In 1953, the clock on the County Court House which was originally installed in 1907, quit working and the following two articles relate to its replacement with a newer, more modern electrically operated version.
Vote To Start Town Clock
The City Council voted Monday night to join the county board in financing a project to convert the 50 year old clock in the court house tower to electricity.
The Councilmen voted to pay up to $300 for the city’s part. Two week ago, County Board Chairman, C.H. Whitcomb had laid before the Council a proposed contract providing for conversion of the ancient timepiece at a total cost of $600.
The clock which was originally purchased jointly by the city and county has been stopped for near a year. It previously was powered by a system of weights.
Finance Commissioner Harold Farner who presided in the absence of Mayor William Shannon said in putting the motion to a vote that he thought all the Council was in favor of modernizing the clock. The vote on the motion made by Commissioner E.E. Weber was unanimous.
(Marion Daily Republican, February 26, 1954)
Town Clock Runs Again
Electrically Equipped Timepiece To Strike the Hour
The half century old clock in the court house tower was keeping time Wednesday with the same old faces but with a new set of “innards.”
The ancient time piece which has been idle for many months has been converted from a weight operated mechanism to electrical operation.
County Board Chairman C.H. Whitcomb said that the contractor in charge of modernization of the clock expects to have the striking mechanism in operation soon so that once again the sound of the bell striking the hour will be heard from the court house tower.
The $600 cost of modernizing the clock is being shared by the county and the City of Marion.
Sam’s Notes: According to Homer Butler, the original clock was installed on the court house in 1907.
(Marion Daily Republican, March 10, 1954)