John Darrell Wilson

          This post is devoted to a pioneer Midwestern traveling magician named John Wilson who variously went under the names "Wilson the Magician" and "The Great Darrell." I first wrote about him in my 1999 book, “Conjurors and Cornfields: Magic on the Indianapolis Stage.”

          Whether Wilson was great or not is subject to conjecture. He certainly worked hard at his magic. And, he had two scaling cards. Both featured his image on the front and one had an advertisement for 7-Up on the reverse, the other was blank but carried his handwritten address. He also had a postcard with the same image. 

          Wilson was born in Vincennes, Indiana April 27, 1901. He offered his first paying show on January 8, 1924.  It was at the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hall in Indianapolis at the intersection of East Washington Street and Hamilton Avenue and the admission price was .25 cents.  He played vaudeville and also appeared at times as part of a dual bill where a movie was also shown.  At one such show in New Palestine, Indiana, he was appearing after the picture "Should a Wife Work," described as "A powerful story revealing the mind and heart of THE MODERN WOMAN." 

          A small clipping from Wilson's scrapbook describes an interesting experience he had with a young male assistant from the audience. Wilson wrote:

          I was playing a small town near Indianapolis, and needing the assistance of a boy on stage, I requested one to come forward.  A neat looking lad of about fourteen came on the stage and under his breath whispered, `Say, mister I have a deck of cards in my pocket'.  I began to extract the cards from his pocket, gaining much laughter and applause.  This is contrary to the general rule of boys at a magic show, as they usually try to expose the magician's tricks.

          Always looking for something to draw in the crowds, one fragile flyer from his scrapbook shows him promoting a "Spirit Beauty Contest" where the spirits would decide "Who is the most beautiful girl or woman in Fortville?" 

          The winner would be decided by "Wilson's Famous Spirit Slates."  In fact, a considerable part of his show was devoted to spirit work. Newspaper reviews highly praised his wonderful spirit cabinet illusion.

          A small program from the files of Bob Lund's American Museum of Magic describes Wilson's show as "The Wonder Show from the Far East." 

He probably meant far eastern Indiana. The flyer which served both as a program and a mail order promotion to booking agents claimed the show was a $10,000 production of magic, illusions, and black art. He boasted a large company of trained assistants (he never said how many!) and over a ton of baggage.  Among the effects offered were:

          The Great Levitation

          The Vanishing Princess

          The Bewitched Easel

          The Hindoo Rope Miracle

          Miss Mystery from China

          A Study in Scarlet

          Apparently a highlight of the show was a floating ball levitation performed by his wife Peggy, which was originated and constructed by longtime Indianapolis magic dealer James S. Harte. 

          She was billed as being, "The only lady magician that has ever presented this effect on stage."  Harte was a member of the group of men advising Wilson magically which also included Audley Dunham and S.A.M. Past National President and first editor of M-U-M, Roltare Eggelston.

          It may also have been at this time that he trouped the show in a specially decorated panel truck that looked much like a circus bandwagon.  Electric lights illuminated an intricately carved panel of magic and spirit images.

          Wilson was also a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians and remained so, as long as his finances held up.  Apparently business was not so good in 1935, for Wilson wrote a letter to W.W. Durbin, I.B.M. National President about his failed tour.  Durbin sent back his condolences saying, “Sorry to hear that your tour was not so profitable and hope that after times get better, as they certainly are, that you can go out again and be successful.”  Durbin also gently chided Wilson about his overdue membership dues.  “I hope also that you will be able to pay up your dues either for six months at $1.25 or for one year which is $2.50 and you are missing a wonderful treat in “My Life in Magic” which I am writing now and which began in the September Linking Ring.”    

          The last piece of Wilson memorabilia also comes from The American Musuem of Magic and is a yellowing newspaper clipping from the late 1940s when Wilson was traveling with "Karston's Atomic Scandals," a two-hour girly vaudeville show featuring the "Gorgeous Atom Bomb Mystery  Girls."

          The clipping is from New Castle, Pennsylvania, and one can assume that the entirely male audience really enjoyed the levitation of Cecilia, "Lighter than air!  She Floats Like a Balloon." Next to the copy is a scantily clad, but voluptuous woman wearing nothing but balloons.  An extra added attraction to the program was Wilson in,  "Dr. Weird's Chamber of Horrors," which advertised "Zombies! Headless Men! Ghouls! Ghosts!"  Even "Girls!"

          Wilson died at age 47 Nov. 15, 1949, in Indianapolis after suffering a heart attack. Surviving him were his wife Peggy and two sons, Jack and Buddy. His death certificate lists is occupation as “paint contractor.” He is buried in Floral Park Cemetery in Indianapolis. What became of his show, the traveling truck, or any of his remaining memorabilia is a mystery. That we have any record at all of Wilson is the result of the late magic collector Bob Endsley gathering a few odd pieces together. The late Bob Lund, of course, had a nice file of material on Wilson which he graciously loaned me to fatten up this humble biography.

 

Note: I currently have a few remaining copies of Conjurors and Cornfields and anyone wishing a copy can get one for $10 plus $3.95 for shipping.