New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-08-06
Southern Watering Places - Society at
Cooper's Wells, Etc.

Eds. CreSceat-At this season of the year
when business almost ceases, and large por
ton Of the population from cities and planta
tons congregate at the watering places, it may
be interesting to the readers Of the Crescent t,
know something of the state of things at this
place, which has now attained so high degree
of celebrity. The expense from Nicksburg t.
the Well, by the way of Raymond, is only two
dollars and twenty cents, and the time occupied
three hours Having business at jackson, We
took the cars on the Vicksburg and jackson
Railroad Mt three O'Clock, and were put through
in few hours. AT Jackson we learned that
there was a stage running from that place to
Gallatin, passing by the Mississippi Springs and
Coopers Well one day and returning the next
| awaited myself of this conveyance Ten miles
and a half from Jackson and two miles and a
half from the Well we came to the Mississippi
] Springs, which was formerly a place of great
resort. This Watering place, once so celebrated,
| has been the subject of many law suits. and
! whilst these have been pending the improve
ments have suffered dilapidation and decay.
These suits are now terminated. and the prom
erty is in the hands Of Mr. Fitzpatrick, the
original proprietor. lie has repaired the build
ings, newly furnished the rooms, and restored
tue establishment in q great degree to its for
mer comfort and splenlor 1t is indeed beau
tiful place, and the water is suited to some COM
plants better than that Of the Well so that be-
tween the two places it seems to me that almost
every invalid might be suited
On my arrival at the Well found everything
in active operation. The number of visitors
was about two hundred and twenty, exclusive
OF servants. The buildings are far more extern
sive than | had supposed. They are situated
on an elevated spot, overlooking the adjacent
country at the place where number of ridges
unite together, forming plateau for the main
buildings whilst the buildings for the accommo-
datlon of the visitors branch off from the main
buildings and crown the top of the ridges, look
ing down upon the deep valleys which separate
the ridges from one another The parlors. ball.
rooms and dining hall are upon the most extern
sive scale and conveniently located The lodg-
ing rooms are convenient and comfortable, and
sufficient in number for the accommodation of
four hundred guests. The tablets well supplied
with the various luxuries of the season. The
band Of music, under the direction of the cele-
brated Meyer, is truly excellent
The whole establishment is under the direc
ton and control of John Thatcher, whose at
tention, courtesy and kindness contribute to the
ease and comfort of his guests and whose.ener
gy and frmness secure good order, and afford
protection from the annoyances which is some
times inflicted upon the lovers of quiet enjoy
ment by the noisy and the unruly. He seems
to act upon the broad principle that the variety
OF classes here assembled shall enjoy themselves
according to their own tastes, in their own way.
to the fullest extent provided they do not in
tertere with the rights and disturb the eniov-
ment Of others. But gambling establishments
are not permitted to exist here. 1t is under
stood to be his fixed determination that gen
tlemen sportsmen,' as they style themselves,
living upon the depredatiOns which they commit
upon society, shall not carry on their operations
IN his establishment. Some Of these gentlemen
made their appearance soon after his establish |
ment was opened, but they were suddenly
obliged to decamp. 1t was soon found, however, |
that in revenge they spread abroad the most
lntounded and injurious reports in relation to
things here. As the falsehood Of these reports
we're soon discovered, a reaction took place,
md the number of visitors ever since has been
rapidly increasing, But still the accommoda-
tons are so extensive that there is no danger Of
becoming crowded
The means of a great variety of enioyments
are furnished in accordance with the variety of
tastes ct different individuals. For those who
are fond Of riding, an excellent livery stable fur
nlshes horses ami carriages in abundance for
in the country around As there
are balls every evening those who are fond of
dancing can enjoy that amusement as much as
they please, They who are fond OF cunyersa-
ton can resort to the parlOr, to the clerks office
n to the gallery and converse with such per
sons and on such subjects as they choose. They
who are fond Of reading and writing can retire
.o their rooms whenever they please, and enjoy
themselves IA undisturbed seelusion. They who
IRE fond Of music not only enjoy tie perform
lnce Of an excellent band, but the ladies keep
the piano in the parlor in almost constant use
md JON their sweet voices to the tones Of the
instrument
And on the Sabbath religious services are
held, and they are well attended Ga last
Sabbath two excellent discourses were delivered |
~ an Episcopalian, and on the preceding sab |
bath two discourses, Of great power and terv;d |
tio4uence were delivered by distinguished |
divine Of the Presbyterian church.
But the wonderful water Of the Well * tba
great magnet Of attraction which draws n CON
slant succession Of visitors to this place, and
he benefit which some derive from the water is
almost beyond belief 1t is not good for CON
'umptiye persons They are actually injured
" its use. But whenever there is debility. or
arrangement Of the system Of almost any de-
cript1on, the water is highly beneficial
ave seen those who were so much dcbihtatcd
hat they could scarcely walk, restored ia
irength and vigor in few days | have seen
ne dyspectic arrive, emaciatel, despondinr AMI
,loomy by the use Of the water for a few DAYS
be tone Of his stomach was restored the color
i his skin was changed; his countenance he
anne bright aud cheerful his food no longer
'ecame oppressive in his stomach. but contri5u
el 70 the increase Of his strength; and when
'e departed for his home he seemed to be another
nan
With such noble Watering places for sea
'athing as We have all along the Gulf shore
nd with such places in the interior as the
mississippi Springs and Coopers Well there is
10 need Of resortiug to the watering places of
he North for health, recreation or amusement