The Topeka state journal., 1900-05-30
MARVEL
The Great Electro Automatic
City of Jerusalem.
AN AUTOMATIC PARAGON
Can Be Seen at the Fair All
This Week.

This marvellous production Of skill
and inventive genius ranks among the
most remarkable mechanical works in
the world. Mr.. ]. B. Miller, a German
painter and model maker of Warsaw,
Illinois, the sole designer and builder,
while travelling in the east, saw a model
of the Strasburg Clock on exhibition;
after examining the mechanism, he
concluded he could build an automatic
work that would excel it. He selected
Jerusalem as the subject, made a draw
ing of lis conception Of a suitable de-
sign, and on his return home announced
his intention to his family and neigh
bors, who ridiculed the idea of his at
tempting alone and unaided, the task
of constructing such an elaborate work
as was represented by a design shown
in the drawing. The fact of his meet
ing such strong opposition among the
people whom he expected to encourage
him, was doubtless the strongest incen-
tive to go ahead and show the doubling
Thomases that he could carry out what
he had planned He therefore went to
work, and for twelve long weary years
he tOiled and labOred to complete his
ideal masterpiece. During this time he
supported his family with his painters
brush, aided by the good management
of an energetic and economical wife.
Many were the obstacles, sore and try
Ing, that were met in constructing the
intricate machinery necessary to give
life like movements to the hundreds Of
characters that were to walk the streets
of this Model City; but with that in
dOmltable perseverance and unmitigated
patience peculiar to his German nature,
the difficult problems were solved, and
the structure was placed before the
world complete;a beautiful model of the
most renowned of all cities in the world,
in its glory and splendor.
The structure, when placed on exhibi-
tiOn, stands fifteen feet high and twen-
ty wide; all the buildings, the temple
and palaces are built up in full relief
and the people, animals and vehicles
move through the streets as in real life
Christ and the apostles are seen passing
through the country meeting the fu-
neral of the widows son, where the two
professions meet the Savior stops and
the entire scene of the raising to life of
people impressive and dramatic effect.
Other scenes appear at intervals. The
blacksmith is at work with real fire in
his forge, birds sing with natural voices
and movements, chimes of bells occa-
sionally give melody to the scene. The
whole work is alive with animated
figures with electricity as a motive
power.
Mr.. Miller Travelled with this great
masterpiece seven years and died at his
home in Warsaw, Ill, on his return from
California in the spring of 1891 leaving
a competency to his family. He there
fore lived to see it a brilliant success
which gratifying fact does not often
fall to the lot Of great genius and mas
terly skill
It has been exhibited in all the prin-
cipal cities in the United States, includ-
ing two years tour on the Pacific
coast. One season was spent in Mexi-
co and the people of that country look
ed upon 1t as equally sacred with their
altars and thousands would visit it as
matter Of religious duty.
The management of this beautiful
spectacle is in the hands Of Prof H