Hinson Springs Newspaper Articles
from the collection of Brenda Fiddler
April 29, 1876
Whig and Tribune
[Ad]
Hinson Springs Near Lexington, Henderson County
Those celebrated Springs are rapidly coming into popular favor, and under the control of Mr. Joe B. Hinson, will become one of the most delightful Summer Resorts. The scenery in the neighborhood is beautiful, the air salubrious, and the location one of the healthiest to be found anywhere. New and commodious buildings have been built for the accommodation of guests, and the tables will be spread with the best the County affords. The medicinal and curative properties of the water, is no longer questionable, as many in Jackson will testify. If you wish to spend the summer cheaper than you can at home, and enjoy yourself abundantly. Be sure to visit the Hinson Springs. For further information, address Joe B. Hinson, Proprietor, Hinson Springs, Lexington, Tenn.
May 20, 1876
Whig and Tribune
Hinson Springs near Lexington, Tennessee
These celebrated springs are rapidly coming into popular favor, and under the control of Mr. Joe B. Hinson, will become one of the most delightful summer resorts.
[Several lines extolling the healthy medicinal qualities--people encouraged to write for particulars. May 28, 1876]
May 27, 1876
Whig and Tribune
Personal:
A Party of our citizens, among whom we mentioned Messrs. Joe Hammerly and S. W. Boon will soon make their summer hegira. They will visit Hinson Springs, near Lexington, Henderson County. The land on which these popular Springs are situated was bought from our fellow citizen, Robert Hall, and paid for in cotton.
June 26, 1886
Jackson West Tennessee Whig
Henderson county: Some Newsy Dots From Our Lexington Correspondent
Joe Hall is having several cottages built at Hinson Springs, Henderson County’s noted summer resort.
May 1, 1890
Savannah Courier
Mr. Bright of Jackson is going to build a hotel at Hinson Springs on the Tennessee Midland Railroad and open up a summer resort.
Carroll County Democrat
Huntingdon, Tennessee
Hinson Springs Fire
Hinson Springs Hotel, a popular summer resort near Lexington, burned last Friday. Proprietor J. H. LONG and wife were in Jackson at the time and the origin of the fire is not known.
from Carroll Co. TNGenWeb [publication date seems to be incorrect]
June 12, 1908
Lexington Progress
Local and Personal
Thursday evening of each week there will be a dance at Hinson Springs Hotel. Good music by string band. Tickets for evening dance 50 cents per couple. Everybody invited.
Some twelve or fifteen couples of our young people had a gay time at Hinson Springs Hotel Monday night and were prevented from coming home by the rain which fell from about 9 to 12 o’clock.
Big Day: L. A. & A. C. Williams will have their great barbecue at Hinson Springs on Saturday, July 4. Excellent music will be furnished, the dinner will be the best ever and the crowd will be no doubt be immense.
Get you ready for the Peabody Normal Institute which will open its session of four weeks in Lexington Training School building next Monday.
A good citizen of Wildersville says Lexington parties are receiving whisky by the wagon load through that station. The names of the parties are well known. Five wagon loads are reported.
March 19, 1909
Lexington Progress
Local and Personal
Deeds were passed yesterday from P. Steffy to C.H. Pinkstaff, J.W. Montgomery and __ Barcroft, of Illinois, for the Hinson Springs property. The new owners will greatly improve the property and bring it back to its old time patronage and may build an infirmary there. Dr. Montgomery will have personal charge of the place.
Threadgill Bros. have erected a spacious warehouse in the rear of the McHaney block to store their increased stock of lumber and builders material. These enterprising young men have built up a lucrative business by fair dealing and always having what is needed in their line.
April 16, 1909
Lexington Progress
Mr. and Mrs. Jno A. Jones will have management of Hinson Springs for the new owners this season, which guarantees to the patrons of the resort efficient and courteous treatment.
April 30, 1909
Lexington Progress
Buy a lot at Hinson Springs and build a cottage. You can rent it our for a good price if you do not care to spend the summer there yourself. Price of lots 50 x 100 including water privileges. Call at Lexington Immigration Co’s office for particulars.
May 7, 1909
Threadgill Bros. have signed a contract to build a handsome dancing pavilion at Hinson Springs. The structure will be 36 x 60 feet with cloak room and elevated stand for orchestra.
R.H. Wheatley, who is normally a sober, steady, practical prohibitionist, a few days ago, carried a bucket of clabbered milk to Hinson Springs for his dinner-- rather a light diet for a hardworking carpenter. [July 2, 1909]
May 21, 1909
Lexington Progress
Springs Open
On Wednesday, June 2, Hinson Springs Hotel will have a formal opening for the summer season. The day, if favorable weather, promises to be a great one, with match games of ball, shooting by the Lexington Gun Club, barbecued dinner in the park and closing with a big ball at night. A special orchestra of trained musicians will furnish music for the day and ball and everything promises to make the occasion the most auspicious opening in the history of the best resort in West Tennessee.
The railroads will give special rates and a large crowd is expected from Jackson.
The Springs and hotel are now in the hands of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Jones and none who know them can doubt their ability and willingness to entertain even a critical public.
June 11, 1909
Lexington Progress
The Glorious Fourth
Let the merchants and citizens of Lexington join hands in a big Fourth of July celebration at Hinson Springs. All who deserve can miss dinner and for those who to purchase there will be a barbecue dinner on the grounds beside dinner in the hotel. There will be cold drinks for sale and the finest water in the world free as the air. Let us have a committee to award prizes to the ugliest man and the prettiest baby. We can have foot races, a wheel-barrow race--in fact a number of things to fill the day with interest. Our merchants will give little premiums, and fiddlers can rosin up for the benefit of those who wish to skip the light fantastic. What do you say? Don’t you think we could make a jolly day of the Fourth?
June 18, 1909
Lexington Progress
Doings at Hinson Springs
Arrangements are now being made for two mails daily instead of one as heretofore.
The Negro band is dispensing fine music and thereby charming the guests.
Fishing has been good since the waters have cleared up.
Four contracts have been let for new residences.
June 25, 1909
Lexington Progress
Hinson Springs
A new fishpond, constructed by P. J. Dennison, is the latest improvement at the Springs.
Dollar pitching and croquet have been enjoyed by many of the guests recently.
A new bridge at the depot will soon add much to the appearance and elegant approach to the grounds.
The new chief cook, James Frazier, an experienced restaurantuer from Jackson, has arrived, and is displaying great skill as a caterer for the guests.
July 2, 1909
Lexington Progress
[Large Ad for Hinson Springs Company]
Grand Rally
July 3, ‘09
HINSON SPRINGS
Grand Celebration of American Freedom, Fourth of July
Baseball, Trap Shooting, Tennis, Music, Dancing, Fireworks at Night
Barbecue and Squirrel Stew. The new and elegant dancing pavilion will be
open all day and music by trained band. Everything to Attract, nothing to Distract.
Tell everybody you see and send word to those you don’t see. Remember the day.
Saturday, July 3. HINSON SPRINGS COMPANY
December 17, 1909
Lexington
Progress
Jacksonians Get Big Job; Contract for Construction of Hinson Springs Let
Mr. W. F. Barcroft and Dr. J. W. Montgomery of Lawrenceburg, Illinois, who have been here for the past two days, yesterday in conjunction with Architect R. A. Heavener, let the general contract for the construction of the new Hinson Springs Hotel to contractor E. G. Parish of this city. Messrs. G. C. Anderson & Co. were the successful bidders for the plumbing and electrical work while J. R. Johnson secured the contract for the brick work.
The building will contain 80 rooms with baths distributed throughout the building and will be after the old English style of architecture in frame and stucco. Ample and spacious lobbies and parlors to be finished in old mission style, while large cool verandas will entirely surround the main building.
A modern and complete electrical plant will be installed on the ground which will illuminate the main building and grounds.
The total cost of the improvements will be approximately $50,000 and will be a credit to Tennessee as a watering place and summer and winter resort.
The contractors will begin operations immediately and will have the building ready for occupancy not later than May 15th, 1910, when it will be formally thrown open to the public.--Jackson Sun 12th
April 15, 1910 Progress
Lexington Progress
Local and Personal
Hinson Springs is going to be the best summer resort in West Tennessee, and the new commodious hotel, with light and water plants installed, will be thrown open to the public June 1.
May 12, 1911
Lexington Progress
Local and Personal
By the way-the summer resort season will open before the lapse of many more weeks and if you happen to see or hear anybody make inquiries, you might let them know that Hinson Springs is by far the best of all the West Tennessee resorts.
Dr. J. H. Howard is making trips to Hinson Springs and getting much benefit from that famous water. The doctor has been considerable indisposed, but is now showing marked improvement and bids fair to soon be restored to his usual health.
May 19, 1911
Lexington Progress
A New Road
Road Commissioner, J. Frank Martin, will soon open a new road, which will save the pulling of a considerable hill “a comin’ and a gwine,” on the way to and from Hinson Springs.
Coming toward Lexington, the new road leaves the old at the bottom of the big river hill and rejoins the old road at the Moss place inside the town limits. Mr. John Wilkerson, through whose land the new road will pass, gives a 30-foot right of way, asking only that it be fenced. The wire for that purpose has been purchased by Commissioner Martin. The money costs of the new road is met by citizens in and out of Lexington and Martin has give liberally of personal work in the matter. The new road will measure 1,1016 yards in length and will have no hills on it.
June 4, 1909
Lexington Progress
HINSON SPRINGS
Opening Day Opened With Lowering Clouds, but there was no Downpour
Last Wednesday the advertised opening for Hinson Springs, under the ownership and management of J. Jones, beginning with lowering clouds and threatened downpour of rain, which kept at home hundreds of people who had prepared to go and on that account the crowd at the Springs did not number anything like it would have been had the weather been dry. In fact had Old Sol bestowed his smile for a few days previous instead of Jupiter Pluvius having charge we believe the Opening Day crowd would have been a record breaker even for Hinson Springs.
However, there was quite a respectable number of people who turned out for the day in spite of the frowning elements of early morning, and the Opening Day may be counted a success.
The dinner served in the hotel only with as fine barbecue meats of Kit Williams ever cooked, added to an otherwise appetizing menu, was equal to any that ever tempted the palate of an epicure.
The new dancing pavilion was used and complimented by all. It is a handsome and attractive addition to the property.
Hinson Springs starts in O.K. condition for the summer and we believe the new management will make it what it deserves to be-the most popular resort in West Tennessee
Local and Personal
Things promise to be lively at Hinson Springs this summer. With Mr. and Mrs. John A. Jones in charge of the hotel, that feature can hardly fail to give satisfaction. The splendid park, the unequaled water, the new and attractive dancing pavilion--all go to make Hinson the best resort in West Tennessee for rest and recreation. The Lexington patronage promises to be better than ever.
Our neighbors Forrest Winslow, Green Threadgill and Abner McCall have been helping to push the construction of the new dance pavilion at Hinson Springs
February 20, 1914
The Lexington Republican
Machine Shop; Valuable Property Destroyed by Fire Last Saturday Morning
Saturday morning at 2 o’clock fire destroyed the plant of the Southern Foundry & Machine Company at this place, the building being in a state of collapse before the fire company could get into the operation owing to the late hour of the fire and the remoteness of the plant. The company is capitalized at $10,000, and the loss is safely estimated at $17,000, covered by insurance. The machinist, Eli Jones, has expressed the belief that the fire was of incendiary origin. The building was one of the historic structures of the town having been erected and used twenty years ago as the Lexington Baptist College. It is not known whether it will be rebuilt.
June 20, 1930
Lexington Progress
[Ad]
Annual Event at Hinson Springs July 4th With a first-class barbecue dinner of Meats, Breads, Pickles and Onions
We hope to have a record-breaking attendance and to have the most enjoyable program ever carried out at this popular resort. The finest of all waters is abundant and unfailing and for those who prefer there will be stands of iced drinks and ice cream.
There will be two ball games and the promise of an airplane from Bry’s in Memphis.
The park will be in lovely condition and the privilege of spending the day drinking the famous health-giving Hinson waters ought to attract a great gathering of the people.--Wright & McCulley
July 6, 1928
Lexington Progress
Big Day at Hinson Springs
The Glorious Fourth was a grand day, a successful day at Hinson Springs, being attended by a much larger crowd than expected, farming conditions considered. The barbecued meats, with the et ceteras necessary to make out a dinner, were sold in any way to suit the purchaser, from a whole carcass to a 10 cent sandwich. Three political candidates were present and spoke-Herman Cravens, for Congress, Dr. J. D. Hopper, for State Senate, and Lewis S. Pope, for Governor.
Dr. Hopper spoke but about ten minutes, Mr. Cravens spent part of his time refuting statements made by his opponent, Capt. Gordon Browning, and Mr. Pope delivered the most scathing arraignment and denunciation of Governor Horton and his administration ever heard on a political platform in Henderson County. Mr. Pope was introduced eloquently and forcefully by Hon. Tom C. Long of Madison County.
This office was closed a part of the fourth and as we have to go to press early Thursday or miss some of the country mails, we can give no more extended notice of the speaking, but shall do so in next week’s issue.
July 18, 1930
Lexington Progress
Saturday, July 12, Broke all Records:
Last Saturday smashed heat records in Tennessee--and the night was worse, in proportion, if possible, for there were no cool places here that night. Working people reported the heat inside house to go several degrees over 100--one man testifies to 115 degrees at an oil station. At a good many homes the mercury climbed as high as 105--and Mrs. R.L. McCulley gave her resort a good name by stating that when she left Lexington late Saturday night, the mercury stood at 96 but only 88 when she reached Hinson Springs.
In Memphis alone, ending Saturday night, 13 had died from causes incidental to heat and ten more had been carried to hospitals. Coupled with this great discomfort was the disheartening fact that vegetation was literally dying, and dying fast. This in some ways, seems to be one of the greatest droughts since the year 1874.
August 1, 1930
Lexington Progress
Local and Personal
[Comments About the Weather]
Some of our good Christian people who have money are going to have to “loosen up” without much security--unless it rains mighty soon. God loves a cheerful giver--but the money of a reluctant giver will buy food all the same.
Postmaster John L. Sullivan, with his sons, Connie and Curry and Connie’s wife autoed to Blytheville, Ark., and back last Sunday. Mr. Sullivan says that on the highway to Memphis the air which blew into their faces was hot like the air from a burning building.
The hot winds of this week have blown the heart out of farmers, especially those having crops on the hill lands. A little further extension of this country’s present condition will put the people in a plight they have not experienced since the memorable drought of 1874.
Please bear in mind that the tent meeting, held under the auspices of both Methodist churches, will begin at the 11 o’clock hour. News comes that Dr. Harmon will be here for that service, and Prof. John D. Wyatt, who was one time a teacher in our High School, has written that he will reach Lexington Saturday. The sermons and music will be inspiring, and it is no hotter under the tent than at home. To to all the services.
Any revival to be held in the near future can reap no benefit from preaching a hot hades to frighten the sinners and make them turn the other way, for Christians and sinners alike have become accustomed to great heat by day and night. We believe that a threat of repetition of such a Winter as that of 97-17 [probably was referring to 1917-1918] would bring good results.
Lexington and the country people who come to this town in the summer time have no greater benefactor than Dr. William A. Lawler, the druggist, who furnished a free drinking place of unlimited cool water, made by sinking a 40-foot coil in a deep well. This place is on the outside of the Elk Drug store and it is estimated that a thousand people drank at it last Saturday.
Several Lexington people are daily receiving Hinson Springs water, delivered by Mrs. R.L. McCulley, and getting fine results from its use. Try it a week at 10c per day.
Last Sunday was a scorcher--hot and with hot wind blowing, hence no comfort to be found. Sunday night was the hottest the writer ever experienced in the home at 318 North Main and no relief can until the morning hours. From such days and nights as those of last Sunday, may the Good Lord deliver us--but with all that, we had no desire to leave this world to try the climate of one of the ones to come.
June 26, 1931 Lexington Progress
Local and Personal
Mrs. Dorothy McCully is making daily trips from Hinson Springs delivering mineral water to her customers in Lexington in one to five gallon orders of this famous water which has been used as far back as the early settlement of the county, as a remedy and preventative of nervous disorders, stomach and kidney trouble and general toning up of the system. Mrs. McCulley is having an analysis made of the water and expects to develop the property somewhat this season as a camping site and eventually restore it to its proper place as a health resort, which will mean not only profitable business for her but an additional source of revenue in tourist trade for the town. Miss Dorothy sells the water at 10c per gallon, delivered, and may be reached by phone at 47W.