The "Water Crisis" of 1837 began on March 21, 1837 between Dorinda and Hardaway.  The "Water Crisis" started over the Hardaway River, which divided Dorinda and Absanie from Hardaway.  The river was big enough for all three cities at first, but as more cattlemen began to occupy the territory, the water supply began to decrease.

The Hardaway city officials decided that since most of the river flowed through Hardaway, they deserved the exclusive rights to the river. Hardaway officials fenced off most of the river from Dorinda and Absanie.

Absanie officials decided to strike a trade agreement with Hardaway.  Absanie was rich in corn and wheat products.  Officials decided that Absanie would trade corn and wheat for water from Hardaway.  Absanie and Hardaway were happy with the trade agreement.

Hardaway officials tried to reach the same type of agreement with Dorinda's officials, but they were not successful.  Dorinda officials were upset because Hardaway had fenced off the portion of the river that sat in Dorinda.  Dorinda believed that Hardaway did not have the right to fence off the river because parts of the river were in all three cities.  Hardaway disagreed.

Hardaway had to place armed guards at various points along the river to ensure that people would not steal water from the river.  Dorinda officials began to mobilize a small band of men to raid the lookout points along the river. As Dorinda began to attack, Hardaway mounted a counter attack.  On May 15, 1937, 20 of Dorinda's men laid dead and 32 of Hardaway's men laid dead at the mouth of the Hardaway River.

Absanie Intervenes

The city officials of Absanie called a meeting between the two feuding cities because the attacks had began to effect Absanie. As Dorinda attacked Hardaway, the shipments of wheat and corn that Absanie were transporting were stolen.  On several occasions, Hardaway refused to give Absanie its shipment of water.

Absanie officials convened a meeting with Hardaway and Dorinda to discuss a trade agreement.  Absanie tried to get Dorinda to reach an amicable trade agreement with Hardaway, but Dorinda refused. The officials from Dorinda stormed out of the meeting screaming, "We will fight until there is no more water or die trying." With that utterance, Absanie joined forces with Hardaway.

The Water Crisis Massacre

On February 3, 1838, the "Water Crisis" had seen its last battle, The "Water Crisis Massacre". The Dorinda soldiers had a base set on a plot of land owned by Joe Harmon.  While some of the Dorinda soldiers were resting, a band of soldiers from Hardaway and Absanie slipped onto the base disguised as Dorinda soldiers. The band of soldiers from Hardaway and Absanie forcible took over the base.  The band of soldiers from Hardaway and Absanie decided to celebrate the victory by setting fire to the house that was on the land.  The house burned down with 10 of the Dorinda soldiers in it.

As the house was burning down, a fight developed between the Dorinda soldiers and the other soldiers. After the fight was over, 123 men laid dead from both armies.  The band of soldiers from Hardaway and Absanie left claiming victory.

After this battle, Dorinda set-up a meeting with Hardaway to discuss a compromise.  An agreement was reached. All three cities could use the river as their water supply.  Absanie and Dorinda were required to pay a tax each year to use the river. This agreement was in effect until 1887 when the river dried up. The "Water Crisis" ended with over 190 men dead.

The Water Crisis Monument

Floyd Battles and Elder John McClendon built a monument to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers in the "Water Crisis" in 1948.  They placed a monument in front of the Harmon Street Church of God in Christ with two plaques on it.  One plaque read, "In honor of our fallen soldiers" and the other plaque reads, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."