HORSE TALES
by Candice C. Dunnigan

Last month, I received a very interesting packet in the mail from a reader in the Upper Peninsula. It turns out that this avid fan of The St. Ignace News and the Mackinac Island Town Crier is no stranger. The last name is still a familiar one on the Island - Massaway.

John "Nelson" Massaway, now of Hessel, worked on Mackinac for more than 30 years with Mackinac Island Carriage Tours. He listed his dates with that company from 1960 to 1991. Mr. Massaway was there as the company began its upward move in the 1960s, and its wide, sweeping development through the 1980s. It was a time when the "Big Barns" at the top of the hill on Cadotte Avenue started to house the huge draft horses, when the company experimented with the idea of the large passenger wagons (we know today as the three-horse hitches), and the first time the famous Budweiser Clydesdales trotted down Main Street on one cold and foggy June Lilac Parade day.

Nelson Massaway grew up on Mackinac. In 1954, he and his wife were married by Father Ling, then the priest at Ste. Anne's Church. It was a festive affair for them, as the newlyweds traveled in style through town in the splendid Victoria carriage that is now on display at Surrey Hills. Mr. Massaway sent me a picture of himself and another long-timer, George Hollock. The two of them are seated in the same Victoria. George was 88 years old when the photograph was taken, having worked most of his life with horses and spending many, many years connected to them and the Island.

Nelson Massaway at Surrey Hills.

Mr. Massaway worked 10 years at Surrey Hills; prior to that, he spent eight years as a cab driver and close to 14 years with the company in the barn or on the street. All of that adds up to a lifetime of experience, and memories. Names such as Duke Charnes, Buck Sharrow, Randy Hall, Charlie Trimer, and Rudy Helf are written on the back of his photographs. There are dozens of horses pictured, including big, capable Belgium drafts with gentle eyes standing ready to begin the day. Many of the photographs were taken in the autumn, and they seem to capture the feel of the season - damp, quiet, and golden. Fall on Mackinac is a season of memories.

Standing in front of a three-horse hitch are (from left) Charlie Trimer, Nelson Massaway, and George Hollock. (Photographs courtesy of John Massaway)

Perhaps when the carriage operations close for the season, the spirits of these former employees meet up at Surrey Hills for an "old-timers" party of their own. Big John Richardson, Gerald Daaguold, and Don Sherwood all had something in common with Nelson Massaway - they all loved what they were doing and enjoyed the companionship of co-workers, particularly the four-footed ones. Mackinac Island Carriage Tours was lucky to have them.

Adding to the collection are some wonderful photographic shots of the Island's horse-drawn hearse and the proud four-inhand Hackney team of Dr. Bill Chambers. There are photographs of it in use for the wedding of his son, Bradley, and in town. Other photographs include those of a very young Bobby J. Horn riding an impressive Clydesdale, bareback, as well as Sara Chambers astride none other than "No Name," the fiberglass horse I tried in vain to find information about this summer. I'm grateful to Mr. Massaway for allowing me to share some of those memories, and passing them on.

George Hollock (left) and Nelson Massaway sitting in the carriage.

As October brings to the close yet another season on the Island, it's also a time to pause and think about how truly independent and unique Mackinac Island still remains in regard to the 1898 automotive ban. In truth, our dependence on the horse still continues to make our community different. As the herds of horses have been making their way to winter homes, think about how many of them enabled you to visit and live here this past year. So again, thanks to the horses who carted the groceries, the luggage, the grain, and the drywall. The teams who took away the trash, and took us to parties, weddings, and events. The horses that carried us on trails, in a horse ring, and off the beaten paths. The horses that brought up the inlaws, the grandchildren, the aunts, uncles, and cousins, the company. The animals who pulled the carriages for the tourists, the dignitaries, the candidates, and last but not least, to each horse who inspired some small child to want to reach out and touch it, and remember it, because it was so amazing.

Candice Dunnigan is an active member of the American Equestrian Association, the Waterloo Hunt, and the Mackinac Horsemen's Association. Seasonally she resides at Easterly Cottage.