Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-02-06
SPA WELL AND SPRINGS.
A Delightful Summer Resort-E Enter
prise Of an Ola MemphfaB.

determined to try the experiment OF pre-
venting our fashionable folks spending
large sums annually in visiting Northern
watering places. He has on his property
ia Henry county an excellent spa well
and springs, lots about which be will
donate to families in this city who will
90 there during the summer season
for health and pleasure. The well and
springs are situated in the fertile hills
near the Tennessee river, affording pic
turesque prospect, and surrounded by a
country productive of the elements Of
living in the richest profusion. They
are only nine hours ride from Memphis,
being eleven miles east of Paris, aud
three miles north Of the Memphis and
Louisville railroad.
We have seen a statement of the names
and ages of persons living near the well,
and for numbers and longevity it can
hardly be excelled in any locality in the
world, many of the ages reaching, and
some exceeding, one hundred years
The well is on the edge Of, and the
springs are in, little valley about half
mile long and from three to five hum
dred yards wide, with high hills and roll
ing lands on all sides, studded with forest
growth. This valley is watered from
the well and springs, as well as
from an ever-fowing crystal streamlet
that dances over clear white bed of
sand. The soil is the richest in the State.
When cleared and cultivated, corn will
grow in it as tall as forests and grass as
thick as cane. The timber is chiefly Tu-
pelo gum, whose quantity and quality for
purposes of wooden.ware invites the
erection of factory in the neighbor-
hood; there is alss plenty of maple Of
the best kind for furniture. The we'll
itself is remarkable, and has an interest
ing history. About fifty years ago, when
there were only few settlements in
Henry, several citizens of the adjoining
county (Stewart), observing salt-licks in
the vicinity, proceeded to dig hole Of
ordinary dimensions. After sinking it
twenty feet they struck rock, which
proved to be brown marble, of a finer
quality and susceptible Of = smoother pol
ish than the celebrated marble ofEastTen-
nessee. So they organized company,
procured augers, and commenced boring.
They worked until they reached the
depth of three hundred feet, when one of
the augers dropped into cavity eight
inches in diameter, and stream Of
water arose above the surface of the
ground. 1t still flows, discharging
about fifteen barrels of water per
minute. The water thus found proved
to be something like that of the White
Sulphur Springs of Virginia Eye never
saw water more transparent. 1t is most
grateful to the palate and stomach, and
is so light that the most copious draughts
produce no sense of oppression. Its
medicinal virtues were soon discovered.
Invalds have visited it annually, board
ing at neighboring farm houses, or camp
ing on the grounds in tents. Professor
Troost made an analysis Of the water,
and Professor Stafford speaks of it
in the highest terms. The springs, ten
in number, are sulphur and chaly beate of
the very highest character. One of the
sulphur, known as the Big Spring."
discharges more water than the artesian
well, and another throws a stream the
size of mans wrist. There is another,
slightly impregnated with sulphur and
iron, SO cold as to be called the Ice
Spring" The well water is now brought
across the valley in underground iron
pipes to the base of beautiful
hill, which is being adorned, with view
of its future occupation as q watering
place and summer residence by families,
to whom the owner donates the use of
beautiful lots fronting lovely park. 1t
ia his purpose to make this the most
desirable summer resort in the South.