The Sentinel=record., 1909-10-26
The Hot Springs
 of Ark0nS0S

The legendary history of Ho Springs is as romantic as it's history is interesting since the time the frs W ite man is known to have visited h re. It is believed that these ther In Il springs were tho ones sought fol as the Fountain of Perpetual Youtl by Ponce de Leon, one of the early Spanish explorers, though in vain. De Soto is given the first credit of discovering Hot Springs and it is quite certain that he and his explor ing army spent the winter of 1541-41 here, while directing a search for the fountain of youth as well as for gold Translated writings of cavaliers, who were With the expedition, mentions discovering hot takes. As there are no hot lakes in this part of America 1t is certain that this is the place re. ferTed to, as up to the time the goy, ernment began to make improvements the steaming hot water poured down the mountain side, forming large pools or lakes of hot water. The process also formed a deposit called tuba, in cruising the mountain slope.
 The hot springs were as celebrated among the Indians for curative prop critics as now with civilization. They believed the Great Spirit breathed a healing power into the waters, and the savage breast was filled with such sacred awe that in the vaslew was i'm munity from harm and strife. A great deal of truth is attacned to this beautiful tradition, as early French trappers and settlers dwet here in peace with Indian neighbors.
 The Early Settlers.
 The first person to settle at Hot Springs was Manuel FTudhomme, g Louiciana planter. in 1907. In 1911 he was joined by John Percival and Isaac Gates In 1920 Joseph Mellard built a double log cabin and this was the first structure that could be termed a hotel. In 1928 Ludonicus Bedding settled nere, put up the first store and showed great enterprise in build ing improved cabins. In 1880 Asa Thompson leased the springs and erected the first bath houses.
 The Hot Springs of Today.
 Can truly be called a City of Hotels and Bath Houses. No other resort is so well equipped to care for the sick and afflicted as wei as pleasure seekers. Several of IS big hotels arc considered among the largest ant most palatial in the world, and its hotel facilities are ample to accommo date it's yearly increase of visitors.
 overnrent Ownership.
 The ownership and control of tho ,-l-g 1. T..TN ed States Government is absolute and it's endorsement of them for tht treatment of certain ailments is uL equivocal.
 After due investigation Congres! took possession of the springs in tn, year 1882, and 1t retained around then a reservation ample to protect theri from all encroachments. It was th' first national park reservation of tl' country.
 They are set apart by this act a "A National Sanitarium for all tim and dedicated to the people of tn United States to be observed free iron sal or alienation"
 In the year 1904 the State Legisla ture passed an act granting the gen eral government exclusive Jurisdiction and sovereignty over the reservation since which time the government ha made rules and restrictions for hos who dispense the waters an dpractic' in connection with the mthat have re suited in mucn better service to tn sick.
 Government improvements 1be Government scheme of improve ments at Hot Springs has been goinl on for years.
 The mountain side for a distance several hundred feet has been beaut fully parked and planted to shrubber and climbing vines and flowers. Tn Grand and other entrances to the res eryation are works or great architeC tural beauty.
 The most important improvement t Hot Springs male by the government 1 l. the system Of driyeways and walk on the three mountains eomprisini the reservation. They wind aroun' the sides of the mountain by eas. grades to the summlts of five or ST.
 ndred feet above the city, disclos ing at every point some new seem O. beauty among the surrounding peaks and valleys of the Ozark noun tains There are about fifteen milel of drives and six miles walks.
 The governments interests are look ed after by a superintendent who il appointed by the President