2018.072.003 [Airplane]

In 1920, two men by the name of Clyde A. "Casey" Jones and George "Pat" Willis founded the Jones-Willis Aircraft Company on East Front Street in Colfax, IA. Both were flight instructors during WWI, stationed at Kelly Field in San Antonia, TX. Upon returning from war, Jones and Willis established their company. The Jones-Willis Aircraft Company bought run down and damaged airplanes and restored them to working order for profit. The two business partners did not get to see their business grow. On August 16, 1920 during a test run of one of the planes, the plane crashed into a field west of Colfax, killing Jones and Willis. Pictured above is the remains of the wrecked airplane with bystanders observing the wreckage. For any use other than instructional resources, please check with the organization that owns this item regarding copyright restrictions.