Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-02-05
THE ONLY TRUE STORY.
Reported by Capt. N. D. Ingraham.

lAsSPoAsSu W SAPt. ~. -. lug
EUREKA SPRINGS, Feb. 23, 1880.
On Sunday last. interviewed the
Hon. Judge Saunders. citizen of this
place, and late member OF the state
legislature, on the subject nearest his
heart-the traditions concerning the
Eureka Springs. and its early history,
the result OF which give as near as
possible in his own language.
In 1888, was among the Cherokee
Indians, cold settlers") in the Indian
Territory, when was told by an old In
dian (tull bloody that there was a great
healing spring" in north Arkansas, on
one of the tributaries of White river.
and he believed that its waters would
heal any disease in the human family,
that the "Big Owl" (meaning the Great
Spirit) ever intended to be healed. In
southwestern Indian Territory after
wards met an old Spaniard, who inquir-
ed OF me ii the celebrated spring IN
northern Arkansas had been discovered
by the people living there. He said
there was such 3 spring on the waters
Of White river. He called it "The
Great World Healing Spring." Being
young and feeling no interest in sucil
matters, asked no questions in refer.
ence to its medical properties or loca.
tion. and thought little OF it until my at.
tebtion was called to the Eureka Spring,
in the following manner: :.
During the summer of 1878 | was
troubled with Erysipelas, and a good
surplus of flesh, could scarcely drag my.
self about, and was in no condition to
attend to business OF any kind.
In May, 1879, l was connected in
business with Rev. Baker, who advised
me to 60 to the Tom Thumb and Rock
springs tor my health, as was not i'm
proved under medical treatment.
I told HIM that was acquainted with
the character of those spring gs-that they
were common sulphur springs, and
would do me no good.
Alter a pause, he told me that Brother
Alvan jackson had been telling him
that there was spring some six or
eight miles west of his (Jackson's) y
house, in the pine hills, that he thought
had some medicinal properties. He had
also told him of some cures made by
the spring oil sore eyes and old sores.
Brother Jackson had also told him
there were a couple OF basins cut in The
rock at this spring, one of which was as
| nice and smooth as any earthen wasu.
basin that he had ever washed from
and that it would hold about a waite.
| bucket of water.
The very moment he mentioned
those basins. l remembered the infor
| nation received from the Indian AMI
Spaniard, and turning to my wife
mentioned that the basins were some
| signs OF the Great Healing Spring. an,
that l would get DIR. Jackson to tax,
me to the spring that might see fo
myself.
The next morning l went to DIR
Jackson's, aud he told me the sam,
story. Owing to some church business
that he had to attend to, he could not o,
with me until the next day. He invited
me to remain with him all night, which
invitation accepted.
On the morrow we went to the sprino
found it as represented, basins. ant
all. DIR. Jackson asked me what
thought OF the spring; answered tha
l thought we'll enough OF it. to try it fo,
myself; fully believing then, as now
that it was the Great World Healips
Spring OF which had been told.
l returned home, and on the thir,
day thereafter accompanied by my wit
and son l returned to the springs, anC
went into camp, where we remained ,
little over ten weeks. We were th,
hrst persons in modern times who ha,
remained here, even temporarily, TO
their health.
In five weeks l lost thirty-thre,
pounds weight, (by the scales), an,
tourty-odd pounds during my stay, bu
felt as ii had been thoroughly reno
waited or made anew, and was as vel
and active then and now, as ever wa
in my life. will also add that from
the frequent bathing my head in its wa
ters, and the improved condition
OF my health, portions of M
hair changed from yellowls
white to black, its original color. Th
color of the hair then grown was no
changed but new crop grew out iron
the scalp OF the color OF my hair i
my younger days.
Through the courtesy OF the Hor
John Carroll was permitted to cop