The provost guard at Tulahoma, Cpl. John Patton, B/42 Mo Inf, had referred to one of the executed Centralia prisoners as being called Uncle Billy, who had been personable. Patton said he was reprimanded for being too friendly with him and not having his pistol close at hand when interacting with him. And that he was to take great care around him because of Uncle Billy’s dangerous nature.

The question now raised—was uncle Billy William Mason?