From Thomas Searight's The Old Pike (p.231):

About a mile down the western slope of Laurel Hill we come to the famous watering trough. Here William Downard lived for many years in a stone house built against the hillside. He did not keep a tavern, for he had no ground for teams to stand upon, and no stabling that was accessible, but he always maintained the big water-trough in good condition jno bono publico, and it would be almost impossible for big teams to make the ascent of Laurel Hill, in hot weather without water. Downard was eccentric and cross, and begrudged the use of his water to persons he did not like, although the supply was inexhaustible. He was born near Uniontown of English parentage, a Federalist in politics, and a skeptic in religion. He was endowed with strong sense, and could argue with considerable force. He has been dead many years.

From Robert Bruce's book The National Road... (p.63):

Immediately opposite the Summit Hotel begins the very long, winding descent of the ridge — over 1,200 feet in three miles, the average grade being 7 per cent, and the maximum over 9 per cent. There is a succession of wonderful views over to the left almost all the way down ; and the first-time visitor should make this descent slowly in order to take in the scenery and also note a few points of interest. At the right, about a mile down this western slope, was a fine rustic house of the Mountain Water Club, erected about fifteen years ago by a number of prominent Uniontown people, who later built a large oven on the eastern side of it, so that they might frequently entertain their friends with an ox, pig, or lamb roast. The club house was subsequently destroyed by fire; in front of where it stood, is the 73d milestone from Wheeling (or 58th from Cumberland), and almost alongside is the "upper watering trough." A comparatively new cement watering trough, built in 1906, supplies an abundance of pure mountain water to the thirsty tourist.