History & Legends Paul Revere The Bull Run's Name The Egopantis The Drunkard's Progress

We have no concrete evidence to support a belief that Mr. Paul Revere knocked on our door. We do know that Shirley is the last Middlesex County town to the West, and that history tells us that Paul Revere rode through 'every Middlesex village and farm.'

The seeds of truth are sown, and thus it is that legends grow...

Many a tale, spun by the welcoming glow of our Taproom hearth fire, becomes ever more believable fact as it passed along, by word of mouth, from contented 'tummy- patron to the next.

In Seth Chandler's "History of the Town of Shirley" is documented that this tavern, the first stop on the Boston to Albany Route, was once called 'Stagecoach Inn'. Clearly, in those days, the stage brought news of events in other locations, and gathered as well, bits and pieces of happenings along the way, to be reported as the journey progressed.

Upon one occasion, during the War Between the States (Civil War), the stage brought news that in the Battle of Bull Run all was not going well for the North. An argument ensued in the Taproom. In those days a lusty brawl was great sport for all, and when the scuffling had ended, lo!, no one was left on his feet save the burly bartender!

A late comer opened the door and asked, "What news of the battle? " To which the bartender is reputed to have replied, "We just fought the Battle of Bull Run right here! "

Thus was born the present name for the old tavern, for the town wag, amused by the story, the next day painted the words "BULL RUN" on a sign board and hung it over the bar. The name caught on and has lasted to the present day.

The Guercio Family, Innkeepers for over 50 years now, have battled over the years to maintain and enhance the ambience of this truly Pre-Revolutionary Tavern, where superb cuisine, smilin' service, singular entertainment and sensible prices prevail.

So it is that we chose for our logo the determined, fire-breathing, charging bull.

It is said that Captain Nathaniel Smith (The Bull Run's next door neighbor at the time) brought down the trophy now hanging over the taproom fireplace, and known as the Egopantis. Extremely rare then, and now extinct, this animal was using the woods behind the tavern as his roving grounds, terrorizing the settlers hereabouts. Legend has it that the Egopantis waded into the brook for his customary drink one fateful evening just as Nathaniel was about to gather up his fishing gear. Unafraid, and reaching instead for his musket (also on display in the Taproom), the captain found his mark. Though mortally wounded, the beast charged across the brook and up the banking to a spot which would be about midway in our parking lot. There he fell - and there he lay - his great strength slowly ebbing away.

The Bull Run's innkeeper receives many inquiries, oral and written, regarding the Egopantis. One such resulted in a soldier, himself a captain, penning a letter to the American Institute in New York City, in an effort to dispel the mystery shrouding the origin of the Egopantis.

There, a detailed and untiring search was undertaken by one Elizabeth Ryan, lady employee. Despite the abundant and formidable encyclopedic volumes at her command, Ms. Ryan's reply indicated that she was stumped.

Unrewarding though it was, her search did result in our establishing a "Bring Elizabeth to Bull Run To View The Egopantis Fund". The pewter teapot atop the mantle awaits contributions to this end ( too few, we regret, to warrant the trip so far).

newspaper reporters, ever seekers of the unusual, have also plied Lee with questions concerning the legend. No less a personage than the Boston Globe's Feature Writer visited and pondered. His article, published in a long-ago September, has faded and all but disappeared.

Doubt flickers, rises, recedes - But YOU have seen the Egopantis and SEEING is BELIEVING!

Facts recorded, Legends grow... In boots-off comfort, YOU are the sole judge.

We look forward to you visiting!

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The Drunkard's Progress

The Bull Run's "Drunkard's Progress" is copied from a Currier and Ives print: "Drunkard's Progress: From the First Glass to the Grave".

The American Temperance Movement, led by Protestant clergymen and reform-minded women, was at its height when this print appeared in 1846. Of the three great nineteenth century reform movements - temperance, abolition of slavery, and women's sufferage - Currier and Ives most actively supported temperance, issuing more than 30 prints on behalf of the cause.

The print served as a rallying cry for the Temperance League, which deplored thh free use of alcoholic beverages. They sought (for a while, successfully) to install Prohibition throughout the Nation, making its sale illegal, its use horrific.

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