Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-01-15
DESCRIPTIVE!
WEGMAN'S
real IsT0RIGAL AND ASTRONOMER
CLOCK
OF AMERICA!

Grantsville, a small town in Allegany
county Maryland, and is of German and
Irish descent By trade he is tanner.
When quite young he evinced strong de-
sire for science and arts He Invented
several electric machines, one of which
was an electric engine He was awarded his
frat diploma at the Second Agricultural
and Mechanical Fair of West Virginia,
Pennsylvania and Maryland, held at Cum
berland, Md.
During his leisure hours he was con-
stantly employed in making various
clocks, some of which moved by electricity
and magnetism-others by springs and
weights. About this time he conceived
the idea of making large clock, one that
would supersede anything of the kind
ever produced-one that would represent
principal scenes in American history from
Its discovery in 1902 by Columbus to the
present time.
The inventor followed the trade of tan
ner until he attained the age of twenty
one Not liking it he began painting
without any instructions in the art and
was soon raised to the position of fore
man in large shop belonging to the Cum
berland and Pennsylvania railroad COM
pany, located in Mt. Savage, Md. He re-
signed that position in 1874 on account of
its being too monotonous for his ingenuity
He removed from Mt. Savage to Frostburg,
built house with his own hands and in
this house he began to execute the work
which he had contemplated for eight years
The Great Historical and Astronomical
Clock Of America. 1t must not be forgot
ten that during the putting together of the
clock, which consisted in ornamental let
ter painting and frescoing, the inventor
had to earn livelihood.
The clock 10 1871 feet high, including
the base, and ST feet wide; 1t weighs 100
pounds. The body is ash, trimmed with
walnut. On the right and left corners, at
the bottom of the clock are two sheaves
of wheat which support it and which also
represent Agriculture-the support of our
country. Immediately over these are two
bundles of sticks which represent I'm
unity there's strength" Between these
two bundles of sticks IS shield and in the
centre of the shield IS an astronomical dial
two feet in diameter, showing the reyolu-
ton of the earth around the sun and sew
en- other planets, and the time in which
they make their revolution around the
sun, and of the moon around the earth
1t shows the longest and shortest days in
the year, the vernal and autumnal equi-
nox, the time the sun rises and sets, the
length of every day and night in the year;
1t also shows the twelve signs of she 20
diac and the month we are in. Under
this dial, in the shield, are thirteen small
dials showing the time Of thirteen differ
emit places in the world. Directly over the
shield is small dial showing Washington
time, and between the upper right and
left corners of this shield are two large
carvings of the American flag. Between
the flags, on each side of the Washington
time, arc emblems of Indian war and
peace, viz: War club, bow, arrow, toma-
hawk and pipe. On these rest a stage
three feet long. Every five and ten min
utes figures pass over this stage. AT
each end of the stage and back Of the
flags are representations of forts, which
are finely protected by cannops mounted
in port holes and parapets. On the top Of
these forts are log cabins representing the
homes of the frat settlers of America.
On these houses are drums, flies and can
non balls. The house on the right side
contains minstrel troupe composed of
nine nationalities, viz: Chinaman, Dutch
man, Irishman, John Bull, Uncle Sam,
Negro, Indian, Frenchman and Scotchman.
Uncle Sam stands in the centre, as leader,
and turns an organ on which he plays
yankee Doodle" the other nationalities
keeping time with the music. Over these
is the word "Welcome," showing Uncle
Sans greeting to all nations. At the ga
BILE of the house is carved sailor, leaning
on an anchor, representing the American
navy. On the top of the house is drum
which contains ON its head painting of
Wsshington's adopted son, as he is often
called in history, Marquis De La Fayette.
In the house on the side is dial which
shows the changes of the moon, high and
low water, day ofthe week and day of TIE
month. On the gable is carved figure OF
n soldier representing the American army
On the head oil the drum, which is on the
top of the house, is painting represent
ing the noble Washington-the father OF
our country and the first president of the
United States.
In the back ground of the stage are rep
reservations, carved in wood, Of America
as it was and is-showing the wonderful
progress of America from its discovery by
Columbus to the present time At the
left side the Boston Tea Party americans
disguised as Indlsns, throwing tea over
board) Is represented. On the right top
corner Is a scene which shows the cause
OF the war of 1912, viz: Great Britain