The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-12-08

The Fnm0us Hot springs or Arkan-
sas.--A Unique and Peculiarly In.
GeceslinU Place.

Baldwin" in Texas Siftingx
Few places ON this green globe have ever
attained such celebrity for the 'healing Of
nations as the Hot Springs Of Arkansas.
Their fame has long since been sounded in
every portion OF the civilized world; and Ut
late years the feeble and diseased Of all
climcs aud countries have sought these Be-
thesliiu waters. There Is little doubt that
Hot Springs creek Is the wonderful fountain
OF youth that the simple aborigincs told
Ponce de Leon and DE Soto was to be found
toward tie setting sun" Here, In one of
the most romantic little valleys or canyons
ON the continent, between two rugged spurs
Of the Ozark mountains, we tiId the charm
ing little city of Hot Springs
The resident population is about 5000, and
there are from 5000 to 5000 visitors always
Ia atten,ancc The number Of visitors is
yearly increasing, particularly since the com
plction Of the Iron Mountain railroad through
Arkansas.
This road runs from st Louis tn Texar-
kama and within twenty-three miles Of Hot
Springs. From Malvern, the near st point to
the springs on the road there is an excellent
narrow guuge road running to the great
health resort. The country here is rough and
rugged, and ahounds in IA variety Of stones
and mineral water.
The hot water, which Is the distinguishing
feature OF the place. flows from seventy or
moro springs out Of what is known as Hot
Springs mountain, on the east side OF the
town aud creek.
This mountain Is owned by the general
government. These springs vary in tempeia'
turc from 93 to II, degrees Farbenlieit, aud
the aggregate how IL nearly 5O0, 600 gallons a
day, attordng au ample supply for 25,WM
lnthers While the hot water is apparently
tasteess and AS soft as rain water yet a
chemical analysis gives eight and hall
grains ~ mineral constituents To the gallon.
It's principal ingredients are lime, silicic acid,
curl,onic acid, sulphuric acid, aumina and
soda. Oxide Of iron potash and magnesia
are also found Whence these waters derive
their heat is matter about which there are
various theories. One remarkable feature
about them il that they do not produce
nausea. Ordinary tepid water il often used
"a an emet!c but these thermal waters can be
safely drunk at any temperature. Nearly h"
the hotels keep the hot water ION tap, bestcs
the lee water reservoir, and many visitor
drink the hot water in preference. Its cura
tive properties are administered both by bath
ing in il and drinking il.
The III SpaSps for which tho thermal water,
ara beneficial include all manner of blood
and skin impurities, Catatrh, asthma, dis
eases of the liver aud kidneys sick headache
| female complaints, md many others, too
numerous To name ConSunptivrs are ad
yised not TO come here. l,rghts disease Il
not treated at the Springs, but am told that
some remarkable cures have been affected 10y
the use Of the Mountain Valley Spring
wator, found twelve miles noDth of Hc'
| Springs, which Is much used ny invalids Al
this place.
70 the stranger visiting Hot Springs fol
the first time tho place Il unique and pet al
iarly interesting ThItown is Strung out
for two miles or more along narrow can
yon, through which runs Hot Sp .ings creel
and the city street railroad. Owing TO th
narrowness OF the canyon and the crooked
uess of the creek, the street room Is ver'
| limited on Central avenue, the principa
thoroughfare but the United States gover,,
! Ieut is now having the creek walled su
arched with granite which viii more tina,
! double the present street surface.
Telephones gas, watsrworks and electri
| lights are among the leading features Of mod
ern convenience In vogue here aud genera
| spirit of life aud hustle Is strikingly promin
ent All manner Of Diseases and suffering il
| 10 he met with, and invalids upon crutches
leaning on canes, or In rolling chairs swarm
! the sidewalks and the verandas OF the nuner
ous hotels and boarding houses. Blind men
dicants and paupcrs Of nearly all description
are met upon the thoroughfares asking thei
| more fortunate fellow creatures for aims
! Here. too, you will find the rich and refine,
from almost every portion of the world, seek
! ing relief at the Fountain of Youth" whicl
| their wealth could not procure at I.ome. Th
! old and inlrm rhcunatit, tho young an,
, fashionable fast young nca," the sick an,
! suffering of all cluie., c.u;tes and conditions
! here sock to eradicate the disease that mis-
fortune on dissipation has entailed. II
clai3,ed that eighty per cent. Ct all &
desperate cases who have tricd thts
waters for the past ten years Eave beef
! curetl"