There are times in life when practical decisions, decisions that seem quite simple, hold more value than realized at the onset. It was about seventy-five years ago when the Concord CityManager Brackett was reviewing opportunities to bring Concord further into the future while saving some money for the taxpayers too. Throughout the year 1949 he observed other towns and cities embracing the technology of the day, in particular the utilization of power to allow city workers to be more productive with less effort. Concord was certainly utilizing trucks and other vehicles, power tools and power equipment, but Concord still held on to one last thread to the past; horse power.

The Concord City Manager made the decision to approach the Concord City Council and suggest the elimination of the last remaining horses that were maintained by the city. These remaining horses were still being utilized to pull stumps and operate some of the remaining horse-drawn plows and more. The old equipment powered by the horses was also quite worn and no longer feasible to use. The Concord City Manager approached the Concord City Council and recommended the remaining horses be disposed of so that Concord could finally leave the old “horse and buggy” days behind. The suggestion sounded simple enough but there was an unexpected response from the people living in Concord.

Concord employed eight teamsters and three stablemen to take care of the remaining six city horses in 1949. These eleven city employees that maintained the stable for the city horses cost the city $27,000 annually. The idea and proposal were to dispose of the horses and transfer the remaining teamsters and stablemen to other jobs within the city.

Concord Public Works Commissioner Ervin Webber said the city would recognize little profit with the sale of the remaining six horses. Of the six remaining horses four were twenty years old, or even older with the two youngest city horses being fourteen and fifteen years old. The city also owned rubbish wagons, dump carts and sidewalk plows that were very worn out. While at the same time the City of Concord already owned four mechanical rubbish load packers for Concord trash pickup. The horse drawn rubbish wagons were still in use, but the future was certainly focused upon the automatic rubbish load packers because they were mechanical, Mr. Webber stated that he could manage the city trash pick up with the mechanical packers if the horses and equipment were discontinued.

As the months continued and no decisions were made the six horses were still utilized for limited work projects. The Concord City Council agreed to a hearing where a final decision would be made. The meeting was held and the people spoke about the discontinuation of the city horse crew and their supporting crew. Councilor Buckminster from Ward 3 introduced a resolution authorizing the City Manager to “dispose of or sell” the remaining horses as well as the associated equipment. When the resolution was introduced the floor recognized Concord Mayor Shelby Walker and listened to his wise words. He stated that he had already received over one hundred calls regarding the Concord city horses where the good citizens of Concord expressed their dire concern about the decision to “dispose or sell” them. Mayor Walker said the community felt the city should be very careful with those beautiful horses. Mayor Walker further stated the citizens of Concord were not upset about the discontinued use of the city horses, they were very upset about with the thought the horses might be sold to someone that would work them hard and abuse them. He further stated there was a dilemma with the disposition of the horses because of their ages and they held little monetary value. He said the city would be challenged to just find a good home for them where they could be donated to live the remainder of their lives in peace.

Concord Councilman Richard Jackman representing Ward 4 opened the discussion regarding the life expectancy of a horse while Manager Brackett suggested the horses be given to the county farm, state prison or state hospital. The decision to eliminate the use of horses and horse powered equipment was approved. Work quickly began looking for new homes for each of the six horses. The public watched closely as the four elder horses found kind homes where they would be well fed, sheltered and not expected to work. With four horses now located in new homes and protected the citizens were very pleased. As placement continued there were now only two city horses left.

The last two horses were named Ben and Charlie. They were especially close to each other and worked together for the city as a team for many years. They would spend the rest of their lives in the Shaker Community located in Canterbury, New Hampshire. It was said they had worked closely together for many years side by side. They seemed pleased to work together as a team and would live out their final years together. Ben and Charlie had a history, they would graze together under the cool willows, work together at the Concord Cemeteries, run the rubbish routes and always stop to greet the people of Concord, especially the children. School yards were a favorite place to visit along with their favorite stableman named George.

Though George was saddened back in 1950 with the elimination of the city work horses he understood. He was reassigned and worked in a new position for the city. One particular day George was working near Penacook on a Friday afternoon. As fate might have it this was the same day Ben and Charlie would be transferred to the Canterbury Shaker Village. Ben and Charlie were chaperoned by a handler as they walked the miles from the Concord stables to the Canterbury Village. As Ben and Charlie passed the area where George worked, they both stopped. They recognized their dear friend George and quickly approached him affectionately. It was time to say goodbye.

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It was with tears in his eyes that George reached deeply into his pockets and produced two sugar cubes. An old habit that George continued for many years prior. He gave both Ben and Charlie a sugar cube as he embraced them one last time.

As the afternoon sun cast shadows, Ben and Charlie were greeted warmly by the Shaker Community.