Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-18
OZARK MOUNTAINS,

A Region of Perennial Summer--A Land
| of WOnder--A Bear Fight that Didn't
| Come OF.
Especial Correspondents Of the Globe.
OZARK MOUNTAINS, Dec. 13.
This is region of wonders; stretching
away to the south and the southwest tie
blue canopy smiles on the plantations Of
| the Indian territory, Texas and Louisiana;
| directly southwest not many leagues dis
tant lies the active and from a Southern
standpoint, enterprising city of Little
Rock; below in the valley slum-
bers the wide active and brushing
city of the Hot Springs. If you are q
tourist you may find convenient perch
and with the aid of your field glass you
may pick ont Central avenue and there be-
hold the Arkansas belle promenading the
walk with her fan and parasol; look around
little, and sitting on the verandahs or
porches which adorn the second story
fronts of most dwellings, and you will OBJ
serve the lady of the house at her sewing
and as she rocks comfortably you will say
in your heart. this is indeed a land Of per
petual summer. All this you will see and
more on this 18th day of December, when.
no doubt. the denizens cf Minnesota are
glad to envelope themselves in that most
acceptable winter resort-the seal-skin or
buffalo overcoat.
This morning. the little French lady,
with whom I am stopping, called me to
loI;
which were shyly putting forth a few buds,
notwithstanding that we had quite heavy
frost last night. To-day is rarely beauti-
full for December; here on the mountain
the air is sweet and fragrant, while the cur
rent is hardly strong enough to stir the
foliage. The deep green of the pines and
shrubbery contrasts prettily with the Grim
son, russet, scarlet and orange of the au-
tumn leaves, making with the infected
arch Of blue sky most enchanting pic
ture.
This spur of the Ozarks is famous for its
mineral resources and for the thermal
springs, which issne from the western
slope of the range. The delightful climate
and we'll known efficacy of the waters have
worldwide celebrity, and have made this
the Baden-Baden of America. The waters
are said to possess wonderful powers of
reformation, and stories are told of its
healing powers that would put the four-
tain of youth of Prince de Leon and othtr
knights-errant to the blush. It is said, in-
deed, that these are the very fountains
vainly sought after by the Spanish chiv.l
| in the fourteenth century.
However that may be,the place is now fre-
| quented by the wealthy aud fashionable as
health and pleasure resort while countless
numbers of the afflicted come here to lave
in the genial waters.
The reservation, for such it is, is in
charge of the gallant Gen. Kelly, and
through his efforts an appropriation was
made last year of 100000 for the con-
struction of hospital for the army and
! navy. The government has now rather
mean looking building into which a pool
of hot water struggles from one of the
springs, and this lavatory is patronized by
at least 100 charity or quasi-charity pa
tients per day.
The GLOBE correspondent visited the in
stitution yesterday, which is in charge of
Mr.. James L. Barnes, a ruddy faced and
fine-looking gentleman of perhaps forty
five summers. When asked as to the gen.
eral effects of the water Mr.. Barnes stated
that it was estimated that at least 80 per
cent. of all who used the waters came away
benefited and cured. He, himself, had
been stricken with paralysis and had been
carried D the place in chair. A few
months of bathing and his limbs straight
| ened out and now he walks with
the buoyancy and elasticity of youth.
had intended migrating either north or
further south by this time, but weeks So
journ in this vicinity only tends to disclose
| its charms, and I am more loath TO go
| than ever.
BEAR FIGHT THAT DIDN'T COME OFF.
The Ozarks hereabouts are interspersed
with several fine resorts frequented by
sportsmen, the supply of wild turkeys,
bear, opossum, coon and deer being it is
said quite plenty. The other day I was
invited to take in bear fight, between a
black bear and gentleman of color, called
in these parts coon. The latter, it was
reported, would first paralyze the
bear and then tackle bee hive.
This promised to be rare sport, if I con-
cluded to take it in. On reaching the des-
ignated place a large blackxbear was
found tied to tree, around which was
assembled a crowd of young men and
boys and for the most part they were as
dirty, loaferish, unkempt and lazy look
ing gang of good-for-nothings as you
| ever set eyes upon. After while the
gladiator came on, a big, burly negro with
bullet head, muscles like coils of strap
iron and mouth like slice of Fulton
| market liver with a razor cut drawn across
| it. But the fun was not destined to take
place for the reason that his bearship was
too drunk to fight.
It seem that the animal had been given
several bottles Of beer, (he having drunk
one in my presence) and when the hour for
" A