On May 12, 1892, a trainload of laborers and iron pipe were forced to retreat from the spring when village residents, armed with cannons and rifles, ordered them to leave the spring alone. Locals feared the mass pumping from the spring would destroy other springs in the area. After this mishap, McElroy purchased a spring outside of the Town of Waukesha in what is now the Village of Big Bend. He called it Hygena Springs II. McElroy did build his 100-mile pipe to Chicago, but once the water reached the exhibition it was said to be stale and tasteless.