Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 76, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1901 — His Mania Is for Clocks. [ARTICLE]

His Mania Is for Clocks.

One of the most ingenious mechanics in the world is a Frenchman named Le Boullat, living at La Coutaness, who has made himself.’ famous for the curb ous clocks he manufactures. He can make a clock out of almost any conceivable material. Straw and paper are among the raw materials he uses. For twenty years he has been Manufacturing freak clocks and most Frenchmen who want something out of the common in that line apply to Le Boullat. A while ago he turned a lot of newspapers into pulp, mixed it with hardening substance and carved the clock out of the compound. Even the wheels and all the machinery of the clock were made of this material. Naturally this curious clock does not keep very correct time, but the wonder Is that it goes at all. The newspaper clock is one of Mr. Le Boullat's latest triumphs. Another of his designs appears to be merely a collection of large and small sticks held together by wires. It is only upon close inspection that one sees that it Is a clock constructed on excellent principles. It keeps very fair time, never varying more than two minutes in a week. » Now and then the clockmaker receives commissions from wealthy Frenchmen for clocks of unique design in silver or gold, decorated with precious stones. Some of these clocks are entirely made of gold, with diamond-tipped hands, ahd rubies,” garnets, pearls, opals and emeralds to represent the figures on the dial. Some of his clocks are beau* tlful works of art'and a few of the most interesting specimens are among *he smallest of timepieces.