Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-03
AS A HEALTH RESORT
Remarkable Popularity Of
Hot Springs.
EFFICACY OF WATERS
ALL FORMER RECORDS EcLIPsED
DURING YEAR.
Interesting Historical Incidents Re
lating to the Government Res
ervation Recalled.

The success of Hot Springs health
resort, since the assumption Of supervi-
sorry control by the government in 1878, has
been remarkable" the report states THE
increase in patronage has been constant
year by year. which attests the virtues OF
the healing waters, whose fame and cura-
tive properties are being heralded as the
healing fountains Of health, where those
suffering from disease and pain can
plunge beneath the waters of life and be
washed of the corporal infirmities which
affiict mankind. During this period l esti-
mate the total number of people who have
visited this resort for health to be 100000.
The last three years have proven to be the
golden era in it's patronage, as within the
period named $4,000 health seekers have
visited this resort. The patronage of the
year just ended is found to be $1,000, thus
eclipsing all former records. The total
number n1n Of baths given during the year was
6I3.679. which must be considered in the
nature of substantial testimonial to the
efficacy Of the waters. That they are po-
tential in alternating the ills and ails of the
body Is sufficiently demonstrated by the
thousands who have tested their curative
virtues, and who, after exhausting the lab
oratory of therapeutics, have found here
the seed of hygiene and have reaped the
harvest OF joyous health.
Growing Popularity.
1.-THE growing popularity of Hot Springs
as a health resort, and its anticipated fu-
ture Importance to the afflicted who will
find here relief, demonstrates that the re-
tention and supervisory control of these
marvellous springs under the care of the
United States government amounts almost
to an inspiration in its wisdom. as by this
ownership and supervision, rules and regu-
lations for the protection and benefit of the
people are enforced to the end that there
can be equal and exact justice to all, and
that all needful protection in rates for baths
will be given; that there will be no monopo-
ly of privileges and extortion on the
public. The knowledge that this is govern
ment property, owned, operated and con-
trolled by the government, causes intense
satisfaction and qualification among the
patrons. who evince sense of personal and
patriotic pride and proprietary interest in
It, which begets additional confidence and
faith In the virtues of the waters, which
are regarded special providence to the
suffering and afflicted.
The City of hot Springs.
THE rapid growth of the fame of the
waters has caused a corresponding increase
in the development and growth of the city
which nestles in the valley at the foot of
the mountains, and an evidence Of this
will state that in 1873 the population of the
city was 5000, and the assessed valuation
OF the real and personal property was
1892, 635, while the monthly collections of
water rents due the government amounted
to S16S.75 At the present time the popua-
ton is 1900, and the assessed value of
real and personal property in the city
amounts to S3.62s335. while the govern
ments monthly water and ground rents
amount to $1,4933 3. During this period
the city has made rapid and creditable ad
vancement in all material evidences Of
progress including metropolitan police
force, fire department, electric street rail-
oil ri lirht jro md
TENS, schools, churches, and it's extensive
hotel capacity probably exceeds that Of
any similar resort. and offers all grades of
accommodation and entertainment at rates
which adjusted to the financial re-
sources and inclination of the individual.
The Governments Title
THE governments title to the hot springs
was originally acquired through the Louis
lana purchase of April 80, 1sO3 and still
further strengthened by the treaty made
with the Quapaw Indians August 81. 1918,
which treaty coded to the United States all
lands south of the Arkansas river. BY the
passage of the act of Congress approved
April 20, 1882, the original Hot Springs
Reservation, containing 1929 10 acres, with
the springs as near the center as practi-
cable, was reserved for the future disposal
of the United States. From that date I'M
til 1873 no active assumption Of supervt-
sion was exercised by the general govern
largely taken up with an almost endless
litigation on the part Of claimants who con-
tested each others assumed title and also
the governments title. which, after run
ming the gauntlet of all the courts, was
finally decided to be in the United States,
April "a, 1876.
Extent and Supervision Of Property.
Immediately thereafter a receiver ap-
pointed by the Court Of Claims assumed
charge and began the collection of rents
for the government, and continued in this
capacity until the passage of the act Of
Congress. approved March 3, 1877, which
created the hot springs commission, who
laid out the reservation into convenient
squares blocks, avenues, streets and al
leys, defined the limits of the permanent
reservation, and provided for the sale Of
property not deemed essential to the gov
ernments interest, and upon the completion
Of their work a superintendent, appointed
by the Secretary of the Interior, assumed
charge. and this supervision has continued
to the present time. By the provisions Of
the act Of Congress approved June 16, 1880,
the four mountains, viz, Hot Springs noun
tain, North mountain, West mountain and
Sugar Loaf mountain, were added to the
permanent reservation and dedicated to
public use as parks. making IN all 9l163
acres, which now constitute the permanent
Hot Springs Reservation.
Analysing the Waters.
From the constantly increasing reputa-
ton Of the curative properties Of the waters
there has developed corresponding interest
in the public mind as to what source its
virtues are ascribed. Scientific articles
have been written on the various features
Of interest which have been suggested in
connection with the waters. Discussion as
to the source Of the heat, mineral constit-
uents gases in solution and other scientific
matters Of interest Herewith, and many ex-
periments of an individual character have
been made in the hope Of unlocking the
hidden mystery Of the healing waters. The
demand for official and authoritative infor-
nation concerning the action and properties
of the waters has impressed its Importance
upon all the superintendent who have
had charge of this reservation, and several
recommendations for an analysis have been
made. This matter has appealed to me as
very important, and ! had the honor to
recommend the authorization of an official
analysis in my reports of 1900 and 1901 re-
spectively. It Is gratifying to announce
that in recognition Of this Importance to
both the public and the government the Sec
rotary of the Interior authorized the max
ing Of this analysis and also a geological
survey OF Hot Springs mountain, and in
conformity with his request this analysis
has been completed by the bureau of chem
49, ho Aop