This is the second part of a story regarding events that took place over a three year period. Articles from “The Chronicle” form the main body of this story so that readers today can get an idea of how the story unfolded 140 years ago. In 1881, with a formal offer of the fountain having been made by the donor, Dr. Henry Cogswell,, the borough moved forward quickly. In December, the “Chronicle” reported, “We understand that a majority of the committee appointed at the borough meeting to consider the advisability of accepting the gift of Dr. Cogswell of a drinking fountain have decided to report in favor of its acceptance. We are very glad to hear it.”  At the  December,1881 borough meeting in the Armory Hall about 75 people attended and voted to accept the gift. By May, 1882, the Committee had done a tremendous amount of work. “The committee appointed at a borough meeting last December have had the matter under consideration and will, at the borough meeting Friday submit the following report: ““After voluminous correspondence with Dr. Cogswell his final proposition with a photograph accompanying the same is in substance as follows, viz: That he will ship to us, free of cost, the fountain and send a competent person to take charge of its erection and arrange the refrigerator placed at its base. A lantern of colored glass is also furnished for the top at its actual cost by the borough. If received by the borough it will be incumbent upon them to furnish a suitable location, keep the lantern lighted, furnish good spring water and ice during the warm weather; and should the borough fail or neglect to provide as above the fountain would not remain a gift but revert to its original owner or heirs. It is supposed by the committee that the fountain will only be used to slake the thirst of people and dogs. An inaccurate estimate of setting the fountain may be $75 to $100, including concreting or paving about it. Arrangements may be made with Mr. John Hooper to take water from his spring at a cost of about $400.00, and $25.00 per year for its use. The committee are of opinion that the most desirable location would be in front of Deacon. Cushman’s store, he being perfectly willing that it should be thus located. (Note: The Cushman building was later sold and became Lincoln Furniture Company and the area became known as Lincoln Square) Dr. Cogswell two years ago gave a drinking fountain to Pawtucket, R.I., which one of the committee has been to see to form an opinion from what may be thought of theirs by them relative to accepting the one now offered us. The committee found that the prevailing sentiment was in favor of the fountain, yet being placed in a very unsatisfactory location, from which they contemplate soon to remove. The fountain at Pawtucket is valued at about $3,500, its height about 20 feet, mounted with a “stork” 6 feet high, and would present quite an imposing appearance if placed upon an eminence. It has been said that the Doctor had ulterior motives in his gifts of drinking fountains but we think that is a mistake. The Doctor is an enthusiastic cold water man and would almost consent to give a fountain to effect the reformation of any young man from the use of Alcohol. We have no right to distrust the motive of a gift if we find attending it beauty and utility. We would say that our esteemed fellow citizen, Allen Lincoln, was a member of the committee and it is just to say that he favored the project and was active in the duties attending it. The balance of the committee are not enthusiastic over the project but are of the opinion if Dr. Cogswell would be willing to give the borough time for providing water for the fountain under more favorable conditions than we now have at hand that we should favor its acceptance, therefore we bet leave to offer the following resolution. Resolved, That the borough of Willimantic do and hereby accept of Dr. Cogswell of San Francisco, Cal., the drinking water fountain so generously offered us as a token of respect, utility and beauty, to be erected immediately on its delivery in a good workmanlike manner at a suitable distance west of J.E. Cushman’s store between Main and Union streets, provided Dr.Cogswell will not limit the borough in the time of furnishing the water and also that the borough may at any time change its location to some more appropriate place.” It is important to note the above statement that three out of four people on the committee were “not enthusiastic” about the project. Today’s photo shows the approximate intended location for the fountain in front of Lincoln’s store (To be continued)