The Saline County journal., 1892-07-21
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| what h more delightful 10 people
living In, hot dusty cities than .
trip 70 the countsy, whore the din
Of the bustling city is absent and
"fresh milk h plenty and mosquIs.
oss scarce" TO those Of our readers
who contemplate such . trip, no
better plsce can b found for pleas.
urs seekers, or those In quest Of
health than Excelsior sprinss, Mis.
souri,, amidst the hills Of Clay Coun-
| ~. In the lovely valley Of the Fish
Ing. with its elm crowned banks,
where, only few years ago Frank
aud Jesse James hid from their pur-
susrs. How little did they think -
they rode through those shady
groves. watering their horses In the
little Fishing river. and drinking Of
the numerous springs. which the
natives said possessed mysterious
power 10 cure the sick, tha. people
would flock from ali over the land TO
drink Of this medicinal water. which
have become ~ famous ~ siioams
pool Of Judsa.
In the most picturesque part Of
this pretty valley stands the Eims,
one Of the most beautiful. commod-
ious aud best arranged hotels In
America. This handsome structure
which 10 named from the stately
Elms that surround II. 10 built In the
best style OF modern architecture, 10 |
800 feet long on its main front by
l76 In Its greatest depth. three stories
high aud has broad and shady
verandss on oil four sides, whore
the guests may assemble and enjoy
themselves In . chat and smoke,
listening TO music furnished by fins |
orchestra constantly engaged for
that purpose. The interior IL finish |
ed Off In hard curled Florida pine-s
beautiful wood. At either end Of |
the large Office is q handsome colon.
lai fire place, enclosed In mantel
pieces Of terra Gotta aud carved
marble Of exquisite design. The
dining hall IL . magnificent room
superbly yet simply decorated and
large enough TO accommodate 500
guests without crowding. An ex-
haust fan runs In warm weather
during meal times drawing from the
room the air before II can become
vltiated aud causing an inward
breeze from every window. This
admirable arrangement affords alb
solute physical comfort and enables
one to thoroughly enjoy the deli
cious food that II served.
All throughout the house, In par
lors and In bed rooms, the same rich
and quiet elegance has been observed
Ia the furnishings and decorations.
In front Of the house o fountain
plays amid . beautiful garden. On
the south side are two fine tennis
courts. Continuing southwark along
the shady gravel walks or through
the "lovers retreat" which winds
along the bed Of an old creek, now
arched over and transformed into q
shady walk where the suns rays do
not penetrate, across the rustic bridge
that spans the little Fishing, we
come upon q pretty little pavilion
inclosing the Regent Spring. South
west aud about one hundred yards
from the hotel is an immense swim
ming pool, which In filled with sui.
pho-saline water pumped from q
well 1850 feet deep. Next 10 this In
q seperate building are four fine
bowling alleys and q shooting gal
lery, for those who enjoy such |
sport, while In the basement Of the
Elms IL . large billiard and pool
room. At the other end Of this
basement are the baths. There are
hot and cold ferro-manganese,
shower or plain water and q marble
plunge pool which presents the APP
pearence OF the Egyptian baths. |
Northeast Of the hotel grounds IL
the music Hall or Opera House, Q
pretty building Of Moorish design, |
where entertainments are often
given.
Crossing the Fishing river we are
In the town proper, with q popula-
tIon Of 5000. where the post ofiice,
stores and the Excelsior and Sara
toga Springs are located, also several
private boarding houses where board
may be obtained at reasonable
prices. About three quarters Of Q
mile up the ravIne 10 the salt we'll,
from which the water IL pIped to .
hydrant at the Elms Hotel. We
may climb to the top Of the sur
rounding hills, from where 10 OBJ
tained q beautiful view Of the valley.
After spending our vacation in
place like this we return to the city
feeling much improved and find that
life IL worth living after all.