The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-30
MONTANA HEALTH RESORTS.
Hunters Springs, on the Line of the Nor
Pacific Railroad.


Hunters Springs, on the Line Of the North
Pacific Railroad.
DIR. D. P. Bigger. surgeon in charge Of the
Northern Pacific sanitarium In brainerd, and
Hon. A. NJ Barry, of Buffalo, N. Y, have leased
one of the famous Hunter Hot Springs for
period of ten years, and they are commencing
the erection of a number of cottages for the ac-
commodation of patients and visitors. It ID
their intention to build at once FROM
thirty to fifty cottages, of one, two and
three rooms each, laying off a park and
building M t9e eotIegss ground it Ea ss
spring. conveyed by covered pipes, so as to re-
tain the necessary heat They will also have an
adequate number of bath houses furnished with
the new metal porcelainined bath tubs. as tho
hot-water supply will be sufficient for 500 baths
day. The springs are very similar to the
Arkansas Hot Springs, and such points Of differ
ence as exist are in favor of the Hunter
Springs, as the proportion of lithia, iodine and
potassa more largely abound in the Montana
springs than in those Of Arkansas, thus improv-
ing the tonic and Alternative properties of the
waters. The Yellowstone river affords as fine
trout-fshing as there is in the world. The
discovery Of these springs is thus told:
In the early part of July, 1864, Z,
gs sI Of nrpS ogSie h %sg y ssssss
gold mines OF Montana by way of the Big Horn
valley. The party was accompanied by DR.. A.
J. Hunter, who actuated by the adventurous
spirit for which he was noted, frequently left
the train and vent ip quest of game for miles
from the line Of march. II yes ia this @au1sr
that he happened to DO the hrst white man Wig
visited the springs since named after him, and
who discovered and announced to the world
their wonderful curative properties. He was O
mile north of the line of march and was at
tracted to the springs by the large number OF
Indian tepees pitched around them He at ones
rode into the camp, and was received in
friendly manner by the Indians. In the words
of writer acquainted with the facts. "being
physician, he perceived by the bright IRON
stains upon the rocks, the strong sulphur fumes
of the ascending vapors, and the white magnesia
coating OF the vegetation growing out Of the
sedimentary deposits the medicinal value of the
waters" He then learned from the Indiana
that they had for generations availed themselves
of the advantages of this natural sanitarium.
and that they frequently made long pilgrimages
to reach this place with their invalids. They
found the waters of the springs equally efica>
cious whether used for the cure Of human all
ments or to heal their sore-backed ponies by
washing But after having only served for
ages for the imperfect and uncultivated usa
OF thriftless aborigines, these springs we're des>
tined to attain a national and even world wide
reputation, and to receive, in addition to their
natural curative properties, such appliances and
facilities for aiding in the restoration of health
as science and sanitary study could suggest
The beauties of the surrounding scenery ara
situated at the foot Of Crazy mQnptains, eigh-
teen miles west Of Livingston. They are 8ns
mile and three-quarters from the Yellowstone
river. A visitor at the springs writes "Tha
clay all around the springs is blue, adhesive.
areillaceous formation. thckly studded with
eold-like lustre and in close proximity to thu
hot water fountains there are copious springs,
from which flow streams of pure water, as cold
in the hottest weather as ordinary ice-water.