The Sentinel=record., 1909-10-12
The Hot Springs
 of Ark0nS0S


 Springs is as romantic as it's history is interesting since the time the first white man is known to have visited here. It is believed that these tner- mal springs were the ones sought for as the Fountain of Perpetual Youth by Ponce de Leon, one ol the early Spanish explorers, though in vain.
 De Soto is given the first credit of discovering Hot Springs and 1t is quite certain that he and his explor- ing army spent the winter of 1541-42 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 lakes. As there are no hot lakes in this part of America, it is certain that this is the place re- ferTed to, as up to the time the gov 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 vallew was i'm munity from harm and strife. A great deal of truth is attached to this beautiful tradition, as early French trappers and settlers dwelt here ill peace with Indian neighbors.
 The Early Settlers.
 The first person to settle at Hot Springs was Manuel Frudhomme, a Louiriana planter, in 1897. 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 Belding 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 City of Hotels and Bath Houses. No otaer resort is so well equipped to care Scr the sick and afflicted as well as pleasure seekers. Severalof IS big hotels are considered amd the largest and most palatial ihp the world, and it's hotel facilities are ample to accommo- date it's yearly increase of visitors.
 overnment Ownership.
 The ownership and control of the Hot Springs of Arkansas by the Unit ed States Government is absolute, and its endorsement of them for the treatment of certain ailments is uL- equiyocal.
 After due investigation Congress took possession of the springs in the year 1892, and it retained around them reservation ample to protect there from all encroachments. It was the first national park reservation of the country
 They are set apart by this act as "A National Sanitarium for all time 2 and dedicated to the people of the United States to be observed free from 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 has made rules and restrictions for 'hoce who dispense the waters an dpractice in connection with the mthat have re- suited in much better service to the sick.
 Government Improvements
 he Government scheme of impros e. ments at Hot Springs has been going on for years.
 The mountain side for a distance { several hundred feet has been beauti fully parked and planted to shrubbery and climbing vines and flowers. The Grand and other entrances to the res eryation are works or great architec tural beauty
 The most important improvement to Hot Springs male by the government To the system Of driyeways and walks on the three mountains comprising the reservation. They wind around the sides of the mountain by easy grades to the summlts of five or SIX
 ndred feet above the city, disclos- ing at every point some new scene. O. beauty among the surroundings peaks and valleys of the Ozark noun tains. There are about fifteen miles of drives and six miles walks.
 The governments interests are look ed after by a superintendent who is appointed by the President.