The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-23
A WONDERFUL CLOCK.
The Apparatus Constructed by a Swiss
Watchm aker of Newcastle, Pa.

AAAS apparatus CONSTRUCTED ny 5MAoS
Watchm aker of Newcastle, Pa.
Newcastle Correspondence Philadelphia Press.
Theodore Rohrer, a Swiss matchmaker of
this city, has just completed an automatic
clock, which for intricate mechanism sur
passes the celebrated time-piece at Strasburg.
1t is built in imitation of an ancient CASTLE
and is about five feet in width and elven feet
high. On the top is perched an eagle holding
in its beak pendulum Beneath the bird is
globe encirced by dial plate of twenty
four hours, which, in it's revolution of once
a day, gives the time at any meridian. At
o'clock, dials placed ON each side of the
stand on which the national bird rests, reg
lister 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 ex-
ceedingly doleful notes chants the Flight of
Time" Another five minutes glide by, when
the doors of another apartment open and re-
veal little babe, which remains five min
utes. At different periods until the next
hour there come and go figures which repre-
sent the child, youth, man in his strength,
in his decline, helpless age, and in his last
long sleep.
During the entire day and night sentinel
walks to and fro along gallery prepared for
him, and halts and turns as natural as life
At each hour there appears figure repre-
senting the different nations of the earth-at
l O'Clock the Russian, at 2 the Prussian, at
3 an invisible orchestra mystifies the nearer
with most excellent renditions of choicest
selections; at the Austrian appears; at s. an
Italian at 6 two doors in the chapel open
and a sexton sounds the chimes, which are
set to form perfect harmony, and several
beautiful selections are rendered. at
representative of France bows to the locker
on, and then marches on to make room at
for the Spaniard At 8 the orchestra is
again heard At 10, relocated Johnny Bull
steps forth, and is followed at IL by Uncle
Sam, who appears from the rear of the clock
flag in hand, and performs the remarkable
feat of climbing 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 merrily
AT IL O'Clock large folding doors are open
ed and sacred scene is presented, which is
still more wonderful than those already
mentioned. 1t shows the Savior in the pres
ence 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 followers in turn, making
life-like gestures After thus having de-
livered himself, he lies down, surrendering
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
times. 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 trumpeters
appear, and raising their buges
to their lips proclaim the close of night.
During the twelve hours the clock plays
three musical selections, and 2,022 automatic
movements are made. Of course the ma
chinery is so arranged as to permit the en-
tire performance of the antomatons taking
place every fifteen or twenty minutes.
The inventor OF this wonderful time-piece
was born in Baden, Germany, in 1876, and
after serving an apprenticeship to a watch
maker in his native place, went to London,
where he remained six years. In 1871 he came
to this 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 even
ings. having commenced work on it seven
years ago. He has always shown remarkable
ingenuity, having several years ago made
miniature clock which he wears for a shirt
stud, and which keeps correct time.
This invention caused considerable talk in
scientific circles, as Mr.. Rohrer was the first
person who succeeded in demonstrating the
fact that a pendulum could be made to
swing while the time piece lay on its back.
The dial of his shirt 'front.' clock is held in
the pin-hole nearest the collar, while the
lower part of the miniature concern appears
a3out one inch below, where the pendulum
is seen swinging to and fro. Mr.. Rohrer in
tends putting his latest product on exhibit
ton throughout the country.