Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-03-15

ON Tuesday of last week. a reception
was held at Waterbury, Conn, at which
one of the most wonderful, il not the most
wonderful. contrivances of mechanical art
In this country was exhibited for the first
time. Those who we're present saw a work
! representing twelve years skilled labor sx-
pended in original design and application
upon clock which is said to rival that of
the famous Strasburg Cathedral, and il
said to have no equal in America.
In ISL T.. A. Locke. secretary Of The
Waterbury Clock Company, conceived the
idea of constructing the clock, and work
upon it was Immediately began. II was the
original intention of the company TO have il
finished and placed on exhibition at the
Paris Exposition in 1889, but the scope Of
the undertaking assumed greater proper
tons as the work progressed, and it has
been completed only week.
The timepiece stands Is feet in height,
with a six.foot base. II is made of black
walnut, highly polished, and handsomely
carved with scenes representing American
history from the landing OF Columbus to
the present time. At the lower part of the
clock and on each side is an categorical
scene representing mechanical progress dur
ing the last century, every figure in each
group being in motion.
The largest scene is in the centre of the
clock. 1t represents the train room" of
the Waterbury Clock Company, with all
the shafting and machinery in operation,
aud twenty-five operatives at work. The
figures 90 through every motion of work in
that department.
Four scenes are represented on the sides
of the clock. The subjects are. ffrst, II
cotton gin in full operation in cotton field
with the negroes carrying the cotton III
from the fields and placing it on the cotton
gin, while Eli Whitney. who stands by, is
explaining the workings of the machinery
to planter A second scene shows the
old methods of manufacturing cloth. The
operatives are at work beating the flax aud
preparing it for the looms and spinning
wheels. third scene represents coal
mine with the cage working and the miners
digging into the banks of coal.
In fourth scene is a representation of
the improvement in sewing machines. Elias
Howe is watching the work of one of his
machines, while close by modern machines
are plying, and in another adjacent group
are a number of women laboriously sewing
by hand. The fifth group indicates the adj
vance in the electrical world. Electrician
Daft is represented operating a dynamo
The sixth shows the interior of telephone
and telegraph Office with operators at work
and messenger boys running in and out.
Scene seven contrasts the old and new
methods of manufacturing watches showing
the improved factories of the present and a
kitchen in Switzerland where watches were
made by hand a century ago. The last is
an old fashioned sawmiu With the saw run
ming, logs moving, and children playing
near by.
The figures are al! operated by an elec
trio motor and are constantly in motion.
The centre of the clock is occupied by a
beautiful water color of the buildings of
the clock company, while just above is the
handsome dial of the clock. 1t is 3 feet in
diameter and indicates the days of the week,
month, and year, the hours, minutes and
seconds of the day, and the moons phases
and tides. Each figure represented is an
exact likeness and the whole is complete in
every respect. At the top of the clock is a
handsome carving of the DECLARATION of
Independence, with reproduction of the
famous old Liberty bell.
The clock will be sent to the Columbian
Exposition in three weeks. 1t is valued at
1900. The work on it has been entirely
done in secret by ID. A. Buck and +. T..
Hubbard.