Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Saratoga County, New York, Part 44

Author: Anderson, George Baker; Boston History Company, Boston, pub
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: [Boston] : The Boston History Company
Number of Pages: 950

USA > New York > Saratoga County > Our county and its people : a descriptive and biographical record of Saratoga County, New York > Part 44

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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Sulphate of strontia

Carbonic acid gas

Atmosphere

Total

gress spring. A gallon of water contains : that of Congress spring, and for a time it was known as the New Con- considered one of the best springs in Saratoga. The water resembles The Empire spring was not properly tubed until 1846, though it is

Chloride of sodium

Chloride of potassium

Bicarbonate of magnesia

Bicarbonate of lime

Bicarbonate of lithia

Bicarbonate of soda

Bicarbonate of baryta

Bicarbonate of strontia

Bromide of sodium

Iodide of sodium

Phosphate of soda

Silica

Alumina

Fluoride of calcium

Biborate of soda

Organic matter

Carbonic acid gas

1

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Carbonate of soda

Silicate of potassa

Carbonate of iron

1

I

Chloride of sodium

Carbonate of lime

Carbonate of magnesia

1

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1

1

1

1

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1

1

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1

1

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1

1

1

1

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1

1

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1

1

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1

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1

Total

Total

1

Bicarbonate of iron

Sulphate of potassa

396

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

. The Union spring, located in Excelsior Park, was originally known as the Jackson spring. The spring was properly retubed in 1868, since which time there has been a fine flow of water. The water is remark- ably free from iron. A gallon contains:

Grains.

Chloride of sodium

458.299

Chloride of potassium

8.733

Bromide of sodium

1.307

Iodide of sodium

0.039

Fluoride of calcium

trace

Bicarbonate of lithia

2.605

Bicarbonate of soda

17.010

Bicarbonate of magnesia

109.685

Bicarbonate of lime.

96.703

Bicarbonate of strontia

trace

Bicarbonate of baryta

1.703

Bicarbonate of iron

0.269

Sulphate of potassa

1.818

Phosphate of soda

0.026

Biborate of soda

trace

Alumina

0.324

Silica

2.663

Organic matter

trace

Total

701.174

Carbonic acid gas

384.969 cub. in.

The Geyser, or "spouting spring," one of the most remarkable springs in the world, was discovered in 1870. It is located a little more than a mile southwest of Saratoga Springs, and is surrounded by Gey- ser Park, which includes Geyser lake. The water spouts from the sur- face in a stream high in the air. The spring rises from an orifice drilled in the rock, one hundred and thirty-two feet deep. This orifice is tubed to the depth of eighty-five feet, in order to carry the water through the soft slate formation, as the tremendous pressure and force of gas would dissolve the slate, thereby causing impurities in the water. A gallon contains :

Grains.

Chloride of sodium

562.080

Chloride of potassium

24.634

Bromide of sodium

2.212

Iodide of sodium

0.248

Fluoride of calcium

trace

Bicarbonate of lithia

9.004

Bicarbonate of soda

71.232

1

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1

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1

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1

1

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1

1

1

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1

1

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1

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397

THE MINERAL SPRINGS.

Bicarbonate of magnesia

149.343

Bicarbonate of lime

168.392

Bicarbonate of strontia

0.425

Bicarbonate of baryta

2.014

Bicarbonate of iron

0.979

Sulphate of potassa

9.318

Phosphate of soda

trace

Biborate of soda.

trace

Alumina

trace

Silica

0.665

Oaganic matter

trace

Total

991.546

Carbonic acid gas

454.082 cub. in.

The Champion spouting spring is located about a quarter of a mile southwest of the Geyser, and was discovered a year after the Geyser was found. A shaft was sunk three hundred feet in the ground when a column of water six and one half inches in diameter shot twenty-five or thirty feet in the air. The water is now partially confined, but when it is released it shoots seventy or eighty feet in the air. A gallon of water contains:

Grains.

Chloride of sodium

702.239

Chloride of potassium

40.446

Bromide of sodium

2.579

Iodide of sodium

0.234

Fluoride of calcium

trace

Bircarbonate of lithia

5.647

Bicarbonate of soda

17.624

Bicarbonate of magnesia

193.912

Bicarbonate of lime

227.070

Bicarbonate of strontia

0.082

Bicarbonate of baryta

2.083

Bicarbonate of iron

0.647

Sulphate of potassa

0.252

Phosphate of soda

0.010

Biborate of soda

trace

Alumina

0.458

Silica

0.699

Organic matter

trace

1,195.582

Carbonic acid gas_

465.458 cub. in.

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The Hathorn spring was discovered in 1869 by workmen employed in placing the foundation of the brick block containing the ball room of

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Grains.

509,968

9.597

1.534

0.198

trace

11.447

4.388

170.646

trace

1.737

1.128

none

0.006

trace

0.131

1.260

trace

888.403

375.741 cub. in.

The Vichy spouting spring, located near the Geyser, was discovered

in 1872 by drilling in the solid rock one hundred and eighty feet. It

very similar to the Vichy waters of France. A gallon contains : contains more soda and less salt than any other Saratoga water, being

Grains.

128.689

14.113

0.990

trace

trace

1.760

82.873

41.503

95.522

trace

0.593

0.052

trace

trace

trace

398

Congress Hall. It is named in honor of Hon. Henry H. Hathorn, who first developed the spring and rebuilt Congress Hall hotel. A gallon of water contains:

Chloride of sodium

Bromide of sodium

Iodide of sodium

Fluoride of calcium

Bicarbonate of lithia

Bicarbonate of soda

Bicarbonate of lime

Bicarbonate of strontia Bicarbonate of baryta

Bicarbonate of iron Sulphate of potassa

Phosphate of soda

Biborate of soda

Organic matter

Carbonic acid gas

Chloride of sodium

Chloride of potassium

Bromide of sodium

Iodide of sodium.

Fluoride of calcium

Bicarbonate of lithia

Bicarbonate of soda

Bicarbonate of magnesia

Bicarbonate of lime

Bicarbonate of strontia

Bicarbonate of baryta

Bicarbonate of iron

Sulphate of potassa

Phosphate of soda

Biborate of soda

L

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Alumina

Silica

I

1

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1

1

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1

Chloride of potassium

I

176.463

Bicarbonate of magnesia

399

THE MINERAL SPRINGS.

0.473

0.758

trace

383.071 cub. in.

Grains.

244.925

7.092

1.063

1.430

47.890

1.627

58.896

115.283

trace

.051

.427

trace

trace

.571

479.255

408.632 inches.

The Star spring was not fully developed until 1862.

known as the President and the Iodine. A gallon contains:

Grains.

378.962

9.229

55.650

20.000

5.400

124.459

61.912

12.662

1.213

1.283

trace

615.685

407.55 cub. in.

The Kissingen spring, formerly known as the Hyperion spouting

Alumina Silica

Organic matter

Carbonic acid gas

The Carlsbad spring is located about two and a half miles southwest

Analysis of the water shows the following ingredients

in one gallon :

Sodium chloride

Sodium bromide

Sodium iodide

Bicarbonate of sodium

Bicarbonate of lithium

Bicarbonate of calcium

Bicarbonate of strontium

Bicarbonate of barium

Bicarbonate of iron

Sodium phosphate

Alumina Silica

Total

Carbonic acid gas

Chloride of sodium

Chloride of potassium

Bromide of sodium

Iodide of sodium

Sulphate of potassa

Bicarbonate of lime

Bicarbonate of magnesia

Bicarbonate of soda

Bicarbonate of iron

Phosphate of lime

t

1

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1

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It was formerly

Total

Carbonic acid gas

Silica

I

1

1

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1

The Geysers.

of Saratoga Springs, and is one of the group of the spouting springs at

Potassium chloride

Bicarbonate of magnesium

1

I

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Grains.

338.509

16.980

1,800

0.042

trace

5.129

67.617

70.470 140.260

trace

0.992

1.557

trace

trace 1.280

644.627

361.5 cub. in.

Grains.

265.5384

8.8244 0.3379 0.0124

trace

2.2317

6.6133 1.3551 81.8688

146.2355

1.2275

3.1381

trace

trace 0.0548 0.8223 trace

518.2602

500.8579 cub. in.

400

spring, has sprung into public favor in recent years. A gallon con- tains:

Chloride of sodium

Chloride of potassium Bromide of sodium Iodide of sodium

Fluoride of calcium

Bicarbonate of lithia Bicarbonate of soda Bicarbonate of magnesia Bicarbonate of lime

Bicarbonate of strontia Bicarbonate of baryta. Bicarbonate of iron Sulphate of potassa Alumina Silica

Total

Carbonic acid gas

Analysis of a The Royal spring is located on the corner of Lake avenue and Henry street, opposite the Fitchburg railroad station, and the great, and ap- parently inexhaustible, supply was tapped on the 25th of September, 1886, after months of patient drilling. It is 603 feet in depth. Abel Putnam, jr., is president of the Royal Spring company.

gallon shows:

Chloride of sodium

Chloride of potassium

Bromide of sodium

Iodide of sodium.

Fluoride of calcium

Bicarbonate of lithia

Bicarbonate of soda

Bicarbonate of ammonia Bicarbonate of magnesia

Bicarbonate of lime Bicarbonate of iron Sulphate of potassa Phosphate of soda

Biborate of soda

Alumina

Silica

Organic matter

Carbonic acid gas

1

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1

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1

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1

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1

1

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1

1

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1

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1

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1

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1

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1

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1

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1

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1

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1

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1

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1

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1

1

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1

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1

1

1

1

1

1

1

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1

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1

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1

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1

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1

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1

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1

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Total

1

401

THE MINERAL SPRINGS.

Grains.

269.9205

11.9095

0.6778

0.1543

trace

2.0056

2.3199

18,7644

89.1967

129.4174

trace

trace

1.2173

0.4844

0.4424

trace

0.0467

1.0264

518.1833

Grains.

315.2088

22.9500

10.7404

.2338

1053 .4109

2.7678

108.5719

176.2835

traces

1.4008

.6440

.1009

traces

traces

.0914

The Putnam spring was discovered in March, 1888, and is 230 feet deep. The water is a strong cathartic. One gallon contains:

Chloride of sodium

Chloride of potassium

Bromide of sodium

Iodide of sodium

Fluoride of calcium Bicarbonate of ammonium

Bicarbonate of lithia

Bicarbonate of soda

Bicarbonate of magnesia Bicarbonate of lime

Bicarbonate of strontia Bicarbonate of baryta

Bicarbonate of iron

Sulphate of potassa

Biborate of soda

Alumina Silica

Total

Carbonic acid gas.

Sodium chloride

Sodium bromide

Sodium iodide.

Calcium fluoride

Potassium nitrate

Sodium bicarbonate.

Lithium bicarbonate.

Magnesium bicarbonate

Bicarbonate of lime

Bicarbonate of strontium

Bicarbonate of barium

Bicarbonate of manganese

Potassium sulphate

Biborate of sodium

Sodium phosphate

I

1

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1

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1

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1

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1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

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1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

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1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

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1

1

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1

1

1

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1

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1

1

1

1

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1

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1

1

1

1

1

1

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1

1

1

1

1

1

1

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1

1

1

1

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1

1

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1

1

1

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1

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1

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4

1

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1

1

417.0776 cub. in.

The Lincoln spring, four hundred and twenty-five feet in depth, is

located on South Broadway, one mile from Convention hall. Analysis shows these ingredients:

I

I

I

1

1

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1

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1

1

1

1

1

1

I

1

1

1

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Bicarbonate of iron

26

Potassium chloride

Ammonium bicarbonate

traces

32.8614

1

1

Bicarbonate of manganese

402

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Alumina

.0348

Silica.

1.9495

Total

674.3552

Carbonic acid gas. 416 cub. in.

The Victoria spring was discovered in May, 1892, at a depth of three hundred and four feet. It is situated at the Geysers, two miles south of Saratoga Springs. An analysis of a gallon shows:

Grains.

Chloride of sodium.

186.200

Chloride of potassium

16.150

Bromide of sodium

3.599

Iodide of sodium

.056

Fluoride of calcium

trace

Nitrate of potassium

.031

Bicarbonate of ammonium I 1

. 151

Bicarbonate of lithium

1.622

Bicarbonate of sodium.

33.830

Bicarbonate of magnesium

79.870

Bicarbonate of lime

112.500

Bicarbonate of strontium

trace

Bicarbonate of barium

.003

Bicarbonate of iron

.324

Bicarbonate of manganese

.004

Sulphate of potassium

.027

Biborate of sodium

trace

Phosphate of sodium

.016

Alumina

.436

Silica

.512

Organic matter

trace

Albuminoid ammonia

none

Total

424.331

Carbonic acid gas 368.421 cub. in.

The Washington spring is over sixty years old. It is heavily im- pregnated with iron, as the following analysis shows:

Grains.

Chloride of sodium

182.735

Bicarbonate of magnesia

65.973

Bicarbonate of lime

84.096

Bicarbonate of soda

8.474

Bicarbonate of iron

5.059

Chloride of calcium .208

Chloride of magnesium

.680

Sulphate of magnesia .051

Iodide of sodium

2.243

I

I

1

1

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1

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1

1

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1

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1

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4 I I 1

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1

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1

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1

1

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1

1

1

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1 1 I 1

1

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1

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403

THE MINERAL SPRINGS.

Bromide of potassium

.474

Silicic acid

1.500

Alumina

trace

Grains

351.986

Carbonic acid gas

363.77 cub. in.

The Magnetic spring was developed by boring in 1873. It is fifty feet deep. The magnetic character of the water was discovered almost simultaneously with the striking of the vein. Analysis of the spring shows:

Grains.

Chloride of sodium

69.021

Chloride of potassium

8.031

Bromide of sodium

.058

Bicarbonate of lithia

.205

Bicarbonate of soda

16.075

Bicarbonate of magnesia

35.072

Bicarbonate of lime.

86,740

Bicarbonate of baryta

trace

Bicarbonate of iron

.030

Sulphate of potassa

trace

Alumina

.271

Silica

.367

Total solid contents

206.049

Carbonic acid gas

308.050 cub. in.

The Peerless spring, though located within ten feet of the Magnetic, is totally dissimilar. It is 150 feet deep. One gallon of its water con- tains :

Grains.

Chloride of sodium

191.4119

Chloride of potassium

10.4259

Bromide of sodium

1.2109

Iodide of sodium

0.0039

Fluoride of calcium

trace

Bicarbonate of lithia

1.2839

Bicarbonate of soda

25.2284

Bicarbonate of ammonia

0.8132

Bicarbonate of magnesia 55.5161

Bicarbonate of lime. 130.3206

Bicarbonate of iron

1.0291

Sulphate of potassa

1.2431

Phosphate of soda

trace

Biborate of soda

trace

Alumina

0.1473

.

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1

1

1

1

1

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1

1

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1

1

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1

1

1

1

1

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1

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1

1

1

1

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4

404

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Silica 0.9914

Organic matter trace

Total 419.6257

Carbonic acid gas

502.9154 cub. in.

Among the other springs at Saratoga Springs are the Pavilion spring, the Red spring (discovered soon after the Revolutionary war), the Hamilton spring, the Saratoga "A" spring, the Eureka spring, the United States spring, Elmwood spring, the Triton "spouter," the Seltzer spring, the Crystal spring, and the Favorite spring, all having their peculiar values respectively, and each differing in some respect from the others. The Magnetic spring is equipped with conveniences for bathing.

In addition to these springs, carbonic acid gas, which escapes from the immense reservoirs beneath the earth's surface by means of drilled wells, properly tubed, is now imprisoned in strong metallic receivers, after condensation by artificial means, and shipped to all parts of the United States for use in charging soda fountains and for other pur- poses. This work has recently developed into a considerable indus- try, giving employment to a number of persons.

The mineral springs of Ballston Spa, while not so numerous as those of Saratoga Springs and not so well advertised, nevertheless still stand as among the most valuable, from a medicinal standpoint, in the world. There was a time when the prestige which now has become one of the attributes of Saratoga belonged to Ballston Spa; but the energy and enterprise of the inhabitants of the now most celebrated of American Spas won from Ballston the laurel, and the rivals in the race changed places. But the springs of the lesser place remain as efficacious as ever, as thousands of persons in various parts of the country attest.

Early in the summer of 1771 several surveyors employed by the commissioners appointed to survey and partition amongst its thirteen proprietors the great patent of Kayadrossera were engaged in running the north line of the "Five Mile Square," now the line between the towns of Milton and Ballston. In the middle of the day several mem- bers of this corps, becoming hot and thirsty, went down to the banks of the creek now known as Gordon creek, and there they found a min- eral spring.1 The discovery of this spring, the waters of which were

1 There appears to be a doubt as to whether this was the present public spring, or the old spring, now quiescent, which was located near the junction of Ballston avenue and Charlton street.

405

THE MINERAL SPRINGS.

considered most palatable, soon became generally known in that region, and visitors began to visit the place from all directions. But it was not until three or four years after the close of the Revolution that per- manent settlements or improvements were made at or near the spring. Travelers had come and gone in the meantime, but the unsettled con- dition of the country had rendered this community somewhat uninvit- ing as a place of permanent residence. In 1787 Benajah Douglas, father of the Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, removed to Ballston Springs, as the place was then known. He had lived in the town of Stephen- town, Rensselaer county-then considered to be in Massachusetts. Douglas's father, Asa Douglas, had been the proprietor of a tavern, and the pioneer of Ballston Springs determined to make the best of the experience he had had while with his father. Thus it came that in 1787 he erected a commodious log tavern near the public spring, on a farm of one hundred acres which he had purchased. He also erected a smaller house near by for the accommodation of visitors who brought their own meals. Soon after Douglas erected his tavern Micajah Benedict opened another hostelry about a mile further south, near what is now known as the V Corners. Others began to come to the springs and built, and by the end of seven or eight years the summer travel to the famous spring had become so great that it was found necessary to furnish greatly increased accommodations for the public. In 1794 Mr. Merrill put up a frame house for the entertainment of guests, and in that year all the houses in the village, public and private, were filled to overflowing. People came from New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and even from the West Indies. For many years thereafter the springs of Ballston Spa were the most famous in the country, and were visited every season by people of wealth and culture residing in all parts of the world. But the development of Saratoga Springs and the temporary loss, by natural or artificial means, of the springs at Ballston, gave Saratoga an advantage and Ballston a set-back which the former has ever since enjoyed and from which the latter has never recovered.

In the fall of 1865 a company of speculators began to bore for oil in the northeastern part of the village, prospectors having assured them that it could be found. The work was completed the following year, but instead of the petroleum they expected to find they struck a fine stream of mineral water at a depth of five hundred and fifty-two feet. This proved to be the same water which, in previous years, had made

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Ballston Spa famous,' but the surface flow of which had mainly dis-

Grains.

750.030

33.276

3.643

0.124

trace 7.750

11.928

180.602

238.156

0 867

3.881

1.581

0.520

0.050

trace

0.077

0.761

trace

1,233.2462

426.114 cub. in.

Chloride of sodium

Chloride of potassium

Bromide of sodium

Iodide of sodium

Fluoride of calcium

Bicarbonate of lithia Bicarbonate of soda

Bicarbonate of magnesia Bicarbonate of lime Bicarbonate of strontia

Bicarbonate of baryta

Bicarbonate of iron

Sulphate of potassa

Phosphate of soda

Biborate of soda

Alumina

Silica

Organic matter

Carbonic acid gas

1 " The mineral springs from which this village derives its importance and celebrity were dis-

covered in 1767. [Exactly a quarter of a century before Congress spring in Saratoga was dis-

covered by Governor John Taylor Gilman of New Hampshire .- Ed.] In 1772 Mr. Douglass erect-

ed a small log-house here for the accommodation of visitors. During the Revolutionary war

settlements in this part of the country were suspended, but about 1790 Mr. Douglass enlarged his

accommodations. In 1804 Nicholas Low, Esq., raised the well-known Sans Souci hotel. In 1802, several other springs, and in 1817, four springs of different qualities, were found near the great manufactory built by Mr. Low.

" The spring in the rear of the Sans Souci, and that in the rear of the village hotel, and the

the carbonates of soda, of lime, iron and magnesia; the tonic qualities of the iron, and the spark-

ling and enlivening influence of the fixed air that they possess in an extraordinary degree, have

" The use of the mineral waters here and at Saratoga is especially beneficial in all those affec-

2 It will be scen that this analysis shows that the water of this spring contains a greater per-

centage of mineral ingredients of a medicinal nature than is to be found in the water of any of

the springs at Saratoga Springs. The springs at Ballston generally are much richer in minerals

than those of Saratoga.

406

appeared. The drilling of the well was continued until a depth of six

hundred and fifty-two feet had been reached, but the quality of the

water remained the same. This spring is known as the Artesian Lithia

spring. An analysis shows the presence of the following ingredients in a United States gallon of 231 cubic inches :

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1

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1

1

1

1

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1

1

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1

1

1

1

1

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1

1

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1

1

1

1

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1

1

1

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1

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1

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1

1

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t

1

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1

1

1

1

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1

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1

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1

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original spring at the west of the village [the old iron spring] contain, as essential ingredients,

a wonderful effect upon enervated, bilious, and debilitated constitutions.

tions termed bilious and dyspeptic, in calculous and nephritic complaints, in chronic rheumatism,

gout, in ulcers and cutaneous disorders, scrofula, in mercurial diseases and strumous affections,

in recent dropsy, paralysis, chlorosis, etc."-Historical Collections, by John W. Barber and Henry Howe, 1841.

Total

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407

THE MINERAL SPRINGS.

The Franklin spring,1 located in the eastern part of the village, was drilled in 1868-69. When a depth of seventy-five feet had been reached the water rushed forth with frightful velocity, throwing it between fifty and sixty feet in the air, and sustaining that height for six minutes. Since that time the supply has been exhaustless. The water is said to be a specific remedy for colds, rheumatism, influenza, gout, etc. A gallon contains :

Grains.

Chloride of sodium

659.344

Chloride of potassium

33.930

Bromide of sodium

4.665

Iodide of sodium.

0.235

Fluoride of calcium

trace

Bicarbonate of lithia

6.777

Bicarbonate of soda

94.604

Bicarbonate of magnesia

177.868

Bicarbonate of lime

202.232

Bicarbonate of strontia

.002

Bicarbonate of baryta

1.231

Bicarbonate of iron

1.609

Sulphate of potassa

0.762

Phosphate of soda

0.001

Biborate of soda.

trace

Alumina

0.263

Silica

0.735

Organic matter

trace

Total 1,184.368

Carbonic acid gas 460.066 cub. in.

The Washington Lithia spring2 is situated near the central part of the village. It was drilled to a depth of six hundred and twelve feet in 1868. The following analysis of a gallon was made before the work of drilling was finished and while fresh water intruded:

Grains.

Chloride of sodium

645.481

Chloride of potassium

9.232

Bromide of sodium

2.368

Iodide of sodium

0.925

Fluoride of calcium trace

Bircarbonate of lithia 10.514

Bicarbonate of soda 34.400

Bicarbonate of magnesia 158.348

Bicarbonate of lime

178.484

1

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1

1 Now known also as Hill's spring.

2This spring was abandoned several years ago, and its water now runs to waste.

0.189

4.739

2.296

none

0.003

trace

0.595 1.026

trace

1,047.700

338.345 cub. in.

Grains.

572.306

5.860

1.055

0.620

4.757

11.793

3.175

193.179

181.106

9.239

trace

1.140

1.790

trace

trace

986.345

538.074 cub. in.

The public spring, commonly known as " the old iron spring, " located

in the western part of the village, at the head of Front street and within forty feet of Gordon Creek, is six hundred and forty-seven feet in depth

and was drilled in 1874. It is owned by the village and its waters are

free to all. Analysis shows the constituents of one gallon of this water

to be:

Grains.

98.83

18.057

26.51

OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE.

Bicarbonate of strontia

Bicarbonate of baryta

Bicarbonate of iron

Sulphate of potassa

Phosphate of soda Bicarbonate of soda

Alumina

Silica.

Total

Carbonic acid gas

The Sans Souci spouting spring was drilled in 1870 in the rear of the Sans Souci hotel, the proprietor desiring to furnish fresh mineral water to his guests. The drill struck water at a depth of six hundred and

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