It was the Dr RJ Pierce memorial fountain at the intersection of High and Hunter streets.

The fountain had been in place on the corner since 1889 and quickly became one of the best known places in a wide district.

It had served as a watering place for horses, but with more motorised traffic in the town, it became a danger zone.

Council had decided to remove the fountain but to preserve the plate bearing the memorial inscription.

The plate was removed shortly after that decision and workmen demolished the fountain, the Mercury reported.

The plate, inscribed “Erected to the memory of the late Dr RJ Pierce, 1889” was to be placed in a prominent position in the vestibule of the Maitland Town Hall but is now in Maitland Library.

The new watering place for horses was in Hunter Street, a short distance from High Street, but out of the way of passing ­traffic.

So who was Dr RJ Pierce and why was he so important to the people of Maitland that they had a memorial fountain built in his memory?

The late historian Harry Boyle wrote that Dr Pierce was a person vitally interested in the welfare of the city and its inhabitants.

“The fountain was to remind viewers of a man who was an acknowledged leader, a gentlemen beloved and respected in the districts, tried and trusted friend of the poor and their helper and sympathiser,” Mr Boyle wrote.

The Mercury’s eulogy on January 26, 1889 read:

"The demise of Doctor Pierce removes from our midst a general favourite.

He was one of the most gentle-hearted and kindly of men: a sterling friend, whose presence was welcomed in that capacity in every household, not less than in the part of the skilled and thoughtful ­physician.

To the social circle he was ever an acquisition and during his ­residence of about 16 years in Maitland has been conspicuously active and energetic in promoting numerous useful movements.

He was president of the Philharmonic Society, which a few years ago did excellent work, ­aiding it with his means, his voice and his energy.

He had for many years been an alderman of the West Maitland Borough Council and during the jubilee year occupied the chair as mayor.

His aldermanic work was ­largely sanitary and he supported the dignity of the office of chairman of the council with marked success.

After many years service as honorary surgeon with others at Maitland Hospital, Dr Pierce was appointed consulting surgeon and was unanimously chosen president of the institution.

At the time of his death he was collecting £1000 to found a nurses home in connection with the hospital and had already received assurances of half the amount."

Dr Pierce was a widower with one son and was about 49 when he died. His remains were taken by rail to Bengalla near Muswellbrook where he was buried beside his wife.

He was a magistrate of the territory and a member of the Maitland Lodge of Unity. 

He was also an active member of the Northern Jockey Club and Maitland Amateur Turf Club.

Dr Pierce died at his home in High Street, West Maitland.

He had been sick for days and had an epileptic fit in the street. He was taken to his house and remained in bed under the care of doctors Alcorn and Power.

While his condition appeared to mend at times, Dr Alcorn found Dr Pierce lying across the bed as though he had attempted to rise.

The doctors bled the patient and he died from an apoplectic seizure.

Mr Boyle wrote how the fountain was a fine example of those made in Victorian times and how the money to erect the fountain was quickly raised.

The committee charged with the project included the mayor John Gillies, EP Capper, HA Fitzpatrick, M Hogan, WC Dangar, WH Baker and WH Mullen.

GL Lee was secretary.

They chose a design that was one of McMillan’s jubilee ­memorial designs.

It was a circular fountain.

The base was square and at a ­suitable height there was a circular horse trough two metres in ­diameter.

The trough was supported on the outside by four massive horse feet, modelled on a Clydesdale with plenty of hair.

Between these feet, 50 millimetres above the level of the street, were receptacles for water, where dogs could drink.

The column springing from the centre of the trough was circular and then a couple of bases ­supported a pillar comprised of four smaller shafts around a centre one.

Around the outside pillars wreaths were entwined. 

The pillar reached a height of about 1.5 metres above the basin and was finished with an ornamental cap from which sprang four handsome arms with cups suspended for use by people.

The water came from taps above the trough.

Another column rose about two metres higher and on top of this was a lamp which was initially gas but later converted to electricity.

The memorial fountain stood as a watering hole and beacon for 50 years and anyone who lived in Horseshoe Bend at the time would remember knowing they had made it home by the time they go to the fountain at Mercury corner.

As Mr Boyle put it: “Now that heritage is the flavour of the day, it is sadly missed.”