The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-01-21
POVERTY HAS BEEN
HIS HANDICAP
But He labored lncessantly
and Applied His Measre Earn
inss to His lnvention--Wa-
ter Clock in Operation.

Slowly and painfully an old man
trudged up the two flights of stairs to
the editorial rooms of the News-Dem-
ocrat this morning. His hair was
whitened by the SHOWS of seventy win
ters and his clothing hung almost in
tatters about his emaciated form
His face was pinched with privation
and eyes shone with a feverish bright
ness. He approached desk and hand
ed the occupant a crumpled piece OF
paper upon which he had written
brief story of an invention, which he
has completed after years of toll anu
poverty.
81 have Just finished it" he said in
explanation. "I have just got my
water clock to running after eighteen
years. | want you to publish some
thing about it but | am little afraid
to give you my name because they Will
steal 1t from me. | have put in
to it every cent that l have in the
world. Just now l couldn't buy loaf
of bread. but | will have money when
my clock is on the market. will not
have to go hungry them
The old man was John o. Wilson. He
was persuaded to accompany a reporter
to his quarters where the water clock
has been built and is now in opera
ton.
THE INVENTORS HOME.
Wilson occupies dilapidated frame
house at the end of East William
street. which has housed his invention
for the past several years. The idea
to which the old man has devoted the
greater part of his last years and all
his money is a device for the pumping
of water from wells by the same prin-
cipal as the running of a clock. This
has the struggling mechanic accom-
plished and large apparatus of wood
en- wheels, pistons, linked chains,
ratchet wheels and pumps takes up al
most all the space in his room and
the greater part of shallow cellar.
Wilson's work on this machine has
cost him IS years of suffering and
privation. Except for very meagre
revenue which he receiver from the
sale of eggs provided by few chick
ems which he owns, he would have
nothing but his water clock. He said
that he was virtually penniless. Il
can't get anything from the store
keepers unless have the money. They
all know me and will not give me
anything on credit | can hardly buy
a thing-but wait till they hear that
have succeeded
WANTED TO SEE 1T IN PRINT.
The inventor inquired when the ac-
count of his success would be printed;
for he said he wanted to read it. Up
on this he began to speculate where
he could secure a copy of the paper
and mentioned that perhaps If he went
to drug store he could probably see
one. Such is an example of the pitiful
poverty which he endures for the sake
OF his machine
Wilson told the reporter the story
of his trials and his final success. He
was born in Somerset county, Penn
sylvania on New Years day of 1925
About 30 years ago he came to Canton
but since that time has made a num-
ber of trips to different parts Of The
country. He has been a blacksmith
carpenter, plumber, factory laborer
farmer and besides has followed 8
number of other pursuits.
IDEA STRUCK HIM.
Over 20 years ago he made a triI
through the far west, working among
the farmers of the northwest and the
ranches of the middle and southwest
II was while here that he conceived
the idea for his water clock on ac
count of the difficulty experienced by
the country people in getting water.
He returned to this neighborhoot
about 1S years ago and commenced
work on his machine at the home o
his son-in-law, Adam Dietz, at Genoa
this county.
Progress was slow and he met dis
couragement on all sides. All tn,
money he earned or could raise was de
voted to the machine. One model afLe
the other was made and abandoned
There was always something to bafii
him when success seemed almost sure
Scoffed at and unsuccessful, but neve
discouraged, the old man ageing will
worry, stuck to the work he had Sc
for himself and kept adding bit by bi
to the perfection of the clock. A noy
wheel here, a change in the gear.
hole here OF a peg there, pump,
device for rigging 1t, a new frame o
another size link for the chain--al
took his attention and each in turl
was solved.
GREW TO PERFECTION.
After the machine had reached
certain stage, Wilson took the hous
In East William street He move
In his bench with its array OF tools
shelf, his machine, u stove, bed Il
the corner and all other belonging
The machine was now complete enoug
for experimenting. A hole was bore
In the floor. water barrel was sc
In the cellar--to represent we'll an
the pump-also an invention of tn
old man-was put In place and con
tnected with the clock. Here for sew
eral years past, the cid man has bee