The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1882-09-09


of the river and which was known
perhaps rs years ago as great Buff
also, deer and elk lick, and at that
time making this part of the valley
of the Elk river perfect hunters
paradise. After some settlements
were made the natives manufactured
what salt they used from this spring,
which was then just on the edge of
the Elk, but now it cannot be used
except in the summer when the river
is almost dry. The other spring,
WHICH is the one most used both by
the natives and persons who come
here in search of health and recrea-
ton, is about 600 yards farther up
the river and just on the edge of the
right bank. 1t was originally salt
well and was bored in 1857 by Addi-
son mclaughlin after whom the
town of Addison, the county seat
was named. From this we'll salt was
regularly manufactured up to the
beginning ofthe war, when the works
were destroyed by the soldiers. At
times during the war, however, the
people made salt from the water. AT
ter the war closed the well went in
to neglect and it was not until about
1870 that the water from this well
obtained any notoriety for its medic
inal properties. Since that time its
reputation as almost specific for
certain chronic ailments, notably dys-
pepsia, kidney and liver troubles, has
constantly widened, bringing numer
ous visitors from not only most parts
of West Va. but also from the bor-
dering States. The two springs are,
as far as taste and smell can detect,
identical, except that the old spring
is not quite as strong as the new.
The complete chemical ingredients
are unknown, although it is rumored
that Judge Holt at one time had the
water analysed and it was found to
contain sulphur, chloride Of sodium,
magnesia, arsenic and two or three
other ingredients. Two of these in
gradients any one can detect, namely:
the salt and the sulphur in the form
of sulphuretted hydrogen gas. An
old gentleman who lived here during
the war told me that with six kettles,
one holding Is gallons, the Others s
gallons each, and by hard boiling he
could make SO pounds Of salt q day.
When / return to Morgantown, l will
bring a gallon of this water carefully
sealed up for Prof Latham to ana
lyzc. l will not speak of the medici-
nal effect of this water at present, as
! have not been here long enough to
witness any of those remarkable feats
claimed for it. There are persons
now here however, who are claiming
almost wonders accomplished by it.
The water is abundant and beautiful
to look at; clear as a crystal and
about as pleasant to the olfactory
nerves as an egg that is one-half bad.
Almost everybody drinks it and
quantities of it are carried from the
spring in pitchers for bathing pur-
poses, as it is thought to be excel
lent for the complexion.
THE VISITORS.
The larger number of those who
have patronized Webster this sum
mer have come from Lewis county,
with fair sprinkling from Braxton,
Upshur, Nicholas, Taylor, Harrison,
Gilmer, and other counties and few
from Virginia, Ohio. Maryland and
Penna. The entire number thus far
is estimated at about 200. There
are but few amusements in Addison,
yet the time does not drag heavily.
The roads are utterly unfit for driv-
ing. Most of the visitors who drive
themselves here, send their horses to
pasture and see them no more until
they are ready to return home. The
rough roads make horseback riding
unpopular and it is INDUCED in but
slightly. The places for morning
and evening walks are not good.
There might be very pleasant row
ing if we had suitable boats, but we
have not; or croquet if we had the
instruments; there are no parlors to
the hotels where the guests can gath
er for social intercourse. / will a
round unvarnishcd tale deliver" In
deed there are no means of dissipa
ton here, whatever, except in whis
key, in consequence Of which fact
there is nothing but rest-absolutt
rest and quietude. Is it any wonder
that many gain as much as pound
or two for the first few days aftel
coming. However it should not b
understood that there are absolutely
no means of recreation. The gentle
men pitch qnoits, row, sit under tht
shade trees and talk. and so do thu
young ladies' Occasionally there il
a hop. IL miles up the river ther'
is fine trout fishing, and all who en-
JOY such sport avail themselves Of it
The scenery is fine. Take it all il
all two or three weeks at Webster
Springs can be spent right royalty
Considerably more than two-third
of the visitors here have alread,
gone. However few are still com
ing to take their places. Among tn
new arrivals are Scott Withers, wifi;
children and W. T. Wyant of Glen
vile, - Moore of New York, an,
the Messrs Martin of Marion county
and many others.
The Webster Institute begins tc
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