New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1883-10-24
AoURIoUs CLOCK.
The Wonderful Timepiece Which Was
Twelve Years in Building.


Twelve Years in Building.
The Cincinnati ISMes-Star thus de-
scribes remarkable clock which is
now on exhibition in that city: The me-
chanicism is inclosed in walnut case
twelve feet high and five feet wide, and
weighs $500 pounds. The general de-
sign of its numerous figures is to exem-
plify some of the leading events and
characters of American history. 1t was
made by Prof. Wegman at his home, in
Frostburg, Md, in his leisure moments
he having been engaged on it for over
twelve wears.
The base of the clock is about four
feet high. At the top is an astronomic-
al dial two feet in diameter, with figures
of the planets, ETC., showing the move
ments of the sun and earth, the former
circling the dial once each year, and
latter revolving on its axis once every
twenty four hours. The moons phases
the seasons, and other familiar astro-
nomical subjects are represented. A
large flag is carved in the case on each
side of the dial, and above them are at
the right a cannon and at the left
drum, also carved in has relief Be-
low the dial is scroll bearing the in
scription, "E Pluribus Unum," beneath
which are two swords crossed and a
soldiers cap.
Immediately above the base of the
clock on stage or platform are small
forts, one surmounted by the figure of a
sailor and the other by the figure of q
soldier. Between these forts at the back
of the platform and resting against a
central upright case are ten figures of
men, representing ten different nation
alities, five being upon one side and
five upon the other side of an alcove, in
which the pendulum swings. Every five
minutes one of these figures plays tune
on music-box.
The central upright case is q feet
high and 4 feet wide. At the top is a
representation of the Bunker hill monu-
ment with an eagle perched upon it
with outstretched wings. The eagle
grasps in its right claw an olive branch
and bundle of spears. In its left it
holds globe, from which is suspended
the pendulum, forty-nine inches long.
At the bottom of the pendulum is dial
with the minutes and hours marked of,
and in the centre old Father Time and
his scythe remind the beholder of the
fleet passage of time into the illimitable
eternity. Every hour the eagle calls
out in hoarse tones the time.
At the left of the Bunker hill monu-
ment is skeleton foot high grasping
a hammer, with which it tolls on bell
the quarter hours. At the first
quarter door in the upper case last
describes flies open and the famous
scene of the throwing overheard of a
cargo of tea in Boston harbor is re-en-
acted. At the second quarter hour an
other door is opened, and ''the cause of
the war of 1872 is displayed by the rep
resentation of Englishmen in the con-
ventional scarlet attire inviting an In
dian chief to take up arms against the
Americans, the palaver being delineated
by clear pantomine. In the background
are seen British soldiers taking Ameri-
can sailors from their ship.
The ringing of the third gu arter hour
causes another door to spring open,
disclosing Gems. Scott and Taylor en-
camped in Texas. Each of the distin-
guished soldiers politely steps forward
and takes off his chapeau to the spectat-
ors, and then retires to keep q vigilant
eye on the greasers.
At the fourth quarter hour the OPEN
ing of a door brings to view scene
emblematic of the late civil war; A ne
gro is seen at the back of the alcove
bound with chains. A procession of
eleven notwithstanding the eleven
seeding states-dressed in the gray
uniform of the confederate army, passes
in front Of the unfortunate slave, each
turning his back on the colored man as
he passes. After they have all gone
by, the emancipation of the down trod-
den race comes along, and seeing the
unhappy son of Ham, advances to him,
loosens his shackles, and leads him
away.
In addition to the airs that are play
ed every five minutes the period IS also
marked by the passage across the stage
Of figures which pass from the fort at
the right and disappear through the port
ais of the one on the left. First comes
Brigham Young and one of his wives
who are supposed to be on their we'd
ding tour. Next comes Gen. Grant on
horseback; then hand bearing the
penknife with which Prof. Wegman
carved out all the figures of the clock;
then the figure OF q man representing a
manager who rendered matters un-
pleasant for the professor at one time;
then the figures of Garfield and Guiteau
as they appeared at the moment of the
assassination; then Guiteau's deity, who
carries a sign reading. "Cranks Want
ed;' then the Indian chieftain, Captain
Jack, and finally the historical vessel
the Maylower. Only one of these fig
ures passes around at each interval Of
five minutes.
The clock is operated by two springs
twenty feet long and three inches wide,
having lifting power of eight hundred
pounds.