The Shasta courier., 1869-04-10
Humboldt Springs.


Through the courtesy of Mr. Ballou, the
owner OF Humboldt Springs, we were per-
mitted to visit these famous hot springs,
which are situated one mile east from
Elko, on the opposite side of the Humboldt
river Long before we reached them we
could see the steam rising not only from
the springs, but also from assures in the
calcareous deposit with which the springs
are surrounded, and also from the Hum
boldt river, into which the springs empty
through an underground passage. The
springs are situated ina depression on a
small hillock about sixty feet high, into
which you descend about twenty feet and
stand on the brink of what is called the
caldron, circular hole about the size and
depth of an ordinary wash tub, and in
which the water is boiling scalding
the hand if allowed to remain but a mo-
ment The hot spring proper is about geo
feet in diameter and l65 feet deep. The
water in this spring is not of uniform
heat, but lies in well-defned stratas, SO
that person swimming across then spring
passes through water of many degrees
different temperature. Immediately ad-
joining, and separated by natural wall of
rock which rises to within few feet of
the surface, is cold spring of beautiful
transparent water. The waters of all the
streams here are extremely clear, and a
stone thrown in can be seen for long dis
tance as it sinks, and if thrown into the
hot spring causes it to bubble like kettle
of boiling water. This is probably owing
to soda and limestone of which all the
rocks which surround the springs are COM
posed. The Indians every day visit the
spot where the water from the springs after
sinking in the rocks rises in the river, and
catch trout which there swarm, and toss
inc them but few feet distant from where
caught, into a small spring, they are
cooked to perfection in few minutes
Snakes Of different varieties are very
abundannin the assures of the rocks, from
which steam is emitted, and many Of them
have been tanned by Mr.. Ballou to come
out when he whistles, and which he hand
les without the least fear. Visitors are
also permitted to do the same, should they
SO desire but few, however, avail them
selves of the privilege. Humboldt, when
he made a tour through this section of
country, visited these springs and pro-
nounced them the largest and most remark
able he had ever seen. He also speaks
very highly of Them in his Cosmos. =
The residents of Elko visit those springs
for the purpose of bathing, and on fine
day men and women in costume may beseen
disporting in the limpid waters of the
springs. Steam baths are also given to
those who desire, and the medical proper
ties for the cure of rheumatism, etc are
said to be great Traces OF iron, soda and
other minerals are discernible on the sur
rounding deposits, and we believe chemi-
cal analysis of the waters would disclose
many others. The early emigrants, when
passing those springs, often met with seri-
Gus accidents in not knowing the high
temperature of those springs, and plunging
in, many were severely scalded. In
1852 party of emigrants icamped near the
springs and little girl in company with
her mother visited them and the little girl
accidentally fell into the caldron. Her
screams attracted her mother who rushed
to her assistance, and plunging in herself
rescued her daughter. Both were terribly
scalded, and after lingering in agony for
two weeks expired When better accom-
modations are made, and the springs are
better known, no doubt thousands will
visit that region both for sanitary purpo-
ses and pleasure. A high mountain rises
Immediately back of the springs on which
bituminous shale, in large quantities, have
been discovered An immense cold spring
is also on the same mountain, which, after
flowing along for short distance, sinks
and rises again when the water is very
warm 1t is the opinion of many that the
old gentleman-whose name is never men
toned without fear-has his residence in
close proximity to Humboldt Springs, and
that he uses the bituminous shale, instead
of sulphur, to keep up his eternal fire
Cor Sac Record.