The Sentinel=record., 1915-03-03

Hot Springs enjoys the distinction of being the greatest health resort of the Western Continent. There are many resorts in the United States whose advantages nave been eX- plotted more extensively, and if in point of patronage they may be termed rivals, it is wholly due to persistent and genuine advertising land not to genuine merit as health resorts. for where is to be found a single one in this country which has as much to offer the health seeker? Where can one be found that can offer more?
 These disease healing waters com ing forth from the bowels of the earth in ineNhaustible quantity. have made Hot Springs modern Bethesda or pool of Siloam where the sick and suffering may come and dip their bodies therein and be cured of their maladies The half has not been told of the virtues of these waters. Nothing could bear such convincing testimony Of their curative qualities or speak so eloquently of their yir- .tues as tho living examples of the thousands who have availed them selves of them. Many theories have been advanced by scientists and oth- CTS as to the cause of the heat a. well as to the healing principles of .the water The solution of these questions has engaged some of the .most advanced thought ot the coun- .try
 As to the first proposition the most generally accepted theory, in a word is that the water is heated by chem Ical action in passing through various strata of the earth to reach the sur face
 As to the second proposition the United States Government seems to have settled the question in the fall of 1905, when it sent Dr. Bertram H. BoltWood, an expert chemist here with instructions to make a careful test of the water that it's curative principle might be determined, upon scientific basis This geuteman who held a professOrship in an East ern college of the highest standing, came to Hot Springs and after mak- ing a personal investigation of the situation so that he might know that the water to be tested came direct from the hot springs, he procured the quantity desired and, placing it in airtight containers. proceeded to his laboratory in the East, where he made a most exhaustive analysis. His re. port to the Government was in sub stance that the water contained re- dium most powerful, life-giving principle, hence its virtues as a cur atiye agent have since been attri- buted to its radio.activity.
 The Early History.
 Tho 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- nal springs were the ones sought for 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 eXploI- 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 hot lakes As there are no hot lakes in this part of America | it is certain that this is the place re ferred to, ss up to the time the gov ernment began making improvements, l the steaming hot water poured down | the mountain side, forming large | pools or lakes of hot water The pro | cess also formed deposit called tufa, | incrusting the mountain slope,
 The hot springs were as celebrated | 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 valley was | from harm and strife A great deal of truth is attached to this | beautiful tradition, as early French | trappers and settlers dwelt here in | peace with Indian neighbors
 The Early Settlers.
 The first person 10 settle at Hot | Springs was Manuel Frudhomme. a onisiana planter. in lNn1. In INtI he ]