The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-08-22
n VonGe9JHJ Clock.
THE INGENUITY OF A POOR GERMAN PENN-
SYIyANIA MINER-A CLOCK THAT Is
MARVEL OF MECHANISM.


poor German iniuer of the Excelsior Col
fierv. which is situated within few miles
of this borough, has exhibited clock here,
during the past week, of a most remarka-
ble character. lie had been three years
constructing 1.-THE first two years at in
teryals Of time, and the last year he worked
at it day and night, scarcely taking time
enough to eat and sleep, He became al
most a
MONOMANTAC
on the subject The clock was in his mind
during his waking hours and in his dreams
ut night He occupied small wooden
shantv where he worked, slept aEd cooked
his food. Whatever sleeping and cooking
he did. however, was but little. 1t IS tho't
lie would have nearly starved but for the
kindly interest which his ncighbors took
i'm him and his clock. They took him food
and encouraged him in his labors.
A DESCRIPTION; OF THE MARVEL.
The clock, which was made with no
other tools than two common jackkniveS,
is eight feet high and four feet broad. Its
frame is of the gothic style of architecture.
1t has sixteen sides and is surmOunted by
globe, on the top of which Is attached
small gilGed cross. On the front Of the
clock there are fouT dial plates one shows
the day of the week, another shows the
day of the month, another the minutes and
. IidClLoDS OF 4 minute ana TIC OttiGl TIC
hour of the day, These dials are carved
in n most unique manner, having emblem
/ attic figures upon them and around them Of
almost every imaginable description H.
Above the dial plates is a semi-crcle gal
lerY extending around about half the width
Of the framework of the clock. Immedi-
ately in front. III the center of this semi
( circular gallery, is the carved wooden fig
: ure Of
OUR SAVIOUR.
At the ends of the gallery, on either side,
there is small door, opening into the body
of the clock, as you stand facing it. is an
. eagle Over the door, on the left hand
/ side, is a chicken cock. Twice day. that
. is. at 90 in the day and AZ II. % At night.
( a sweet chime of bells begin to play. the
/ small door on the right hand side opens
and the small wooden figures. admirably
/ carved, of the twelve Apostles, appear and
walk ont slowly and gTavcly in procession,
Peter in the lead. Advancing along the
gallery until they get opposite the figure
Of Jesus, each in turn, except Judas. slow
~ turns round and bows his head TO the
/ Master, then RECEIVERS his former position
as Peter Ices this the cock crows. They
continue to advance to the other side of
the gallery and enter the small door on the
left As Judas who is IN the YEAR with
his right hand shielding his face. and his
left land Claspiug the bag which is sup
posed to contain the thirty pieces Of silver,
comes III full view Of the cock, the cock
crows again. BY simple arrangement
.hS procession can he made to come out
and pass around the gallery at any time
desired. On pedestals, nj the extreme cor
uers of the front Of the clock. are carved
wooden statues of
MOSES AND ELIAS.
In tho rear arc two obclisllS Of the Egypt
ian style, upon which are carved hero
glyphic characters to represent the ancient
period of the worlds history. The clocl,
will run thirty-two hours without winding.
NIr. Kctter, who Is native Of FricLurg. in
Baden, is very proud Of his workmanship.
lie can scarcely bear to be away from It
long enough to eat his meals. lie has
been offered ten thousand dollars for Il by
a party from New York, but he refused it.
Gr. kctter says he has often heard OF
the celebrated clock in Strasburg. GeTma-
ny. but he never saw it, and has no kuowI-
edge Of how it was constructed. neither has
he ever had instructions IN mechanics OF
any kind.
His purpose is to exhibit it fer few
months in this country, and then take it
with him to Germany.