The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1870-09-01
bpecIAt correspondence OF the COurii
SARATOGA, SPRINGS,
Aug. 10, 1870.


ing at this charming and celebrated
summer resort, l pen a few notes
about the peculiar, wonderful, and
varied combinations seen around the
Springs. The village OF Saratoga is
q genuine sylvan retreat. Long lines
oflovely shade trees stand sentinel
along her streets. At this time the
place is overrun with visitors. Tho
springs have been visited for over
one hundred years by persons seok-
ing these charming fountains Of life.
The Congress, Empire, and Harts-
horn springs are in the worry heart of
the town, and are among the most
wonderful curiosities of this great
land. Old Congress Spring is but q
step from Broadway Street, and is
charmingly situated in o large tree
dotted enclosure, and itself embower-
cred in foliage. Approaching it, the
scene is romantic . beautiful park
stretches away to the South. Nu-
merous deer and birds abound. So
tame are they, that tho animals will
eat from your hand, and tho birds
come quite near. This grand old
spring has for over one century
blessed ma aakind. Its first medical
virtues were first pointed out by q
Mohawk chief. to General johnson
in 1867. The water is cathartic, and
holds in solution nearly every known
mineral. A boy stands at the curb
ing, holding q long stick, to which is
fixed q wire basket for tho tumbIers,
he dsshes them into the water, and
quickly drawsup the sparkling water.
All the residents of the village use it
the year round, and thousands of
bottles are sent TO all parts of the
country. But q fcw steps away is
the Empire Spring. The water is
entirely different from Congress
Spring, being highly impregnated
with iron, and is highly priced for
it's tonic properties. 1t was about 3
o'clock when we first drank from
this Spring, and the water was the
color Of the tincture of iron, rs seen
in Drug Stores. Next morning l
visited tho spring about 5 o'clock,
carrying . basket full Of bottles to fill;
the water is now perfectly clear, and
bubbling up stiong and sparkling.
Looking over to Congress Spring. /
saw hundreds of people drinking, and
servants going to the spring with
buckets and pitchers, to obtain water
for the guests at the hotels. In these
two Springs are almost every mineral
known TO chemistry. The first
day one would say that the waters
are perfectly horrible to the taste, but
then one soon learns to find the N
agreeable, and besides it is the fash.
ion to drink them, you know. The
hotels Of the place al front on
Broadway. The most celebrated are
Union Hall and Congress Hall, both
directly opposite each other. The
former covers An area Of seven acres,
and is the finest appointed hotel in
the world, On last Sabbath 1900
people we're its guests tall columns
support q great balcony in front, and
at night, when the front is all ablaze,
the effect is perfectly grand. The
great event OF the season, was q
grand ball at the Union Hall
last night. About eight o'clock in
the evening We took a promenade
through the grand parIor, the sight
was worth . weeks journey 20 see
The company, the dress, aud the dia.
monds, gathered here for this ball, OK,
ceoded in style and magnificence any
thing that has been witnessed in this
country. From tho local paper, find
that Com. Vanderbilt was one Of the
floor managers, 60 you may infer that
it was 'scrusher." While standing
at the spring drinking, noticed di
rectly opposite q beautiful building
loom up gracefully and grandly. My
friend what building is that? Sir; have
you not heard Of John Morrissey's
Club House ? that is it; | have read
of it, as being the most fascinating
and gorgeous gambling holl in the
world, and l was bound to see the
,tiger." So eager are visitors to set
the lavish expenditure here display
ed that "John the silent" was induced
to throw open the house for two
hours each day. Every country OF
the globe is here represented in one
way and another by its most costly
productions. At night u smiling ser
want stands guard at the door, aud NJ
one can pass through the rich door
way, unless he holds the eDsignia
which will admit him within the
''charmsd circle" About IL O'Clock
at night supper is given free TO al
guests. John knowing that free and
hearty living puts man in good hu
NOR. and fits him for hard work a.
the gaming table. Reader, dom 'tsup
pose, that, because this is . regular
gambling establishment, that it is il
bad order with the inhabitants. Oh
the contrary, within these giIdet
halls, are found some OF the mos
prominent business men in New
York-no clerks, or other men work
ing for limited salary, gamble .,
"John's' faro table. No wealthy
man can here find any one who vii
divulge, in the events of loss. Nc
money is seen to pass, checks on New
York banks are used mostly. As fare
is now conducted, it is regarded al
safe place TO gamble, as Wall street
It is sad to think that this paradise
Of health and fashion, is marred BY
the most enticing gambling hell THU
sicc of Baden Baden.
A now spring makes It's adven,
almost annually, and this year the
wonder of wonders is tho Spoutina
Spring. In boring in rock at q deptt
Of $50 feet, q water vein was struck
and the water burst forth, and now
rises through q tube and many feet
above tho orificc; the water is 9
powerful ca.hartic, and is very
agreeable beverage; holding up the
tumbler you sec tho sparkling liquid
full Of carbonic acid gas; it has life in
itself, and imparts its properties tc
others. Tho racos closed today, and
two thousnnd people will depart
~