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The powers of hope and healing tested at hot springs
 On Friday, Dec. 7, 1804, in 38-degree weather, the Ouachita River Expedition arrived within a few miles of its destination -- the hot springs of Arkansas.
From an encampment along the Ouachita River bank, expedition leader William Dunbar of Natchez sent guide Samuel Blazier "with the greatest part of our people with their own baggage & some provisions to encamp at the hot springs, hoping to find cabins there sufficient to hut our party with others to return early next morning so as to take out a load of more baggage and instruments."
The next day, Dunbar wrote in his journal, "our people returned from the hot-springs, each giving his own account of the wonderful things he had seen; they were unable to keep the finger a moment in the Water as it issued from the rock. They drank of it after cooling a little and found it very agreeable; some of them thinking that it tasted like Spicewood tea. The people after refreshment were dispatched with another load of necessary baggage."
Expedition co-leader Dr. George Hunter of Philadelphia reported that "a log Cabbin built there & several sheds of split boards" could be used thereby lightening the overland load from the Ouachita to the hot springs, which was about nine miles inland. The sergeant and one private remained on the river to care for the barge and other supplies. The walk took about four and one-half hours, delayed on occasion for rest stops.
Dunbar was relieved to have finally reached their destination. The journey of exploration of the Ouachita had begun almost two months earlier at the mouth of St. Catherine's Creek along the Mississippi south of Natchez. Dunbar and Hunter were leading a crew that included 12 Army privates and their sergeants. This was one of four expeditions launched by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the Louisiana Territory following its purchase by the U.S. from France in 1803.
Dunbar discovered at the springs that a log cabin and huts were "all calculated for summer encampment, & which have been erected by persons resorting to the Springs for the recovery of their health." Dunbar took up residence in the small log cabin, calling it his "mansion."For the full story, subscribe to the The Concordia Sentinel's NEW E-Edition! |
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