The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-06-12
10 SOAP NEEDED " DATHTUB.
Wonderful Spring in the California
Desert-Elastic Bottom.

DOW IN Lu6 SdlllOiuAd oSoeie "
miles from Los Angeles, and SIX
miles fro,.. the line Of the Southern
P2cifc railroad, are the remnants OF
what was once the Garden OF Eden
Some twenty-five years ago some st.
Louis and Evansville capitalists con-
ceiv the idea that the desert land
could be utilized, and by irrigation
could be made a great fruit-produc-
ing country.
Accordingly they set out an i'm
mense orchard of young trees-apri-
cot, lemon, orange and citron-built
substantial buildings for their over
seer and workme' laid artificial
walks and ueautified the grounds
W tn shrubbery and flowers.
They made contract with a com
PAM which owned reservoir on the
San Bernardino mountains, and soon
tn, liquid life from the uplands was
flowing into the garden, beautifying
and Transforming every growing
thing. This went on for several
year and from that sandy waste
grew into promise and beauty, love-
ly orchard.
So sanguine were the promoters
that they incurred the expense of a
narrow guage railway from their
property to the Southern Pacific,
making connection az Palms Spring
Station. The grove was now at al
mos, the bearing point and the inves-
tors were looking forward to quick
dividends, when. as a result of an
alteration between the grove owners
d the water company, the latter
cut off the water supply, and long
befc, the matter could be adjusted
by the courts the flowers had with
e..G, the trees had died and the
whole estate had reverted to the
ieser", with only the stump of a tree
Ire and there Ito point the moral
and aiorn the tale"
A few miles from this wreck, says
the Louisville "Courier-Journal,
around the spur of mountain, is a
little valley, owned by canny
Scotchman, DR.. Murray. The doctor
has brought the water from the
mountain near by and has created an
"oasis in the desert"
He has about ten acres In oranges
and alfalfa, anu nothing could be
n ore pleasant to the eye, after rang
ing. over a sandy waste, than this
charming little valley.
An Indian reservation adjoins the
| doctors ranch, and from them he
leases for 500 pei annum, rare
spring. The pool formed by this
spring is about as large as good
sized room and is covered by rude
shack. The uniform temperature ol
the water Is 100 degrees. and 1T Is
said to have many healing properties
being especially efficacious in all man
ne. o. blood and nervous troubles.
When you first enter this pool youl
feet strike soft, sandy bottom ano
you are apparently in water about
lS inches deep. All at once ripple
goes over the surface. much as If
stone had been thrown in, and neal
you you notice the sand has opened,
disclosing hole as large as the cir!
| inference Of your body, but how
,.,ep you are fraid to think.
But the doctor calls there Is no
danger and you take your life In
young hands and plunge In. Down
you go up to your neck, and, fearing
q quick sand, you call out to the doc
tor, but he, smiling imperturbly, bids
you keep quiet and await results.
Presently you feel soft impact
upon the soles of your feet, and
slowly but irresistibly you feel your
self being forced to the surface. With
in the space Of three minutes you
are again standing in eighteen inches
of water, and the hole has disappear.
e., only to appear a few feet further
on.
You hasten to 1t, plunge In and
a-ain reach the surface as before,
Only one hole is formed at time
and between the closing of one and
the appearing of another, there IS
an interval of about five minutes.
In this wonderful bath you do not
require any brush or soap, but when
you come out your skin is smooth
and spotless, here and there appear
ing upon your body minute scales or
silica. After dashing a bucket or
Id water over you you feel wonder
fully invigorated and refreshed.
People come hundreds of miles to
bathe II these healing waters. and II
thr iostcr could r"'y move IN 3:
spring 10 Los Angeles he could maHe
his fortune in a few years. The In
dians, (the Mission tribe) attach
great value to the water and use the
overflow Of the pool for bathing and
drinking purposes.