home Committee consists of: Paul Jungmeyer, president; David Jungmeyer, museum curator; and co-chairs Morris and Dolores Burger, Dorothy Jungmeyer, Rich and Pam Green, Shirley Elliott, Norris Gerhart, Gail Hughes, Nancy Martin, and Rudy Schroeder.
For more information, call Morris Burger at 573-796-2220 or 573-644-2421