The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-06-28
A CURIOUS CLOCK.
The Wonderful Timepiece Which
Was Twelve Years i'm Building


scribes remarkable clock which is now
on exhibition in that city: The mechan-
ism is inclosed in a walnut case twelve
feet high and five feet wide, and weighs
1900 pounds. The general design of
its numerous figures is to exemplify
some of the leading events and charac-
ters of American history It was made
by Prof. Wegman at his home, in Frost
burg, Md, in his leisure moments, he
having been engaged on it for over
twelve years.
The base of the clock is about four feet
high. At the top is an astronomical
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 s,ear, and
the latter revolving on its axis once
every twenty-four hours. The moons
phases, the season, and other familiar
astronomical subjects are represented.
A large flag is carved in the case on
each side of the dial, and above them
are, at the right cannon and at the
left drum, also carved in bas relief.
Below the dials is scroll bearing the
inscription, "E Pluribus Unum," be-
meath which are two crossed swords
and soldiers cap.
Immediately above the base of the
clock is stage or platform extending
the full width of the case. On the ex-
treme ends of the platform are small
forts, one surmounted by the figure OF
sailor and the other by the figure of
soldier. Between these forts at the
back of the platform and resting
against central upright case are ten
figures of men, representing ten differ
ent nationalities, five being upon one
side and five upon the other side of an
alcoye, in which the pendulum swings.
Every five minutes one of these figures
plays tune on music-box.
The central upright case is two
and one-half feet high and four feet
wide. At the top of it is a repre-
sentation 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 a bundle of spears. In its
left it holds globe, from which is sus-
pended the pendulum, forty nine inches
long. At the bottom of the pendulum
is dial with the minutes and hours
marked off, and in the centre old Father
Time and his scythe remind the be-
holder of the fleet passage of time into
the illimitable eternity. Every hour
the eagle calls out III hoarse tones tho
time.
At the left of the Bunker hill monu-
ment is skeleton foot high grasping
Iov III All l.. II
the quarter hours. At the first quarter
door IN the upper case last described
flies open, and the famous scene of the
throwing overheard of cargo of tea in
Boston harbor is re-enacted At the
second quarter hour another door is
opened, and "the cause of the war of
1912" is displayed by the representa-
tion of Englishmen in the conventional
scarlet attire inviting an Indian chief
to take up arms against the Americans,
the palaver being delineated by clear
pantomime. In the background are
seen British soldiers taking American
sailors from their ships
The ringing of the third quarter hour
causes another door to spring open, dis
closing Gems. Scott and Taylor en-
camped in Texas. Each of the dis
tinguished soldiers politely steps for.
ward and takes off his chapeau to the
spectators, and then retires to keep q
| yigilant eye ON the Greasers.
At the fourth quarter hour the open.
ing of door brings to view scene
| emblematic of the late civil war. A
| negro is seen at the back of the alcove
bound with chains. A procession o1
| eleven men-representing the clever
seeding gstates-dressedi in the gray uni
form of the Confederate army, passes in
| front of the unfortunate slave, each
turning his back on the coiored man as
he passes. After they have all gone by
the emancipation of the down-trodder
race, President Lincoln, 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
played every five minutes the period il
also marked by the passage across tn,
stage of figures which pass from tn,
fort at the right and disappear through
the portals of the one on the left Firs
comes Brigham Young and one of his
wives, who are supposed to be on thei
wedding tour. Next comes Gen. Gran
on horseback; then hand bearing th,
penknife with which Prof. Wegma1
carved out all the figures of the clock
then the figure of man representing
manager who rendered matters un
pleasant for the professor at one time
then the figures of Garfield ant
Guiteau as they appeared at the mo
ment of the assassination; then Gui
teau's deity, who carries a sign reading
"Cranks wanted;" then the Indial
chieftain, Capt. Jack, and finally th
historical vessel, the Mayfower Onl,
one of these figures passes around a
each interval of five minutes.
The clock is operated by two spring
twenty feet long and three inches wide
having lifting power of 800 pounds.