St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1874-09-18
Saratoga.

nv ltl' llblll I1dht 10 N;lli-
toga is lay coach ten miles to Glen's Falls,
thence by rail one hour To the great
watering place. The stage ride is on a
plank road i'll big wagons tearfully
loaded down, but the teams are strong
and the road easy. The scenery along
the route Is good. but the land moStk
sterile and barren. The few houses on
the first eight miles after leaving thc
lake look Is il the principal occupation
of the head of the family" might he
drinking whiskcy.
tilcm'S Falls is Il thrifty town in Il
fruitful valley but imagine most of
the wealth of the place was accumula-
ted in manufacturing.
Saratoga is one of the great summer
resorts of the land. Here are gathered
from June to September people from
every part of tine country many III
valids seeking health more weary PEG
pie seeking resi- and not Il few gay
people seeking pleasure. But think
Saratoga is enIincntly the physical
Mecca of this country. From near and
fan come thousands of pilgrims. worn
or may he suffering from the many
chronic ills that flesh is heir to. seeking
health and renewed strength in the
healing waters of this celebrated place.
The residents of Saratoga tell Won
HAT the healing virtues of its waters
were known before the white man settled
here. How authentic the tradition we
do not know, hut it is said that molc
than one hundred years ago Sin William
Johnson was carried To these springs by
his friends the Indians. and in Il short
time WAS cured of what all supposed to
he Il fatal maladN. As early as l197 -
New lnlk phN stefan tested these waters
their healing properties. Soon after the.
beginning OF the present century people
began To drink at thcS, fountains, seek
IN health Thereby, and the numhcr has
steadily increased until the present day q.
While one hundred Years ago Sir Will
iam WAS carried into the swamp 10y the
ah"ri%imcS on litter. now the wealth
and fashion ola continent drive through
lis wide streets. promenade its spacious
aud elegant hotels. stroll through its
parks, and drink at Il score Of different
springs.
The mineral springs of Saratoga.
some twenty -iiv" OF more in number.
are nearly all located in Il crescent
shaped valley which winds through. and
far hcyond the village. Several of the
more Valuable are near the centre of
the town, while others are Il mile on 81
away. How happens all thcs, medic
NAL springs in tins Immediate Vicinity
II is generally, thought that rain falling
on adjacent hills, pcrcolat,.s through
thc rock formation, di>soll ing minerals.
uutil it reaches Il strata which is i'm
prcgnablc to water. Follow ing along
this formation it finally reaches some
natural outlet or assure. an. rises Ia he
surface.
The properties of the waters ar,.
claimed +" hc NcryhiNcIsc. hut in general
the mineral matter consists mainly of
salt, cIihonatcS of lime, MAGNETISM and
Soda, aud Ul,hatc of putISS3I. 1t is as
serted that there is 50 much difference ia
the waters of ihc several springs that
they ,h"uld not hc taken promiScuouSIl:
IN short. Nnu should not mix vour
drinks. II would seem desirable L"
most people To procure medical advice
that one might use the watcH which
would secure him the most benefit.
Aud here comes IN u prcuiAritN C) of
the medical profession of Saratoga.
Residents declare that every prominent
medical man here has his tavmit,-
splIng. and IT makes no difference as to
the ailmcni of the patient, Hhcthcr it is
""rn> or constipation, hunionS or bron-
"hitie, oI # his liver is simply ont of
plumb. the advice is always the same.
ne must take the water of the spring
- hich owns the doctor.
As nearly Us can gather from oh
NrrNalI"n and reading, these waters are
mainly beneficial III diseases of the liv-
cr, kidneys. stomach and bowels. and
IN humOrs. Pulmonary difficulties are
not helped by them. but rather aggra-
waited. Most of the springs are cathar-
tic IN their nature, while some are also
tonic and ,lIurctic. Certain waters are
recommended before breakfast as Il
laxative. others To he used during the
day. Some have no cathaltc proper
ties ut all. like the Red Spring, the wa
ter of which is used for humors. etc.
The more valuable and popular
springs are all enclosed and curbcd and
covered with handsome pavilions. The
floor under the pavilion is frequent
lA of marble. and the grounds about
"inamcntrd and beautiful. Especially
l. tins the case ut the Congress spring.
the company owning it having laid out
beautiful and extensive park. III
which are walks and seats and shade.
and deer and squirrels. and during the
season Il gay thr"mg of people.
The more valuable springs all have
battling houses connected. where the
water Is put up and sent throughout
the country. ! suppose there are few