The Mena weekly star., 1921-06-23

year It IS said that this foan cos but about S2500 per mile, and it is dandy. And on reaching Hot Springs Ed Bradley. formerly Mena boy, now
 successful Hot Springs druggist proudly informed us that the business men had just raised 5000 by eontri buttons, and the Devils Gulch was soon to be but bad dream.
 4 pretty spot, Crystal Springs, ter miles out of Hot Springs, was reached a little before noon, and here two hour rest was greatly enjoyed, to- gether with Miss Durhan's fried chicken and other good things to eat
 Almost the first folks to be met by the travellers in Hot Springs were Mrs. NJ. W. lizard ard daughter, Miss Letha, and they seemed as glad to meet "homefolks" as homefolks were to meet them. Mir. lizard, they stated is conducting a hotel at Newport, but is seeking a change, and, pending this the wife and daughter have taken an apartment and are living in Hot Springs. Each and all they seem to best love Mena and Mena folks, and yet hope to return.
 Dr. w. P. Parks, superintendent of the Reservation and big man of Hot Springs, was seen mingling with folks ait the press headquarters, at the Arlington Hotel. He wanted to know all about Mena and reiterated his wish to again have his home at this best of all places when he is able to do so. He takes great pride in his accomplishments as superintend- ent of the governments interests here, and is working hard to complete the new $300,000 free bath house by the first part of August. This is won derful undertaking, and, when com pleted, will provide clinic, medical attention and baths for 1000 persons each day. The old quarters had but half the capacity for baths and far less facilities, and will be torn down. All this and many other things as shown and explained by Dr. Parks, can but surprise anyone at the great work being done here for 1utfering humanity, white and black, thru the efforts of the government combined with the wonderful waters. Not less interesting is the way these waters are gathered into great reservoirs and distributed over the reservation and to tho many bathhouses. A new thing is we'll recently drilled by Dr. Parks orders that has added 5000 gallons per hour to the radium-charged hot water.
 One of the surprises was the meet Ing of W. I. Boyer. Only those folks who have long been in Mena will re- member Mr. Boyer, but a reference to old Star files will show he was pret- " prominent man in Mena in the early days, and, among other things, conducted furniture store. Now and for years past Mir Boyer has been secretary treasurer of public utilities, electric railway, electric lights and power, and water and gas in Hot Springs.
 While enjoying the beauties and breezes of the Como roof gswden we met Mrs. E. Blakestad and daughter, Miss Blanch; Capt. E. D. Ellsworth, Ira c, Hopper, Secretary of State, and Jim G. Ferguson, secretary of Mines, Manufactures and Agriculture. The first two expect to return home in few days, and ali wanted to know about Mena and Polk county folks.
 Among the guests during the clos ing hours of the press convention were y56e Ferguson, State Treasurer, and c. P. Newton, secretary to Governor T. c. McRae. These two accepted an invitation to make the home trip over the picturesque and splendid roads during the pleasant evening hours in- stead of going by train, and fine jol- ly ride it proved to be. "Uncle Joe,' as everybody in private and public life best knows the custodian of our state funds, neither believes in nor practices the common frills or fancies but lives in the simple, unaffected way that, as he frequently says, has beer his 4for nearly one hundred years. He doesn't particularly care for ban quets nor fancy feeds, but accepts in vitations occasionally that come hi: way, but says he always arranges te have good substantial meal befors going, and specifics cornbred, greens and bacon as among his favorite dish es, to say nothing of the famous rib bon cane molasses from Columbii county, his home. And Uncle Joe hal real streak of sporting blood, along with his robust good health an, habits. He says he likes cars, an, when he drives one he wants a fas one, and then if anybody ever passe him on the road it will be because tn other fellow has yet faster ma chine. And we made good driv from Hot Springs to Little Rock, am not a bump could raise Uncle Joe al inch from the cushions. He said h had always been pretty "sot in hi ways" It was different with M,