The daily enterprise. [volume] (Livingston, Mont.) 1883-1884, 1883-07-23
Hunters Hot Springs.

| Nearly fourteen years ago DR.. A. J.
Hunter, with his f. mily, settled at the
now famous Hot Springs. Born in Vir-
ginia he had spent his early manhood in
Missouri, and for some years previous to
the outbreak of the war held an important
position as state medical officer. He
came to Montana in the early sixties and
after few years of unsettled life made
his home at the springs in 1870, building
there log shack, which, still standing,
claims the honor of being the first per-
manent habitation in the Yellowstone.
Down what must have been dark avenue
of fourteen years the doctor looked and
saw future for himself and his descend
ants in the hot sui phurOus water bubbling
up amid what was then an almost undis-
turbed Indian hunting ground. Thirty
one years before that date he had seen the
Arkansas Springs with nothing but a
shanty as the pioneer of what but few
years later became the resort of thousands
and he believed that these springs would
yet attain like fame. The opinion con-
ceiyed under such unfavorable conditions
is rapidly approaching realization. Until
last year he did little more than "hold
down" the property. But with railroad
and its accompanying rush of pop
ulation in the Yellowstone valley
Hunters Hot Springs became known
and patronized. Less than year ago
the doctor laid the foundation for a new
hotel, and since that date by the earnings
of the property has completed the build
ing-a commodious structure--besiGe
bath houses and numerous other improve
ments. A few days ago the hotel and
water-rights were leased by E. Chew, for
merly of the Grand Central in Miles City.
Mr.. Chew has long been popular hotel
proprietor, and is not impairing his record
in the least at present. He attends to the
wants Of his invalid guests in manner
that makes all pleased with the situation,
Notwithstanding their numerous aches
and pains. The present daily average of
boarders who come to take the benefit of
the waters is about thirty, with steady
increase as the season advances.
DIR. Hunter occupies separate resi-
dence, and surrounded by Lis family, rests
quietly On the first fruits of the property
he has with infinite hardship and with
indomitable fortitude acquired and
brought before the notice of the world.
Of the springs themselves and their
medicinal properties it is impossible to
give a full description in the limits of q
short article. Their curative properties
have been abundantly tested both by
chemical analysis and the actual expert
ence of invalids, and it is now known that
their equal is not found among medical
springs. The water from the d. # rent
springs is in such quantity as to be prac-
tically inexhaustible for purposes of bath
ing, and at present is not utilized to any
extent exceeding one fifth, and with
proper appliances for handling the water
we should say much smaller fraction
would answer all present purposes. The
is a bonanza and the owner we'll
knows it as he positively refuses to sell at
any price. Ruins Hatch few months
ago made overtures to purchase but DR..
Hunter very promptly informed him the
springs were not for sale. He is willing
to lease the property to any person or COM
pany who would guarantee Improvements
On a large scale, but otherwise would not
part with it beyond limited time. 1t is
somewhat surprising that the Northern
Pacific company does not consider it a3-
visable to either take hold of the springs
in this way or advertise them as the south
ern roads do the Arkansas springs Ger
tainly it would be almost and eventually
quite as profitable an enterprise as adver-
Using the National Park. But railroad
do most emphatically as they
please, and we have never noticed auy dis
position on the part of the N. p. to be-
:ome an exception to the rule. Hunters
Hot Springs will yet become one of the
amous health resorts of the continent.
With the busy city of palatial hotels and
ess desirable institutions that pertain to
uch universal asylum.
This reminds us that in one other noint
livingston is most fortunately placed.
Namely, III having these springs within
uch easy distance. With the National
Park on one side and Hunters Hot Springs
n the other, both attracting the presence
+ travellers from every part of the world,
nd Livingston with her own beautiful
Dcation as summer home. from which
ithcr resort can6be reached by short
de, must always be the stopping place of
host Of strangers who will be drawn
ither by considerations independent of
le towns commercial advantages.
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