The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-01-07
OLD DOCTOR IS
 A BOY AT HEART
PRAcTIcING PHYSICIAN OF WEST HAS REMARKABLE HIsToRY-HELPED TO BUILD PoRTLAND-lS STILL MELLOW.

Denver.-The remarkable record of ex- Governor Carcelon of Maine, who at y6 still drives his ancient rig about the country to attend the bedsides of his pa tlents. Is closely followed by pr. Francis Collins of Denver, who Is the friskiest old physician of the west. He and his wife are soon to celebrate the sixty second anniversary of their marriage.
 This interesting couple live all alone in their humble apartments, 1437 South Water street, their children having mar ried and founded their own homes many years ago. pr. and Mrs Collins have been sweethearts all their lives both hav- ing been born and reared together in Devonshire, England Mrs. Collins waa born on Christmas eve, 1922. and Is all most two years younger than her hus- band.
 T was born on February 20, 1S20,' said Dr. Collins. Fin the reign of George w., and I might add that l am only nine months younger than the late Queen Victoria. I can well remember her corr onation, for on that day I had my first experience of extending my arm to young lady.
 Not many people can hope to experi- enoe as long and as happy a married life. but still we have had our ups and downs without number. We were mar- ried in Devonshire July Sl, 1844. and came to this country In 1866, after four chil- dren had been born to us.
 T became a contractor and handled many large jobs. Portland, Me, was de- stroyed by fire in 1866 and I helped to rebuild It. 1 moved to Detroit and built for the Michigan Central railroad all it's bridges between Detroit and Chicago. At that time Bradstreets reviews ehtimated my private fortune at $35,00O freq of in- cumbrances. We had our own besu.itu home in the swellest section of Detroit.
 'Then came the panic of !87S and in an attempt to tideJover some friends lost all, even our home. We came to Denver twenty-slx years ago, and l have since practiced my profession of yeteri- nary surgeon, which l learned in Eng land. Several times here I have taken new start. and once had a little homo on Welton street, but met with more reverses and lost it.'
 Dr. Collins has not aged rapidly and Is still quite lively despite his eighty-five years. The lady has almost entirely lost her memory. but the doctor can distinct ly record events that took place when he was only four years old.
 Eleven children were born to them, of whom four are still living besides twen- ty-eight grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. Mrs. Eliza Hanks of No. 270O Champa street and Mrs. Louisa Glassley of Englewood are the only chill dren living in Denver.
 Despite the fact that the aged couple are disposed to take cheerful view of their circumstances, 1t is evident than the struggle for livelihood is a hard one, and no doubt the Christmas eve and birthday anniversary will recall bet ter times that have passed Their two clean little rooms are evidence of their destitute circumstances. When asked if they would celebrate the sixty-second anniversary of their marriage, the aged wife replied that they were too poor to celebrate any event now, but she hoped to be well provided for on Christ mas, her birthday.