Jas. West Speaker At Rotary Today; Officers Elected
 

The Rotary Club luncheon program Wednesday featured a few remarks about the early history and the products made by the Wolf Brand Products Company by James West, plant executive, followed by a personal inspection of the chili plant so members could see first-hand how chili and tamales are made.

Complimentary cans of the famous Wolf Brand Chili and tamales were at each plate.

Elect officers.

In a short directors’ meeting, held following the luncheon, before the members and guests left for the inspection tour.  Dr. Louis Gibson was elected president to succeed Ben McKie and Bill McLauchlin was elected club secretary to succeed Joe Pearson, Bill Brietz was renamed treasurer of the club.

West said since most of those present were familiar with his firm he would not explain its operation but let them see for themselves when they toured the plant.

History of Business.

“Briefly, we are one of the oldest in the chili business.  We began in 1895 when Lyman Davis and a Mexican began making chili and selling it in front of the old Blue Front Café. Later they made it in brick form.” he said.

He remarked humorously that originally the chili was made at Davis’ place out from town until “they got to drilling for oil and he had to move.”

He reported that his father and associates bought an interest in the plant in 1923 and had continued its management and operation since that time.

Explains Name.

Aware of the interest of those present as to how the company came to be known as “Wolf Products,” he recalled that years ago Davis picked up a wolf in a carnival.

“The wolf was put in the back of the wagon out of which the chili was sold and people used to say when they saw it coming, “Here comes the wolf chili man,” he explained.

He said the company had been making tamalas since 1928 and that Fred Slauson and Ben Johnson made the first machine which made, rolled and wrapped tamales without them being touched by hand.

Highest Quality.

“We are proud that we have the highest quality chili made,”  he said in explaining that only selected quality beef, pure rendered beef fats and pure, natural spices are used as the ingredients.  He said his firm was equally proud that it sold more chili in Texas than all other manufacturers.

W. E. McKinney introduced West and Harry Spence, assistant to West at the local plant.

McKinney also introduced Mayor-elect, Walter Erwin, who was accorded enthusiastic applause by his fellow club-members.

Guests included Joe Farmer and Jimmy Ingram, junior Rotarians for April.  Grover Andrews, Dr. Foy Valentine, Beryle Lovelace, David Ralston, Arnold Paul and Julius Jacobs.

Notes:

• The Corsicana Daily Sun - Wednesday, April 6, 1955

• Submitted by Diane Richards