Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 December 1887 — Old Clocks. [ARTICLE]

Old Clocks.

The old brass clocks went only ihjj»>r hours, and were set in motipn fly** ' weight attacked to a chain whi<fipassed over a sheave having spikes in th# groove, which caught in the links of the chain and required to be drawn fly every day. On the introduction pf th* long pendulum, clocks seemed to hav* assumed a different character. Catg|o was substituted for the chain, and barrels were introduced on which the oatgut was wound up, arid a greater length of line being employed, clocks were i made to go lor. eight days instead of i thirty hours, and a chime of bells play- i ing every quarter of an hour was often | added; the weights and long pendulum li'tng down, and, as there was danger of their action being interfered with, tall wooden cases were made to protect them. This was the origin of the tall, upright clock cases, which were often made of ornamental w r oods and enriched with fine marquetry. The earlier cases were made of oak arc! walnut, the mahogany cases being of the following century, when that word was introduced.