REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE HOT SPRINGS RESERVATION, JUNE 30, 1884. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of improvements made and other transactions had on the Hot Springs Reservation for the year ending June 30, 1884. This reservation was established by the General Government in 1832. It lies near the center of the State of Arkansas, in latitude 34° 30′ north, longitude 93° west from Greenwich. It is 60 miles southwest from Lit tle Rock, in the highlands or eastern spur of the Ozark Mountains. It has an elevation of about 1,200 feet above the sea, the mountains within its limits rising sharply to an altitude of nearly 700 feet above the lowest points of the valleys. The location is healthful, with a delightful climate, giving a mean annual temperature of nearly 63°, while the extreme range is limited, rarely going above 92° and more rarely below 200 above zero. The altitude, even temperature, and drainage facilities give this all the natural advantages of a health resort. It has also within a radius of 12 miles many cold springs impregnated with iron and sulphur of recognized efficacy in restoring health. The reservation consists of four sections of land. It has four mountains within its limits which are permanently reserved by the Government. They are well wooded, not difficult of access, and very desirable points of resort, especially during the summer months. If consistent with the views of the Department, I recommend that privileges be granted to suitable parties to improve certain points on these mountains under proper limitations and restrictions. By this means pleasant and healthy resorts will be provided for visitors and the mountains improved and beautified without cost to the Government. About one half the area of the reservation, constituting the valley portion, is laid off in lots for settlement. Of this area, nearly two-fifths was awarded to actual settlers by the late United States Commission. Of that remaining some 250 lots have been sold, leaving some 300 still the property of the Government. At the late sale these lots brought a fair average price. I recommend, however, that no more sales be made at present, or not until the growth of the city demands more area. The hot-water reservation extends along the line of Hot Springs Creek nearly 1,600 feet, its western boundary forming the eastern line of Central avenue. It extends to the eastward, including all of the Hot Springs Mountain, some 265 acres, and is surrounded on all sides by a broad avenue. This reservation includes all the hot waters which are within an area of 1,200 feet north and south, and 500 feet east and west, all flowing from one mountain spur. These springs have a daily flow estimated at 500,000 gallons, varying in temperature from 100 to 160° Fabr. During the past year the creek has been improved along the reservation front and through the gorge above, by the construction of sidewalls and an arch entirely inclosing it, for a distance of over one-half a mile. This work required a massive structure to resist the mountain floods, and great capacity. The work has been done under plans approved by the Department August 3, 1883, to which plans reference is respectfully made for explanation of details. The completed work gives a fine street 100 feet wide through the gorge where before its completion a carriage could not safely pass. It also protects the reservation front, rendering possible improvements necessary for fully utilizing the hot waters. The sewer-pipes referred to in the plan were omitted in the construction of the work, under directions from the Department. as it was considered that the creek thus covered would answer all requirements for sewerage. So far it has been perfectly satisfactory. I have watched the result carefully, and am satisfied that the plan will be perfectly successful whenever the main work may be extended. For other improvements I have added four springs and secured them for use pending the general plan for securing all the hot-water flow. One of these, a new discovery, is of higher altitude than any others, and has a temperature of 160° Fahrenheit, 30 higher than any heretofore reported. The successful opening of this hot-water course enabled me to bring into use the reservoir constructed by my predecessor in office, too high for the existing flows, and which had previous to this stood unused. On Hot Springs and North Mountains drives and bridle paths have been laid out under my direction extending 33 miles in the aggregate. These drives are of easy grade, well constructed, and opening up scenery unsurpassed. They are well shaded by the mountain growth, and give the visitor free access to the fresh, pure air of the mountains. One hot spring only appears on the west side of the creek, the Alum Spring. This is found of peculiar qualities, and is largely used for diseases of the eyes and throat. I have carefully secured it, and as it could not be raised to the level of the street, have walled up to grade and constructed steps of dressed stone, by which it is now easily accessible. The free baths consisted of one pool covered in by a rough, dilapidated building. I have during the past year enlarged and improved this pool, constructed another for female bathers, repaired the old, and built a new building joined to the other. This gives the indigent bathers two pools with springs in the bottom of each, an office to the manager, waitingrooms for each sex, with full bath-house accommodations. The manager's report shows that we have given during the year 2,258 free baths to women and 32,800 free baths to men, a total of 35,058 free baths for the year, an average of 97 per day. The water from the springs serves to keep the pools hot, but where so much bathing is done it is necessary to introduce a large flow of water from outside sources for douches and to renew the waters of the pools. Many prefer these baths to those in tubs, claiming that the waters in large pools and the natural flow from the hot ground are more beneficial. No satisfactory analysis of these waters has yet been made, and consequently the curative properties are not fully understood, though the results are too patent to be doubted. To the long list of diseases for which they are now recommended can be added that they are a specific in the treatment of alcoholism and all diseases arising from the excessive use of tobacco and opium. I recommend that a careful and exhaustive analysis of the waters be made and the report made of record for use of all needing the benefits of the waters. Of the improvements necessary the first is to secure all the hot water and render it available for use. The present system of supply is the crudest possible and to the disadvantage of both the Government and the consumer. A large part of the water formerly in use flows below the present grade of bath houses, as the buildings are now built from 8 to 12 feet above the former line. These waters now flow to waste. The method of supply is such a curious complication that the superintendent is powerless to remedy any errors that may arise. The plans heretofore submitted contemplate the collection of all the waters in one reservoir below the level of all the waters, to be pumped thence to a distributing reservoir on the mountain of sufficient altitude to answer all purposes, from thence to be taken to the points where used. Under the present system the water is rented at $15 per tub per annum. The capacity of tubs varies greatly. It is recommended that in all cases meters be used on the pipes and that the system of renting be changed and the water rented by quantity that can be accurately measured. The supply is ample for present wants if it can all be utilized, and for years to come, if the supply to each house is measured and recorded. The entire area from which the springs flow should be inclosed by a substantial fence and no access to them be permitted except to authorized persons. The beneficial results of these springs are yearly becoming better known to the public, and each year shows an increase of invalids seeking benefits from them. The area on the reservation front available for bath-house sites is comparatively limited, and should be preserved for this purpose, as all this and more will soon be required to meet the demands of the general public. For this reason also the utmost economy in the use of the waters should be insisted upon, which in all cases should be held strictly under control of the Department. I inclose statement showing receipts and expenditures for the year. Respectfully submitted. Hon. H. M. TELLER. SAMUEL HAMBLEN, Report of receipts and disbursements, account Hot Springs Reservation, for year ending June DR. 30, 1884. CR. kane County. The agricultural products of the county are noted thus: Wheat, 300,000 bushels; oats, 200,000; potatoes, 400,000; hay, 20,000 tons; population of the county, estimated 10,000; estimated number of new farms opened for current year, 200. STEVENS COUNTY. Stevens County occupies an immense area of country, considerably more than 10,000 square miles. It extends from the Idaho line on the east to the Cascade range on the west, and on the north to the boundary line of the British possessions. Colville is the county seat. Fort Colville and the Chimikane Indian Mission are within its borders. Fort Okanogan and the Spokane House were established in the county by the Pacific Fur Company (Astor's) in 1812. This region has been the scene of repeated Indian outbreaks, and several battles have been fought within its borders since the Territory of Washington was organized. At present stock-raising is the principal industry, although agriculture is receiving a fair show of attention, and gold and silver mining bid fair to become important industries. One flouring-mill and 1 saw-mill are located in the county. The population is estimated at 1,000. The tax-roll foots up $228,697; the county-tax levy is 11 mills. There are 12 school districts and 11 school-houses in the county, and 300 school children. It is estimated that 30 new farms have been opened during the year covered by this report. 1 THURSTON COUNTY. Thurston County, with a territorial area of about 600 square miles, occupies a nearly central position in Western Washingtion. Olympia, a beautiful town of about 2,500 hundred inhabitants, is the county seat, and also the Territorial capital. United States land offices and the office of the United States collector of internal revenue are also located here. It has two private educational establishments, one conducted by the Sisters of Charity, Roman Catholic, and one by the Methodists. Located at the southern extremity or head of Puget Sound, Olympia is noted for its homelike aspect, orchards and flower gardens surrounding the majority of its residences. It has its fair share of manufacturing establishments, three saw-mills, a clam cannery, sash and door and furniture factory, &c. The Episcopalians, Catholics, Methodists, and Presbyterians have churches in the city. It is also the location of the United States Signal Service office. Tumwater, a village about 1 mile south of Olympia, utilizes the picturesque Tumwater Falls in the manufacture of flour, say 12,000 barrels annually, lumber, sash, and doors, furniture, and water pipes. Seatco, on the Northern Pacific Railroad, is the seat of the Territorial penitentiary. An immense sash and door factory, supplied with the latest and best machinery, has just been established with a view to the employment of convict labor. The total output of the lumber mills of Thurston County is about 9,000,000 feet annually, principally used in home markets. Agriculture, includ ing the production of hay, grain, fruit, and vegetables, takes a prominent rank in the industries of the county. Grain raised in Thurston County took the premium at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876. Extensive deposits of coal have been discovered and located in the county; these deposits await development. An aggregate of 50,000 bushels of grain is reported for the current year of this report. Of live stock there are about 15,000 head. The assessment roll of the county |