[1] Wilson also laid claim to the design of the Southern Cross flag that flew over the Eureka stockade.
In July 1872, Wilson found a large salt water crocodile known as Big Ben dying in Alligator Creek (it had been shot).
In October that year, Wilson displayed Big Ben and some other crocodiles in Rockhampton's Theatre Royal.
Big Ben was 23 feet 6 inches (7.16 m) long and an analysis of his stomach revealed human bones; local Aboriginal people had long believed Big Ben had eaten people and held a corroborree to celebrate his death.
Wilson's work was recognised by the Daily Northern Argus:[2]During the last five or six years,...nothing in either stone or brick and mortar has reared its head above the ground, although a good deal of patching up work has been done, all of which has fallen into the hands of one architect Mr. J. W. Wilson who is...about the most practical man in the town in the profession... Amongst many of the jobs executed by him are those of the front of the Joint Stock Bank, a most creditable piece of work... We also understand that Mr. Wilson is the architect for Dr. Callaghan's new residence in Quay Street, adjoining the old "Argus" office.