m4 er: . 
 <— 
 * 
 . ‘ 
 An 
 - 
 j — 
 r 
 
PORTER 
 
 SPRINGS 
 
 Lumpkin County, 
 
 fe 
 
 RESIDENT PHYSICIAN Always in Attendanee. 
 
baht a 
 
 Ee Collection 
 Pees University me Sg 
 a 
 
 GATE crey. STONE FII 
 
 CHERRY’S EVAPORATORS, 
 LAMBET#’S IMPROVED FL 
 
 GOLD MEDALS AND HIGHEST REMIUMS wherever extv bet 
 
 and pronounced to be the best in the world. McBride & Co.8 ., Atl 
 Owners a Agents ' 
 
 McBRIDE & €O’S STOCK OF 
 
 SS a a 
 
 OCKERY, HOTEL FIXTURES 
 the South. 
 
 SHOW CASES, WOOD, TIN, 
 
 Largest i 
 
 ESTADL EE 1866. 
 
 | ATLANTA NURSERIES, 
 
 | COLE & COOK, Gore. Proprietors. 
 : | fs : 3 > tas 
 
 ' We keep ful line of 
 
 FRUIT!ano NUT TREES, 
 
 Shade and Ornamental, Evye:green and Deciduous Trees, Shrubs, ete. * 
 Grapes, Roses, Small Fruits, and every i usual in a 
 FIRST-CLASS NURSER 
 
 FINE ROSES A BPECIALTY. 
 
 Drescriptive Catalogue sent free on application to 
 
 GOLE & COOK, 
 
 Atlanta Nuvseries, 
 ATLANTA, GA. 
 
PORTER SPRINGS 
 
 (Lumpkin County, Ga.) 
 
 The Queen of the Mountains ! 
 
 (Altitude 3,000 Feet.) 
 
 Board Per Month (4 Weeks) Only $24.00 
 
 (Terms to Suit the Times.) 
 
 OPEN NINE MONTHS ; CLOSED WINTER MONTHS. 
 
 HACK FARE, from Gainesville, 28 miles, $2.50, 
 
 (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.) 
 
 BATHS, BILLIARDS AND TEN-PINS EREL, 
 
 (At some Resorts cost More than Board.) 
 
 Daily. Mail. Post Office in Hotel. 
 
 (The owners of the property being Managers of the Hotel, 
 will try to please.) 
 
 All inquiries will be promptly and fully answered if addressed by mail 
 to either “‘ PROPRIETORS ”’ or “‘ POSTMASTER,”’ Porter Springs, Lump- 
 kin County, Ga. 
 
) 
 
 INDEX TO. A 
 TESTIMONIALS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 Letters to the Methodist Advocate from the Discoverer of the Water, Rey. 
 Joseph McKee, M.D., of Dawson county, Ga., giving the cireumstances of 
 the Discovery and the names of about twenty-five persons whose cures were 
 among the first and were almost miraculous....... ine cade eas sua eeenaeae Rane scckscnbensesesen 
 
 Letter of Rev. G. R. Park, of the North Georgia Conference, to the Dahlonega 
 Signal, corroborating the remarkable cures published by Dr. McKee............ 
 
 Editorial of Methodist Advocate, endorsing the Presbyterian Minister, Dr. 
 
 IM GR COs Waconcchntaedusanedeartnantoonmctions sues Aas Meco stsscniecuke va seustonsaacei ws psnuatphdenseasseiteausniaas 
 Editorial of Dahlonega Signal, asserting the ** unquestionably great medicinal 
 Virtues Of THE Water ie occcscse0...05.0s0-cccngaautnmonsenyenceves) ssacsnesasseeheenenee naman ma easeesl cwssemeons 
 
 Editorial of Gainesville Southron on ‘“Ocu’ar Demonstrations” furnished every 
 summer by invalids coming through Gainesville on crutches and returning 
 CUETO ous oiseescnpenrneshansne=s noch sripsbusuasa'saansesone Rann nesS cv snesescu dive dec ca sheaananeans bi culnwu na isnwane 
 
 Editorial of Atlanta Daily Constitution on Altitude and ©limate of Porter 
 
 Springs- Ked Speckled Brook Trout—the Switzerland Of AMETICA......0.ccessene 
 Editorial of Homeward Star on visit to Porter Springs, the Medicinal Water, 
 
 "i 
 
 invalids who came in extremis exulting in speedy cure, Altitude compared, ~ 
 
 Porter Springs and City of Boston, Mass , on same Isothermal Line... ..........000+ 
 
 Editorial of Brunswick Advertiser-A ppeal, describing trip of Editor Stacy, made 
 in five hours, despite dreadful tales ty the irrepressible Gainesville Drum- 
 mers about ‘‘bad roads to Porter Springs’’—Methods resorted to for keeping 
 persons in Gainesville—Ascent to Bl od Mountain up banks of Chestatee 
 River, whose Cascades descend 3,000 feet in going five miles—AlJtitude by 
 U. S. Government Authority 4,670 feet, looking down on tour States—Ripe 
 Peaches and Snow-capped Mountainsin fall yiew ot each other in June, 1883 
 
 Editorial of Gainesville Southron on Ripe Vegetables and Snow-e+pped Moun- 
 
 tains iinvApril, TST eine ccngccenceneee BEE vindoiisncasnsen chu uanwanssesaateleae Bee. Nes 4 Gvageerer 
 Editorial of Spartanburg (S. C.) Herald on the wonderful cures eff; cted...... Fre ay 
 
 Letter from Mrs. D. T. Dunn to Brunswick Advertiser-Appex), exposing Meth- 
 ods of Gainesville Drummers causing large party trom Brunswick to despair 
 of getting to Porter Springs by their tales of ‘‘bad roads’—Finally venturing 
 the trip, found splendid roads, and were charmed with the ride, scenery, etc. 
 
 Letter from Hon. —— Yonge to Pensacola (Fla.) Gazette, giving a frank and 
 candid criticism of 'he Climate, Scenery, Water, Amusements, Table Fare, 
 Diseases Cured, Crutches Discarded under his own observation, etce., etc. 
 Mr. Younge having been for nearly forty years one of the mo-t prominent 
 lawyers in Florida, his letter is worthy of nnusual.consideratian....... saueuahyente 
 
 Letter of Co!. W. A. Collins, of Florida, t» Gainesville Southron on wonderful 
 cures occurring under his own eyes—The Altitude gives medicinal effect to 
 the Air, which, wit). the water, cures wit! in a week invalids scarcely able 
 to reach there- Charmed with the place aad its SUrrOUDGIDGS........100seeceescesseeee 
 
 Correspondent, ‘‘A Carolinian,”’ of Charleston (S. C) News and Courier in ecstacy r 
 
 over the wonderful water and its cures, the Clim «te, Scenery, €bC............-2..00 
 
 Letter from Prof. J. H. Chappell to Columbus Enquirer, enrapt by the Seenery, 
 Climate, Water, the Transparent Air and Heavenly Couste!Jations—draws 
 a striking contrast with life at the crowded fashion»ble Resorts -and gives 
 a graphic picture of Indians and Wigwam in Chestatee Swamp ...........2. scene 
 
 Letter of Co!. Josephus Camp to Swainsboro Herald, giving his experience as- 
 cending Mountains, visiting Water Falls on the Chestatee River, ete — re- 
 dicts the Altitude, Scenery and Healing Waters will make this Resort a 
 SUCCESS,.....00c0e Vacsenecn seaceceas “etuseedupheuoe en eassPeReMberiacbesace'ssnsesbemsvesarect shenas See teeaaaeaan sidan 
 
 Letter from “J. W.S.” to Gainesville Eagle on the Fish Ponds and how German 
 
 arp are raised in them; also a minute account of the raisi g of the jamous 
 Red Speckled Brook Trout, and how they f ed— \lso Snow-capped Moun- 
 
 ~ tains and Ripe Peaches while the writer Was there..............ssceeesseceeseeceeens seocecase 
 Letter from James P. Harrison to the Gainesville Southron, giving a detailed 
 acecunt of the “ Fish Culture ” at Porter Springs .....:........-2ccdenes -coeencasue suneeeennene 
 
 Letter from Maj. H. Atkinson to the Dawson Journal, July 19h, 1877.......00c0eceere 
 Letter from Mr. J. O. Jelks to the Hawkinsville Dispatch, July 19th. 1877............ 
 Editorial of the Darien Gaz2tte, May 3d, 1884.......... seancchenacqaseansceceveoe cade obisal iN iininnmmnnN 
 
 16- 
 
 17 
 
 18 
 23 
 
 30° 
 
 31 
 
 3 
 82: 
 32: 
 
 ) kn e eee 
 
PORTER SPRINGS HOTEL.—1885. 
 
 TERMS. 
 
 Boarp (per day, $2.00 ; per week, $10.00 ;) par MontTH, $24.00. 
 
 The owners of the property, Mr. and Mrs. Henry P. Farrow, 
 will henceforth reside permanently at Porter Springs and manage 
 the Hotel themselves, and having no rents to pay and no man- 
 agers or clerks on salaries, will promise as good a table as can be 
 expected for the price charged. The culinary department will 
 receive such attention from Mrs. Farrow in person as will ensure 
 not only a good table for well persons but invalids will be sup- 
 
 plied with such diet as is essential in their cases. 
 
 We have reduced our month rates to $24.00 to suit the times. 
 
 After first month, board is $6.00 per week, fractions of weeks 
 $1.00 per day. 
 
 Under no circumstances will we commute board, that is, we 
 will not board four persons one week for $24.00 because one per- 
 son is boarded four weeks for $24.00. Terms of this kind are ap- 
 plied for every summer but invariably declined. We will make 
 special rates to large families for the season, where there are: 
 children over ten years old. Children under ten years and Ser- 
 vants will be charged Half Rates—but should extra accomoda- 
 tions be required they will be charged for accordingly. 
 
 The rates are less than are charged at first class boarding 
 houses in Cities, to say nothing of Hotels. 
 
 Of course, boarding houses in the little towns can hoard 
 people for less, but at such places when the boarder steps out of 
 his own room he steps into the strect. If he wishes to get a bath it 
 is not to be had in the town—if he wishes to roll ten pins it 
 costs him a quarter—if he then finds a billard table in the back 
 of some bar-room, his game costs him fifty cents. and throngh 
 the day he spends as much money for amusements (furnished 
 
  freeat Porter Springs) as his board would cost him. If his family 
 
 are with him, they are as much “cooped up” as if in the town 
 or city in which they reside. Therefore, come to Porter Springs, 
 where the prices are low to suit the times, and where there is 
 more to be enjoyed for twenty four dollars per month than can 
 be had anywhere else. 
 
 Read the ‘Testimonials of the Press.” 
 
 HACK LINE AND FARE. 
 
 We fully realize that the distance from the railroad is a 
 serious drawvack, but henceforth we will be better prepared than 
 
 _ ever before to overcome difficulties incident thereto. With the 
 
4 
 
 Hotel leased to one person and the Hack Line in the hands of 
 another, as heretofore, these difficulties have been aggravated 
 rather than obviated. Henceforth the Hotel andthe Hack Line 
 will be under the same management, which will cure some of 
 the above evils. We will have a hack leaving Gainesville 
 every Saturday in the year except during December, January 
 and February; during June and September, every Tuesday 
 and Saturday; and during July and August every Tuesday, 
 Thursday and Saturday. During the height of the season, 
 July and August, the hack will go up one day and down the 
 next—not running on Sabbath. We will charge for each 
 passenger from Gainesville to the Springs $250 and the same 
 returning—children under ten years half price. This entitles 
 each passenger to fifty pounds of baggage; and for all in ex- 
 cess of that weight, we will charge at the rate of one dollar 
 per hundred pounds. These are the rates for our own Hack 
 Line on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and we ask all our 
 patrons to pass up on these days, and to pass down on the alter- 
 nate days. We will insure transportation as above, and the bet- 
 ter to enable us to work up to this engagement, we ask our pat- 
 rons to notify us by mail, when practicable, a few days in advance 
 as to the day on which they will need seats. Where our Hack 
 is not able to carry all desiring passage our driver will secure 
 additional transportation at the same rates. jis 
 
 The young gentleman in charge of the Hack Line is worthy 
 of confidence and respect. During the first few years we have 
 not been so situated as to enable us to put the Hack Line on a 
 proper basis, and our patrons were not in every instance shown 
 the consideration due them. Ladies and children traveling 
 alone will be duly cared for. 
 
 Where there are three or more passengers there will be no 
 difficulty in obtaining Hacks if desired from any of the stables 
 in Gainesville at any time for from four to six dollars per day, 
 and most comfortable carriages can also be had for the trip on 
 reasonable terms. But we will have a comfortable vehicle, and, 
 with it and such additional teams as may be called in from time 
 to time, we hope to be able to accommodate all passengers com- 
 fortably. If our patrons coming up have occasion to use other 
 Hacks than ours we advise them not to buy return tickets, for 
 the reason that we have in the past had some difficulty in keep- 
 ing Hackmen who felt no interest in the Hotel reminded of 
 such engagements. And we will give our patrons another piece 
 of advice—don’t listen to every Boarding House or Hotel Drum- 
 mer who seeks to inform you how bad and how dangerous the roads 
 are. Read both the editorials of the Brunswick Advertiser-Ap- 
 peal about what he saw of the methods resorted to in Gaines- 
 ville to keep persons in that town—you will find them on another 
 page. One other point, by way of aiding our patrons in reach- 
 ing here—stop in Gainesville at a Hotel that 7s willing for you to 
 
~ 
 
 9) 
 
 come and will not seek to obstruct you by refusing our driver 
 access to your rooms when you wish tosee him, or by refusing 
 to give you an early breakfast to get off in the cool of the morn- 
 
 ing. Stop at the Arlington Hotel, on the Public Square, which 
 
 promises to expedite passengers for Porter Springs in every pos-= 
 sible way. Our Hack starts from that Hotel. 
 
 - MEDICAL PROPERTIES AND EFFECTS OF THE WATER: 
 
 The Porter Springs water has from the time of its discovery 
 
 in 1868 been considered the best and strongest chalybeate water in 
 the State. It is alterative, tonic, eutrophic, diuretic, and some- 
 times aperient in its action. It enriches the blood, increases 
 the appetite, promotes digestion, gives tone and energy to the 
 muscles and nerves, and invigorates the entire organism. 
 . The great tonic properties of this water are due in a great 
 measure to the large proportion of iron which it contains, and 
 which, of all metals, is the most congenial with the organism, 
 and produces the most’ beneficial results, especially in diseases 
 of anemia or debility. The preparations of iron found in the 
 drug stores are pronounced by the highest medical authority to 
 be pre eminently tonic. It is, however, a fact now distinctly re- 
 cognized by the enlightened medical men of the age, that medi- 
 cinal ingredients diffused in mineral waters possess curative 
 virtues which do not belong to any artificial preparation. Upon 
 this subject Wood and Bache’s U. 8. Dispensatory, the great au- 
 thority upon questions of this nature, remarks: ‘A therapeu- 
 tical agent may in one form be introduced gradually into the 
 current of the circulation, and thus produce important altera- 
 tive effects, while in another it may create irritation of the 
 stomach without being absorbed, and thus prove mischievous. 
 A case in point is furnisled by natural mineral waters, which, 
 though generally containing a minute proportion of saline mat- 
 ter, often produce remedial effects which cannot be obtained by 
 their constitutents given in larger doses.” 
 
 One of the most scientific as well as most successful and 
 most prominent physicians of Virginia (Dr. M. H. Houston, late 
 physician to Randolph Macon College) in an article for the Vir- 
 ginia Medical Journal on mineral water remarked : 
 
 “It may be said, however, of all mineral waters, that an- 
 alysis can never reveal the combinations upon which their effi- 
 cacy depends; in fact, the very process of analysis may break 
 up combinations, formed in the laboratory of nature, which the 
 best skill of the chemist can never detect, and which identical 
 combinations may impart to them their most valuable proper- 
 ties. 
 
 In the light of this opinion, so generally entertained by 
 those who possess the highest scientific attainments, and in the 
 light of the further fact that all chemists bow in ignorance to 
 what they call “catalysis,” it becomes all important for invalids 
 
6 
 
 / 
 
 ~when selecting a place for health to ascertain the medicinal 
 | properties and effects of the water not from some chemist’s cer- 
 tificate of analysis but from well authenticated cures. By ref- 
 -erence to the “Testimonials of the Press” herewith submitted it 
 will be seen that <mple experience in the use of Porter Springs 
 water in a vast number of cases has fully established its great 
 remedial and curative powers in many of the most serious and 
 obstinate diseases that afflict the human race. 
 
 As a remedy in ANEMIA, SCROFULA, NEURALGIA, DYSPEPSIA, 
 LIVER DISEASE, MALADIES PECULIAR TO FEMALES, and in general 
 for all diseases caused by POVERTY OF THE BLOOD OR DEBILITY OF 
 THE NEVOUS SysTEM, the Porter Springs water is unrivaled. In 
 all chronic functional diseases of the urinary and sexual organs in both 
 sexes, the decided diuretic action of this water and its invigorat- 
 ing influence, both upon the general system and the organs im- 
 mediately involved, make it a remedy of wnequalled utility and 
 power. . 
 fi On this subject we refer to the two letters to be found on 
 pages 11 and 13, from Rev. Dr. McKee, who discovered this water 
 and to the opinion of Dr. Underwood, therein given. 
 
 There are comparatively very few of the vast number who 
 annually resort to springs for relief from diseases in which med- 
 ical science has proved unavaling, who would not derive great 
 benefit from the use of this water at some stage of the treat- 
 ment of their maladies. Even in cases of gout, rheumatism, 
 and diseases of the abdominal viscera, in which the Ther- 
 mal of Sulphur Springs might be indicated to begin treatment 
 with, invalids would find it greatly to their advantage, when all 
 diseases should be removed from their systems, to strengthen 
 themselves and re-establish health upon a firm foundation by 
 the use of this great tonic water. 
 
 The following remarks by Dr. J&mes Johnson, of London, 
 one of the most eminent medical men of the British empire, 
 apply as well to the American as to the German Mineral 
 Springs: “ The Saline Springs of Germany are qualified to break 
 down and expel the rotten and decayed parts of the constitu- 
 tion, but they can seldom build up or repair the vacant places. 
 The Chalybeate Springs unite the principles of conservatism and 
 reform, and are calculated to preserve the original constitution, 
 and to re-form those portions which have been pulled down and 
 extruded by waters of the Saline class.” \ 
 
 AS A STRONG AND PURE CHALYBEATE WATER, PoRTER SPRINGS 
 HAS NO EQUAL AMONG THE MINERAL SPRINGS, and there are vast 
 multitudes now suffering more from debility than any other 
 cause, and perhaps classed as incurable invalids, who would be 
 rapidly restored to health and happiness by the use of this 
 grand remedy of Nature’s own preparation. Invalids whose 
 constitutions have been broken down by acute or chronic dis- 
 eases, by excessive physical or mental labor, by residence in 
 
7 
 
 vanhealthy localities, or by irregular habits of life, may confi- 
 dently expect to re gain health and strength from this medici- 
 nal fountain ; while the beautiful scenery, invigorating climate, 
 and ample facilities for pleasant recreation, will be found de- 
 lightful accessories to the invigorating properties of the mineral 
 water. 
 
 Hence, the opinion of Dr. Johnson, above given, is valuable 
 ‘to Porter Springs, and should cause all who get partial relief 
 ‘from Sulphur water in middle and lower Georgia, and in 
 Florida, to come to Porter Springs to rebuild their shattered 
 constitutions. 
 
 LIFE PROLONGED TWENTY YEARS, 
 
 Sir Henry Hoiuanp, for many years Puysicran to the 
 ‘Qouren oF EnGranD, and certainly one of the most renowned of 
 all the British Doctors, said in his work, “The Recollections of 
 -a Past Life,” (published when he was eighty-three years old,) 
 that he had made it a rule of his life toespend two months of 
 every year away from his place of business—away from the at- 
 mosphere in which he lived--away from the cares and struggles 
 -of 1ife ; and gave it as his opinion, based on the observations of 
 his life long practice of medicine, that such a course, if gener- 
 -ally adopted would, on an average, prolong the human life twenty 
 years. Persons wishing to “PRoLonG”’ should spend their vaca- 
 _tion in an atmosphere as different as possible from that in 
 which they live. Atmosphere is controlled by altitude—there- 
 fore, change from the Malarial belt to Porter Springs. 
 
 ALTITUDE OF PORTER SPRINGS, 3000 FEET! 
 
 The wild and beautiful Cove in which Porter Springs is 
 located is more elevated than the top of Lookout Mountain in 
 Tennessee, the White Sulphur Springs in Virginia, or the 
 Warm Springs in North Carolina—and three times as elevated 
 as Kansas City, Missouri; Omaha, Nebraska, or St. Paul, Min- 
 nesota.—See StaTistican ATLAS, published by authority of the 
 -Government—the HicguEst Scientiric AUTHORITY in AMERICA. 
 
 OZONE BATHS—ONE MILE HIGH! 
 
 By reading the ‘Testimonials of the Press” you will see 
 how universally the “cnvigorating atmosphere” is commented on 
 by writers, but you will find no solution of the cause. It is the 
 “Ozone, (Oxigen ina highly electro negative state) of the atmosphere 
 that produces this effect. Ozonz and Mauarta are hostile and 
 do not and cannot exist together, the former existing only by 
 virtue of altitude. It is Ozone that makes the air in the Higher 
 Mountains so exhilaratifig that invalids are enabled by its 
 stimulating properties to climb the heights with an ease aston- 
 ishing to themselves and their friends at home. 
 
8 
 
 The Chemical Composition of the air on the Heights. 
 around Porter Springs is materially different from that of lower 
 Georgia by reason of its electro-negative condition evolving Ozone. 
 Stone Pitre Pavition in front of Hotel, four hundred feet more 
 elevated, and OzoNE CLIFF in rear of Hotel, at the gable end of 
 Cedar Mountain, with a perpendicular wall of one thousand feet 
 are favorable points for inhaling Ozone—or, as the term now 
 goes, taking “Ozone Baths,” (remember these baths are free). 
 As to the altitude and climate of Porter Springs, we refer to- 
 “STaTisTicaL ATLAS,” published by authority of the U. S. Goy- 
 ERNMENT, and prepared by highest Scientific Authority in. 
 America. 
 
 SABBATH DAY—RELIGIOUS SERVICES. 
 
 While it is our wish to afford every possible amusement. 
 during the week we try to “remember the Sabbath.” By the- 
 liberal contributions of the guests, supplemented by our own 
 feeble efforts, quite a nice little Church has been built in front. 
 of the Hotel, on the prémises, on a lot donated by the original 
 owner of the property immediately after the discovery of the 
 Springs; and, in compliment to the originators of the scheme, . 
 who were Methodists, it was established a Methodist Church 
 and Dedicated accordingly ; but is practically Union, and open to- 
 all. The circuit is a Mission Circuit and the minister on the Mis- 
 sion supplies us only once a month, but we usually succeed in. 
 having services every Sabbath in the summer. Those attend- - 
 ing church are afforded opportunity to contribute for the benefit . 
 of the Preacher in charge, and all contributions are paid over to 
 him when he comes round. The Religious Services on Sabbath 
 do not in any way disturb those not interested therein and as. 
 much may be said of the Amusements of the Week. 
 
 WILD INDIAN WIGWAM ON CHESTATEE. 
 
 These springs were used by the Cherokee Indians, as tradi- 
 tion gives it, and the cures effected by the water caused them to: 
 hold it in sacred reverance as medicine water, and even now there 
 are a few straggling Indians who come over from the Cherokee 
 reservation, in North Carolina, about one hundred miles distant, 
 to drink the water, and while here make and sell baskets. 
 
 These Indians have their Camp two or three miles distant. 
 on the banks of the Chestatee, and for a description of the In- — 
 dians, the Wigwam, etc., etc., we refer to a letter on page 18,. 
 from Prof. Chappell, of Columbus, Ga., published in the En- 
 quirer. 
 
 TRAHLEETAH—THE QUEEN OF THE MOUNTAINS. 
 
 “Stone-pile Gap,” a gorge in the mountain, where the pub-- 
 lic road crosses, only a few hundred yards above the springs, 
 took its name from the Indian mound immediately in the gap, 
 
9 
 
 érected over the grave of Trahleetah, the daughter of one Indian 
 Chieftain, and the captive wife of another. 
 
 There is a beautiful Indian legend about Trahleetah’s cap- 
 ture at the springs, her life with her captor, her death and her 
 burial at Stone-pileGap. And even to this day the passing Chero- 
 kee stops and with religious solemnity depositsa stone upon her 
 grave, though it bears unmistakeable evidence of having been 
 desecrated by the Christian pale faces. 
 
 AMUSEMENTS, ETC. 
 
 TEN-PIN ALLEY—BILLIARD TABLES—BATH ROOMS—PAVILIONS— 
 PLEASURE DRIVES—ETC.,, ETC. : 
 
 Not only are the advantages at Porter Springs unequaled - 
 as to water, climate and scenery, but, also, in point of amusements 
 there is nothing in the State to equal it. There is a good ten- 
 pin alley, two good billiard tables, twelve bath rooms, (and 
 those for ladies are provided with nice dressing rooms). There 
 are also pavilions, croquet grounds, etc. .Also a fine piano in 
 ladies’ parlor. Everything will be done to make children happy— 
 and men and women are but grown up children. 
 
 All these facilities for amusement are free to guests, and 
 open to no others on any terms. It is expected that guests 
 playing billiards will keep their own games; those rolling ten- 
 pins, will put up their own pins; and bathers will furnish 
 their own towels and soap. We have found that most persons 
 prefer to use their own soap, bath towels, and sponges, and a 
 good stock of these will be kept at the store, for sale to guests. 
 While baths are thus free to all, yet invalids who need the aid 
 of a servant, and any who desire such service, with soap, tow- 
 els, sponges, etc., can be supplied and attended by servants, ata 
 single bath for twenty-five cents, or eight for a dollar, (in ad- 
 vance). : 
 
 PROMENADES AND DRIVES. 
 
 For those fond of promenading, or of taking extended 
 walks, there are pavilions erected at eligible points, for rest- 
 ing and gazing upon the beautiful scenery around, and in which 
 to seek shelter from sudden showers. 
 
 For those who desire pleasure rides, there will be convey- 
 _ ances always at hand, at reasonable prices. There are several 
 
 beautiful drives up the mountains, and along their crests, which 
 have been graded, at heavy expense, for pleasure riding. See 
 what the editor of the Brunswick Advertiser- Appeal says of the 
 ride up the Chestatee River to Blood Mountain, on another page. 
 
 STONE PILE MOUNTAIN—TOP PAVILION 
 
 Is in full view from the Hotel and is half a mile distant, ‘‘as 
 
 the crow flies,’ or one mile by the road. Few guests fail to 
 
 visit this pavilion, and none should fail. The graphic pen of 
 2 
 
10 
 Prof. Chappell, of Columbus, Ga., having paid its respects to 
 
 Stone Pile, under the inspiration of the Scenery, we content 
 ourselves with referring the reader to his letter on page 18. 
 
 Do read it! 
 HUNTING AND FISHING 
 
 Is close at hand, for those who are willing to encounter the 
 steeps of the mountains. The mountain streams abound in de- 
 licious red speckled brook trout, socommon in New England, 
 but streams are so precipitous, and banks so hemmed in with 
 laurel and ivy, that ladies cannot well indulge in the sport of 
 catching mountain trout. 
 
 Immediately around the Springs there are squirrels, par- 
 tridges, pheasants, etc., and a few turkeys and deer. i 
 
 Parties for hunting and fishing can be fitted up at any time, 
 to go on acamp hunt into an elevated table land on top of the 
 Blue Ridge, with an altitude of about 4,000 feet, commencing 
 four miles from the Springs, and embracing a country ten or 
 twelve miles long, and six or eight wide, called “Canada,” where 
 they will find fishing and hunting finer than at any other point 
 in the mountains of Georgia. This table land is on top of the 
 Blue Ridge, and is the Switzerland of America. They can there 
 catch as fine red speckled brook trout as are found in New Eng- 
 land. 
 
 An interesting editorial from the Atlanta Constitution on 
 the Red Speckled Brook Trout and Porter Springs climate will 
 be found on page 18. The road to this fishing country is in 
 part the same as to Blood Mountain so well described by the edi- 
 tor of the Brunswick Advertiser-Appeal on another page, which 
 will be found interesting. 
 
 PORTER SPRINGS FISH POND. 
 
 We hope within a year or two more to bring our Fish Ponds 
 up to the full requirements of the Hotel. We have as yet not 
 been able to furnish the table except occasionally with carp and 
 have a few times permitted our guests to indulge in the sport of 
 catching five and ten pound German Carp in the Ponds, but this 
 is only indulged in as yet occasionally. Asa table fish the uni- 
 versal verdict of our guests last summer was that it is very fine. 
 See Testimonials of the Press on Carp and Trout. 
 
 JERSEY HERD. rae 
 
 Finding it impossible to obtain a supply of pure milk for the 
 table in any other way we resorted to the JeERsEY and now have 
 a herd of our own on the premises yielding a supply. We have 
 paid to the farmers in the neighborhood as much as five hundred 
 dollars per season for milk and it does seem that they could bring 
 us pure milk for the prices paid, but some of them did not. Now, 
 with our own Jerseys, we promise our guests pure and rich 
 milk. : 
 
A 
 
 TESTIMONIALS OF THE PRESS. 
 
 Letter from Rey. JosEPH MCKEE, M.D., Presbyterian minister, of Dawson Co., Ga., 
 to the Methodist Advocate, September, 1870. Copied into the Mountain Signal, 
 September 30, 1870. ¢ 
 [Knowing our correspondent, Rev. J. McKee, to be reliable, we publish over his 
 
 ionature the following remarkable statements. We have belore heard wonderful 
 ounts of these healing waters.—iD. ADVOCATE, 
 
 . Ep. Apvocare—Two years ago, while traveling in Lumpkin county, I 
 discovered a chalybeate spring on the plantation of B.S. Porter, that I 
 then supposed to be the richest mineral water that I had ever seen. Not 
 then haying time to spare, I returned aftewards and spent several days e&- 
 amining and analyzing it in my own way, and finally came to the conclu- 
 sien that I was correct in my former opinion. When I became fully satis- 
 fied respecting the medical qualities of the water, I made a full report to 
 the owner, Mr. Porter, and to others around the neighborhood. These 
 springs—called Porter Springs—are located at the foot of a spur of Cedar 
 Mountain, seven miles north of Dahlonega, in a direct line. My friend, 
 Rey. Wm, Tate, a Baptist minister—who accompanied me a part of the 
 time I spent in testing the water—having cleared away, to the depth of 
 three feet, all the mud and trash that had accumulated in the Spring, came 
 to a wall of thin rocks around it, that had been set there by hand, which 
 would seem to indicate that the Spring had been used for medical or other 
 purposes probably thousands of years ago. This water issues clear as 
 crystal, in sufficient quantity, winter and summer, to supply the demands 
 of one thousand people. The water appears to be invested with extraor- 
 dinary powers by the beneficent Creator, adapted to ameliorate and heal 
 nearly all the diseases incident to mankind, especially chronic maladies, 
 which defy the skill of the physicians. As Ido not want any one to think 
 that I am more learned than I really am, I will not use medical or techni- 
 cal terms, or say anything about the elementary principles contained in 
 the water, as developed by the process of analyzation, but simply state 
 facts Asa tree is known by its fruits, the Spring will be known by the 
 effects it has produced, some of which are the following: 
 
 G. B. Forbes was afflicted with dyspepsia and rheumatic pains for four 
 years, to such a degree that he was reduced to a mere skeleton, and was 
 hardly able to move about on crutches. By using the water he was per- 
 fectly cured. He is now attending to his worldly business, enjoying as 
 good health as any man of his age. 
 
 Lemuel Robinson had a sore leg for seven years. Every remedy he 
 applied seemed only to aggravate the disease. During the last three years 
 he was hardly able to move about, and not able to do one day’s work. By 
 the use of the water he was perfectly cured in a few weeks. 
 
 R. MeDonand was afilicted with a disease of the spinal marrow and 
 affection of the kidneys, to such a degree that for three years he had not 
 been able to do one days work on his farm. By using the Spring he was 
 perfectly cured, and now enjoys good health. 
 
 J. Mahaffy, of Fannin county, was covered with the leprosy, which had 
 
 been of long standing, and which defied the skill of the physicians. By 
 
 about three weeks use of the water he was perfectly cured, and his strength 
 returned and his skin became as natural as a child’s. 
 
 Rey. Wm. Tate, by exposure to cold, lost the power of his left side, 
 arm aid’leg. He suffered under this affliction for six years, which in- 
 creased in malignity to such a degree that he was hardly able to go about 
 on crutches. Eight days’ use of the water effected a complete cure—him:- 
 self being judge in the case, 
 
12 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Tate suffered thirty-three years under a disease that caused 
 an excrutiating pain in her left side and breast. During her affliction she 
 called in the aid of eleven physicisns, none of whom could afford the least 
 relief. Rey. Mr Tate, her husband, carried water to her from the Spring, ~ 
 three miles, three times a week, by the drinking of which she was ¢ a 
 and is now a healthy woman. 
 
 Mrs. Lydia Stover, of White county, was so afflicted with rheumatic 
 pains that she could not walk across the floor of her house, nor reach her 
 hand to her head. This water cured her. . @ 
 
 T. Jackson suffered great affliction for eight years from rheumatism.: 
 He could go about only on crutches, and then very imperfectly. Aftey 
 the water three weeks, he threw his crutches away, and is now perfectly 
 well. 2 
 Wn. M. Patton, Justice of the Peace in Lumpkin county, was so afflict- 
 ed,with dyspepsia for four years that he was almost reduced to a skeleton, 
 and scarcely able to move about. By using the water he was perfectly 
 cured, and now resides one mile from the Springs, a stout, healthy man. — 
 
 Thomas Lynn, of Fannin county, was afflicted twelve years with piles 
 of the most obstinate description. Three weeks’ use of the water subdued 
 and totally removed the disease. 
 
 Nathan Wilkins, living near the Springs, was afflicted for the last 
 twenty years with dropsy, which was so obstinate that no physician he 
 called in could cure him. The use of the water of Porter Springs accom- 
 plished a complete cure. 
 
 Albert Mullinax, of White county, was afflicted many years with drop- 
 sy. Perhaps it was one of the most frightful cases ever seen by man. His 
 legs, abdomen, breast, neck and face were swollen to an enormous degree. 
 He must have measured at least ten feet in circumference around the waist. 
 He came to Porter Springs, and continued the use of the water four weeks. 
 The swelling subsided, little by little, till at last every symptom of the dis- 
 ease disappeared. His strength returned ; he assumed as handsome a form, 
 proportion and appearance as any man in the county. Before he left the 
 Spring he could leap, run, wrestle, carry a burden, or perform any exercise 
 that any ordinary man could. The coat that he wore when he came to the 
 Spring would button around both him and his brother at once when he 
 left. He was transported with joy when he left the Spring. 
 
 Matthew McDonald was afflicted with a dreadful headache for seven 
 or eight years past, supposed to have grown out of a deranged state of the 
 stomach and liver. He says he has been so perfectly cured by drinking 
 the water that he has not had the slightest vestige of a headache for the 
 last six months. . 
 
 Daniel Fowler, Ordinary for Dawson county, was twelve years afflicted 
 with a disease of the kidneys. No physician or remedy employed by him 
 did anything in the way of removing, but rather aggravated the disease. 
 Sometimes the pain was so great, and his bodily strength so exhausted, 
 that he was not able to walk without his crutches. He went to Porter 
 Springs last year, and used the water, which so effectually removed the 
 disease that he felt no more pain from that quarter. 
 
 Mrs. James Bennett, of Dawson county, has been afflicted with leucor- 
 rheea (whites) eighteen years. During that time she called in the aid of 
 seven or eight physicians, at great expense, none of whom did anything 
 except to aggravate the malignity of the disease She had a barrel of 
 water hauled from the Spring to her house, and she declared to me that 
 she received more benefit from that water than from all the other remedies 
 and doctors for the last eighteen years. 
 
 Thomas Clarke, a young man, was so afflicted with a disease of the 
 spinal marrow that he could not walk without crutches. Then his steps 
 were about sixinches ling. His father, being a wealthy man, called in the 
 most eminent physicians he could hear of, who charged him large sums of 
 
18 
 
 money for their prescriptions—and all to no effect, except to increase the 
 disease. He came to the Spring on crutches. The first effect of the water 
 
 - was to produce a row of running sores along the whole length of the back- 
 
 bone. These sores immediately healed up; his natural strength returned. 
 He threw“away his crutches, and before he left the Spring he could run, 
 jump, wrestle or carry a burden as well as any person of his age, weight 
 and size. 
 
 Wm. A. McCoy, of Franklin, Macon county, N. C., was six years af- 
 flicted with a sore legg which grew out of a severe attack of typhus fever. 
 The sore was about fifteen inches long and eight inches broad, black as a 
 polished boot, with several running sores. The water healed all the run- 
 ning sores, removed the blackness, and brought the skin to its natural 
 color, and in fact effected a complete cure, I saw the leg, and have the 
 statement from the man’s own mouth. ” 
 
 James McCoy, from the same place, and a brother of W. A., was eight 
 years afflicted with the effects of milk sickness. His body and limbs were 
 covered with swellings and running sores. His strength was so reduced 
 that he could hardly move on crutches. The use of the water, by drinking 
 and by external application, removed all the swelling, healed all the run- 
 ning sores, and restored him to health and strength. He threw his crutches 
 away, and before he left the Spring he could run, leap or carry a burden 
 as well as any other man of his weight and size. I saw him pick up a barrel 
 of flour on his shoulders, and walk off with it as if nothing had ever been 
 wrong with him. I received from his own mouth what I have just related. 
 
 Tf any one should doubt the truth of what I have related concerning 
 the two brothers, he can drop a line to one of them in Franklin, N. C. 
 
 Tf what I have stated above is not sufficient to prove to entire satisfac- 
 tion that the water of these Springs has extraordinary medicinal virtues, I 
 can produce about seventy-five other instances of cures that have been 
 performed, principally ladies. It appears to me that the water will either 
 mitigate or entirely cure almost all the diseases peculiar to women. I have 
 not heard of a single case of an invalid attending the Spring who was not 
 improved or entirely cured. I write for the benefit of the afflicted, and not 
 for speculating purposes. I live in Dawson county, and not in Lumpkin. 
 I do not own the Springs ; I have no pecuninary interest in them. 
 
 JOSEPH McKEE. 
 
 Second letter from Dr. MCKEE to the Mountain Signal (Dahlonega), June 8, 1872. 
 
 Mer. Epitor—Believing that every discovery that may be useiul to the 
 cheicpmanty ought to be made public, I send you a few additional particu- 
 lars concerning Porter Springs, in Lumpkin county, Ga. Though every 
 particular in my former communication concerning the cure of disease is 
 strictly and literally true, some criticisms have been made on the account 
 given of Albert Mullinax, who was cured of dropsy. I stated that he 
 
 . measured about ten feet around the waist. If this measure is incredible, per- 
 
 haps his weight may not be. I now say that, when he came to the Springs, 
 he weighed 400 pounds, and when he left he weighed only one hundred and 
 
 forty pounds, the use of the Springs having dislodged 260 pounds of water, 
 
 effecting a complete cure. Of this there are many eye-witnesses, among 
 
 -whom are Rev. Wm. Tate and Dr. Howard, of Dahlonega. 
 
 Osborn Adams, of Gordon county, some three years ago, had an attack 
 of typhoid fever, which left behind it a train of diseases, including dropsy , 
 dyspepsia, diarrhcea, disease of the kidneys, and general debility, which 
 reduced him to a mere skeleton. He employed three physicians at an ex- 
 pense of $200, who, after other experiments in the healing art, compelled 
 him to take enormous doses of calomel within the space of twenty-eight 
 days. This treatment, as might be expected, brought him to the verge of 
 the grave. When the last vestige of hope of his recovery was about to ex- 
 pire, Mr, Adams resolved to visit Porter Springs. He was so weak at this 
 
14 
 
 time that he could scarcely walk thirty yards, and had to be lifted into a 
 wagon. Ten days’ use of the Spring removed every symptom of disease, 
 so that he went home perfectly cured, and resumed his work in a saddler’s © 
 shop, as if nothing had ever been wrong with him. b 
 
 Mr. W. Jarrett, of Gordon county, suffered from liver’ complaint and 
 general debility, more or less, for over thirty years. During this time he 
 called in the aid of twelve physicians ata large expense, whose services — 
 only tended to exasperate the malignity of the disease. Mr. Jarrett, find- 
 ing his bodily strength constantly declining, resolved to visit the Springs. 
 He did so, and ten days’ use of the water, he says, did more to restore him 
 than the twelve physicians in thirty years. When he was about to start 
 for home he told me he was perfectly cured. : 
 
 Joseph Underwood, ppstmaster at Orange, Cherokee county, Ga., who 
 has been a practicing physician thirty years, told me a few months ago, that 
 he suffered terribly for the last fifteen years under chronic inflammation of 
 the liver, with extreme costiveness. He visited the Springs and made a 
 liberal use of the water for about two months, which removed the last ves-. 
 tige of his disease. When leaving the Springs he told me he never had 
 better health. Dr. Underwood being a christian, and of a benevolent dis- 
 position, intimated to me that he wished the facts of his case to be made 
 known for the benefit of the public. 
 
 Truman K. Smith, of Walton county, was for a long time afflicted with 
 a disease of the kidneys, and inflammation of the bladder, and stricture. 
 He called in the aid of three doctors, whose services afforded no relief 
 whatever. Four weeks’ use of the Spring, however, removed eyery symp- 
 tom of the diseases. 
 
 David T. Holloway, of Walton county, was afflicted for the last two 
 years with a disease of the liver, of the kidneys, and with piles. During 
 this time he employed three doctors, whose services only exasperated the 
 diseases. By a liberal use of the water (three gallons a day according to 
 his own account) for four weeks, all the bad symptoms disappeared. en 
 he was about to start home he told me he was perfectly cured. 
 
 A. W. Bagby, of Cherokee’county, was afflicted with a disease of the 
 kidneys, as to render him unfit for his worldly business. He employed 
 several physicians, under whose treatment he grew worse. He came to 
 Porter Springs, and by a liberal use of the water he was perfectly cured. 
 I received this information from his own mouth a few days before he left 
 the Springs. 
 
 The water of the Spring, after a few days’ use, becomes so palatable 
 and pleasant that one dislikes to drink any other. It may be taken in 
 large quantities without producing the least uneasiness or inconyenience. 
 The quantity drank per day by invalids varies from two quarts to three 
 gallons. Itis powerfully exhilarating, and has a tendency to remove gloomy 
 and melancholy dispositions. This it does by correcting the viscid state of 
 the blood, which is the cause of these dismal affections of the mind. Dr. 
 Underwood, Jr.,; on perceiving that it possessed this quality in a high de- 
 gree, expressed the opinion to me that it was intoxicating. After a short 
 discussion on the subject, however, I convinced him that, though it was 
 highly exhilarating,.it did not produce, no matter in what quantity taken, 
 any of the deleterious effects of ardent spirits. 
 
 It is both a tonic and a diuretic, acting powerfully on the liver and 
 kidneys, and perhaps it is the best cure yet discovered for seminal weakness 
 of every aescription in both sexes. Dr. Underwood says there is nothing yet 
 discovered equal to it for cwring all the diseases peculiar to women. ae it 
 does not cure all the diseases above alluded to, it is because sufficient 
 quantity is not taken, and there is not the least danger to be apprehended 
 from drinking too much of it. } JOSEPH McKEE, 
 
 The cures effected at Porter Springs each and every summer are as re- 
 
15 
 
 markable as those enumerated in these letters. The chemical anyalysis 
 made at the Springs, by Rev. Joseph McKee, M.D., at the time of his dis- 
 covery of them, and his predictions then made as to the value of the water, 
 have been abundantly sustained by well authenticated cures every summer, 
 from their discovery up to the present time. See the editorial of the Gaines- 
 ville Southron, eight years after these letters by Rev. Dr. McKee below. 
 
 S0@- Read the above and hand it to your invalid neighbor. 
 
 Letter from G. R. PARK, Methodist minister, to the Mountain Signal (Dahlonega), 
 June 8, 1872. 
 
 Mr. Enitor—About three years ago there was discovered, some ten 
 miles north of Dahlonega, Lumpkin county, Ga., a spring of most remark- 
 able curative properties. That it has not attained greater notoriety is 
 owing to the fact that itis the property of orphan children. So, mindful 
 of the injunction ‘‘ To do good, and to communicate, forget not,’’ I desire 
 to direct the attention of the diseased to this promising refuge for health. 
 
 Many persons, variously diseased, have resorted to the waters of this 
 Spring since its discovery'in 1868, and have been permanently cured. I 
 have learned facts with reference to its sanitary virtues so authentic as to 
 convince me that no spring ever before discovered has wrought so many 
 marvelous cures within so short a time. 
 
 Brother Quillian, my predecessor in this circuit, has a brother who 
 was distressingly afflicted with dyspepsia, so much so that he was reduced 
 to a mere skeleton. He visited this Spring, and using its waters for six 
 weeks, was entirely cured. During his stay he gained one pound a day 
 until his weight ran up to one hundred and fifty pounds. Subsequently to 
 leaving he gained ten pounds more. He says his “‘ flesh became as the 
 flesh of a child,’’ and he continues to enjoy excellent health. 
 
 A young man sorely afflicted with rheumatism, went to this Spring on 
 crutches. In about three weeks his disease seemed to be eradicated from 
 his system, and he could run, leap and lift equally well with men in health. 
 
 Another, diseased by spinal disease, after three or four weeks’ use of 
 this wonderful water, was enabled to discard his crutches, and was as act- 
 ive as any ordinary sound man. 
 
 Still another, enormously swollen with dropsy, was speedily reduced 
 to his proper dimensions by the use of this water. 
 
 These instances, among many others, have been reported to me upon 
 such reliable authority as to place their credibility beyond all question. 
 Brother Dodge, presiding elder of the Dahlonega District, told me of an old 
 man who had a malignant sore on his foot, of several years’ standing, upon 
 which physicians had exhausted their skill to no purpose, who was speed- 
 ily cured by the use of this water. Brother D. recommends the Springs 
 highly, and gives it as his opinion that the only reason why so many go 
 away not thoroughly cured is that they presume upon the wonderful im- 
 provement they experience in a little while, and leaye too soon. 
 
 I have not the slightest interest in this property, and in calling atten- 
 tion to what I regard as this ‘‘ Wonderful Spring,’’ I have been impelled 
 solely by the hope that I might be the means of doing the afflicted good. 
 
 Washington, Wilkes Co.,, Ga. ‘ G. R. PARK. 
 
 Editorial of the Gainesville Southron, May 7th, 1878. 
 
 There has never been a grander scene in any country on earth than we 
 beheld on Saturday, the 14th day of April last year. Here around Gainesville 
 vegetation was well advanced, and under a bright and burning sun every- 
 ‘thing looked as in mid summer, while to the north the Blue Ridge moun- 
 tains loomed up in full view for fifty miles to the right and left of Porter 
 Springs, covered with one unbroken sheet of snow. These same moun- 
 tains were snow-clad twice last,month, and there was a slight frost at Por- 
 ter Springs only a week ago—May Ist. 
 
18 
 
 The climate at Porter Springs (the altitude of that point being about 
 3,000 feet above sea level) and the mountain scenery would of themselves 
 make it a popular summer resort; but its chief feature is its remarkable 
 mineral water. Hundreds of astonishing cures have been made by that 
 water which are almost incredible, except to those who have been eye wit- 
 nesses. Here, in Gainesville, we see the invalids as they go there, and we 
 see the same people return in a few weeks perfectly cured, which affords us 
 an ocular demonstration which there is no mistaking. 
 
 Two summers ago, about the lst of July, we saw at the Piedmont, en 
 route for Porter Springs, a gentleman and his family from New Orleans. 
 The gentleman was named Brown. He.was dreadfully afflicted with dropsy, 
 and ueighed over three hundred pounds. He and his family spent the sum- 
 mer at Porter Springs, and returned about the 1st of October on their way 
 home, a happy tamily. He was perfectly cured, and weighed only about one 
 
 hundred and seventy-five pounds—having lost nearly ene hundred and fifty ; 
 
 pounds in weight. And duringthe same summer a young man named Powe 
 
 (then connected with the house of Williams & Co., of Atlanta), passed 
 through here going to Porter Springs, so badly drawn up with rheumatism 
 that it was very difficult for him to walk, and yet that man returned within 
 two weeks perfectly cured, and walking as well as any man. And last sum- 
 
 mer a Miss Mills, of Galveston, Texas, passed through going to Porter ~ 
 
 Springs. She was suffering with rheumatism, and could-not walk even with 
 crutches, and after a few weeks she returned able to walk as any one, and 
 had entirely discarded her crutches. There was a remarkable case of rhet- 
 matism (sciatica), from Appleton, 8. C., which caused considerable com- 
 ment. The gentleman’s name was I. M. Walker, a merchant at Appleton, 
 S. C., and he had been bed-ridden for months, and the doctors could do 
 nothing for him. He could scarcely walk with the aid of crutches, and had 
 to be lifted in and out of the hack. He returnd from Porter Springs in about 
 six weeks perfectly cured, had thrown away his crutches, had gained about 
 thirty-five pounds in weight, and was an erect, sprightly, fine-looking man, 
 standing about six feet full. He was about thirty or thirty-five years old, 
 and on his return seemed happy—went home and married!. There are a 
 large number of such cases every summer, and these are ocular demon- 
 strations of the value of the water which leave no room to doubt. It is 
 
 ; 
 
 7 
 
 this curative property of the water, coupled with the climate and scenery, — 
 
 that has given these Springs such wide reputation. ; 
 
 Letter from Hon. — Yonge, of Pensacola, a leading lawyer of Florida, to the Pen- 
 sacola Gazette, September 6th, 1877. 
 
 Porter Springs, Ga., Aug. 31st, 1877. 
 
 Mr. J. W. Dorr—Dear Str: As your readers may like to know some- 
 thing of ‘‘Porter Springs,’’? which have attracted so much attention during 
 the present season, I will give you a few facts concerning them. 
 
 You approach ‘‘Porter Springs’? by the Air-Line road, leaving it at 
 Gainesville, about sixty miles from Atlanta and reach the ae by stage 
 travel of thirty:miles. They are situated in the midst of the moun- 
 tains, the peaks rising to the east, north and west of the Springs, and some 
 of them being in immediate proximity of the Springs, as the Stone Pile 
 Mountains, Mineral Hill and Cedar Mountains, which rise’to an elevation 
 from six hundred to one thousand feet above the site of the hotel, which 
 is itself three thousand feet above Pensacola. This elevation as you may 
 readily imagine secures a delightful summer climate, and commends the 
 place strongly to the invalid as well as the pleasure seeker. 
 
 As a place for pleasure seekers, the chief advantage it has over other 
 places in Georgia is that it has the largest company. The company this 
 season has been chiefly from Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Lou- 
 isiana, and some from Florida and Texas. Thé amusements of all of them 
 are about the same—music, dancing, bowling alley, billiard tables, bathing 
 
te 
 
 17 
 
 and mountain drives, etc., etc, Itis true, I suppose, that the mountain 
 scenery here, and about here, is finer than elsewhere, and is really very 
 grand. The far-famed ‘‘Blood Mountain’’ is only twelve miles distant, 
 which is within one hundred feet of being the highest peak in the State, its 
 elevation being 4,670 feet. Excursions to this mountain top.are of frequent 
 occurrence, there being a good road to the foot of the mountain and the 
 extreme summit being accessible on horse back. Asa resort for invalids 
 it has the advantage of an elevation ‘considerably greater than any other 
 place, and the waters are said to be very efficacious in cases of diseases, 
 especially dropsy, rheumatism and dyspepsia. We have not been here 
 long enough to speak from actual experience as to the merits of the waters, 
 but nearly everybody here claim to have been benefited. The rheumatic 
 patients certainly have been, for when they come here on crutches and 
 soon throw them away, you have ocular proof, and this has occurred ‘this 
 season. The accommodations are as good as you can expect of as new a . 
 place as this is. They procure an abundance of milk, butter and poultry 
 and mutton from the surrounding country. 
 
 This can be made a very attractive and delightful resort, and Florida 
 people are interested in its success, as it is so much more accessible than 
 Virginia. Yours very respectfully. HERE 
 
 “Svow-Ciap Mountains 1x Srcut.—A Bravutirunt Sigur.—From the 
 observatory of the Piedmont the observer could, on Saturday last, look 
 down upon our city gardens flecked with their flowers, bright, vari-colored 
 and beautiful, the leaves and grass green and luxuriant—then by casting 
 your eye toward the northern horizon, you beheld the peaks of the Blue 
 Ridge around Porter Springs carpeted with snow. . Who can conceive of 
 a grander subject for the painter?’’—Zditorial from Gainesville Southern, 
 April 17th, 1877. 
 
 Letter from Col. W. A. Collins, of Florida, to Gainesville Southron, July 10, 1877. © 
 
 Eprrors SourHron :—This glorious morning is in truth the ‘‘bridal of 
 the earth and sky.’’ The air is a real elixir of health; cool, fresh, and ex- 
 hilerating; and over these lovely masses of verdue, which at once soothe 
 and delight the eye, a radiant light falls gentle as dew and sweet as early 
 dawn. It is aperfect vision of beauty in repose. 
 
 Our little colony variously engaged. The faint thunder of the ten-pin 
 alley comes from the vicinity of the chalybeate spring, and the light artil- 
 lery in the billiard room joins in chorous. The ladies are reading or chat- 
 ting, and a few resolute spirits have sallied forth, staff in hand, to conquer . 
 the crest of Cedar Mountain, and gaze upon the unrivaled amphitheatre 
 spreading below and beyond ; billows upon billows follow the blue horizon, 
 and holding in their embrace the most enchanting little dells and pastures, ° 
 with the village of Dahlonega nestling ‘in the midst of this magnificent 
 panorama. 
 
 This summer resort has a future. These are the nearest mountains to 
 the people in South (+eorgia and Florida. : 
 
 The altitude (3,000 feet) surpasses that of the noted Virginia Springs, 
 and there is at no time here the heat which is often felt at Rawley and 
 White Sulphur. ’ This pure, bracing air is in itself a tonic, and the keenness 
 of one’s appetite is simply marvelous. Whether it be the air or the water, 
 or both combined, which effects.such astonishing restorations to strength 
 and cheerfulness, we shall not say, but we do affirm that people who come 
 here apparently in the last stages of debility regain vigor and buoyancy of 
 spirits in a single week. There are now five persons at this place who ar- 
 rived here weak, dejected, and nearly in despair, who are now as lively, 
 hopeful and stirring as the heart could desire. One of these persons who 
 had suffered greatly from malarial fever and was so feeble that he could 
 scarcely make the journey to the springs, on the seventh day after his ar: 
 
18 
 
 rival climed a mountain 4,000 feet high and as precipitous as it could well 
 be. Could Colorado do more for invalids? ; 
 
 We have excellent fare. The table has been amply supplied with chick- 
 en, mutton, the fairy trout cf the mountains, eggs, light rolls, corn bread, 
 milk, coffee, and the fruits of the season. Those who remember the 
 ‘Jenten’’ entertainment at White Sulphur will appreciate the larder of the 
 Porter Springs. 
 
 From this point excursions can be made to the gold mining regions of 
 Dahlonega, Tallulah Falls, Toccoa, Blood Mountain. and the hunting and 
 fishing region known as ‘‘Canada.’’ We now have a daily mail, and the 
 circle of guests is steadily enlarging. The rates of board are wonderfully 
 cheap, and when the curative properties of the water and air and the rare 
 enjoyment of the perfectly matchless scenery are considered, can-any one 
 doubt that this beautiful spot will some day be one of the most popular, as 
 it is undoubtedly one of the most charming summer resorts in the South? 
 
 June 28th, 1877. W. A. Couuins. 
 
 Editorial of Atlanta Daily Constitution, October 8th, 1876. 
 
 We were shown yesterday by a gentleman just from Porter Springs, a 
 specimen of the genuine New England brook trout, which abound in the 
 mountain brooks in the victnity of Porter Springs, Lumpkin county, in this 
 State. It is perhaps the most beautiful fish found in the American waters, 
 and though common in the brooks of New England, is rarely found in the 
 South. There are ‘a few points in the mountainous regions of Virginia 
 and North Carolina of great altitude where they are found They are the 
 only kind of fish found in the mountain brooks in the vicinity of Porter 
 Springs, and they exist there in great numbers. 
 
 The Springs are near the top of the Blue Ridge on a spur called Cedar 
 Mountain, in a beautiful cove at an elevation of about three thousand feet, 
 and it is just over the crest of the mountain from the Spring that these beau- 
 tiful trout are caught. They are not found on the Atlantic slope of the Blue 
 Ridge, but only on the top of the mountain. 
 
 On their sides they are dotted with beautiful deep red spots about the 
 size of a large pin head, which spots are in regular lines. They cannot 
 exist except in very cold water, and the water on the south side of the 
 mountain is too warm for them.. They abound in all the streams in the 
 elevated table land on top of the Blue Ridge, known as Canada, a section 
 of country just over the top of the mountain from Porter Springs, and 
 about three to ten miles distant. It was in this section of our State that 
 there was snow on the first day of this month. For several hours there 
 was a heavy fall of snow, to which we alluded in our last Friday’s issue. If 
 the State Government would only open up good turnpike roads by convict — 
 labor into that mountain region it would bezome the Switzerland of the 
 South. 
 
 The fact that the red speckled brook trout should abound around Porter 
 Springs and that there was a brisk snow there for several hours last Sun- 
 day, October 1st, is demonstrative evidence that there is within the limits 
 of Georgia a little Switzerland if it were developed. . ; 
 
 Letter from Prof. J. H. Chappell, of Columbus, Ga , to the Enquirer-Sun. 
 
 Porter Sprines, Ga., Aug. 9.—It is a poor custom for people of fashion 
 to run away from crowded cities every summer to still more crowded water- 
 ing places where they are more than ever the abject slaves of fashion. Let 
 these dog day carnivals of frivolity and artificiality be abolished. Let these 
 huge caravansaries for the hearding together of worshippers at the shrine 
 of Fashion be swept from the face of the earth. In our summer resorts let 
 us seek an Arcadian simplicity. Wherever in a healthful and bracing cli- 
 mate and far from the din of cities a mountain rears its head with a crystal 
 spring gushing from mysterious recesses at its foot, there let a simple house 
 
19 P 
 
 be built to accommodate not more thana hundred persons. Thither let the 
 tired denizen of the city resort and become 
 
 ACQUAINTED WITH NATURE. 
 
 _ Let him lay his soul open to her sweet influences. Let his spirit be fran- 
 quilized by her deep harmonies. Let him welcome her to his bosom as a 
 bride-groom welcomes.his bride. Such a model summer resort are these 
 Porter Springs, nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains, far north in the 
 State of Georgia, three’ thousand feet above the level of the sea. Itis a 
 luxury to breathe the breath of life in this pure atmosphere, The hand of 
 man has busied itself about the place enough for comfort, but nothing 
 more. A space has been cleared and surrounded with a fence, a big house 
 has been built, comfortable, but as plain as a barn, roads and walks have 
 been made around, little hollows have been scooped in the ground to catch 
 the waters of the gushing springs, benches have been placed under the 
 trees—but that is all; no attempt has been made to ornament or beautify 
 or fit up luxuriously, or in any way to render attractive by the adulteries 
 of art and it is well there has not been. All around us are 
 
 NATURE’S UNVIOLATED WILDS, 
 
 We are in a beautiful glen, green mountains encircle us near at hand 
 and big blue mountains look over their heads down upon us from afar. It 
 is 4 most glorious place in which to spend these refulgent summer days. 
 The blithe whistle of the partridge cheers the early morning, the locust 
 sings -his resonant noon-day song, the squirrel’s bark is heard in all the 
 woods around in the shadowy evening, and night is musical with voices of 
 a million katydids mingled with the screech owl’s mournful wail. Breezes 
 come and go, soft blue skies melt into the soul, shadows of lazy pacing 
 clouds float across the green mountains, clouds collect in grey smoke-like 
 masses on the lofty peaks or form in strata and cumuli about the horizon 
 towards the close of day to be lit up into a thousand gorgeous hues, and 
 tints of unspeakable delicacy by the golden beams of the setting sun. 
 Rains descend, and in this high region may be seen afar off, stalking 
 hither and thither over the country like restless ghosts. Thunder storms 
 arise and fill the mountains with reverberations, 
 
 “ Far along 
 From peak to peak the rattling crags among, 
 Leap the live thunder! Not from one lone cloud, 
 But every mountain now hath found a tongue, 
 And Jura answers, through her misty shroud, 
 Back to the joyous Alps, who call to her aloud !”’ 
 
 In this transparent atmosphere all the phases and phenomena of nature 
 are presented with wonderful beauty and perfection ; the skies seem bluer 
 than in other places, and at night the stars look down through the dark- 
 ness with a more ravishing brilliancy. . 
 
 ON TOP OF ONE OF THE MOUNTAINS 
 
 Near by an observatory has been built for the accommodation of the guests 
 at the Springs. It is a little house open on all sides, with the trees cleared 
 away around it, so as to afford an unobstructed view of the magnificent 
 landscape. From it you look out upon a grand expanse of swelling moun- 
 tains and low-lying valleys, with two or three little towns visible in the far 
 distance, and many isolated habitations—homes of the rough mountain- 
 eers—nestled in the caves and glens, with brown patches of corn around 
 _ them, and glimpses here and there of the red road that winds its serpentine 
 way through this country onits endless journey. From here, too, you can 
 watch for hours with unwearied delight the varied and beautiful play of sun- 
 light and shadow on the tops and sides of the mountains and in the deep 
 gorges, the innumerable transformation of the clouds that hover over their 
 heads or gather in masses on their lofty peaks, the different aspects that 
 
: 20 \ 
 they present tinder the different veils that the atmosphere in its varying 
 
 states throws over their majestic forms, the storms that gather in theirde-  . 
 
 files and wing their flight toward the zenith like mighty birds, the silver 
 rains that may be seen far beneath us in the distance, going hither and 
 thither among them, and descending in baptismal benedictions. If I had 
 the pen of a Ruskin I could fill volumes with descriptions of these grand 
 and beautiful pictures, : 
 
 PAINTED BY THE HAND OF GOD 
 
 On the bosom of the air. I went up to that littlé observatory late one 
 evening and stayed the whole night through, alternating short maps with 
 watching all the stars coming up from behind the dark mountains in the 
 east, or climbing the high heavens, or crossing the celestial equator, or 
 
 going down to their setting in the west, constellation after constellation in - 
 
 endless procession, the Scorpion with his heart of fire, Bootes with red 
 . Arcturus and his hunting dogs, the Square of Pegassus, the Swan with its 
 great cross lying along the Milky Way, the Lyre with its silent music, 
 Cassiopea’s inverted chair, Persons’ string of sparkling gems, the Pleiades 
 and the Hyades with a glorious planet projected in their midst, and so of 
 many others, until at last bright, silver Venus came up in her transcend- 
 ant glory, and shortly after ‘‘crimson dawn flushed the eastern skies and 
 morning ’’ stood tiptoe on the lofty peaks: A foolish thing, many will say, 
 to spend the whole night on a lone mountain top, ‘ 
 
 GAZING AT THE STARS, 
 
 But I did it not as a matter of sentimentalism, but because, as a teacher of 
 astronomy, I had long intended to read clear through, at one sitting, this 
 grand chapter in nature’s book, and I know no better opportunity would 
 ever present itself than this holiday season—this clear July night, this 
 trdnsparent atmosphere, and this observatory on the mountain top. But 
 why need a man apologize for gazing at the stars? Do not all men, how- 
 ever phlegmatic, feel their beguiling influence and secretly love them and 
 steal forth some nights to listen to theirsilent song! Let our poor, earthly 
 souls be sometimes kindled by their pure, spiritual fires, and let our hearts 
 be now and then attuned to the grandeur of their rythmic movements and 
 to-all the other deep and everlasting harmonies of God’s glorious universe. 
 There is a deep, spiritual refreshment, of which those who have never tried 
 it can have no conception, in getting sometimes entirely away from our 
 
 conventional, artificial life, with all its associations and influences, and. 
 
 dwelling for a season quietly, lovingly, worshipfully, at the very heart of 
 Nature, to be tranquilized and soothed by her pervading calm, to be ren- 
 dered sane and normal by watching her methods and processes, to be edi- 
 fied by her primeval granduer. So, if you are wearied with Traffic’s nar- 
 row tyranny in the city, or if Folly’s unending banquet at some fashionable 
 watering place begins to pall upon your taste, come hither to this sabbath 
 of the woods. Come hither, the*mountains and the alluring stars_invite 
 you. Come hither and quaff with me this cup of enchantment! jae . 
 
 Second letter from Prof. Chappell to Columbus Enquirer-Sun. 
 
 Porter Sprines, Aug. 22.—* * * J have caught among these mountains 
 a glimpse of a life more interesting than that of mountaineers, because com- 
 pletely savage, of which I must tell you. It is the custom of certain wan- 
 dering bands of Indians to come every summer from somwhere in North 
 Carolina and pitch their camp in this neighborhood, where they remain 
 several months employing themselyes making reed baskets, blow guns, 
 bows and arrows, pipes, aud other trinkets, which they sell to the guests 
 
 at the springs. hey are full-blood Cherokees and liye in wigwams in 
 
 regular Indian style, and are obj: cts of intense interest to the guests at the 
 
 Springs. They are here from their camp once every week to dispose of 
 
91 
 their wares. Their camp is pitched about two and a half miles from the 
 Springs, in an isolated and romantic spot on the margin of the beautiful 
 
 Chestatee river. On a bright morning, a week ago, a party of six of us 
 walked ous there to visit them. 
 OUR WAY THITHER 
 lay over a rough and rocky mountain road, running through a magnificent 
 forest of oak and hickory, and alongside a mountain brook that charmed 
 the air with its gurgling melody. Emerging at last into an open place, af- 
 _fording a splendid view of the sun-lit mountains and fields of waving corn, 
 we went down into a low, rich valley, and came to the Chestatee river, a 
 beautiful stream whose rapidly flowing waters are as ciear and transparent 
 as any that ever gushed from acrystal spring. Turning here to the left, 
 we went for nearly half a mile through a field of corn, and then entered, 
 single file, a narrow path cut through a dense growth of tall bushes and 
 weeds, which nearly met over our heads, creating a twilight darkness that 
 even the beams of the August sun could not dispel. After proceeding sey- 
 eral hundred yards through this jungle, our attention was attracted by a 
 peculiar sound, and we paused to listen. It was the voice of a man sing- 
 ing, evidently in some very strange foreign tongue and seemingly from the 
 very midst of the thick bushes at a short distance in front of us. We 
 walked a little further, stepped over a low rail fence, took four steps more 
 and, with the suddenness of a flash, we were out of the bushes and right 
 
 IN THE INDIAN CAMP. 
 
 It was the most picturesque and romantic scene that I have ever looked . 
 upon. A space of some thirty yards square had been cleared in the midst 
 of the jungle right on the low margin of the river, aud swept as clean as a 
 parlor floor. In the middle of this space stood an Indian wigwam made of 
 poles, bark, and reeds, and afew feet off was a shed constructed of the 
 same material. Near by on a log sat, in perfect idleness, a gigantic, full 
 blood Cherokee Indian, as fine a speciman of the race as one needs wish 
 to see; before him, reclining on the ground, were two barefoot young men 
 with their rifles and dogs lying by their side, and in front of the wigwam 
 sat an Indian hard at work making reed baskets. The group started in 
 surprise as we emerged from the bushes, and the lordly Cherokee looked 
 at us sharply with a half startled expression in his bead-black eyes. He 
 quickly became very cordial and friendly, and seemed in the highest spirits 
 and strode about his camp with great activity, showing us his guns and 
 knives, pipes, moccasins and various other accoutrements. He gave exhi- 
 bitions of his skill as a marksman with the rifle and bow and arrow; rolled 
 up his sleeve and exhibited with great pride the enormovs muscle of his 
 sinewy arm; allowed us to enter his wigwam and examine and handle at 
 liberty everything in it, and even to recline on his bed of reed rushes 
 spread on the ground in one corner. He was a gigantic, big limbed fellow, 
 and seemed to unite the agility of a wild cat with the strength of a lion. 
 We were at the camp more than an hour and he was scarcely still a moment 
 of the time, and every motion was grace itself, and a grace absolutely pe- 
 culiar to the Indian race, and altogether ‘‘beyond the reach of art.’’ If 
 there is any absolutely inimitable creature on the face of the earth, itis a 
 full blood Indian with his spirits up and surrounded by his household gods. 
 I would not take a great deal for having seen the exhibition. 
 
 THE SQUAW, NANCY, 
 
 Remained squatted on the ground in front of the wigwam intent at her 
 work on the reed baskets, scarcely deigning even to glance at us. Under 
 the shed near by hung large bunches of reed splits, dyed in various colors 
 with roots and barks which the Indians get in the surrounding country. 
 On a slow burning fire in front of the wigwam was a big oven which sim- 
 maered a thick paste-like broth or porridge, upon which they are said chiefly 
 
22 
 
 to live. When the sun had reached the meridian we reluctantly turned out 
 footsteps homeward, and left the red man in his wild home by the mur- 
 muring waters of the Chestatee. : A es OR 
 
 e 
 
 Editorial of Brunswick Advertiser and Appeal, June 23, 1883. 
 
 Porter Springs is truly in the mountains, being situated within two 
 miles of the top of the backbone of the Blue Ridge. The altitude of the 
 hotel is three thousand feet above the sea level, and within a mile and a 
 half of the hotel are mountains one thousand feet higher, and within 
 ten miles rising two thousand feet higher. Persons who reside on the 
 sea-board or in that belt of country only two or three hundred feet higher, 
 to-wit, south of and embracing Columbia, Augusta, Macon and Montgom- 
 ery, should go to the mountains. By so doing they get the benefit not 
 only of a change of climate, but of atmospheric pressure. At the sea level 
 the atmospheric pressure is fifteen pounds to the square inch, and on a_ 
 person of ordinary size there are two thousand square inches of surface, 
 making the pressure on an ordinary person about thirty thousand pounds. 
 At Porter Springs the atmospheric pressure is about three thousand five 
 hundred pounds less than at, the sea level. This change of altitude, with 
 its consequent change of the weight of the atmosphere, is of itself attended 
 with fine medicinal effects, to say nothing of the purity of the air and water. 
 
 The pleasure grounds and walks are very incentive to out-door exer- 
 cise. Within the last two or three years the place. has been much im- 
 proved in that respect. There are now beautiful fish ponds in front of the 
 hotel, filled with three varieties of German carp, and the famous red 
 speckled brook trout. Around these ponds are fine Jerseys that yield rich 
 milk for the hotel. 
 
 The buildings are not fine, but are comfortable. As for the manner in 
 which the hotel is kept, we could not inform our readers more satisfacto- 
 rily than by reproducing a communication which appeared in our columns 
 two or three summers ago from Mrs. D. T. Dunn. fies Dunn left Bruns- 
 wick with a party of six or eight to go to Porter Springs, and all was well 
 with them till they reached Gainesville, at which point they were dissuaded _ 
 from attemping so reckless and so bold an undertaking as that of trying to 
 get-to Porter Springs. The hotel keepers, the boarding house keepers, the 
 livery stable men, the doctors, the merchants, everybody told them there was 
 no way to get to Porter Springs, and if they were fortunate enough to get 
 there they would find nothing. They were dissuaded by the efforts of the 
 Gainesville people, whose interest is to keep everybody in their own town, and 
 after traveling three hundred miles on their way to Porter Springs, con- 
 tented themselves by staying in Dahlonega for two months, and in Dahlon- 
 ega they found it just as they did in Gainesville—everybody working to 
 stop every visitor from going further. And just before starting home in the 
 fall they ventured to ride out to see that much-abuseed place—abused by 
 those who had competing interest—and here is what they thought of Porter 
 Springs: 
 
 Letter from Mrs. D. T. DUNN. 
 
 Mr. Epiror—So many people, deluded by flaming advertisements of 
 ‘splendid accommodations,’’ are continually falling into gilded nets of fair 
 promises, I feel it a duty, as well as a pleasure, to tell you and your many 
 readers about one place in Northern Georgia—one desirable place—the very 
 spot for our coast peole—Porter Springs. We hear about it at home, but 
 it seems a long way off, and it is said to be almost inaccessible, and very 
 rough, ete. Iregret I cannot give you as much information about this 
 lovely place as I would like, but perhaps the few honest words I can say 
 may save some of our health-seekers next season from the discomforts and 
 disappointments experienced in this country this summer. And just here 
 I wifl add a bit of advice: When you start for a place, do not stop until 
 you reach it, no matter what people say—goon. The more you hear against 
 
28 
 
 it, the faster you go. It’s a safe principle to travel on in this country, for 
 it seems to be achronic habit along the coast and among the hills to slander 
 and villify the best things. 
 
 Just reflect how it has been with our pretty little town of Brunswick. 
 Can you eyer heara good word for us in any of the neighboring towns? 
 They are all terribly afraid of having its merits known and tested. Just so 
 - with Porter Springs, our objective point on leaving home. 
 
 Arriving at Gainesville—a straggling town oF great pretentions as a 
 ‘*summer resort,’? not one good word could be heard of Porter Springs. 
 ‘* Hot place,’’ ‘“‘ lonesome,” ‘‘ dreadful roads,’’ ‘‘ nothing to see,’’ ete. At 
 Dahlonega much the same kind of talk, so we anchored at Dahlonega, 
 rather discouraged about finding perfect satisfaction as regards the inward 
 and outward demands of human nature—thinking all places much the 
 same, and that it was a bad case of distance lending enchantment to be 
 dissipated by actual presence. : 
 
 At last, grown desperate under the accumulated weight of weeks of 
 ‘still life,’’ one bright autumn morning we started for a day’s “ outing,’’ 
 determining to know for ourselves something about Porter Springs, only 
 ten miles away, farther up among the hills. It wasa glorious morning— 
 the air crystal for clearness and purity, the grand hills sparkling and shim- 
 mering in the golden sunlight, the niountains, just beyond, standing in 
 and, majestic silence, lovingly, softly folded in misty mantles of gauzy 
 lue. 3 
 
 Three hours of blissful riding brought us to the Springs, and we knew 
 in a moment, as we drove through the gate, that we had made a great mis- 
 take, and had missed the one really desirable place. It is a new resort, 
 and the buildings are common, but comfortable. There is at present a 
 long, rambling sort of hotel with pleasant piazzas, cabins scattered about 
 the grounds for guests, a chapel for service, dancing hall, bowling alley, 
 bath®house, billiard tables, fine mineral springs, lovely walks, cosy corn- 
 ers, fine views and grand mountains near by to climb and explore. In 
 fact, everything possible at present seems to have been done and provided 
 to give pleasure to the gay and rest and quiet to the sober-minded. 
 
 Not the least attraction (we are all so very human, even in the midst 
 - of nature’s grandeur) was the excellent dinner, an every-day thing—that 
 is, the excellence of it—as we were assured by the guests. To us it was 
 like a very glimpse into the paradise of dining-rooms. Snowv linen, 
 shining silver, glittering glassware, napkins, attentive waiters with clean 
 aprong and jackets, a perfectly cooked dinner, creamy milk and everything 
 good. Ambrosia flecked with dew was never sweeter to the gods than this 
 clean, wholesome, well-cooked dinner to the pair of hungry mortals who 
 
 did full justice to it. It was a day of pleasant surprise. 
 ; Porter Springs are located upon the side of the Blue Ridge range of 
 mountains. Beautiful for situation, and, of eourse, unequalled for purity 
 of air, it is the very place for weak, languid, debilitated people. From the 
 mountains to the sea—from the sea to the mountains! It is cheaper and 
 much more pleasant than staying at home continually, taking drugs and 
 bitters. ; M. T. D. 
 
 Editorial letter from T. G. Stacy to Brunswick Advertiser-A ppeal. 
 
 Porter Sprines, Ga., Aug. 20, 1883.—‘The half had not been told.”’ 
 Such have been our thoughts since we arrived at this delightful summer 
 resort. Accepting the theory that a little mountain air is beneficial, though 
 we can’t say we needed it, we set out last week for a short run to the 
 mountains. ; 
 
 Leaving Atlanta at 2:30 p.m. on the Air Line train, we arrived at Gaines- 
 ville at 5 p.m., and soon precured a team and were off for Porter Springs. 
 The fearful tales we had heard ef the dangerous mountain roads ahead of 
 us would have deterred us from taking this ride in the night, although the _ 
 
i> 
 
 24 
 
 moon shone beautifully, had we not remembered that the tales about the 
 roads being impassable and dangerous are usually circulated by persons in- 
 terested in hotels and boarding houses in other localities. Making, as wes w 
 
 posed, due allowance for the exaggerations of interested parties, we still 
 
 expected break-neck adventures on the ride, but never were we more ~ 
 agreeably surprised. After a most delightful ride of five hours and a half, 
 
 in the night, over one of the best mountain roads we ever traveled, we arrived 
 safely at Porter Springs at 10:30 p.m. We were charmed with the ride, and 
 could but pity those who have been deterred from coming here by the misrep- 
 resentations of the drummers of other hotels and boarding houses. The moon 
 was in the zenith of her glory, and as we made the descent to the Chesta- 
 tee river, with mountains to the right and chasms to the left that seemed 
 by moonlight to be without bottom, the scenery was grand beyond descrip- 
 tion. On emerging at last from a narrow mountain pass into a beautiful 
 cove with mountain all around, and a seemingly little village far up on the 
 mountain side, all lighted up, we were informed by our driver that we were 
 in sight of our destination. The hotel and the cabins all being lighted, 
 -and a large, old fashioned camp-meeting fire light in front, gave it the ap- 
 pearance of an illuminated town. We found some dancing, some playing 
 billiards, cards, etc., and could scarcely realize that we had left Gainesville 
 after five o'clock that evening. We retired, and after a refreshing night’s 
 rest, arose to behold one of the most beautiful and most lovely mountain 
 coves we have ever seen. 
 
 Standing in the piazza of the hotel, we looked down more than one 
 hundred feet in the valley below, where are green pastures, and in the 
 center of them fish ponds filled with German carp and that rare fish, the 
 red speckled brook trout. Around these fish ponds were grazing fine Jer- 
 sey cattle, led by a registered bull that would do credit to any herd. Then 
 looking above, we beheld imposing mountains only a fourth of a mile dis- 
 tant, rising four hundred feet above and all around the valley, except a 
 narrow space on the east of the cove, which space seems omitted in the 
 wall of mountains to admit the genial rays of the morning sun. Observing 
 a building on the summit, immediately in front, we learned it was a pavil- 
 
 lion for the use of the guests. From this pavillion the scenery is equalled ~ 
 
 in but few countries. 
 
 Next came breakfast, and a good oneit was! Chickens that had never 
 been cooped; butter without any of the features of oleomargarine ; mutton 
 from the mountain tops, four thousand feet high, where the air, the water, 
 the pasturage all combine to make it the finest mutton in the world; 
 everything cooked well; the table cleths, the napkins, the silver-ware and 
 everything clean and nice. We could see at once why there were about one 
 hundred people here in the mountains, thirty miles from a railroad, and 
 among them persons from all the points of the compass. Yes, there are 
 guests here from New York, New Orleans, Savannah, Galveston, Texas, 
 Kansas City, Mo., and almost every Southern State. 
 
 Breakfast disposed of, and the hour for services. having arrived, it be- 
 ing Sabbath, we found that there is a church here, and that there are ser- 
 vices every Sabbath, and soon the bell rang, and services were conducted. 
 The church was built by the joint contributions of the visitors and the 
 
 « 
 
 owner of the Springs. It was dedicated a Methodist church, but is open 
 to all. In every pomt of view the place surpasses our expectations. The 
 
 buildings, it is true, are plain and cheap, but, being occupied only three or 
 four months in the year, fine buildings could not be expected. The furni- 
 ture in the bed rooms and in the dining room is superior to that used at 
 most summer resorts. "The bath rooms are free, as are the billiard tables 
 and ten-pin alley. Taking all things into censideration, we know of no 
 
 place where so much can be had for $24.00 per month as is furnished for 
 
 that price at Porter Springs. Of course you will find among one hundred 
 people some who will grumble, no matter how things are conducted, but 
 
25 
 
 there is but one answer to be made to anyone who grumbles here, and that 
 answer should be in the shape of an inquiry, ‘‘do you know where you 
 can do better at $24 per month?’ If they know of such a place, they 
 should go to it, and if they do not, then they should not grumble. In our 
 opinion, there is no place where you can get more for the same money. 
 
 Sane from Epiror Sracy to Brunswick Advertiser and Appeal, September 
 
 Porter Sprines, Ga., Aug. 25, 1883.—No one visiting Porter Springs 
 feels that his trip is complete until he ascend Blood Mountain, ten miles 
 distant, and ‘‘views the landscape o’er.’’ Appreciating this sentiment, the 
 writer, accompanied by Col. H. P. Farrow, set out to see this wonder of 
 upper Georgia. The distance to the foot of the mountain is ten miles, and 
 our road lay along the banks of the lovely Chestatee, a small but impetu- 
 ous stream—in short, a succession of falls, cascades and rapids, the river 
 descending 3,000 feet in five miles. The road in many places is hewn out 
 of the sides of the mountains that skirt this winding stream. With this 
 river on one side far below us, and the mountains on the other, rising far 
 above, and the dense forest upon every hand, beautified with the ivy, the 
 laurel, and the majestic hemlock of New England, we could scarcely realize 
 that we were within the State of Georgia. 
 
 Just at dark we drew up at farmer Jarrard’s, ina lovely valley just at 
 the foot of the mountain. 
 
 After an early breakfast, the next morning, Col. F. and self mounted 
 our sure-footed steeds, commenced the ascent of the mountain, to the top 
 of which is about two and ahalf miles. Part of the trail was through the 
 forest, and so steep that only flat stones will lie still. 
 
 At last we reach the summit, 4,670 feet higher than Brunswick, and 
 such a sight bursts upon our view! As far as the eye could look were the 
 everlasting hills and mountains, piled up as it were, one upon the other— 
 peak after peak—range after range—all interspersed with fertile valleys and 
 mountain streams. The sight from this point—than which there are only 
 two othets higher in Georgia, and they but a few feet—is simply grand. 
 Towering above everything else, we literally looked’ down on the world, 
 embracing in one view parts of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina . 
 and Tennessee. We could see Dahlonega, the county-site of Lumpkin, 
 Cleveland, of White, Clarksville, of Habersham, and Blairsville, of Union. 
 The surrounding county, out of the mountains, is only about one thousand’ 
 feet above the sea-level, and Blood rises precipituously nearly four thous- 
 and feet above the country we viewed. 
 
 Nature adapts herself to circumstances, and here, where the tall tree 
 would be torn to atoms by the wind, the trees, though symmetrical and 
 perfect in form, are not so tall but a person can readily stand upon the- 
 ground and pick acorns from the topmost branches. This is the-section of 
 Georgia which is within the same isothermal belt with the city of Boston. 
 Porter Springs can boast of what no other watering place ean—it can boast 
 of being in the same isothermal belt with the cities of Boston, Gleveland, 
 Detroit, Chicago and Omaha. Lake Erie is within the same isothermal 
 belt with this section of Georgia. Our authority is not a Porter Springs 
 advertisement, but the highest scientific authority in America, the ‘‘Statisti- 
 cal Atlas,’’ published by the U. S. government, under the supervision of 
 Prof. Joseph Henry, of the Smithsonian Institute, and Chas. A. Schott, of 
 the U. S. coast survey, in October, 1872. We refer those of our readers 
 who have access to this valuable atlas to plate seven as our authority. The- 
 altitude of Porter Springs and of the mountains around is often questioned 
 by uninformed persons, but the authority above given settles that question. 
 In May or first of June last a spectaele was beheld in this part of Georgia 
 seldom beheld anywhere in the world—full ripe lucious peaches and snow- 
 capped mountains in full view of each other. Another beautiful scene, to be- 
 
26 
 
 -viewed at the Springs at any time, and to be seen nowhere else in the 
 
 South, is a fish pond full of the beautiful red speckled brook trout. This 
 _ of itself is sufficient evidence of the altitude of Porter Springs, for this fish 
 
 will not live in the South except at an altitude of more than twenty-five - 
 
 hundred feet. But as to the altitude of Porter Springs we are not leftto ~ 
 arguments based on the presence of the hemlock tree on all the streams in 
 this vicinity, the presence of the red speckled brook trout in the fish pond 
 in front of the hotel, or the luscious peaches and snow-capped mountains 
 in full view of each other, for the above alluded to Statistical Atlas disposes - 
 of that question. 
 
 The soil of these mountains is rich and fertile, and produces well, and 
 the mountains themselves abound in wild turkey, pheasants, and other 
 game. The pasturage, too, is excellent; sheep, cattle and horses keep as 
 fat as seals from grazing alone. 
 
 After taking another long and lingering look, we slowly retraced our 
 - steps down the mountain, visiting on our return an Indian wigwam in the 
 canebreak, on the bank of the river, where dwells an Indian and his squaw 
 from the Catawba valley, who live by making vari-colored baskets out of 
 the cane and selling to the visitors at the Springs. 
 
 Editorial of Homeward Star, Atlanta, Ga., August, 1877. 
 
 Porter Springs, July 16th, 1877.—After a six months’ canvass of a 
 large part of the great State of Texas, in the interest of the Homeward 
 Star, we arrived on the 8th inst. in Atlanta, travel-worn, dusty and weary. 
 
 Being fagged out and needing a few days’ rest, we threw ourselves into 
 the tide which was setting in toward the famous Porter Spring, in Lump- 
 kin county, where we are now luxuriating in the pure mountain air, and 
 have but to raise our eyes from our paper to look out upon the most en- | 
 chanting mountain scenery encircling the springs in beautiful blue unda- 
 lating lines, as peak after peak rises high in bold relief against the distant 
 horizon, while from the wooded heights come a luxurious, invigorating 
 breeze, one breath of which is worth a thousand of such as in the lowlands, 
 heated by the parched, glaring earth, fill the lungs as the blast from a 
 furnace. . 
 
 Among the two hundred persons congregated here, we were pleased to 
 see many of our friends from Atlanta, as well as other parts of the country. 
 We notice on the register names of persons from North Carolina, South 
 Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, New York, Ohio, 
 
 The fame of the curative properties of the waters of Porter Springs « 
 comes down from the Indians to the white man, and, although for years 
 the afflicted have been coming to the springs and camping out around, for 
 want of better accommodations, yet not until about two years has the 
 property been in the hands of those who were able to put up buildings for 
 the accommodation of the public. 
 
 We have been told of some wonderful cures effected by the waters in 
 cases of rheumatism, neuralgia, dropsy, ulcers, diseases of women, diseases 
 due to impurities in the blood, debility from residence in a debilitating cli- 
 mate, or of exhausting diseases, etc. 
 
 It is with genuine pleasure we hear invalids tell of how they were in 
 extremis when they came to the springs ; how the tide was turning, and the 
 felt as if they were taking a new lease on life; how the racking pains whic 
 had tortured them night and day for weeks was gradually disappearing— 
 sleep, appetite, all returning, and this, in many cases, after being only a 
 few days at the springs. 
 
 While Porter Spring offer health to the invalid, it is also a most pleas- 
 ant summer resort for those who are not invalids, but wish merely to get 
 -away from the dust and noise of city life, and forget the cares of business © 
 
 -during the hot weather. Here is mountain scenery too beautiful for de- 
 
27 
 
 scription, and air as pure and fresh as that which first kissed the dew drops 
 in the garden of Eden before there was a-pair of lungs to poison it. 
 
 For the entertainment of the guests the proprietors have provided bil- 
 liards, ten pins, croquet, a piano, etc. There are twelve bath rooms and 
 -a swimming pool. 
 
 The next day after we arrived at the springs, we were enticed by our 
 two friends, Drs. Armstrong and Simpson, of Atlanta, to make the ascent 
 
 of Cedar Mountain, overlooking the springs. There is a very good moun- 
 ’ tain road to within 300 or 400 yards of the summit, and when the road gave 
 out, we had to trust to our muscle and wind to scale the almost perpendie- 
 ular heights. By dint of puffiing and blowing, and the aid of friendly 
 bushes and trees, and the enccuraging ‘‘ Come On, we are almost to the 
 top,’’ of our more athletic friends ahead, we reached the top, and soon for- 
 got the fatigue of over-taxed muscles and lungs in the magnificent pano- 
 rama spread out below us. 
 
 To the south we look out over a broad expanse of wooded country, the 
 deep green of the thick foliage gradually changing its tint to the deep blue 
 _as it meets the horizon in the distance. With the exception of little clear- 
 ings, dotted here and there in the valley, and the little town of Dahlonega, 
 six miles distant, as the crow flies, the stretch of forest is as unbroken as 
 when the Red Man first looked down upon them from the heights where 
 we now stand. To the right and left spurs of the Blue Ridge reach far to 
 the south, hedging in this comparatively level country till the peaks which 
 were mountains around us have dwindled into mole-hills in the distance. 
 
 To the north, northeast and northwest the view is grander than that to 
 the south, though not so extended. Here the mountains are crowded upon 
 -each other, rising higher in the blue distance till they are capped on the 
 right, to the northeast, by Blood Mountain, nearly 5,000 feet high, and on 
 the left, to the northwest, by Black Mountain, but little lower than Blood, 
 
 Those who have not seen it have no conception of the beauty and 
 -grandeur of the mountain scenery in Northeast Georgia. It is scarcely 
 surpassed by any mountain scenery in the United States. 
 
 The fare here is excellent, and the proprietors are unceasing in their 
 attentions to the comfort and pleasure of their guests. 
 
 ‘Second Editorial of Homeward Star, Atlanta, Ga., June, 1878, 
 
 We had heard so much said and had seen so much written about Por- 
 ter Springs, its water, its scenery and its climate, that we went there last 
 summer for the two-fold purpose of recreation and inspection. 
 
 As for its water and scenery, we were soon satisfied that too much had 
 not, and, indeed, could not, be said in its favor. As for its climate, we 
 
 -were amazed. We do not hesitate to say that none but a truly 
 scientific man can wield a pen with anything like success in pictur- 
 ing its climatic advantages. Its medicinal water and its beautiful 
 scenery would of themselves make it (as it has been appropriately 
 styled) the ‘‘Queen of the Mountains.”’ But its atmospheric status consti- 
 tutes its chief value, and would, of itself, justify the expenditure of hun- 
 dreds of thousands of dollars in its improvement. 
 
 Our readers will, doubtless, be surprised at being told that the isother- 
 mal lines across our continent, traced by the most scientific men in Ameri- 
 
 -ea, and based on actual observation, place Porter Springs, in the same iso- 
 thermal belt with Boston, New York, Pittsburg, Cleveland, Detroit, Chica- 
 go and Omaha and Portland, Oregon, and place on an isothemal line run- 
 ning south of Porter Springs, the following points, namely: Philadelphia, 
 Cincinnati, Louisville, Washington, St. Louis, Kansas City, Salt Lake City, 
 and San Francisco. In other words, the climate of Porter Springs is cooler 
 ‘than that of the belt of country embracing these last named cities, and is 
 the same as that of the belt embracing the first named cities. Any one 
 wishing to trace these lines for his own satisfaction can do so by going to 
 
28 
 
 the Young Men’s Library Association and examining the ‘‘Statistical Atlas: 
 of the United States,’’ which is a’ valuable addition recently made to the- 
 Library, and which was published by authority of the Government, under~ 
 the supervision of Prof. Joseph Henry, of the Smithsonian Institute, and’ 
 other equally scientific men, There is no higher authority on these points 
 than that Atlas. Its isothemal lines cross the continent from one ocean to- 
 the other, making the points having the same annual mean temperature, 
 and there is a line for every four degrees of temperature from 40 to 76 de- 
 grees. The mean temperature of the belt embracing Porter Springs is be- 
 tween 48 and 52 degrees, and the mean. temperature of both Boston and’ 
 New York is between 48 and 52 degrees Fahrenheit. The solution to this 
 isothermal line is found in another Chart of this Statistical Atlas, to-wit, 
 the ‘‘Hypsometric Chart,’’ or map, showing altitudes. It shows the Ap- 
 palachian range of mountains from the vicinity of Porter Springs to the- 
 White Mountains, in New Hampshire, and further shows that the grand‘ 
 culmination of this range of mountains is, at their Southern termination, in 
 a scope of country commencing at Porter Springs and running northeast for 
 one hundred miles into North Carolina, and from ten to thirty miles wide. So- 
 that by authority of the ‘‘Statistical Atlas,’’ which is the highest authority - 
 extant, we have in the northern part of Georgia and western part of North 
 
 Carolina a country, about 150 miles long and about 30 miles wide, possessed! — 
 
 of greater altitude than any east of the Rocky Mountains. It is this which: 
 brings the isothermal line of Boston, New York and Chicago into Georgia, . 
 and jt is this which will make Porter Springs the greatest of all Southern 
 summer resorts. 
 
 The effect upon the climate by latitude and altitude is easily calculated 
 by the rules laid down by scientific men; a degree of latitude making a dif- 
 ference of two degrees in temperature, and 300 feet of altitude making a. 
 difference of one degree in temperature. Apply this rule to two given 
 points, say Savannah and Porter Springs, and there being a difference of 
 four degrees in latitude and 3,000 feet in altitude, the difference in tempera-- 
 ture would be eighteen degrees. Therefore the thermometer would stand\ 
 at 98 degrees in Savannah while at 80 degrees at Porter Springs. 
 
 And, in addition to the change in temperature, there is another agency - 
 brought into play by altitude, to-wit: atmospheric pressure. The weight 
 of the atmosphere at the ordinary surface of the earth, or, as it is termed 
 by scientific men, at the sea level, is equal to fifteen pounds to the square 
 
 inch. There are about 2,000 square inches of surface on a man of ordinary” 
 size, and, therefore, there is, at the sea level, an atmospheric pressure of: 
 30,000 pounds ona common person. And at an elevation of 3,000 feet there - 
 
 are three thousand five hundred pounds less of atmospheric pressure than: 
 
 at the sea level. Thus, a citizen of Charleston, Savannah, Mobile or New 
 
 Orleans, on ascending to Porter Springs would be under an atmospheric- 
 pressure 3,500 pounds less than when at home. The great removal of at- 
 mospheric pressure by ascending to an altitude of 12,000 feet gives pain, 
 
 unless a person exercises very cautiously. That change of atmospheric: 
 pressure thought to be most beneficial to health, is accomplished by pass-- 
 
 ing from the sea level to the mountain regions with an altitude ranging from. 
 two to five thousand feet. Therefore, considering all the influences on cli- 
 
 mate caused by the latitude and altitude of the mountains around Porter~ 
 
 Springs, that portion of our State has a bright future ahead of it. 
 
 Letter from Cou. JoseEPHUS CAMP to the Herald, Swainsboro, Ga., August 23, 1877. 
 
 Porter Springs, August 7, 1877.—Dear Herald:—Since my last letter, 
 I have ascended Cedar Mountain, the highest peak of the Blue Ridge in: 
 this vicinity, being 1,000 feet higher than the Springs, and 4,000 feet above 
 the level of the sea. 
 
 On last Thursday, a party of eight, your correspondent one of the num- 
 ber, climbed to the top of the mountain. It was a tedious and tiresome- 
 
29 
 
 ‘undertaking, but the grand panorama spread out to our view was ample 
 -compensation for the extraordinary toil. To the north Blood Mountain 
 rises up 1,000 feet higher, while Stone Mountain and many others at a dis- 
 tance were plainly seen. In fact, we were surrounded by a sea of moun- 
 tains of varying height. 
 
 The day before our ascent of the mountain, a party of young Jadies, 
 -eight in number, with four gentlemen, performed the extraordinary feat of 
 ascending this mountain in time to see thesun rise. The distance to walk 
 is two miles and the elevation 1,000 feet above the hotel. I did not believe 
 that it was possible for any lady to accomplish this, but these ‘‘immortal 
 -eight’’ have the proud distinction of having accomplished what no other 
 ladies have ever attempted before. _, 
 
 Yesterday, in company with eight other gentlemen, I visited the ‘‘ Sten- 
 -cil Falls,’’ on Chestatee river, six miles from this place. They are situated - 
 in a wild and picturesque scenery, grand beyond description. The falls 
 are about 60 feet high, and in the future history of Porter Springs will no 
 -doubt figure prominently as a place for picnic excursions. Ps * a 
 
 The splendid scenery, high altitude and excellent curative qualities of 
 the waters are a sufficient guarantee that this resort will prove a great 
 -success. JENCs 
 
 Letter from ““A CAROLINIAN ” to the Charleston News and Courier. 
 
 Porter Sprines, Lumpexin County, Ga., July 16.—Having heard so 
 much about Porter Springs, the famous watering place of Northeast Geor- 
 -gia, known by the Indians years ago as ‘‘The Medicine Spring,’’ I came 
 here a few days ago with my anticipations raised very high; and yet I have 
 not been disappointed, but can truthfully say in the words of the Queen of 
 Sheba, on the occasion of her visit to Solomon, ‘‘the half had not been 
 told me.”’ 
 
 Porter Springs is indeed a most lovely place. Situated at the foot of 
 Cedar Mountain, one of the Blue Ridge range, and completely surrounded 
 with mountains, it is one of the most beautiful and picturesque spots I have 
 
 -ever seen, though I have been in over one half of the States in the Union, 
 and have visited a goodly number of watering places in this country. The 
 mountain scenery is perfectly grand, the climate delightful, and the min- 
 ‘eral waters truly wonderful in their effects, and last but by no means least 
 in consideration, the fare is excellent and board only $24.00 per month. 
 ‘There are at least a dozen different mineral springs within the space coy- 
 ered by a few acres of ground, possessing as many diffesent kinds of me- 
 -dicinal properties, which have effected some most remarkable cures of 
 ‘chronic diseases. Rheumatism, kidney and liver affections, cutaneous 
 diseases and general debility of various kinds have been successfully treated 
 by the use of these waters. Last season there were between four and five 
 hundred visitors here during the season, while many had to be turned off 
 for the want of accommodations. 
 
 This year a large addition has been made to the main hotel building, 
 and many other improvements, adding considerably to the comfort of the 
 guests. Drives, walks, strolls, billiards, dancing, ten-pins, etc., constitute 
 the chief sources of pleasure and amusement to the guests. Visitors are 
 -coming in rapidly from Georgia; North and South Carolina, Alabama, 
 Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. ‘ 
 
 ’ I have been thus particular to give you the main points of interest with 
 reference to this famous watering place for the good of your readers, many 
 -of whom usually leave the dust and heat of the ‘‘ City by the Sea ’”’ for 
 cooler and more healthful climes in the mountains during the summer. To 
 one and all such I would say come up to Porter Springs, ‘‘ the Queen of 
 the Mountains,’’ in this beautiful ‘‘ Land of the Sky,’’ and you will have 
 “cause to be grateful for a most delightful time and for restored health, for 
 there is no better resort for the summer months to be found in the South- 
 land. A CAROLINIAN. 
 
30 
 
 Editorial of Mountain Signal, Dahlonega, Ga., June 23, 1876 
 
 The improvements at this celebrated resort, Porter Springs, are rapidly 
 progressing. be , 
 
 The unquestionably great medicinal virtues of the waters, the far 
 greater altitude (3,000 feet above sea level) than any other watering place: 
 east of the Rocky Mountains, the magnificent mountain scenery, the deli- 
 cious climate, the excellent table, and the ample means provided for inno- 
 cent pleasures, offer alike to the invalid and the pleasure seeker a place 
 where he can beneficially and pleasantly while away the heated summer 
 months. 
 
 Editorial of Spartanburg (S. C.) Herald, May 19, 1875. 
 
 We copy from the Sunny South this week a quaint little Indian legend 
 under the caption of ‘‘The Forest Flower,’’ which unfolds a tale about a 
 popular watering place in the mountains of North Georgia, known as Por- 
 ter Springs. Its high altitude, the bracing mountain air, the beautiful 
 scenery, the healing qualities of the water, combine to make it one of the 
 most pleasant summer retreats, and the many wonderful cures effected 
 prepare the mind to believe the weird words of the Indian medicine woman 
 who said ‘‘In a wild little valley at the foot of the mountain the Great 
 Spirit has caused a Medicine Spring to gush forth.’’ 
 
 Invalids whose constitutions have been broken down by choronic dis- 
 eases, or whose systems have become enervated or enfeebled by residence 
 in unhealthy localities, or by irregular habits of life, may confidently ex- 
 pect to regain health and strength from this medicinal fountain, while the 
 beautiful scenery, invigorating climate, ample facilities for pleasant recrea- 
 tion and amusement, and moderate rates of board, offer rare attractions 
 both to the votaries of pleasure and those who seek the restoration of 
 health. 
 
 Letter from “J. W.S”’ to the Gainesville Eagle, June 21, 1883. 
 
 GERMAN CARP AND JERSEY CaTTLeE.—Editor Eagle:—Having promised 
 to write you from the mountains | will give you an account of what I see 
 around here in the way of “Jersey cattle’? and ‘‘German carp.’”’ In full 
 view from the Hotel are three beautiful ponds, one with about one acre of 
 water and the others smaller. In the large one are three varieties of carp, 
 the Scale, the Mirror, and the Leather carp. ‘There are three sizes. The 
 oldest were three inches long when put in there in November, 1880, and 
 are now about three years old and are about eighteen inches long and 
 weigh ten or twelve pounds. The next two years old and about fourteen 
 inches long and weigh about five pounds. And the others were hatched 
 out in this pond last summer and are four to six inches long. They are 
 gentle and come up regularly to be fed and will eat anything that a pig eats. 
 You can sometimes see a hundred at atime. The other ponds have no 
 carp in them but are full of the Red Speckled Brook Trout. The first trout 
 were placed in there on the same day that President Garfield was shot and 
 they have done well. They have not only lived but they have raised young 
 trout. It has been said they would not live on the southern slope of the 
 Blue Ridge much less raise their- young, but this experiment here proves 
 the contrary. The trout ponds are very cold, the temperature now being 
 about 60 and never during the hotest weather, going above 65. These 
 ponds are supplied with wa er from branches coming down on the north 
 side of mountains immediately in front of the Hotel, which branches are 
 supplied by springs on the mountain side which are very cold, some as low 
 in temperature as 54 degrees. The trout are fed on animal food exelusive- 
 ly, liver being their favorite food. They will come to be fed and sometimes. 
 a dozen of them will jump at the food at once and rise a foot above the 
 water in abunch. When feeding them if you put your hand in the water 
 you will get bitten for they will strike you quick, and they have bad teeth. 
 
31 
 
 The fish ponds are worth a days ride to see, but we will pass to the Jerseys. . 
 
 A fine registered bull and several cows and heifers are grazing around’ 
 the fish pond; and the ponds and the Jerseys constitute a beautiful picture. 
 Guests when supplied with fish from these ponds and milk and butter from 
 this Jersey herd will have the brain food and the fat making food, and ought 
 to do well. This place is away from the railroad, but it has its advantages. 
 The trout in the ponds evidence the great altitude of the place, for they are 
 never found lower than about three thousand feet of altitude. Week be- 
 fore last we had a killing frost and some of the higher mountains were 
 capped with snow. It is perhaps the first time in the history of our State 
 that we have had within her borders and in sight of each other ripe peache 
 and snow capped mountains. J. W.S. 
 
 Letter from JAMES P. HARRISON to the Gainesville Southron, April 29, 1884. 
 
 Carp AnD TrouT.—PorTER Sprines, Ga., April 17, 1884.—Editor 
 Southron:—Carp culture is on the increase in this vicinity. We have four 
 ponds here, the largest having an area of more than one acre. This is the 
 fourth year of our experiment, and already enough fish have been sold to 
 repay all costs of constructing and stocking the ponds. The four ponds 
 cost about one hundred dollars, and we have this week sold from them one - 
 hundred and seventeen dollars’ worth of fish, to say nothing of sales pre- 
 viously made and of supplying gratuitously ten or a dozen ponds in this 
 neighborhood. We offer to give to any and every neighbor who will con- 
 struct a pond, within ten miles of Porter Sprifgs, enough carp to stock his 
 pond—our object being to so increase the production of carp in this vicinity 
 that we can at all times procure them for table use at the hotel. We have: 
 found them to be a most delicious table fish when raised in the pure water 
 of this mountain region. Like all fish, they are the product of the water 
 they are in, and are good or bad as the water is pure or impure. They- 
 spawn here at two years old. 
 
 We also have one pond full of the red speckled: brook trout, and they 
 are doing remarkably well. The first trout were placed in the pond the 
 day that President Garfield was shot. The coldest springs in the bottom 
 of this pond are fifty-four degrees in temperature, and in the heat of sum- 
 mer the body of the pond rises to sixty-two degrees. There is a difference- 
 of twenty degrees between the temperature of the trout pond and the carp 
 pond, though they are adjoining. I send you by bearer a few trout, which 
 are a fair sample of the stock in our pond. 
 
 Very respectfully, JAMES P. HARRISON. 
 
 Letter from Mas. H. ATKINSON to The Journal, Dawson, Ga., July 19, 1877. 
 
 We publish the following, written by Maj. H. Atkinson to Maj. Nelson. 
 It will be seen that our esteemed fellow-townsman, now at Porter Springs, 
 in Lumpkin county, is deriving great benefit from his visit to that celebra- 
 ted watering place: & 
 
 Porter Sprines, Ga., July 1, 1877. O. O. Netson,’Esq.—Dear Sir:— 
 Your favor of the 24th was received on the 29th. J avail myself of the first 
 succeeding return mail toreply. I arrived here just two weeks ago last 
 Friday night. From the time I left home, and throughout the first week 
 here, I was greatly discouraged, but now every day develops a gradual im- 
 provement in strength and elasticity. As evidence of reduction in my ab- 
 dominal enlargement I am to-day wearing clothing with comfort, that I 
 could not button around me 10 days ago. My cough has quite disappeared 
 and breathing greatly improved, which was well nigh extinct when I 
 reached here. * * * Now, for Porter Springs; I have this to say, that its 
 sublime mountain scenery, pure and invigorating air, excellence of its heal- 
 ing waters, abundance and delicacy of table fare, and its kindest of hosts: 
 altogether, combine to make it the most desirable resort for invalids, to be: 
 found anywhere in this or any other State. Aside from my own brief ex- 
 
32 
 
 perience the statements of ladies and gentlemen now here, whose friends 
 have been restored to health, corroborate the above opinion. * * * We 
 . do not experience here any of the tropical heat you are all sweltering under 
 in the lower country. Yours truly, H. ATKINSON. 
 
 Letter from Mr. J. O. JELKS to the Hawkinsville Dispatch, July 19, 1877. a 
 
 Porter, Springs, Ga., July 9, 1877—Lditor Hawkinsville Dispateh:—, 
 As promised, on leaving home, that you should hear from our party, I seat 
 myself beneath the shadow of a wide spreading chestnut on the top of one 
 of the spurs of the Blue Ridge Mountains, fanned by the exhilerating 
 mountain breezes of this delightful climate, to give you a few thoughts con- 
 nected with our trip. One can scarcely imagine the difference in tempera- 
 ture between this point in our-native State and Hawkinsville—there being: 
 only about four degrees difference in the latitude; yet, owing to the alti- 
 tude, the difference is very marked. 
 
 When we left home a week since, we could take no rest, day or night,” 
 from the excessive heat. We found on our arrival at this mountain resort* 
 that the use of several blankets was necessary every night to keep us com> 
 fortable—the thermometer being about 66 here of nights; in fact it is so 
 . cool that Dr. Taylor, in addition to blankets, appropriated sundry idee 
 the other night to keep, as he said, from freezing, declaring that unle 
 mine host would give him more blankets he would leave for home next days 
 
 * * % * * * * * 
 
 We found the hotel here crowded with guests, seeking these healing 
 waters, which are strongly recommended for dyspepsia, rheumatism, dis- 
 - eases of the kidneys, liver, etc. The waters give one a ravenous appetite, 
 and from appearances at table to-day, at dinner, this neighborhood will 
 . soon be ‘‘cleaned up”’ of all the ‘‘yaller-legged’’ chickens which are so “ : 
 
 nae 2 
 Editorial of Darien Gazette, May 3, 1884. 
 
 plentiful in ‘‘these parts.”’ J.O. J 
 We would cordially recommend Porter Springs to those of our friends 
 in Darien who contemplate a trip off during the ‘‘ heated term.’’ It so far” 
 surpasses other places in natural advantages that it is unquestionably one 
 - of the grandest resorts in America. : 
 According to the highest scientific authority (the SraristrcAL ATLAS, : 
 published by the U. S. Government), there are but few places in the United ~ e 
 States absolutely free from malaria, and Porter Springs happens to be one 
 -of these favored logalities. People living within the malarial regions 
 would do well to spend a month or two at Porter Springs each summer 
 and get the malarial poison out of them. 
 Two-thirds of the State of Georgia is less than three hundred feet above 
 the level of the sea. Draw a line across the State from Augusta by Macon 
 to Columbus and all south of that line, with but little exception, falls below 
 the level of 300 feet, and is within the malarial belt. When afflicted with 
 chronic diseases it is difficult for invalids to recover in the debilitating cli- 
 mate within which the diseases have been bred. 
 
 bd 
 
 EIGHTEEN degrees cooler here than at sea level. See testimonials 
 - of the press. 
 
 Curss sciatica in every case—never fails! See testimonials of the 
 press. - 
 
 Porter Sprines region free from malaria. See Statistical Atlas. 
 Batus FREE—TEN-PINS FREE—BILLIARDS FREE—ALL AMUSEMENTS 
 Free ! 
 
 e £ 
 RuevuMatisM and neuralgia invariably cured! See testimonials of the 
 press. 
 
 “‘OcuLAR demonstrations’? worth more than certificates of analy. 
 . See testimonials of the press. 
 
 f / 
 
7. 
 
 ; 
 4 
 4 
 
 D. H DOUGHERTY & CO. 
 
 ATLANTA, GA. 
 
 Ours is the Largest Dry Goods House in the State of Georgia, 
 and we claim to do the biggest business of any House 
 ; _ South. We deal very extensively in 
 
 FINE DRESS GOODS, 
 
 Silkksand Novelties. 
 
 OEF-Give us a trial, and our Low Price System will win your confidence. 
 
 North Georgia /Agricultural College, 
 
 DAHLONEGA, LUMPKIN COUNTY, GA, 
 
 The Proprietors of Porter Springs desire to speak a word for one of the most 
 useful and meritorious Institutions of Learning in the South, to-wt: the North 
 1 
 
 Georgia Agricultural College, at Dahlonega, The Faculty, uuder the lead of its 
 President, Col. Lewis, is equai to any in the State; and there is no College in the 
 State which receives closer attention from its Board of Trustees. Hon. William P. 
 Price, (for several terms member of Congress) President of the Board, resides in 
 Dahlouega and gives all of his time which may be required to the interests of the 
 College. There are now about two hundred students in attendance from all parts 
 of this State and from adjoining St«tes. There isa Male and a Female Department, 
 both uuder most admirable management. There is a Military Department, under 
 Command of an Officer regularly detailed from the U.S. Army. which insures dis- 
 cipline not ouly in that Department, but throughout the Institution. The students 
 are entirely free from those ruinous infiuences that surround Colleges in most 
 Towns and Cities. Dablonega is an unassumipg country village of only a tew 
 hundrei inhabitants; twenty-five miles from Gainesville, on the Air-Line R. R; 
 with Physicians some of whom are éqttal to.the best to be found in any city; with 
 Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian churches, and 4 moralséntiment. controling 
 the community ; with a Prohibition majority so great it can never be overthrown ; 
 with a climate snd with surroundings very much the same as at Porter Springs. 
 and we reier to the within “ TESTIMONIALS OF THE PRESS,” as applicable to the 
 climate of Dahlonega, only seven miles, air-line, from Porter Springs. Persons 
 living in the Malarial portions of the South, and contemplating a removal toa 
 section free from Malaria and free from all the annoying surroundings of some 
 portions of the South, could not findabetter country than that around Porter 
 §) rings and D:hlonega, and tuose having children to educate can not do better 
 than to move to Dahlonega, where they can get the benefit of this College. Tuition 
 is tree, and Board can be had at from ten to fifteen dollars per month, and those 
 who “mess” can doso for half that. TheColiege isa State Institution. and receives 
 an annua! appropriation Visitors to Porter Springs cin come the direct road via 
 Bearden’s Bridge, or can come through Dahlonega, which is only five miles further, 
 and see the Collegeand the Town. And during the summer Visitors to Porter 
 Springs will be carried to Dahlonega in the morning and back in the evening tor 
 one dollar the round trip. For all information concerning the College, adire-s the 
 “Pr. sident of the Faculty,’’ or “President of the Board of Trustees,” N.G. A.tu.ie «, 
 Dahlonega, Ga.; or, better still, come up and spend a few weeks at Porter Springs, 
 and mike @ pers : ection of th - the . =e 
 
 | 
 
ARLING? oN HOTEL,| 
 
 i 
 
 JOSEPH H. CLARK, = Proprietor. 
 
 Aes gl md 
 as x 
 
 BOARD, per Day, $2.00; per Week, $10.00; per Month, 
 $25.00 to $30.00, according to Rooms, Children 
 and Servants half price. 
 s 
 me 
 The Arlington has been very recently leased (for a term of 
 years) and under its present management it promises that its 
 table shall be as good as that of any Hotel in North Georgia, 
 and to that end the best of cooks will be employed, without | 
 regard to cost, and the table will be supplied with the best the 
 market affords. 
 _ The Building is of Brick, thifee stories, fronts on public 
 square, Street Cars pass the door, 
 
 POST OFFICE, TELEGRAPH OFFICE, 
 
 BARBER SHOP, BILLIARD and POOL TABLES, 
 
 All in the building. A spacious Areade, two stories high, gives 
 @ magnificent Office and Halls for summer, which, with a broad 
 piazza of two stories on  Beblic square, makes the Arlington a 
 delightful summer resort. . 
 
 Our splendid Dining Hall will be used for Dancing, and a | 
 fine Orchestra will supply the music, 
 
 The Hacks for Porter penne 3 will start from the Arlington, 
 and all guests en route for that R sort will please so report, to the 
 Proprietor on arriving, that he may aid them in going forward. 
 
 The Arlington ‘will, be the Central’ Headquarters for all 
 visitors to North Georgia. Come to the Arlington, and then 
 select for yourself from the many good Resorts accessible from 
 Gainesville. For special information, address 
 
 JOSEPH H. CLARK, 
 
 Proprietor of Arlington Hotel, 
 
 ~ 
 
 — A NR eR a wg Sp EL go Red 
 
aed metas 
 
 ~~