The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-06
EQUALTOTHE MOUNTAINS
The Hotel Within an Hours Drive of
La Grange.
WHAT THE WATERS WILL DO FOR YOU
Governor Aycock, Senator Simmons. Col. W.
H. Smith, and Others Bear Witness
10 the Curative Properties Of
this Water.
(Staff Correspondence

(Staff Correspondence
Rural Retreat Springs, N. c., July s.
Yesterday was gala-day at this famous
resort The Fourth of July so widely
celebrated in the North and West is, too
fast becoming a holiday with our peo-
PIE. For weeks past this day, with it's
historic associations, with its hallowed
memories has been awaited with inter-
est. Custom, the great law-maker in
all countries, has fixed this spot gath
ering place and the people for miles and
miles around come here on the FOURTH
some in wagons, carts, buggies, others
on bicycle and in boats to while the
hours away as best they may Usually
match games of baseball are pulled off
and this was true on yesterday While
the boy at the plate batted the ball
spectators bawled at the batter In
the interim of the morning and after
noon games, a feast of barbecued pig,
spring chicken, lamb, cakes, pies and the
like was spread on tables erected meath
majestic oaks, that nature so thought
fully planted and has so generously nur-
tured. and was greatly enjoyed by the
assembled multitude. With appetites
whetted by the properties of the excel
lent mineral waters to be found here
the folks picked and nicked to their
hearts CD content. Baseball has it's at
traction, but all people haye not the base
ball craze. Some have the crokonole
craze, some the croquet craze, some the
rowing craze, some the dance craze and
these all spent the day in obedience to
their several and varied desires.
prettier or more picturesque spot for
a days outing is not to be found in the
/. central east than nature has provided
right here in Wayne county close by
the banks of the meandering river Neuse.
For distance of three miles, on the
south side of the river, there is to be
found here a range of hills so closely
related to the mountain family that were
the mountaineer brought here while rest
ing in the arms of morpheus and awak-
oned in the morning with the clank of
the cow bell he would exclaim: I'm the
mountains still, thank Cod and proceed
with his morning nap as happily as if
indeed in his own home and amid it's
own surroundings. Folks don't think al
ways as / do, and | guess tbs we'll. But,
as ! sit here and take in the surround
ings and dwell upon the generosity of
nature manifest I am not ashamed to say
that people would do well to gather here
once q year in day of thanksgiving. So
frequently change from the level plans
of the east is desired, yea, advised by
he family physician, but the distance
to the Land of the Sky is so great
and the cost above the average pocket
the patient in need of that rest, recrea-
ton, oracing of mountain breeZes not to
speak of the advantages of health-g Civ
ing waters, must forego the change. But
right here in the midst of these level
lands God has in his wisdom and good
ness builded the mountain range and
permits to burst from their bowels
waters as pure as the driven snow and
more health laden than the mountain air
that floats above it, Thus putting in close
touch the patient of the plain with a
spot conducive to rest, recreation and
health. Rural Retreat Hotel is what it's
Lame implies. The buildings are cottage
in arrangement and occupy a delightful
position in the centre of the table land
overlooking the springs in the vallew
below. Indeed it is a retreat, most in
wiling, to the tired, sick, debilitated and
a spot where the pleasure seeker may
find The qualification of his desires and
withal recreation and health.
Rural Retreat Hotel is within an hour S
drive of LAGRANGE, a prosperous railroad
town. nine miles distant, on the Atlantic
and North Carolina Railroad and ada
cent to the famous Seven Springs. AT
the foot of the hills are the celebrated
Ninth and Tenth Springs, which form a
mart of this splendid property owned and
managed by Mrs. Hiram J. Ham, who
is sharing no pains or expense in Civ
ing a splendid service. The assembly
hall is large and we'll ventilated. The
uavillion at the springs is commodious
Ere1uently dances are pulled off at the
uaviIlion as we'll as at the assembly hall
The descent to the springs and the as
cent from the springs is by short stairs
or steps and is strengthening to the
limbs For those too feeble, when first
here. the health giving water is sup
piled at the hotel fresh and sparkling
Generally a few days drinking OF these
waters so strengthens and builds up the
feeble that they, too, can enjoy the walk
to and from the springs up and down the
mountain. An excellent roadway girts
the property and connects Ninth ane
Tenth Springs with the Seven springs
The distance separating the two water
ing places is about three blocks The
proprietors of the two properties are or
good terms and guests of either the Ru'