The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1906-08-17
4 Letter From Allen MOnger.

The following letter received from
Allen Monger, one of the well known
citizens of this part of Calcasieu par
iSh, who went , Mla.rtI Springs,
Texas, for his health, few weeks ago
will be OF interest to many of our
| etders:
Mineral Springs, Tex. August II.
Editor Rice Belt Journal:
Some Of your readers have asked
me to write them in regard to Mineral
Wells. If you will give me space in
your Journal, | will endeavor to tell
them something of the conditions ex.
ist,Ig here;
mis- little village is located in
Brazos valley, Palpintor county, Tex
1t has population of about 5000.
Nothing has been done to make it
attractive. We have no free mail de-
livery: the streets are not paved and
oyer thirty carriages to transfer tour
lists travel them. No street cars, vet
it Is estimated that 80 600 people come
here every year to use this water in
various ways, regardless of difficult
les. When the health seekers learn
the good qualities of this water, they
seem to forget all difficulties and 90
about cheerfully. There is Il general
remark made here by newcUmers-
they will say: "This crowd is not
what | expected to find. 1 expected
to find them downhearted and most
but everybody seems to be
cheerful and trying to enjoy them
selves. Those on crutches are cheer
tul. All Improvements necessary to
make this d modern health resort, are
being brought about Real estate is
very high. \ bill is being introduced
IN congress asking for Il governments
hospital at this place: also for an APP
preparation Of 50, 600 with which to in |
'estlgate the qualities in this water.
The drinking water is furnished at Il |
lumber Of pavillianS, scattered |
throughout the city. 1t usually costs
he consumer from fifty cents to 81
Der week, twenty cents per day, or one
ent per drink. At some wells the wa
er is free The Austin water, the
trongest water here, is free. Ofcourse
be wells are said to contain different
lndS Of water for different diseases.
his water is reached ut Il depth of
bout $50 feet. The water for the
eWerage is secured beyond the West
fountain from lake. 1t is carried ,
Y pine to the East mountain, in Or
en- to give the storage tank an eleva- ,
on. This tank is about 1870 feet +
bOve the city and the mountain being +
jeep brings it very close by. Tour 9
It's take great pleasure going up these i
OGnvalns early in the morning. f
onNels for this purpose cost twenty +
We cents per hour.
Nearly every business house is con- .
ructed OF brick or stone. Bricks f.
e made near the city. Lumber is q
cry high here. Bath houses furnish II
great deal of laundry work. Baths fl
'St from thirty-fve cents to $l.50. Il
mere are Il great many vegetables s
ought in by the farmers, also nice Fl
'acheS, grapes and melons. Home n
Ilr4 ) Drlhg milk to the city. Good a.
'ard costs from So per week up. The k,
wn is building quite fast. Brick p,
liIdings are being built all the time.
one time slice | came here there
IRE niue brick buildings under con-
'uction. We have good religious v
portunities. l nave noticed but one h.
IN drunk On the street. II
Mr.. Austin, The first man we have or
y record of being benefited by these q,
tiers, still resides here. He was ~,
ariy blind when he arrived in 81. NJ
5 eye sight was restored. He was h,
e OF the first to locate here. tr
Allen Monger, M
Box 663. Mineral Wells. Texas -;