Butler County, Alabama - Chapter 23, 1885

These Springs, at one time, afforded a very pleasant summer resort for a large number of health-seekers in the southern part of the State, but it now appears that the Springs have seen their best days. They are situated in the valley of a small creek, on an outcrop of tertiary rocks of the buhr-stone variety, many specimens of which are to be seen near the Springs. The steep, rugged hills, with precipitous cliffs of rock on the south, and a low, flat land, covered with a dense forest of long-leaf pine, on the northwest, afford a variety of scenery peculiarly adapted to those persons of meditative minds.

The author does not know to whom is due the honor of the discovery of these valuable springs. He has been informed that they were found by some girls wading in the creek. The names of two of these girls were Susan Murphy, afterward married to John Clark, and Ellen Murphy, afterward married to Ransom Scale. There is a general belief among the old residents of the county that the Springs were discovered by hunters as early as 1830. This was a central point where hunters would meet after the chase and clean their game, drink of the mineral water, rest them- selves from the fatigue of the day, and relate their interesting adventures. The land where the Springs were was then owned by the Government as public land. The surrounding land was owned by Ransom Seale and Wilson Murphy. The Springs at that time all boiled up in a hole about five or six feet in diameter, and about four feet deep in the edge of the creek, and was overflowed when the creek was at all swollen by rainfall. The medical properties of the water were not entirely established until about 1842, when Jesse Knight's wife came here with her son Thomas, and spent a few weeks in a rude cabin, temporarily constructed for the convenience of the two, for only a short time. Other afflicted ones soon came and boarded with Wilson Murphy, and were also benefited by the many healing properties of the water. John Ubanks built a temporary tavern here in the spring of 1843, and had the Springs thoroughly advertised throughout the surrounding country, and gave a big barbecue on the Fourth of July of the same year. Frederick W. Crenshaw, who had just been graduated at the State University, was selected to deliver an address on the occasion, and did so to a large and appreciative audience, who had come to see the new watering-place and to hear the different orators of the day discuss subjects of general interest. The Springs were purchased the next year by Nat. Sims, a wealthy farmer from Lowndes County, who soon erected a fine hotel for the accommoda- tion of the large crowds that now began to frequent this place of health and pleasure. At that time a large number of persons came here and camped under tents for eight or ten days, to recuperate themselves by drinking the water, and to strengthen themselves by the hardships of camplife.

Isaac Keiser opened a store in connection with a billiard saloon in 1846, and soon had a very successful business, as his combination was a thing much needed here. John Clark soon opened a dram-shop, which paid him as well as any other kind of business could pay at such a place as this. After the death of Nat. Sims in 1855, his widow sold the Springs to John Edy, who kept them only a few years and sold them to Captain T. A. Knight and Alph. Carter, i860. These two gentlemen did a great deal to improve the whole appearance of the Springs, and expended large sums of money in the way of repairs. The Springs were never divided into separate springs until they took charge of them. They had a large spring-house built and curbed in with costly marble, making four distinct springs, the water in each being different from that in any other. The Springs flourished more under their management than ever before or since, there being over 500 visitors on the grounds at different times. The war soon came on, and the success of the Springs was considerably interfered with. In 1862 Captain Knight sold his interest to James Benson, and Alph. Carter sold his to John Carter. William A. Sims bought both interests in 1874, and has had entire control since that time. But the Springs have not been such a place of general resort since the war as they were before the war; first, because the people in the surrounding coun try have not got as much loose change to spend in that direction now as they once had, and secondly, because the Springs are not as well kept now as they were then. Most persons who desire to visit a watering-place during the summer season, prefer to go North, to some place situated more conveniently to the railroads.

The neighborhood of Butler Springs was settled by John Murphy, who came from Georgia in 18 1 7, and Alph. Carter. Both settled near the Springs, which were not discovered then. John Murphy reared a large family, and his descendants are still to be found in different parts of the county. He removed from his old place near the Springs in 1827, and started the mill now known as the old Murphy Mill. He died in 1844.

Alph. Carter also raised a large family, many members of which are still living - still keeping up the reputation of their father for honesty and general information.

fitted for the cure of a variety o. diseases too numerous to mention here. The author is sorry that he was unable to procure a copy of the analysis for publication. No doubt the water contains a large amount of free sulphuric acid, sulphide of hydrogen, sulphate of iron and carbonic acid gas. Many recommendations of its healing properties can be obtained on application to William A. Sims, the present proprietor of the Springs. It has long been customary for the people of the county to assemble here on the Fourth of July each year, and celebrate the Declaration of Independence by a basket picnic. The exercises generally consist of a few political and literary speeches, delivered by persons previously selected, after which dancing is participated in until sunset. This is a very good way of spending the glorious Fourth, and should be kept up for years to come.