The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-09-30

Albert N. Collins, log cabin home,
which Collins and his Son-in-law,
BY MARY BINGHAM
In cool; wooded seclusion, quite
as complete as though Indianapolis
were 200 miles away instead of just
few miles distant, lives Albert N.
Collins, whose domain includes
twelve acres, enclosed by a hickory
sapling fence reminiscent of early
American outposts, three log cabins,
and tree autographed by old Danl
Boone himself.
For thirty years Collins has been
an ardent collector of antiques, al
ways with the ultimate goal of
housing them in their proper set
ting-a log cabin.
His dream in it's fulfllment has
become as he wished it, typical
colonial home, such as might have
been furnished by the first Ameri-
can settlers, but without the sacri-
flee of comfort.
OverIooks Winding Creek
Built at the edge of a cliff, the
main cabin with it's enclosed porch
overlooks Little Eagle creek, at the
bottom of a fifty-foot drop, whose
winding course resembles an Eng
lish etching, and rolling farm lands
with the farm house roof barely
observable in the distance.
Two sleeping cabins share the
same view. Between the two cabins
is the "Danl Boone tree" a great
beech, on which is carved the words
'Dan1 Boon killed a bar with the
date 1871.
The carving has been checked and
revealed authentic.
Both sleeping cabins are rustic
and contain excellent examples of
Jenny Lind beds and dressers, robe
beds and old walnut chests.
But it is the main cabin whose
space, excepting a small section
given over to the kitchen, is taken
up by an immense living room, that
could have been accomplished only
by a collector whose heart has been
in his work.
All Are Authentic
Some things are family heir
looms; others have been found in
various parts of the country, par
ticularly the east; many have been
given him by friends interested in
his hobby, and with the exception
of one or two pieces whose history
is doubtful, all are authentic pieces
of the early American period
Outstanding in the room is the
giant boulder fireplace which was
built by Mr.. Collins and his SON.
in-law, Charles L. Palmer.
From the chimney peers huge
elk's head given Collins by Harry
S. New. Another large head and
two smaller deer heads face the
fireplace from the opposite end of
the room and around the molding
are stretched varieties of snake
skins.
Lamps Are Wired
At each end of the mantle are
charcoal lamps that have been
wired, and around the room sconces
whose candles have electric torches.
Further light is given by hanging
circular chandeliers of ships Ian
terms.
The fireplace is made the center
of attraction by the collection of
strangely assorted pieces on and
around it. Hanging above it from
the beamed ceiling is the seed corn
found in every old homestead.
On it, pieces of Old Ironstone
china, pewter, candle-molds and
candlesticks. Across it, a rifle and
powder horn, carried during the
Revolutionary war by Thmoas Hoy,
is hung. Other firearms in the
room include swords carried dur
ing the Revolutionary and Civil
wars; a muzzle loading rifle used
at the beginning of the Civil war
by Collins father, with his belt
and ammunition pouch, and a Colt
navy pistol dated 1853. There also
is an old Indian peace pipe.
Benches Flank Hearth
Beside the fire leans a long
handled iron toaster, a seventeenth
century fork, a three-legged griddle,
an eighteenth century charcoal
burning foot warmer. a warming
pan, and, of course, the turkey
feathers for sweeping the hearth.
An early American rocking bench
and an old English type settle at
each side ol the hearth and facing
it an old tspe day bed, used for a