This is the third 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. His gift of a fountain having been accepted by the borough, Dr. Cogswell appeared in Willimantic in May, 1882, “making arrangements for the delivery of the drinking fountain which he has given to the borough.” (The doctor had also been to Rockville where the town had unanimously voted to accept a fountain from him and had appropriated $500 for the expense of setting it.) It was at this point that the Doctor changed some of his stipulations to demands and when enthusiasm over the fountain began to dwindle. “Considerable talk was spent upon the much-talked of drinking fountain which Dr. Cogswell has proposed to give to this borough. The Doctor concluded to revamp his offer and compel the borough to supply water to the fountain and own the water works, albeit this will cost about twice the value of the fountain. The meeting voted to abide by the donor’s requirements and accept the fountain, water works and all. It then adjourned for three weeks.” Several people, including Whiting Hayden, had appeared before the board to make proposals for furnishing water for the fountain and several businesses had made small donations to offset the cost of setting the fountain. But, in October, 1882, it was reported that, “After all the ado it is probably that the  drinking fountain may not ornament our street. The donor requires that it shall be furnished with a permanent supply of water and this provision has not yet been complied with on account of the large expense attending it. Correspondence is pending between the Boston contractor, Alexander McDonald, and the borough authorities and what will be the outcome we are unable to say.” What happened between May and December of 1882 is unclear but in December, the “Chronicle” reported that, “At the borough meeting in Armory hall Monday about fifty were present. All votes hitherto passed relating to the  drinking fountain were rescinded without opposition. The  drinking fountain project received its eternal quietus. As a gift it was growing to be a very expensive elephant for the borough to accept.” A week after that meeting, a follow up story said, “: It is said that Col. W.E. Barrows has proposed to donate to the borough a drinking fountain, as an advertisement for the Linen company, which will be ornamental to Main street and useful to man and horse, and allow the borough to supply it with water by whatever means it may choose. This will be better than abiding by Dr.Cogswell’s additional requirements.” A week later, another story read, “Now that the  fountain has been disposed of, perhaps that donation from Col. Barrows will soon take some definite shape.” But apparently, nothing came of the offer which led the Chronicle, on April 11, 1883, to inquire,” By the by, where is that drinking fountain, Col. Barrows?” Although Willimantic’s hopes for a fountain had come to an end, the story continues. Next week we’ll take a look at the information the “Chronicle” printed following the final rejection of Dr. Cogswell’s fountain gift. But, as far as a fountain for Main Street, not until September 11, 1900 was there any more mention of a fountain. Then, at the Common Council’s meeting that night, Mrs. C.N. Andrew and others who were representing the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (note: remember that Cogswell was a “Temperance man”) asked the council to install a public drinking fountain on Main Street. And so the Water Committee was authorized to establish one but at a cost not to exceed $125. On August 1, 1901, the new fountain was iced up and set in operation. Tin cups were hung on a chain at the fountain for drinking purposes. Originally, there were problems with keeping the water cooled but these were fixed and the fountain was well received and popular. It was located on the corner of Railroad and Main Streets (this week's photo) and is still remembered by many. Oh yes – in 1884, the Willimantic Linen Company  followed through on Barrow’s promise and erected the fountain at Threadmill Square. Next week we’ll end this series with a follow up about Cogswell’s fountains.