The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-09-01
Marvellous Mechanism.
The wonderful Clock that YVES Made by
Poor SIiner-Nvhat Man or Genius
can do with JaskknIfe.

Tne WunutfEul CLOCK tnht WIS huuo ny
Poor Mincr-What Man OF Genius
can do with a JaskknIfe.
Karl Ketter, poor German miner Of
tho Excelsior Colliery, whichis situated
within few miles Of Shamokin, Pa,
has exhibited clock Of most remark
able character. He has been three
years constructing it-thefi first two years
at intervals Of time, and the last year
hc worked at IL day and night, scarcely
taking time enough to eat and sleep,
He became almost q monomaniac on
the subject. The clock was in his mind
during his working hours and in his
dreams at night. He occupied alone o
small wooden shanty, where he worked,
slept, and cooked lis food. Whatever
sleeping and cooking hO did, however,
was but little. 1t is thought he would
liaye nearly starved but for the kindly
interest which his neighbors took in him
and his clock. They took him food and
encouraged him in his labors.
The clock, which was made with no
other tools than two common jack
knives, Is eight feet high and four feet
broad. IT'S frame is OF the Gothic style
OF architecture. It las sixteen sides,
and is surmounted by q globe, on top
Of which is attached a small golden
cross. On the front Of the clock there
are four dial plates; one shows the day
Of the week, another shows the day OF
the month, another shows the minutes
and fractions of O minute, and the other
tho hour OF the day. These dials are
carved in n most unique manner, hAv.
ing emblematic figures upon them and
around them Of almost every imaginable
description. Above the dial plates is Q
semi.circular gallery extending around
about half the width Of the framework
OF the clock. Immediately in front,
in the centre OF this semi.circular gal
lery, is the carved wooden figure Of our
Savior.
At the ends OF tho gallery on either
side there is n small door opening into
tic body OF the clock. Over the door,
on the right hand side Of tho clock,
"a you stand facing it, is m eagle.
Over the door on the left hand side is a
cock. Twice day-that is at 1905 in
the day aud at 1906 at night-a sweet
chime Of bells begins to play, the small
door on the right hand side opens, and
tho small wooden figures admirably
carved, of the twelve apostles, appear
and walk out slowly and gravely in pro-
cession, Peter in the lead. Advancing
along the gallery until they get opposite
the figure OF Jesus, each in turn, except
Judas, slowly turns round aud bows
bis head to the Master, then recoyers
his former position; MS Peter does this
the cock crows. They continue to nd
vance to the other side of tile gallery
and enter the small door on the left. AZ
Judas (who is in tho rcar), witt, his right
hand shielding his ince and his left
hand clasping the bag which is supposed
to contain the thirty pieces OF silver,
comes in full view Of the cock, the cock
crows again. By q simple arrangement
this procession can be made to come
out aud pnss around the gallery at any
time desired.
On pedestals, at the extreme corners
OF the front OF the clock, are carved
wooden statues OF Moses and Elias. Ii
the rear are two obelisks OF the Egyp'
tim style, upon which arc carved hero
glyphic characters to represent the
ancient periods OF the worlds history.
The clock will ran tllirty-two hours
without winding. Mr.. Ketter, who is o
native Of Freiburg, Baden, is very
proud OF his workmanship. He can
scarcely bear 10 be away from 1t long
enough to eat his meals. He has been
offered $4,000 for it by a person from
New York, but he refused it.
Mr.. Ketter says he has often heard oi
the celebrated clock in Strassburg, but
he never saw 1t, and he has no knowl'
edge Of how it was constructed ; neither
has he ever had any instruction In
mechanics Of any kind. His purpose !,
to exhibit it for few months in thi,
country, and then take 1t with him K
Germany.