Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-06

TIE GREAT HOT SPRINGS.
HO This Famous Healing Station
Appears to Visitors.

Hot Springs, Arkansas. claims a resi-
dent population of 600 people. From
reliable sources l learned there were
about 10000, and visiting population
ranging from 5000 to 5000, the largest
number being there during the winter
months. This season of the year more
are leaving than arrive.
The city is built mainly along Hot
Springs creek, which is rapid flowing
stream, about twenty feet wide. Cen
trail avenue is built along and over the
stream. it being covered and forms the
best of sewerage for the city. Except
at places where other little streams join
Hot Springs creek there is scarcely
room for any buildings unless excavated
into the side OF mountains. Many of
the cross streets which are all on the
west side of above named stream are
in the side of mountains and are not
passable for wagons, being loo steep
and rocky. There are a number of
small creeks emptying into Hot Springs
creek, up in which, in the valleys
among the tall pines, are scattered
many beautiful residences, boarding
cottages and hotels.
The springs have the reputation of
being one of the wonders of the world,
and seekers of rest from cares and la
Dor as well as those in search of health,
are we'll paid by visiting them, and it
is very evident that both of these
classes go there in large numbers.
From every state and territory in the
United States, from Canada, Great
Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain,
Russia, Mexico and the South Ameri-
can states, and even from the far off
islands Of the sea, the afflicted come to
these healing waters for treatment.
There are hundreds of medicinal
springs 10 the world, but without dis
paragement to any of tl' m, there are
none where such curative agencies are
found as at these.
The springs, now seventy-twO of
them, issue forth from the western
slope of Hot Springs mountains at an
elevation of from 700 to 800 feet above
sea level. the most of them fifty to
seventy five feet above the creek valley.
They are the property of the national
government, the land being held as a
reservation, and are und.r the control
of the government through a superin-
iendent. All these springs are hot
with one exception as they come from
the east side of the creek and all Oh
the west side, excepting one, are cold
The temperature of the water from the
seventy-two hot springs varies from
about 100 to $50 degrees, and averages
as il comes from The tanks to which
all the water is conducted 40 degrees.
From the tanks the water is brought
in iron pipes 10 the different BATH
houses in the valley below IS it is
needed.
Ii many forms 0f chronic diseases
its effects are truly astonishing; but lei
me say right Lere to your readers that
| it is not considered at all safe for per
sons with diseases Of the heart and
lungs to take these hot baths, and |
would advise any of your readers who
may ever contemplate going there t."
find Oat by their family physician max
ing a thorough examination Of their
fitness to take the treatment if they
are not fully satisfied themselves be-
fore going there, as they might not get
as good advice from the doctor whom
they employ at the springs, and employ
one they must before they can take
baths. lie gives a certificate which is
shown to the bath house proprietor and
he is criminally liable if he gives you
baths at higher degree than is speci-
fed by the doctor. For the baths you
pay Sc for course of 81 baths and
must pay the bath servant i'll addition
nearly as much more.
There are all classes of hotels and
boarding houses at which you may suit
your taste, according to your wealth,
from So or $6 to $50 a week for board
and lodging. There are hundreds Of
neatly built boarding houses and cot
tages, some in the valleys and some Oil
the mountain sides and all are sheltered
and shaded by the growing pines which
are everywhere.
Some of the largest hotels would dc
credit to any seaside watering place.
Nearly all of them have wide and long
porches in front at each story of the
building. The last one of these built
and just opened on January 18th cost,
it is said, over S5OO,OOO. There are one
or two others costing half as mucli
each. Bath house row is beautiful
lot of bath houses in the center of the
city and cost from $4,000 to $50, 900
l