The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-10-09
HISTORY OF THE BALL.

HISTORY VI TIE BALlL
It's Conception, building and HlstOry-The
Method Of CONFERENCE.-The Notices II
Bears-OId Wheeling People Largely re.
spOnsible for 1t.
The idea Of making such campaign
feature occurred to several prominent
Republicans OF Cumberland on the day
of General Harrison's nomination, Mr..
Brockett, whose mechanical genius was
well known, being suggested as snita-
BILE man to undertake the work OF con-
structiOn. The idea was further adj
vanced by the description in next morn
ings Cumberland NGUS OF the ball OF
1870 Register OF Wills Dowden and Mr..
Brockett took the matter in hand and
the latter undertook tho work OF con-
struCtion, Mr.. Dowden theoretically be-
ginning the work OF raising funds to pay
the expense. Mr.. Brockett was very
successful and the ball became promi-
nent feature OF this exceedingly lively
campaign, and is fame was not bounded
by local limits. The ball is canvass
covered sphere ~ feet in circumference
and II ieGt in height. The canvass COW
ering is painted in red, white and blue,
in imitation OF the American flag, the
blue fields being at the poles.
The process OF constructing the ball
was as follows: 4 wooden wheel, IA feet
high and ~ feet in circumference was
first built, three broad pieces crossing
one another in the centre, producing the
effect OF six spokes. The rim was made
broad and solid, consisting OF light pieces
securely bolted together. The shaft or
spindle is Of 3 inch gas pipe Is feet long,
leaving foot projecting from either end.
During the process OF construction the
big wheel was suspended few inches
above the floor so rs to turn readily.
After the wheel had been constructed
steel ribs, AKA inch were run from the
two ends OF the shafting and secured to
the inside OF the wheel in such man
ner as to form a perfect sphere. When
the canvas is on the effect is that OF Il
perfect sherC enCircled by band, the lat
Ter being the outside OF the rim OF the
wheel, covered with tire, which is the
only part Of the ball touching the ground.
II! ""Iu'tn - W. ny, anu w.
small amount OF iforCe will turn the ball
as it stands suspended. The design and
construction OF the ball are alike highly
Creditable to Mr.. Brocketts mechanical
skill. There are IS ribs in the ball,
which weighs about 1900 pounds.
Fifteen gross OF screws, and l2S bolts
were USED.
The notices on the ball are as follows:
,,,o-j,,,, .,,,,,I 4. ,ooIcrnr,b
~, iI 49, 20 80 80 800,
~ u" not i.,I .s r nIiv' F Mo"a
rum NnE'""" VI ''''''
ro, t,,,,r,, q, I.oo,, ,,,o s,,rr,. fine,
prn 'VISn nit :" M i!%i5" mTcr. '
H tsT wScrc' oh Where was T Groyc r.
,..
our "UGTRE men en- nave n@gEEIt ~ 70 S%n
When ETFopc ca iG merchaHdise
Thro'tles American enterprise.
NJ, ,,,oo,orv
Started the bali Tor harrison;
n IS, as they, did then,
"eFolil' ON LOT "n''""' ne"'
O, Cleveland, you must face defeat;
Put up your old bandanpa;
H2u INNS ir 0T0I r @GGnI,o"'o
Wv '"''' ''''''
Roll along, roll away,
rE keGR, I NE ~ Ga a,Ir IN MN, Mof Is
FROM Rocky Illis 10 ocean.
,
CISEsmI Mit ms rtG iT GG%GT nptIU"
The he" Pe sS e" will at next election ''''
Vote for Harrison and Protection.
with heart and soul
This ball We roll;
May times improve
NS ." WI move
The West will gladly rally round
,i br4 aye Ben SEM, Of Indiana Indiana, -, l., ,,,,,a
r. encsth W our S TSFSh bS W, ~ 'o"'