Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-21
A WONDERFUL SPRING.
The Discovery Said to Have Beer
Made by Boy in North Carolina.

The Discovery Said to Have Been
Made by Boy in North Carolina.
A letter from Abingdon, Va, says: A
curious spring has been discovered in
Ashe county, n. G. In JulY, 1888, a wood
cutter working some distance from his
home told the lad who accompanied him
to search the neighborhood for spring, as
the water carried from their home was too
warm to be refreshing. Following the
stream by the roadside, the boy reached
point where the stream made sort OF
horseshoe curve as it again came out by
the roadside. This spot WAS tangled
mass of briers and Overhanging shrubs,
but the boy penetrated The thicket and,
following the curve, found near the edge
of the stream, but literally in its bed,
spring. He cleaned out the dead leaves,
twgs and other rubbish, ana put the
spring in running order. In so doing he
had to thrust his arm almost to the elbow
into the water. This arm was in swol-
len and infamed condition from poison
oak, and had been so for some time. The
next morning it was noticed that as much
of the arm as had been in the water was
improved. The change had been so sud
den that its relief WAS attributed to its
having been so long in the water on the
preceding day. The boy determined to
try second application Of his new
remedy. and on the next morning his arm
was wei. The boys father then tried the
efficacy Of the water upon sores which
had annoyed him for many weeks, and in
a marvelously short time was entirely re-
lieved. He then concluded to keep secret
the locality OF the spring, allowing no one
to 90 to II but himself, but always keep
ing a supply Of water at his house. The
neighbors swarmed to his house to try the
magic water. Many were healed of vari-
GUS maladles, and all were eager to know
where the spring WAS situated. The old
man kept his secret, however, going
under cover of ght to fetch the water.
Finally he was followed to his life-given
fountain. In less than twenty-four hours
every brier and bramble for many yard
around had been beaten down by the feet
of men and hoOfs of horses, so great was
the throng coming and going. A "basket
meeting" was appointed by the Methodist
circuit rider, to be held at the spring on n
certain Sunday. 1t is estimated that 700
persons were present. The preacher told
OF his wife's wonderful cure. In cOnse-
quence of kick from COW one of her
legs had been in painful condition for
four weeks. Within fifteen minutes af-
ter the first application of this water she
began to experience relief from pain, and
after twelve or fifteen hours treatment
the pain was entirely gone. This was
one OF many instances related by the
preacher to his eager listeners. From
that day people came from far and near,
driving sometimes 30 or 40 miles in a
wagon and waiting several days for a
chance to fill their barrels. On Sundays
from 800 to 400 persons we're to be seen
on the spot There is no house within
half a mile of the spring and no hotel for
several miles, so the neghbors, much to
their annoyance and inconvenience, are
frequently obliged to take in the weary
sufferers seeking these healing waters.
The average number OF persons visiting
the spring daily until the bad weather of
the winter began is estimated at 200.
During the winter the water has been
hauled az considerable expense at various
places, where ready sale Is found for 1t at
So a case. In fact, the demand has been
greater than the supply, the distance
from railroad making trip considera-
bfeof an undertaking.
Only partial analysis of the water has
aeket been made. A New Orleans chem
Btasays its specific gravity is LOCI, and
that it islargeIy charged with car 5onic
acid. IL contains iron, the sulphates,
chiorfdes'and carbonate Of calcium and
naenesia.
THE country surrounding the spring is
extremely rough, but not without the pic
turesque element which has made all
Western North Carolina famous. New
river runs within few hundred yards Of
the place, aud the roar Ofits waterfall adds
to the weirdness OF the scene.