The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1909-10-15
Wrong Spring Dedicated.

regard to the wrong spring being dedi-
Gated by members of the D. A. R., at
Bryant Station. we CLEAN the following
facts from a special in Sundays
Courier-J ournal from Lexington which
will be of interest to many of our
readers, viz:
In 1896 the members of Bryant Sta
tion Chapter of the D. A.. R, of Lex
ington erected the only monument built
by women to women in America and.
perhaps, in the world. The memorial
was wall anditablet at spring near
the site near Lexington of the old Bry-
ant Station fort of pioneer days for
the purpose of commemoratingrthe he
role action of the women of the fort in
going to the spring which supplied the
fort with water and bringing the nee
essary supply when the fort was be-
sieged by hostile Indians, rather than
impose the perilous duty on the men of
the garrison, whose lives were so nee
essary to the lives of all within the fort
Every dollar of the funds required
to inclose the historic spring and erect
the monument was earned and contrib
uted by the noble women of Bryant
Station Chapter. The memorial was
dedicated with impressive ceremonies,
patriotic and historical addresses were
made by distinguished men. and the
spring around which had been woven
so much of heroism, romance and song
was set aside as haIlowed shrine at
which future generations could pay
their tribute to the heroic women who
accomplished one of the bravest deeds
of pioneer days.
| Now it seems probable that the noble
women who erected this memorial built
it over the wrong spring. Not only is
it probable that they marked and con-
secrated the wrong spring, but spring
that in all likelihood was at the time
of the heroic deed as dry as bone,
and which is situated at the foot of
cliff so steep that no woman could dig
niiedIy descend it, and certainly could
not scramble up it with bucket full
of water. Meanwhile. the neverfailing
spring, which was the real scene of
the famous feat, stands in barnyard
more than 200 yards away. and un-
noticed, pours out its waters in the
humble mission of ministering to the
cows and pigs which now wend their
way down the gentle slope from the
old fort to quench their thirst.
Such excellent authority as Prof. A.
S. Mackenzie, occupying the chair of
history at Kentucky State University !;
Judge James H. Mulligan, the famous
orator and author, and John Wilson
Townsend. the young Kentucky histor-
ian, are sure that mistake has been
made, and note written by Col. R.
T. Durrett, in the Filson Club paper
on Bryant Station gives conclusive evil
dence that the wrong spring was chos-
en-.
Judge Mulligan said today: "Oh,
there is no doubt, about the wrong
spring having been dedicated" Prof.
Newfoundland Mr.. Townsend are SINH
larly emphatic.
Mrs. James H.. Mulligan, herself
member of Bryant Station Chapter, and
to whom belongs the credit of having
originated the idea and place of erect
ing the memorial says:
81 have some doubt now of our hav-
ing selected. the right spring." And
Mrs. c. D. ChenauIt, State Regent of
the D. A. R., in Kentucky. comedies:
Eve believed we were right at the
time. but fear now we were mis-
taken.'' Furthermore, the man who
owns the land upon which is the site
of the old fort and the two springs is
unhesitating in his declaration that
+ the wrong spring was consecrated.
and all of the people of the neighbor-
hood who are familiar with the tradi-
lticns concerning the place agree with
him.
Thos. Woods. the prosperous farmer
whoseshome stands on almost the iden-
teal spot where stood the whole fort,
and who owns the land around it. said
to visitor who asked to be shown
the famous spring:
The spring which the women dedi-
Gated is one where you can see it from
the road. but the real spring made
famous in pioneer times is down there
in the barn lot.
Mr.. Woods said he did not know
how the women of the Bryant Station
happened to make the mistake. but
that it was mistake there could be