(CAMERON)  A Circa 1894 weight driven clock that was used for years to synchronize the courthouse steeple clock, was returned to Cameron Saturday, by the heirs of it’s original owner.  The clock, believed to have been built in St. Louis, contains no springs, and continues today to operate with accuracy to within ˝ second per month.  According to antique clock specialist Bob Larson of Austin, these types clocks were expensive in their day, estimating a price tag of around $70.  He said the clocks were built to be the “time standard” for entire towns.

M. M. Johnson, longtime Cameron Jeweler, maintained and weekly wound the courthouse “town clock” located at the top of the courthouse dome, during the clock’s entire lifetime, ending when the top of the courthouse was removed in the late 1930’s or early 40’s, much to the dismay of Mr. Johnson.  Johnson set the courthouse clocks by his regulator clock, which hung in the display window of Johnson Jewelry Shop from 1887 until the shop was closed and “Papa” Johnson retired to his home on Main Street, where it hung in the residence entry hall until his death.  Johnson Jewelry Shop was located across from the old Schiller Pharmacy building on Houston Street in the downtown business district.  The shop was one of many historic businesses that were located in downtown city block that was torn down in a revitalization project that is now home to the “downtown mall”.

The clock was purchased from the estate in 1955 by grandson Ruben Johnson II, and has been in his home in Austin until given to the newly restored Milam County Courthouse this past weekend.   The clock was donated in the name of all of M. M. Johnson’s grandchildren, both living and deceased. 

Among those grandchildren, is John Johnson of Cameron, who is best known for his detailed construction of “Old Town Cameron” that remains on display in the Museum Annex in downtown Cameron.