The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-09-08
The ssEyerlasting Springs"


correspondent in the Cincinnati Times
gives his experience while sojourning at Gel
ebrated watering-place out West the Ever
lasting Springs"
Without having any specific disease, | had
long been afflicted with general debility OF
the system that untitled me for business, so L
thought I would visit these Springs, as l was
assured by a friend they would everlastlngly
set me on my pins again.
I had never been to any springs in my life,
and supposed no one but invalids ever did go
there. expected to meet the lame, the halt,
the blind and the bedridden. I was prepared
to see sick people brought in on crutches, and
unwilling patients made to drink the everlast-
ing spring water, whether they wanted it or
not. Having heard there were several hundred
visitors at the springs, supposed deaths must
be frequent there, and thought half q dozen
funerals day must necessarily have depress-
ing effect upon the other patients. Idrew such
gloomy picture of the place, so like gigan-.
tic hospital, that nothing but the assurance OF
nv friend and hope that the waters would do
me good, could ever have prevailed upon me
to go.
On board the train which brought me here
were scores of people going to the Everlasting
Springs, as gathered from their conversation.
They were healthy, hearty-looking people for
the most part, who seemed every way quallhed
to enjoy life to the uttermost, and L didn't de-
tect shadow of debility among them. These,
thought /, are relatives and friends OF the In
mates at the springs, going to see how they are
getting on. The levity and jollity of some OF
them grated somewhat harshly on my ear, when
! considered they might perhaps find their
friends everlastingly gone up, Notwithstanding
the Everlasting Spring water. They appeared
thoughtless, if not unfeeling in their mirth.
Arrived at the Springs, 1 was astonished to
see the crowd Of healthy-looking people about
the hotel, but I considered that they might be
visitors, too, or, mayhap, the cured OF the In
stitution. 1 registered my name and asked the
clerk if he couldn't give me room little
away from their regular sick wards, as / wasn't
very sick, only a little run down. The clerk
stared moment, and then marked me down
for room.
"Haren't put ME in the sick ward ?" I per-
sisted.
"No sick wards here, sir" he replied, giving
me another stare.
Twas about to ask him where they kept their
sick, when fresh arrival crowded me away
from the counter. These new comers all look
ed to be in splendid health, and what they
wanted to come to the Springs for couldn't
understand. But concluded they knew best
about their ailings.
As stated, had never before been at the
Springs or any other resort for impaired health,
and was ignorant of their workings. I was
anxious to visit the springs at once and taste OF
the water Inquired of fast-looking young
man where the springs were. He replied:
"D-d if he knew. Been here week and
never saw the springs yet. Didn't want any of
their blasted water-juleps good enough tor
him.
at length was directed to the place where
the everlasting spring water was bubbiing. up
It was in grove of stunted trees of an obso-
lete variety, and the spring was covered by
pagoda-shaped structure, surrounded by seats.
I found the place deserted. No one was near.
At length ragged little boy struggled along,
and asked him when the sick, the lame, the
halt and the blind came there to drink. He
said
'Therc wasn't any sick there, as he knowed
on"
Don't anybody drink this water?" I asked.
eyes, they pretend to in the mornin'. No
body here at this time O. day. Eatin' dinner,
playin' billiards, drivin', drinkin' jileps and
SIGH"
More amazed than ever retraced my way to
the hotel 1t was the dinner hour, and l
sought the dining-room. There were hundreds
of people with the most voracious appetites,
devouring everything before them. There
didn't appear to be a sick person in the whole
lot. Then at night, music and dancing and
| fun of all sorts, without the slightest allusion
by any one to the everlasting spring water.