Tombstone epitaph., 1888-07-07
ROCKERS HOT SPRINGS.
A Justly Popular Health Resort-Pleasant
 Surroundings.
From the Wilcox S,ockman,]

first visit to the far.famed Hooker Hot | Springs early in the present week. The Springs are about thirty.6ve miles from Wilcox, nearly due west, and are located in canyon of what is known as the Hot Springs range, a continuation of the Gal uria mountains. The road leading to 'hem is good one and can be covered in few hours. The country between here and the springs is not very inviting, but on entering the Hot Springs canyon, the nature of the landscape changes, and an entirely different region is encounter ed. The country is there much broken, mountain, hill and canyon alternating with pleasing effect. The canyons are heavily timbered, cottonwood, sycamore, ash walnut, oak, willow, and hackberry predominating.
 The Springs are most pleasantly loca- ted on a bluff overlooking the Hot Springs canyon. They are seven in number and are all hot with the excep ton of one-a cold sulphur spring. Magnesia and iron are the principal min. erals contained in the waters of the hot springs. The temperature is such, as it gushes forth from the earth, that one cannot bear the unprotected hand in it but for an instant. The volume of water flowing from these springs is sufficient to form good sized stream, which ulti- mately finds its way to the San Ped o river. That the waters of these Springs possess medical qualities ot high or der, there can be no question. They are especially benificial to those afflicted with rheumatic and similar complaints. To the dyspeptic, to one suffering from the loss of appetite, they can be specially rec commended. Drinking daily an ample quantity of the hot water, which is en- tirely pleasant to the taste, gives one a capacity for "storing away grub"-excuse the inelegant expression--that is simply immense. The sojourners there assured us that nothing less than four substantial meals day would appease their aP- petites.
 These Springs were located by the late Dr. King, about 1879, and were owned by him up to the time he met tragic and violent death in 1884. The doctor was man of considerable learn. ing and ability, but was somewhat of a recluse and led mysterious existence. Several dark chapters are associated with his life at the Springs. One of the rooms of an adobe building constructed by him, is still known as "the dungeon" No one but the doctor has ever known to enter this room during his lifetime. After his death examination showed that it was as dark as night in it at midday, and in one corner of the room was petitioned off a small apartment, with an ingeniously ar. ranged trap door. In this cage, as it is called, were found two human skeletons. The mystery surrounding their death and indentify will never be revealed. It is believed that Dr. King had considerable money buried at the time of his death, and much time has been wasted in vain search for it.
 The Springs are now owned by Col onel H. C. Hooker, who purchased them in 1884, and has greatly improved them. There aretwo quite large adobe buildings, and the bathing rooms, of which there are four, are conveniently arranged. O. T. Madden and J. M. Trantham now have the Springs leased, and are making | additional improvements and alterations for the better accommodation and conven- fence of their guests. Both are most genial gentlemen, and spare no pains in administering to the enjoyment and com. fort of visitors.