Location: Weirs Beach, New Hampshire, USA
Loammi Bean, aged 37 years, left his home at Nestledown Farm in 1861 to fight with the Eighth New Hampshire Volunteers in the Civil War. He was one of the first men killed with the 8th Regiment at the Battle of Georgia Landing, Louisiana, on October 27, 1862.
A memorial combination drinking fountain and horse trough was donated to the town by Nellie Bean Zebley of New York to honour her father. It was located near the railway station in an area currently known as Lakeside Avenue (this area was used by Civil War veterans as a summer camp and became the New Hampshire Veterans Association Campground). The structure surmounted by the statue of a soldier was dedicated on August 29, 1894 in the presence of the Eighth New Hampshire Volunteer Regiment Association.
In a speech to the many dignitaries and spectators in attendance Mrs. Zebley stated;
“…It is now nearly thirty years since the smoke of battle passed away and those who were left of our brave soldiers returned to their different homes, to parents, wives, children and sweethearts. But, alas, my father was left in an unknown grave….
…My father’s memory has always been sacred to me and to see you all here today makes me proud to think my father was your comrade and with you he rallied around the old flag. To erect this fountain to my father’s memory and present it to the 8th New Hampshire has been one of my happiest anticipations. It is yours, and intended to be a monument to the brave boys of New Hampshire. May God bless you all and may it be my pleasure to meet the veterans, one and all, for many years to come.” Laconia Democrat, Friday August 31, 1894.
The fountain was moved 40 or 50 feet to the east circa 1924. It is unclear whether it was relocated prior to or due to the great Weirs Beach fire on Nov. 9, 1924 that destroyed the nearby 3rd Regiment Building and a dozen other structures including the New Hotel Weirs. To read more of this devastating fire, http://weirsbeach.com/reasons-to-visit/history/golden-era/weirs-fire-1924/.
On July 23, 1931 the statue was destroyed by a lightning strike as reported by the Laconia Citizen; “…the head of the soldier was severed from the body, and shortly after the entire statue toppled into the street. Only one leg of the cast iron figure was left standing. Spectators availed themselves of the opportunity of collecting an arm, a hand or some portion of the statue. The head has disappeared, and just who added that to his collection, is not known.”
Reports identify the shattering and disappearance of the statue and the bronze dedication plaque; however, there is no information whether the fountain was also destroyed, or removed sometime later due to redundancy. In 1978 a local Warren couple discovered the plaque in the cellar of their property. It now resides in the Goss Reading Room in the Lakeport Library as part of an exhibit highlighting the monument and its history.
The cast iron structure manufactured by J. L. Mott Iron Works was seated on an octagonal base with chamfered corners. Four small basins at ground level allowed dogs to drink. Two large fluted troughs to quench the thirst of horses and cattle alternated with two demi-lune fluted basins for human consumption. Anchored adjacent to the basin were drinking cups suspended on chains which were filled from dolphin mascaron spouts (dolphins are symbolic of guardians of water).
A second tier of panels displayed cartouches containing an orb surrounded by flourish. The capital supported four panels bound with highly decorated pilasters. Three sides displayed the orb design and a fourth contained an inscription of the dedication; Presented To The City / By Mrs. John F. Zebley / In Memory Of / Her Father / Loammi Bean / Eight Regiment N.H. Vols. / Killed In Battle / At Tigonsville, LA / October 27th 1862.
Used with permission. Source: http://www.laconiahistorical.org/
The structure was surmounted by the statue of a Civil War soldier standing contrapposto. Leaning on a rifle-musket, he rested his hands on the barrel of the weapon.
Used with permission. Source: http://weirsbeach.com/reasons-to-visit/history/veterans/nh-va-history/
Glossary
- Cartouche, a structure or figure, often in the shape of an oval shield or oblong scroll, used as an architectural or graphic ornament or to bear a design or inscription.
- Chamfer, a beveled edge
- Contrapposto, stance where one leg bears the weight and the other leg is relaxed
- Demi-lune, half moon or crescent shape
- Fluted, a long rounded groove
- Mascaron, a decorative element in the form of a sculpted face or head of a human being or an animal
- Pilaster, a column form that is only ornamental and not supporting a structure
Memorial Drinking Fountains 
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