The Sentinel=record., 1909-11-18
The Hot Springs
 of ArkdnSaS

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. 1t is believed that these ther- maj springs were the ones sought for as the Fountain of Perpetual Youth l 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 1541-42
 here, while directing 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- ferred to, as up to the time the gov ernmeut 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 attacned to this beautiful tradition, as early French trappers and settlers dwelt here in peace with Indian neighbors. The Early Settlers. The first person to settle at Hot Springs was Manuel Frudhomme, a Louiciana planter, in 1907. In 1911 he was joined by John Perciyal and Isaac Gates. In 1920 Joseph Mellard built a double log cabin and this was the first structure that could be termed a hotel Tn 1928 Ludonicus Bedding settled nere, put up the first store and showed great enterprise in build ling 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 other resort is so well equipped to care fer the sick and afflicted as well as pleasure seekers. Several of IFS big hotels are considered among the largest and
 most palatial in 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 froa rf rtaff oil fO fc -fft. equivocal
 After due investigation Congress took possession of the springs in the
 year 1892. and it retained around them a 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 tim !"
 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 sand restrictions for hose who dispense the waters an dpractice
 in connection with the mthat have re suited in mucn better service to the sick.
 Government Improvements The Government scheme of improve
 ments at Hot Springs has been going
 on for years.
 The mountain side for distance f
 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
 ervation are works Of great architec- tural beauty.
 :, The most important improvement to
 Hot Springs male by the government
 l. the system of driveways 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 superintendent who is appointed by the President.