Norman E. Mcleod, the photographer of "Happy Hollow" at Hot Springs, Ark., is one of the most notable characters of that famous resort. He was born in Sumter county, Ga., November 29, 1853, on a farm. At the age of nineteen he went to Live Oak. Fla., where he learned the business of jeweler and photographer with his brother. Securing a scholarship in the college at Athens, Ga., he attended that institution, cutting stencils and stamping key checks during his vacations to pay his incidental expenses.
He spent two years, 1875 and 1876, in college and after that traveled somewhat extensively over this country, adopting different occupations as necessity required to pay his way. The greater part of the time, however, he stuck to photography, in which he displayed rare talent and great originality. During the twelve years after leaving college he was showman, photographer, orange grower, fisherman, and trader in general, and during this time he had many wild and exciting experiences on both land and sea. In 1888 he came to Hot Springs and, liking the place, concluded to settle down for awhile. He opened a photographic studio and his marvelous skill in taking groups in front of the leading hotels, etc., soon gave him a wide reputation and brought him all the business that he could handle. He then fitted up his present place, which he calls ''Happy Hollow." Here he makes a specialty of photographs in different character representations, such as hunters, fishermen, wild west pictures, etc. Many of his poses are grotesque, but all are artistic, and his customers never fail to go away pleased with their visit to ''Happy Hollow." When Mr. McLeod came to Hot Springs there was no place of free amusement there. At his own expense he has collected about fifty animals of different kinds, which he styles his menagerie, and his advertisements contain the statement that "The menagerie is always open, with music and occasional performances free of charge." In addition to his studio and his "Zoo," he keeps ponies and donkeys to hire to parties making short tours into the surrounding country. In a way Mr. McLeod has been a blessing to many poor people who have come to the Springs for treatment. He has furnished them with employment in connection with his menagerie and in various other ways. Frequently he has as many as twenty men in his employ. He pays their board and in a number of cases has paid the doctor's bills and for the baths, besides giving them a cash balance for their services. To children he is especially generous and for some time he has assumed the entire expense of caring for his sister's family. 
Norman E. McLeod has photographed the rich and the poor, the great and the humble. His reputation is almost national, and a prominent actor, at a banquet given at the Arlington Hotel, gave a toast to Mr. McLeod that he prizes highly, having had it printed on his circulars. One might suppose from the adventures Mr. McLeod has undergone that he was a man of dissipated habits. But such is not the case. He has none of the "small vices," as he neither drinks nor uses tobacco. He can be convivial without dissipation, and entertaining without the rudeness of profanity. Few people have visited the Springs in recent years who have not formed the acquaintance or at least heard the name of Norman E. McLeod. His "Happy Hollow" has become one of the features of the resort, and his photographs occupy places in many a home of this country, scattered far and wide. And when the possessors glance at the features there delineated, there comes a remembrance of the great-hearted and eccentric photographer of Hot Springs.