The Mena weekly star., 1911-08-31
BETHESDA SPRINGS
 TO BE DEVELOPED
HEALING WATERS LONG YEARS FAMOUS WILL BE MADE AC-
 CESSIBLE TO ALL.
II W. CardweIl Has Purchased POO Acres Around the Springs and Will Create a Watering
 and Health Resort.

A deal which has been pending for several weeks was closed yesterday when deeds were signed transfer
 ring to H. w. Cardwell 200 acres of land around and including the famous Bethesda Springs, Mrs. ]. G. Hudgins and the J. G. Hudgins heirs selling the property. The consideration was not made public.
 The property in question long has been recognized as containing all the elements of high class and most beautiful resort, for both health and pleasure. To develop it along this line is Mir. Cardwell's plan and ambition.
 That the reader may understand better the exact location of the land in question, the following descrip- ton of the boundaries is given:
 The east line nearest the main spring divides the old bath house west of the old hotel near the ccn- ter. The south line extends about one-haf mile south of the main road, taking in practically all the high ground north of the main mountain range to the south. The west line is about three-fOurths of a mile west of the man spring, ,aking in much beautiful valley
 through which q nice mountain streamlet runs, with pretty elevated building sites on either side. The north line reaches the top of the high hill above the springs. At this latter point, from which the city of Mena, the Dallas valley and mountain ranges on all sides are in plain, view it is MT. Cardwells intention to clear off a spot and build an observatory for the bene- fit of visitors.
 Springs Famous Fifty Years Ago.
 The springs on this property are many, probably as many as fifty, though perhaps not more than twenty have really been opened and developed. The waters from some of these were noted for healing properties form forty to fifty years ago, and at one time an in- corporated town with schools, hotels, etc., was located on the site. In later year analyses have been made of some of the waters, which have confirmed the early beliefs in their medicinal properties. One of the first steps in the development of thls property will be the opening up of some of the best springs and having them provided with attract i've concrete basins. Later a sys- tenn of concrete walks, it is expect ed, will be built connecting them.
 MT. Cardwell expects to use the basin, or that part of the valley adjoining the springs as a park, with no buildings except a bath house and cafe. He hopes to be able to create a nice little lake in this park, and to have tennis courts and other amusement grounds. One piece of forty acres he believes is especially suited to golf links, and he plans to so develop it.
 On the high ground adjoining the park Mir. Cardwell will have plated 100 building sites. These will be ir- regular in shape to suit the topog- raphy of the land, and will be placed on the market at a very reasonable price, all the money ob- taIned from these sales to be used In making improvements on the property. Several Mena people ex- pect to build summer cottages on these sites, but it is expected that people from Texarkana, Shreveport and other cities similarly located Will utilize most of them for sum ner homes.
 Easily Accessible From Mena.
 This location has since Mena was founded been the favorite gathering place and point of interest to all who love the country and pleasant drives. It is about 30 minutes by horse and 10 to i5 minutes by auto from tine btisiifiiieess district of the city.
 An interesting feature in connec- tlon with this enterprise is that the Kansas City Southern railroad has Tn force, year around, round-trip rate to Mena of one and one-third fare from all points from Texar- kama to Port Arthur. Return limit on these tickets is 90 days.
 Gona an 0ufinu