Courtenay, North Dakota 58426
There are not many of those venerable old citizens still among
us whose memories bridge the vast passage of time from this day of
the gliding automobile, back beyond the coming of the horseless
carriage, to the era when travel in the country meant riding or
driving a horse. Because it was as necessary then as today to make
essential that someone provide facilities for the purpose. This
brought about the necessity for the livery stable where teams and
buggies or sleighs could be hired for such needs.
Not only was the livery stable a place where one could hire a
‘rig’ for a trip into the country, but it was also a haven
where farmers living far from town could shelter, water and feed
their teams, either for a few hours or overnight. The rates charged
depended on how long the stay and whether or not the farmer
supplied his own feed. The prices charged for such services then
was ridiculously small when compared to charges for like services
today. The local livery stable also served as a clearing house (of
sorts) for much information and talk. It brought together horse
buyers and traders, and farmers with horses for sale, or who were
looking for horses to buy.
Every town of any size had its stable and it was as necessary
and indispensable then as the garage and filling station is today.
It was generally located well within the town limits, often on a
side street. The fact that a sizeable number of animals were kept
within the town or city limits seemed to cause no concern or
objections. It was often a long building large enough to shelter
the many horses needed, and also the buggies and sleighs to which
they were hitched, besides space for an office (such as it was) and
sometimes sleeping quarters for the men who cared for the horses.
These men served a dual role. Not only did they feed, water and
groom the animals, but they also served as drivers for customers
who did not trust their ability as horsemen. They were subject to
call at any hour of the day or night in any kind of weather. The
customers were many and diverse, coming from many walks of life,
all in need of transportation. Most of them were honest men going
about their business, but as might be expected, a few were not.
There were the landlords checking on their tenants, and agents of
all sorts – land agents, insurance agents, nursery agents,
lightning rod salesmen, cattle and horse buyers, besides humble
pioneer doctors making their house calls, and early-day clergymen
tending to the spiritual needs of their scattered flocks. These
journeys into the remote areas were not always made in the daylight
hours, or in pleasant weather. As in the case of the country doctor
or the dedicated clergyman, they went when and where duty called,
in fair weather and foul.
The livery stable owner was an important man about town, and
enjoyed considerable respect and prestige. His stable was as
necessary in the community as the general store down the street,
and the owner of both stable and store were on the same social
level. He was often the rugged, outspoken type and unlike his
grocer friend (who because of business reasons had to be more
discreet) he spoke his mind freely and without reserve, on the
subject of politics or other issues of the day. He was often a
dyed-in-the-wool Republican or a dyed-in-the-wool Democrat, and
said so for all to hear. However, under the rather rough exterior
there was often a heart of gold, and it frequently went out to the
poor and unfortunate. Many a homeless hobo was allowed to sleep in
the hay – mow, and come morning, was handed 25 cents (the price of
a meal) by the stable owner.
The livery stable has long since disappeared from the modern
scene, as have the faithful horses and the men who drove them. It
is only the old, and the very old among us, who can turn back to
the distant yesterdays of their memories and see once again, the
huge barn, the sleek horses, the shining buggies and sleighs, and
hear once again the voices of yesteryear, boldly discussing the
issues of the day. They will tell that the automobile did not
completely replace the livery horse for many years, especially
during the winter months. They will say that although the livery
horse might loaf in a summer pasture, it was he who the traveler
looked to when the winter snow lay deep, to take him to his
destination and, in the event of a sudden blinding blizzard, to
bring him safely home.
In this modern, affluent age, we guide our gliding automobile,
with all its modern comforts and conveniences, down a super highway
which, when only a rutted trail, a humble pioneer doctor or
clergyman and his livery horse once groped their way through the
darkness to bring a new life into the world, or to administer to
the dying.
The sturdy liveryman – what an important part he played in the
lives of our forefathers! May their memory and his, live on in our
minds and our hearts!