Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1879-07-26
WONDERFUL MECHANISM.
A Detroit Rival to the Strassburg Clock
What it Shows and How 1t is Done
Curious and Complicated Machin.
From Detroit Post and Tribune.

From Detroit Post and Tribune. -i 81 i.
Mr.. Felix Meier, an ingenious mechan-
ic of this city, has constructed clock
which, in the number, variety and ac-
curacy of its performances, eclipses the
far-famed Strassburg clock, which it re-
sembles i'm some particulars. 1t was ex-
hibited on Saturday at the residence of
Mr.. Meier, All Sherman street, to repre-
sentatives of the press and few spec
tally invited guests. The clock stands
1S feet in height and is enclosed in a
black walnut frame elabOrately carved
and Ornamented. 1t is called the Ameri-
can national and astronomical clock.
Very appropriately the crowning figure is
that of Liberty, upon a canopy over the
head of Washington, who is seated upon
La marble dome. The canopy is support
ed by columns on either side. On inches
below at the four corners of the clock are
four human figures representing infancy
youth, manhood and age. Each of these
figures has bell in one hand and a
hammer in the other. The inches are
supported by angels with fiaring torches
and over the center is the figure of Father
Time. The striking of this clock is its
interesting performance. At the quarter
hour the figure of the infant strikes its
tiny bell; at the half hour the figure OF
the youth strikes its bell of louder tone
at the third quarter the man strikes his
bell, at the full hour the gray beard
Then the figure of Time steps out and
tolls the hour. Then two small figures
throw open doors in the columns on
either side of Washington, and there is
| a procession of the Presidents of tht
United States. AS the procession moves
Washington rises and salutes each figure
as it passes, which in turn salutes him
They move through the door on the Othel
side and it is then closed behind them
The figures of the Presidents are pretty
fair likenesses of the persons they ar
intended to represent. The procession
moves to the accompaniment of muSi,
: played by the clock itself. The musi,
machinery is capable of playing severa
airs, especially national and patriot,
airs. al5 % efe@WE. hTr 7a3i3e
Another interesting feature of tn
| clock is an orrey which shows the move
, lments of the earth, moon and planets
!. all perfect and controlled by the ma
chinery of the clock. There are dial
WHICH SHOW Tile uOuI ullHuto dHu ocCOH
4 in Detroit, Washington, New York, Sal
+ Francisco, London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna
st. Petersburg, ConstantinOple, Cairo
Pekin and Melbourne. The clock ais
shows the day of the week and month i
l Detroit, the month and season of tn
g year, changes of the moon, etc., the Who'll
forming most wonderful and cOmplica1
ed machinery.
Mr.. Meier has worked upon this cloc
nearly 10 years, and for the last fou
years has devoted his whole time to i
!. He is Bavarian by birth, is about 3
years of age and has lived in this couI
g try 13 years. He is a stone-cutter b
q trade and was employed for number {
years in the stone yard of David KNAPP
g To furnish him time and means to con
plete this clock a joint stock compan
v was formed called the American natiOns
: and astronomical clock company, with
q capital stock of $4,000, and this con
v pany now owns the clock, upon which
d has expended in actual cash some 81
q 600. As before stated the frame is yeI
: rich and elaborate, having been designe
+ and carved by Mr. Ferdinand Lapp. I'll
d devices are not only beautiful but al
9 appropriate. -