The Hot Springs of Arkansas [pp. 86-94]

THE HOT SPRINGS OF ARKANSAS.
combat with them, and the result is that the gamblers are It
present trying the game of the Kilkenny cats on each other.
Quite a number of prominent visitors are now here seeking
restoration of health from these springs. Foremost among these
is Senator Morton, of Indiana, who came here to try the efficacy
of the waters to cure the partial paralysis from which he is suffering. As is well known he has been abroad and tried nearly
everything there and here, but with very little success. He has
found nothing to help him like these hot water baths, and feels
very much encouiraged, and has determined to give them a thorough trial. Ex-Governor Hammond of Indiana is on his second
visit. He came here a complete and almost helpless cripple from
rheumatism, and now walks with the aid of a cane. Ex-Governor
Winston, of Alabama, is among the later arrivals. He is a great
sutfferer from rheumatism, apd already begins to experience the
most beneficial results. Mr. Pratt, of Prattsville, Ala., the great
cotton gin manufacturer, is also here a victim to the same painful
and distracting disease, and improving finely. Mr. Hobbs, President of the Louisville and Princeton Railroad of Kentucky, has
been here several weeks seeking relief firom gouty rheurnatism; of
which he has been a victim for thirty years. He says he never
has experienced such benefit firom any other treatment. Mir. S.
A. Brick, of Brooklyn, N. Y., a man of large wealth and widely
known in connection with the gas companies of New York and
Brooklyn, is also on his second visit here. I1t, too, has traveled
everywhere and tried nearly everything, and found nothing to
help him like these springs. I might mention hosts of others
cured. Creed Taylor, of Arkansas; D. B. Smith, the great railroad man of Kansas; General Fagran, of this State. and MIr.
McDonald, the eminent banker of Little Rock. These springs I
feel satisfied have only to become known, the ownership of the
land settled, and the right kind of hotels put up, with bathing
rooms under the same roof, to secure all the visitors that can be
accommodated. Natu'e seems to have designed this as a watering place. In a latitude not generally considered healthy in the
summer months, it is always very healthy here. The conformation of the valley and mountains incites an almost constant breeze
through it, while in the hottest weather the nights are cool, compelling one to sleep under blankets. Again, and that is no small
consideration, there are no mosquitos, very few flies-two most
special and vexatious annoyances of the country.
But I must draw my letter to a close. I have been thus prolonged and particutilar-and it is the only apology I can offer-for
the benefit of the thousands who yearly go to watering places for
their health and find it not, but would find it if they came here.
Shoddyites, pseudo millionaires, and that large class of fast men
and fast women who go to watering places to show their dresses
and diamonds and gay equipages and
Their silken coats and caps and golden rings,
And ruffs and cuffs and farthingales and things,
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