John Filson On Salt Springs in Kentucky

John Filson On Salt Springs in Kentucky

Many fine salt springs, whose places appear in the map, constantly emit water which, being manufactured, affords great-quantities of fine salt. At present there is but one, called Bullet's Lick, improved, and this affords salt sufficient for all Kentucke, and exports Come to the Illinois. Salt sells at present for twenty shillings per bushel; but as some other springs are beginning to be worked, no doubt that necessary article will soon be much cheaper. Drenne's-lick, the Big-bone, and the Blue-licks, send forth streams of salt water. The Nob-lick, and many others, do not produce water, but consist of clay mixed with salt particles: To these the cattle repair and reduce high hills rather to valleys than plains. The amazing herds of Buffaloes which resort thither, by their size and number, fill the traveller with amazement and terror, especially when he beholds the prodigious roads they have made from all quarters, as if leading to some populous city; the vast space of land around these springs desolated as if by a ravaging enemy, and hills reduced to plains; for the land near those springs are chiefly hilly. These are truly curiosities, and the eye can scarcely be satisfied with admiring them. A medicinal spring is found near the Big-bone Lick, which has persistently cured the itch by once bathing ; and experience in time may discover in it other virtues. There is another of like nature near Drenne's-Lick. Filson, Kentucke, p. 32-33.