The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-08-07
OUR MINERAL SPRING.
Is ottawa to become a Popular Resort: II
so, how Is II to be brought About?
A brief history OF other
places.
SARATOGA.

| SARAToGA.
When Saratoga, n. Y, was mere cypher as q
village, the supposed value of her mineral springs
was discovered The favorite one took the now
popular name of Congress-" II is u sparkling
carbonic acid gas spring.
Next in point of popularity at that time was
High Rock, taking its name from the fact thai
during its centuries of existence it had formed
over which the water flowed. In clearing away
the timber tree was fellcd upon this rock
which so injured it that the water has not from
that time come high enough to How over it al
formerly, but n lost near the top through ifs
sure in the rock.
| The popularity Of the waters of the springs
soon attracted large numbers OF nvalids. tTho
Pavilion Hotel (thc first one of note) was soon
found too small to nccommodate the summer Wis
itors The people en- masse saw the necessity for
action on their part; the most arlstocratic who
could not 81 take boarlcrs at once rented or do
mated the use of ail spare rooms; many times
the pastor surrendered his dormitory to guests
who took their meals ut the hotel.
| The United States" hotel grew out OF this
necessity, and from year to year hotel accom-
rnodations have multiplied until now they
cover acres OF ground. This has been &C.
complished by the persistent public spirit of the
people. 1t has been the people first, the springs
second
By this means Saratoga has arisen from O
mere village TO a city of ten or twelve thousand
inhabitants
| EATON RAPIDS, MICHIGAN,
is located in one of the most unhealthy parts OF
the state. In an early day people nearly shook
their teeth out with ague Ex-Governor Blair lost
nearly his entire family there, and finally left
and settled in Jackson, where he now resides.
An artesian well was put down in the village
prospecting for salt, securing only flow Of fresh
water, which was better than the swamp water
used up to that time. Its use resulted in i'm
proved health Of those who drank it. The well
was christened as Magnetic" and advertised as
such. The water Is simply chalybeate IHva.
lids tlocked there, wells and hotels multiplied;
everybody contributed If no more than dime
for advertising and circulars. Drummers were
sent ont to proclaim the wonders of the Mag
netic Wells,' und Eaton Rapids sprang into new
life and from an insignificant village it is now a
This was the work of the people, acting in con.
cert with the we'll owners.
wAUKEsHA
has had similar history. 1ae people and spring
owners claim to have expended one hundred
thousand dollars for advertising The result is a
town crowded to its utmost limits with stran.
gers during the warm months.
HOW 1T k WITH oTTIWA9
We have here the best mineral spring in the
west.
\ few individuals are trying to bring it into
popular favor. But what are the people doing?
They use the water and pronounce it excellent
They speak well of il, but that is not enough.
The water must be advertised or there will be no
demand for it, People at distance must be in
formed not only Of its existence but of its posi-.
tive value.
Every citizen of Ottawa has an interest in the
success Of this new enterprise. Even the boot
black will be benefited if Ottawa can be made a
popular resort Everybody should feel that they
have personal interest in the water The water
is Godsend if the people will make it So The
,eople made Saratoga and other watering places
what tkey are,
The city Of Ottawa should own the land west
81 the bridge, taking in the grove, plant the va.
cant lots with trees, buy the river bank and in.
yite our neighboring towns to hold their pic
cic festivals there.
There are many ways to advertise Ottawa at
small cost, If once the people will realize the i'm
portance Of helping in the matter. VIII they
do its