James E. McElroy was never one to pass up an opportunity. Upon learning of the healing waters of Waukesha, he came upon an idea of purchasing one of the springs, and piping the water down to Chicago. He laid out all his plans, bought Hygeia Spring on the corner of Wisconsin and West Avenues, and prepared to lay the pipelines, only to be stopped when the village council denied permission. The city residents wanted visitors to the World Fair to come to Waukesha for the water rather than have Waukesha water go to the Fair.

A Period Cartoon Depicting The Conflict

It was on Saturday, May 12, 1892 and rumors concerning a forthcoming 'invasion' began to spread through the village. Sure enough, that night, a carload of horses, two flatcars overflowing with pipes and a mob of laborers arrived by railroad.

"The invaders approached the bottling house and were met by a goodly crowd of townspeople who had hurried down Wisconsin Avenue to the spring upon hearing the village fire bell ring." - A Freeman Journalist

Tensions eased as the men were served lunch and hot coffee before returning to the train. The locomotive departed only to return an hour later and unload it's passengers once more. This time the villagers toted the famous 'rail splitter' cannon to the spring, and once again the 'invaders' were expelled from Waukesha.

The "Rail Splitter" Cannon

James McElroy did not give up his attempt to pump water from Waukesha to the World's Fair. Eventually, he bought a spring property outside of the village limits and named it Hygea II. He did then obtain permission and laid his pipes. Unfortunately the water, after so many miles of travel, had become stale.

James McElroy moved to New York in the February of 1894 and died of appendicitis three months later. He left $600,000 to his widow and two children.

More Of The Period Cartoon From Above