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Newspaper
Malvern Leader
Location
Malvern, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Aug 31, 1961
Page
9
GEO. W. WILSON recalls early innovations by an Henderson industrialist who patented a front wheel and a fluid drive for automobiles. He tested the idea but rejected it due to heat and efficiency concerns. Decades later manufacturers adopted fluid drives with cooling, and he also patented a four wheel drive for motor trucks.
A former Wilson Auto Co. worker recalls expanding the shop around 1916 and shifting to motor truck production in 1919 as George W. Wilson transforms the business. The 1.5-ton GWW, an assembled truck with parts from various makers, featured early electric starters and pneumatic tires, earning local fame as "Old Lizzie" and marking the Wilson Truck Manufacturing Co. rise in the postwar era.
The Wilson Truck Manufacturing Co built trucks for only two years. A maximum of around 20 trucks were produced, with four sold to Henderson Consolidated for school buses, a state economy record for four years. George Wilson handled most tasks. I did the machining. A few investors showed interest but wanted stock financing, which would risk control. The quit was likely due to a mix of economic factors and competition after wartime restrictions eased.
The account notes George halted truck manufacturing in 1921 due to cost and dealer network limits. He moved to operate a machine shop in Henderson until 1923, then left, with the first Henderson fire truck built around 1924 as possibly the only post 1921 model. Later he worked on oil burner concepts and a four wheel drive invention before his health failed and he took over his father's hardware store until his death.
The author describes early preparation for manufacturing the first of the new trucks and notes that the designs differed from Old Lizzie due to experience. The only major change was the engine shift from Weidley to Buda after Weidley engines were discontinued, with the GWW trucks regarded as high quality.
The reminiscence recalls George's Henderson roots and his drive for local improvement. He championed the Henderson Shortcut and learned tuba to support the Henderson Band, which faced challenges after 1923. A 1922 plan to start weekly free concerts is described, tied to outdoor movies funded by Henderson business leaders.
The account recalls organizing outdoor free movies and band concerts on Saturday nights in Henderson, drawing regional crowds. Neighbors copied the idea, while a Minneapolis-based exhibitor later described running weekly free shows across multiple towns, suggesting the Henderson effort inspired wider adoption.
In a Southwestern Town recollection the site of the county's only auto factory at Henderson is described as the origin of outdoor movies. George figures prominently in the tale, suggesting Henderson could lay claim to being the original home of the outdoor cinema movement.
Tribute to George Wilson recalls his early years and influence as a superior automotive instructor. The speaker credits Wilson as a foundational mentor whose technical knowledge shaped decades of later engineering and writing, describing him as the best instructor in automotive repair.
Mrs Merl Core and Allen family visited the H A and H J Taul families in Henderson Thursday through Sunday. Mr Roland Lalue and children from Lansing called on Gordon Frink and Mrs Jerry Byers Thursday afternoon. Mrs Jim Osler and children of Villisca dined with Mr and Mrs Clarence McKinney Sunday. Other callers included Harold Osler and Jerry of Macedonia and Floyd Bowen and children of Hastings.
Henderson residents and guests gathered for church camp activities from Tuesday to Sunday with families and individuals listed among attendees. Numerous social visits, meals, and honor events followed, including Michigan visitor Lakue LaRue's birthday dinner and various Frink and Bergantzel family gatherings.
Henderson Methodist Church conducts worship at 9 45 a m with Sunday School at 10 45 a m Pastor Rowe Mrs Arthur Allensworth superintendent Junior choir will rehearse after school on Friday WSCS pot Henderson Christian Church services at 9 30 a m Sunday School 10 30 a m G Y F every other Sunday W F C W esed Wednesday afternoon Junior Choir 7 34 p m Wednesdays through summer Senior Choir 8 p m Wednesdays through summer
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