“I don’t think Mr. Alexander MACKAY had a single enemy in Morewood, but if there was one – it would be behind the teacher’s desk in the Public school, for there could be a person ready to blame the horseman for the absence of the boys from school.”
“The real test to book dedication and improvement of the mind came when a car-load of wild horses were removed from brother Joe MACKAY in Montana. These horses were loaded into box cars and shipped by railroad to Chesterville station. Once unloaded there, they were herded north on St. Lawrence(County Road 7 – Moffat Street) to the village. All the inhabitants knew they had arrived from the noise of galloping steeds, the yelling of cowboys fresh from the ranch, the barking of dogs, and the horses tied to hitching posts in the village – scared and trying (frequently succesfully) to break their leash.”
“Yet, most excitement came from youngsters, and a few adults with blood still young. The peak of commotion reached pandemonium stage when the wild herd thundering north on St. Lawrence Street(Moffat) arrived at the edge of the village. Then suddenly, everything was still for a short interval – having reached Main Street (Morewood Rd- County Rd13), the herd came to a complete halt before starting in two different directions. However, quick work, skill and plenty of loud yelling on the part of the cowboys turned the pack west to the upper lane and eventually to a field on the MACKAY farm.”
“Three days before the arrival of the first car load of horses, a report of the event made the rounds of the school so that tension became so high the students were unable to work. Noting this the teachers believed they would have few pupils in school on arrival day, declared a “Wild Horse” holiday.“
“As more shipments arrived the pupils gradually lost their early interest in the event. However, a few spectators could be expected on the streets as the herd passed through the village.”