The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-10-18
NUMBER SO.
Il WONDERFUL CLOCK.

II " O-N LIE IA r L l. NtIsflFFh-
The Reading Eagle says that John c.
FiesteT lives at $50 South Eleventh street.
IN that city. He was born i'm Salisbury
township, Lancaster county. and is 81 wears
old. He IS cCachmaker bv trade. aud
has lived IL Reading some nine wears. His
family consists Of himself wife and one
chlld. Eleven years ago be began 10 work
on a piece OF mechanism, which is one
day destined to place bis name i'm the font
rank of American inventors. For some
time past Mr.. riestaT has been i'm delicate
health from nervous deb lity, aud dur,nr
hls spare time has been devotinp every mo-
ment TO the accomplishment Of the dream
of his life, until to-day il is realized. This
: piece Of mechanism i'm the shape Of an
Apostolic clock, which /. is claimed is vast-
lyfsupeTior 20 the Engel clock. exhibited
here last winter, and is fully equal to the
clock IN the Strasburg Cathedral. Germany.
An Eagle representative recently paid a
visit TO Mr.. Fies;er and found him wlapt
mp IN his work. The parts Cf the clock
being altogether new, do not work as bar-
moniously as they will after they have
been ~ position FOR some time. The clock
s twelve feet high, three feet wide at the
base and two feet five inches deep. II is
divided into three sections, and the first
contains semi circle where a picture of
di1erenS clergyman Of some Reading
congregation Is shown every eight minutes
The second section contains dial nerhaps
two feet aud a half in diameter. Inside
this are placed smaller diels showing tha
different changes OF time, One shows the
circle OF the Zodiac with the signs of tls
II months of the year The others repre-
sent lhe moons changes. the seasons. the
day OF the week, month and year, seconds.
minutes and hours OF the day aud different
phases OF the moon. At The base Of this
section are two small tubes. which respcc-
lively represent the tide at PHILADELPHIA
and I'D mid ocean. To the right and left
of these are two doors where small fi.rurcs
emerge representing buglers and play i'm
a very life-like manner. Directly above
the large dial Is a niche where Childhood.
Youth, Manhood aud Old Age appear dur
ing the hour.
To the right and left Of these are figures
placed in alcuyes representing Father
Time and Death. The former holds in his
hands a scythe, hour glass and bell. on
which to strike the quarter hour with his
scythe. Death, which Is represented by a
skeleton. holds a thigh boue i'm his night
hand and strikes the hour ON a skull at ms
side.
The upper section at the base has an
open courr, and on either side and a Iittle
beyond in the centre are double doors
which open when the Apostolic march be-
gins. To the left is a figure of Jnstice
appear. To the right and directly above,
on gil5 column stands golden cock that
crows. Above tie middle door is a pair
Of folding doors which open At the proper
time, and allow the three Marys TO mass
ont through.
To the right and left Of tlis are shutters
where Satan appears ut different times.
The whole is suImouuted bv one large
Steeple and two small ones with dormer
windows. On top OF the larger is beau.i-
fnl gilt cross, with paddle wheel which
IS Designed TO show the changes of the
wind.
When the hour hand approaches the
first quarter Father Time reverses his
hour glass, and after striking on n hell
@ith his scythe and another ben resnon5-
ing, Childhood appears. When ;he b9nr
1 hand approaches the second quarter
Father Time strikes two and Youtb an
pears. Then the middle Of the loEer fold-
ing doors open and the Savior comes walk
ing out. The Apostles then commence to
march and The three Marys pass ont of the
doors at the upper BALCONY aud stand
facing the audience. As the Apostles
come IN front Of Him they ali bow 10 hin,
ana he BOWS IN return, except Peter who
turns his back 10 Him. Then satan an
pears at the left window and The cool
crows and flaps his wings. Justice then
also raises her scales. When Iuflas a,,,,s,,.s
10
/ right on, the devil following him ana
after seeing that Judas is all right. dis3D-
/ pears and appears at the left hand window
| Just before the third quarter Father Time
/ strikes three and Manhood disappears. a.
! the uour hano approach the last s,uarter
alher ines strikes four and Old Ace
/ appears, Death strikes the hour with A tl,igb
I bone and the march begius again.
Outside OF these two voluntary nova-
meniS every hour the apostles can be prr-
! duced as often As desired. The clock is
made OF heavy walnut, proFuSelv pilded.
/ The figures are all nine inches high pxcept
/ the three Mays and Childhood. An ,i-
gan inside the clock plays four sacred
! hymns aud anthems, one every uuatfer of
+ an hour. The apostles are All carved and
coiored after serlptural scenery, The piiu-
/ clpai works Of the clock ran two weeks.
! while the others have TO be wound up at
shorter intervals. The combined veipht
oi the weights useO in winding up the
clock IS ia pounds. Ii is a wonderful
piece nI mechanism. aud will be placed ON
exhibition on Penn street la the near
future.