The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-04
HEALING WATERS.
Medicinal Virtues of the Recently-Discovere
Springs in Fountain County.
pecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
ATTIcA. July 3-This part of the State, and a
considerable portion of Illinois, is greatly inter
ested in the discovery of mineral spring
here, thought TO possess considerable medicinal
virtue The discovery, like a great many i'm
portant finds, was made by accident Early in
the spring of last year the owner Of the land on
which the spring is located concluded to drain
piece of ground, of about two acres in extent,
and to do it he hired poor Wabash "crofter,"
who associated with himself another equally
poor, but as it afterwards appeared, less honest.
The two began the work of ditching the land.
and drew some of their money in advance, being
almost too poor to live" When all
the pay had been drawn, one of
the dtchers left off work, and it
remained for the other to finish it, This he did
under great difficulties, he being a sufferer from
rheumatic" He was advised to stop until
his ailment was better, but he pluckily kept at
it, and at last was surprised to find that his
rheumatism had disappeared, despite the daily
immersion of his feet in the cold water of the
spring that made the swamp 1t occurred to
him that the water cured him, and being of an
investigating turn of mind he thought, like
Sam Patch, that some things can be done as we'll
as others, and tried it on very aggravated case
of granulated sore eyes. These were cured also.
much to his qualification and surprise, and he
finished the ill-reQuted task we'll man, for the
first time in years. Like the man cured of his
blindness, this one began to proclaim the
great things done for him, and it
was not long until others were induced
to try the waters, and in nearly every
instance with like good effect. People long
afflicted with rheumatism not only
lieved but cured, and it was found that the
water almost equally efficacious in the cure
of dyspepsia and of skin diseases, ulcers, etc.
The result was that in few weeks the pretty
little valley in which the spring dubbed up was
a favorite resort, the surrounding hills were
covered with tents, peOpled by the halt and
lame, intent on being cured A rude bath
house was constructed and the fame of the
waters grew daily. The demand for accOmmo-
dation compelled the erection of better houses,
and now grand hotel is there, with bath house
admirably arranged, and new cottages are build
ing, SO that quite village has sprung up, while
there more people applying for places
than be provided for Your
respondent has talked with a number
of persons who have been cured, and their testi
mony is unqualified praise. some Of their encomi-
ums being so eXtravagant as to not warrant pub
LEGATION lest they appear Enthusiastically.
The springs are located about four and half
miles from Attica on the Warren county side of
the river, in as pretty valley as can be found
anywhere in the State. The road from here
there, while lawful" in bad weather, is pictur-
esque, and ride there and back is very enjoya-
bic. Prof. Slawson, of the Illinois Agricultural
College, has analysed the water, and pronounces
1t as fine any in the country Among the
guests at the springs are two from indianapolis,
several from Lafayette and from Danville, Ill.