W. E. Beatty, proprietor of the Southern Hotel (pictured below), of Eureka Springs, was born in Ohio on October 28^th, 1849, and is a son of John and Delilah (Beery) Beatty, the former of Scotch-Irish and the latter of German extraction. The father and mother were born in 1810 and 1812, respectively, and now reside in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The father has been a merchant, but since about 1876 has been retired from business.

W. E. Beatty was taken by his parents to Iowa when he was eight years of age, and he remained there with them until he was sixteen years of age, when he left home. Since then he has been on the frontier the greater part of his time, engaged in general trading, mining and railroad contracting. Until coming to Eureka Springs he never remained long in a place.

He came to Eureka Springs in quest of health, and being pleased with the place has remained here. His hotel, which is situated in a most commanding place at the Basin Springs, was built in 1880 by L. M. Rainey, of Springfield, Mo. I was operated by leasehold proprietors with good success until the fall of 1886, when Mr. Beatty purchased the whole property. In the fall of 1888 he remodeled the building, and refurnished it with water and gas and all the modern improvements. Prior to purchasing the hotel he had it leased, and it has been under his proprietorship since November, 1885. During which time it has gained a wide reputation for accommodation to families seeking relief from ill health, from the heat of a summer's sun in the South, or a winter's freeze in the North, and also as headquarters for commercial travelers. Mr. Beatty is an exemplary man in his moral character.

Lisa Hamilton submitted the above data from Goodspeeds; she did so to help others, is not researching the above person or families mentioned therein. Thanks go to Paul Gatson for providing the picture.