Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-04-13
= Wonderful Sprlug

: Wonderful Spring.
An Abingdon tEa.) special says: A curl
ous spring has been discovered in Ashe
county, =. G. In July, 1856, a woodcuttel
working some distance from his home told
tho lad who accompanied him 10 search the
Meigbborhooa for I; spring, as the water
carried from their home was too warm tc
be refreshing. Following the stream by the
roadside, the boy reached IL point where the
stream made sort of horseshoe curve as il
again came cut by the roadside. This spot
was tangled mass Of briars and overhang.
ing shrubs, but tho boy penetrated the
thicket, ard following the curve, found near
The edge Of the stream, but literally in its
bed, spring. He cleaned out the dead
leaves, ,wigs, aud other rubbish, and put
the spring in running order In so doing
no mad to thrust his arm almost to the ell
bow into the water. This arm was in q
swollen and intlamed condition from poison
caE, and had been so for some time. The
next morning il was noticed that as m uch
Of tho arm as had been in the water was i'm
proved. The change had been so sudden
that lis relief was attributed to its having
been so long in the water on the preced-
ing day. The hoy determined 10 try II Sec
end application Of his new remedy, and
eli the next morning his arm was well. The
boys father then tried the efficacy of the
water upon sores which bad annoyed him
for many weeks, and in q marvelloualy short
time was entirely relieved. He then con-
yudei 10 keep secret lie locality of the
spring, allowing no one 70 so TO 1t put him
sell, hut always keeping Il supply Of water
~ his house. The neighbors swarmed to
his house. 10 Try tho magic water. Many
were healed CT various maiadies, and all
we're eager 10 i.;iow where the spring was
situated. the o.d mnp kept his secret, how
ever, going under cover Of night to fetch the
water. Finally he WAS followed to his life
giving fountain. In less than twenty four
hours every brar and bramble for many a
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
ci,cal-rider 10 be held at the spring on a
certain sunday. 1t is estimated that 700
persons were prrsent. The preacher told of
his wiie's wonderful cure. In consequence
Cf ~ kick from q COW one OF her legs had
| been i; Il painful condition for four weeks.
| W:Ein iiftCcu minutes ;.irr The first appl.
| cation OF his water she began 10 experience
| relief from i:niiI. ana after twelve Or fifteen
| noulS' treatment the pain was entirely gone.
This was ono Of many instances related by
| tho preacher tc his eager listeners. From
| tha, day people came from fur
and near. driving sometimes thirty or
| forty miles III u wagon and waiting several
days for Il chance TO fill their barrels. On
Sundays from 800 10 400 persons were 10 be
seeu on the sno5 There is no house within
balf a 'nile Of the spring and no hotel for
several mics, so tho neighhors, much to
their annoyance and Inconvenience, are fire.
quently obliged to take in the weary suffer-
ers 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. Dur.
ing the winter The water has been hauled at
| considerable expense to various places,
where ready sale is found for it at 80 case.
In fact, the demand has been greater than
the supply, the distance from railroad
making trip considerable undertaking.
Only partial analysis of the walter has
as vet been made. A New Orleans ch emist
says lis specific gravity is 1,001, and that it
is largely charged with carbonic acid. 1t
contains iron, tho sulphates, chlorides, and
carbonates o! calcium and magnesa.
The country surrounding tie spring is ex-
trame!y rough, hut not ~.ihcut the pictur-
esquc element which has made al western
NorlL Carolina famcus. No% River runs
wit;,in u few hupd:ed yards of the place.
and tna roar q; ~ waterfall adia In the
wrirG cess .. the -rri,s.