The Sentinel=record. (Hot Springs, Ark.) 1900-current, 1915-01-28


boiling the waters from the springs
The following conclusions are reached
by DIR. Boltwood as the results of hii
investigations:
| l. The waters of the springs oil
the Hot Springs Reservation are al
radioactive to marked degree.
2. The radio-activity of the waters
is due to dissolved radium emanatior
Ia gas) and not to the presence
of salts of radium or other radioactive
solids.
1t was found that the properties Of
these radioactive gases were identi
cal with those of the radium enumer
alton.
On the other hand when water
from which the gas had once been
taken was boiled second time after
being allowed to stand, no radio-ac
tivity was detected in the gas obtained
from the second boiling and it was
therefore concluded that little or nc
radium salts existed in the waters
This conclusion was strengthened by
the fact that test of that left by
evaporation also failed to disclose any
sign of radio-activity of this solid
substance.
3. The tufa deposited by the
springs does not contain appreciable
traces of radium.
The Early History.
The legendary history of Hot
Springs is as romantic as its history
is interesting since the time the first
white man is known to have visited
here. 1t is believed that these Their
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 explor-
ing army spent the winter of 1541-42
here, While directing search for the
fountain of youth as we'll 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
eminent began making improvements,
the steaming hot water poured down
the mountain side, forming large
pools or lakes of hot water. The pro
cess also formed a deposit called tufa,
|incrusting the mountain slope.
The hot springs We're 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 valley was
immunity 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 to settle at Hot
Springs was Manuel Frudhomme. a
Louisiana planter, in 1907. In 1911 he
was joined by John Pereival 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 Bedding
settled here, put up the first store
land 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 a City of Hotels
and Bath Houses. No other resort
is so we'll equipped to care for the
sick and afflicted as well as pleasure
seekers. Several of its big hotels are
considered among the largest and
most palatial in the world, and its
hotel facilities are ample to accommo
date its yearly increase of visitors.
Government 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 UNI
equivocal
After due investigation Congress
took possession of the springs in the
year 1892, and it retained around them
reservation ample to protect them
from all encroaehments. 1t was the
first national park reservation of the
country.
They are set apart by this act as
"A National Sanitarium for all time
and dedicated to the people of the
United States to be observed free from
sale or alienation"
In the year 1904 the State Legisla
ture passed an act granting the gener
| al government exclusive jurisdiction
and sovereignty over the reservation
lsince which time the government has
made rules and restrictions for those
who dispense the waters and prac
tice in connection with them that have
resulted in much better service to the
isick.
Government Improvements.
The Government scheme of improy,
ments at Hot Springs has been goinl
on for years.
The mountain side for distance o
| L,