The Sentinel=record., 1909-11-12
The Hot Springs
 of Ark0nS0S

The legendary history of Hot 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 ther nal springs were tho ones sought foI as the Fountain of Perpetual Youth 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 15414. 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 lit is certain that this is the place re ferred 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 2 healing power into the waters, and the savage breast was filled with sucf sacred awe that in the vallew 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 dwelt here ir peace with Indian neighbors.
 The Early Settlers. The first person to settle at Hot Springs was Manuel Frudhomme, 6 Louiciana planter, in 1907. In 1911 ht was joined by John Percival and Isaac Gates. In 1920 Joseph Mellard bull a double log cabin and this was the first structure that could be termed hotel. Tn 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 ant erected the first bath houses.
 The Hot Springs of Today. Can truly be called a City of Hotels and Bath Houses. No other resort il so well equipped to care for the sicl and afflicted as well as pleasure seekers. Several of IS big hotels art considered among the largest ant most palatial in the world, and iti hotel facilities are ample to aceommo 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 th, treatment of certain ailments Is uL equivocal.
 After due investigation Congress took possession of the springs in th' year 1882, and 1t retained around then a reservation ample to protect ther' from all encroachments. It was th' first national park reservation of tl' country.
 They are set apart by this act al "A National Sanitarfum for all tim and dedicated to the people of thu United States to be observed free iron sal CT 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 hal
 made rules and restrictions for 'hos'
 who dispense the waters an dpractic' in connection with the mthat have re suited iE much better service to th' sick.
 Government improvements The 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 beauti 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 made by the governmen l. the system of driveways and walk on the three mountains comprisinl the reservation. They wind arounC the sides of the mountain by eas! grades to the summlts of five or sl,
 ndred feet above the city, disclos ing at every point some new scene O. beauty among the surrounding peaks and valleys of the Ozark noun tains. There are about fifteen miles of drives and six miles f walks.
 The governments interests are look ad after hv q sunerintendent who Is