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April 25, 1872 - Hunter Hot Springs. The GAZETTE of the 21st (April, 1872) has the following editorial notice of Dr. A. J. Hunter's hot springs on the Yellowstone River: The Doctor has men now employed in putting in grain and vegetables on his place and is otherwise improving it for accommodation of visitors. Dr. Hunter's hot mineral springs...are destined in the future to become a place of great importance, and one of the most beautiful health resorts in the country. Dr. Hunter is fully aware of its advantages and has take active measures to improve as to the material beauty of this place. Settlements are being rapidly made in that section and upon the completion of the U. S. surveys, which Gen. Blaine informs us will be pushed down that valley this season as far as possible, settlements will proceed still more rapidly. Dr. Hunter contemplates the erection of a hotel at the springs where patients can find accommodation. Survey of Public Lands - we understand all the public lands will be surveyed during the summer (1872) and fall ensuing. We have reliable information that the Yellowstone valley will be surveyed at the same time the Northern Pacific is being completed, in order that the same military force may afford protection to both parties. As N. P. R. R. surveyors are expected in the valley in a few weeks we may anticipate an early survey of the rich agricultural lands of the Yellowstone, and their occupancy by thrifty farmers.
Doctor Hunter's wife, Susan, recorded the following in her diary entries: "The next spring we went out again. This was 1872. We planted a few potatoes this year for we had taken these springs and land by squatters right and had to raise a crop of some kind. So this spring we took our family which consisted of 6 children, Mary, Davis, Lizzie, Stoney, Sallie, and Emma. We had 8 - 10 men all ways with us as guards for safety. But then I often think we were not only fool hardy to risk so much but were crazy too. We did not keep our oldest daughters there for fear of the Indians stealing them." Both Mary and Lizzie had red hair and family stories say that the Indians thought this good medicine.
Susan Hunter continues - "One old Indian came with one hundred ponies and ten mules to trade for my oldest child which was about 13 years old. I told him she was too young and little and he was very angry and made some threats so we sent her back to Bozeman which is fifty miles the nearest white settlement we had. While the men worked the field, I stood watch on the hill above the Springs with my younger children locked in the house for we were in danger of being attacked at any moment...by Savage Indians. I always carried a cartrige belt and gun in case I needed them at this point where I stood watch I could see all around the men at work and the house where the children were."
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