Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-08
queen overlooking the broad valley Of
the Ouachita


tells, all of the large ones and MANY
of the smaller ones built Of brick and
iron in most substantial manner. 1t
has a fine gravity waterworks, sup
piled by mountain streams, as clear
as crystal, electric lights, electric
street cars, gas, a public school sys-
tenn of the highest grade, churches of
all denominations, solid brick business
blocks, twenty-three bath houses, two
great railroad systems; fine fire de-
2artment, local and long distance tele-
phones-in short, all the advantages
OF modern up-to-date city of 10000
population.
The Hot Waters.
The hot waters alone have made
the city of Hot Springs. For ages
they have been flowing, leaving their
deposits scores Of feet deep at the
base of the mountain. Whence they
come nobody knows. There is scarce
ly city, town or hamlet in the United
states that has not at least one of it's
number restored to health by these IA
nous waters.
For years before the white man
came, the Indians had used the magic
waters for the cure of their sick. The
early explorers found them here in
great numbers, anu the different tribes
always at peace in this Valley of Heal
ing gas it was known to them.
From the Indians the whites learn
ed to use the waters. From this be-
ginning and solely on the merits of the
water Hot Springs, with population
of 10000 and almost 100000 annual
visitors, has sprung into being. Were
it not for the waters it is doubtful if
Uncle Sam would have as much as a
postoffice here.
There waters have been too well
proved to leave any doubt of their
virtue. The government has been u.s.
ing them for the cure of it's sick SOL
diers and sailors for over twenty
years and the records at the Army
and Navy Hospital show 80 per cent
cured or materially benefited. 1t is of
daily occurrence to see men and wom-
en- who have come here helpless Grip
pies, after from three to six weeks
| of the baths, walking and even dane
| ing with the best. The war depart
ment goes so far as to enumerate in
an official circular some score or more
ailments which the waters have a
known reputation for curing, thus CIV
ing the official stamp and endorsement
of the government to the healing vir-
tues.
Among these rheumatism, with it's
kindred ailments govt and neuralgia,
has the leading place. Malarial disor-
ders, functional arrangements of the
liver, kidneys, stomach and heart,
nervous troubles, skin and blood dis
orders, catarrh, and many others are
enumerated in the government circu-
/ lar.
Their general tonic effect is being
recognized more every year, and those
who are overworked, tired and worn
out, those who have ever INDUCED in
the pleasures of society, excessive u.s.
ers of alcoholic stimulants find in the
waters an almost sure relief and cure
Novelty of the Hot Springs.
There are seventy-two of the hot
springs, and they all come from the
slope Of one moutain. This clope is
known as Hot Springs or East noun.
tain, and the springs are found all the
way from the creek level to points
200 feet up the grade. The average
temperature of the water is 1876 de
grees Fahrenheit. 1t is peculiar that
| tuS largest springs nave TIE n1SleSt
temperature, some of them reaching
157 degrees. The capacity Of these
hot springs has been estimated at
u 100000 gallons every twenty. four
hours.
Uncle Sam tanks and pipes these
for distribution TO the various bath
houses and fountains. An interest.
ing fact is found in the presence OF
cold springs close beside many of the
hot springs.
II All of these waters are shown by
analysis to be free from all organic
matter. Their remarkable pu,ity fits
them in the greatest degree for drink.
ing purposes. Indeed it is this purity
which enables them to so thoroughly
cleanse the system, absorbing and re.
moving impurities and renewing the
vitality of every part in "a wonderful
degree. Nature has carbonated all
these waters, too, considerably. Free
carbonic acid gas is found in all these
springs.
), The Baths.
The water flows by gravity into the
twenty-three lighthouses, which arc
owned by private enterprises, but un.
| der the control and supervision of the
United States government Clear as
crystal does not give an idea of its
condition. No crystal is as transpar
! ent as the waters from these springs