The Detroit times., 1913-03-21

house II big barn. whore fifteen head
OF cattle srs swaksnsd It midnight for
their fodder. This barn u kept SUI.
prisinsly clean By Austin's daughters.
The outside Of the castle II finished.
except for q few trimmings. But the
interior anish 10 not only Incomplete.
but has been done without any appar-
ent system. Fittings and fixtures con-
tinue TO arrive from New York every
once In while.
Carved mantels, rich stained glass,
costly French plate mirrors-many re-
moved from the Austins' Fifth-ave.
mansion--lie about the castle In
crates and boxes.
In the main part OF the Castle the
flooring Ia not all laid. The interior
finish has been done. bit by bit. h.
Mr. Austin. who Is born mechanic
and carpenter.
A. concrete underground passage
runs from house cellar TO castle cellar.
The magnificent stone and wood
castle has one habitable room at the
top OF its tower. where the daughters
study opera and languages by phono-
graph records.
The daughters have never been TO
school. But they are highly educated
In academic matters. are practical
farmers and have good working knowl-
edge OF mechanics. Alta, the younger,
Is an expert beekeeper, caring for
20 bee hives.
Deserted New York.
The parents gave up Fifth-ave
life In New York city and came here
q Quarter-century ago when Neva and
Alta were little girls. But. while, they
are living close to natice, they have
been erecting a luxurious mansion
which u styled the Castle OF Mys-
terry
The sudden trip Of Mr.. Austin to
New York city has brought the family
into prominence.
1t Is believed that Mr. Austin, who
died year ago. left large estate.
Neva Austin said to An American
reporter. who went out to Cuniculocus
Park this week:
| Father Is away In New York city.
settling the estate Of mother. Poor
mother passed away. and left us near.
ly year ago"
The Castle Of Mystery" alone Is tes-
timony TO the wealth Of the Austin
family. but none Of the neighbors
knows whether the riches have been
those Of husband or wife, or of both.
From Franklin Road railroad sta
ton one takes the Hancock road. but
turns OF on a wood road to the right
From the main road to the entrance OF
Cuniculocus Park 10 about q mile.
Evidence of the Austin independ
ence Of thought strikes the eye half.
way up the wood road. This evidence
Is big iron safe. Ave feet each way
II has been there twelve years. The
dray. on which II was being trucked
to the Austins' from Franklin Road
station. broke down under the safes
weight Mrs. Austin said: Let il
lstay there
The safe has been there ever since
The Austins refuse to take Il, and nc
one will steal 1t.
Il remain here because I am happy
said Neva. We are all happy. but not
SO happy as We were when mother was
with us. love this place and every
thing about It. In the summer II IL
delightful. In the winter--well, l au
SO busy that don't find that to be
lonesome. have do desire TO visit
the city. I read about the big cities
in the newspapers and magazines. You
have 90 much to contend " it'll. Really
can Sc no pleasure in city life.''
AS feeling slightly on the defensive
Neva continued:
LOT course. people think II strange
that We should select this life. Blu,
We have more pleasure than tho ordi
nary city family. You would laugh
wouldn't you, II should tell you tina,
we discuss the opera and the theatel
with much intimacy: but we do
When our work 10 over in the small
hours of the morning we start the
phonograph and hear some opera sta,
sing"