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In the spring of 1872, snow melting on faraway mountaintops caused the Yellowstone River to swell in the area which later became known as Hunters Hot Springs. In her diary, Doctor Hunter's wife writes: "This spring the river raised earlier than commen (sic) and we could not cross. So we got out of provisions and had to live for some days on fish. When the men got through planting and building we started for Bozeman...got to the Shield River found it so high we had to swim the horses, each man taking a child till they were over but myself and the Doctor" (A. J. Hunter). Dr. Hunter and Susan could both swim and they had taught all of their children to swim.
"We took a horse a piece (each) and started. Our horses were not as good as those we had sent the children on and we was carried down the river for a half mile before the horses could make a landing. We prepared ourselves for swimming in case the horse floundered by taking most of our clothing off. On landing found our poor little scared babies on their knees praying we might all land safe. They were rejoiced to see us safe once more. We spent the summer (1872) in Bozeman."
An 1872 newspaper article in the AVANT-COURIER mentions that Dr. A. J. Hunter had once again become the chief physician for the county hospital: "Dr. Hunter has been again awarded the contract for the care, subsistence and medical treatment of the indigent sick and insane of Gallatin Co. by the Board of Commissioners, he being the lowest bidder. Taken in connection with the highly favorable report of the last Grand Jury of the manner in which this unfortunate class were being cared for by Dr Hunter and the excellent condition of the hospital, this award should give general satisfaction as we have no doubt it does."
May 23, 1872 - "Mr. Ferris, Dr. Hunter and some others are sowing grain notwithstanding the lateness of the season. We anticipate quite an addition to the number of settlers there this summer, as facilities for agricultural purposes are abundant, there being plenty of good land, water and timber...Dr. Hunter's Springs - The curative properties of Dr. Hunter's bathing springs are wonderful. We notice several who have been hobbling around all winter with rheumatic pains, that are now, under the restorative influences of the springs able to take an active part in the athletic sports of the boys and, judging from the hirsute appearance of those who have been there, we opine that the legion of bald-headed Bachs who waste time and money on bogus hair restorers, would find a few weeks sojourn at the warm springs more conducive to the rejuvenation of their capillary adornments."
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