Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-06-22
AN AUTOMATIC MARVEL.
The Wonderful Clock Invented by "A New
Castle w Matchmaker

CaSuIe w atcfInaker.
Neto Castle Cor. PhiIddelphia Press, 18th.
Theodore Rohrer, matchmaker, of this
city, has just completed an automatic
clock, which for intricate mechanism sur
passes the celebrated time-piece at Stras-
burg. 1t is built in imitation of an
ancient castle, and is about five feet in
width and eleven feet high. On the TOP
is perched an eagle holding in its beak a
pendulum. Beneath the bird is a globe
encircled by dial plate of twenty-four
hours, which, in its revolution once
day, gives the time at any meridian. At
O'Clock dials, placed on each side of the
stand, on which the national bird rests,
register the time at Washington, San
Francisco, London and st. Petersburg.
The machinery is so adjusted that at
the hour of 1, two figures, representing
Roman soldiers with shield and sword,
announce the dawn of time, and mans
entrance upon the stage of life. Five
minutes later small door near the top of
the clock flies open, and an almost life
like bird appears, and in exceedingly
dOleful notes chants the EEFlight of Time,1
Another five minutes glide by, when the
doors of another apartment open and re-
veal a little babe, which remains five
minutes. At different periods until the
next hOurthere comeland go figures which
represent the child, youth, man in his
in his last long sleep.
During the entire day and night SEN
tinel walks to and fro along gallery pre-
pared for him, and halts and turns as natu-
raj as life. At each hour there appears a
figure representing the different nations of
the earth-at l O'Clock the Russian, at 2
the Prussian, at 3 an invisible orchestra
mystities the nearer with most excellent
renditiOns of choicest selections; at the
Am a af
two doors in the chapel open and a SEX
ton sounds the chimes, which are set to
form perfect harmony, and several
beautiful selections are rendered; at
a representative of France bows
tOIthe lOOker-On, and then marches on to
make room at for the Spaniard. At 8
the orchestra is again heard. At 10 red
coated Johnny Bull steps forth, and is fol-
lowed at II by Uncle Sam, who appears
from the rear of the clock, flag in hand,
and performs the remarkable feat of
climbing a pole on the top of the clock.
He fastens the stars and stripes to the top,
descends and disappears. While this
scene is going ON drums on the interior
are beating merrlly.
At i2 O'clock large folding doors are
opened and a sacred scene is presented,
which is still more wonderful than those
already mentioned. 1t shows the Saviour
i'm the presence of the Apostles, evidently
giving them their instructions, as it is his
last night on earth. He moves about and
addresses each one of his faithful follow
ers in turn, making life-like gestures.
Alter thus having delivered himself, he
lies down, sHrrendering himself to his
enemies. The Apostles then withdraw
from the scene. followed by the traitor
Judas. who, with the bag containing
thirty pieces of silver, strikes five bells
as he leaves the scene. The cock on top of
the clock then flaps his wings and crows
three tiaes During the time Christ is
instructing' his Apostles Satan appears
upon the scene twice, as if in doubt as to
his actions. This scene closes, when two
trumpetars appear, and. raising, their
bugles to their lips, PROCLAIM the CLOSE OF
night During the twelve hours the clock
PLAYS three musical selections, and 1922
automatic movements are made. vi
course the machinery is so arranged as
10 hermit of the entire performance OF
the automatOns taking place every fifteen
or twenty minutes.
The inventor of this wonderful time
niece was born in Baden, Germany, in
1886. and after serving an apprenticeship
10 a matchmaker in his native place, went
10 Tendon. where he remained six years.
In ISL ne came 90 tkis city and secured a
Situation with Mr.. j. g. Hanna, where he
has since remained. His wonderful clock
he constructed in his spare moments, IN
The mornings and evenings, having COM
menced work on 1t seven years ago. he
has ALWAYS shown remarkable ingenuity,
having several years ago made a minia-
tire clock which he wears for shirt
sind. and which keeps correct time.
This invention caused considerable tax
IN scientific circles, as Mr.. Rohrer was
the irst person who succeeded In demon,
strafing the fact that pendulum could
no made to swing while the time piece Jay
on its back. The dial OF his "shlft front
.Ions - held in the pin hole nearest the
collar while the lower part of the mlnla-
tnre concern appears about one inch
below. where the pendulum is seen swing
ING 10 and fro Mr.. Hohrer intends, put
ting his latest product on exhibition
throughout the country