Document date: 00/00/0000
Document type: PAPER-TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

File #:

62-JN-544

Serial Scope:

Ithrs 9.14 thry l, 18.22.23.25 therznd NR 53.

54 the 110

DO NOT

DESTROY

FOIPA# NA

Rereaaed anden ne Joar 3. Xerredy Gaaanabrabier Reocade Cetleozler 20o c8 4992 lee T90 220

---

## Page 2

VZCZCHQO 019

RR JN

DE HQ 0019 0732389

ZNR UUUUU

R 1414502 MAR 78

FM DIRECIOR FBI

TO FBI JACKSON ROUTINE

BI

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

IN CONNECIION WITH INVESTIGATION BY THE HSCA INTO THE

ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., STAFF MEMBERS OF THE

HSCA HAVE REQUESTED TO INTERVIEW JAMES W. SAMMON OF THE JACKSON

OFFICE, CURRENTLY UNDER TRANSFER TO JACKSONVILLE. SAMMON IS

SCHEDULED FOR INTERVIEW ON THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1978, AT 2 P.M.

AT THE COMMITTEE'S OFFICES IN WASHINGTON, D. C.

SAMMON HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM HIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND

IS AUTHORIZED TO PARTICIPATE IN HSCA INTERVIEW. HE SHOULD RE-

PORT TO FBIHQ ON THE DAY PRIOR TO SCHEDULED INTERVIEW. REPORT

TO ROOM 3658 OR 8988 FOR INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING INTERVIEW.

BT

0019

62-544-2

SEARCHED

SERIALIZEN

INDEXED -

-AFILED

MAR 14 1978

ASACAM

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 2

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## Page 3

In Reply, Please Refer to

File No.

UNITED

STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Jackson, Mississippi

39205

March 28, 1978

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

On March 16, 1978, fxom 2:12 p-m., to

3:34 p.m.; SA James W. Sammon, assigned Jackson,

Mississippi, Bl Division, appeared before representatives

of the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA)

at Washington, D.C.

SA Sammon was questioned by Mark A, Speiser,

Peter. G. Beeson, and Wendy. S. Collins, all of whom

identified themselves through the use

of credentials,

as being associated with aforementioned committee.

At the outset, SA Sammon was asked to furnish

background information concerning his career with the

FBI, the number of offices and dates assigned and

classifications worked.

SA Sammon was asked to identify Special

Agents in Charge (SAGs) and Assistant Special Agents

in Charge (ASACs) assigned to the Miami, Florida,

FBl Office during the period of 1961-1964, when

SA Sammon was so assigned to that office.

The identity

of these SAGs was furnished as Wesley G. Grapp and

Fred A. Frobrose (phonetic). It was explained that

former SAC Frobrose is now deceased.

SA Sammon was asked to identify members of

his squad while he was assigned to the Miami Office.

SA Sammon advised that he would be unable to identify

each and every Agent assigned to the Number 5 squad

during the years of 1961 and 1964 inclusive, due to the

length of time that had transpired since that period.

4- Bureau

@Jackson (62-544)

JWS /bjw

(5)

This document contains neither recommendations not conclusions

of the FBI.

It is the property of the fBl and is loaned

to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distriouted

outside your agency.

Sepiche?

Filed

NW 55186 Docid: 32989768 Page 3

62-544-8

---

## Page 4

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS (SCA)

SA Sammon was then asked if SAs Francis McCarron,

Jack Dawson, Vincent stacey, Leon Pryor, and Leonard

SA Sammon replied

the set hone nee sass recollection

SA Sammon was then asked to give a breakdown

by classifications as to the responsibilities of each

of the six Miami squads from 1961 through 1964, which

information was furnished to the committee representatives.

SA Sammon was asked to elaborate on the assignment of

responsibilities

the Number 5 squad of Miami during

that period of time. Those classifications furnished

of that squad were applicants, accounting matters,

including Hoffa and teamster investigations; civil rights;

matters; and tugitive matters.

It was explained

that these were the major classifications assigned the

Number 5

squad.

SA Sammon was questioned regarding his transfer

from Miami to the Jackson Division

in July, 1964, his

location and investigative responsibilities while assigned

to Mississippi, which reply was to the effect that Sammon

was assigned to the Clarksdale, Mississippi,

Resident

Agency from 1964-1969, and to the Jackson, Mississippi,

Headquarters of the FBI from 1969 to the present time.

SA Sammon advised that while assigned to the Clarksdale,

Mississippi, Resident Agency, he worked any and all

investigative matters under the jurisdiction of the FBI

which pertained to the territory covered by that

In response to a direct question,

SA Sanmon advised that his transfer from Miami to

Jackson, Mississippi, was a routine nature and not of

a disciplinary nature.

In response to.

advised that he was

• the Miami Division durino che Deriod or 19bl-1404

2

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 4

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## Page 5

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

SA Sammon was asked to identify Intelligence

DIVISIOn UtrIcers of the Miami, Florida, Police

Department,

which SA Sammon was unable to do, nor

was Sammon

in a position to advise whether or not

any intormation furnished by Somerset was disseminated

to that intelligence unit during the period of

1961-1964•

SA Sammon was then queried at length regarding

Ku Klux Klan activity In Mississippl beginning In 1964,

in particular, - information regarding United-Klars of -

America (UKA), White Knights of the Ku • KLux KLan

of the WKKKK

regarding Klan activities in Mississippi since his

arrival in 1964.

any investigation regarding

SA Sammon was then, merkinff he had conducted

SA Sammon replied

that immediately after the shooting death of Dr. Martin

Luther King, SA Sammon was assigned the responsibility

of traveling through North Mississippi with photographs

of the evidence left by King's assailant, exhibiting

those photographs at motels, service stations, in

North Mississippi to determine if any of the photographs

could be identified.

SA Sammon was asked if he was aware of Somerset's

attempt to assassinate King in Montgomery, Alabama,

in 1958 through poisoning his food.

the committee that he was not aware of any such attempts.

SA Sammon was then queried regarding Bureau

regulations regarding amounts of money paid informants and

policy of the Bureau to overseeing those payments.

SA Sammon explained to the committee that such amounts

are normally determined by the Agent contacting the

informant and are paid on a COD basis based on the value

of the information furnished by the informant. SA Sammon

advised that the Bureau oversees these payments only in

an auditing or accounting of the particular informant's

payment fund.

3

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 5

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## Page 6

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

SA Sammon was then questioned regarding the

Bureau policy in discontinuing informants and if the

informants are advised that they are being so discontinued.

SA Sammon advised that the informant is so advised when

he is discontinued, usually determined when the informant

has furnished

a Lack of positive intormation, or when

he has

exposed himself as an informant, and of course

upon his death.

SA Sammon was then questioned regarding

Somerset's personal involvement in violence;

Somerset's

personal bigotry toward minority races; his

bigotry

regarding

union membership; his carrying of weapons;

and Somerset's knowledge of explosive devices; and

Intormation tarnished by

• Somerset regarding thomas

Albert "Tommy Tarcants

To these questions, SA Sammon advised that he

did not have any personal information of acts of violence

performed by Somerset; and that the only personal bigotry

exhibited by Somerset was Somerset's apparent dislike

for SA Sammon, as

• Somerset felt that SA Sammon was

of Jewish descent. SA Sammon advised that he had no

knowledge of any acts of bigotry in union membership as

indicated by Somerset, nor was SA Sammon aware of Somerset

ever carrying a weapon or Somerset's knowledge of any

explosive devices.

SA Sammon advised the committee that \

he did not recall Somers long Taranting cy information

regarding Thomas Albert

however, SA

was acquainted with Tarrants, having been involved in. Sammon

Iirearms shootout confrontation with Tarrants in 1969.

The committee pressed for further details concerning

this shootout and the committee was advised that in

August, 1969, Tarrants and two other inmates of the

Mississippi State Penitentiary (MSP), Parchman, Mississippi,

escaped from that penitentiary and

were thereafter subjects

ot an unlawful flight to avoid confinement investigation,

and were considered by the EBl to be Federal fugitives.

near Jackson, Mississippi.

Thereafter, SA Sammon and

many other Jackson, Mississippi, Agents attempted to

locate and apprehend Tarrants and the two other inmates,

which attempts resulted in a gun battle, causing

one of the inmates, name unrecalled, to

be killed by

4

INTA

55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 6

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## Page 7

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

law enforcement officers, consisting of FBI Agents,

Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol (MHSP) officers,

and those of the Rankin County Sheriff's Office.

The committee was advised that this was SA Sammon's

first and last contact with larrants.

SA Sammon

in answer to specific questions, advised that he hac

no personal knowledge of the acts of Tarrants performed

on a residence of a Jewish businessman

Mississippi.

SA Sammon was then questioned regarding the

availability of FBI informants to other Federal or

local law enforcement agencies, and the Bureau policy

as pertaining to that availability. SA Sammon advised

• the committee that it is the practice of the FBI,

as well as other law enforcement agencies, not to

reveal the identity of Bureau informants to those

agencies, even though the information furnished by

those informants may be disseminated to those agencies.

The committee at this point took exception with

SA Sammon indicating it was their feeling that the EBI

"receives all information but does not share information"

with other law enforcement agencies, Federal,

state, and

local.

the committee at this point

was unequivocally

advised that this has not and is not the case of the FBI,

and that information obtained by the FBI which is of an

interest to those agencies,

is disseminated to them,

even though the identity of the informant furnishing

such information is not revealed to those agencies.

SA Sammon was again asked for his knowledge

as to the availability of Bill Somerset to the Intelligence

Unit of the Miami, Florida, Police Department, to which

JA sammon again advised that he was not aware of such

availability during the years of 1961-1964, the only

period that SA Sammon was acquainted with Somerset.

SA Sammon was asked as to the degree of

confidence and reliability regarding the information

furnished by Somerset while an FBI informant.

SA. Sammon

advised from 1961-1964, it was his opinion that the

information furnished by somerset was reliable, and that

SA Sammon had confidence in that information.

5

NW 55186 Docid: 32989768 Page 7

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## Page 8

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

At one point during the questioning,

when

SA Sammon was being questioned as to squad assignment

classifications,

and identities of Agents of the Miami,

Florida,

FBI Office from 1961-1964, SA Sammon advised

the committee that as that period of time was from

14-11 years in the past, sA Sammon would try to be as

accurate as possible as to months and years involved;

however, the committee was reminded SA Sammon's

recollection of the events may be six months to perhaps •

a year off. Mark Speiser advised SA Sammon that the

committee would only allow a four month leeway. This

comment may have been misunderstood by SA Sammon and

may have been in jest by Speiser; however, in any regard,

Speiser was advised that SA Sammon stood on his previous

statement that events occurring 14-17 years ago would be

there would be no

on SA Sammon, unless the committee intended to furnish

him documentary verification.

There was no such

documentary verification furnished SA Sammon during

his interrogation, with the exception of SA Sammon

being furnished a

lengthy article from what appeared

to be the

"Parade" or pictorial section of the Miami,

Florida, Herald, Sunday Supplement Newspaper, which

article appeared to be regarding Bill Somerset.

This

article was furnished SA Sammon briefly in an effort

to identify Somerset by photograph as it appeared in

the article. sA sammon was unable to positively Identily

Somerset, due to the length of time involved, and the

fact that the photograph was not a good likeness, or

advised the committee that the

resemble Somerset; however, te

advised Sammon that it was of Somerset,

SA Sammon

would be unable to identify him.

SA Sammon was not

furnished the article to read.

6

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768. Page 8

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## Page 9

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

SA Sammon was furnished a name of an

individual in Miami, Florida, which name SA Sammon

failed to record, and therefore the identity of

that individual is not recalled by SA Sammon.

SA sammon was asked by the committee it he was

acquainted with this individual. SA Sammon advisec

the individual was unknown to him.

SA Sammon was then advised that this

individual was a house painter in Miami, and SA

Sammon was asked if Bill Somerset

was acquainted

with this individual.

IT. SA Sammon advised that he then recalled

that this individual may be identical to a person

who was at the scene of the James Meredith

integration disorder at the University of Mississipi,

Oxford, Mississippi, which SA Sammon believed to

be in 1963. The committee was advised that the

incident arose over Meredith, a Negro, attempting

to register to attend the University of MississippI.

SA Sammon recalled that a lead was received

at the Miami Office to identify and interview this

Miami house painter as his vehicle had been observed

at the University of Mississippi campus during the

disorder involving the registration of Meredith at

that university.

SA Sammon advised that he and SA Leonard

C. Peterson contacted Bill Somerset for background

information on this individual and that Somerset

was acquainted with house painter and furnished

SA Peterson background intormation concerning this

individual, to the best of SA Sammon's recollection

involving the house painter being a member of

National States Rights Party (NSRP).

Thereafter, SA Sammon assisted SA Peterson

in-the interview of this individual in Miami in either

the summer of 1963 or 1964.

SA Sammon recalled that

the individual was painting a house at the time of the

7

NW 55186 Docid: 32989768 Page 9

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## Page 10

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

interview, was very hostile towards the interviewing

Agents; however, at the persistence of SA Peterson

he was interviewed regarding his appearance at the

University of Mississippi.

A short time thereafter, an article appeared

in the newspaper of the NSRe on the tront page which

was submitted by this house painter.

This article

and to SA Sammon as "a Jew bastard" or words

to that effect.

SA Sammon was asked if he was acquainted with

or if Somerset ever furnished any

information regarding Milteer and his activities. SA

Sammon advised he was not acquainted with milteer and

did not recall Somerset furnishing any information.

regarding him.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 10

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## Page 11

FD-36 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

• Teletype

• Facsimile

[XI Airtel

PBI

PRECEDENCE:

[7 Immediate

• Priority

[J Routine

CLASSI

•ATION:

I TOP SECRET

LI SECRET

I CONFIDENTIAL

DJEFTO

I CLEAR

Dale

3/28/73

TO:

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-117290)

FROM:

SAG, JACKSON (62-544) (C)

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

Enclosed for the Bureau are original and

three copies of an LEM raflecting results of

interview

of SA

JAMES M. SAMMON by representatives of aforemencioned

committee 3/16/78, at Washington, D.C.

2-Bureau (Enc. 4)

- Jackson

IWS/bjw.

(3)

Euse coo

110.62

61-544-9

Approved:

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 11

Transmitted Practi

Per

(Tine)

oe#:1-99810070151

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## Page 12

VZCZCHQO 135

RR JN KX ME

DE HQ

'0135 1380140

ZNY EEEEE

R 172149Z MAY 78

FM DIRECIOR FBI (62- 117290)

• TO FBI JACKSON ROUTINE

FBI KNOXVILLE ROUTINE

FBI MEMPHIS ROUIINE

BT

1.

UNCLAS E FIO

157.201

101-411

157-4326-11

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSIN

TIONS (HSCA)

HSCA, BY LETTER DATED MAY

1978, REQUESTED ALL INFOR -

MATION IN THE FILES OF THE JACKSON, KNOXVILLE AND MEMPHIS FIELD

OFFICES CONCERNING BUFORD WALLACE POSEY, DATE OF BIRTH AUGUSI 28,

1925• HSCA OBTAINED WAIVER FROI POSEY ALLOWING FOR RELEASE OF

ALL INFORMATION HELD BY THE FBI TO THE COMMITTEE.

EACH RECEIVING OFFICE SHOULD SEARCH INDICES FOR ABOVE -

NAMED INDIVIDUAL AND DUPLICATE ANY FILES AND REFERENCES FOUND

IDENTICAL WITH POSEY. IHIS MATERIAL SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO

FDI HEADQUARTERS, AITENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, BY

CLOSE OF BUSINESS MAY 26, 1978.

BT

0135

the the

see'

5(18/78

FD-160,

5/24/78

62-544-14

SEARCHED

INDEXED

ALL OKAAILID.

MAY 1 7 1978

7543

FBL-JACKSON

Warlo

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 12

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## Page 13

Salteas Seract Slip

190180 (RoT. 10-1-58)

Deso

FOR SHISE CLERK

Banjeet

5/18/78

Buford: Wallaco Rosey

Birth Date

Birthplace

Roce

8/58/25

Fascia Criminal Case Fllex Only

(Restlet, to Locality of

Criminal References Only

¡Mala Subressive (If no Main, liat all Subversive Roferences)

1 Moda Criminal (If no Main, list all Criminal References)

Restrika

File & Serial Number

Remarks

Sex

•Majo

_Femalo

lEanet Spelliag

All Roferences

¡Aaa Subrersiro Case Files Only

"Storersive References Only

I123 & Sesial Number

157-2083*

100-491*

157-9326-109

Yero copy of all the abone serial

sent Bureau

544-14

WI

Squer?

Exteastan

File No.

Kaien Bracey.

medialldalad by

(dast)

(date)

(date)

Fila Rarion Symbolo

Docid; 32989768 Noladenheno

---

## Page 14

VZCZCHOU 135

SA JN KX NE

DE HO 0135 13301403

ZHY ESKEE

R 112149% MAY 78

FI1 DIRECIOR FEI (S2-117290)

TO FBI JACKSON RODTINE

FBI KNOXVILLE ROUTINE

FBI NEUPHIS ROUTINE

ET

UNCLAS EFTO

HOUSE SELECT COLMITICE ON ASSASSYNATIONO (HECA)

HSCA, AY LETTER DATED WAY

3y 1070, REDUCATED ALL INFOR

NATION IN THE FILES OF THE JACKEON, KNOKUILLE ALD GEIPHIS FIELD

UFFICES COLCERUIRG BUFOED VALLACE POSEY, DATE OF BIRTH AUGUST BE,

1925. HSCA OBTALKED WAIVER FROU POSEY ALLOWING YOR RELEASE OF

ALL IUFURMNTION HELD DY THC FEL TO ThE COUTITIZE

EACH RECEIVING OFFICE SHOULD SEARCH INDIGES FOR AGOVE

CAMED INDIVIDUAL AID DUPLICATE NUY FILES AID REFERENCES FOUL:

IDEBTICAL WITH FOBEY. THIS MATERIAL SHOULD DE SUBMITTED TO

FBI HEADOUARTERS, ATTENTION: COLGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, BY

CLOSE OF BUSINESS MAY e6,

19769

BT

0135

62-544-14

MAY 1 7 1978

7,153

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 14

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## Page 15

FD. iS (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

1=: Telatype

[.] Facsimile

[x] Airtel

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

CLASSIFICATION:

• Immediate

[7 TOP SECRET

Priority

I SECRET

_

Routine

[ CONFIDENTIAL

DEFTO

I CLEAR

Date

5/23/78

---

TD:

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-117290)

ATTENTION:

CONGRESSIONAI INQUIRY UNIT

FROM: SAG, JACKSON (62-544)

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

• ON ASSASSINATION (HSCA)

Re Bureau teletype 5/17/78, captioned as above,

Enclosed herewith are as follows:

1. Serial 109 from Jackson 157-9326 (2 pages)

2.

Serials 1 - 23 from Jackson 157-2083,

including 2 letters from lA (57 pages)

3.

Serials 1 - 46 from Jackson 100-491,

including 1Al (180 pages)

iX

HALLACE POSEY, AbEn l2812uEes are concerning BUFORD

It should be noted, as related to item three above,

100-491 does not contain a serial numbered as eleven and .

there is no indication as to why. The only explanation is an

error in serializing where said number was skipped.

2 - Bureau (69)

(I, - Jackson

(3)

11/23/78

pr

Warts And

Per

Approved:

7,73

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 15

Transmitted

(Number)

(T'ime)

GP: 19770-225-539

---

## Page 16

VZCZCHQO 106

-_.

RR JN

DE HQ

0106 1440055

ZNR UUUUU

R 242119Z MAY 78

FM DIRECTOR FBI (62- 117290)

TO FBI JACKSON ROUTINE

BI®

UNCLAS

ELECT CONN

TEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

REFERENE

JACKSON TELETYPE TO BUREAU APRIL 24, 1968, CAP-

TIONED "HIURKIN."

THE HSCA IS CURRENTLY CONDUCING INVESTIGATION INTO THE

ASSASSINATIONS OF JOHN F. KENNEDY AND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR .?

AND HAS REVIEWED VOLUMINOUS EXCISED DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE

ASSASSINATION CASES AND RELATED INVESTIGATIONS. UPON REVIEW OF

REFERENCED COMMUNICATION, THE HSCA DESIRES IO INTERVIEW INFOR -

WANTS WHO SUPPLIED INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN. BY REQUEST

DATED MAY 13, 1978, THE COMMITIEE REQUESTED THE FBI CONTACT

THESE INFORMANTS TO DETERMINE IF THEY WOULD SE

AGREEABLE TO

INTERVIEW BY THE SCA. THE HSCA HOPES INTERVIEW CAN SE CON-

DUCTED PRIOR IO JUNE 20. 1978:

62-544016

R

я

SEARCHED

_INDEXED

SERIALIZE

BE FILED

5/31/28

MAY 2 4 1978

a

Bipley

FBI-JACKSON

NW 55186 DocId:32989768 Page 16

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## Page 17

PAGE TWO DE HQ MIQG UNCLAS

INFORMATION IN REFERENCED CONMUWICATION WAS PROVIDED BY THD

FOLLOWING FORMER INFORMANIS:

• 1. UN 340-9, BUREAU FILE 179-1555, JACKSON FILE 173-459,

OPERATED BETVEEN AUGUSI, 1967 - APRIL, 1973.

2. JACKSON 337-R, BUREAU FILE 170-1518, JACKSON FILE 178-

457, OPERATED BETWEEN JULY, 1967 - NOVEMBER, 1973.

JACKSON ATTEMPT TO CONTACT INFORITANTS AND ADVISE EACH THAT

THE ISCA DESIRES TO INTERVIEW THEM CONCERNING INFORMATION THEY

PROVIDED IN REFERENCED COMMUNICATION. THEY SHOULD BE IOLD THAI

IO THE FBI'S KNOWLEDGE, THE

HSCA IS NOI AWARE OF THEIR RELATION-

SHIP WITH THE FBI OR THEIR IDENTITIES. DETERMINE IF THE INFOR -

MANTS HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO BEING INTERVIEWED BY REPRESENTATIVES

OF THE HSCA. IF THERE ARE NO OBJECIIONS TO INTERVIEW, INFOR -

MANNIS SHOULD BE FURNISHED THE IDENTITIES AND, TELEPHONE. NUMBER

OF THE FULLOWING HSCA PERSONNEL IN ORDER THAT INFORMANIS CAI

TELEPHONICALLY CONTACI THE ISCA AND MAKE THEIR OWN ARRANGEMENIS

FOR INTERVIEW. INFORMANTS CAN THEREFORE PERSONALLY NEGOTIATS

THE

SCOPE OF INTERVIEW AND THE CONFIDENIIALITY OF INFORMATION

THEY MAY PROVIDE THE COMMITTEE.

INFORMANTS SHOULD BE GIVEN THE NAMES OF MARK SPEISER AND

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 17

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## Page 18

PAGE THREE DE HQ BIOG UNCLAS

PETER BEESON, BOTH MSCA STAFF ATTORNEYS, WHO CAN BE CONTACTED

COLLECI AT 202-225-2353 UPON CALLING, INFORMANIS SHOULD FUR -

WISH THEIR IDENTITIES AND ADVISE THEY WERE THE INDIVIDUALS WHO

PROVIDED THE JACKSON OFFICE OF THE FBI INFORMATION CONCERNING

ACIIVITIES AT JOHN'S CAFE, LAUREL, MISSISSIPPI, IN APRIL, 1968..

SUTEL RESULIS OF CONTACI WITH INFORMANIS TO FBIHO, ATTEN -

TION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENI DIVISION.

EXPEDITE IN VIEW OF COMMITTEE'S DESIRE TO INTERVIEW INFORMANIS,

IF AGREEABLE, PRIOR IO JUNE 2, 1978.

BI

DIDG

NNHM 14401902 JR 1

NW 55186 DooId: 32989768

Page

18

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## Page 19

VZCZ/ 1Q0106

RR JN

DE HO 2106.1440055

ZNR WUUUU

R 2421197 MAY 78

FM DIRECTOR FBI (62-117290)

TO FBI JACKSON ROUTINE

BT

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTE

ON ASSASSINATIONS (ASCA>.

REFERENCE JACKSON TELETYPE TO BUREAL APRIL 240 1968, CAP.

TIONED "MURKIN."

THE NSCA IS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING INVESTIGATION INTO THE

ASSASSINATIONS OF JOMN F. KENNEDY AND MARTIN LUTHER KING , R-s

AND HAS REVIEWED VOLUMINOUS EXCISED DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE :

ASSASSINATION CASES AND RELATED INVESTIGATIONS. UPON REVIEV OF

REFERENCED COMMUNICATION, THE MSCA DESIRES TO INTERVIEW INFOR -

MANTS WHO SUPPLIED INFORMATION CONTAINED TIEREIN. BY REGUEST

DATED MAY 18,

1978, THE COMMITTEE REQUESTED THE FBI CONTACT

THESE INFORMANTS TO DETERMINE IF THEY WOULD DE AGREEABLE TO

INTERVIEW BY THE SCA • THE HSCA MOPES INTERVIEW CAN BE CON-

DUCTED

PRIOR TO JUNE Z, 19780;

62-544-

SEARCHED

SERIALIZED KOSILED

• INDEXED

MAY 2 4 1978

FBI-JACKSON

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 19

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## Page 20

PAGE TWO DE NO 0I0G UNCLAS

INFORMATION IN. REFERENCED. COMMUMICATION WAS PROVIDED BY THE

FOLLOWING FORMER INFORMANTS:

1o JW. 3403, BUREAU FILE.

170-1565, JACKSON FILE 179-459,

OPERATED BRIWEEN AUGUST, 1067 - APRIL, 1973.

2= JACKSON 337-5, BUREAU FILE 170-1518, JACKSON FILE 177

457, OPERATED BETWEEN JULY, 1967 - NOVEMBER, 1073-

JACKSON ATTEMPT TO CONTACT INFORMANTS AND ADVISE: EACH THAT

THE NSCA DESIRES TO INTERVIEW THEM CONCERNING INFORMATION THEY

PROVIDED IN REFERENCED COMMUNICATION, CHEY SHOULD BE TOLD THAT

TO THE FBI'S KNOWLEDGE, THE HSCA IS NOT AWARE OF THEIR RELATION-

SHIP WITH THE FBI OR THEIR IDENTITIES. DETERMINE IF THE INFOR -

MANIS HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO BEING INTERVIEWED BY REPRESENTATIVES

OF THE HSCA, IF THERE ARE NO OBUECTIONS TO INTERVIEV, INFOR

MANTS SHOULD BE FURNISHED

THE IDENTITIES AND TELEPHONE NUMBER

OF THE FOLLOWING HSCA PERSONNEL IN ORDER THAT INFORMANTS CAN

TELEPHONICALLY CONTACI THE HECA AND MAKE THEIR OWN ARRANGEMENIS

FOR INTERVIEN. INFORMANIS CAN THERETONE PERSONALLY NEGOTIATE

THE SCOPE OF INTERVIEW AND THE CONFIDENTIALICY OF INFORMATION

THEY MAX PROVIDE THE COMMITTEE:

INFORMANTS SHOULD BE GIVEN THE NAMES OF MARK SPEISER AND

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 20

---

## Page 21

VZCZ: i00 10G

RA JU

DE Ha

A106 1448055

ZIR NUUDU

# 2421192 MAY 70

FiX DIRECTON FEI (62-117290)

TO FBI JACKSON ROUTINE

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTER

ON AESASSINATIONS (ASCA)

REPENENCE JAGHSON TELETYPE TO BURGAU APRIL 34, ICE, GIPM

TIONED "MURKIN"*

THE HECA IS CURRENILY CORDUOTING INVESTIGATION INTO THE

ASSASSINATIOUS OF JONW FO KEANEDY AND MANTIN LUTHER KILS, JES

AND HAS REVIENED VOLUMINOUS EXCISED DOCUMENDS ROGARDING THE

ASSASSINATION CASES NO RELATED INVEOTICATIONS. UPON REVIEW UF

REFERENCED CONCUNICATION, THE LECA DESIRES TO INTERVIE INFORT

MANIS WHO SUPPLIOD INFORMATION CONTAINEN THEREIN. BY REQUEST

DATED MAY 15, 1976, THE COMMISICE RECUESTED THE FEI CONTACT

THESE INFORMANIS TO DETERMINE IF THEY WOULD DE AGREEABLE TO

INTENVIEU BY THE NSCA, THE NSCA HOPES INTERVIEW CAN DE COP-

DUCTED PRIOS TO JUNE E, 1975.

62-544-11

SEARCHED

SERIALIZED O KANILED

_ INDEXED

MAY 2 4 1978

FBI-JACKSON

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 21

---

## Page 22

PAGE TO DE HO MING UACLAS

INFORNATIOM IN. REFERENCED CORMUMICATION VAS PROVIDED BY IME

FOLLOUILG FORNER INFORINITS:

Le JE 340%, BUREAU FILE 17-1585, NACHSON FILE 170-450,

OPERATED BETIRED AUSUST, 1007 = APRIL, 1973.

2. NaCKSON 337, BUREAU FILE 170-1510 JACKSO! FILE 170

457, OPENATED BETUECH JULY, 1067 - MOVERER, 1973€

LACKSON ATTRAPT TO CONTACT INFORMOTE ANO ADVISE LNCH THAT

THE USCA DESIRES TO INTERVIEU THEM CODCORLING INFORMATIO. THEY

PROVIDED IN REFEREUCED COQUURICACION. IMEY SHOULD DE TOLD SIAT

IU THE FSIE KOOMLEDGE, THE HSCO IS KOT MARE OF THEIR RELATIOU

SHIP WITH THE FEI OR THEIR IDEVTITIES, DEZERMINE IF THE INFOG

BATTS HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO BEING INTERVICIED BY REPRESERTATIVES

OF THE HSCA • IF THERE ARE GO ODJECTIONS TO LITERVID! IUFOR

MANTS SHOULD DE FUNISHED THE IDENITIES AND TELEPHONE RUDER

OF THE FOLLOVING ASCA PERSONNEL IN ORDER THAT INFORMAME CAW

TELEPHONICALLY COLTAGI INE HECA AND NAME INDIR OUR ARRAIGENEUTS

FOR INTERVIDU, INFORMNNES CAN THERSFORE PERDOMALLY NEGOISATE

THE SCOPE OF INTERVIEU AND THE CONFIDEUTIALITY OF INFORIATION

CHEY HAY PROVIDE THE COUMITTEE:

IUFORGANTE SHOULD BE GIVEN THE NADEE OF INNE GEISCA AND

17W 55136 DORId:32089768 Page 23

---

## Page 23

PAGE THREE DE HQ GIGG UNCLAS

PETER BEESON, SOTH HSCA STARE ATTORDEYS, GHO CAN DE CONTAGTED

COLLECT AT 202-225-5353, UPON CALLING, INFORUGHTS GHOULD FUR

WISH THEIR IDENTITIES AND ADVISE THEY VERE THC INDIVIDUALE WHU

PROVIDED THE JACKSON OFFICE OF THE FOI INFORMATION CONCERNING

ACIIVITIES AT JONI'S CAFE, LAUREL, MISSISSIPPI, IN APRIL 1968a

SUTEL RESULTS OF CONTACT WIIM INFORUARTE I0 FBIHO, ARTER-

TION: COLGRESSIOÑAL INQUIRY UNIT, ACCORDE MANAGENENT DIVISIOS.

EXPEDITE IN VIE! OF COMITTEE*S DESIRE IO INTERVID! INFORMAITS,

IF AGREEABLE, PRIOR TO JUNC D, 1075%

BT

9106

OWN 12401002 J

NIN 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 23

---

## Page 24

FD-36 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

& Teletype

• Facsimile

[ Airtel

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

Priority

* Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

• SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

DEFTO

XI CETAR UnClas

Date

5/26/78

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (62-117290) ROUTINE

BT

UNCLAS

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENT

DIVISION.

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATION (HSCA)

RE BUREAU TELETYPE DATED MAY 24, 1978.

ON MAY 26, 1978, JN 340-R, BUREAU FILE 170-1565, JACKSON

FILE 170-459, INTERVIEWED AND OBJECTS TO INTERVIEW BY

REPRESENTATIVES OF HSCA IN VIEW OF CURRENT EMPLOYMENT STATUS.

JN 340-R STILL EMPLOYED AT JOHN'S CAFE, LAUREL, MISS., AND

FEELS LIFE WOULD BE PLACED IN JEOPARDY IF IDENTITY WAS MADE

KNOWN.

REVIEW OF JACKSON FILE 170-457 PERTAINING TO JN 337-R

DISCLOSED A NEWSPAPER CLIPPING FROM THE LAUREL LEADER CALI,

A LAUREL, MISS., NEWSPAPER, DATED MARCH 4, 1974, COPY

FURNISHED

62-544-18

1) - Jackson

LCB/njb

(1)

Searched.

Serialized

Indéxed.

Fied

Ripley go

Approved: 1/3218

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 24

Transmitted

003

(Number)

2200 ₴

(Time)

Per

F

GPO: 1977 0 - 225-539

---

## Page 25

ED-36 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

• Teletype

• Facsimile

[ Airtel

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

[] Immediate

• Priority

_ Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

• SECRET

7 CONFIDENTIAL

JEFTO

O CLEAR

Date

PAGE TWO JN 62-544

UNCLAS

TO FBIHQ WHICH REFLECTS THAT INFORMANT WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY

A SHOTGUN BLAST FIRED BY HIS BROTHER-IN-LAW. INFORMANT WAS

PRONOUNCED DEAD ON ARRIVAL AT JONES COUNTY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

AND CAUSE OF SHOOTING HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AS OF THE DATE OF

THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE.

вт.

Approved: -

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Transmitted

(Number)

Per

(Time)

GPO: 1977 0 - 225-539

Page 25

---

## Page 26

. *

VZCZCHQOD85

RR AL AT BA BH BS BU CE CG CI CV DN DE HO IP JN JK KC LA

ME MM MI MP MO NK NH NO NY OM PH PX PG PD RH SC SL SD SF SE SI

TP WF

DE HQ 0085 1570042

ZNY EEEEE

R D52105Z JUN 78

FM DIRECTOR FBI (62 117290)

TO FBI ALBANY

FBI ATLANTA

FBI BALTIMORE

FBI BIRMING HAM

FBI BOSTON

FBI BUFFALO

FBI CHARLOTTE

FBI CHICAGO

FBI CINCINNATI

FBI CLEVELAND

FBI DENVER

FBI DETROIT

FBI HOUSTON

FBI INDIANAPOLIS

FBI JACK SON

62-544-22

SEATIFEO E OEE AZE

JUN 5

1978

BI-JACKSON

Nasta Ju

5po6 Bulal.

FBI JACKSONVILLE

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 26

---

## Page 27

PAGE TWO DE HQ 0085 UNCLAS E FI O

FBI KANSAS CITY

FBI LOS ANGELES

FBI MEMPHIS

FBI MIAMI

FBI MILWAUKEE

FBI MINNEAPOLIS

FBI MOBILE

FBI NEWARK

FBI NEW HAVEN

FBI NEW ORLEANS

FBI NEW YORK

FBI OMAHA

FBI PHILADELPHIA

FBI PHOENIX

FBI PITTSBURGH

FBI PORTLAND

FBI RICHMOND

FBI SACRAMENTO

FBI SAN DIEGO

FBI SAN FRANCISCO

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 27

---

## Page 28

, *

PAGE THREE DE HQ 0085 UNCLAS E F I O

FBI SEATTLE

FBI SPRINGFIELD

FBI SI. LOUIS

FBI TAMPA

FBI WASHING ION FIELD OFFICE

BT

UNCLAS E FIO

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)

BUDED JUNE 12, 1978.

RE: BULET TO ALBANY, ET AL, AUGUST 25, 1967, CAPTIONED

"COUNTERINTELLIGENCE PROGRAM, BLACK NATIONALIST-HATE GROUPS,

INTERNAL SECURITY" AND "BUAIRTEL TO ALBANY, ET AL, MARCH 4,

1968, CAPTIONED "COUNTERINTELLIGENCE PROGRAM, BLACK NATION-

ALIST-HATE GROUPS, RACIAL INTELLIGENCE"•

THE HSCA WHICH IS INVESTIGATING THE ASSASSINATION OF

JOHN F. KENNEDY AND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., NOTING THAT

REFERENCED COMMUNICATIONS ASKED RECIPIENT OFFICES TO MAKE

PERIODIC REPORIS TO THE BUREAU, HAS REQUESTED THAI RECIPIENT

FIELD OFFICE FILES BE SEARC ED AND AWL REPORTS, LETTERHEAD

MEMORANDA, AIRTELS, LETTERS AND TELETYPES CONCERNING

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 28

---

## Page 29

PAGE FOUR DE HQ DO8! UNCLAS EFTO

DR.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., OR THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE (SCLC) SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO REFERENCED

COMMUNICATIONS UP TO AND INCLUDING DECEMBER 31, 1968, BE

PREPARED FOR DELIVERY.

THE HSCA REQUESTED THAT OUR RESPONSE IN THIS MATTER BE

GIVEN TOP PRIORTY OVER ALL OTHER ASPECIS OF KING I WESTIGATION.

FBI HEADQUARTERS (FBIHQ) FILES HAVE BEEN PARTIALLY

PROCESSED IN RESPONSE TO A SIMILAR REQUESI, BUT TO INSURE

COMPLETENESS AND THOROUGHNESS, EACH RECIPIENT OFFICE FURNISH

FBIHQ TWO XEROX COPIES OF ANY COMMUNICATION MEETING ABOVE

CRITERIA. COPY SHOULD REACH FBIHQ BY JUNE 12, 1978.

ALL COPIES SHOULD BE CLEARLY LEGIBLE AND SHOULD BE SENT

REGISTERED MAIL, MAILED TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL

INQUIRY UNII, RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION, ANY QUESTIONS CAN

BE RESOLVED BY CONTACTING SUPERVISOR RICHARD C. BUSCHING,

EXTENTION 3685.

RECIPIENT OFFICES HAVING NO COMMUNICATION MEETING CRITERIA

ARE TO SO NOIIFY FBIHQ.

BI

0$85

NNNN

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 29

---

## Page 30

618816

TO:

DIRECIOR, FBI (62-117290)

ATTENTION:

CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT,

RECORDS MANAGELIENT DIVISION

FROM: JACKSON (62-544) (C)

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA) / %

Re Bureau letter to Albany, ET AL, 8/25/67,

captioned "Counterintelligence Progran, Black Nationalist-

Bureau *tel to Albany, El Al, 6/5/78, captioned as above.

Enclosed herewith are copies of serials 3, 5, and

7 of Jackson file 100-980. Said file is conceming

matter as set forth in referenced communications dated

8/25/67 and 3/4/68.

Review of above file was made for the period

Christian Leadership Conference.

CONFIDENTIAL, MATERTAL, ATTACHED

2 - Bureau (Enc. 6)

L1 - Jackson

AJW/dgE sini

(3)

62-544-23

Searched

Serialized

Indexed

Filed

7248

DO NOT DESTROY FiLE

Waits It

RV 55186 DocId:32989768 Page 30

---

## Page 31

VZCZCHQU165

VO AT BH JI KÄ LS HE MN NO SL WF

DE

iQ-19035. 1652149

MY EEEEE

U 142:252 JUN 78

FU DIRECTOR FBI (62-117290)

D FBI ATLANTA' INMEDIATE

FBI BIRMINGHAM INMEDIATE

FBI JACKSON INUEDIATE

FBI KNOXVILLE INNEDIATE

FBI LUUISVILLE IMMEDIATE.

FBI MEMPHIS IMMEDIATE

FBI MIAMI IMMEDIATE

FBI NEW ORLEANS IMMEDIATE

FBI S.. LOUIS IMMEDIATE

FBI WASHINGION FIELD OFFICE IMMEDIAID

BT

• UNCLAS EFTO

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTER ON ASSASSINATION

(HECA.)

MSCA, BY LETTER DATED JUNE 12, 1978, iZQUESTED THAT IHE

FIELD OFFICE PILES ON THE SOUTERU STATES. INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL

FOR THE PENIOD 1956-1978 FRO: ATLANTA, BIRMINGHAM, JACKSON,

02-544-25

SEARCHED

_ INDEXED

•SERIALIZEN

LAR FILED

Birded 6/18/18

00!.

Sileon

4

Re

JUN 11 1978

FIBI-JACKSON

Warts

NW 55186 Docid:32989768 Page 31

---

## Page 32

PAGE TWO DE HQ 9085 UNCLAS E FT O

KNOXVILLE, LOUISVILLE, MEMPHIS, MIAMI, NEW ORLEANS, ST: LOUIS,

AiVD

WASHINGION FIRLD OFFICE, BE PROVIDED ON A PRIORITY BASIS.

RECEIVING OFFICES ARE REQUESTED TO SEARCH FOR ANY FILES

OR REFERENCES ON INE SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL FOR THE

PERIUD 1956-1978. ANY MATERIAL LOCATED. OU THIS SUBJECT SHOULD

RE DUPLICATED AND ONE COPY FURISHED TU FBI HEADQUARTERS;

ATTENTIUI: CONGRESSIONAL. INQUIRY. UNIT, RECONDS HAINAGE INT

DIVISLON, BY GLUSE OF BUSINESS JUNE 19,

1978.

BT

0055

vivial

NW 55186 DooId: 32989768

Page 32

---

## Page 33

VZCZCHQ0 085

0O AT BA ON KX LS NE MM NO SL WF

DE HQ: 0085 1952143

BY EEEEE

0 1120262 JUN 78

FI DIRECTOR FBI (60-117290>

D FBI ATLANTA IMMEDIATE

FO1 BARMINGHAN IMMEDIATE

FBI JACKSON IOMEDIATE

F81 KNOXVILLE LIMEDIATE

FBI LOUISVILLE JIMEDIATE

FBI MEMPHIS INMEDIATE

FBI MIAMI IMMEDIATE

F3I ACU, ORLEANS, INMEDIATE

FBI ST. LOUIS INMEDIATE

FBI VASNINGTON FIELD OFFICE IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS EFTO

HOUSE SELECI COMMITTEE OW ASSASSINA

IONS. (HSCA.)

NSCA, BY LETTER DATED JUNE 12, 1976, REQUESTED THAT THE

FIELD CFFICE FILES ON THE SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL

POR INE PERIOD 1956-1978 2A64 ATLANTAS

BIRMING NA" 2 - 544-25

¡ SEARGHED

NOIRES DYAS

SERIALIZED. RABILED

O Wa

JUN 11 1978

FBi-JACKSON

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 33

---

## Page 34

PACE TWO DE HO 0085 UACLAS EFT O

KHONVILLE, LOUISVILLE, MEMPHIS, MIANI; NEW ORLEANS ST . LOUIS,

AND WASHINGION FIELD OFFICE

• BE PROVIDED OU A PRIORITY BASIS.

RECEIVING OFFICES ARC REQUESIED TO SEARCH FOR ANY FILES

Oh REFBRENCES ON THE SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL, COUNCIL FOR THE

PERIOD 1956-1978. ANY MATERIAL LOCATED. ON THIS SUBJECT SNQULD

BE DUPLICATED AND ONE COPY FURNISHED TO FBI HEADOUARTERS,

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT , RECORDS MANAGEMENT

DIVISION, BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS dUNE 19,

1978.

BT'

WONN

55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 34

---

## Page 35

FD-36 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

•X Teletype

• Facsimile

• Airtel

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

[] Immediate

Priority

Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

• SECRET

CONFIDENTIAL

DEFTO

I AKKARX UNCLAS

Date

6/19/78

EM: JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (62-117290) PRIORITY

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RMD

BT

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA) • BUDED:

JUNE 19, 1978.

RE FBIHQ TELETYPE, JUNE 14, 1978, CAPTIONED AS ABOVE, TO

SELECTED FIELD OFFICES.

REFERENCED TELETYPE REQUESTED INFORMATION CONCERNING

"SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL".

A REVIEW OF ELSUR AND GENERAL INDICES, JACKSON OFFICE,

HAS FAILED TO REVEAL FILES AND/OR REFERENCES UNDER THE NAME

"SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL".

FOR FBIHQ INFORMATION, ABOVE SEARCH REVEALED SEVERAL

REFERENCES CONCERNING "SOUTHERN STATES UNDERGROUND NEWSPAPER

OKH

PRESS CONFERENCE". "SOUTHERN STATES TELEPHONE INDUSTRY

26

62-544-0

- Jackson (62-544)

JAW/vaL

(1) 70

Searched

Serialized

iled OV

Waits

Approved: -

K/348

NW 55186 DooId: 32989768

Page 35

Transmitted

002

(Number)

21/17

(Time)

Per

GPO: 1977 0 - 225-539

---

## Page 36

FD-36 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

[X Teletype

• Facsimile

• Airtel

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

Priority

Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

O TOP SECRET

• SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

ДЕЕТО

&KKARX UNCLAS

Date

6/19/78

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (62-117290) PRIORITY

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RMD

BT

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA) . BUDED:

JUNE 19, 1978.

RE FBIHQ TELETYPE, JUNE 14, 1978, CAPTIONED AS ABOVE, TO

SELECTED FIELD OFFICES.

REFERENCED TELETYPE REQUESTED INFORMATION CONCERNING

"SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL".

A REVIEW OF ELSUR AND GENERAL INDICES, JACKSON OFFICE,

HAS FAILED TO REVEAL FILES AND/OR REFERENCES UNDER THE NAME

"SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL".

FOR FBIHQ INFORMATION, ABOVE SEARCH REVEALED SEVERAL

REFERENCES CONCERNING "SOUTHERN STATES UNDERGROUND NEWSPAPER

PRESS CONFERENCE". "SOUTHERN STATES TELEPHONE INDUSTRY

26

62-544-01

I - Jackson (62-544)

JAW/val

(1)7*1

Searched

Serialized

Indexed

Filed

Waits

Approved:

K/3,48

| NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 36

Transmitted

002

(Number)

2/117

(Time)

Per

GPO: 1977 0 - 225-539

---

## Page 37

FD-36 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

• Teletype

• Facsimile

• Airtel

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

• Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

O TOP SECRET

O SECRET

CONFIDENTIAL

EF TO

CLEAR

Date

PAGE TWO JN 62-544 UNCLAS

LEADERS DELEGATION" AND "SOUTHERN STATES FOREST PRODUCTS

INDUSTRY LEADERS TOUR"; HOWEVER, FROM INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT

THIS TIME, THERE IS NO INDICATION SAID REFERENCES ARE IDENTICAL

TO "SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL".

BT

Approved:

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Transmitted

Per

(Number)

(Time)

GPO: 1977 0 - 225-539

Page 37

---

## Page 38

JN0DD2 1692110Z

PP HQ

DE JW

P 192111Z JUN 78

M JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (62-117290) PRIORITY

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RMD

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECI COMMITTEE ON ASSASSI NATIONS (HSCA). BUDED.:

JUNE 19, 1978.

RE FBIHQ TELETYPE, JUNE 14, 1978, CAPTIONED AS ABOVE, TO

SELECIED FIELD OFFICES.

REFERENCED TELETYPE REQUESTED INFORMATION CONCERNING

"SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL".

A REVIEW OF ELSUR AND GENERAL INDICES, JACKSON OFFICE,

HAS FAILED IO REVEAL FILES AND/OR REFERENCES UNDER THE NAME

"SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL".

FOR FBIHQ INFORMATION, ABOVE SEARCH REVEALED SEVERAL

REFERENCES CONCERNING "SOUTHERN STATES UNDERGROUND NEWSPAPER

PRESS CONFERENCE".

"SOUTHERN STATES TELEPHONE INDUSTRY

62-544-8

5026

Searched

Serialized

Indexed

Fled

NW 55186 DoeId: 32989768

Page 38

---

## Page 39

PAGE TWO JN 62-544 UNCLAS

LEADERS DELEGATION" AND "SOUTHERN STATES FOREST PRODUCIS

INDUSTRY LEADERS TOUR"; HOWEVER, FROM INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT

THIS TIME, THERE IS NO INDICATION SAID REFERENCES ARE IDENTICAL

IO "SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL"•

BT

1702018HQ 1

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 39

---

## Page 40

Indices Starch Slip

FD-160 (Rev. 3-23-71)

TO: (OHIEF CLERK

Date

6/14/28

(THE) SOUTHERN STATES INDUSTRTAL COUCICTA

Social Security Account #

Address

Birth Date

Birthplace

Race

Exact Spelling

|A1l References

Main Subversive Case Flles Only

JSubversive References Only

File & Serial Number

-Main Criminal Case Flles Only

_Restrict to Locality of,

Criminal References Only

1256 - 1978

¿Main Subversive (If no Main, list all Subversive References)

JMain Criminal (Ií no Main, list all Criminal References)

Remarks

File & Serial Number

Remarks

Sex

_ Male

J Female

100-1216

swuthern States Andegrond Heuspaper Pren Cinferesce 100-1675

southem Stotes Jelenhine Industay

Lesders Vefgetrim 105-68-28

Serithern Stiter Forest Producte Industy Seadens Prar 100-0-112

plere

Requested by

Waits

soarched lsrintiees

constran toti 4it tat

Squad

6-15-24

(date)

(date)

Revlewed by

(date)

File Review Symbols

Ni : Ndet tieet

- Not identifiable

Not identical

Ú - Unavallable reference #G.P.0.1972-471-961

NW 55186 DocId:32989768 Page 40

Extension

70

File No

62-54x-0027

3.10

---

## Page 41

VZCZCHQO 122

RR JN

DE. HQ 0122.2101035

ZNR UUUUU

R 282030Z JUL 78

FM DIRECTOR FBI (62-117290)

IO FBI JACKSON (62-544) ROUTINE

BI

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA); BUDED AUGUST 4,

19780

REBUTEL TO JACKSON, MAY 24, 1978; JACKSON TELETYPE TO

BUREAU, MAY 26, 1978.

HSC A IN ITS CONTINUING INVESTIGATION INTO THE ASSASSINA-

TIONS OF JOHN F. KENNEDY AND MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., REQUESTED

THAT THE THREE INFORMANTS REFERRED TO IN THE FOLLOWING SERIALS

BE CONTACTED AND REQUESTED TO SUBMIT TO INTERVIEW BY THE COM-

MITTEE:

SERIAL I: BUFILE 157-1654-239- PAGE 18, PARAGRAPH 20

SERIAL 2: BUFILE 157-1654-23. PAGE 21, PARAGRAPH 3.

SERIAL 3: BUFILE 157-1654-23,, PAGE 25, PARAGRAPH 4.

62-544-28

INDEXED.

handle.

JUL QU 1978

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 41

Waito

---

## Page 42

17*-

WW

SPE CHAL

GP O 909.767

55186 DocId: 32989768

Page

42

---

## Page 43

PAGE TWO DE HQ D122 UNCLAS

• THE HSCA ALSO REQUESTED THAI THE BUREAU SOLICIT THESE

INFORMANIS TO EXECUTE A WAIVER OF RELEASE OF ALL THEIR HEAD-

QUARTERS AND FIELD OFFICE

FILES.

THE

ABOVE SERIALS ARE LOCATED IN JACKSON REPORT OF SA

THOMAS E. BURG, DATED AUGUSI 9, 1968, AND CAPTIONED. "SAi

HOLLOWAY BOWERS, JR., AKA, RM-KLAN." THE JACKSON FILE. NUMBER

IS JN 157-18.

INFORMATION IN SERIAL REQUEST I WAS FURNISHED BY UN 184-R$

BUFILE 17-733,

(JACKSON FILE 170-279

OPERATED BETWEEN NOVENBER,

1965, AND MARCH, 1973. -

INFOR MATION IN SERIAL REQUESTS 2 AND 3 WAS FURNISHED BY

JW 340-R (PROB), BUFILE 170-1565, JACKSON FILE 170-459, OPERATED

BETWEEN AUGUSI, 1967 AND APRIL, 1973.

JN 340-R PER. REFERENCED JACKSON COMMUNICATION HAS ALREADY

DECLINED TO BE INTERVIEWED BY HSCA.

FBIHQ FILES CONTAIN NO INFORMATION REGARDING CURRENI WHERE-

ABOUTS OF FORMER UN 184-R•

JACKSON LOCATE AND INTERVIEW FORMER UN 184-R TO DETERMINE

IF HE HAS ANY OBJECIION IO MIS IDENTITY BEING DISCLOSED TO THE

HSCA AND IF HE WOULD BE WILLING TO BE INIERVIEWED BY A REPRE-

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 43

---

## Page 44

PAGE THREE DE HQ D122 UNCLAS

SENTATIVE OF THE HSCA. INFORMANI SHOULD BE TOLD THAT IF HE

AGREES TO DISCLOSURE, HE HAS NO GUARANTEES FROM THE FBI OR THE

HSCA OF IMMUNITY OR CONFIDENTIALITY, THAT THE FBI IS NOI RESPON-

SIBLE FOR WHAT RESULTING ACTION THE HSCA MAY TAKE; AND THAI TO

DATE THE FBI HAS NOT ADVISED THE HSCA OF HIS FORMER INFORMANT

STATUS, AND THAT THE ISCA MAY HAVE INFORMANI'S IDENTITY BASED..

ON A REVIEW OF THE FBI'S ASSASSINATION INESIIGATION FILE.

IF INFORMANT IS AGREEABLE TO DISCLOSURE, A WIINESSED,

SIGNED WAIVER SHOULD BE OBTAINED, WORDED SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE

FBI TO RELEASE ANY AND ALL FILES (FBI AND FIELD OFFICE! CON-

CERNING HIMSELF TO THE HSCA, INCLUDING THOSE RECORDS PERTAINING

IO ANY CONFIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP THEY MAY HAVE HAD WITH THE FBI.

IF INFORMANT DESIRES HIS IDENTITY NOI BE DISCLOSED, HE

SHOULD BE TOLD THAT THE FBI WILL DO ALL IN ITS POWER TO PROTECT

HIS IDENTITY; HOWEVER, HIS FILE COULD BE SUBJECT TO CONGRES-

SIONAL SUBPOENA •

JACKSON SUTEL TO FBIHQ, CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNII, RECORDS

MANAGEMENI DIVISION, RESULIS OF CONTACT WIIH INFORMANT AND

FORWARD WAIVER, IF OBTAINED, BY SEPARATE COMMUNICATION. IF

INFORMANI HAS RELOCATED, SET FORIH APPROPRIATE LEADS TO EFFECI

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 • Page 44

---

## Page 45

PAGE FOUR DE HQ

0122 UNCLAS

INTERVIEW.

BI

D 122

NNNN2011040

2011040Z JN 2.

NW

55186 DocId: 32989768

Page

45

---

## Page 46

VZCZCHQ0 122

• AR

JN

DE HQ. 0122 2101235

ZNP OUUUU

R 2320302 JUl:78

FI DIRECTOR IBI (62-117298)

TO FBI. JACKSON (62-544)- ROUTINE

BT

UNCLAS

1978.

HOUSE SELECT COMMITICE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA)E BUDED AUCUST A,

REBUTEL TO JACKSON, MAY 248

1978, JAGHSON TELETYPE TO

BUREAU, MAY 26, 1978.

HSC A IN ITS CONTINUING INVESTIGATION INTO THE ASSASSINA-

TIONS OF JOHN FO KENNEDY AND MARTIN LUTHER KING,. JRa, REQUESIED

THAT THE THREE INPORMANIS REFERRED TO IN THE FOLLOWING SERIALS

BE CONCACTED. AND REQUESTED TO SUBMIT TO INTENVIEN BY THE COM

MITTEE:

SERIAL I3 BUFILE 157-1654-23, PAOE 18, PARAGRAPH 20

SERIAL 2: BUTILE 157-1654-23, PAGE 21, PARAGRAPK 3.

•SERIAL 3: BUFILE 157-1654-23, PAGE 25, PARAGRAPH 46

62-544-28

SEARCHED

JUL 2G 1978

* NW 55186 Docid: 32989768 Page 46

---

## Page 47

DE HC 0122 2101335

& 2030302 JU. 78

FA DIRECTOR FEI (62-117293)

TO FBI JACKSON (63-544) ROUTINE

UMGLAS

MOUSE SELECT COMMITTLE ON ASSASSINGIIONE CISCADE BUDDO AUCUST 4,

1970.

ESBUTEL IO JACKSOL, HAY 249 107GS JAGISON TELETYPE IO

BUREAU, LAY 29, 19750

HSC A IN ITS CONTINUING INVESTIGATION INTO INE ASSASSINA-

TIOLS OF JOHS FO KENNEDY ARD MANTIN LUTHER KING, düo REQUESIED

THAT THE THREE INFORNADIS REFERTED TO IN THE FOLLOGERO SELLIALL

BE CONTACTED ALD RECUESTED TO SUEMIT ID INIONVIOU BY THE COV

MITTEE:

SERIAL I: BUFILE

157-1654-25; PAGE 10, РАБАОБК 2+

GERIAL &: BUFILE 157-1654-23, PAGE 21, PARACROPM 56

SEHIAL 3E DUFILE 157-1654-25, PAGE 25, FAH 45

62-544-28

JUL? 1 978

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 47

пa.t..en.

arisen

---

## Page 48

• PAGE FOUR DE NE 2120 UNCLAS

INTERVIEW.

ĐT

0128

NHN 02011440

2011240Z JN 2=

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 48

---

## Page 49

• PAGE TWO DE HQ 5122 UNCLAS

THE HSCA ALSO REQUESTED THAT THE BUREAO SOLICIT INOSE

INFORIIADIS TO EXECUTE & PAIVES OF RELEASE OF ALL THEIR HE4D-

QUARTERS AND FIELD OFFICE FILESS

THE ABOVE DENIALE ARE LOCATED IN MACRSOS NEPORT OF SA

TIONAS E. DUPU, DAZED AUGUST 9E I9GO, ALD CAPTIONED "SAN

KOLLOWAY DOULS, die, Ail, RO-KLAN," THE JACISON FILE QUEEN

IS SH 107-15+

INFORUATION IS SENIAL RECUSST I WAS TURNISHED BY JA LOA-S,

BUFILE 17-733, JACISON FILE 170-270, OPIATED BEIJEEN LOVEIDE:,

1965, AND MARCH, 1973.

INFOR MATIOK IN SENZAL REQUESTS S AND & WAS FURNISHED &Y

JU 3AO-R SPRODO, BUFILE 173-1305, JACHSON FILE 175-450, OPERATED

BETUES! AUGUST, 1907 AND AFFIL, 1073.

Ji 345-T PE: TEFERENCED JACKSO: COTNUNICATICH HAS ALREADY

DECLINED TO BE INTENVIEVED BY ROGA

IINA FILES CONTAIN NO INFONIATION MBGARDIR CURRENT WHERE.

ABOUTS OF FORADA NE 184-IA

JACKSON LOCATE AND INTERVIEU FORNCE AD 184-1 IO DETCETONE

IF HE HAS ARY OBJECIION IO LIS IDENTITY BELL DISCLOSED TO THE

HSCA AND IF HE WOULD BE WILLING TO DE INTERVIEUED BY A REPRE

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 49°

---

## Page 50

' PAGE TREE DE HO 3122 UNOLAS

SENTATIVE OF THE MSCA, INFOSUNET SHOULD BE IGLD IHAT IF HE

AGREES TO DISCLOSURE, HE HAS NO GUARATESS MOM THE FBI ON THE

NSCA OF INDUCITY OR COGFIDENTIALITY, THAT THE FRI IS NOT RECOI

SIBLE FOR WHAT RESULTINE ACTION INE NSCA MAY TANG, AND THAI TO

DATE THE FUI KAS NOT ADVISED INE NOCA OF JOS FORGER I DTORTALI

STATUS, ARD INAT THE JSCA MAY HAVE ISTORMACE*S IDERITY EAGEU

ON A REVIES OF THE FOI'S ACSASSICATION INEGIICNTIOL FILE.

IF INFORMANT IS AGACEABLE 1O DISCLOSUNE, A WITLESSED S

SIGNED WAIVEL SHOULD DE OBTAINED, ORDEU SO AS I0 AUTHORICE THE

FBI TO RELEASE ARY ALD ALL FILES CESE AID FIELD OFFICES COL

CORDIG HINSELE TO THE NECAS INCLUDING INOSE ACCORDS PEETAINLO

TO ANY COUFIDENIIAL CELAZIONSHIP THEY MAY MAVE HAD VITH INE FBIS

IF INFORMANI DESINES HIS IDSITITY SOT BE DISCLOSED, LE

SHOULD BE TOLD THAT THE FRI WILL DO ALL ID ITS POWEL TO PROTECT

HIS IDERITY; HOVEVER, HIS FILE COULD BE SUDOUGE TO GOERE

SIONAL SUBPOENA &

JACKDON SUTEL TO FBIHO, COOBOSIOVL ICCUINY UNII, ACCORDO

DAARGUENT DIVISIO, RESULTS OF CONTACT VITH INCOMiNS AND

FORAED WAIVER, IF CETAILLO, LY SEPAHADE CONNUNICATIORE IS

ITORIANT HAS RELOCATED, BET FORTH APPROPHIATS LEDG TO LIFECT

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 50

---

## Page 51

1;

JNO 003 214 0715Z

BR HQ

DE JN

R D1 2308Z AUG 78

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR FBI (62- 117290) ROUTINE

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA); BUDED :

AUGUST 4, 1978.

RE DIRECTOR TELETYPE JULY 28, 1978, CAPTIONED AS ABOVE.

REVIEW OF DEATH RECORDS, STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, AUGUST 1, 1978,

REFLECIS FORMER JN 184-R NOW DECEASED.

62-514-29

Searched

Serialized.

Indexed

Filed

NW 55186

DocId: 32969768 Fage bi

---

## Page 52

FD-36 (Rev. 3-24-77)

TRANSMIT VIA:

[ Teletype

• Facsimile

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

I Priority

[X Routine

003

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

• SECRET

[ CONFIDENTIAL

DEFTO

&] CLEAR

Date

8-1-78

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR FBI (62-117290) ROUTINE

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION

BI

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA) ; BUDED:

AUGUST 4, 1978.

RE DIRECTOR TELETYPE JULY 28, 1978, CAPTIONED AS ABOVE.

REVIEW OF DEATH RECORDS, STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, AUGUST 1, 1978,

REFLECTS FORMER JN184-R NOW DECEASED.

BT

1) - Jackson

JAW/ kbn

(1).

62544-29

Searched.

Serializea.

Indexed

Filed

Approved: K/74B

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 52

Transmitted

lumber

(Time)

FBI/DOJ

---

## Page 53

TO

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Memorandum

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

: SAC, JACKSON

DATE: 8/18/78

FROM :

SUBJECT:

SPC, KELLY R. HUGHES

BILL WILSON,

INFO CONCERNING

MR. WILLIAM D. GLADEN, RT. 1, BOX 205H3, OCEANS

SPRINGS

, MISS. PH #075-3510, telephonically contacted

this office at 1:15 A.M. instant date to furnish the

following info:

On 8/17/78 at 11:45 P.M. he was telephonically

contacted by BILL WILSON,. W/M,

46 years of age, an

employee of his, who requested to meet with he

and his

wife.

MR. GLADEN met with WILSON at a card and gift

shop owned by him in Oceans Springs, Ms.

MR. WILSON told MR. & MRS. GLADEN about how he

killed MARTIN LUTHER KING.

WILSON went into one hour

of details of the plan to kill KING.

MR. GLADEN advised that he rented part of his

shop to WILSON in July 1978 to operate a watch repair

service. WILSON told the GLADEN'S he was sorry for the

expense he caused them in setting up his watch repair

business but he had to get this off his chest. He

stated that. the sheriff from Memphis, Tenn. was the

only person he would surrender to and that this Memphis.

Tenn, sheriff was to meet him at the Holiday Inn, Biloxi,

Miss. morning of 8/18/78.

MR. GLADEN said WILSON: is a very intelligent man

and although he was drinking at time of meeting he thinks

WILSON is serious about the murder of KING.

KRH

62-544-30

Dilla

WAIT

NW 55186

DocId 32989768

Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan

Page 53

FBI/DOJ

---

## Page 54

TO

:

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Memorandum

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

SAC, JACKSON

DATE: 8/18/78

FROM :

SUBJECT:

SPC, KELLY R. HUGHES

BILL WILSON,

INFO •CONCERNING

MR. WILLIAM D. GLADEN, RT. 1, BOX 205H3, OCEANS

SPRINGS, MISS. PH #875-3518, telephonically contacted

this office at 1:15 A.M. instant date to furnish the

following info:

On 8/17/78 at 11:45 P.M. he was telephonically

contacted by BILL WILSON,. W/M, 46 years of age, an

employee of his, who requested to meet with he and his

wife. MR. GLADEN met with WILSON at a card and gift

shop owned by him in Oceans Springs, Ms.

MR. WILSON told MR. & MRS. GLADEN about how he

killed MARTIN LUTHER KING. WILSON went into one hour

KEN ?

of details of the plan to kill KING.

MR. GLADEN advised, that he rented part of his

shop to WILSON in July 1978 to operate a watch repair

service.

WILSON told the GLADEN'S he was sorry for the

expense he caused them in setting up his watch repair

business but he had to get this off his chest.

He

stated that. the sheriff from Memphis, lenn. was the

nly person he would surrender to and that this Memphis.

Tenn, sheriff was to meet him at the Hollday Inn, Biloxi,

Miss.

morning of 8/18/78.

MR. GLADEN said WILSON is a very intelligent man

and

although he was drinking at time of meeting he thinks

WILSON is serious about the murder of KING.

KRH

62-544-30

NW

55T86

DocId: 329B4YdJ.S.-Saings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan

FBI/DOS

---

## Page 55

FD, 3$ (Rev. 3-24-10

• TRANSMIT VIA:

[* Teletype

Facsimile

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

[x] Immediate

• Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

• SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

DEFTO

[* CLEAR

8-18-78

Date

Approved: 15/2,40

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 55

FM JACKSON (62-544)

TO DIRECTOR (62-117290) IMMEDIATE

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENT

DIVISION

MEMPHIS IMMEDIATE

BT

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA).

RE JACKSON TELEPHONE CALL TO FBI HQ, AUGUST 18, 1978.

ON AUGUST 18, 1978, 1:15 A.M., MR. WILLIAM W

• GLADEN,

ROUTE 1, POST OFFICE BOX 205H3, OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI,

TELEPHONE NUMBER 875-3518, TELEPHONICALLY CONTACTED

THE JACKSON FBI OFFICE AND FURNISHED THE FOLLOWING

INFORMATION:

ON AUGUST 17, 1978, 11:45 P.M., GLADEN WAS TELEPHONICALLY

CONTACTED BY BILL WILSON, WHITE MALE, 46 YEARS OF AGE,

EMPLOYEE OF GLADEN, WHO REQUESTED TO MEET WITH GLADEN

31

62-544.

Searched

alized Deo

- Jackson

rillia".

Fiel

(1)

Warts

Transmitted

00/

(Number)

1636 ₴

(Time)

Per

FBI/DOJ

---

## Page 56

FD-36 (Rev. 3-24-77)

• TRANSMIT VIA:

• Teletype

] Facsimile

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

• Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

• SECRET

O CONFIDENTIAL

DEFTO

I CLEAR

Date

PAGE TWO JN 62-544 UNCLAS

AND WIFE.

GLADEN AND WIFE MET WILSON AT A CARD AND GIFT

SHOP OWNED BY GLADEN IN OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI.

WILSON ADVISED MR. AND MRS. GLADEN ABOUT HOW HE

KILLED MARTIN LUTHER KING. FOR AN HOUR WILSON PROVIDED

DETAILS CONCERNING THE PLAN TO KILL KING.

GLADEN ADVISED THAT HE RENTED PART OF HIS SHOP TO

WILSON IN JULY, 1978, TO OPERATE A WAICH REPAIR SERVICE.

WILSON TOLD THE GLADENS HE WAS SORRY FOR THE EXPENSES

HE CAUSED THEM IN SETTING UP HIS WATCH REPAIR BUSINESS

BUT HE HAD TO GET THIS OFF OF HIS CHEST. HE STATED

THAT THE SHERIFE FROM MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, WAS THE ONLY

PERSON HE WOULD SURRENDER TO AND THAT MEMPHIS,

TENNESSEE, SHERIFF WAS TO MEET HIM AT THE HOLIDAY INN,

BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI, MORNING OF AUGUSI 18, 1978.

GLADEN ADVISED THAT WILSON IS A VERY INTELLIGENT

MAN AND ALTHOUGH HE WAS DRINKING AT THE TIME THE MEETING

TOOK PLACE, HE THINKS WILSON IS SERIOUS ABOUT THE MURDER

OF KING.

LHM FOLLOWS.

BASED ON DESCRIPTIVE DATA AVAILABLE, THE NAME BILL

Approved:

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 56

Transmitted (Number)

Per

(Time)

FBI/DOS

---

## Page 57

FD-36 (Rev. 3-24-77)

* TRANSMIT VIA:

• Teletype

• Facsimile

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

• Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

D TOP SECRET

• SECRET

CONFIDENTIAL

EFTO

• CLEAR

Date

PAGE THREE JN 62-544 UNCLAS

WILSON NOT IDENTIFIABLE THROUGH JACKSON OFFICE INDICES.

BT

Approved:

NW 55186 Docid: 32989768

Transmitted

Per

(Number)

(Time)

FBI/DOJ

Page 57

---

## Page 58

, 9

001

2301

650Z

00 HQ

DE

188636Z AUG 18

JNO DÖ1 2301650Z

- 00 HQ.

DE JN

00 188635Z AUG 78

• FM JACKSON (62-544)

TO DIRECTOR (62-117290) IMMEDIATE

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, RECORDS MANAGEMENT

DIVISION

MEMPHIS IMMEDIATE

• BI

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS (HSCA).

RE JACKSON TELEPHONE CALL TO FBI HQ, AUGUST 18, 1978.

•ON AUGUSI 18, 1978, 1:15 A.M., MR. WILLIAiD

GLADEN,

ROUTE !, POST OFFICE BOX 205H3, OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI,

TELEPHONE NUMBER 875-3518, TELEPHONICALLY CONTACTED

THE JACKSON FBI OFFICE AND FURNISHED THE FOLLOWING

INFORMATION:

ON AUGUSI 17, 1973, 11:45 P.M., GLADEN WAS TELEPHONICALLY

3)

CONTACTED BY BILL WILSON, WHITE MALE; 46 YEARS OF AGE: 02-544 - 61

EMPLOYEE OF GLADEN, WHO REQUESTED TO MEET WITH GLADE dece OURS

ndexea

Ted

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 . Page 58

---

## Page 59

PAGE TWO JN. 62-544 UNCLAS

AND WIFE. GLADEN AND WIFE MET WILSON AT A CARD AND GIFT

SHOP OWNED BY GLADEN IN OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI.

WILSON ADVISED MR. AND MRS. GLADEN ABOUT HOW HE

KILLED MARTIN LUTHER KING. FOR AN HOUR WILSON PROVIDED

DETAILS CONCERNING THE PLAN TO KILL KING.

GLADEN ADVISED THAT HE RENTED PARI OF HIS SHOP IO

WILSON IN JULY, 1978, TO OPERATE A WAICH REPAIR SERVICE.

WILSON TOLD THE GLADENS HE WAS SORRY FOR THE EXPENSES

HE CAUSED THEM IN SETTING UP HIS WATCH REPAIR BUSINESS

BUT 'HE HAD TO GET THIS OFF OF HIS CHEST. HE STATED

THAT THE SHERIFF FROM MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, WAS THE ONLY

PERSON HE WOULD SURRENDER TO AND THAI MEMPHIS,

TENNESSEE, SHERIFF WAS TO MEET HIM AI THE HOLIDAY IN,

BILOXI; MISSISSIP PI, MORNING OF AUGUSI 18, 1978.

GLADEN ADVISED THAT WILSON IS A VERY INTELLIGENT

MAN AND ALTHOUGH HE WAS DRINKING AT THE TIME THE MEETING

TOOK PLACE, HE THINKS WILSON IS SERIOUS ABOUT THE MURDER

OF KING.

LHM FOLLOWS.

BASED ON DESCRIPTIVE DATA AVAILABLE, THE NAME BILL

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

. Page 59

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## Page 60

PAGE THREE JN 62-544 UNCLAS

WILSON NOT IDENTIFIABLE THROUGH JACKSON OFFICE INDICES.

BI

2301646Z H3

1

NW 55186 DocId 32989768

Page

: 60

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## Page 61

ME00D4 2301945Z

00 HI JN SA

DE ME:

0 181945Z AUG 78

PM MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB. M) (P) •

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON IMMEDIATE

SAN ANTONIO IMMEDIATE

BI

UNCLAS E FIO

ATIN CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT; ROOM 8988, JEH BUILDING..

MUR KIN.

ON AUGUSI 18, 1978, GENE BARKSDALE, SHERIFF, SHELBY COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, FURNISHED FOLLOWING:

AI APPROXIMATELY 9:15 PM ON AUGUSI 17, 1978, AN INDIVIDUAL

WHO IDENIIFIED HIMSELF AS BURGESS AUDIE WILSO

TELEPHO NI CALLY

CONTACTED SHERIFF BARKSDALE AT THE SHELBY COUNTY SHERIFF'S

OFFICE SUB-STATION, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. WILSON FURNISHED SHERIFF

BARKSDALE BACKGROUND INFORMATION REGARDING BARKSDALE AND INFOR-

MATION REGARDING PERSONS KNOWN TO BARKSDALE AS MEMBERS OR FORMER

MEMBERS OF'THE TENNESSEE AIR, NATIONAL, GUARD UNII AI MEHPHIS,

IN WHICH BARKSDALE HAS BEEN ACTIVE FOR 26 YEARS.

SEARCHED

SERIAL OKa

PiG 1? 1978

Bitten n

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 61

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## Page 62

PAGE IWO ME 44-1987 SUB M UNCLAS E FI O

INFORMATION REGARDING PLACES AND TRIPS HE HAD MADE WITH BARKSDALE

WHICH INDICATED THAT WILSON WAS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE TENNESSEE

AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNIT AI MEMPHIS.

WILSON INFORMED BARKSDALE HE HAD COMMITTED A FAMOUS CRIME-

THAT HE WAS THE MAN WHO KILLED DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

HE RELATED THAT HE WAS THE TRIGGER MAN AND WAS STANDING ABOUT 65

FEET FROI DR. KING IN A POSITION BELOW THE BALCONY WHERE DR. KING

WAS STANDING. ABOUT THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THE DEATH OF DR. KING

WILSON'S DAUGHTER, WHOSE IDENTITY HE DECLINED TO

FURNISH, DROVE

A WHITE MUSTANG FROM KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, TO MEMPHIS,

TENNESSEE. HE WOULD FURNISH NO INFORMATION REGARDING THE

STORAGE OR USE OF THIS WHITE MUSTANG AFTER THE MUSTANG REACHED

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. HE DECLINED IO FURNISH ANY INFORMATION

REGARDING THE CIRCUMSIANCES AND THE EVENIS LEADING

UP TO THE

KILLING OF DR. KING OTHER THAN NOTED ABOVE, BUT STATED THAI

INFORMATION FURNISHED BY JAMES EARL RAY IS ACCURATE.

WILSON REQUESTED THAI SHERIFF BARKSDALE MEET HIM AT THE

HOLIDAY INN, GULFPORI, MISSISSIPPI, AT 9: 30 AM, AUGUSI 28,

1978. BARKSDALE WAS INSTRUCTED IO ENTER THE DINING ROOM AT THE

HOLIDAY INN WITHOUT À COAT AND THAI WILSON WOULD SURRENDER TO

NW 55186. DocId:32989768 Page 62

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## Page 63

PAGE THREE ME 44-1987-SUB ME FIO

HIM THERE: HE INSISTED THAI, BARKSDALE BE ALONE, THAT HE NOI

BE MISTREATED AFTER HE SURRENDERED AND THAT BARKSDALE NOT

INFORM THE FBI, AND IF BEIRAYED, HE WOULD NOI SURRENDER.

• WILSON DECLINED TO FURNISH BARKSDALE HIS LOCATION, BUT BARKSDALE

BELIEVED THAI IT WAS A LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE CALL.

AT APPROXIMAIELY 11:45 PM, WILSON AGAIN TELEPHONICALLY

CONTACTED BARKSDALE AND FURNISHED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

HE HAD A CLEAR CONSCIENCE, HAD TALKED WITH HIS FAMILY,

AND WAS READY TO CONFESS TO SHERIFF BARKSDALE ALONE. HE AGAIN

REQUESTED SHERIFF BARKSDALE TO MEET HIM AT THE HOLIDAY INN IN

GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, AI: 9:3D AM, AUGUSI 18, 1978 IN THE

DINING ROOM WITHOUT HIS COAT ON AND ALONE. SHERIFF BARKSDALE

POINTED OUT TO HIM THAI HE, BARKSDALE, WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY.

MEETING HIM AT GULFPORI AT THE APPOINTED TIME AND REQUESIED

THAT THEY ARRANGE A MEETING AT JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI. WILSON

COUNTERED BY INFORMING BARKSDALE THAI BARKSDALE WAS A PILOT

AND HAD ACCESS TO AIRCRAFT AND THAT HE COULD OBIAIN A PLANE AND

REACH GULFPORI, MISSISSIPPI IN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF

TIME. WILSON ABSOLUTELY DECLINED TO MEET WITH BARKSDALE IN

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI. DURING THIS CONVERSATION, WILSON INFORMED

BARKSDALE THAT HE WAS THEN IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, AND THAT

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 63

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## Page 64

PAGE FOUR ME 44-1987-SUB ME F TO

HE COULD REACH GULFPORI, MISSISSIPPI IN ABOUT ONE AND ONE HALF

HOURS.

AI APPROXIMATELY 9:45 All, AUGUSI 18, 1978, REVEREND NOEL

FANNON, PASTOR, SI. ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH, OCEAN SPRINGS,

MISSISSIPPI, TELEPHONE NUMBER 875-9654, TELEPHONICALLY CONTACTED

SHERIFF BARKSDALE AND FURNISHED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

REVEREND FANNON WAS. IN A CAFE IN OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI

ON THE MORNING OF AUGUSI 18, 1978, HAVING BREAKFASI. BURGESS

WILSON APPROACHED HIM AND RELATED INFORMATION INDICATING HE,

WILSON, HAD. SHOT DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., IN MEMPHIS,

TENNESSEE IN, APRIL OF 1968. HE INFORMED REVEREND FANNON THAT

HE WAS TO MEET SHERIFF BARKSDALE AT THE HOLIDAY INN, GULFPORI,

MISSISSIPPI, AND REQUESTED REVEREND FANNON TO FOLLOW HIM TO THE

HOLIDAY INN.

NW 55186: DocId: 32989768

Page 64

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## Page 65

PAGE FIVE ME 44-1987-SUB ME F TO

WILSON ALSO TALKED WITH SHERIFF BARKSDALE ON. THIS OCCASION

AND ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE FAILURE OF SHERIFF BARKSDALE

TO MEET WITH HIM AT 9:3D AM ON AUGUSI 18, 1978, AS ME HAD

PREVIOUSLY REQUESTED. SHERIFF BARKSDALE INFORMED WILSON THAT HE :

HAD BEEN ON DUTY ALL NIGHT IN CONNECTION WITH THE STRIKE

INVOLVING THE MEMPHIS POLICE DEPARINENI, AND HAD, NOT BEEN ABLE

TO ARRANGE MATTERS SO THAT HE COULD MEET WITH HIM. B'ARKSDALE

INFORMED WILSON IHAT HE WOULD AITEMPI TO ARRANGE A MEETING

WITH HIM. WILSON INFORMED BARKSDALE THAT HE WOULD STAY IN THE

VICINITY OF THE HOLIDAY INV, GULFPORI, AID WOULD CONTACI THE

DESK'CLERK AI THE HOLIDAY INN PERIODICALLY IN ORDER FOR

BARKSDALE TO ARRANGE TO MEET WITH HIM.. WILSON FURNISHED

BARKSDALE TELEPHONE NUMBER 601-864-4310 AS THE TELEPHONE NUMBER

OF A HOLIDAY INN HE WOULD PERIODICALLY CONTACT.

BARKSDALE REPORTED THAT WILSON APPEAPED TO BE COHERENT

AND THIS INFORMATION WAS ALSO FURNISHED IO BARKSDALE BY REVEREND

FANINOW.

BARKSDALE FURNISHED INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM THE BUREAU

OF IDENTIFICATION, SHELBY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, INDICATING

THAI BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, FBI NUMBER 879 421 E, WAS ARRESTED

AT THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF"'S OFFICE ON MAY 14, 1964,

BY THE MEMPHIS POLICE DEPARIMENI ON MAY 26, 1964, AND BY THE

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 65

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## Page 66

PAGE SIX ME 1987-SUB ME FT O

SHELBY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ON MAY 27, 1964 AND MARCH 24,

1965, WITH RESIDENCE AT 3612 COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS. WILSON

WAS ARRESTED BY THE BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS AUTHORITIES ON JUNE 129

1972 FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT DRAWING OUT OF THE CHILD SUPPORT

QUESTIONED IN BEXAR COUNTY. AT THE TIME WILSON RESIDED AT 1505

WEST CANYON LAKE DRIVE, CANYON LAKE, TEXAS. HIS EMPLOYMENI

WAS SHOWN AS A JEWELER.

THE FBI FINGERPRINI RECORD INDICATES THAT WILSON IS KNOWN

AS BURGESS AUDIE WILSON

JR. HE IS A WHITE MALE BORN AUGUST 28,

1931, AT FULTON, MI,

ISSIPPI, 5'10" TALL, 155 POUNDS, BROWN

EYES AND BROWN HAIR. WHEN ARRESTED IN MAY OF 1964, HE RESIDED

AT 3295 RUSKIN ROAD, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

DURING CONVERSATION WITH SHERIFF BARKSDALE, WILSON INDICATED

HE HAS A FATHER-IN-LAW, VERNON HOOTEN, WHO RESIDES AT 3095

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 66

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## Page 67

PAGE SEVEN ME 44-1987 SUBM EFTO

RUSKIN ROAD, MEMPHIS, TELEPHONE NUMBER 386-4628, AND THAT

HIS FATHER WAS FORMERLY PASTOR AI THE HOLLYWOOD BAPTISI CHURCH,

CHELSEA AND HOLLYWOOD AVENUES, MEMPHIS, AND AT THE CENTRAL

BAPTIST CHURCH, GRENADA, MISSISSIPPI.

ADMINISTRATIVE: RE

MEMPHIS TELEPHONE CALLS TO BUREAU

SUPERVISOR DREW CLARK, AUGUSI 18, 1978. SUCOP

MEMPHIS INDICES AND FILES REVEAL BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.,

WAS ELIMINATED AS A SUSPECI IN AN 87 MATTER INVOLVING THE

TRANSPORTATION OF JEWELRY IN 1973. AT THE TIME, IT

WAS DETERMINED HE HAD BEEN IN BUSINESS AS THE NORTH STAR DIAMOND

CIRCLE, VALLEY HILL MALL, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, FROM EARLY 1971

TO MIDDLE 1971.

JACKSON AT JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, WILL CAUSE A REVIEW OF.

RECORDS AT LOGICAL POLICE AGENCIES REGARDING BURGESS AUDIE WILSON,

JR., FBI. NUMBER 879-421 E.

SAN ANTONIO AI BEXAR, TEXAS, WILL REVIEW APPROPRIAIE RECORDS

RE IDENTITY OF CHILDREN OF BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., NOTING HE

WAS BOOKED AI BEXAR COUNIY JAIL. JUNE 19, 1972, FOR CONTEMPI OF

COURT GROWING OUT OF CHILD SUPPORI QUESTION IN BEXAR COUNTY.

B T

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 67

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## Page 68

# 77772

ME0054 2301945Z

00 HI JW SA

DE ME

0 181945Z AUG 73

TY MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB MY (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-38661) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON INNEDIATE

SAN ANTONIO IMEDIATE

UNCLAS E FIO

ATTI CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH BUILDING.

MURKI HA

ON AUGUST 18, 1978, GENE BARKSDALE, SHERIFF, SHELBY COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, FURNISHED FOLLOWING:

AS APPROXIUATELY 9EL5 PE ON AUGUSI 17O 1973E AS INDIVIDUAL

WHO IDEITIFIED HISELF AS BURGESS AUDIE VILSON TELEPHONICALLY

CONTACTED SKERIFF BARKSDALE AT THE SHELBY COUNTY SHERIFF*S

OFFICE SUB-STATIONS NETPHIS, TENNESSEE. WILSON FURFISHED SHERIFF

BARNSDALE BACKGROUND IAFORMATION REGARDING BARKSDALE AND INFOR-

NATION REGARDING PERSONS KROVN TO BARKSDALE AS MEMBERS OR FORMER

MEMGERS OF THE TENNESSEE AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNIT AT

Hant Me.

62-544-32

IN WHICH BARKSDALE HAS BEEN ACTIVE FOR 26 YEARS.

WILSON RELATED

10÷3

B, US

NW 55186 DooId: 32989768

Page 68

---

## Page 69

PAGE IVO ME 44-1987 SUB M UNCLAS E FIO

INFORMATION REGARDING PLACES AND TRIPS HE HAD MADE WITH BARKSDALE

WHICH INDICATED THAT WILSON WAS ALSO A HEMBER OF THE TENNESSEE

AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNIT AT MENPHIS®

WILSON INFORMED BARKSDALE HE HAD COMMITTED A FAMOUS CRIME-

THAI HE VAS THE MAN WHO KILLED DRO MARTIN LUTHER KLIG, JR:

HE RELATED THAT HE WAS THE TRIGGER HAN AND WAS STANDING ABOUT 65

FEET FROM DR. KING IN A POSITION BELOW THE BALCONY WHERE DR. KING

VAS STANDING. ABOUT THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THE DEATH OF DR KING

WILSON'S DAUGHTER, WHOSE IDENTITY HE DECLINED TO FURNISH, DROVE

A WHITE MUSTANG FROM KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, TO MEMPHIS,

TENNESSEE. HE WOULD FURNISH NO INFORMATION REGARDING THE

STORAGE OR USE OF THIS WHITE MUSTANG AFTER THE MUSTANG REACHED

NEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. HE DECLINED TO FURNISH ANY INFORMATION

REGARDING THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE

KILLING OF DR. KING OTHER THAN NOTED ABOVE, BUT STATED THAT

INFORMATION FURNISHED BY JAMES EARL RAY IS ACCURATE.

WILSON REQUESTED THAT SHERIFF BARKSDALE MEET HIM AT THE

HOLIDAY INN, GULFPORI, MISSISSIPPI, AT 9: 30 AM, AUGUST 20,

1978, BARKSDALE VAS INSTRUCIED TO ENTER THE DINING ROON AT THE

HOLIDAY INN WITHOUT A COAT AND THAT WILSON WOULD SURRENDER TO

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 69

---

## Page 70

PAGE THREE ME 44-1987-SUB ME FTO

HIM THERE. HE INSISTED THAI BARKSDALE BE ALONE, THAT HE LOT

BE MISTREATED AFTER HE SURREWDERED AWD THAT BARKSDALE NOT

INFORM THE FBI, AND IF BETRAYED, HE WOULD NOI SURRENDER.

WILSON DECLINED TO FURNISH BARKSDALE HIS LOCATION, BUT SARKSDALE

BELIEVED THAI IT WAS A LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE CALL.

AI APPROXIMAIELY 11:45 PM, WILSON AGAIN TELEPHOM CALLY

CONTACTED BARKSDALE AND FURNISHED THE FOLLOWINE INFORMATION:

HE HAD A CLEAR CONSCIENCE, HAD TALKED WITH HIS FAMILY,

AND WAS READY TO CONFESS TO SHERIFF BARKSDALE ALONE. HE AGAIN

REQUESTED SHERIFF BARKSDALE TO MEET HIM AT THE HOLIDAY IN IN

GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI, AT 9:30 AM, AUGUST 18, 1978 IN THE

DINING ROOM WITHOUT HIS COAT ON AND ALONE, SHERIFF BARKSDALE

POINIED OUT TO HIM THAT HE, BARKSDALE, WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY

MEETING HIM AT GULFPORT AT THE APPOINTED TIME AID REQUESTED

THAT THEY ARRANGE A MEETING AT JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI. WILSON

COUNTERED BY INFORMING BARKSDALE THAT BARKSDALE WAS A PILOT

AND HAD ACCESS IO AIRCRAFI AND THAI HE COULD OBTAIN A PLANE AND

• REACH GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI IN A FELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF

IIME.: WILSON ADSOLUTELY DECLINED TO MEET WITH BARKSDALE IN

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI. DURING THIS CONVERSATION, WILSON INFORMED

BARKSDALE THAI HE WAS THEN IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, AND THAT

NW 55186 DooId: 32989768 Page 70

---

## Page 71

PAGE FOUR ME 44-1987-SUB MEFTO

HE COULD REACH GULFPORI, MISSISSIPPI IN ABOUT ONE AID ONE HALF

HOURS a

AI APPROXIMATELY 9:45 Ail, AUGUST 18, 1978, REVEREND ROEL

FANNOR, PASTOR, SI. ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH, OCEAN SPRINGS,

MISSISSIPPI, TELEPHONE NUMBER 875-0654, TELEPHONICALLY CONTACIED

SHERIFF BARKSDALE AND FURNISHED THE FOLLOVING INFORMATION:

REVEREND FANNON WAS IN A CAFE IN OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI

ON THE MORNING OF AUGUSI 18, 1978, HAVING BREAKFASI. BURGESS

WILSON APPROACHED HIM AND RELATED INFORMATION INDICATING HE,

VILSON, HAD SHOT DR. MARIIN LUTHER KING, JRO, IN MEMPHIS,

TEUNESSEE IN APRIL OF 1968- HE INFORMED REVEREND FANNON THAT

HE WAS TO MEET SHERIFF BARKSDALE AT THE HOLIDAY INN, GULFPORI,

MISSISSIPPI, AND REQUESTED REVEREND FANNON TO FOLLOW HIM TO THE

HOLIDAY INH

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

-Page 71

---

## Page 72

PAGE FIVE ME 44-1987-SUB ME FIO

WILSON ALSO TALKED WITH SHERIFF BARKSDALE ON THIS OCCASION

AND ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE FAILURE OF SHERIFF BARKSDALE

TO MEEI VITH KIN AT 9:35 All Of AUGUST 18, 1978, AS WE MAD

PPEVIOUSLY RECUESTED, SHERIFF BARKSDALE INFORMED WILSON IHAT HE

HAD BEEN ON DUTY ALL NIGHT IN CORTECTION WITH THE STRIKE

INVOLVING THE MEMPHIS POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND HAD NOT BEEN ABLE

TO ARRANGE MATTERS SÒ THAT HE COULD MEET WITH HIM. BARKSDALE

IRFORDED WILSON THAT HE WOULD ATTEMPT TO ARRANGE A MEETING

WITH HIM, WILSON INFORDED BARKSDALE THAI HE WOULD STAY IN THE

VICINITY OF THE HOLIDAY INN, GULFPORI, AND WOULD CONIACI THE

DESK CLERK AT THE HOLIDAY INN PERIODICALLY IN ORDER FOR

BARKSDALE TO ARRANGE TO MEET WITH HIM. WILSON FURNISHED

BARKSDALE TELEPHONE NUMBER 601-864-4314 AS THE TELEPHONE. NUMBER

OF A HOLIDAY IND HE WOULD PERIODICALLY COUTACT.

BARKSDALE REPORTED THAT WILSON APPEARED TO BE COMERENT

AND THIS INFORMATIOU WAS ALSO FURNISHED TO BARKSDALE BY REVERED.

FARDON®

BARKSDALE FURNISHED INFORMATION OSTAINED FROM THE BUREAU

OF IDENTIFICATION, SHELBY COUNTY SHERIFF*S OFFICE, INDICATING

THAI BURGESS AUDIE VILSON, FBI NUMBER 879 421 E, VAS ARRESTED

AT THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF*S OFFICE OU MAY 14, 1964,

BY THE MEMPHIS POLICE DEPARIMENT ON MAY. 26, 1964, AND BY THE

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768 Page 72

---

## Page 73

PAGE SIN ME 1987-SUB RE FT O

SHELBY COUNTY SHERIFF*S OFFICE ON MAY 27, 1964 AND MARCH 24,

1965, WITH RESIDENCE AT 3612 COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS• WILSON

VAS ARRESTED BY THE BEXAR COUNTY, TEXAS AUTHORITIES ON JUNE 129

1972 FOR CORTEMPT OF COURT DRAVING OUT OF THE CHILD SUPPORT

QUESTIONED IN BEXAR COUNTY• AT THE TIME WILSON RESIDED AT 1505

VEST CANYOU LAKE DRIVE, CANYON LAKE, TEXAS. HIS EMPLOYMENT

VAS SHOWN AS A JEVELER.

THE FBI FINGERPRINT, RECORD INDICATES THAT WILSON IS KNOWN

AS BURGESS AUDIE VILSOY, JR. HE IS A UHITE MALE BORN AUGUST 28,

1931, AT FULION, MISSISSIPPI, 5°10* TALL, 155 POUNDS, BROWN

EYES AND BROUN HAT, WHEN ARRESTED IL MAY OF 1961, HE RESIDED

AT 3095 RUSKIN ROAD, HEMPHIS, TENNESSLE.

DURING COVERSATION WITH SHERIFF BARKSDALE, WILSON INDICATED

HE HAS A FATHER-I:-LAW, VERNON HOOTEN, UMO RESIDES AT 3895

_NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 73

---

## Page 74

PAGE SEVEN ME 44-1987 SUBM EFTO

RUSKIN ROAD, MEMPHIS, TELEPHONE NUMBER 386-4623, AND THAT

HIS FATHER VAS FORMERLY PASTOR AJ THE HOLLYWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH,

CHELSEA AND HOLLYWOOD AVENUES, NEUPHIS, AND AT THE CENTRAL

BAPTIST CHURCH, GRENADA, MISSISSIPPI,

ADMINISTRATIVE: RE MEMPHIS TELEPHONE CALLS TO BUREAU

SUPERVISOR DREW CLARK, AUGUSI 18, 1978& SUCOP

WEMPHIS INDIGES AND FILES REVEAL BURGESS AUDIE VILSON, JR.,

WAS ELIMINATED AS A SUSPECT IN AN 87 MATTER INVOLVING IHE

TRANSPORTATIOU OF JEVELRY IN 1973. AT THE TIME, IT

• WAS DETERMINED HE HAD BEEN IN BUSINESS AS THE NORTH STAR DIAMOND

CIRCLE, VALLEY HILL MALL, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, FROM EARLY 1971

TO MIDDLE 1971•

JACKSON AT JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, VILL CAUSE A REVIEW OF

RECORDS AT LOGICAL POLICE AGENCIES REGARDIIS BURGESS AUDIE VILSON,

JRa, FBI NUMBER 879-421 I•

SAN ANTONIO AT BEXAR, TEXAS, VILL REVIEV APPROPRIATE RECORDS

RE IDENTITY OF CHILDREN OF BURGESS AUDIE VILSON, JR., NOTING HE

VAS BOOKED AT BEXAR COUNTY JAIL JUNE 19, 1972, FOR CONTEMPT OF

COÚRT GROUING OUT OF CHILD SUPPORI QUESTION IN BEXAR GOUNTY,

B T

NN 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 74

---

## Page 75

ME0005 23023402

00 HQ JN

DE ME

0 1823402 AUG 78

FM MEMPHIS (44-1987-SUB M) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON IMMEDIATE

BT

UNCLAS E FI O

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, ROOM

8988, JEH

BUILDING •

MURKIN.

RE MEMPHIS TELETYPE TO FBIHQ AND JACKSON, AUGUST 18,

1978, AND MEMPHIS TELEPHONE CALLS TO FBIHQ AND JACKSON,

AUGUST 18, 1978.

AT 3:15 Poll., ON AUGUST 18, 1978, BURGESS AUDIE WILSON

TELEPHONICALLY CONTACTED SHERIFF GENE BARKSDALE, SHELBY

COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. WILSON STATED

HE WILL APPEAR AI THE HOLIDAY INN DINING ROOM, GULFPORI,

SS1SSTPPX, VITH REVEREN NOEL FANION, PASTOR, ST - EL 21=5*44-33

SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH, OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, AT

1..

Rueteau 3363

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 75

---

## Page 76

#PAGE TWO

ME 44-

7-SUB M UNCLAS EF T

6:30 P.M., ON AUGUST 18, 1978. SHERIFF BARKSDALE DOES NOT

PLAN TO LEAVE MEMPHIS AND MEET WITH WILSON. SPECIAL AGENIS

OF THE JACKSON DIVISION WILL ATTEMPT TO CONTACT WILSON AND

INTERVIEW HIM REGARDING INFORMATION HE PREVIOUSLY FURNISHED

TO SHERIFF BARKSDALE INDICATING HE KILLED DR. MARTIN LUTHER

KING IN 1968.

JACKSON WILL PROMPILY FURNISH FBIHQ AND MEMPHIS RESULTS

OF CONTACT WITH WILSON. IF DEEMED APPROPRIATE AFTER INTERVIEW,

ATTEMPT TO LOCATE AND INTERVIEW RELATIVES OF WILSON RE

VERACITY OF ALLEGATION AND PRESENCE IN MEMPHIS DURING

CRITICAL PERIOD AND IF WILSON HAS HISTORY OF PSYCHIATRIC

TREATMENT .

THE MEMPHIS OFFICE WILL ATTEMPI TO LOCATE AND INTERVIEW

WILSON'S FATHER-IN-LAW, VERNON HOOTEN, WHO REPORTEDLY RESIDES

IN THE MEMPHIS AREA, RE ANY INFORMATION OF WILSON*S

ALLEGATION.

BT

JN REC ONE TEL

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 76

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## Page 77

NE0 065 23623407

O0 HO JN

DE DE

Q 182340Z AUG 78

FU MEMPHIS (44-1937-SUB M) (P)

TO DIRECIOR (44-38861) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON IMMEDIATE

BT

UNCLAS E F TO•

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, ROOM S958, JEH

BUILDING •

MURKIN•

RE MEMPHIS TÉLETYPE TO FBIHO AND JACKSON, AUGUST 18,

• 1973, AND HEMPHIS TELEPHONE CALLS TO FBIHQ AND JACKSON,

AUGUST 18, 1978€

AT 3:15 Peila, ON AUGUSI 18, 1978, BURGESS AUDIE VILSON

TELEPHONICALLY CONTACTED SHERIFF GENE BARKSDALE, SHELBY

COUNTY SHERIFF*S OFFICE, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE • WILSON STATED

HE MILL APPEAR AT THE HOLIDAY IN DINING ROOM, GULFPORT,

MISSISSIPPI, WITH REVEREND NOEL FANNON, PASTOR, ST • ELIZABETH

SETOIl CATHOLIC CHURCH, OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, AT

62-544-33

3,20

NW H5186 Docid: 32989768

Page 27

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## Page 78

PAGE TWO

DE 44-

37&SUB M

UNCLAS E FI

6:30 Palla, ON AUGUST

18, 1978 SHERIFF BARKSDALE DOES NOI

PLAN TO LEAVE HEMPHIS AND WEET WITH VILSON, SPEGIAL AGENIS

OF THE JACKSOU DIVISION WILL ATTEUPT TO CONTACT WILSON AND

INTERVIEW HIM REGARDING INFORMATION HE PREVIOUSLY FURNISHED

TO SHERIFF BARKEDALE INDICATINS HE KILLED DR, MARTIN LUTHER

KING IN 1968•

• JACKSON WILL PROMPILY FURNISH FBIHO AND MEMPHIS RESULTS

OF CONTACT WITH WILSON. IF DEELED APPROPRIATE AFTER INTERVIEN,

ATTEMPT TO LOCATE AND INTERVIEW RELATIVES OF WILSON RE

VERACITY OF ALLEGATION AND PRESENCE IN REUPHIS DURIKG

CRITICAL PERIOD AND IF WILSON HAS HISTORY OF PSYCHIATRIC

TREATMENT.

THE HEMPHIS OFFICE WILL ATTEMPT TO LOCATE AND INTERVIE

WILSON'S FATHER-IN-LAW, VERNON HOOTEN, UHO REPORTEDLY RESIDES

IN THE MEMPHIS AREA, RE ANY INFORMATION OF WILSON*S

ALLEGATION.

BT

- -

JH REC ONE TEL

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 78

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## Page 79

SAO 094 23023507

00 HQ ME JN

DE SA

0 182.350 AUG 78

FU SAN ANTONIO (44-1242) P

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON IMMEDIATE

BT

UNCLAS E FT O

• ATTN CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH BUILDING.

MURKIN.

RECORDS, IDENTIFICATION BUREAU, BEXAR COUNTY JAIL,

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, ON AUGUST 18, 1978, INDICATE BURGESS

ADIE WILSON, JR., WHITE MALE, BORN AUGUST 28, 1931,

5 FT, 11 INCHES, BLACK HAIR, BROWN EYES, BOOKED INTO BEXAR.

COUNTY JAIL JUNE 19, 1972 ON CONTEMPT OF COURT OUT OF STATE

DISTRICT COURT 57 (CASE NUMBER F 248-084). WILSON SERVED

TWELVE DAYS AND WAS RELEASED JUNE 3B, 1972.

CENTRAL RECORDS, BEXAR COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, WILL

NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW UNTIL AUGUST 21, 1978.

ADMINISTRATIVE: RE MEMPHIS TEL, AUGUST 18, 1978.

SAN ANTONIO INDICES AND FILES REVEAL BURGESS AUDIE WILSON,

JR., WHITE MALE, BORN 8/28/31, TEXAS DRIVERS LICENSE EDL>

62-544-34

Buteat

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 79

---

## Page 80

PAGE TWO SA 44-1242 EFTO

NUNBER 7911315 EXPIRING 8/20/80, PREVIOUS ADDRESS,

113 MILLS STREET, SAN MARCOS, TEXAS IS SUBJECI OF SAN ANTONIO

FILE 29-2620 CAPTIONED "BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR. : BF&E";

00: SAN ANTONIO. WILSON ALLEDGEDLY DEFAULTED ON A $1,000

NOTE AT KYLE STATE BANK, KYLE, TEXAS AND IN A

SECURITY AGREEMENT AND FINANCING STATEMENT FILED WITH THE

HAYES COUNTY DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE, WILSON INDICATED THAT

THE $1, DOD NOTE WAS OBTAINED TO PURCHASE CATTLE.

NGIC INQUIRY REVEALED BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.,

BORN 8/28/31 IN MISSISSIPPI, SSAN

JFK Act 6 (3)

TDL

77911315 WANTED BY NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS POLICE DEPARIMENI AS

PROBATION VIOLATOR, DATE OF WARRANT. 4/18/78.

SAN ANTONIO AT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, WILL REVIEW BEXAR

COUNTY DISTRICI COURT RECORDS RE IDENTITY OF CHILDREN OF BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON, JR. IN EFFORT TO LOCATE FORMER WIFE FOR INTERVIEW.

AT NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, WILL CAUSE A REVIEW OF RECORDS OF

LOGICAL POLICE AGENCIES REGARDING BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.,

SSAN

JEK Act 6 (3)

AT SAN MARCOS, TEXAS, WILL CONDUCI DISCREET INQUIRY TO

DETERMINE IF RESIDENCE OF FORMER WIFE AND FAMILY FOR INTERVIEW.

BT

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 80

---

## Page 81

S40001 2302356Z

00 HO ME JU

DE SA

0 182350ZAUS 73

FUl SAN ANTONIO

844-1242) P

TO DIRECTOR (44-35861) IMMEDIATE

HEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON INMEDIATE

BI

UNCLAS E FT O

ATTI CORGRESSIONAL INQUIRES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH BUILDING *

MURKIN•

RECORDS, IDEVT IFICATION BUREAU, BEXAR COUNTY JAIL,

SAN ANTONIO, TEKAS, ON AUGUST 18, 1978, INDICATE BURGESS

'EDIE VILSON, JR., WHITE MALE, BORN AUGUST 23, 1931,

5 PT, 11 INCHES, BLACK HAIR , BROWN EYES, BOOKED INTO BEXAR

COUNTY JAIL JUNE 19, 1972 ON CONTENT OF COURT OUT OF STATE

DISTRICI COURT 57 (CASE NUMBER F 248-024), WILSON SERVED

TWELVE DAYS AND WAS RELEASED JUNE 35, 1972.

CENTRAL RECORDS, BEXAR COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, WILL

NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW UNTIL AUGUST 21, 1978.

ADHINISTRATIVE: RE MEMPHIS TEL, AUGUST 18, 1978.

SAN ANTONIO INDICES AND FILES REVEAL BURGESS AUDIE VILSON,

JR., "'HITE MALE, BORN 8/28/31, TEXAS DRIVERS LICENSE IDL>

62-544-34

350

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 81

---

## Page 82

PAGE TWO SA 44-1242 EFTO

NUMBER 7911315 EXPIRING 8/20/89, PREVIOUS ADDRESS,

113 MILLS STREET, SAN MARCOS, TEXAS IS SUBJECI OF SAW ANTONIO

FILE 29-2620 CAPTIONED "BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, UR.: BF&E";

00: SAI ANTONIO. WILSON ALLEDGEDLY DEFAULTED ON A $1,000

NOTE AT KYLE STATE BANK, KYLE, TEXAS AND IN A

SECURITY AGREEMENT AND FINANCING STATEMENT FILED WITH THE

HAYES COUNTY DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE, WILSON INDICATED THAT

THE §1,600 POTE HAS OBTAINED TO PURCHASE CATTLE.

NCIC INQUIRY REVEALED BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.,

BORN 8/28/31 Il MISSISSIPPI, SSAI

JEK Act 6 (3)

TDL

77011315 WAITED BY NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS POLICE DEPARTHENI AS

PROBATION VIOLATOR, DATE OF WARRANT 4/18/784

SAN ANTONIO AT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, WILL REVIEV BEXAR

COUNTY DISTRICT COURT RECORDS RE IDENTITY OF CHILDREN OF BURGESS

ALDIE VILSON, JR, IN EFFORT TO LOCATE FORMER WIFE FOR INTERVIEV.

AT NEV BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, WILL CAUSE A REVIEU OF RECORDS OF

LOGICAL POLICE AGENCIES REGARDING BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR. 9

SSA N

JFK Act 6 (3)

Is casel

AI SAN MARCOS, TEXAS, WILL CONDUCT DISCREET IRQUIRY TO

DETERMINE IF RESIDENCE OF FORMER WIFE AID FAMILY FOR INTERVIEU

BI.

Locate each family marker

Fultor.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 82

---

## Page 83

NCIC. ZW.MSFBIJNOO.NAM/WILSON, BURGESS AUDIE JR.DOB/ 082831

NCIC MESSAGE DISPATCHED

MESSAGE FROM NCIC

08/18/78

19:19:34

1001FB11

MSFBIJN00

DOB/082831 HGT/511 WGT/170 EYE/BRO HAI/GRY

FPC/ 200303101219TT541015 SOC/[JFK Act 6 (3)

OLN/77911315 OLS/TX OLY/80 OFF/5012 DOW/041878 OCA/7712

MIS/PROBATION VIOLATOR

NIC/W186769905

MESSAGE FROM NCIC

08/18/78 19:19:35

1L02FBI1

IMSFBIJNOO

'ORI IS NEW BRAUNFELS PD TX

NIC/W186769905

SIMMED CONFIRM WARRANT AND EXTRADITION WITH ORI

62-544-35

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FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) IMMEDIATE

0$50z

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB N) IMMEDIATE O 625₴

SAN ANTONIO (44-1242) (IMMEDIATE) 0724Z

BT

UNCLAS E F

ATTN CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH BUILDING.

MURKIN.

ON AUGUST 18, 1978, AT 6 PM, MR. WILLIAM DON GLADDEN,

AGE 46, W/M, RI. 3, BOX 205H-3 (MEADOW LARK DRIVE), GULE PARK

ESTATES, OCEAN SPRINGS, MS., TELEPHONE 875-3518 ADVISED AS

FOLLOWS:

HE IS EMPLOYED AS MGR. OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE IN

GULFPORT, MS. (TELEPHONE 896-3221). HE AND HIS WIFE, ALICE

A. GLADDEN, OWN A GIFT SHOP, "SEASONS AND REASONS," 2446

HIGHWAY 90 EAST, OCEAN SPRINGS, MS. (TELEPHONE 875-2531) •

ON OR ABOUT JULY 26, 1978, A W/M BY THE NAME OF "BILL"

62-544-36

Q- Jackson

bal

• LONG

1.

Otto

Butcow 3,13

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----FAGE TWO-IN 62-544-UNCEASE-F-I-O--

WILSON CAME TO THEIR GIFT SHOP IN OCEAN SPRINGS SAYING THAT

HE PLANNED TO OPEN A WATCH REPAIR BUSINESS IN THE EDGEWATER

MALL SHOPPING CENTER, BILOXI, MS., AND WOULD LIKE TO USE

THE GLADDENS' GIFT SHOP AS A PICKUP POINT FOR HIS WATCH

REPAIR BUSINESS. GLADDEN ADVISED NEITHER HE NOR HIS WIFE

HAD EVER MET WILSON PRIOR TO THIS TIME. FOUR OR FIVE DAYS

LATER, GLADDEN AGREED TO LET WILSON RENT A ROOM TO THE REAR

OF GLADDEN'S GIFT SHOP IN WHICH WILSON SET UP HIS WATCH

REPAIR BUSINESS. GLADDEN AGREED TO LET WILSON KEEP 20

PERCENT OF PROFITS COMING FROM THE WATCH REPAIR.

GLADDEN AGREED THAT HE AND HIS WIFE "GREW TO TRUST"

WILSON FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AND CONSIDERED HIM TO BE A

VERY HARD WORKER, WHO PUT A LOT OF HIS OWN MONEY INTO

LOCAL RADIO ADVERTISING BUILDING UP HIS WATCH REPAIR

BUSINESS. WILSON LATER TOLD GLADDEN HE HAD "POSTPONED"

OPENING UP A BUSINESS IN THE EDGEWATER MALL. WILSON HAD HIS

OWN JEWELRY AND WATCH REPAIR EQUIPMENT AND, ACCORDING TO

GLADDEN, SPENT SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF HIS OWN MONEY TO

PURCHASE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT AFTER RENTING THE SPACE IN

GLADDEN'S BUSINESS. WILSON KEPT A KEY TO THE GIFT SHOP

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WHICH HE OPENED EVERY MORNING. HE WORKED HARD IN THE SHOP

COMPLETING HIS WATCH REPAIRS AFTER WHICH HE WOULD LEAVE THE

SHOP FOR PLACES UNKNOWN.

WILSON INDICATED TO GLADDEN THAT HE HAD A DRINKING

PROBLEM AND WAS TRYING TO ESTABLISH HIMSELF AND WORK HARD IN

THE WATCH REPAIR BUSINESS IN HOPES OF GETTING OVER THIS

PROBLEM.

AT THE BEGINNING, WILSON RESIDED AT APARTMENT NO. 9,

TWIN PINES MOTEL, OCEAN SPRINGS, MS., BUT AT AN UNKNOWN LATER

DATE MOVED TO ROUBE 6, BOX 387, ROUTE SPRINGS. (TELEPHONE

875-9542).

NEITHER GLADDEN NOR HIS WIFE HAD EVER VISITED WILSON

AT THE ABOVE TWO RESIDENCES AND ONLY TOOK WILSON'S WORD THAT

HE LIVED THERE. ACCORDING TO GLADDEN, WILSON COMMENTED THAT

HE IS STAYING IN A HOUSE QWNED BY AN UNIDENTIFIED FRIEND

AND IS NOT PAYING ANY RENT AS LONG AS. HE KEEPS THE HOUSE IN

REPAIR.

WILSON RECENTLY TOOK GLADDEN AND GLADDEN'S SON FOR A

RIDE IN AN AIRPLANE PILOTED BY

WILSON. GLADDEN CONSIDERS

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KNOW EVERYTHING THERE WAS TO KNOW ABOUT FLYING AIRPLANES IN

ROUGH WEATHER.

GLADDEN FURTHER ADVISED THAT IN HIS OPINION WILSON IS

AN "EXTREMELY INTELLIGENT MAN"; HOWEVER, HE IS UNAWARE OF

THE EXTENT OF WILSON'S EDUCATION.

GLADDEN ADVISED THAT AT 11:45 PM, ON 8/17/78, WILSON

TELEPHONICALLY CONTACTED HIM AT HIS RESIDENCE SAYING HE

HAD TO TALK TO GLADDEN AND HIS WIFE ABOUT SOMETHING THAT

COULD NOT WAIT UNTIL THE MORNING. WILSON REFUSED TO STATE

BY TELEPHONE WHY HE WANTED TO TALK TO GLADDEN AND HE REFUSED

TO COME TO GLADDEN'S RESIDENCE. WILSON SAID HE NEEDED TO

TALK ABOUT SOMETHING OF "NATIONAL URGENCY." THEY AGREED TO

MEET AT GLADDEN'S GIFT SHOP AT OCEAN SPRINGS AT 12:15 AM,

8/18/78.

GLADDEN ADVISED HE TOOK HIS WIFE AND 18 YEAR OLD

SON, JOHN W. GLADDEN, TO THE SHOP WHERE HE MET WILSON AT

THE ABOVE TIME. WILSON ARRIVED ALONE, DRIVING AN OLD

MODEL BLUE CHEVROLET SEDAN WITH WHITE TOP, BEARING UNKNOWN

LOUISIANA FAG. WILSON APPARENTLY HAD BEEN DRINKING INAS-

MUCH AS HIS EYES WERE VERY

RED AND HE SMELLED OF ALCOHOL;

HOWEVER, HE DID NOT TALK LIKE AN INTOXICATED PERSON IN

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T O

GLADDEN'S OPINION AND SEEMED TO BE "VERY DEPRESSED."

WILSON SAID "I'M THE MYSTERY MAN. I'M THE MAN THAT

MURDERED MARTIN LUTHER KING. " THEY TALKED FOR APPROXIMATELY

ONE HOUR AND 15 MINUTES. WILSON STATED THAT HE GREW UP IN

GRENADA, MS., WHERE HIS FATHER WAS A BAPTIST MINISTER. THE

BLACKS (REFERRED TO AS "NEGRES AND NIGGERS" BY WILSON), WHO

LIVED IN THE AREA WERE WELCOMED TO WORSHIP AT THE CHURCH;

HOWEVER, WHEN THE NORTHERN BLACKS BEGAN TO COME DOWN SOUTH,

WILSON'S FATHER WELCOMED THEM INTO HIS CHURCH ONLY IF THEY

CAME TO WORSHIP AND NOT TO CAUSE TROUBLE. ACCORDING TO

WILSON, THE BLACKS HAD COME FOR TROUBLE AND IT WAS FOR THIS

REASON THAT HIS ATTITUDE BEGAN TO CHANGE TOWARD BLACKS.

WILSON TOLD THE GLADDENS, "I AM THE ONE THAT PULLED THE

TRIGGER. THERE WAS A CONSPIRACY. I WAS THE LOGICAL ONE. "

WILSON TOLD THE GLADDENS HE HAD "BEEN WITH THE GOVERNMENT

AND GOT INVOLVED IN SOME UNDECLARED WARS. " (HE DID NOT

FURTHER ELABORATE; HOWEVER, GLADDEN RECALLED THAT WILSON

ONCE MENTIONED HE HAD BEEN IN THE AIR FORCE.) WILSON CLAIMED

TO KNOW MARTIN LUTHER KING'S FATHER AND BROTHER AND STATED

HE GREW UP NEXT DOOR TO A COUSIN OF MARTIN LUTHER KING AND

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"KNEW HIS ENTIRE FAMILY. "

GLADDEN RECALLED THAT HE (GLADDEN) HAD ONCE PURCHASED

A USED MUSTANG FOR, HIS DAUGHTER. ON SEEING THE VEHICLE

WILSON REMARKED HE HAD ONCE PURCHASED A WHITE MUSTANG FOR

HIS DAUGHTER.

DURING THE CONVERSATION ON THE EARLY MORNING OF

8/18/78, WILSON STATED THAT HIS DAUGHTER HAD DRIVEN THE WHITE

MUSTANG TO MEMPHIS AT THE TIME OF THE KING KILLING. WILSON

COMMENTED THAT HE WAS IN MEMPHIS AT THAT TIME, BUT HAD

DOCUMENTED HIMSELF TO BE IN KANSAS CITY AS AN ALIBI. WILSON

STATED THAT JAMES EARL RAY WAS THE "FALL GUY." "RAY ONLY

SAW ME TWICE, BUT I KNEW HIM. RAY WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE

GOTTEN AWAY CLEAN. I'M SURPISED RAY HAS BROUGHT IT ALL BACK

UP AGAIN BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE HIS PAROLE IN TWO YEARS. "

WILSON TOLD THE GLADDENS THAT HE WOULD NOT SEE THEM

ANYMORE AFTER TONIGHT AND HE WANTED. THEM TO HAVE ALL HIS

EXPENSIVE WATCH REPAIR EQUIPMENT.

WILSON, AGAIN REFERRING TO THE KING ASSASSINATION,

STATED, "IT WAS PART OF A GROUP CONSPIRACY." HE PROVIDED NO

FURTHER DETAILS STATING HE WOULD ONLY DEAL WITH THE

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"SHERIFF OF MEMPHIS (TENN.), WHO HE USED TO FLY WITH.

WILSON FELT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTED IT TO HAPPEN TO KING.

"I KNEW IT NEEDED TO BE DONE." WILSON DID NOT BELIEVE HE

WOULD HAVE TO SERVE MUCH TIME FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT, STATING

"I'M NOT SORRY I DID IT. THE NIGGERS ARE BETTER OFF."

LATER IN THE CONVERSATION WITH THE GLADDENS, WILSON SAID HE

WAS SORRY HE HAD DONE IT.

WILSON STATED HE HAD TALKED WITH THE MEMPHIS SHERIFF

BY PHONE AND WAS TO MEET HIM AT THE GULFPORT, MS., HOLIDAY

INN DURING THE MORNING OF 8/18/78. WILSON SPECULATED AS

TO WHETHER OR NOT HE WOULD BE PROVIDED WITH A TV IN HIS CELL

AND INDICATED HE PROBABLY WOULD BE GIVEN WORK AS AN

INSTRUCTOR OR REPAIRMAN OF WATCHES WHILE IN JAIL.

REVERTING TO THE KING ASSASSINATION, WILSON TOLD

THE GLADDENS THAT HE SHOT KING "NOI FROM 50 YARDS AWAY, BUT

50 FEET AWAY." HE WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO SEE THE BULLET HIT

AND STATED SPECIFICALLY THAT "I SHOT THE SHIT OUT OF HIM AND

SAW IT FLY." WILSON NEVER MENTIONED TO GLADDEN THE TYPE OF

GUN HE ALLEGEDLY USED OR THE LOCATION FROM. WHICH HE ALLEGEDLY

SHOT KING.

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PAGE EIGHT UN 62-544 UNCIAS E FIO---

AT ONE POINT IN THE CONVERSATION WITH THE GLADDENS,

WILSON APPARENTLY FEELING A DISAPPROVING GLANCE FROM GLADDEN'S

18 YEAR OLD SON, WARNED THE SON HE HAD BETTER NOT INTERFERE.

CONCERNING THE UNIDENTIFIED MEMPHIS SHERIFF, WILSON

OFFERED TO FURNISH THIS INDIVIDUAL'S NAME AND TELEPHONE NO.

TO GLADDEN FOR VERIFICATION OF HIS REMARKS; HOWEVER, GLADDEN

REFUSED. WILSON SAID HE HAS "GONE THROUGH TEN YEARS OF HELL,

AND BECAUSE HE KILLED KING, IT RUINED 26 YEARS OF MARRIAGE;

HOWEVER, HIS CONSCIENCE ONLY STARTED BOTHERING HIM IN THE

LAST FEW YEARS.

APPARENTLY REFERRING TO A SKETCH OF KING'S KILLER,

WILSON TOLD THE GLADDENS THAT IT WAS ALMOST AN EXACT LIKENESS

OF HIM AND BECAUSE IT WAS RECENTLY

SHOWN ON TV, HE DECIDED

TO TURN HIMSELF IN. HE SAID HE HAS A SISTER IN FULTON, MS.

(NOT FURTHER IDENTIFIED), WHO TELEPHONED HIM IN OCEAN

SPRINGS TO SAY THAT THE SKETCH LOOKED JUST LIKE HIM. WILSON

TOLD THE GLADDENS THAT HE HAD TELEPHONED VARIOUS FAMILY

MEMBERS TQ LET THEM KNOW HE WAS TURNING HIMSELF IN.

WILSON ALSO STATED THAT HE, AT ONE TIME, INTENDED TO

OPEN A WATCH REPAIR BUSINESS IN TUPELO, MS., BUT DECIDED

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PAGE NINE JN 62-544 UNCLAS EFT O

AGAINST IT BECAUSE OF THE TENSE RACIAL SITUATION.

WILSON ALSO ONCE TOLD MRS. GLADDEN THAT HE GETS "FLIGHT

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS" AT REESLER AIR FORCE, BILOXI, MS.

GLADDEN ADVISED THAT WILSON REPEATED HIMSELF MANY TIMES

DURING THE ONE HOUR, AND FIFTEEN MINUTE CONVERSATION ON

8/18/78, BUT HE PROVIDED NO FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING THE

KING ASSASSINATION, OTHER THAN THAT STATED HEREIN.

AT THE END OF THEIR CONVERSATION, GLADDEN ADVISED

WILSON DEPARTED THE STORE IN HIS AUTOMOBILE AND HEADED IN AN

EASTERLY DIRECTION. THE GLADDENS WERE AFRAID AND DISTURBED

AT THE CONVERSATION AND PROMPTLY TELEPHONED THE JACKSON FBI

OFFICE.

GLADDEN ADVISED THAT TO THE BEST OF HIS RECOLLECTION

DURING THE SHORI TIME HE AND HIS WIFE KNEW WILSON, HE NEVER

TALKED ABOUT HIS PAST, OTHER THAN TO MENTION THAI HE HAD

BEEN IN THE U.S. AIR FORCE; HAD BEEN MARRIED FIVE TIMES,

TWICE TO THE SAME WOMAN; HE GREW UP IN MISS.; AND HAD BEEN

ON THE GULE COAST LESS THAN THREE MONTHS. THE GLADDENS DO

NOT KNOW WHERE HE CAME FROM OR WHAT HE HAS DONE PRIOR IO HIS

ARRIVING AT THEIR PLACE OF BUSINESS 7/26/78.

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GLADDEN ADVISED THAT IN HIS REGULAR BUSINESS AS SOCIAL

• SECURITY OFFICE MANAGER HE HAS PERSONAL DEALINGS ON A

FREQUENT BASIS WITH PEOPLE HAVING MENTAL PROBLEMS AND WHILE

HE IS NOT A QUALIFIED PERSON IN THIS FIELD, HE IS NOT OF THE

OPINION WILSON HAS MENTAL IMPAIRMENT. HE DESCRIBED WILSON

AS A WHITE MALE; 5 FT. 8 INCHES; 155 LBS; MEDIUM BUILD;

RUDDY COMPLEXION; GRAYING HAIR; AGE 46, WHO LIKES TO DRINK

VODKA AND COKE.

ON 8/18/78, SHORTLY

BEFORE NOON, WILSON TELEPHONICAILY

CONTACTED GLADDEN ADVISING THAT HE HAD BEEN BETRAYED, THAT

HE HAD BEEN TO GULFPORT, MS., HOLIDAY

INN, ALONG WITH "THE

FATHER" (NOT FURTHER IDENTIFIED BI WILSON), WHERE HE HAD

SEEN PERSONS BELIEVED TO BE WITH THE FBI. HE WAS NOW BACK

AT HIS RESIDENCE WATCHING THE WINDOWS AND WOULD BLOW THE

HEAD OFF OF ANYONE WHO CAME, EXCEPT "THE FATHER."

ABOUT THREE HOURS LATER, MR. AND MRS. GLADDEN WERE

SURPRISED TO SEE WILSON WALK INTO THEIR GIFT SHOP, HE WAS

CLEAN SHAVEN AND NEAT. HE APPARENTLY HAD NOT BEEN DRINKING.

HE IMPLIED HE HAD BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE FBI, BUT THEY WERE

NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO HIM. HE HAD MADE SOME KIND OF

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BARGAIN. HE NOW WANTED TO LIVE A NORMAL LIFE AND ASKED

IF HE COULD KEEP HIS WATCH REPAIR BUSINESS IN THE BACK OF

GLADDEN'S STORE AS USUAL.

THE GLADDENS ADVISED WILSON THEY WERE SERIOUSLY

CONTEMPLATING SELLING THE BUSINESS AND HAD ALREADY CONTACTED

A REALTOR.

AT 6:28 PM, 8/18/78, FIVE FBI AGENIS ESTABLISHED

PHYSICAL OBSERVATION AT THE HOLIDAY INN, U.S. HIGHWAY 90,

GLEPORT, MS.

AT APPROXIMATELY 6:45, PM, A 1970 PLYMOUTH BEARING JACKSON

COUNTY, MS., LICENSE JAH-637 STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE HOLIDAY

INN AND A WHITE MALE, WHO LATER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE WAS

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., EXITED THE VEHICLE AND ENTERED THE

HOLIDAY INN. THE WHITE MALE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE THEREAFTER

PARKED THE VEHICLE AND CAME TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE HOLIDAY

INN, WHERE HE WAS APPROACHED BY SA BENJAMIN F. GRAVES AND

WAS ASKED IF HE WAS FATHER NOEL FANNON AND HE ACKNOWLEDGED

THAT HE WAS,

FATHER FANNON WAS ADVISED THAT GENE BARKSDALE, SHERIFF

OF SHELBY

COUNTY, MEMPHIS, TENN., WAS NOT GOING TO MEET

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PAGE TWELVE JN 62-544 UNCLAS E E TO

WILSON. HE WAS ADVISED THAT AGENTS OF THE FBI WERE IN THE

MOTEL AND HE WAS REQUESTED TO TELL WILSON THAT THE SHERIFF WAS

NOT GOING IO MEET HIM; HOWEVER, THE FBI AGENTS WERE AT THE

MOTEL AND DESIRED TO TALK WITH HIM IF HE, WILSON, WOULD AGREE

TO TALK WITH THE AGENTS. FATHER FANNON STATED HE WOULD LIKE

TO TALK TO WILSON BECAUSE SHERIFF BARKSDALE HAD LIED ABOUT

HIS APPEARANCE IN GULFPORT.

FATHER FANNON THEREAFTER ENTERED THE MOTEL AND TALKED

WITH WILSON IN THE LOBBY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THEY BOTH

RETURNED TO THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE MOTEL AND SA GRAVES

IDENTIFIED HIMSELF TO WILSON AND ASKED HIM IF HE WERE BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE WAS AND LATER STATED

HE WAS A JUNIOR.

WILSON WAS ADVISED THAT SHERIFF BARKSDALE WAS NOT THERE

TO MEET HIM, HOWEVER, FBI AGENTS WERE THERE AND DESIRED TO

TALK WITH HIM, PARTICULARLY ABOUT HIS DAUGHTER SUPPOSEDLY

HAVING DRIVEN A WHITE MUSTANG FROM KANSAS CITY, MO., TO

MEMPHIS, TENN. HE STATED HE HAD NO INFORMATION TO FURNISH

THE FBI. WILSON INQUIRED AS TO WHETHER OR NOT HE WAS UNDER

ARREST AND HE WAS ADVISED HE WAS NOT UNDER ARREST. WILSON

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PAGE THIRTEEN

IN 62-544 UNCLAS EE TO

COMMENTED HE WAS NOT GOING TO GIVE ANYONE ANY TROUBLE. HE

WAS ASKED IF HE HAD ANY WEAPONS ON HIM AND HE STATED HE DID

NOT AND THAT SA GRAVES COULD SEARCH HIM IF HE SO DESIRED.

WILSON WAS THEN "PATTED DOWN" AND NO WEAPONS WERE FELT ON

HIS BODY:

WILSON COMMENTED THAT HE AND FATHER FANNON HAD BEEN

TO THE MOTEL AI 9:30 AM, 8/18/78, AND AGAIN AT 6:30 PM,

8/18/78, TO SEE SHERIFF BARKSDALE AND THE SHERIFF HAD LIED

TO THEM.

WILSON. THEN ASKED FATHER FANNON IF HE WOULD DRIVE HIM

BACK TO THE PLACE HE HAD BEEN PICKED UP AND FATHER FANNON

AGREED TO DO SO.

WILSON WAS AGAIN ADVISED THAT FBI AGENTS WERE AT THE

MOTEL AND WERE STILL WILLING TO TALK TO HIM AND HE

REITERATED HE HAD NOTHING TO SAY TO THE FBI AND, AS HE

DEPARTED, COMMENTED THAT THE FBI IN THE PAST HAD HARASSED

HIS FATHER WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION.,

FATHER FANNON AND WILSON THEREAFTER LEFT THE AREA OF THE

HOLIDAY INN IN FATHER FANNON'S VEHICLE PROCEEDING EAST ON

HIGHWAY 90. A SURVEILLANCE WAS MAINTAINED ON THE VEHICLE.

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PAGE FOURTEEN

-IN 62-544 UNCLAS E FIÒ

SHORTLY AFTER WILSON AND FATHER FANNON LEFT THE MOTEL,

JACKSON ASAC TELEPHONICALLY ADVISED THE GULFPORT RA THAT

INFORMATION HAD BEEN RECEIVED THAT NCIC REVEALED WILSON WAS

WANTED BY THE NEW BRAUNSFELS, TX., PD FOR PROBATION VIOLATION

ON A WARRANT ISSUED APRIL 18, 1978.

THE OCEAN SPRINGS PD WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS OUTSTANDING

WARRANT AND THE SURVEILLANCE OF FATHER FANNON'S VEHICLE WAS

MAINTAINED UNTIL THE VEHICLE ENTERED OCEAN SPRINGS, MS.

(APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES), AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS

STOPPED BY OFFICERS OF THE OCEAN SPRINGS PD AND WILSON WAS

ARRESTED AT 7:35 PM, AND INCARCERATED IN THE OCEAN SPRINGS

JAIL.

WILSON WAS RIDING AS A PASSENGER IN A PLYMOUTH SEDAN

OWNED AND DRIVEN BY FATHER NOEL FANNON, PRIEST AT ST.

ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH, OCEAN SPRINGS. WILSON

ADMITTED HIS FULL IDENTITY AS BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., AND

WAS TAKEN TO THE OCEAN SPRINGS PD. HE DECLINED TO TALK TO

THE FBI.

ON AUGUST 18, 1978, AT 9:17 PM, REV. NOEL FANNON,

PASTOR, ST. ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH, OCEAN SPRINGS,

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PAGE FIFTEEN JN 62-544 UNCLAS E I I O

MS., APPEARED AT THE OCEAN SPRINGS PD TO VISIT WILSON.

FATHER FANNON WAS INTERVIEWED, AT WHICH TIME HE ADVISED HE

FIRST MET WILSON THE MORNING OF AUGUST 18, 1978, WHILE EATING

BREAKFAST AT THE MASTER GRILL RESTAURANT, HIGHWAY 90, OCEAN

SPRINGS. HE HAD NEVER SEEN WILSON BEFORE THIS TIME.

WILSON INDICATED HE WANTED TO CONFIDE IN FATHER FANNON

AND FOLLOWING THEIR CONVERSATION, THE NATURE OF WHICH

FATHER FANNON REFUSED TO DIVULGE, FANNON AGREED TO FOLLOW

WILSON IN THEIR AUTOMOBILES TO THE HOLIDAY INN, GULFPORT,

MS., WHERE WILSON HAD TOLD FATHER FANNON HE WOULD MEET

SHELBY COUNTY,. TENN., SHERIFF GENE BARKSDALE. AFTER THE

MORNING MEETING IN GULFPORT DID NOT COME OFF, AND AT THE

URGING OF WILSON, FATHER FANNON PERSONALLY TELEPHONED

SHERIFF GENE BARKSDALE IN MEMPHIS. DURING THEIR CONVERSATION,

SHERIFE BARKSDALE ASSURED FATHER FANNON HE WOULD PERSONALLY

FLY TO GULFPORT, MS., IN ORDER TO MEET WITH FATHER FANNON

AND WILSON AT 6:30 PM AT THE HOLIDAY INN.

FATHER FANNON ADVISED HE CANNOT COMMENT ON WILSON

PERSONALLY DUE TO THE SHORT LENGTH OF TIME HE HAD CONTACT

WITH THIS INDIVIDUAL. ILE CONTINUED TO POLITELY REFUSE TO

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PAGE SIXTEEN JN 62-544 UNCLAS E ET O

REVEAL THE NATURE OF WILSON'S CONFIDENCE IN HIM.

FATHER FANNON WAS ADVISED BY JACKSON SA IN BRIEF

CONCERNING WILSON'S REMARKS TO THE GLADDENS ABOUT HIS

INVOLVEMENT IN THE KING ASSASSINATION; HOWEVER, FATHER

FANNON REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS ALSO HAD BEEN THE

SUBJECT OF WILSON'S CONFIDENCE. IN HIM.

SAN ANTONIO DIVISION AT NEW BRAUNSFELS, TEXAS. CONTACT

NEW BRAUNSFELS PD AND ADVISED THEM OF WILSON'S INCARCERATION

AT OCEAN SPRINGS, MISS., PD, TELEPHONE 875-2211.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUING JACKSON DIVISION.

BT

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JNO 003 23107247

00 HQ ME SA

DE SN

0 1907242 AUG 78

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECIOR (44-3886) IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS <44-1987 SUB M) IMMEDIATE

SAN ANTONIO (44-1242) (IMMEDIATE >

BI

UNCLAS E FIO

ATTN CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH BUILDING .

MURKIN.

ON AUGUST 18, 1978, AT 6 PM, MR. WILLIAM DON GLADDEN,

AGE 46, UM, RI. 3, BOX 285H-3 MEADOW LARK DRIVE), GULF PARK

ESTATES, OCEAN SPRINGS, MS., TELEPHONE 875-3518 ADVISED AS

FOLLOWS:

HE IS EMPLOYED AS MGR. OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE IN

GULFPORT, MS. (TELEPHONE 896-3221). HE AND HIS WIFE, ALICE

A. GLADDEN, OWN A GIFT SHOP, "SEASONS AND REASONS," 2446

HIGHAY 9D. EAST, OCEAN SPRINGS, MS. (TELEPHONE 875-2531).

ON OR ABOUT JULY 26, 1978, A WIM BY THE NAME OF "BILL"

62-544-36

Search li

Filed

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PAGE TWO JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F I O

WILSON CAME TO THEIR GIFT SHOP IN OCEAN SPRINGS SAYING THAT

HE PLANNED TO OPEN A WATCH REPAIR BUSINESS IN THE EDGEWATER

MALL SHOPPING CENTER, BILOXI, MS., AND WOULD LIKE IO USE

THE GLADDENS' GIFT SHOP AS A PICKUP POINT FOR HIS WATCH

REPAIR BUSINESS. GLADDEN ADVISED NEITHER HE NOR HIS WIFE

HAD EVER MET WILSON PRIOR TO THIS TIME. FOUR OR FIVE DAYS

LATER, GLADDEN AGREED TO LET WILSON RENT A ROOM TO THE REAR

OF GLADDEN'S GIFT SHOP IN WHICH WILSON SET UP HIS WATCH

REPAIR BUSINESS. GLADDEN AGREED TO LET WILSON KEEP 20

PERCENT OF PROFITS COMING FROM THE WATCH REPAIR.

GLADDEN AGREED THAT HE AND HIS WIFE "GREW TO TRUST"

WILSON FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AND CONSIDERED HIM TO BE A

VERY HARD WORKER, WHO PUT A LOT OF HIS OWN MONEY INTO

BOSA NESS TO WARSENT LATER RUED GLADDEN"RE HAT CHOSPPONED *

OPENING UP A BUSINESS IN THE EDGEVATER MALL. WILSON HAD HIS

OWN JEWELRY AND WATCH REPAIR EQUIPMENT AND , ACCORDING TO

GLADDEN, SPENT SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF HIS OWN MONEY TO

PURCHASE ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT AFTER RENTING THE SPACE IN

GLADDEN'S BUSINESS. WILSON KEPT A KEY TO THE GIFT SHOP

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 101,

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•PAGE THREE IN 62-544 UNCLAS E F I O

WHICH HE OPENED EVERY MORNING. HE WORKED HARD IN THE SHOP

COMPLETING HIS WATCH REPAIRS AFTER WHICH HE WOULD LEAVE THE

SHOP FOR PLACES UNKNOWN.

WILSON INDICATED TO GLADDEN THAT HE HAD A DRINKING

PROBLEM AND WAS TRYING TO ESTABLISH HIMSELF AND WORK HARD IN

THE WATCH REPAIR BUSINESS IN HOPES OF GETTING OVER THIS

PROBLEM.

AT THE BEGINNING, WILSON RESIDED AT APARTMENT NO. 9,

TWIN PINES MOTEL, OCEAN SPRINGS, MS., BUT AT AN UNKNOWN LATER

DATE MOVED TO ROUBE 6, BOX 387, ROUTE SPRINGS TELEPHONE

875- 9542) •

NEITHER GLADDEN NOR HIS WIFE HAD EVER VISITED WILSON

AT THE ABOVE TWO RESIDENCES AND ONLY TOOK WILSON'S WORD THAT

HE LIVED THERE. ACCORDING TO GLADDEN, WILSON COMMENTED THAT

HE IS STAYING IN A HOUSE OWNED BY AN UNIDENTIFIED FRIEND

AND IS NOT PAYING ANY RENT AS LONG AS HE KEEPS THE HOUSE IN

REPAIR .

WILSON RECENTLY TOOK GLADDEN AND GLADDEN'S SON FOR A

RIDE IN AN AIRPLANE PILOTED BY WILSON. GLADDEN CONSIDERS

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 102

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PAGE FOUR JN 62-544 UNCLAS E FT O

KNOW EVERYTHING THERE WAS TO KNOW ABOUT FLYING AIRPLANES IN

ROUGH WEATHER •

GLADDEN FURTHER ADVISED IHAT IN HIS OPINION WILSON IS

AN "EXTREMELY INTELLIGENT MAN"; HOWEVER, HE IS UNAWARE OF

THE EXTENT OF WILSON'S EDUCATION.

GLADDEN ADVISED THAT AT 11:45 PM, ON 8/17/78, WILSON

TELEPHONICALLY CONTACIED HIM AT HIS RESIDENCE SAYING HE

HAD TO TALK TO GLADDEN AND HIS WIFE ABOUT SOMETHING THAT

COULD NOT WAIT UNTIL THE MORNING. WILSON REFUSED TO STATE

BY TELEPHONE WHY HE WANTED TO TALK TO GLADDEN AND HE REFUSED

TO COME TO GLADDEN'S RESIDENCE. WILSON SAID HE NEEDED TO

TALK ABOUT SOMETHING OF "NATIONAL URGENCY." THEY AGREED TO

MEET AT GLADDEN'S GIFT SHOP AT OCEAN SPRINGS AT 12:15 AM,

8/18/78. GLADDEN ADVISED HE TOOK HIS WIFE AND 18 YEAR OLD

SON, JOHN W. GLADDEN, TO THE SHOP WHERE HE MET WILSON AT

THE ABOVE TIME. WILSON ARRIVED ALONE, DRIVING AN OLD

MODEL BLUE CHEVROLET SEDAN WITH WHITE TOP, BEARING UNKNOWN

LOUISIANA TAG. WILSON APPARENILY HAD BEEN DRINKING INAS-

MUCH AS HIS EYES WERE VERY RED AND HE SMELLED OF ALCOHOL;

HOWEVER, HE DID NOI TALK LIKE AN INTOXICATED PERSON IN

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 103

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PAGE FIVE JN 62-544 UNCLAS EFT O

GLADDEN'S OPINION AND SEEMED TO BE "VERY DEPRESSED."

WILSON SAID "I'M THE MYSTERY MAN. I'M THE MAN THAT

MURDERED MARTIN LUTHER KING." THEY TALKED FOR APPROXIMATELY

ONE HOUR AND 15 MINUTES. WILSON STATED THAT HE GREW UP IN

GRENADA, MS., WHERE HIS FATHER WAS A BAPTIST MINISTER. THE

BLACKS REFERRED TO AS "NEGRES AND NIGGERS" BY WILSON), WHO

LIVED IN THE AREA WERE WELCOMED TO WORSHIP AT THE CHURCH;

HOWEVER, WHEN THE NORTHERN BLACKS BEGAN TO COME DOWN SOUTH,

WILSON'S FATHER WELCOMED THEM INTO HIS CHURCH ONLY IF THEY

CAME TO WORSHIP AND NOT TO CAUSE TROUBLE. ACCORDING TO

WILSON, THE BLACKS HAD COME FOR TROUBLE AND IT WAS FOR THIS

REASON THAT HIS ATTITUDE BEGAN TO CHANGE TOWARD BLACKS.

WILSON TOLD THE GLADDENS, "I AM THE ONE THAT PULLED THE

TRIGGER. THERE WAS A CONSPIRACY. I WAS. THE LOGICAL ONE."

WILSON TOLD THE GLADDENS HE HAD "BEEN WITH THE GOVERNMENT

AND GOT INXOLVED IN SOME UNDECLARED WARS." CHE DID NOT

FURTHER ELABORATE; HOWEVER, GLADDEN RECALLED THAT WILSON

ONCE MENTIONED HE HAD BEEN IN THE AIR FORCE.) WILSON CLAIMED

TO KNOW MARTIN LUTHER KING'S FATHER AND BROTHER AND STATED

HE GREW UP NEXT DOOR TO A COUSIN OF MARTIN LUTHER KING AND

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PAGE SIX JN 62-544 UNCLAS EFTO

"KNEW HIS ENTIRE FAMILY."

GLADDEN RECALLED THAT HE (GLADDEN HAD ONCE PURCHASED

A USED MUSTANG FOR HIS DAUGHTER. ON SEEING THE VEHICLE

WILSON REMARKED HE HAD ONCE PURCHASED A WHITE MUSTANG FOR

HIS DAUGHTER.

DURING THE CONVERSATION ON THE EARLY MORNING OF

8/18/78, WILSON STATED THAT HIS DAUGHTER HAD DRIVEN THE WHITE

MUSTANG TO MEMPHIS AT THE IIME OF THE KING KILLING. WILSON

COMMENTED THAT HE WAS IN MEMPHIS AT THAT TIME, BUT HAD

DOCUMENTED HIMSELF TO BE IN KANSAS CITY AS AN ALIBI. WILSON

STATED THAT JAMES EARL RAY WAS THE "FALL GUY." "RAY ONLY

SAW ME TWICE, BUT I KNEW HIM. RAY WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE

GOTTEN AWAY CLEAN. I'M SURPISED RAY HAS BROUGHT IT ALL BACK

UP AGAIN BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE HIS PAROLE IN TWO YEARS."

WILSON TOLD THE GLADDENS THAT HE WOULD NOT SEE THEM

ANYMORE AFTER TONIGHI AND HE WANTED THEM IO HAVE ALL HIS

EXPENSIVE WATCH REPAIR EQUIPMENT .

WILSON, AGAIN REFERRING TO THE KING ASSASSINATION,

STATED, "IT WAS PART OF A GROUP CONSPIRACY." HE PROVIDED NO

FURTHER DETAILS STATING HE WOULD ONLY DEAL WITH THE

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## Page 106

PAGE SEVEN JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F I O

"SHERIFF OF MEMPHIS GENN.), WHO HE USED TO FLY WITH.

WILSON FELT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTED IT TO HAPPEN IO KING.

"I KNEW IT NEEDED TO BE DONE." WILSON DID NOT BELIEVE HE

WOULD HAVE TO SERVE MUCH TIME FOR HIS INVOLVEMENI, STATING

"I'M NOT SORRY I DID IT. THE NIGGERS ARE BETTER OFF."

LATER IN THE CONVERSATION WITH THE GLADDENS, WILSON SAID HE

WAS SORRY HE HAD DONE IT.

WILSON STATED HE HAD TALKED WITH THE MEMPHIS SHERIFF

BY PHONE AND WAS TO MEET HIM AT THE GULFPORT, MS., HOLIDAY

INN DURING THE MORNING OF 8/18/78. WILSON SPECULATED AS

TO WHETHER OR NOT HE WOULD BE PROVIDED WITH A IV IN HIS CELL

AND INDICATED HE PROBABLY WOULD BE GIVEN WORK AS AN

INSTRUCTOR OR REPAIRMAN OF WATCHES WHILE IN JAIL.

REVERTING TO THE KING ASSASSINATION, WILSON TOLD

THE GLADDENS THAT HE SHOT KING "NOT FROM 50 YARDS AWAY, BUT

50 FEET AWAY." HE WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO SEE THE BULLET HIT

AND STATED SPECIFICALLY THAT "I SHOT THE SHIT OUT OF HIM AND

SAW IT FLY." WILSON NEVER MENTIONED TO GLADDEN THE TYPE OF

GUN HE ALLEGEDLY USED OR THE LOCATION FROM WHICH HE ALLEGEDLY

SHOT KING •

NW 55186 DocId:32989768 Page 106

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PAGE EIGHT JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F I O

AT ONE POINT IN THE CONVERSATION WITH THE GLADDENS,

WILSON APPARENTLY FEELING A DISAPPROVING GLANCE FROM GLADDEN *S

18 YEAR OLD SON, WARNED THE SON HE HAD BETTER NOT INTERFERE.

CONCERNING THE UNIDENTIFIED MEMPHIS SHERIFF, WILSON

OFFERED TO FURNISH THIS INDIVIDUAL 'S NAME AND TELEPHONE NO.

TO GLADDEN FOR VERIFICATION OF HIS REMARKS; HOWEVER, GLADDEN

REFUSED. WILSON SAID HE HAS "GONE THROUGH TEN YEARS OF HELL,

AND BECAUSE HE KILLED KING, IT RUINED 26 YEARS OF MARRIAGE;

HOWEVER, HIS CONSCIENCE ONLY STARTED BOTHERING HIM IN THE

LAST FEW YEARS•

APPARENTLY REFERRING TO A SKETCH OF KING'S KILLER,

WILSON TOLD THE GLADDENS THAT IT WAS ALMOST AN EXACT LIKENESS

OF HIM AND BECAUSE IT WAS RECENTLY SHOWN ON IV, HE DECIDED

TO TURN HIMSELF IN. HE SAID HE HAS A SISTER IN FULTON, MS.

(NOT FURTHER IDENTIFIED), WHO TELEPHONED HIM IN OCEAN

SPRINGS TO SAY THAT THE SKETCH LOOKED JUST LIKE HIM. WILSON

TOLD THE GLADDENS THAT HE HAD TELEPHONED VARIOUS FAMILY

MEMBERS TO LET THEM KNOW HE WAS TURNING HIMSELF IN.

WILSON ALSO STATED THAT HE, AT ONE TIME, INTENDED TO

OPEN A WATCH REPAIR BUSINESS IN TUPELO, MS., BUT DECIDED

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 107

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PAGE NINE UN 62-544 UNCLAS E F I O

AGAINST IT BECAUSE OF THE TENSE RACIAL SITUATION.

WILSON ALSO ONCE TOLD MRS. GLADDEN THAT HE GETS "FLIGHT

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS" AT KEESLER AIR FORCE, BILOXI, MS.

GLADDEN ADVISED THAT WILSON REPEATED HIMSELF MANY TIMES

DURING THE ONE HOUR AND FIFTEEN MINUTE CONVERSATION ON

8/18/78, BUT HE PROVIDED NO FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING THE

KING ASSASSINATION, OTHER THAN THAI STATED HEREIN.

AT THE END OF THEIR CONVERSATION, GLADDEN ADVISED

WILSON DEPARTED THE STORE IN HIS AUTOMOBILE AND HEADED IN AN

EASTERLY DIRECTION. THE GLADDENS WERE AFRAID AND DISTURBED

AT THE CONVERSATION AND PROMPTLY TELEPHONED THE JACKSON FBI

OFFICE.

GLADDEN ADVISED THAT TO THE BEST OF HIS RECOLLECTION

DURING THE SHORT TIME HE AND HIS WIFE KNEW WILSON, HE NEVER

TALKED ABOUT HIS PAST, OTHER THAN TO MENTION THAT HE HAD

BEEN IN THE U.S. AIR FORCE; HAD BEEN MARRIED FIVE TIMES,

TWICE TO THE SAME WOMAN; HE GREW UP IN MISS.; AND HAD BEEN

ON THE GULF COASI LESS THAN THREE MONTHS. THE GLADDENS DO

NOT KNOW WHERE HE CAME FROM OR WHAT HE HAS DONE PRIOR TO HIS

ARRIVING AI THEIR PLACE OF BUSINESS 7/26/78.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 108

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## Page 109

PAGE TEN UN 62-544 UNCLAS E FT O

GLADDEN ADVISED THAT IN HIS REGULAR BUSINESS AS SOCIAL

SECURITY OFFICE MANAGER HE HAS PERSONAL DEALINGS ON A

FREQUENT BASIS WITH PEOPLE HAVING MENTAL PROBLEMS AND WHILE

HE IS NOT A QUALIFIED PERSON IN THIS FIELD, HE IS NOT OF THE

OPINION WILSON HAS MENTAL IMPAIRMENT. HE DESCRIBED WILSON

AS A WHITE MALE; 5 FT. 8 INCHES; 155 LBS; MEDIUM BUILD ;

RUDDY COMPLEXION; GRAYING HAIR; AGE 46, WHO LIKES TO DRINK

VODKA AND COKE•

ON 81.8/78, SHORTLY BEFORE NOON, WILSON TELEPHONICALLY

CONTACTED GLADDEN ADVISING THAT HE HAD BEEN BETRAYED, THAT

HE HAD BEEN TO GULFPORT, MS., HOLIDAY INN, ALONG WITH "THE

FATHER" (NOT FURTHER IDENTIFIED BY WILSONS, WHERE HE HAD

SEEN PERSONS BELIEVED TO BE WITH THE FBI. HE WAS NOW BACK

AT HIS RESIDENCE WATCHING THE WINDOWS AND WOULD BLOW THE

HEAD OFF OF ANYONE WHO CAME, EXCEPT "THE FATHER."

ABOUT THREE HOURS LATER, MR. AND MRS. GLADDEN WERE

SURPRISED TO SEE WILSON WALK INTO THEIR GIFT SHOP, HE WAS

CLEAN SHAVEN AND NEAT. HE APPARENTLY HAD NOT BEEN DRINKING.

HE IMPLIED HE HAD BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE FBI, BUT THEY WERE

NOI GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO HIM. HE HAD MADE SOME KIND OF

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PAGE ELEVEN JN 62-544 UNCLAS E FT O

BARGAIN. HE NOW WANTED TO LIVE A NORMAL LIFE AND ASKED

IF HE COULD KEEP HIS WATCH REPAIR BUSINESS IN THE BACK OF

GLADDEN'S STORE AS USUAL.

THE GLADDENS ADVISED WILSON THEY WERE SERIOUSLY

CONTEMPLATING SELLING THE BUSINESS AND HAD ALREADY CONTACTED

A REALTOR •

AT 6:28 PM, 8/18/78, FIVE FBI AGENTS ESTABLISHED

PHYSICAL OBSERVATION AT THE HOLIDAY INN, U.S. HIGHWAY 9D,

GLFPORT, MS.

AT APPROXIMATELY 6:45 PM, A 1970 PLYMOUTH BEARING JACKSON

COUNTY, M1S., LICENSE JAH-637 STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE HOLIDAY

INN AND A WHITE MALE, WHO LATER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE WAS

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., EXITED THE VEHICLE AND ENTERED THE

HOLIDAY INN. THE WHITE MALE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE THEREAFTER

PARKED THE VEHICLE AND CAME TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE HOLIDAY

INN, WHERE HE WAS APPROACHED BY SA BENJAMIN F. GRAVES AND

WAS ASKED IF HE WAS FATHER NOEL FANNON AND HE ACKNOWLEDGED

THAT HE WAS.

FATHER FANNON WAS ADVISED THAT GENE BARKSDALE, SHERIFF

OF SHELBY COUNTY, MEMPHIS, TENN., WAS NOT GOING TO MEET

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PAGE TWELVE JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F T O

WILSON. HE WAS ADVISED THAT AGENTS OF THE FBI WERE IN IHE

MOTEL AND HE WAS REQUESTED TO TELL WILSON THAT THE SHERIFF WAS

NOT GOING TO MEET HIM; HOWEVER, THE FBI AGENTS WERE AT THE

MOTEL AND DESIRED TO TALK WITH HIM IF HE, WILSON, WOULD AGREE

TO TALK WITH THE AGENTS. FATHER FANNON STATED HE WOULD LIKE

TO TALK TO WILSON BECAUSE SHERIFF BARKSDALE HAD LIED ABOUT

HIS APPEARANCE IN GULFPORT .

FATHER FANNON THEREAFTER ENTERED THE MOTEL AND TALKED

WITH WILSON IN THE LOBBY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THEY BOTH

RETURNED TO THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE MOTEL AND SA GRAVES

IDENTIFIED HIMSELF TO WILSON AND ASKED HIM IF HE WERE BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE WAS AND LATER STATED

HE WAS A JUNIOR •

WILSON WAS ADVISED THAT SHERIFF BARKSDALE WAS NOT THERE

TO MEET HIM, HOWEVER, FBI AGENTS WERE THERE AND DESIRED TO

TALK WITH HIM, PARTICULARLY ABOUT HIS DAUGHTER SUPPOSEDLY

HAVING DRIVEN A WHITE MUSTANG FROM KANSAS CITY, MO., TO

MEMPHIS, TENN. HE STATED HE HAD NO INFORMATION TO FURNISH

THE FBI. WILSON INQUIRED AS TO WHETHER OR NOT HE WAS UNDER

ARREST

AND HE WAS ADVISED HE WAS NOT UNDER ARREST.. WILSON

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PAGE THIRTEEN JN 62-544 UNCLAS E FIO

COMMENTED HE WAS NOT GOING TO GIVE ANYONE ANY TROUBLE. HE

WAS ASKED IF HE HAD ANY WEAPONS ON HIM AND HE STATED HE DID

NOT AND THAT SA GRAVES COULD SEARCH HIM IF HE SO DESIRED.

WILSON WAS THEN "PATTED DOWN" AND NO WEAPONS WERE FELT ON

HIS BODY.

WILSON COMMENTED THAT HE AND FATHER FANNON HAD BEEN

1O THE MOTEL AT 9:30 AM, 8/18/78, AND AGAIN AT 6:30 PM,

8/18/78, IO SEE SHERIFF BARKSDALE AND THE SHERIFF HAD LIED

TO THEM.

WILSON THEN ASKED FATHER FANNON IF HE WOULD DRIVE HIM

BACK TO THE PLACE HE HAD BEEN PICKED UP AND FATHER FANNON

AGREED TO DO SO •

WILSON WAS AGAIN ADVISED THAT FBI AGENTS WERE AT THE

MOTEL AND WERE STILL WILLING TO TALK TO HIM AND HE

REITERATED HE HAD NOTHING TO SAY TO THE FBI AND, AS HE

DEPARTED, COMMENTED THAT THE FBI IN THE PAST HAD HARASSED

HIS FATHER WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION.

FATHER FANNON AND WILSON THEREAFTER LEFT THE AREA OF THE

HOLIDAY INN IN FATHER FANNON'S VEHICLE PROCEEDING EAST ON

HIGHWAY 90. A SURVEILLANCE WAS MAINTAINED ON THE VEHICLE.

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PAGE FOURTEEN JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F T 0

SHORTLY AFTER WILSON AND FATHER FANNON LEFT THE MOTEL,

JACKSON ASAC TELEPHONICALLY ADVISED THE GULFPORT RA THAT

INFORMATION HAD BEEN RECEIVED THAT NGIC REVEALED WILSON WAS

WANTED BY THE NEW BRAUNSFELS, IX., PD FOR PROBATION VIOLATION

ON A WARRANT ISSUED APRIL 18, 1978.

THE OCEAN SPRINGS PD WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS OUTSTANDING

WARRANT AND THE SURVEILLANCE OF FATHER FANNON'S VEHICLE WAS

MAINTAINED UNTIL THE VEHICLE ENTERED OCEAN SPRINGS, MS.

(APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES), AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS

STOPPED BY OFFICERS OTHE OCEAN SPRINGS PD AND WILSON WAS

ARRESTED AT 7:35 PM, AND INCARCERATED IN THE OCEAN SPRINGS

JAIL.

WILSON WAS RIDING AS A PASSENGER IN A PLYMOUTH SEDAN

• OWNED AND DRIVEN BY FATHER NOEL FANNON, PRIEST AT ST.

ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH, OCEAN SPRINGS. WILSON

AMITTED HIS FULL IDENTITY AS BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., AND

WAS TAKEN TO THE OCEAN SPRINGS PD. HE DECLINED TO TALK TO

THE FBI.

ON AUGUST 18, 1978, AT 9:17 PM, REV. NOEL FANNON,

PASTOR, ST. ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH, OCEAN SPRINGS,

NW 55186 DocId:32989768 Page 113

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PAGE FIFTEEN JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F I O

MS., APPEARED AT THE OCEAN SPRINGS PD TO VISIT WILSON.

FATHER FANNON WAS INTERVIEWED, AT WHICH TIME HE ADVISED HE

FIRST MET WILSON THE MORNING OF AUGUST 18, 1978, WHILE EATING

BREAKFAST AT THE MASTER GRILL RESTAURANT, HIGHWAY 9D, OCEAN

SPRINGS. HE HAD NEVER SEEN WILSON BEFORE THIS TIME.

WILSON INDICATED HE WANTED TO CONFIDE IN FATHER FANNON

AND FOLLOWING THEIR CONVERSATION, THE NATURE OF WHICH

FATHER FANNON REFUSED TO DIVULGE, FANNON AGREED TO FOLLOW

WILSON IN THEIR AUTOMOBILES TO THE HOLIDAY INN, GULFPORT,

MS., WHERE WILSON HAD TOLD FATHER FANNON HE WOULD MEET

SHELBY COUNTY, TENN., SHERIFF GENE BARKSDALE. AFTER THE

MORNING MEETING IN GULFPORT DID NOT COME OFF, AND AT THE

URGING OF WILSON, FATHER FANNON PERSONALLY TELEPHONED

SHERIFF GENE BARKSDALE IN MEMPHIS. DURING THEIR CONVERSATION,

SHERIFF BARKSDALE ASSURED FATHER FANNON HE WOULD PERSONALLY

FLY IO GULFPORT, MS., IN ORDER TO MEET WITH FATHER FANNON

AND WILSON AT 6:30 PM AT THE HOLIDAY INNO

FATHER FANNON ADVISED HE CANNOT COMMENT ON WILSON

PERSONALLY DUE TO THE SHORT LENGTH OF TIME HE HAD CONTACI

WITH THIS INDIVIDUAL. HE CONTINUED TO POLITELY REFUSE TO

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PAGE SIXTEEN JN 62-544 UNCLAS E FI O

REVEAL THE NATURE OF WILSON'S CONFIDENCE IN HIM.

FATHER FANNON WAS ADVISED BY JACKSON SA IN BRIEF

CONCERNING WILSON'S REMARKS TO THE GLADDENS ABOUT HIS

INVOLVEMENT IN THE KING ASSASSINATION; HOWEVER, FATHER

FANNON REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS ALSO HAD BEEN THE

SUBJECT OF WILSON'S CONFIDENCE IN HIM.

SAN ANTONIO DIVISION AT NEW BRAUNSFELS, TEXAS. CONTACT

NEW BRAUNSFELS PD AND ADVISED THEM OF WILSON*S INCARCERATION

AT OCEAN SPRINGS, MISS., PD, TELEPHONE 875-2211.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUING JACKSON DIVISION.

BT

SA 1

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## Page 116

DL0838 2312004Z

PP HQ ME JN SA

DE DL

P 1920047 AUG 78

FM JALLAS

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) PRIORITY

MEMPHIS (44-1987) PRIORITY

JACKSON (INFO)

SAN ANIONIO (INFO)

BT

UNCLAS EFTO

ATIN CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8958 JEH. MURKIN.

RE MEMPHIS TELETYPES TO BUREAU 8/18/78 AND SAN ANTONIO

TELETYPE TO BUREAU 8/18/78•

ON 8/19/78 BETTY LOU WADE, 233 SMIH RD. BURLESON, TEXAS WHO

IS FORMER WIFE OF BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, STATES SHE WAS MARRIED TO

WILSON ON 4/4/68 AND CAN POSITIVELY STATE WILSOW WAS

AT GRANDVIEW,

MISSOURI, THAI DATE AND COULD NOT. HAVE BEEN IN MEMPHIS, TENN.,

AS HE IS CLAIMING. SHE SAID THEY RESIDED AT AN UNRECALLED

ADDRESS ON HERRICK SI. AND WILSON HAD A JEWELRY BUSINESS AT

THE KAIZ DRUG STORE IN GRANDVIEW, MISSOURI: WADE SAID MR. KATZ

SUBSQUENILY SOLD THE DRUG STORE AND THE BUSINESS WAS MOVED 10

BELTON, MISSOURI, WHERE IS WAS ESTABLISHED IN

A SMALL SHOPPING

CENTER UNDER THE NAME OF WILBUR'S JEWELRY.

62-544-32

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AUG_: 1978

FO JACKSUN

Butear 5,

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## Page 117

PAGE TWO DALLAS UNCLAS E F I O

WADE SAID WILSON NEVER OWNED OR HAD ACCESS TO A WHITE

MUSTANG VEHICLE AND HER DAUGHTER DEBRA ANN JONES NEE WILSON

NEVER DROVE ANY VEHICLE FROM KANSAS

CITY, MISSOURI, TO MEMPHIS,

TENNO, ON OR ABOUI 4/4/68.

WADE ADVISED SHE HAS BEEN DIVORCED FROM WILSON FOR OVER

5 YEARS. SHE SAID WILSON HAS EXPERIENCED MENTAL PROBLEMS FOR

YEARS AND SHE

: DESCRIBED HIM AS A "LIAR AND CON ARTISI WHO CAN'I.

DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN TRUTH AND FANIASY". SHE SAID HE DEFINITELY

NEEDS MEDICAL HELP.

WADE SAID SHE HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS THREATENING

AND HARASSING

TELEPHONE CALLS FROM WILSON OVER THE PREVIOUS 5 YEARS AND HAD HIM'

ARRESTED AT CELBURN, TEXAS INN 1976 FOR NON-CHILD SUPPORT

AND HARASSMENT. SHE SAID WILSON WAS COMMIITED IO A HOSPITAL AI NEW

BRAUNFELS, TEXAS IN 1974-1975 FOR HIS UNSTABLE MENTAL. CONDITION.

WADE STATES WILSON ALWAYS CARRIES A 38 CAL. PISTOL AND SHE WOULD

CONSIDER HIM! DANGEROUS.

SHE FURNISHED THE FOLLOWING LIST OF WILSON'S RELATIVES WHO CAiN

SUBSTANTIATE HIS MENIAL CONDITION: SISTERS, LYDA MCGAHEY, 2D02 EASI

8IH AVE. NORIM, COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, TELEPHONE NUMBER 327-

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 117

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## Page 118

PAGE THREE DALLAS UNCLAS E FI O

1141, CHRISIINE GUNIHORP, ROUTÉ 1 BOX 36, FULION, MISSISSIPPI;

BROTHER, ALLISON WILSON, REFORM!, ALABAMA; CHILDREN, STEPHEN

WAYNE WILSON, 3117 LIVINGSOON, FORI WORIH, TEXAS, TELEPHONE

NUMBER 923-9414, MARK ANIHONY WILSON, 514 SOUTHEASI GARDENS, APT.

132, BURLESO, TEXAS, TELEPHONE NUMBER 295-2854, DEBRA ANN JONES;

2628 NEWBURG RD. LOI NUMBER 126 AI BELVDERE, ILLINOIS, TELEPHONE

NUMBER 543-9734.

DALLAS INDICES SEARCH NEGATIVE RE WILSON.

FURTHER LEADS BEING LEFT TO THE DISCRETION OF MEMPHIS.

BI

23119252 JIN

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 118

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## Page 119

DL0388 23120547

PP HQ ME JN SA

DE DL

P 192084Z AUG 78

FIl JALLAS

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) PRIORITY

MEMPHIS (44-1987) PRIORITY

JACKSON (INFO>

SAL ANTONIO (INFO)

BT

UNCLAS E FIO

ATI CORGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROON 8988 JEH. MURKIN®

RE HEMPHIS TELETYPES TO BUREAU 3/18/78 AND SAN ANIONIO

TELETYPE TO BUREAU 8/18/78•

ON 8/19/78 BETTY LOU WADE, 233 SHIH RD. BURLESON, TEXAS WHO

IS FORMER WIFE OF BURGESS AUDIE WILSOH, STATES SHE WAS MANKIED TO

WILSON ON 4/4/66 ARD CAN POSITIVELY STATE WILSON VAS AT CRANDVIEW,.

MISSOURI, THAI DATE AND COULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN MEMPHIS, TENNE,

AS HE IS CLAIMING. SHE SAID THEY RESIDED AT AN UNRECALLED

ADDRESS ON HERRICK SI, AND WILSON HAD A JEWELRY BUSINESS AT

THE KATZ. DRUG STORE IN GRANDVIEU, MISSOURI. WADE SAID MR. KAIZ

SUSSQUENTLY SOLD THE DRUG STORE AND THE BUSINESS WAS MOVED TO

BELTON, MISSOURI, WHERE IS WAS ESTABLISHED IN A SHALL SHOPPI IS

CENTER UNDER THE NATE OF VILBUR'S JEWELRY.

62-544-37

DISA DRE

25B

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 119

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## Page 120

PAGE TUO DALLAS UNCLAS E FIO.

WADE SAID WILSON NEVER OWNED OR HAD ACCESS TO A WHITE

MUSTANG VEHICLE AND HER DAUGHTER DEBRA ANN JONES NEE WILSON

NEVER DROVE AY VEHICLE FROM KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, TO MEMPHIS,

TENNO, ON OR ABOUT 4/4/68.

WADE ADVISED SHE HAS BEEN DIVORCED FROM WILSON FOR OVER

5 YEARS. SHE SAID WILSON MAS EXPERIENCED MENTAL PROBLEMS FOR

YEARS AND SHE DESCRIBED HIM AS A "LIAR AND CON ARTIST WHO CAN'T

DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN TRUTH AND FANIASY". SHE SAID HE DEFINITELY

NEEDS MEDICAL HELP.

WADE SAID SHE HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS THREATENING AID HARASSING

TELEPHONE CALLS FROM WILSON OVER THE PREVIOUS 5 YEARS AND HAD HIM

ARRESTED AI CELBURN, TEXAS IN 1976 FOR NON-CHILD SUPPORI

AND HARASSMENT. SHE SAID WILSON VAS COMMITTED TO A HOSPITAL AT NEW

BRAUNFELS, TEXAS IN 1974-1975 FOR HIS UNSTABLE MENTAL CONDITION

VADE STATES VILSON ALVAYS CARRIES A 38 CAL. PISTOL AID SHE WOULD

CONSIDER HIM DANGEROUS.

SHE. FURNISHED THE FOLLOWING LIST OF WILSON'S RELATIVES WHO CAN

SUBSIANTIATE HIS MENTAL CONDITION: SISTERS, LYDA MCGAHEY, 2002 EASI

BIH AVE. MORIH, COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, TELEPHONE NUMBER 327-

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 120

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## Page 121

PAGE THREE DALLAS UNCLAS E F TO

1141, CHRISTINE GUNIHORP, ROUTE 1 BOX 36, FULION, MISSISSIPPI;

BROTHER, ALLISON WILSON, REFORE, ALABAMA; CHILDREN, STEPHEN

WAYNE WILSON, 3117 LIVINGSOO, FORT WORTH, TEXAS, TELEPHONE

NUMBER 923-9414, MARK ANTHONY WILSON, 514 SOUTHEAST GARDENS, APT.

132, BURLESON, TEXAS, TELEPHONE NUMBER 295-2854, DEBRA ANN JONES,

2628 NEWBURG RD. LOI NUEBER 10G AT BELVDERE, ILLISOIS, TELEPHONE

RUMBER 543-9734-

DALLAS INDICES SEARCH REGATIVE RE WILSON.

FURTHER LEADS BEING LEFT TO THE DISCRETION OF MEMPHIS.

BT

2311925Z JN 1

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 121

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## Page 122

MEO 010 23165302 D70DZ

PP HQ BH DL JN

P 1905307 AUG 78

FM MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M ) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) PRIORITY

BIRMING HAM PRIORITY

DALLAS PRIORITY

JACKSON PRIORITY

BT

UNCLAS E FIO

ATTN CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988 JEH.

MURKIN.

RE HEMPHIS TELETYPES TO BUREAU•AUGUST 18, 1978, NO COPIES

TO BIRMINGHAM OR DALLAS.

FOR THE INFORMATION OF BIRMINGHAM AND DALLAS, ON AUGUST 18,

1978, GENE BARKSDALE, SHERIFF, SHELBY COUNTY, TENN., ADVISED THAT ON

THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 17, 1978, HE RECEIVED 2 TELEPHONE CALLS

FROM BURGESS AUDIE WILSON. WILSON, WHO WAS FORMERLY IN THE

TENNESSEE AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNIT AT MEMPHIS, TENN., WITH

BARKSDALE, INFORMED THE SHERIFF THAT HE HAD KILLED DR. MARTIN

LUTHER KING IN 1968 AT MEMPHIS ; THAT HIS DAUGHTER DROVE A WHITE

MUSTANG FROM KANSAS CITY MISSOURI, TO MEMPHIS 3 DAYS PRIOR IO

KING 'S DEATH AND WISHED TO SURRENDER TO

62-544-38

Piss Ot

137

Butean 3,18

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 122

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## Page 123

PAGE TWO ME 44-1987 SUB M) UNCLAS E FI O

BARKSDALE AT THE HOLIDAY INN, GULFPORT, MISS• ARRANGEMENIS WERE

MADE FOR WILSON AND COMPANION REV. NOEL FANNON, PASTOR, ST •

ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH, OCEAN SPRINGS, MISS., TO APPEAR

AT THE HOLIDAY INN, GULFPORT, MISS., AT 5:30 PM ON AUGUST 18,

1978, AT WHICH TIME THEY WERE TO BE CONTACTED BY SPECIAL

AGENIS OF THE JACKSON OFFICE. WILSON WAS CONTACTED BY SPECIAL

AGENTS OF THE JACKSON OFFICE; HOWEVER, HE DECLINED TO DISCUSS

INFORMATION REGARDING THE ASSASSINATION OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING

WITH THEM.

ON AUGUST 18, 1978, VERNON AND OPAL HOOTEN, 3095 RUSKIN

RD ., BARTLETT, TENN., THE FORMER FATHER-IN-LAW AND MOTHER-IN-LAW

OF WILSON, FURNISHED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

WILSON AND THEIR DAUGHTER BETTY LOU, AGE 47, WHO NOW

RESIDES WITH HER PRESENT HUSBAND KEITH WADE AT 233 SMITH ST.,

BURLESON, TEXAS, WERE MARRIED IN THE 1940'S AND THE MARRIAGE

WAS TERMINATED BY DIVORCE IN ABOUT 1972 OR 1973. THE WILSONS

HAD 3 CHILDREN, DEBORAH ANN, AGE 28, WHO NOW RESIDES WITH HER

NOSE AND , BL EVEN, EST

1, AGE N

MW 55186

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Page 123

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## Page 124

PAGE THREE (ME 44-1987 SUB M) UNCLAS E FT O

WHOM RESIDE IN BURLESON, TEXAS, SPECIFIC ADDRESSES UNKNOWN.

WILSON HAS ONE BROTHER AL WILSON, WHO RESIDES IN REFORM, ALA.,

AND 2 SISTERS, LYDA MC GAHA, WHO RESIDES IN REFORM, ALA.,

AND CHRISTINE WILSON, MARRIED NAME NOT KNOWN, WHO RESIDES IN

FULTON, MISS. HIS PARENIS ARE DECEASED •

BURGESS AND BETTY LOU WILSON RESIDED IN MEMPHIS, TENN.,

AI VARIOUS TIMES, SPECIFIC PERIODS OF TIME NOI RECALLED, AT

KANSAS CITY, MO., AND CANYON LAKE, TEXAS. THEY MOVED TO

KANSAS CITY, MO., IN 1963 FROM MEMPHIS WHERE THEY OPERATED A

JEWELRY STORE. BETTY LOU WILSON LEFT BURGESS AT KANSAS CITY

AFTER THEY HAD RESIDED THERE 2 OR 3 YEARS AND RETURNED TO MEMPHIS.

WHILE RESIDING IN KANSAS CITY, 10•, BURGESS PURCHASED A WHITE

MUSTANG AUTOMOBILE FOR HIS DAUGHTER DEBORAH. THE HOOTENS ARE

OF THE OPINION THAT THIS WHITE MUSTANG AUTOMOBILE WAS NEVER

TRANSPORTED TO MEMPHIS, TENN. AFTER BETTY LOU AND THE CHILDREN

LEFT KANSAS CITY AND RETURNED TO MEMPHIS, BURGESS FOLLOWED

AND THE FAMILY RESIDED IN MEMPHIS AS A FAMILY UNIT FOR A YEAR

OR 2 BEFORE MOVING TO CANYON LAKE, TEXAS. THE MARRIAGE WAS

TERMINATED IN CANYON LAKE, TEXAS, BY DIVORCE IN ABOUT 1972 OR

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 124

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## Page 125

PAGE FOUR ME 44-1987 SUB M) UNCLAS E F T.O

1973. BURGESS WILSON WAS SELDOM GAINFULLY EMPLOYED BUT DID

FROM TIME TO TIME ATTEMPT TO OPERATE JEWELRY STORES AND WATCH

REPAIR SHOPS.

ON THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 17, 1978, VERNON HOOTEN RECEIVED A

TELEPHONE CALL FROM BURGESS AUDIE WILSON AT APPROXIMATELY

8:00 PM. WILSON ASKED GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HEALTH AND

WELFARE OF THE HOOTENS AND REMARKED THAT HE RESIDED IN NEW

ORLEANS, LA. WILSON FURNISHED NO. OTHER PERSONAL DATA REGARDING

HIMSELF AND THE PHONE CALL WAS TERMINATED AFTER THE LAPSE OF A

FEW MINUTES. ON AUGUST 18, 1978, VERNON HOOTEN TALKED WITH HIS

SON JAMES HOOTEN, WHO RESIDES AT 2081 ST. ELMO, MEMPHIS, AND HIS

SON INFORMED HIM THAT BURGESS WILSON HAD ALSO CALLED HIM ON

THE EVENING OF AUGUST 17, 1978. WHILE WILSON WAS TALKING WITH

EITHER JAMES HOOTEN OR HIS WIFE MARIE, HE REMARKED THAI HE HAD

KILLED DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING IN 1968. JAMES AND MARIE HOOTEN

ARE OF THE OPINION THAT WILSON WAS EXAGGERATING AND DO NOT BELIEVE

THAT HE IN FACI PARTICIPATED IN THE ASSASSINATION OF DR. KING.

THE HOOTENS DESCRIBED WILSON AS A VERY HEAVY DRINKER;

HOWEVER, THEY POINTED OUT THAT WHEN DRINKING HE TALKS COHERENTLY

NW 55186

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## Page 126

PAGE FIVE (ME 44-1987 SUB M) UNCLAS E F I O

AND HIS MOVEMENIS DO NOT GIVE EVIDENCE THAT HE IS INTOXICATED.

HE IS A BOASTFUL TALKER AND OFTEN MAKES EXAGGERATED STATEMENTS

IN AN EFFORT TO IMPRESS PEOPLE WHO ARE LISTENING TO HIM. HE

HAS IN THE PAST BEEN PHYSICALLY ABUSIVE TOWARD HIS WIFE AND

CHILDREN AND ON ONE OCCASION HELD HIS FORMER WIFE'S HEAD UNDER

WATER IN THE BATHTUB FOR A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME. HE

HAS MADE THREATS TO KILL VERNON HOOTEN AND HIS FORMER WIFE BETTY

DU WILSON. ON ONE OCCASION HE CHECKED IN THE VETERANS

ADMINISTRATION (VA) HOSPITAL AT MEMPHIS, TENN., DATE NOT

RECALLED, AND COMPLAINED OF A HEART ATTACK; HOWEVER, MEDICAL

EXAMINATION REVEALED NO HEART PROBLEM. ON ANOTHER OCCASION HE

CHECKED IN AT THE VA HOSPITAL AND COMPLAINED OF A CRIPPLED LEG

AND AGAIN MEDICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH

HIM. VERNON HOOTEN BELIEVES THAT WILSON WOULD FALSELY CONFESS

TO A CRIME IN ORDER TO HAVE A PLACE TO SLEEP AND EAT IF HE WAS

IN NEED OF FOOD AND SHELTER. IN THE OPINION OF THE HOOTENS,

WILSON IS A COMPULSIVE LIAR AND BOTH ARE OF THE OPINION THAT HE

HAD NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH THE ASSASSINATION OF DR.

MARTIN LUTHER KING. THEY CANNOT RECALL SPECIFICALLY WHERE HE

NW 55186

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## Page 127

PAGE SIX ME 44-1987 SUB M) UNCLAS E F I O

RESIDED IN 1968 BUT ARE OF THE OPINION THAT HE DID NOT MAINTAIN

A RESIDENCE IN MEMPHIS AT THAT TIME. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHETHER

HE EVER OWNED OR POSSESSED A GUN OR OTHER WEAPON BUT ARE OF THE

OPINION THAT HE DID NOT •

ON AUGUST 18, 1978, JAMES HOOTEN, 2081 SI. ELMO, MEMPHIS,

TENN., FURNISHED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

ABOUT 9:30 PM ON AUGUST 17, 1978, BURGESS AUDIE WILSON,

COMMONLY KNOWN AS BILL WILSON, CALLED JAMES HOOTEN STATING HE

WAS CALLING FROM CANYON LAKE, TEXAS. HE MADE GENERAL INQUIRIES

REGARDING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF JAMES HOOTEN AND HIS WIFE

MARIE, AND THEN HE REQUESTED HOOTEN TO CALL SHELBY COUNTY,

TENN., SHERIFF GENE BARKSDALE FOR HIM. HOOTEN QUESTIONED HIM

REGARDING THE NATURE OF HIS REQUEST, AND WILSON TOLD HIM HE HAD

TELEPHONED BARKSDALE ON THE EVENING OF AUGUST 17, 1978, AND

HAD AN APPOINIMENT WITH HIM ON AUGUST 20, 1978, PLACE NOT

STATED. HE INFORMED HOOTEN HE HAD CALLED BARKSDALE AND WAS

MEETING WITH HIM TO SURRENDER HIMSELF BECAUSE HE SHOT AND KILLED

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING IN 1968. HE WANTED HOOTEN TO CALL SHERIFF

BARKSDALE FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONFIRMING HIS, WILSON'S, IDENTITY

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 127

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## Page 128

PAGE SEVEN (ME 44-1987 SUB M) UNCLAS E F T O

AND IHE APPOINTMENI. HOOTEN REFUSED TO HONOR WILSON'S REQUEST

AND QUESTIONED HIS SINCERITY REGARDING HIS CLAIM FOR BOTH THE

KILLING AND THE APPOINIMENT WITH THE SHERIFF. WILSON INSISTED

HE HAD KILLED

KING

STATED

PERSONALLY ABOUT

• WEEKS PREVIOUSLY

USLAD "EE TERM SATED THARKSDAL

WHEN HE REALIZED HOOTEN WOULD NOT CALL THE SHERIFF AS HE

REQUESTED •

ACCORDING IO HOOTEN, WILSON IS AN EXTREMELY HEAVY DRINKER.

HE FEELS THAT WILSON WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL WHEN

CALLED AND THAT HIS HEAVY CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL HAS HAD AN

ADVERSE EFFECT ON HIS MIND. WILSON WAS AT ONE TIME PLACED IN AN

UNKNOWN HOSPITAL IN TEXAS BY HIS SON, STEVEN, TO HAVE HIM

TREATED FOR ALCOHOLISM. HOOTEN IS OF THE OPINION THAT WILSON

HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ASSASSINATION OF DR. KING BUT DUE

TO THE MENTAL DETERIORATION OF HIS MIND MAY BELIEVE HE DID.

HOOTEN IS NOT CERTAIN BUT BELIEVES WILSON WAS NOT IN THE

MEMPHIS AREA AT THE TIME DR. KING WAS KILLED •

DALLAS WILL CONTACT BETTY LOU WADE AT 233 SMITH SI .,

BURLESON, TEXAS, AND OBTAIN ALL PERTINENT BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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## Page 129

PAGE EIGHT ME 44-1987 SUB M) UNCLAS EFT O

REGARDING BURGESS AUDIE WILSON AS WELL AS THE ADDRESSES OF WILSON'S

CHILDREN DEBORAH ANN, STEVEN, AND MARK ANTHONY. STEVEN AND

MARK ANTHONY WILSON SHOULD BE INTERVIEWED FOR INFORMATION

AVAILABLE TO THEM REGARDING BURGESS WILSON AND APPROPRIATE

LEADS SHOULD BE SET FORTH REQUESTING INTERVIEW OF DEBORAH ANN

WILSON JONES, BELLEVIEW, ILL.

THE BIRMINGHAM OFFICE WILL INTERVIEW LYDA MC GAMA AND AL

WILSON AT REFORM, ALA., AND OBTAIN ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION

RE BURGESS WILSON FROM HIS BROTHER AND SISTER.

JACKSON WILL ATTEMPT TO LOCATE AND INTERVIEW CHRISTINE

WILSON, MARRIED NAME NOT KNOWN, ÁT FULION, MISS., AND DEVELOP

ALL PERTINENT BACKGROUND INFORMATION RE BURGESS WILSON.

ALL OFFICES INTERVIEW RELATIVES OF WILSON RE VERACITY

OF HIS ALLEGATIONS AND PRESENCE IN MEMPHIS DURING THE

CRITICAL PERIOD (APRIL 4, 1968) AND IF WILSON HAS HISTORY

OF PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS.

ALL OFFICES NOTE THESE LEADS SHOULD BE GIVEN EXPEDITE

ATTENTION.

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## Page 130

H1E0 010 2310530 3705

PP HQ BH DL JD

P 1905387 AUG 78

FU MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M > (P)

TO DIRECIOR (44-38861) PRIORITY

BIRMING HAM PRIORITY

DALLAS PRIORITY

JACKSON PRIORITY

BT

UNCLAS E FIO

ATTI CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, R001 8988 JEH.

MURKIN.

RE MEMPHIS TELETYPES IO BUREAU AUGUST 18, 1978, NO COPIES

TO BIRMIIGHAI OR DALLAS.

FOR THE INFORMATION OF BIRMINGHAN AND DALLAS, ON AUGUST 18,

1978, GENE BARKSDALE, SHERIFF , SHELBY COUNTY, TENN., ADVISED THAT OU

THE NIGHI OF AUGUST 17, 1978, HE RECEIVED 2 TELEPHONE CALLS

FROM BURGESS AUDIE VILSON. WILSON, UHO WAS FORMERLY IN THE

TENNESSEE AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNIT AT HEMPHIS, TENN., WITH

BARKSDALE, INFORMED THE SHERIFF THAT HE HAD KILLED DR MARTIN

LUTHER KING IN 1968 AT MEUPHIS ; THAT HIS DAUGHTER DROVE A WHITE

MUSIANG FROG KANSAS CITY MISSOURI, TO MEMPHIS 3 DAYS PRIOR IO

KING 'S DEATH AND WISHED TO SURRENDER TO

62-544-38

WW 55186 DocId: 32909768 Page 130

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## Page 131

PAGE TVO ME 44-1987 SUB M) UNCLAS E F T O

BARKSDALE AT THE HOLIDAY INN, GULFPORT , MISS• ARRANGEVENTS WERE

MADE FOR VILSON AND COMPANION REV• NOEL FAIION, PASTOR, ST *

ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH, OCEAN SPRINGS, MISS*, TO APPEAR

AI THE HOLIDAY INN, GULFPORT, MISS•, AT 6:30 PM ON AUGUST 184

1978, AI VHICH TIME THEY VERE TO BE CONTACIED BY SPECIAL

AGENTS OF THE JACKSON OFFICE, WILSON WAS CONTACTED BY SPECIAL

AGEHTS OF THE JACKSON OFFICE; KOVEVER, HE DECLINED IO DISCUSS

INPORMATION REGARDING THE ASSASSINATION OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING

WITH THEM

O1l AUGUST 18, 1978, VERION AND OPAL HOOTEN, 3095 RUSKIN

RD • BARILETT, IEUU., THE FORMER FATHER-IN-LAW AND MOTHER-IN-LAW

OF WILSON, FURMISHED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

WILSON AND THEIR DAUGHTER BETTY LOU, AGE 47, WHO NOW

RESIDES WITH HER PRESENT HUSBAND KEITH WADE AT 233 SHITH 5I*,

BURLESOS, TEXAS, WERE MARRIED IN THE 1940*S AND THE HARRIAGE

WAS TERMIWATED BY DIVORCE IN ABOUT 1972 OR 1975, THE WILSONS

HAD 3 CHILDREN, DEBORAH ANN, AGE 28, WHO NOW RESIDES WITH HER

LUSBAND CHARL

RI- 29.10 NES

• AGE

NW 55186 DocId: 32969768 Page 131

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## Page 132

PAGE THREE (NE 44-1987 SUB MY UNCLAS E FIO

WHOM RESIDE IN BURLESON, TEXAS, SPECIFIC ADDRESSES UNKROUS.

WILSON HAS ONE BROTHER AL WILSON, WHO RESIDES IN REFORM, ALA •

AND 2 SISTERS, LYDA MC GAHA, VO RESIDES IN REFORM, ALA.,

AND CHRISTINE VILSON, MARRIED NAME NOT KNOWN, WHO RESIDES IN

FULTON, MISS• HIS PARENTS ARE DECEASED •

BURGESS AND BETTY LOU WILSON RESIDED IN MEMPHIS, TENN•,

AI VARIOUS TIMES, SPECIFIC PERIODS OF TINE NOT RECALLED, AT

KANSAS CITY, N0., AND CANYON LAKE, TEXAS. THEY MOVED TO

KANSAS CITY, M0., IN 1963 FROM NEUPHIS UHERE THEY OPERATED A

JEVELRY STORE • BETTY LOU WILSON LEFT BURGESS AT KANSAS CITY

AFTER THEY HAD RESIDED THERE 2 OR 3 YEARS AND RETURNED TO MEMPHIS.

WHILE RESIDING IN KANSAS CITY, NO ., BURGESS PURCHASED A WHITE

MUSTAG AUTOMOBILE FOR HIS DAUGHTER DEBORAH, THE HOOTENS ARE

OF THE OPINION THAT THIS VHITE MUSTAKE AUTONOBILE WAS NEVER

TRANSPORTED TO MEMPHIS, TEND. AFTER BETTY LOU AND THE CHILDREN

LEFT KANSAS CITY AND RETURNED TO MEMPHIS, BURGESS FOLLOWED

AND THE FAMILY RESIDED IN HEMPHIS AS A FAMILY UNIT FOR A YEAR

OR 2 BEFORE MOVING TO CANYON LAKE, TEXAS. THE MARRIAGE VAS

TERMINATED IN CANYON LAKE, TEXAS, BY DIVORCE IN ABOUT 1972 OR

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 132

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## Page 133

-_..

PAGE FOUR CE 44-1987 SUB M) UNCLAS E FT O

1973* BURGESS WILSON WAS SELDO GAINFULLY EMPLOYED BUT DID

FROM TIME TO TIME ATTEMPT TO OPERATE JEVELRY STORES AND WATCH

REPAIR SHOPS,

ON THE NIGHT OF ALGUST 17, 1978, VERNON HOOTE RECEIVED A

TELEPHONE CALL FROM BURGESS AUDIE VILSON AT APPROXIMATELY

8:00 PM. WILSON ASKED GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HEALTH AND

WELFARE OF THE HOOTEUS AND REMARKED THAT HE RESIDED IN DEV

ORLEANS, LA. WILSON FURNISHED NO OTHER PERSONAL DATA REGARDING

HIMSELF AND THE PHONE CALL WAS TERMINATED AFTER THE LAPSE OF A

FEU MINUTES, OIl AUGUST 18, 1978, VERNON HOOTEN TALKED WITH HIS

SON JANES HOOTEN, UHO RESIDES AT 2081 ST • ELIO, HEMPHIS, AID HIS

SON ANORMED HIM THAT BURGESS WILSON HAD ALSO CALLED HIM ON

THE EVENING OF AUGUST 17, 1973. UHILE WILSON VAS TALKING WITH

EITHER JAMES HOOTEN OR HIS VITE MARIE, HE REMARKED THAT HE HAD

KILLED DR - BARTIN LUTHER KING IN 19G8 JAMES AND MARIE HOOTEN

ARE OF THE OPINION THAT WILSON WAS EXAGGERATING AND DO NOT BELIEVE

THAT HE IN FACT PARTICIPATED IN THE ASSASSINATION OF DR. KING.

THE KOOTENS DESCRIBED WILSON AS A VERY HEAVY DRINKER ;

HOVEVER, THEY POINTED OUT THAT WHEN DRINKING HE TALKS COHERENTLY

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 133

1.....

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## Page 134

PAGE FIVE (NE 44-1987 SUB MI UNCLAS E FT O

AND HIS MOVEMETIS DO NOT GIVE EVIDENCE THAT HE IS INTOXICATED •

HE IS A BOASTFUL TALKER AND OFTEN MAKES EXAGGERATED STATEMENTS

IN AN EFFORT TO IMPRESS PEOPLE WHO ARE LISTENING TO HIM. HE

HAS IN THE PAST BEEN PHYSICALLY ABUSIVE TOWARD HIS WIFE AND

CHILDREN AND ON ONE OCCASION HELD HIS FORMER WIFE*S HEAD UNDER

WATER IN THE BATHIUS FOR A COUSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME, HE

HAS MADE IHREATS TO KILL VERNOU HOOTEU AD HIS FORMER WIFE BETTY

DU WILSON, ON ONE OCCASION HE CHEGKED IN THE VETERANS

ADMINISIRATION (VA) HOSPITAL AI MEMPHIS, TENN., DATE NOT

RECALLED, AND COUPLALNED OF A HEARI ATTACK; HOVEVER, MEDICAL

EXAMINATION REVEALED NO HEART PROBLEN. ON ANOTHER OCCASION HE

CHECKED IN AT THE VA HOSPITAL AND COMPLAINED OF A GRIPPLED LEG

AND AGAIN MEDICAL EXAMINAIION REVEALED. NOTHING UAS GRONG WITH

HIM - VERNON HOOTE! BELIEVES THAT VILSON VOULD FALSELY CONFESS

TO A CRIME IN ORDER TO HAVE A PLACE TO SLEEP AND EAT IF HE WAS

IN NEED OF FOOD AND SHELTER. IN THE OPINION OF THE HOOTENS,

WILSON IS A COMPULSIVE LIAR AND BOTH ARE OF THE OPINION THAT HE

HAD NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH THE ASSASSIVATIOU OF DR.

MARTIN LUTHER KINS, THEY CAUROI RECALL SPECIFICALLY WHERE HE

•

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 134

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## Page 135

PAGE SIX QIE 44-1987 SUB MY UNGLAS E F I O

RESIDED IN 1968 BUT ARE OF THE OPINION THAT HE DID NOT MAINTAIN

A RESIDENCE IN MEMPHIS AT THAT TIME• THEY DO NOT KNOW WHETHER

HE EVER DUNED OR POSSESSED A GUN OR OTHER WEAPON BUT ARE OF THE

OPINION THAT HE DID NOT •

O1 AUGUST 18, 1978, JAMES HOOTEN, 2081 ST, ELIO, MEMPHIS,

TENN., FURNISHED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

ABOUT 9:30 FiT ON AUGUST 17, 1978, BURGESS AUDIE VILSON,

CONNOILY KHOUN AS BILL WILSOS, CALLED JAMES HOOTEN STATING HE

VAS CALLING FROM CANYON LAKE, TEXAS• HE MADE GENERAL INQUIRIES

REGARDING THE HEALTH AND VELFARE OF JAMES HOOTEN AND HIS WIFE

MARIE, AID THEN HE REQUESTED HOOTEN TO CALL SHELBY COUUTY,

TENNE, SHERIFF GENE BARKSDALE FOR HIM. HOOTEN QUESTIONED HIM

REGARDING THE NATURE OF HIS REQUESI, AND WILSON TOLD HIM HE HAD

TELEPHONED BARKSDALE OU THE EVENING OF AUGUST 17, 1978, AND

HAD AN APPOINTMENT WITH HIM ON AUGUST 20, 1978, PLACE NOT

STAIED • RE INFORMED HOOTEN HE HAD CALLED BARKSDALE AND WAS

MEETING WITH HIM TO SURRENDER HINSELF BECAUSE HE SHOT AND KILLED

DR , MARTIN LUTHER KING IN 1968. HE VANTED HOOTEN TO CALL SHERIFF

BARKSDALE FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONFIRMING HIS, WILSON*S, IDENTITY

NW 55186 DocId:32989768 Page 135

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## Page 136

PAGE SEVEN HE 44-1987 SUB MD UNCLAS E FI O

AID THE APPOINIMENT • HOOTEN REFUSED TO HONOR WILSON*S REQUEST

AND QUESTIONED HIS SINCERITY REGARDING HIS CLAIM FOR BOTH THE

KILLING ALD THE APPOINIVENT VITH THE SHERIFF. WILSON INSISTED

HAD KILLEL

PERSONALL

KING

STATED

HE HAD NES VIIM SHERIFF BARKSDALE

PREVIQUSLY.

FO TERUTNATED THE CALI

WHEN HE REALIZED HOOTEN WOULD NOT CALL THE SHERIFF AS HE

REQUESTED •

ACCORDING TO HOOTEN, WILSON IS AN EXTREMELY HEAVY DRINKER.

HE FEELS THAT WILSON WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOMOL WHEN

CALLED AND THAT HIS HEAVY CONSUMPTION OF ALCOKOL HAS HAD AW

ADVERSE EFFECT ON HIS MIND. WILSON VAS AT ONE TIME PLACED IN AU

* UNKLOUN HOSPITAL IN TEXAS BY HIS SON, STEVEN, TO HAVE HIM

TREATED FOR ALCOHOLISM HOOTEN IS OF THE OPINION THAT WILSON

HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ASSASSINATION OF DR • KING BUT DUE

TO THE MENTAL DETERIORATION OF HIS MIND MAY BELIEVE HE DID.

HOOTEN IS NOT CERTAIN BUT BELIEVES WILSON WAS NOT IN THE

MEMPHIS AREA AT THE TIME DR. KING WAS KILLED.

DALLAS VILL CONTACI BETTY LOU WADE AT 233 SIITH ST •→

BURLESOT, TEXAS, AND OBTAIN ALL PERTINENT BACKGROUND INFORMATION

NW 55186 Docid: 32989768

Page 136

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## Page 137

PAGE EIGHT (dE 44-1937 SUB M) UNCLAS EFT O

• REGARDING BURGESS AUDIE WILSON AS WELL AS THE ADDRESSES OF WILSON*S

CHILDREN DEBORAH ANN, STEVEN, AND MARK ANTHONY, STEVEN AND

MARK AITHONY WILSON SHOULD BE INTERVIEVED FOR INFORMATION

AVAILABLE TO THEN REGARDING BURGESS ILSON AND APPROPRIATE

LEADS SHOULD BE SET FORTH REQUESTIKS INTERVIEW OF DEBORAH ANU

WILSOU JOLES, BELLEVIEV, ILL+

THE BIRMIKGHAM OFFICE WILL INTERVIEW LYDA MC GANA AND AL

VILSON AI REFOR, ALA*, AND OBTAIN ALL PERTINENT INFORUATION

RE BURGESS WILSOW FROM HIS BROTHER AND SISTER•

JACKSON VILL ATTEMPT IO LOCATE AND INTERVIEV CHRISTINE

WILSON, MARRIED NAME NOT KNOWN, AT FULTON, MISS•, AND DEVELOP

ALL PERTINENT BACKGROUID INFORMATION RE BURGESS VILSON

ALL OFFICES INTERVIEN RELATIVES OF WILSON RE VERACITY

OF HIS ALLEGATIONS AND PRESENCE IN MEMPHIS DURING THE

CRITICAL PERIOD (APRIL 4, 1968) AID IF WILSON HAS HISTORY

OF PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEUS.

ALL OFFICES NOTE THESE LEADS SHOULD BE GIVEN EXPEDITE

ATTENTION -

BT

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Page 137

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## Page 138

SA0105 2520235Z

00 HQ JN ME

DE SA

0 190235Z AUG 78 1

FM SAN ANTONIO

(44-1242)

TO DIRECTOR (44-33861) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON (62-544) IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS ( 44-1987 SUB (1) IMMEDIATE

BI

UNCLAS EFT O

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT

MURKIN; 00: MEMPHIS.

RE JACKSON TELS TO SAN ANTONIO AUGUSI 18, 1978.

INSTANI DATE JO ANN CHILDRESS, 113 MILL, SAN MARCOS, IX, .

ADVISED SHE MET BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., AKA BILL WILSON, AT

SAILER, IX, IN SEPTEMBER OF 1977, AND THEY WERE MARRIED IN

NOVEMBER OF 1977• THEY SEPARATED FEBRUARY 15, 1978 AND

DIVORCE FINALIZED APRIL 26, 1978. ON AUGUST 12, 1978 SHE RECEIVED

TELEPHONIC MESSAGE FROM WILSON INDICATING THAT HE WAS IN THE

STATE OF TENNESSEE AND WAS INVOLVED IN

CAR

ACCIDENT. WILSON

STATED THAI AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT

BOTH OF HIS LEGS WERE

AMPUTATED. CHILDRESS ADVISED THAT WILSON

IS A "VERY 'CONINCING

AND A CON'

MAN". HE HAS NEVER

MENTIONED

162-544-39

"FARCHED

RIAL "OKA

NUG -

1978

Dutian 343

Wants

IREN 40401900

Man 300N

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## Page 139

PAGE IWO SA 44-1242 UNCLAS E F I O

MARTIN LUTHER KING AND HAS NEVER DISPLAYED ANY HATRED OR

DISLIKE FOR MEMBERS OF THE BLACK RACE. ACCORDING IO CHILDRESS,

SHE BELIEVES THAI WILSON WAS IN IHE U.S. ARMY DURING 1968, AND

WILSON HAS STATED THAT HE WAS A P.O•W. DURING VIETNAM CONFLICI

SHE IS AWARE THAT WILSON VISITED THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION

HOSPITAL AI SAN ANIONIO, TEXAS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUI SHE

POSSESSES NO KNOWLEDGE OF HIM SUFFERING. FROM ANY PSYCHIAIRIC

PROBLEMS. BY A PREVIOUS MARRIAGE WILSON MAS 3 CHILDREN,

2 SONS, AND 1 DAUGHTER, LOCATIONS NOI KNOWN BY CHILDRESS.

CHILDRESS ADVISED THAT IT IS HER PERSONAL OPINION THAT

WILSON IS SICK AND SHE IS NOT IN THE POSTIION TO PROVIDE

ANY INFORMATION REGARDING HIS WHEREABOUTS IN 1968 OTHER THAN

THE FACT THAT HE DID MENTION THAT

HE ONCE RESIDED IN MEMPHIS,

TENNESSEE.

LEAD: • SAN ANIONIO AT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, WILL ATTEMPT

TO VERIFY VISITS TO VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL.

IRIVA 4AVOO06

JR60RA 21059

---

## Page 140

SAO 155

23202357

00 HQ JU HE

DE SA

0 198235Z AUG 78

FIL SAB ANTONIO

(44-1242)

TO DIRECTOR (44-33561) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON (62-544) INHEDIATE

MEMPHIS < 44-1987 SUB M) INMEDIATE

BT

UNCLAS EFTO

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT

MURKIN; 00: MEMPHIS.

RE JACKSON TELS TO SAN ANTONIO AUGUST 18, 1978.

INSTANT DATE SO ANN CHILDRESS, 113 MILL, SAN MARCOS, IX,

ADVISED SHE WET BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JRO, ARA BILL WILSON, AT

SATLER, TX, IN SEPTEVBER OF 1977, AND THEY VERE MARRIED IN

ROVEMBER OF 1977, THEY SEPARATED FEBRUARY 15, 1978 AND

DIVORCE FINALIZED APRIL 26, 1978= ON AUGUSI 12, 1978 SHE RECEIVED

TELEPHONIC MESSAGÉ FROM WILSON INDICATING THAT HE WAS IN THE

STATE OF TENESSEE AND WAS INOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. WILSON

STATED THAI AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDELT BOTH OF HIS LEGS WERE

AMPUTATED. CHILDRESS ADVISED THAI VILSO & IS A "VERY 544-39.

LIAR AND A CON MA!!'• HE HAS NEVER MENTIONED THE DEATH OF

Mote me 12099708 Page kAn.

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## Page 141

PAGE IVO SA 44-1242 UNCLAS E F I O

MARTIN LUTHER KING AID. HAS NEVER DISPLAYED ANY HATRED OR

DISLIKE FOR MEMBERS OF THE BLACK NACE. ACCORDING TO CHILDRESS,

SHE BELIEVES THAI VILSON VAS IN THE U. SO ARMY DURING 1968, AND

WILSON HAS STATED THAT HE VAS A P.O.. DURING VIETHAN CONFLICT.

SHE IS AWARE THAT WILSON VISITED THE VETERANS ADMILISIRATION

KOSPITAL AI SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS ON SEVBRAL OCCASIONS, BUT SHE

POSSESSES DO KNOWLEDGE OF HIM SUFFERING FROM ARY PSYCHIATRIC

PROBLES. BY A PREVIOUS MARRIAGE VILSON HAS 3 CHILDREN,

2 SORSE AND 1 DAUGHIER, LOCATIONS NOI KIOWN BY CHILDRESS.

CHILDRESS ADVISED THAT IT IS HER PERSONAL OPINION THAT

WILSON IS SICK AND SHE IS NOT

IN THE POSTIION TO PROVIDE

ANY INFORMATION REGARDING HIS WHEREABOUTS IN 1968 OTHER THAW

THE FACT THAT HE DID MENTION THAI HE ONCE RESIDED IN HEMPHIS,

JEMESSEE.

LEAD: SAN ANIONIO AT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, WILL ATTEMPT

TO VERIFY VISITS TO VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HOSPITAL..

ME FARS DocTd:32989768 Page 141

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## Page 142

FD-36, (Rev. 3-24-77)

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• Priority

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CLASSIFICATION:

D TOP SECRET

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O CONFIDENTIAL

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Date

8/19/78

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-33861) IMMEDIATE

BIRMINGHAM IMMEDIATE

sent to all offices ra

HQ

DALLAS IMMEDIATE •

HOUSTON IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) IMMEDIATE

SAN ANTONIO (44-1242) IMMEDIATE

BT

UNCLAS EF TO

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH.

MURKIN; 00: MEMPHIS.

FOR INFORMATION OF HOUSTON, ON AUGUST 18, 1978, GENE BARKSDALE,

SHERIFF, SHELBY COUNTY, TENNESSEE, ADVISED THAT ON THE NIGHT OF

AUGUST 17, 1978, HE RECEIVED TWO TELEPHONE CALLS FROM BURGESS AUDIE

WILSON. WILSON, WHO WAS FORMERLY IN THE TENNESSEE AIR NATIONAL

GUARD UNIT AT MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, WITH BARKSDALE, INFORMED THE

SHERIFF THAT HE HAD KILLED DR. MARTIN LUTHERKING IN 1968 AT

SaliniON

- JACKSON

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PAGE 2 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E FT O

MEMPHIS; THAT HIS DAUGHTER DROVE A WHITE MUSTANG FROM KANSAS CITY,

MISSOURI, TO MEMPHIS THREE DAYS PRIOR TO KING'S DEATH, AND WISHED

TO SURRENDER TO BARKSDALE AT THE HOLIDAY INN, GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI.

ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE FOR WILSON AND COMPANION REVEREND NOEL

FANNON, PASTOR, ST. ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH, OCEAN SPRINGS,

MISSISSIPPI, TO APPEAR AT THE HOLIDAY INN, GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI,

AT 6:30 PM ON AUGUST 18, 1978, AT WHICH TIME THEY WERE TO BE CON-

TACTED BY SPECIAL AGENTS OF THE JACKSON OFFICE. WILSON WAS CON-

TACTED BY SPECIAL AGENTS OF THE JACKSON OFFICE; HOWEVER, HE DECLINED

TO DISCUSS INFORMATION REGARDING THE ASSASSINATION OF DR. MARTIN

LUTHER KING WITH THEM.

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., AKA BILL WILSON, WAS ARRESTED BY

OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, POLICE DEPARTMENT, 7:35 PM, AUGUST 18,

1978, BASED ON PROBATION VIOLATOR WARRANT DATED APRIL 18, 1978,

ISSUED BY NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, POLICE DEPARTMENT. WILSON PRE-

SENTLY INCARCERATED OCEAN SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT. OCEAN SPRINGS

POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS,

POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THE LATTER DESIRES HIS RETURN TO TEXAS.

WILSON CONTACTED AM, AUGUST 19, 1978, BY FBI AND FURNISHED

FOLLOWING BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

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PAGE 3 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F TO

HE WAS BORN ON AUGUST 28, 1931, AT FULTON, MISSISSIPPI, AND

RESIDED WITH HIS FAMILY AT GOLDEN, MISSISSIPPI, UNTIL 1936, WHEN

THEY MOVED TO ELDRIDGE, ALABAMA, WHERE HE WENT TO SCHOOL UNTIL THE

EIGHTH GRADE AND THEN WENT TO CARBON HILL, ALABAMA, HIGH SCHOOL,

UNTIL 1947.

ON MAY 2, 1947, HE ENTERED U. S. AIR FORCE AND WAS DISCHARGED

1950. AFTER BEING OUT OF THE AIR FORCE FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT

MONTHS, HE WAS RECALLED INTO THE KOREAN WAR UNTIL HE WAS GIVEN AN

HONORABLE DISCHARGE FEBRUARY, 1960.

HE AND HIS WIFE, BETTY LOU WILSON, MOVED TO MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE,

FOLLOWING HIS DISCHARGE AND WORKED FOR PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY

FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. AFTER LEAVING PRUDENTIAL, HE OPERATED

A LAUNDRY AND CLEANING BUSINESS IN MEMPHIS. DURING THIS TIME HE WAS

ALSO IN THE TENNESSEE AIR NATIONAL GUARD.

HE LEFT MEMPHIS, WENT TO GRANDVIEW, MISSOURI, WHERE HE BECAME

A CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE IN THE AIR FORCE RESERVE AND REMAINED WITH

THE RESERVE UNTIL 1970. ALSO, FROM 1966 UNTIL 1970, HE OPERATED A

JEWELRY STORE BUSINESS.

IN 1970, HE AND WIFE BETTY

WILSON MOVED TO MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE,

AND OPENED A JEWELRY BUSINESS IN BARTLETT, TENNESSEE. IN ADDITION

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PAGE 4 JN 62-544 UNCLAS EFT O

TO JEWELRY BUSINESS, HE BUILT ALUMINUM STORAGE BUILDINGS, BUT IN

JUNE, 1970, HIS BUSINESS WAS DESTROYED BY A TORNADO.

HE THEN WENT TO SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, AND BECAME EMPLOYED BY

AIR FORCE RESERVE AS A FLIGHT ENGINEER. HE ALSO OPERATED A JEWELRY

STORE IN SAN ANTONIO UNTIL 1974, AND AT THIS TIME HE AND HIS WIFE,

BETTY, WERE DIVORCED. HE THEN MOVED TO MOUNTAIN HOME, ARKANSAS,

OPENED A JEWELRY STORE, AND MARRIED AVIS LEA HUNTER. HE WAS MARRIED

FOR APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AND THEY WERE DIVORCED. SHE NOW

RESIDES AT 1010 HICKORY

HILI LANE, HERMITAGE, TENNESSEE. HE THEN

WENT TO COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, WHERE HE WORKED IN THE GUBERNATORIAL

CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR CLIFF FINCH. WHILE IN COLUMBUS, HE MARRIED

PATRICIA SHINDALA OF STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI. DURING THE GUBERNA-

TORIAL CAMPAIGN IT WAS SUGGESTED HE TELL PEOPLE HE WAS A RETIRED

COLONEL AND AN EX-PRISONER OF WAR. HE LEFT COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI,

JANUARY, 1976, WENT TO TYLER, TEXAS, AND STAYED WITH LARRY HUGHEY,

A FRIEND. HE WENT TO TEXAS FOR PURPOSE OF CLEARING UP SOME CHARGES

AGAINST HIM AT NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS. HE WENT TO DALLAS, TEXAS,

TO SEE A FRIEND, AND WHILE THERE CALLED HIS SON, AND SHORTLY THERE-

AFTER POLICE ARRIVED AND ARRESTED HIM ON CHARGE OF NON CHILD SUPPORT

ON A WARRANT ISSUED FOR HIM AT CLEVELAND, TEXAS. HE WAS RELEASED

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PAGE 5 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E FT O

TO AUTHORITIES FROM NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, WHERE HE PLED GUILTY TO A

CHARGE OF THEFT BY CHECK AND RECEIVED A SENTENCE OF EIGHT YEARS

PROBATION. HE THEN STAYED IN VICINITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS WHERE HE

WAS INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION WORK. HE HAD AN ALTERCATION WITH AN

EMPLOYEE AND WAS ARRESTED FOR VIOLATION OF HIS PROBATION BUT WAS

RELEASED A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER. HE CONTINUED WORKING AROUND NEW

BRAUNFELS AND WAS AGAIN ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF STOLEN MERCHAN-

DISE, BUT THE CHARGES WERE LATER DROPPED. HE CONTINUED IN CONSTRUC-

TION BUSINESS AND MARRIED JO ANN CHILDRESS AND WAS DIVORCED AFTER

THREE MONTHS. IN JANUARY, 1978, HE DEPARTED FOR HOUMA, LOUISIANA,

AND WORKED FOR LOUISIANA OFF-SHORE CATERERS UNTIL APRIL, 1978,

WHEN HE WENT TO WORK FOR GULF COAST CATERERS OF NEW IBERIA,

LOUISIANA, WHERE HE REMAINED UNTIL THE END OF JUNE, 1978. HE

CAME TO OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, AND OPENED A JEWELRY SHOP AND

RESIDED AT TWIN PINES APARTMENTS IN OCEAN SPRINGS FOR THE FIRST

THREE WEEKS THEN MOVED TO ROUTE 6, BOX 387.

WILSON IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., AKA BILL; DOB AUGUST 28, 1931;

POB FULTON, MISSISSIPPI; 5 FEET 11 INCHES; 170 POUNDS; BROWN EYES;

GRAY HAIR; SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

JEK Act 6(3)

• HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE;

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PAGE 6 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F TO

MILITARY SERVICE, U. S. AIR FORCE, 1947 - 1960; FATHER BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON, SR. (DECEASED), GRENADA, MISSISSIPPI; MOTHER MITTIE

DALE (DECEASED); STEPMOTHER LILLIE MAE WILSON (DECEASED), GRENADA,

MISSISSIPPI; BROTHER ALLISON TOWERS WILSON, REFORM, ALABAMA;

SISTER LYDA MC GAHEY, 2002 EAST EIGHTH AVENUE NORTH, COLUMBUS,

MISSISSIPPI; SISTER CHRISTINE GUNTHORPE, FULTON, MISSISSIPPI;

EX-WIFE BETTY LOU WILSON WADE, BURLESON, TEXAS; EX-WIFE AVIS LEA

HUNTER, 1010 HICKORY HILL LANE, HERMITAGE, TENNESSEE; EX-WIFE

PATRICIA SHINDALA, STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI (BELIEVED KILLED IN

CAR ACCIDENT); EX-WIFE JO ANN CHILDRESS, 113 MILL STREET, SAN

MARCOS, TEXAS; DAUGHTER DEBORAH ANN JONES, HUSBAND CHARLES,

BELVEDERE, ILLINOIS; SON STEVEN WAYNE WILSON, BURLESON, TEXAS;

SON MARK ANTHONY WILSON, BURLESON, TEXAS.

BIRMINGHAM REQUESTED TO INTERVIEW ALLISON TOWERS WILSON,

BROTHER, REFORM, ALABAMA.

DALLAS INTERVIEW BETTY

LOU WILSON WADE, EX-WIFE, BURLESON,

TEXAS, AND SONS STEVEN WAYNE WILSON AND MARK ANTHONY WILSON. IF

NOT ALREADY DONE, ASCERTAIN WHEREABOUTS OF DEBORAH ANN JONES,

DAUGHTER, FOR IMMEDIATE INTERVIEW, WHO IS REPORTEDLY RESIDING IN

EITHER BELVEDERE OR BELLVIEW, ILLINOIS.

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FD 3à (Rev. 3-24-77)

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PAGE 7 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E FT O

HOUSTON REVIEW POLICE RECORDS AT CLEVELAND, TEXAS, FOR FULL

DETAILS OF NON CHILD SUPPORT WARRANT ISSUED BY THAT DEPARTMENT

AGAINST WILSON.

MEMPHIS INTERVIEW AVIS LEA HUNTER, EX- WIFE.

SAN ANTONIO INTERVIEW JO ANN CHILDRESS, EX-WIFE, AND ALSO

REVIEW RECORDS AT THE AIR FORCE RESERVE CENTER.

ALL OFFICES INTERVIEW RELATIVES OF WILSON FOR FULL BACKGROUND

INFORMATION AND VERACITY OF HIS ALLEGATION THAT HE KILLED DR.

MARTIN LUTHER KING. DETERMINE HIS WHEREABOUTS DURING THE CRITICAL

PERIOD OF APRIL 4, 1968, AND IF WILSON MAY HAVE HAD A HISTORY OF

PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS. ALL LEADS SHOULD BE HANDLED IMMEDIATELY

AND KEEP FBIHQ, MEMPHIS, AND JACKSON APPRISED.

INTERVIEW OF BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., CONTINUING AT

OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, CONCERNING ASSASSINATION.

BT

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JN0001 2311925Z

00 HQ BH DL HO ME SA

DE JN

0 1919252 AUG 78

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-33861) IMMEDIATE

BIRMINGHAM IMMEDIATE

DALLAS IMMEDIATE

HOUSTON IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) IMMEDIATE

SAN ANTONIO (44-1242) IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS EFT O

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH.

MURKIN; 00: MEMPHIS.

FOR INFORMATION OF HOUSTON, ON AUGUSI 18, 1978, GENE BARKSDALE,

SHERIFF, SHELBY COUNTY, TENNESSEE, ADVISED THAI ON IHE NIGHI OF

AUGUSI 17, 1978, HE RECEIVED TWO TELEPHONE CALLS FROM BURGESS AUDIE

WILSON. WILSON, WHO WAS FORMERLY IN THE TENNESSEE AIR NATIONAL

GUARD UNIT AI MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, WITH BARKSDALE, INFORMED THE

SHERIFF THAT HE HAD KILLED DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING IN 1968 AT

62-544-40

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•....PAGE 2 JN 62-544 UNCLAS EF

MEMPHIS; THAI HIS DAUGHTER DROVE A WHITE MUSTANG FROM KANSAS CITY,

MISSOURI, TO MEMPHIS THREE DAYS PRIOR TO KING'S DEATH, AND WISHED

TO SURRENDER IO BARKSDALE AI THE HOLIDAY INN, GULFPORT, MISSISSIPRI.

ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE FOR WILSON AND COMPANION REVEREND NOEL

FANNON, PASTOR, SI. ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH, OCEAN SPRINGS,

MISSISSIPPI, TO APPEAR AT THE HOLIDAY INN, GULFPORI, MISSISSIPPI,

AT 6:30 PM ON AUGUSI 18, 1978, AI WHICH TIME THEY WERE IO BE CON-

TACTED BY SPECIAL AGENTS OF THE JACKSON ÓFFICE. WILSON WAS CON-

TACTED BY SPECIAL AGENIS OF THE JACKSON OFFICE; HOWEVER, HE DECLINED

TO DISCUSS INFORMATION REGARDING THE ASSASSINATION OF DRO MARTIN

LUTHER KING WITH THEM.

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JRO, AKA BILL WILSON, WAS ARRESTED BY

OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, POLICE.

: DEPARTMENI, 7:35 PM, AUGUST 18,

1978, BASED ON PROBATION VIOLATOR WARRANI DATED APRIL 18, 1978,

ISSUED BY NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, POLICE DEPARIMENI. WILSON PRE-

SENTLY INCARCERATED OCEAN SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT. OCEAN SPRINGS

POLICE DEPARIMENT HAS BEEN IN CONIACI WITH NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS,

POLICE DEPARIMENI; AND THE LATTER DESIRES HIS RETURN TO TEXAS.

WILSON CONTACTED AM, AUGUSI 19, 1978, BY FBI AND FURNISHED

FOLLOWING BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

NN 55166 DooId: 32989766 Page 150

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PAGE 3 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E FT O

HE WAS BORN ON AUG USI 28, 193L, AI FULTON, MISSISSIPPI, AND

RESIDED WITH HIS FAMILY AT GOLDEN, MISSISSIPPI, UNTIL 1936, WHEN

THEY MOVED TO ELDRIDGE, ALABAMA, WHERE HE WENT TO SCHOOL UNTIL THE

EIGHTH GRADE AND. THEN WENT TO CARBON HILL, ALABAMA, HIGH SCHOOL,

UNTIL 1947°

ON MAY 2, 1947, HE ENTERED U. S. AIR FORCE AND WAS DISCHARGED

1950. AFTER BEING OUT OF THE AIR

FORCE FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT

MONIHS, HE WAS RECALLED INTO THE KOREAN WAR UNTIL HE WAS GIVEN AN

HONORABLE DISCHARGE FEBRUARY, 1960.

HE AND HIS WIFE, BETTY LOU WILSON, MOVED TO MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE,

FOLLOWING HIS DISCHARGE AND WORKED FOR PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY

FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. AFTER LEAVING PRUDENTIAL, HE OPERATED

A LAUNDRY AND CLEANING BUSINESS IN MEMPHIS. DURING THIS IIME HE WAS

ALSO IN THE TENNESSEE AIR NATIONAL GUARD.

HE LEFT MEMPHIS, WENI TO GRANDVIEW, MISSOURI, WHERE HE BECAME

A CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE IN THE AIR FORCE RESERVE AND REMAINED WITH

THE RESERVE UNTIL 1970. 'ALSO, FR OM 1966 UNTIL 1970, HE OPERATED A

JEWELRY STORÉ BUSINESS.

• IN 197O, HE AND WIFE BETTY WILSON MOVED IO MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE,

• AND OPENED A JEWELRY BUSINESS IN BARTLETT, TENNESSEE. IN ADDITION

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PAGE 4 UN 62-544 UNCLAS E F I O

TO JEWELRY BUSINESS, HE BUILT ALUMINUM SIORAGE BUILDINGS, BUT IN

JUNE, 1970, HIS BUSINESS WAS DESTROYED BY A TORNADO.

HE THEN WENI TO SAN ANIONIO, TEXAS, AND BECAME EMPLOYED BY

AIR FORCE RESERVE AS A FLIGHI ENGINEER. HE ALSO OPERATED A JEWELRY

STORE IN SAN ANTONIO UNTIL 1974, AND AI THIS TIME. HE AND HIS WIFE,

BETTY, WERE DIVORCED: HE THEN MOVED IO MOUNTAIN HOME, ARKANSAS,

OPENED A JEWELRY STORE, AND MARRIED AVIS LEA HUNTER. HE WAS MARRIED

FOR APPROXILIATELY SIX MONTHS AND THEY WERE DIVORCED. SHE NOW

RESIDES AI 1010 HICKORY HILL LANE, HERMITAGE, TENNESSEE. HE THEN

WENT TO COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, WHERE HE WORKED IN THE GUBERVATORIAL

CAMPAIG IN FOR GOVERNOR CLIFF FINCH. WHILE IN COLUNBUS, HE MARRIED

PATRICIA SHINDALA OF STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI. DURING THE GUBERNA-

TORIAL CAMPAIGN IT WAS SUGGESTED HE TELL PEOPLE HE WAS A RETIRED

COLONEL AND ANNEX-PRISONER OF WAR. HE LEFI COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI,

JANUARY, 1976, WENT TO TYLER, TEXAS, AND STAYED WITH LARRY HUGHEY,

A FRIEND. HE WENT TO TEXAS FOR PURPOSE OF CLEARING UP SOME CHARGES

AGAINST HIM AT NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS. HE WENI TO DALLAS, TEXAS,

TO SEE A FRIEND, AND WHILE THERE CALLED HIS SON, AND SHORTLY THERE-

AFTER POLICE ARRIVED AND ARRESTED HIM ON CHARGE OF NON CHILD SUPPORT

•ON A WARRANT ISSUED FOR HIM AT CLEVELAND, TEXAS. HE WAS RELEASED

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## Page 153

PAGE 5 UN 62-544 UNCLAS E F I O,

TO AUTHORITIES FROM NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, WHERE HE PLED GUILTY TO A

CHARGE OF THEFT BY CHECK AND RECEIVED A SENTENCE OF EIGHT YEARS

PROBATION. HE THEN STAYED IN VICINITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS WHERE HE

WAS INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION WORK. HE HAD AN ALTERCATION WITH AN

EMPLOYEE AND WAS ARRESTED FOR VIOLATION OF HIS PROBATION BUT WAS

RELEASED A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER. HE CONTINUED WORKING AROUND NEW

BRAUNFELS AND WAS AGAIN ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF STOLEN MERCHAN-

'. DISE, BUI THE CHARGES WERE LATER DROPPED. HE CONTINUED I CONSTRUC

TION BUSINESS AND MARRIED JO ANN CHILDRESS AND WAS, DIVORCED AFTER

•THREE MONTHS. IN JANUARY, 1978, HE DEPARTED FOR HOUMA, LOUISIANA,

AND WORKED FOR LOUISIANA OFF-SHORE CATERERS UNTIL APRIL, 1978,

WHEN HE WENT TO WORK FOR GULF COAST CATERERS OF NEW IBERIA,

LOUISIANA, WHERE HE REMAINED UNTIL THE END OF JUNE, 1973. HE

CAME TO OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, AND OPENED A JEWELRY SHOP AND

RESIDED AT TWIN PINES APARTMENTS IN OCEAN SPRINGS FOR THE FIRST .

IHREE WEEKS THEN

MOVED TO ROUTE 6, BOX 357:

WILSON IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, UR., AKA BILL; DOB AUGUSI 28, 193L;

POB FULTON, MISSISSIPPI; 5 FEET 11 INCHES; 170 POUNDS; BROWN EYES;

GRAY HAIR; SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

JEK Act 6 (3)

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE;

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PAGE 6 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E FIO

MILITARY SERVICE, U.S. AIR FORCE, 1947 - 1960; FATHER BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON, SR. (DECEASED), GRENADA, MISSISSIPPI; MOTHER MITTIE

DALE: (DECEASED); STEPMOTHER LILLIE MAE WILSON (DECEASED), GRENADA,

MISSISSIPPI; BROTHER ALLISON TOWERS WILSON, REFORM, ALABAMA;

SISTER LYDA MC GAHEY, 2002 EAST EIGHTH AVENUE NORIH, COLUMBUS,

MISSISSIPPI; SISTER CHRISTINE GUNTHORPE, FULTON, MISSISSIPPI;

EX-WIFE BETTY LOU WILSON WADE, BURLESON, TEXAS; EX-WIFE AVIS LEA

HUNTER, 181D HICKORY HILL LANE, HERMITAGE, TENNESSEE;, EX-WIFE

PATRICIA SHINDALA, STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI (BELIEVED KILLED IN

CAR ACCIDENT); EX-WIFE JO ANN CHILDRESS, 113 MILL STREET, SAN

MARCOS, TEXAS; DAUGHTER DEBORAH ANN JONES, HUSBAND CHARLES,

BELVEDERE, ILLINOIS; SON STEVEN WAYNE WILSON, BUPLESON, TEXAS;

SON MARK ANTHONY WILSON, BURLESON, TEXAS.

BIRMINGHAT REQUESTED TO INTERVIEW ALLISON TOWERS WILSON,

BROTHER, REFORM, ALABAMA.

DALLAS INTERVIEW BETTY LOU WILSON WADE, EX-WIFE, BURLESON,

TEXAS, AND SONS STEVEN WAYNE WILSON AND MARK ANTHONY WILSON. IF

¡NOI ALREADY DONE, ASCERTAIN WHEREABOUTS'

OF DEBORAH ANN J ONES,

DAUGHTER, FOR IMMEDIATE INTERVIEW, WHO IS REPORTEDLY RESIDING IN

EITHER BELVEDERE OR BELLVIEW, ILLINOIS.

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PAGE 7 JW 62-544 UNCLAS E F. I O

HÓUSTON REVIEW POLICE RECORDS AT CLEVELAND, TEXAS, FOR FULL

DETAILS OF NON CHILD SUPPORI WARRANT ISSUED BY THAT DEPARTMENT•

AGAINST WILSON.

MEMPHIS INTERVIEW AVIS LEA HUNTER, EX- WIFE.

SAN ANIONIO INTERVIEW JO ANN CHILDRESS, EX-WIFE, AND ALSO

REVIEW RECORDS AT THE AIR FORCE RESERVE CENTER •

ALL OFFICES INTERVIEW RELATIVES OF WILSON FOR FULL BACKGROUND.

INFORMATION AND VERACITY OF HIS ALLEGATION THAT HE KILLED DR.

MARTIN LUTHER KING. DETERMINE HIS WHEREABOUIS DURING THE CRITICAL

PERIOD OF APRIL 4, 1968, AND IF WILSON MAY HAVE HAD A HISTORY OF

PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS. ALL LEADS SHOULD BE HANDLED IMMEDIATELY

AND KEEP. FBIHQ, MEMPHIS, AND JACKSON APPRISED.

INTERVIEW. OF BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., CONTINUING AT

OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, CONCERNING ASSASSINATION.

Wooed 10d0

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8/19/78

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-33861) IMMEDIATE

BIRMINGHAM IMMEDIATE

DALLAS IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) IMMEDIATE

SAN ANTONIO (44-1242) IMMEDIATE

BT

UNCLAS E F TO

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT

MURKIN; 00: MEMPHIS.

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., INMATE, OCEAN SPRINGS CITY JAIL,

OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, WAS INTERVIEWED BY FBI AGENTS, AUGUST

19, 1978, REGARDING HIS ALLEGED KNOWLEDGE AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE

ASSASSINATION OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING AFTER HAVING WAIVED HIS

RIGHTS, AND HE FURNISHED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

WILSON ADVISED THAT THE TIME PRIOR TO THE MURDER OF MARTIN

LUTHER KING, HE WAS LIVING IN GRANDVIEW, MISSOURI, IN A HOUSE ON

I - JACKSON

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BYERS ROAD WITH HIS WIFE, BETTY LOU, AND HIS THREE CHILDREN,

DEBORAH, STEVE, AND MARK. HE WAS IN THE AIR FORCE RESERVE AND ALSO

OPERATED A JEWELRY STORE.

IN THE COURSE OF HIS JEWELRY BUSINESS, HE MET A WHITE MALE

ITALIAN WHO WAS IN HIS LATE SIXTIES AND WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET 9

INCHES TALI, WEIGHED APPROXIMATELY 230 POUNDS, AND WHO OPERATED A

JEWELRY TRADE SHOP ON WALNUT STREET. HE STATED THAT THIS WHITE

MALE INTRODUCED HIM TO ANOTHER WHITE MALE ITALIAN BY THE NAME OF

MITCH (INU), WHO WAS IN HIS MID FIFTIES AND WAS APPROXIMATELY

5 FEET 10 INCHES TALL, AND WEIGHED APPROXIMATELY 190 POUNDS, WHO

HAD BLACK, WAVY HAIR AND HAD SOME CONNECTION WITH A BONDING

COMPANY, AND ALSO MITCH'S BROTHER, NAME NOT RECALLED, WHO FIT THE

SAME PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AS MITCH, BUT WHO HAD NUMEROUS CUT SCARS

ON HIS FACE.

HE STATED THAT MITCH STARTED DELIVERING JEWELRY TO HIM FOR

THE PURPOSE OF HAVING THE STONES REMOVED FROM THE FITTINGS. HE

STATED MITCH USUALLY MET HIM AT A BAR ON WALNUT STREET WHICH WAS

RUN BY A WHITE FEMALE AND IT ALSO APPEARED THAT MITCH MIGHT HAVE

BEEN A PART OWNER OR HAD AN INTEREST IN THIS BAR. HE STATED THAT

DUE TO THE VOLUME OF JEWELRY THAT MIICH WAS BRINGING TO HIM, HE

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ASKED MITCH ABOUT IT, AND MITCH ADVISED HIM THAT IT WAS STOLEN

JEWELRY. MITCH TOLD HIM, HOWEVER, THAT HE, WILSON, WAS IN AS DEEP

AS HE, MITCH, WAS AND THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH

MITCH. HE STATED THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH MITCH CONTINUED UNTIL

1970.

HE STATED THAT MITCH BROUGHT UP THE IDEA OF KILLING KING AND

SAID THAT THERE WAS A $50,000 CONTRACT ON HIM. HOWEVER, HE NEVER

SAID WHO PUT OUT THE CONTRACT BUT SAID THAT HE COULD GET THE MONEY

FOR WILSON IF HE KILLED KING.

WILSON STATED THAT MITCH WAS WELL AWARE OF HIS, WILSON'S,

THOUGHTS CONCERNING KING AND THE BLACK CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, IN

THAT HIS FATHER, WHO WAS A PASTOR OF THE CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH AT

GRENADA, MISSISSIPPI, DIED OF A HEART ATTACK WHICH HE, WILSON,

THOUGHT WAS CAUSED AS A RESULT OF RACIAL TENSIONS AT GRENADA

BROUGHT ON BY THE FORCEFUL INTEGRATION OF HIS FATHER'S CHURCH.

WILSON STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY FIVE OR SIX MONTHS BEFORE

KING'S MURDER, HE STARTED GATHERING INFORMATION ON THE MOVEMENTS,

HABITS, AND WHEREABOUTS OF KING.

WILSON ADVISED THAI HE HAD A RED AND WHITE BONANZA AIRPLANE,

REGISTER NUMBER 34L, AND A CESSNA 310 TWIN-ENGINE AIRCRAFT, WHICH

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PAGE 4 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F TO

WAS BLUE AND WHITE, WHICH PLANES HE USED TO FLY TO DIFFERENT PLACES

WHERE KING WAS SUPPOSED TO BE. HE STATED THAT HE RECALLS GOING TO

HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA; TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI; JACKSON, TENNESSEE;

ATLANTA, GEORGIA; AND GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA. HE STATED THAT

WHILE AT TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI, HE STAYED IN THE RAMADA INN AND

BELIEVES THAT IN THE OTHER PLACES HE VISITED HE STAYED IN HOLIDAY

INNS.

HE STATED THAT MITCH FURNISHED HIM A JAPANESE SNIPER RIFLE.

HE STATED THAT HE KEPT THE RIFLE AND THAT JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS OF

1975, HE HAD IT REWORKED AT A GUNSHOP IN COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, ON

FOURTH STREET ACROSS FROM A BANK. HE STATED THAT THE LAST KNOW-

LEDGE HE HAD OF THE RIFLE, HIS OLDER SON, STEVEN WAYNE WILSON, HAD

THE RIFLE AND A SHOTGUN BUT HAD TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD SOLD IT.

MR. WILSON ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A GARBAGE STRIKE IN PROGRESS

AT MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, AND THAT MITCH CALLED HIM AT HIS STORE IN

GRANDVIEW, MISSOURI, AND TOLD HIM THAT KING WAS COMING TO MEMPHIS

FOR A RALLY AND INSTRUCTED WILSON TO COME TO MEMPHIS WHERE HE WAS

TO MEET TWO MEN AT THE WONDER BAR LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF SUMMER

AVENUE AND WHITE STATION ROAD.

MR. WILSON ADVISED THAT HE FLEW TO MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, IN THE

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BONANZA AIRCRAFT AND LANDED AT AN AIRPORT JUST NORTH OF RALEIGH,

TENNESSEE. HE STATED THAT THE AIRPORT WAS OPERATED BY A LONG-TIME

ACQUAINTANCE OF HIS WHO HAD ATTENDED A CHURCH WHICH WAS PASTORED

BY WILSON'S FATHER IN THE PAST. WILSON STATED THAT HIS DAUGHTER,

DEBORAH, PICKED HIM UP AT THE AIRPORT IN HER 1965 WHITE MUSTANG,

WHICH WILSON HAD PREVIOUSLY BOUGHT FOR HER AND WHICH WAS REGISTERED

IN HIS NAME IN MISSOURI.

HE ADVISED THAT DEBORAH AND HER MOTHER, BETTY LOU, WERE

STAYING AT THE RESIDENCE OF WILSON'S FATHER-IN-LAW, VERNON HOOTEN,

3095 RUSKIN ROAD, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. HE STATED THAT HOOTEN HAD

HAD A HEART ATTACK AND THAT HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE TEMPORARILY

STAYING AT THE HOOTEN RESIDENCE.

WILSON ADVISED THAT HE WENT TO THE WONDER BAR AND WHILE HAVING

A DRINK TWO WHITE MEN APPROACHED HIM, ONE HAVING AN ACCENT SIMILAR

TO A PUERTO RICAN.

THE TWO WHITE MALES FURNISHED HIM WITH FBI CREDENTIALS, WHICH

HE STATED HAD A BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPH OF HIMSELE ON IT,

AND THEY TOOK HIM AND SHOWED HIM WHERE KING WAS TO HOLD THE RALLY.

THEY THEN TOOK WILSON TO A HOTEL ON SOUTH MAIN STREET NEAR BEALE

STREET AND TOOK HIM TO A ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR. THEY TOLD HIM

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PAGE 6 JN 62-544 UNCLAS EF TO

HE WAS TO BE IN THE CROWD AT THE RALLY AND THAT A DECOY SHOT WAS TO

BE FIRED AND THAT HE WAS THEN TO SHOOT. THEY SAID THAT KING HAD A

HABIT OF RAISING HIS ARMS OVER HIS HEAD WHEN HE WAS MAKING A SPEECH

AND THAT THE SECOND TIME THAT HE DID SO, THE SHOTS WERE TO BE FIRED.

WILSON STATED THAT ON THE DAY OF THE MURDER HE WAS IN THE

CROWD STANDING NEAR A WOOD FENCE APPROXIMATELY 60 FEET FROM WHERE

KING WAS STANDING AND THAT WHEN KING RAISED HIS ARMS THE SECOND

TIME HE SHOT HIM.

MR. WILSON ADVISED THAT HE HAD THE RIFLE WHICH HE USED STRAPPED

TO HIS BELT UNDER A SUIT COAT AND ATTACHED TO HIS BELT ON A SWIVEL.

HE STATED THAT THE BARREL PROTRUDED FROM BELOW HIS COAT BUT NO ONE

QUESTIONED HIM CONCERNING IT. HE SAID THAT HE HAD PRACTICED A

GREAT DEAL SWIVELING THE RIFLE AND FIRING IT.

HE ADVISED THAT AFTER THE SHOOTING, HE WAS STOPPED BY THE

MEMPHIS POLICE, BUT HE SHOWED THEM THE CREDENTIALS, AND THEY LET

HIM GO, AND HE WALKED ON DOWN THE STREET APPROXIMATELY TWO BLOCKS

TO WHERE HE HAD LEFT THE MUSTANG PARKED. HE ADVISED THAT HE GOT IN

THE MUSTANG AND DROVE BACK TO THE HOOTEN RESIDENCE, AND HIS

DAUGHTER, DEBORAH, THEN TOOK HIM TO THE AIRPORT, AND HE GOT HIS

PLANE AND FLEW BACK TO KANSAS CITY. HE STATED THAT THE AIRPORT

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PAGE 7 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E FT O

THAT HE USED WAS ON THE KANSAS SIDE ON THE HIGHWAY TO OLATHE,

KANSAS. HE STATED THE AIRPORT WAS RUN BY (FNU) FISHER. HE ALSO

STATED THAT HE HAD PURCHASED THE BONANZA AIRCRAFT FROM FISHER.

WILSON ADVISED THAT APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK BEFORE THE MURDER,

MITCH GAVE HIM $25,000 IN $20 BILLS, AND FOLLOWING THE MURDER,

MITCH GAVE HIM ANOTHER $25,000, AT WHICH TIME HE GAVE THE

CREDENTIALS BACK TO MITCH.

WILSON ADVISED THAT HE HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF JAMES EARL RAY

HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CONSPIRACY.

THE ABOVE INFORMATION REFLECTS COMPLETE DETAILS OF INTERVIEW

WITH WILSON.

WILSON HAS SIGNED EXTRADITION PAPERS, AND EXTRADITION IN

PROGRESS BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

APPROPRIATE RECIPIENTS REQUESTED TO REINTERVIEW RELATIVES OF

WILSON IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE INCONSISTENCIES CONCERNING HIS

APPEARANCE IN MEMPHIS ON APRIL 4, 1968.

CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ALLOWING TWO AGENTS FROM

MEMPHIS DIVISION WHO ARE THOROUGHLY FAMILIAR WITH THE MURKIN

MATTER TO REINTERVIEW WILSON CONCERNING HIS ALLEGED INVOLVEMENT IN

THE ASSASSINATION OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING AND ALSO INTERVIEW

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PAGE 8 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F I O

BY POLYGRAPH OPERATOR FROM MEMPHIS DIVISION.

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## Page 164

JN0092 231 22427

00 HQ BH DL ME SA

DE JN

I 19 22.422 AUG 75

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-33861) IMMEDIATE

BIRMINGHAM IMMEDIATE

DALLAS IMMEDIATE

ALL OFFICES VIA FSIHQ

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUE M) IMMEDIATE

SAI ANTONIO (44-1242) IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS E F TO

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT

MURKING 00: MEMPHIS.

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., INMATE, OCEAN SPRINGS CITY JAILS.

OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, WAS INTERVIEWED BY FBI AGENTS, AUGUST

19, 1978, REGARDING HIS ALLEGED KNOWLEDGE AND I NOLVEMENT IN THE

ASSASSINATION OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING AFTER HAVING WAIVED HIS

RIGHTS, AND HE FURNISHED THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

WILSON ADVISED THAT THE TIME PRIOR TO IHE MURDER OF MARTIN

LUTHER KING, HE WAS LIVING IN GRANDVIEW, MISSOURI, IN A HOUSE ON

62-544-41

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PAGE 2 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F I O

BYERS ROAD WITH HIS WIFE, BEITY LOU, AND HIS THREE CHILDREN,

DEBORAH, STEVE, AND MARK. HE WAS IN THE AIR FORCE RESERVE AND ALSO

OPERATED A JEWELRY STORE.

IN THE COURSE OF HIS JEWELRY BUSINESS, HE MET A WHITE MALE

ITALIAN WHO WAS IN HIS LATE SIXTIES AND WAS APPROXIMATELY 5 FEET S

INCHES JALL, WEIGHED APPROXIMATELY Z30 POUNDS, AND WHO OPERATED A

JEWELRY TRADE SHOP ON WALNUT STREET. HE STATED. THAT THIS WHITE

MALE INTRODUCED HIM TO ANOTHER WHITE MALE ITALIAN BY THE WAVE OF

MIICH (LNU), WHO WAS IN HIS MID FIFIIES AND WAS APPROXIMATELY

5 FEET 10 INCHES TALL, AND WEIGHED APPROXIMATELY 190 POUNDS, WHO

HAD BLACK, WAVY HAIR AND HAD SOME CONNECTION WITH A BONDING

COMPANY, AND ALSO MIICH'S BROTHER, NAME NOI RECALLED, WHO FIT THE

SAME PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION AS MITCH, BUT WHO HAD NUMEROUS CUT SCARS

ON HIS FACE.

HE STATED THAI MIICH STARTED DELIVERING JEWELRY IO HIM FOR

THE PURPOSE OF HAVING THE STONES REMOVED FROM THE FITTINGS. HE

STATED MITCH USUALLY MET HIM AT A BAR ON WALNUT STREET WHICH WAS

RUN BY A WHITE FEMALE AND IT ALSO APPEARED THAT MITCH MIGHT HAVE

BEEN A PART OUNER OR HAD AN INTEREST IN THIS BAR. HE STATED THAT

DUE TO THE VOLUME OF JEWELRY THAI MIICH WAS BRINGING TO HIM, HE

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PAGE 3 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F I O

ASKED MIICH ABOUI IT, AND MIICH ADVISED HIM THAT IT WAS STOLEN

JEVELRY. MIICH TOLD. HIM; HOWEVER, THAI HE, WILSON, WAS IN AS DEEP

AS HE, MIICH, WAS AND THAT ME WOULD HAVE TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH

MITCH• HE STATED THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH MITCH CONTINUED UNIIL

1970 .

HE STATED THAI MITCH BROUGHT UP THE IDEA OF KILLING KING AND

SAID THAI THERE WAS A $5D, DOO CONTRACI ON HIM. HOWEVER, HE NEVER.

SAID WHO PUT OUT THE CONTRACT BUT SAID THAT HE COULD GET THE MONEY

FOR WILSON IF HE KILLED KING•

WILSON STATED THAT MITCH WAS WELL AWARE OF HIS, WILSON'S,

THOUGHTS CONCERNING KING_AND THE BLACK CIVIL RIGHIS MOVEMENT, IN

THAI HIS FATHER, WHO WAS A PASTOR OF THE CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH AT

GRENADA, MISSISSIPPI, DIED OF A HEARI ATTACK WHICH HE, WILSON,

THOUGHT WAS CAUSED AS A RESULT OF RACIAL TENSIONS AT GRENADA

BROUGHT ON BY THE: FORCEFUL INTEGRAIION OF HIS FATHER'S CHURCH.

WILSON STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY FIVE OR SIX MONIHS BEFORE

KING'S MURDER, HE STARTED GATHERING INFORMATION ON THE MOVEMENTS,

HABITS, AND WHEREABOUIS OF KING.

WILSON ADVISED THAT HE HAD A RED AND WHITE BONANZA AIRPLANE,

REGISTER NUMBER 34L, AND A CESSNA 310- IWIN-ENGINE AIRCRAFT, WHICH

NW 55186 DocId:32989768 Page 166

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## Page 167

PAGE 4 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E FT O

WAS BLUE AND WHITE, WHICH PLANES HE USED TO FLY IO DIFFERENT PLACES

WHERE KING WAS SUPPOSED TO BE. HE STATED THAI HE RECALLS GOING TO

HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA; TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI; JACKSON, TENNESSEE;

ATLANIA, GEORGIA; AND GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA. HE STATED THAT.

WHILE AT TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI, HE STAYED IN THE RAMADA INN AND

BELIEVES THAI IN THE OTHER PLACES HE VISITED HE STAYED IN HOLIDAY

INNS.

HE STATED THAT MITCH FURNISHED HIM A JAPANESE SNIPER RIFLE..

HE STATED THAT HE KEPT THE RIFLE. AND THAI JUSI BEFORE CHRISIMAS OF

1975, HE HAD IT REWORKED AT A GUNSHOP IN COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, ON

FOURTH STREET ACROSS FROM A BANK. HE STATED THAT THE LAST KNOW-

LEDGE ME HAD OF THE RIFLE, HIS OLDER SON, STEVEN WAYNE WILSON, HAD

THE RIFLE AND A SHOTGUN BUT HAD TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD SOLD IT.

MR. WILSON ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A GARBAGE STRIKE IN PROGRESS

AT MEMPHIS; TENNESSEE, AND THAI MIICH CALLED HIM AT HIS STORE IN

GRANDVIEW, MISSOURI, AND IOLD HIM THAT KING WAS COMING TO MEMPHIS

FOR A RALLY AND INSTRUCTED WILSON TO COME TO MEMPHIS WHERE HE WAS

TO MEET IWO LiEN AT THE WONDER BAR LOCATED AI IHE CORNER OF SUMMER

AVENUE AND WHITE STATION ROAD.

MR. WILSON ADVISED. THAI HE FLEW TO MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, IN THE

NN 55186 DooId: 32989768

Page 167

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## Page 168

PAGE 5 JN 62-544 UNCLAS EFT O

BONANZA AIRCRAFT AND LANDED AT AN AIRPORI JUSI NORIH OF RALEIGH,

TENNESSEE. HE STATED THAT THE AIRPORT WAS OPERATED BY A LONG-TIME

ACQUAINIANCE OF HIS WHO HAD ATTENDED A CHURCH WHICH WAS PASTORED

BY WILSON'S FATHER IN THE PAST. WILSON SIATED THAI HIS DAUGHTER,

DEBORAH, PICKED HIM UP AT THE AIRPORI IN HER 1965 WHITE MUSTANG,

WHICH WILSON HAD PREVIOUSLY BOUGHT FOR HER AND WHICH WAS REGISTERED

IN HIS NAME IN MISSOURI.

HE ADVISED THAI DEBORAH AND HER MOTHER, BEITY LOU, WERE

STAYING AI. THE RESIDENCE OF WILSON'S FATHER-IN-LAW, VERNON HOOTEN,

3095 RUSKIN ROAD, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. HE STATED THAI HOOTEN HAD.

• HAD A HEARI ATTACK AND THAT HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE TEMPORARILY

STAYING

AT THE HOOTEN RESIDENCE•

WILSON ADVISED THAT HE WENT TO THE WONDER BAR AND WHILE HAVING

A DRINK TWO WHITE MEN APPROACHED HIM, ONE HAVING. AN ACCENI SIMILAR

TO A PUERTO RICAN.

THE TWO WHITE MALES FURNISHED HIM WITH FBI CREDENTIALS, WHICH

HE STATED HAD A BLACK AND WHITE PHOIOGRAPH OF HIMSELF ON IT,

AND THEY TOOK HIM: AND SHOWED HIM WHERE KING WAS TO HOLD THE RALLY.

THEY THEN TOOK WILSON TO A HOTEL ON SOUTH MAIN STREET NEAR BEALE

SIREET AND TOOK HIM TO A ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR. THEY TOLD HIM

NIX 55186

DocId: 32909763 Page 160

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## Page 169

PAGE 6 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F I O

HE WAS TO BE IN THE CROWD AI THE RALLY AND THAT A DEC OY SHOT WAS IO

BE. FIRED AND THAI HE WAS IHEN IO SHOOT. THEY SAID THAI KING HAD

HABIT OF RAISING HIS ARMS

, OVER HIS HEAD WHEN HE WAS MAKING A SPEECH

AND THAI THE SECOND TIME THAI HE DID SO, THE SHOIS WERE TO BE FIRED.

WILSON STATED THAT ON THE DAY OF THE MURDER HE WAS IN THE

CROWD STANDING NEAR A WOOD FENCE APPROXIMATELY 6O FEET FROM WHERE

KING WAS STANDING AND THAT WHEN KING RAISED HIS ARMS THE SECON

TIME. HE SHOT HIM.

MR. WILSON ADVISED THAT HE HAD THE RIFLE WHICH ME USED STRAPPED

TO HIS BELT UNDER A SUIT COAT

AND ATTACHED IO HIS BELI ON A SWIVEL.

HE STATED THAT THE BARREL PROTRUDED FROM BELOW HIS COAT BUT NO ONE

QUESTIONED HIN CONCERNING IT. HE SAID THAI HE HAD PRACIICED A

GREAT DEAL SWIVELING THE RIFLE AND FIRING II.

HE ADVISED THAI AFTER THE SHOOTING, HE WAS STOPPED BY THE

MEMPHIS POLICE, BUT HE SHOWED THEM

THE CREDENTIALS, AND THEY LET

HIM GO, AND ME WALKED ON DOWN THE SIREEI APPROXINATELY IWO BLOCKS

TO WHERE HE HAD LEFT INE MUSTAIG PARKED. HE ADVISED THAT HE GOT IN

THE MUSTANG AND DROVE BACK TO THE HOOTEN RESIDENCE, AND HIS

DAUGHTER, DEBORAH, THEN TOOK HIM TO THE AIRPORI, AND HE GOT HIS

PLANE AND FLEW, BACK IO KANSAS CITY. HE STATED THAI THE AIRPORI

NW 55186 DocId: 32909768 Page 169

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## Page 170

PAGE 7 JN 62-544 UNCLAS EF I O

THAI HE USED WAS ON THE KANSAS SIDE ON THE HIGHWAY TO OLATHE,

KANSAS. HE SIATED THE AIRPORT WAS RUNBY (FNU) FISHER. HE ALSO

STATED THAT HE HAD PURCHASED THE BONANZA AIRCRAFT FROM FISHER.

WILSON ADVISED THAT APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK BEFORE THE MURDER,

MITCH GAVE HIM $25, D0D IN 520 BILLS, AND FOLLOWING THE MURDER,

MIICH GAVE HIM ANOTHER $25, ODD, AT WHICH TIME HE GAVE THE

CREDENTIALS BACK TO MIICH.:

WILSON ADVISED THAT HE HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF JAMES EARL RAY

HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CONSPIRACY.

THE ABOVE INFORMATION REFLECIS COMPLETE DETAILS OF INTERVIEW

WITH WILSON.

WILSON HAS SIGNED EXTRADITION PAPERS, AND EXTRADITION IN

PROGRESS BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

APPROPRIATE RECIPIENTS REQUESTED IO REINTERVIEW RELATIVES OF

WILSON IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE INCONSISTENCIES CONCERNING HIS :

APPEARANCE IN MEMPHIS ON APRIL 4, 1968.

CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ALLOWING TWO AGENTS FROM

MEMPHIS DIVISION WHO ARE THOROUGHLY FAMILIAR WITH THE MURKIN

¡¡ATTER TO REINTERVIEW WILSON CONCERNING HIS ALLEGED I IVOLVENENT IN

THE ASSASSINATION OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING AND ALSO INTERVIEV

IREW

151.800

---

## Page 171

PAGE & JW 62-544 UNC

EF TO

BY POLYGRAPH OPERATOR FROM MEMPHIS DIVISION.

BI

FOR ANY CORRECTIONS PLEASE CONTACI JACKSON

2312306 HQ 1

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 171

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## Page 172

MLXXIBPU3.H0001 2312314Z

00 HQ JW ME

DE HO

0

192245 AUG 78

FI HOUSTON (44-1509)

TO DIRECTOR (44-33861) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON (62-544) INMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS EFT O

AITENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH..

MURKIN. 00: MEMPHIS.

REFERENCE JN TEL TO DIRECIORN 8/19/78°

ON 8/19/78, LARRY ALLEN, PATROLMAN, CLEVELAND, TEXAS. POLICE

DEPARTMENI (OPD>, REVIEWED CPD FILES AND COULD LOCATE NO RECORD

IDENIIFIABLE WITH BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., DOB 8/28/31. ALLEi

ADVISED NON-CHILD SUPPORI WARRANT, IF FILED IN CLEVELAND, TEXAS,

PROBABLY FILED THROUGH CLEVELAND CITY COURI AND WARRANT ISSUED BY

CITY JUDGE GLEN JONES. RECORDS CITY COURT NOI AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW

UNIIL 9 AM, 8/21/78 AND JUDGE GLEN JONES CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE.

LEAD: HOUSTON AI CLEVELAND, TEXAS:

ASAP, MONDAY,

AM, WILL REVIDU CLEVELAND

PER LEAD SET OUT IN REFERENCED TELETYPE.

CITY COURT RECORDS

62-544-42

IRIt

AUE:

: 1978

waits sw

HAL0.S206

---

## Page 173

MLXXIBPU3 H0081 2312314Z

CO HQ JW ME

DE HO

0 192245 AUG 78

FT HOUSTON (44-1589)

TO DIRECIOR (44-33361) INMEDIATE

JACKSOU (62-544) INNEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) INMEDIATE

BT

UNCLAS EFTO

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL IRQUIRIES UNT, ROOM 8988, JEH.

MURKINA 00% HEMPHIS*

REFERENCE UN TEL TO DIRECTORN 8/19/78.

ON: 8/19/78, LARRY ALLEN, PATROLMAN, CLEVELAND, TEXAS POLICE

DEPARTHEIT (CPD), REVIEVED CD FILES AND COULD LOCATE IO RECORD

IDENTIFIABLE VITH BURGESS AUDIE VILSON, JRO, DOB 8/28/31. ALLEN

ADVISED KON CHILD SUPPORI WARRANT, IF FILED IN CLEVELAND, TEXAS,

• PROBABLY FILED THROUGH CLEVELAND CITY COURT AND WARRANT ISSUED BY

CITY JUDGE GLE! JONES. REGORDS CITY COURI NOI AVAILABLE FOR REVIEN

UNTIL 9 AI, 8/21/78 AND JUDGE GLEN JONES CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE.

LEAD: HOUSTON AT CLEVELAND, TERAS:

ASAP, MONDAY, AlL, WILL REVIEV CLEVELAND CITY COURT RECORDS

PER LEAD SET OUT IN REFERENCED TELETYPE.

62-544-42

BT

---

## Page 174

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Memorandum

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

TO

: SAG, JACKSON (62-544)

DATE:

8/19/78

FROM

: SA K. P. WHITE-SPUNNER, JR.

SUBJECT: MURKIN

Of BURGESS AU FE Worson, are among items found in the wallet

Current Texas Driver's License #7911315

Jan Gitimo

under name of BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.,

113 Mill Street, San Marcos, Texas, DOB

8/28/31, license expires 1980.

Handwritten note on back of card giving

Energhs

address of 1005 Hickory Hill Lane, C-103,

Hermitage, Tennessee, 37076, no name on

card.

Business card for MAX D. MURRAY,

San Centimo

Advertising Representative, Austin,

Texas, American-Statesman.

Business card for DAN WERNER, Craftsman

gackoor

workshop, Edgewater Mall, Biloxi, MS,

telephone 388-9601.

Jackson

Note with name KARL FASOID, 863-4761

(apparently Gulfport, MS, telephone no.)

Business card for Louisiana Off-Shore

nice,

Caterers, name JIM FONTENOT, Personnel

Director,

Houma, Louisiana, telephone

876-3642.

11,0.

Pay voucher from Gulf Coast Catering Co.,

New Iberia,

Louisiana, for pay period ending

6/16/78.

Card with name TAD MURRAY, Monroe,

Louisiana, 323-7382 or 728-4060.

- Jackson

KWS/mae

(2) now

62-544-43

SEARCHEU-

SEED HE DE OU

AUG 1 9 1978

FEI-JACKSOL

7,20

FBI/DOJ

-

Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page

174

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## Page 175

JN 62-544

Jallas Card with name BOB CAZOET, 214-521-4195.

Sam Cortomo

Bill of sale, mainly illegible, but made

ut to VERA M. NEVILL, Route 4,

Box 620-G,

Canyon Lake, Texas.

San Cotonio

Veterans Administration patient data card,

#422341275, under name of BURGESS A. WILSON,

Canyon Lake, Texas.

Som Cartonio

1977 VFW membership card, #990998, for Post

Number 8573, Canyon Lake, Texas.

Jacksor

Names STAN BULLARD and Jones Builders,

Long Beach, Mississippi.

Business card for Bill Wilson Builders,

Som Contonio

C47 Ba meet on Take, D, 1s, and

Jacksor

USAF retired.

m,d.

0.E.

Technical Sergeant.)

Private pilot's certificate #1106770, under

name of BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., 13125

multi engine land airplanes, issued by FAA,

Oklahoma City•

WILSON claims to be personally acquainted with

Shelby County, Tennessee, Sheriff GENE BARKSDALE, calling

BARKSDALE an old flying buddy who flew with WILSON in the

Tennessee Air National Guard. At that time, BARKSDALE

headed the Memphis, Tennessee, Police Department Vice Squad.

WILSON has advised that he arrived on the Mississippi

Gulf Coast around 7/1/78. He came to the Gulf Coast from

Houma, Louisiana, where he worked for the Louisiana Off-Shore

Company (not further identified).

2

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 175

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## Page 176

UNITED STATES GO

RNMENT

Memorandum

TO

: SAC, JACKSON (62-544)

FROM

: SA K. P. WHITE-SPUNNER, JR.

SUBJECT: MURKIN

UNITED STATES DEPA

MENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

DATE:

8/19/78

PTMI

Sent

4l830

telecopian

The following are among items found in the wallet -

of BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.:

Current Texas Driver's License #7911315

under name of BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.,

113 Mill Street, San Marcos, Texas, DOB

8/28/31, license expires 1980.

Handwritten note on back of card giving

address of 1005 Hickory Hill Lane, C-103,

Hermitage, Tennessee, 37076, no name on

card.

Business card for MAX D. MURRAY,

Advertising Representative, Austin,

Texas, American-Statesman.

Business card for DAN WERNER, Craftsman

Workshop, Edgewater Mall, Biloxi, MS,

telephone 388-9601.

Note with name KARL FASOID, 863-4761

(apparently Gulfport, MS, telephone no.)

Business card for Louisiana Off-Shore

Caterers, name JIM FONTENOI, Personnel

Director,

Houma, Louisiana, telephone

876-3642.

Pay voucher from Gulf Coast Catering Co.,

New Iberia, Louisiana, for pay period endine

6/16/78.

Card with name IAD MURRAY, -40600 ' 62-544-43

Louisiana, 323-1382 or 128-4060.

- Jackson

NUG 1 © 1973

KWS/mae

(2) now

1-186

¡CB!

FBI/DOJ

NW 05186

Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan

DocId: 32989768 Page 176

---

## Page 177

JN 62-544

Card with name BOB CAZOET, 214-521-4195.

Bill of sale, mainly illegible, but made

out to VERA M. NEVILL, Route 4, Box 620-G,

Canyon Lake, Texas.

Veterans Administration patient data card,

#422341275; under name of BURGESS A. WILSON,

Canyon Lake, Texas.

1977 VEW membership card, #990998, for Post

Number 8573, Canyon Lake, Texas.

Names STAN BULLARD and Jones Builders,

Long Beach, Mississippi.

Business card for Bill Wilson Builders,

Custom Homes

Canyon Lake, 'Texas, and

817 East Euclid, San Antonio, Texas.

• Bank, StarkviLle,

name of Colonel BURGESS A. WILSON,

USAF retired.

(WILSON advised he was discharged from USAF

in 1960 after 12 years service with rank of

Technical Sergeant.)

Private pilot's certificate #1106770, under

-

multi engine land airplanes, issued by FAA,

Oklahoma City.

WILSON claims to be personally acquainted with

Shelby County, Tennessee, Sheriff GENE BARKSDALE, Calling

BARKSDALE an old flying buddy who flew with WILSON in the

Tennessee Air National Guard. At that time, BARKSDALE

headed the Memphis, Tennessee, Police Department Vice Squad.

WILSON has advised that he arrived on the Mississippi

Gult Coast around 1/1/18.

He came to the Gulf Coast from

Houma, Louisiana, where he worked for the Louisiana Off-Shore

Company (not turther identitled).

2

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 177

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## Page 178

62-544-44

SLARCKED.

_INDEXED

SERIALIZED.

_FILED .

AUG 2. 1978

NW 55186 DocId:32989768 Bage 178

---

## Page 179

ERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATI

Date of transcription August 19, 1978

Sent mE

8 19|78 TelecopickBURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., also known as Bill,

Social Security Account Number

DAVID HIGNIGHT:

Mr. WILSON advised that he was born August 28, 1931,

at fulton, Mississippi, and that he resided with his family at

Golden, Mississippi, until 1936, at which time the family moved

to eldridge, Alabama, where he attended school until the eighth

grade and then went to high school at Carbon Hill, Alabama,

until 1947.

He advised on May 2, 1947, he entered the U. S. Air

Force and was discharged in 1950. He stated that after being

out of the Air Force for approximately eight months he was

recalled for the Korean War and stayed in until February, 1960,

at which time he was given an honorable discharge.

He and his wife, BETTY LOU WILSON, moved to Memphis,

ennessee,

following his discharge, where he worked for

Prudential Insurance Company for approximately one year.

Arter leaving Prudential Insurance Company, he operated

Laundry and cleaning business in Memphis.

During this time,

he was also in the Tennessee Air National Guard.

He left Memphis, Tennessee, went to Grandview,

Missouri, where he became a civil service employee in the Air

Force Reserve.

He stayed employed in the Air Force Reserve

until 1970. From 1966 until 1970, he also operated a jewelry

store business.

In 19/0, he and wife, BETTY WILSON, moved to Memphis,

Tennessee, and opened a jewelry business in Bartlett,

Tennessee.

In addition to the jewelry business, he also built

aluminum storage buildings.

stated that in June, 1970, a

tornado hit his business and destroyed it.

He then went to San Antonio, Texas, and became

employed by the Air Force Reserve as a flight engineer.

He

also operated a jewelry store in San Antonio until 1974, when

he and his wife BETTY divorced

Interviewed on _ 8/19/78

-alcean Springs, Mississippifile # Jackson 62-544

by -

SA ROXCE DAVID HIGNIGHT/mae

Date dictated -

8/19/78

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is louned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

FBI/DOS

NW 55186

DoeId: 32989768

Page 179

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## Page 180

JN 62-544

2

He then went to Mountain Home, Arkansas, and opened

a jewelry store and married AVIS LEA HUNTER. He was married

and they divorced.

Tennessee.

He then went to Columbus, Mississippi, where he

worked in the gubernatorial campaign for Governor CLIFF FINCH.

While in Columbus, he married PATRICIA SHINDALA OI StarkvilLe,

He also advised that while in Columbus he sold

• campaign it was suggested that he tell people that he was

retired colonel and an ex-prisoner of war to campaign for

FINCH.

o ones siegested that

dropped by the FINCH people.

went to to tale annie vent to pa 1 / the one and

clearing up some "charges" against him at New Braunfels, Texas.

He advised that he went to Dallas, Texas,

to see a

triend, and while there, he called his son and asked him to

come see him, and shortly thereatter the police arrived anc

arrested him

on a charge of non-child support on a warrant

issued for him at Cleveland, Texas. He was released to

authorities from New Braunfels, where he pled guilty to a

charge of theft by check and received a sentence of eight

years probation.

He advised that he then stayed in the vicinity of

New Braunfels where he did construction work. He had an

altercation with another employee; and he was arrested for

violation of his probation but was released a couple of weeks

later.

He continued working around New Braunfels and was again

arrested for possession of stolen merchandise which actually

was a dispute between himself and an associate over some

property that he had stored for the associate, and the charges

were subsequently dropped. He continued in the construction

business and married JO. ANN CHILDRESS, and they were divorced

after three months.

In January of 1978, he went to Houma, Louisiana,

and went to work for Louisiana Off-Shore Caterers and worked

there until April, at which time he went to work for Gulf Coast

NW 55186' DocId: 32989768: Page 180

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## Page 181

JN 62-544

z

at which time he came to Ocean

Springs, Mississippi, and opened a jewelry shop. He lived

at the Twin Pines Apartments the first three weeks he was

in Ocean Springs and then moved to Route 6, Box 387.

He furnished the following description of himself:

Name

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.

Also known as

Bill

Date of birth

August 28, 1931

Place of birth

Fulton, Mississippi

Height

5 feet 11 inches

Weight

170 pounds

Brown

Gray

Social Security Number

Education

Military service

Father

JFK Act 6 (3)

High school

graduate

U. S. Air Force

1947-1960

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, SR.

(deceased)

Grenada, Mississippi

Mother

Stepmother

Brother

Sister

MITTIE DALE (deceased)

LILLIE MAE WILSON (deceased)

Grenada, Mississippi

ALLISON TOWERS WILSON

Reform, Alabama

LYDA MC GAHEY

2002 East Eighth Avenue North

Columbus, Mississippi

Sister

CHRISTINE GUNTHORPE

Fulton, Mississippi

Ex-wife

Ex-wife

BETTY LOU WILSON WADE

Burleson, Texas

AVIS LEA HUNTER

1010 Hickory Hill Lane

Hermitage, Tennessee

Ex-wife

PATRICIA SHINDALA

Starkville, Mississippi

(believed killed in car

accident)

Ex-wife

JO ANN CHILDRESS

113 Mill Street

San Marcos,

Texas

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 181

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## Page 182

----

JN 62-544

4

Daughter

son.

Son

DEBORAH ANN JONES,

husband CHARLES,

seLvedere

Illinois

STEVEN WAYNE WILSON

Burleson; Texas

MARK ANTHONY WILSON

Burleson, Texas

NN 55196 DocId: 32989768 Page 182

---

## Page 183

62-544-45

SEARCHEU

AUG 2 : 1978

FBI-JACKSON

KCB

NW®

55186 DocId: 32989768

Page

183

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## Page 184

• FD- 302(Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Shit ME dea

tricopic, 861517800

Date of transcription -

August 19, 1978

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., an inmate of the Ocean Springs

City Jail, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, furnished the following

information to ROYCE DAVID HIGNIGHl and K. P. WHITE-SPUNNER, JR.,

who he knows to be special Agents or the Federal Bureau of Investi-

gation, after having been advised the purpose of the interview being

his knowledge and involvement in the murder of Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING

and after having been advised of his Constitutional rights which he

waived as indicated by an Advice of Rights and Waiver of Rights Form

Mr. WILSON advised that at the time prior to the murder of

MARTIN LUTHER KING, he was living in Grandview, Missouri, in a house.

on Byers Road with

his wife, BETTY LOU, and his three children,

DEBORAH, STEVE, and MARK. He was in the Air Force Reserve and

operated

a jewelry store.

In the course of his jewelry business, he met a white male

Italian who was in his late sixties and was approximately 5 feet 9

inches tall, weighed approximately 230 pounds, and who operated a

jewelry trade shop on Walnut Street.

introduced him to another white male Italian by the name of MITCH

(Last Name Unknown), who was in his mid fifties and was approximately

5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighed approximately 190 pounds, who had

black, wavy hair and had. some

connection with a bonding company, and

also MITCH's brother, name not recalled, who fit the same physical

description as MITCH, but who had numerous cut scars on his face.

the purpose of having the stones removed from the fittings. He stated

MITCH usually met him at a bar on Walnut Street which was run by a

white female and it also appeared that MITCH might have been a part

owner of had an interest in this bar. He stated that due to the

a are anar

volume of Jewelry that MITCH was bringing to him, he asked MITCH

about it; and MITCH advised him that it was stolen jewelry. MITCH

told him, however, that he, WILSON, was in as deep as he, MITCH, was

and that he would have to continue working with MITCH. He stated

this relationship with MITCH continued until 1970.

He stated that MITCH brought up the idea of killing KING

and said that there was a $50,000 contract on him. However, he

8/19/78

_Ocean Springs, Mississipp#File#_ Jackson 62-544

Interviewed on

SA K.

P.

WHITE-SPUNNER, JR.

SA ROYCE DAVID HIGNIGHT/RDH/mae

by

Date dictated

8/19/78

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

FBI/DOS

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 184

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## Page 185

../

JN 62-544

never said who put out the contract but said that he could get

the money for WILSON if he killed KING.

WILSON stated that MITCH was well aware of his, WILSON's,

thoughts concerning KING and the black civil rights movement, in.

that his father, who was a pastor of the Central Baptist Church at

Grenada, Mississippl, died of a heart attack which he, WILsON,

thought was caused as a result of racial tensions at Grenada brought

on by the forceful integration of his father's church.

WILSON stated that approximately five or six months before

KING's murder, he started gathering information on the movements,

habits, and whereabouts of KING.

WILSON advised that he had a red and white Bonanza airplane,

Register Number 34L, and a Cessna 310 twin-engine aircraft, which was

blue and white, which planes he used to fly to different places

where KING, was supposed to be.

He stated that he recalls going to

Huntsville, Alabama; Tupelo, Mississippi; Jackson, Tennessee; Atlanta,

Georgia; and Greenville, South Carolina.

He stated that while at

Tupelo, Mississippi, he

stayed in the Ramada Inn and believes that

in the

other places

he visited he stayed in Holiday Inns.

He stated that MITCH furnished him a Japanese sniper rifle.

He stated that he kept the rifle and that just before Christmas of

1975, he had it reworked at a

gunshop in Columbus, Mississippi, on

Fourth Street across from a bank..

He stated that

• the last knowledge

he had of

the rifle, his older son, STEVEN WAYNE WILSON, had the

rifle and a shotgun but had told him that he had sold it.

Mr. WILSON advised that there was a garbage strike in

progress at Memphis, Tennessee, and that MITCH called him at his

store in Grandview, Missouri, and told him that KING was coming to

Memphis for. a rally and instructed WILSON to come to Memphis where

he was to meet two men at the Wonder Bar located at the corner of

Mr. WILSON advised that he flew to Memphis, Tennessee,

in the Bonanza aircraft and landed at an airport just north of

Raleigh,. Tennessee.

He stated that the airport was operated by a

long-time acquaintance of his who had attended a church which was

pastored by WILSON's father in the past. WILSON stated that his

daughter, DEBORAH, picked him up at the airport in her 1965 white

Mustang,

which WILSON had previously bought for her and which was

registered in his name in Missouri.

NW 55186 DooId: 32969768

Page 185

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## Page 186

come

JN 62-544

He advised that DOBRAH and her mother, BETTY LOU, were

staying at the residence of WILsON's father-in-law, VERNON HOOTEN,

• 3095 Ruskin Road, Memphis, Tennessee. He stated that HOOTEN had had

a heart attack and that his wife and daughter were temporarily stay-

ing at the HOOTEN residence.

WILSON advised that he went to the Wonder Bar and while

having a drink two white men approached him, one having an accent

similar to a Puerto Rican.

The two white males furnished him with FBI credentials,

which he stated had a black and white photograph of himself on it,

and they took him and showed him where KING was to hold the rally.

They then took WILSON to a hotel on South Main Street near Beale

Street and took him to a room on the third floor. They told him

he was to be in the crowd at the rally and that a decoy shot was to

be fired and that he was then to shoot. They said that KING had a

habit of raising his arms over his head when he was making a speech

and that the second time that he did so, the shots were to be fired.

over dead,

WILSON stated that on the day of the murder he was in the

crowd standing near a wood fence approximately 60 feet from where

KING was standing and that when KING raised his arms the second time

he shot him.

Mr. WILSON advised that he had the rifle which he used

strapped to his belt under a suit coat and attached to his belt on

a swivel.. He stated that the barrel protruded from below his coat

but no one questioned him concerning it.

He said that he had prac-

ticed a great deal swiveling the rifle and firing it.

He advised that after the shooting, he was stopped by the

Memphis police, but he showed them the credentials, and they let

him

go,. and he walked on down the street approximately two blocks

to where he had left the. Mustang parked. He advised that he got

in the. Mustang and drove back to the HOOTEN residence, and his

laughter, DEBORAH, then took him to the airport, and he got his

plane and flew back to. Kansas City. He stated that the airport

that he used was on the Kansas side on the highway to Olathe,

Kansas. He stated the airport was run by (First Name Unknown)

FISHER.

He-also stated that

he had purchased the Bonanza aircraft

from FISHER.

WILSON advised that approximately one week before the

murder, MITCH

murder,

MITCH

Gave him another 125,000, at ach onlong te the

credentials back to MITCH.

NW 55186 DocId 32989768 Page 156

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## Page 187

JN 62-544

WILSON advised that he has no knowledge of JAMES EARL

RAY having been involved in the conspiracy.

N9, 55186

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Page 187

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## Page 188

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Memorandum

TO

: SAC, JACKSON (62-544) (P)

FROM

: SA KENNETH P. HUGHES

SUBJECT: MURKIN

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

DATE:

8/19/78

The following investigation was conducted by SA

KENNETH P. HUGHES on 8/19/78:

WILSON, JR., DOB 8/28/31, Fulton, MS.

Grenada, MS, City Directory shows Central Baptist

Church, 333 Second Street, Grenada, MS, and pastor Reverend

JOE BELL.

HUBERT SPEARS, U. S. Post Office, Grenada, advised

they did have a B. A. WILSON as a preacher

at the Central

Baptist Church, Grenada, approximately our or five years

first name

POSSIDLY GLADYS,

and lived at 375 Levee Street, which house is now vacant

and in the process of being torn down.

While in Grenada,

B. A. WILSON and wife lived in the church parsonage located

behind Central Baptist Church. There were no children living

with WILsON and his wife at that time, and it they had any

children, they were all grown.

Review of City Directory shows Mrs. LILLY M. WILSON

residing 375 South Levee Street, Grenada.

Letty

Reverend JOE BELL, Pastor, Central Baptist Church,

advised BURGESS AUDIE WILSON was pastor at Central Baptist

Church for approximately 13 years until he died of a heart

attack on 1/7/67.

BELL estimated WILSON was pastor from 1954

to 1967.

He stated WILSON and his second wife, LILLY, lived

in the church parsonage.

BELL stated WILSON had four children who were as

follows: Mrs. CHRISTINE GUNTHORPE (phonetic), who lives in

Columbus, MS; and one other son, name not known.

2 - Jackson

KPH/mae

AUG 1 € 1978

(2) nau

Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payrol Saving roas

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 188

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## Page 189

JN 62-544

BELL believed all of WILSON's children were married

and knew that B. A. WILSON had churches at Camp Greek, Fulton,

MS; Lynn Station, north of Jasper, Alabama; and at Eldridge,

vite nt prior to coming to Grenada in 1954. LILLY WILSON,

B. A. WILSON, died approximately one year ago in a

nursing home

at Fulton, MS.

B. A. WILSON and his wife, LILLY,

had a house in Grenada located at

the corner of Levee and 4th

Street, and BELL knew of no other land the WILSONs owned in

Grenada.

Concerning BILL WILSON, BELI, stated that he was a

pilot and Ilew for a freight line or unknown airline in kansas

City, Kansas, and reportedly flew freight to Guam and other

islands.

BELL knew that BILL WILSON had caused his father

problems concerning debts that his father, B. A. WILSON, had

to pay, and he believed that BILL WILSON had been arrested on

an embezzlement charge possibly in California. BELL recalled

that BILL WILSON flew into Memphis, Tennessee, on Sunday, the

before the funeral, which was on a Monday, with his second

BELL did not know if BILL WILSON had any children. BELL

for BILL WILSON,

and LILLY WILSON told BELL she never wanted

to lay eyes on him again or have BILL WILSON put a foot in her

house.

LILLY WILSON told BELL that BILL WILSON did not deserve

part of his father's inheritance as the father had already

paid off many of his debts.

WILSON. BELL stated an attorney by the name of FREDERICKS in

s will.

2

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page

189

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## Page 190

SAC, JACKSON (62-544) (P)

SA KENNETH P. HUGHES

MURKIN

8/19/78

The following investigation was conducted by SA

KENNETH P. HUGHES on 8/19/78:

FREDDY TILGHAM, Chief of Police, Grenada, MS, Police

Department, could locate no arrest record on BURGESS AUDIE

WILSON, JR., DOB 8/28/31, Fulton, MS.

Grenada, MS, City Directory shows Central Baptist

Church,

333 Second Street, Grenada, MiS, and pastor Reverenc

JOE BELL.

HUBERT SPEARS, U. S. Post Office, Grenada, advised

they did have a B. A. WILSON as a preacher

at the Central

Baptist Church,

Grenada, approximately four or five years

ago when he died. SPEARS stated WILSON's wife, first name

possibly GLADYS;

stayed in Grenada approximately one year

Lived at 375 levee Street, which house is now vacant

and in the process of being torn down. While in Grenada,

Ba A.

WILSON and wife Lived

in the church parsonage located

behind Central Baptist Church.

There were no children living

with WILSON and his wife at that time, and if they had any

children, they were all grown.

Review of City Directory shows Mrs. LILLY i. EILSON

residing 375 South Levee Street, Grenada.

Reverend JOE BELL, Pastor, Central Baptist Church,

advised BURGESS AUDIE WILSON was pastor at Central Baptist

church for approximately 13 years until he diéd or a heari

attack

on 1/7/67. BELL estimated WILSON was pastor from 1954

to 1967. He stated WILSON and his second wife, LILLY, lived

in the church parsonage.

BELL stated WILSON had four children who were as

follows: Mrs. CHRISTINE GUNTHORPE (phonetic),

who lives in

Fulton, MS; BILL WILSON, Kansas City, Kansas;

Coltanous, Mss and one other son, name not town o2 544-44,

2 - Jackson

ụg 1à 1978

LCB

NW 55186

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Page 190

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## Page 191

JN 62-544

BELL believed all of WILSON's children were married

and knew that B. A. WILSON had churches at Camp Creek, Fulton,

MS; Lynn Station, north of Jasper, Alabama; and at Eldridge,

nursing home

had a house in Grenada

at Fulton, located at the corner of levee and 4th

Street, and BELL knew of no other land the WILSONs owned in

Grenada.

, Concerning BILL WILSON, BELL stated that he

was a

pilot and flew for a freight line or unknown airline in Kansas

City, Kansas, and reportedly flew freight to Guam and other

islands.

BELL knew that BILL WILSON had caused his father

problems concerning debts that his father, B. A. WILsoN, had

to pay, and he believed that BILL WILSON had

been arrested on

an embezzlement charge possibly in California. BELL recalled

that BILL WILSON flew into Memphis, Tennessee, on Sunday, the

before the funeral, which was on a Monday, with his second

BELL did not know if BILL WILSON had any children.

BELL

Billy dert on tuesday,

the day after the funeral.

know that BILL WILSON's stepmother, LILLY WILSON, had no use

FOr BILL WILSON,

and LILLY WILSON told BELL she never wanted

to lay eyes on him again or have Blll WILSON put a foot in hei

LILLY WILSON told BELL that BILL WILSON did not deserve

pay of elys his denheritance as the father had already

WILSON apparently argued over the shotgun and the other

unkrown brother left in disgust, leaving the shotgun to BILI

WILSON. BELL stated an attorney by the name of FREDERICKS in

Grenada read B. A. WILSON, SR.'

2

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## Page 192

0L0889 23222457

00 HE ME JN

DE DL

0 212045Z AUG 78

FM DALLAS (44-2649) RUC

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON IMMEDIATE

BT

UNCLAS EFIO

ATTI: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNII, FOOM 8988, JEH.

MURKIN.

RE MEMPHIS TELETYPE TO DIRECTOR 8-20-78.

BEITY LOU WADE RECONCATED 8-25-78, AND STATES VISIT TO MEMPHIS.

TO SEE VERNON HOOTER, BAPTISI HOSPITAL, WAS SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER KING

MURDER.

WADE CONFIRMS WILSON BOUGHT DAUGHTER A CREAM COLORED MUSTANG

IN FEBURARY 1968, BUI SAYS HE NEVER DROVE VEHICLE ON ANY TRIPS

TO HER KNOWLEDGE. SHE ALSO RECONFIRMS THAT WILSON WAS AI HOME INN

GRANDVIEW, MO. AT TIME KING MURDERED. SHE STATED THAI SHE HAS NEVER

HEARD WILSON MAKE ANY STATEMENT THAT HE KILLED MARTIN

LUTHER KING.

STEPHEN WAYNE WILSON SAYS HE WAS 15 ON 4-4-68, AND RECALLS

SEEING OF KINGS DEATH ON IV AI HOME IN GRANDVIEW, MO. HE CONFIRMS

FATHER BURGESS AUDIE WILSON WAS ALSO HOME AI THAT TIME. STATES THAI

THERE WAS NO WAY HIS FATHER COULD HAVE KILLED

KING 62-544-47

A.UG 2 0 1978

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## Page 193

PAGE TWO DALLAS 44-2649 UNCLAS EFT O

STEPHEN WILSON CONFIRMED SISTER OWNED 1965 MUSTANG AND FATHER

DROVE IT ON OCCASION BUT DOES NOT RECALL HE EVER DROVE IT IO MEMPHIS,

TENNESSEE.

DESCRIBES FATHER AS ALCOHOLIC WIIH SERIOUS MENIAL PROBLEMS.

SAID HE PLACED FATHER IN ALCOHOLIC REHABILITATION CLINIC AT SAN

ANTONIO, TEXAS FOR 3 = 4 DAYS IN JANUARY 1976 IO DRY HIM OUT.

FATHER, LIVED WITH HIM FOR BRIEF TIME AFTERWARDS AND WOULD DRINK

CONSTANTLY AND DO AND. SAY CRAZY THINGS. SAYS NEVER HEARD

FATHER. EVER MAKE STATEMENI THAT HE KILLED MARTIN LUTHER KING.

MARK ANTHONY WILSON INTERVIEWED 8/20/78 AND SIATED FATHER

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON IS A VERY SICK MAN AND POSSIBLY INSANE.

SAYS

HIS FATHER COULD

NOI HAVE KILLED DR. KING SINCE TO THE BEST

OF HIS RECOLLECTION BURGESS WILSON WAS AI HOME IN GRAND VIEW,

MO. ON THAI DATE. THINKS MOTHER AND SISTER VISITING GRANDMOTHER

AI MEMPHIS, TEN. AND FATHER WAS HOME WITH HIM AND BROTHER SIEPHEN.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 193

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## Page 194

PAGE THREE DL 44-2649 UNCLAS E F TO

WILSON DECRIBES FATHER AS HABITUAL LIAR AND ALCOHOLIC WHO

"WOULD WALK AROUND THE TRUTH TO TELL A LIE." SAYS FATHER HAS

ALWAYS WANIED TO BE SOMEONE IMPORTANT AND HAS EXPRESSED THE

OPINION NUMEROUS TIMES IHAT THE WHOLE WORLD IS CRAZY AND HE IS

THE OGLY SANE PERSON IN II. SIATES FATHER WAS PRIVATE PILOT

AT ONE TIME AND DID HAVE BONANZA AIRCRAFT WHILE THEY LIVED AT

GRANDVIEW, NO. CONFIRMS SISTER HAS CREAM MUSTANG AND FATHER DROVE

IT ON OCCASION BUT NEVEP.

TOOK IT OUT OF TOWN.

•HE SAYS HE LASI SAW HIS FATHER IN SAI MARCUS, TEXAS IN JANUARY

1978 WHENN STEPHEN AND ME HAD DINNER WITH THEIR FATHER. SAID HE

SEEMED IO BE DOING OX AND NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEMS AT THAT TIME.

SAYS HE NEVER HEARD HIS FATHER MAKE ALLEGATION THAT HE KILLED MARTIN

LUTHER KING.

BT

HEC ONE TEL CLR TO U

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page

194

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## Page 195

DK08E9 2322245Z

• 00 l6 HE JH

DE DL

0 212045Z AUG 78

FIl DALLAS (44-2649) RUC

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB il) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON IMMEDIATE

BT

UHCLAS E FIO

ATTI: COIGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH.

MURKIN.

RE MEMPHIS TELETYPE TO DIRECTOR 8-20-78.

BETTY LOU VADE RECONCATED 8-20-78, AND SIATES VISIT TO MEMPHIS

TO SEE VERNON HOOTEN, BAPTISI HOSPITAL, WAS SEVERAL, WEEKS AFTER KING

MURDER.

WADE CONFIRIS WILSON BOUGHT DAUGHTER A CREAM COLORED MUSTANG

IN FEBURARY 1968, BUT SAYS HE NEVER DROVE VEHICLE ON AY TRIPS

TO HER KROWLEDGE. SHE ALSO RECONFIRMS THAT VILSON WAS AT HOME IN

GRANDVIEV, N0. AT TINE KING MURDERED. SHE STATED THAT SHE HAS REVER

HEARD WILSON MAKE ANY STATEMENT THAT HE KILLED MARTIN

LUTHER KING-

STEPHEN WAYNE WILSON SAYS HE WAS 15 ON 4-4-68, AID RECALLS

SEEIKG OF KINGS DEATH ON IV AT HOHE IN GRANDVIEW, NO. HE CONFIRMS

FATHER BURGESS AUDIE WILSON WAS ALSO HOME AT THAT TIME• STATES THAT

THERE WAS NO WAY HIS FATHER COULD HAVE KILLED KING: 602-544-47

LCB

MIA STOR DOETOleZ20R976A Page 195

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## Page 196

PAGE TWO DALLAS 44-2649 UNCLAS EFT O

STEPHEN WILSON CONFIRMED SISTER OWNED 19G5 MUSTANG AND FATHER

DROVE II ON OCCASION BUT DOES NOT RECALL HE EVER DROVE IT TO MEMPHIS,

TENNESSEE.

DESCRIBES FATHER AS ALCOHOLIC WITH SERIOUS MENTAL PROBLENS.

SAID HE PLACED FATHER IN ALCOHOLIC REHABILITATION CLINIC AT SAN

ANTONIO, TEXAS FOR 3 - 4 DAYS IN JANUARY 1976 IO DRY HIM OUT..

FATHER LIVED WITH HIM FOR BRIEF TIME AFTERWARDS AND WOULD DRINK

• CONSTANILY AND DO AND SAY CRAZY THINGS• SAYS NEVER HEARD

FATHER EVER MAKE STATEMENT THAT HE KILLED MARTIN LUTHER KING.

MARK ANTHONY WILSON INTERVIEVED 8/25/78 AND STATED FATHER

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON IS A VERY SICK MAN AND POSSIBLY INSANE,

SAYS HIS FATHER COULD -NOT HAVE KILLED DR- KING SINCE TO THE BEST

OF HIS RECOLLECTION BURGESS WILSON WAS AI HOME IN GRAND VIEV,

MO. ON THAT DATE, THINKS MOTHER AND SISTER VISITING GRANDMOTHER

AT MEMPHIS, TENNA AND FATHER WAS HOME WITH HIM AND BROTHER STEPHEN.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 196

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## Page 197

PAGE THREE DL 44-2649 UNGLAS E FIO

WILSON DECRIBES FATHER AS HABITUAL LIAR AND ALCOHOLIC WHO

"VOULD WALK AROUND THE TRUTH TO TELL A LIE." SAYS FATHER HAS

ALWAYS WANTED TO BE SOMEONE IMPORTANT AND HAS EXPRESSED THE

OPINION NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THE WHOLE WORLD IS CRAZY AND HE IS

THE ONLY SANE PERSON IN IT. STATES FATHER WAS PRIVATE PILOT

AI ONE TIME AND DID HAVE BONANZA AIRCRAFT WHILE THEY LIVED AT

GRANDVIEW, N0. CONFIRMS SISTER HAS CREAM MUSTANG AND FATHER DROVE

IT ON OCCASION BUT NEVER TOOK IT OUT OF TOW!.

HE SAYS HE LAST SAW HIS FATHER IN SAN MARCUS, TEXAS IN JANUARY

1978 WHEN STEPHEN AND HE HAD DINNER WITH THEIR FATHER. SAID HE

SEEMED TO BE DOING OK AND NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEMS AT THAT TIME.

SAYS HE NEVER HEARD HIS FATHER MAKE ALLEGATION THAT HE KILLED MARTIN

LUTHER KING.

BT

REC ONE TEL CLR TO U

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 197

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## Page 198

ME0U03 232,173DZ

O0 MO JN

DE ME.

0 2017392 AUG 78

FM

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M1)

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861)

JACKSON

IMMEDIATE

IMMEDIATE

BT UNCLAS EF TO

ATIN CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, MOOM 8988 JEM.

MURKIN

RE JACKSON TEL TO BUREAU 8-19-78.

01 3-19-78, MAS. AVIS LHEA HUNTER, NEE PRUEIT, C 1D3,

RAVENWOOD APARIMENTS, IODS HICKORY HILL LANE, NASHVILLE, TENN.,

ADVISED AS FOLLOWS:

SHE MARIED BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, AKA, BILL OiN 12-31-74

AT MOUNTAIN MONE, ARKANSAS, AFTER KiOVING HIM FOR ONLY 5 WEEKS.

SHE DIVORCED HIN IN JUNE, 1975 AT HUNISVILLE, ALABAIA.. WILSON TOLD

HEP. HE WAS 42 YEARS OLD AND HE WORKED AS A JEWELER. DURING THEIR

MARRIAGE WILSON DRAWK FREQUENTLY AND WOULD BECOME CRAZY, RAMBLING,

AND SILLY, ALTHOUGH NEVER VIOLENT. HE WOULD FREGUENILY TELL HER

"WILD" UNTRUE STORIES INCLUDING THAT HE WAS IN THE MAFIA. SHE LEFT

• HIM BECAUSE OF HIS INSTABILITY AND THE FACT HE WAS RECEIVING DIAMONDS.

THAT HE GPPAKENTLY. WAS NOT PAYING

FOR. SHE IS NOT AWARE OF WILSON

NW 55186. DocId: 32989768 Page 198

62-544-48

(SEARCHED!

CE DMKEE

AUS AL. 1978

Duteaca,4

Waits toN

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## Page 199

PAGE TWO ME 44-1937 SUB M

EVER BEING INSTITUTINALIZED FOR MENTAL PROBLEMS, ALTHOUGH HE WAS

SUPPOSEDLY JAILED AT NEW BROUNSVILLE, TEXAS IN 1975, AFTER THEIR •

DIVORCE.

SINCE DIVIRCE, WILSON CALLS HER. FREQUENILY AND ON IHIS •

PAST THURSDAY, 8-17-78, HE. PHONED AT ABOUT 10 TO 10:30 P.1. CENTRAL

DAYLIGHI IIME. HER SON, LANCE AGE 14, ANSWERED THE PHONE BUT SHE

LISTENED ON THE EXTENSION. WILSON WAS VERY DRUNK AND TOLD LANCE HE

WOULD BE ON TV SOON AS HE HAD KILLED MARTIN LUTHER KING• WILSON

• SAID, THE FBI WOULD ARREST HIM SOON THEN HUNG UP.

THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME WILSON EVER MENTIONED KING AS THE

TOPIC OF KING'S ASSASSINATION NEVER

CAME UP DURING THEIR MARRAIGE.

WILSON HAS NEVER MENTIONED JAMES EARL RAY TO HER. SHE KNOWS NONE

OF WILSON'S ASSOCIAIES AND DOES NOI KIOW WHERE HE WAS IN APRIL,

1968.

MRS. HUNTER ADVISED WILSON'S STORY ABOUT KILLING KING WAS

ATTENT ON HIS PART TO GAIN ATTENTION.

BT.

232 17422 JN 1

NN 55186 DooId: 32989768

Fage 199

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## Page 200

HE00J3 2321735Z

00 HO dt

DE ME

0 2017302 AUG 78

FI MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M)

TO DIRECIOR (44-38861) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON IMMEDIATE

BT UNCLAS EFT O

ATIN CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 3988 JEH.

MURKI W

RE JACKSON TEL TO BUREAU 8-19-780 •

ON 8-19-78, MRS. AVIS LHEA HUNTER, NEE PRUETT, C 103,

RAVENWOOD APARIMENIS, 1005 HICKORY HILL LANE, NASHVILLE, TElla,

ADVISED AS FOLLOWS:

SHE MARRIED BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, AKA, BILL ON 12-31-74

AI MOUNTAIN HOME, ARKANSAS, AFTER KROWING HIM FOR ONLY 5 WEEKS.

SHE DIVORCED HIM IN JUNE, 1975 AI HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA. WILSON TOLD

HER HE WAS 42 YEARS OLD AND HE WORKED AS A JEWELER. DURING THEIR

MARRIAGE WILSON DRANK FREQUENTLY AND WOULD BECOME CRAZY, RAMBLING,

AND SILLY, ALTHOUGH NEVER VIOLENT. HE WOULD FREQUENILY TELL HER

"WILD" UNTRUE STORIES INCLUDING THAT HE WAS IN THE MAFIA. SHE LEFT

HIM BECAUSE OF HIS INSTABILITY. AND THE FACT HE WAS RECEIVING DIAMONDS

THAI HE OPPARENTLY VAS 1:0I PAYING FOR. SHE IS NOT AVARE OF VILSON

62-544-48

isTa

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 200

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## Page 201

PAGE TWO ME 44-1987 SUB 11

EVER BEING INSTITUTI ALIZED FOR MENAL PROBLEMS, ALTHOUGH HE WAS

SUPPOSEDLY JAILED AI NEV BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS IN 1975 AFTER THEIR

DIVORCE.

SINCE DIVIRCE, WILSON CALLS HER FREQUEUTLY AID. ON THIS

PAST THURSDAY, 8-17-78, HE PHONED AI ABOUT 10 1O 10:35 P.U, CENTRAL

DAYLIGHT TIME, HER SON, LANCE AGE 14, ANSWERED THE PHORE BUT SHE

LISTENED ON THE EXTENSION, VILSON WAS VERY DRUNK AND TOLD LANCE HE

WOULD BE ON IV SOON AS HE HAD KILLED MARTIN LUTHER KING• WILSON

SAID THE FBI WOULD ARREST HIM SOOM THEN HUNG UP.

THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME WILSON EVER MENTIONED KING AS THE

TOPIC OF KING'S ASSASSINATION NEVER CAME UP DURING THEIR MARRAIGE.

WILSON HAS NEVER MENTIONED JANES EARL RAY TO HER. SHE KNOWS NONE •

OF WILSON'S ASSOCIATES AND DOES NOT KIOW WHERE HE WAS IN APRIL,

19G8• MRS. HUNTER ADVISED WILSON'S STORY ABOUT KILLING KING WAS •

ATTENT ON HIS PART TO GAIN ATTENTION.

BI.

232 17427 JN 1

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Page 201

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## Page 202

•BH0363 2312218

PP HQ ME JN

DE BI

P. 182215Z AUG 78

FM BIRMINGHAM (44-1740) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) (PRIORITY)

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) (PRIORITY)

JACKSON (62-544) (PRIORIIY)

BT

UNCLAS EFT O

ATIN CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8985 JEH.

MURKIN

RE MEMPHIS TELETYPE TO DIRECTOR AND OTHER OFFICES,

AUG= 19,. 1978.

ON AUG. 19, 1978, MR. ALLISON I. WILSON, P: O. BOX 23,

(HIGHWAY 17 SOUTH), REFORM, ALA., ADVISED THAI BURGESS AUDIE

WILSON IS HIS BROTHER AND' HAS FOR MANY YEARS BEEN AN ALCOHOLIC

AND IS A CONFIRMED LIAR AND THINKS OF HIMSELF AS A RETIRED

COLONEL AND POSES AS A VIET NAM VETERAN WHEN HE IS DRUNK.

HE

STATED THAT HIS BROTHER HAS OFTEN CONFESSED IO VARIOUS CRIMES

IN ORDER TO BE LOCKED UP SO HE WILL BE ABLE

WILSON STATED HE CAN THINK OF ONLY ONE SPECIFI GSARNE-

SERIALIZED PEALED LE

AUG 2 0 1978

NW 55106 DocId: 32909768 Page 202

FBI-JACKSON

Balsace 7,18

Warts fu

---

## Page 203

PAGE TWO

BH 44-1740

UNCLAS EF I O

BROTHER CONFESSED TO A CRIME AND WAS LOCKED UP IN NEW BROWNSVILLE,

TEXAS. HE COULD NOI RECALL THE DATE OR IHE SPECIFIC CRIME.

MR. WILSON STATED THAT THE FAMILY HAD RECENTLY SOLD HIS

FATHER'S HOME AND HIS BROTHER WAS SENT HIS SHARE WHICH WAS •

$2,075. HE FEELS INAT HIS BROTHER AT THE PRESENT TIME IS ON A

"TOOT"• MR. WILSON STATED THAT HIS BROTKER HAD RECENTLY CALLED

THEIR SISTER, MRS. LYDA MC GAHA, COLUMBUS, MISS., AND TOLD HER

THAT HE, ALLISON I: WILSON, HAD. HAD A HEARI ATTACK AND WAS ALMOST

DEAD. MR. WILSON STATED THAI HE RECALLS ON ONE OCCASION, HIS

BROTHER CALLED HIM AND TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD BEEN ELECIED MAYOR

OF GRANDVIEW, MO., AND HE KNOWS THAI HIS BROTHER WAS LIVING AT

GRANDVIEW; MO. AND OPERATING A JEWELRY STORE ON APRIL 4, 1963.

HE STATED AT THIS TIME HIS BROTHER WAS MARRIED IO BETTY WADE,

WHO PRESENTLY RESIDES 233 SMITH SIREET, BURLESON, TEXAS.

HE STATED THAI HIS BROTHER'S SON, STEVE WILSON, 117 LIVINGSION,

FT. WORIR, TEXAS, AND HIS DAUGHTER, IFS. CHARLES (DEBBIE) JONES,

2628 NEWBURG ROAD, TRAILER 106, BELVIDERE, ILLO, WAS LIVING AT

HOME AT THIS TIME, AND THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO CONFIRM IHIS ALSO.

MR. WILSON CONC LUDED BY STATING HIS BROTHER WOULD NOI BE ABLE

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 203

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## Page 204

PAGE THREE

BH 44-L748

UNCLAS EFTO

TO COMMIT A CRIME OF VIOLENCE INASMUCH AS HE OWLY WANTED TO

GET SOMETHING TO DRINK AND GET DRUNK.

BT

REC ONE TEL JN CLR TO U

NW 55186 DooId: 32989768

Page 204

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## Page 205

BH0363 2312213

PP HQ ME JU

DE BT

P 1822187 AUG 78

FM BIRMINGHAM (44-1740) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (14-38861) (PRIORITY)

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB N) (PRIORITY)

JACKSON (62-544> (PRIORITY)

BT

UNCLAS E FI O

ATIN CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988 JEH.

HURKIN.

RE MEPHIS TELETYPE TO DIRECIOR AND OTHER OFFICES,

AUG • 19, 1978.

ON AUG. 19, 1978, MR. ALLISON I. WILSON, P. O. BOX 23,

(HIGHWAY 17 SOUTH), REFORM, ALA., ADVISED THAT BURGESS AUDIE

WILSON IS HIS BROTHER AND HAS FOR MANY YEARS BEEN AN ALCOHOLIC

AND IS A CONFIRMED LIAR AND THINKS OF HIMSELF AS A RETIRED

COLONEL AND POSES AS A VIET NAM VETENAN WHEN HE IS DRUNK. HE .

STATED THAT HIS BROTHER HAS OFTEN CONFESSED TO VARIOUS CRIMES

IN ORDER TO BE LOCKED UP SO ME WILL BE ADLE TO GET SOBER. IR.

WILSON STATED HE CAN THINK OF ONLY ONE SPECIFIC TIME T HAT HIS

62-544-49

NG Z 0 1978

F31-145

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 205

---

## Page 206

PAGE THO

BH 44-1740

UNCLAS EF TO

BROTHER CONFESSED TO A CRIME AND WAS LOCKED UP IN NEV BROUNSVILLE,

TEXAS. HE COULD NOT RECALL THE DATE OR THE SPECIFIC CRIME.

MR. WILSON STATED THAT THE FAMILY HAD RECENTLY SOLD HIS

FATHER'S HOME AND HIS BROTHER WAS SENT HIS SHARE WHICH WAS

• $2,375• HE FEELS INAT HIS BROTHER AT THE PRESENT TIME IS ON A

"TOOT". MR. WILSON STATED THAT HIS BROTHER HAD RECENTLY CALLED

THEIR SISTER, MRS. LYDA MC GAHA, COLUMBUS, MISS®, AID TOLD HER

THAI HE, ALLISON I• WILSOM, HAD

HAD A HEART ATTACK AND WAS ALMOST

DEAD. 11R, WILSO STATED THAI HE RECALLS O ONE OCCASION, HIS

BROTHER CALLED HIM AND TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD BEEN ELECIED MAYOR

OF GRAVIEU, FO., ALD HE KROWS THAT HIS BROTHER WAS LIVING AT

GRANDVIEU, NO. AND OPERAIING A JOUELRY STORE ON APRIL 4, 1968.

HE STATED AT THIS TIME HIS BROTHER WAS MARRIED TO BETTY WADE,

WHO PRESENTLY RESIDES 233 SMITH STREET, BURLESON, TEXAS.

KE STATED THAT HIS BROTHER*S SON, STEVE WILSON, 117 LIVINGSTON,

FI. WORTH, TEXAS, AND HIS DAUGHTER, MRS, CHARLES (DEBBIE) JONES,

2628 NEWBURG ROAD, TRAILER 106, BELVIDERE, ILLO, WAS LIVING AT

HONE AI THIS TIME, AND THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO CONFIRM THIS ALSO.

SIR. VILSON CONC LUDED BY STATING HIS BROTHER WOULD NOT BE ABLE

NW 55186 DocId:32982768 Page 205

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## Page 207

PAGE THERE

BH 44-L745

UNGLAS EFIO

IO COMMIT A CRIME OF VIOLENCE IMASHUCH AS HE ONLY WANTED TO

GET SOMETHING TO DRINK AND GET DRUNK,

BJ.

REC ONE TEL AN CLR TO U

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 207

---

## Page 208

ME002 2321500Z 1620Z

100 HQ DL JN

DE ME

0 201500Z AG 78

MEMPHIS

(44-1987 SUB 11)

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) IMMEDIATE

DALLAS IMMEDATE

JACKSON

IMMEDATE

BI

UNCLAS E FIO

ATIN CONGRESSIONAL INQUIREIES UNIT, ROOM 8988 JEH.

MUR KI i®

RE DALLAS TEL TO BU 8-19-78.

CHIACAGO IEL IO BU 8-2D-78, NO COPY. TO DALLAS.

FOR INFORMATION DALLAS, ON 8-19-73 DEBRA ANN JONES, BELVIDERE,.

ILLINOIS, DAUGHTER OF BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, ADVISED WILSON FAMILY

RESIDED KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI FROM 1964 TO SEPTEMBER, 1968. IN

1968 HER FATHER GAVE HER 1965 WHITE MUSTANG AS GRADUATION PRESENT.

SHE NEVER DRIVOVE THIS VEHICLE TO MEMPHIS, TENiV. SHE AND HER

MOTHER, BETTY LOU WADE VISITED HER MATERNAL GRANDFATHER, VERNON

HOOTEN, WHO WAS IN HOSPITAL AT MEMPHIS, AT TIME OF THE KING MURDER.

THEY USED COUMERCIAL AIRLINE FOR ROUNDIR IP TRANSPORTATION, • DURING

TIME THEY WERE IN MEMPHIS AREA BETTY WADE TELEPHONICALLY

HUSBAND, BURGESS WILSON. TWO TIMES IN KANSAS

CITY

HER

WHERE HE

REMAINED

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 208

AUG?

.: 1978

SI-JACKSON

Juleau 1n0

Waits pr

---

## Page 209

PAGE TWO

ME.-44

WITH HER TWO BROTHERS, STEVEN AND MARK WILSON.

BURGESS

WILSON WHO WAS INTOXICATED, TELEPHONED DEBRA JONES Oi

EVENING OF 8-17-78 AND TOLD HER FBI WAS GOING TO PUT HIM IN JAIL.

FOR THE MURDER OF KING AND THAT FBI HAD GIVEN HIM A POLYGRAPH TESI.

HE TOLD HER SHE WOULD BE CONTACIED BY THE FBI AND TOLD HER TO SAY

NOTHING •

MRS. OPAL HOOTEN, MOTHER OF BETTY LOU WADE, CONTACTED.

8-20-78 AND UNABLE TO RECALL VISIT OF BOTH BETTY LOU WADE AND DEBRA

JONES ON OCCASIONS HER HUSBAND VENNON HOOTEN SUFFERED HEARI ATTACKS,

BUT RECALLS BETTY LOU WADE VISITING ON OCCASIONS WHEN BOTH SHE AHE

MR. HOOTEN WERE ILL. SHE-WAS UNABLE TO FURNISH SPECIFIC DATES

BUT WILL CHECK FAMILY MEDICAL RECORDS AND ATTEMP TO ESTABLISH

SPECIFIC DATES OF MA. HOOTEN'S ILLNESSES.

DALLAS WILL REC ONTACT BETTY LOU WADE REGARDING VISIT TO MEMPHIS

NOTED ABOVE AND ATTEMPT TO CLARIFY INFORMATION SHE PREVIOUSLY

FURNISHED REGARDING LACK OF OWNERSHIP OR ACCESS TO WHITE MUSTANG

VEHICLE BY WILSON. INTERVIEW STEVEN AND MARK ANTHONY WILSON FOR

FULL BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND VERACITY OF BURGESS WILSON'S

ALLEGATIONS THT HE KILLED DR • MARTIN LUTHER KING. DETERMINE

HIS WHEREABOUIS DURING CRITICAL PERIOD OF 4-4-68 AND WHETHER "

WILSON HAS HISTORY OF PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS. ATTEMPT TO VERIFY

INFORMATION FURNISHED BY DEBRAJ JONES.

HANDLE IMMEDIATELY AND ADVISE FBIG, MEMPHIS AND JACKSON.

BT .

232 1625Z JN 1

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 209

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## Page 210

ME032 - 2321530Z 1635Z

00 HQ DL Ji.

DE DIE

0 2015234 AG 73

10

• METPHIS

(44-1987 SUB ">

DINECIOR (44-38561) INMEDIATE

DALLAS IMMEDATE

JACACOW IMMEDATE

UNCLAS EFT O

AIIi! CONSRESSIONAL INQUIREIES UNIT, ROOM S988 JEH.

RE DALLAS TEL TO BU 8-19-78.

CHIACAGO IEL TO BU 3-20-78, NO COPY TO DALLAS.

FOR INFORMATION DALLAS, 01 8-19-78 DEBRA ANN JONES, BELVIDERE,

ILLINOIS, DAUGHTER OF BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, ADVISED WILSON FAMILY

RESIDED KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI FROM 1964 TO SEPTEMBER, 1968. IN

1968 HER FATHER GAVE HER 1965 WHITE NUSTANG AS GRADUATION PRESENT.

SHE NEVER DRIVOVE THIS VEHICLE TO HELPHIS, TEUN. SHE AND HER

NOTHER, BETTY LOU VADE VISITED HER MATERNAL GRANDFATHER, VERNON

HOOTEL, WHO WAS IN HOSPITAL AT MEMPHIS, AT TIME OF THE KING MURDER. .

THEY UGED COMMERCIAL AIRLINE FOR ROUNDTE IP TRALSPORIATION, • DURING

TIME THEY WERE IN MEMPHIS AREA BETTY WADE TELEPHOPICALLY CONTACTED HER

HUSBARD, BURGESS WILSON TVO TIMES IN KAISAS CITY WHERE HE REMAINED

62-544-50

ON OT0S

1..-

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 210

---

## Page 211

PAGE TWO

ME -44

WITH HER TUO BROTHERS, STEVEN AND MARK WILSON.

BURGESS WILSON WHO WAS INTOXICATED, TELEPHONED DEBRA JONES DI

EVENING OF 8-17-78 AND TOLD HER FBI WAS GOING TO PUT HIM IN JAIL

FOR THE MURDER OF KING AND THAT FBI HAD GIVER HIM A POLYGRAPH TEST.

HE TOLD HER SHE WOULD BE CONTACIED BY THE FBI AID TOLD HER TO SAY

NOTHING •

MRS • OPAL HOOTEN, NOTHER OF BETTY LOU WADE, CONTACTED

8-20-78 AND UNABLE TO RECALL VISIT OF BOTH BETTY LOU VADE AID DEBRA

JOILS ON OCCASIONS HER HUSBAND VERSON HOOTER SUFFERED HEART ATTACKS,

BUT RECALLS BETTY LOU WADE VISITING ON OCCASIONS WHEN BOTH SHE AHE

MR. HOOTEN WERE ILL. SHE WAS UNABLE TO FURNISH SPECIFIC DATES

BUT WILL CHECK FAMILY MEDICAL RECORDS AND ATTEUP TO ESTABLISH

SPECIFIC DATES OF MR. HOOTER'S ILLNESSES..

DALLAS VILL REC ONTACI BETTY LOU WADE REGARDING VISIT TO MEMPHIS

NOTED ABOVE AND ATTEMPI IO CLARIFY INFORMATION SHE PREVIOUSLY

FURNISHED REGARDING LACK OF OVERSHIP OR ACCESS TO WHITE MUSTANG

• VEHICLE BY VILSON. INTERVIEV SIEVEN ALD MARK ANTHONY WILSON FOR

FULL BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND VERACITY OF BURGESS WILSON'S

ALLEGATIONS THI HE KILLED DR . MARTIN LUTHER KING. DETERMINE

HIS WHEREABOUTS DUEING CRITICAL PERIOD OF 4-4-68 AND WHETHER

WILSON HAS MISTORY OF PSYCHIAIRIC POLENIS, ATTENPT TO VERIFY

INFORMATION FURNISHED BY DEBRAS JONES.

HANDLE INMEDIATELY AND ADVISE FBIHQ, MEMPHIS AID JACKSON.

31.

232 1085Z JN 1

NW 55186 DooId: 32989768

Page 211

---

## Page 212

Indices Search Slip

FD-160 (Rev. 3-23-71)

Date

TC. CHIEF CLERK

Subject

Social Security Account #

Allases

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, 5R.

FBI #879-421€

Bill Wilson

Address

Birth Date

3095 Ruskin Adi, Memphin

18/28/31 Hum

Race

,Ms.

*Exact Spelling

Main Criminal Case Files Only

I Restrict to Locality of

All References

Criminal References Only

IMain Subversive Case Files Only

Main Subversive (If no Main, list all Subversive References)

Subversive References Only

I Main Criminal (If no Main, list all Criminal References)

File & Serial Number

Remarks

File & Serial Number

Remark:

w, m, appop 50 uprist

3287

Tal Hakild "Dewitt RoiltoN

Si Male

7 Female

Requested by

Searched by

Waite

Squad

4

-

Extension

70

Consolidated by

File No.

62-544-51

Othe

Reviewed by

(date)

(date)

_(date)

NI - NotIdent

Not identical

File Review Symbols

& = Not identifiable

Unavailable reference

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 212

25218

FBI/DOJ

---

## Page 213

SPECIAL

GP O 909.767

NW:55186 - DocId: 32989768

Page 213.

---

## Page 214

62-544-52

AUG 2 1 1978

FBI-JACKSON

ILCB

N# 55186 DogId: 32983768 Page-214

---

## Page 215

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-101

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription August 21, 1978

CARL D. FORTNA, Route 6, Box 387, Ocean Springs,

Mississippi, telephone number 875-0220, was advised of the

identity of the interviewing Agent and

the nature of the

interview.

FORTNA, a white male, born June 2, 1932, in

Great Bend, Kansas,

advised that

he completed

the tenth

grade of high school, and he could read and write.

FORTNA stated that he met BILL WILSON in Belton,

Missouri, in 1966 or 1967.

FORTNA was in the Air Force at

this time stationed at Richards-Gebauer Air Force Base in

Belton, Missouri.

station Richards ben 150 and son

wife owned a jewelry store in Belton, Missouri, and that

WILSON was a member of the 442nd Air Force Reserve Unit

stationed at Richards-Gebauer Air Force Base.

FORTNA stated

he knew WILSON through their association in the VFW in Belton,

Missouri.

FORINA stated that he, FORINA, retired from the Air

Force in 1969 and did not see WILSON again except for one

brief moment in 1972 until approximately two months ago.

WILSON came to Ocean Springs, Mississippi,

from Lafayette,

Louisiana,

about two months ago and lived in the Twin Pines

Motel on Highway 90, Ocean Springs, Mississippi. On July 23,

1978, WILSON moved into a house owned by FORTNA located next

door to FORTNA's present residence.

something

very important to tell him.

WILSON told

FORTNA, "I killed that

black son-of-a-bitch."

FORTNA asked WILSON who he was talking

about, and WILSON replied MARTIN LUTHER KING.

FORTNA stated

that he told WILSON he did not believe him,

and WILSON

said,

"I am telling you the truth.

1 actually killed him. I've

been living with it for ten years, and I can't take it anymore."

WILSON

told FORTNA that MARTIN LUTHER KING was responsible for

WILSON's father's death. WILSON did not elaborate further or

this.

WILSON told FORINA that this killing was "engineered"

by LOU CRUZ (phonetic). FORTNA stated that he knows LOU CRUZ

and that lou cruz owned or still owns Lou Cruz Jewelry,, 1505

Main Street, Grandvlew, MISSOUrI. WILSON tOLd FORINA that he

drove to the State Line Airport in Kansas City, Missouri,

driving a new Ford Thunderbird. WILSON told FORTNA that

CRUZ

Interviewed on

8/19/78

_acean Springs, Mississippirile# Jackson 62-544

by -

SA HARRY H. CARPENTER/mae

- Date dictated

8/19/78

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and ite contents are not to be distribuled outside your agency.

FOl/DOJ

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page

215

---

## Page 216

JN 62-544

2

also owned an identical Ford Thunderbird. WILSON left his

Thunderbird at the airport and Ilew to Memphis, Tennessee.

CRUZ came to the airport and picked up WILSON'

s Thunderbird

and took it from the airport so it would not be noticed.

When WILSON arrived in Memphis, he borrowed a white ford

wustang that he had purchased for his daughter, DEBORAH.

•DEBORAH had driven from Kansas City to Memphis

in the Mustang.

WILSON told FORTNA that he went to the motel where MARTIN

LUTHER KING was staying and that he used a Japanese sniper

rille and shot KING holding the rifle on his hip.

He stated

that this rifle is now in the possession of WILSON's son,

STEVE.

WILSON told FORTNA that he was driving away from the

scene in the Mustang, and he was stopped by the Memphis police,

but he talked himself out of a ticket, and the car was not

searched.

He stated that the rifle was in the trunk of the

car at this time.

WILSON told FORTNA that he then flew his

airplane back to Kansas City, and CRUz picked him up at the

airport and took him home.

FORTNA stated that when WILSON told him the above

information, he, FORTNA, believed that WILSON thought he was

telling the truth and that he swore on his mother's grave in

front of a priest that it was the truth.

FORTNA stated that

WILSON had never mentioned this subject prior to this instance.

'URINA Stated that WILSON has been drinking heavily for the

ast two months and has lied to him several times in the past

two months.

WILSON, on occasion, would tell FORTNA that he

had been married three or four times since divorcing his first

wife and then come back at a later date and say that he had

not been married after divorcing his first wife.

FORTNA stated that WILSON is an excellent pilot,

that he, FORINA, has flown with WILSON through bad weather,

and WILSON had no problems flying the aircraft.

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 216

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## Page 217

OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10

SULT A573 EDITION

GSÁ FPMR (41 CFRI 101-11.6

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Memorandum

TO

:SAC, JACKSON (62-544)

DATE: 8/18/78

FROM : SA K. P. WHITE-SPUNTER JR.

SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSES" INATIONS;

SUBJECT: AS. AU "INATION OF DR. MARTIN

LUTHER KING

INFO CONCERNING

On 8/18/78 at 8:13 am the writer was telephonically

advised hy Jackson Office (ASAC MURRAY) that one WILLIAM

captioned matter. According to GLADDEN, one BILL WILSON, who

works for GLADDEN

as a watch repairman, had met with uêm

last night and had given him lengthy details of how he (WILSON)

and not JAMES EARL RAY, had killed DR. MARTIN LUtHER KING.

The writer was instructed to make immediate arrangements

to thoroughly interview GLADEN.

The writer telephoned GLADDEN at his residence and arranged

to meet with GLADDEN there. GLADDEN advised he is employed as

Manager of the Social Security Office in Gulfport, Miss. (tel#

896-3221), but lives in the Gulf Park Estates area of Ocean

Springs. His house is the lst house on the left on Meadowlark

Dr, which is the second street to the right after passing the

golf course in Gulf Park 'Estates.

Thewriter and SA ROYCE D. HIGNIGHT were enroute to GLADDEN'S

residence when instructions were received from Gulfport SRA BEN

GRAVTS to discontinue.

Telephonic inquiry of SRA GRAVES determined FBI HQS had

instructed that no action be taken regardinz the foregoing.

GLADDEN was then telephonically advised the FBI apparently

was aware of information in WILSON'S possession and that no

interview of GLADDEN would be conducted.

62-544-53

Seasons'&

GLADDEN related he and his wife own a gift shop' #875-2531).

Reasons Gift Shop, Hwy 90, Ocean Springs, Miss. (tel

This shop is located near

the Keesler AFB Federal Credit Union and

City Lumber Co. On 7/26/78, BILL WILSON came to the stores aying he

was a watch repairman. GLADDEN had never met WILSON before

employed him and for a short time, WILSON lived inole bac

the

KWS: kws

AUG & 1 1978

Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan

5010-110

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768 Page 217

---

## Page 218

store. (WILSON now lives somewhere in Ocean Springs but GLADDEN

did not have his adiress at time of this conversation with the

writer).

GIADDEN advised he became aware WILSON apparently has a

drinking problem. At 11:45 pm 8/17/70, WILSON telephoned GLADDEN

at home insisting he had urgent business to discuss with both

GLADDEN and his wife. VILSON

insisted he meet with the GlADDENS

immediately so they met at the gift shop at 12:15 am this date and

conversed for the next 12 hours. WILSON did not appear or act

like he was under the influence of alcohol. The GLADDEN'S 18 year

old son

was also present.

according to GLADDEN, WILSON furnished them details of how

he (WILSON) had killed DR. KING rather than JAMES EARL RAY.

GLADDEN stated he feels orr ather felt at the time, WILSON was

truthful in what he was telling them and that is why he promptly

contacted the FBI in Jackson.

No further details were asked of GLADDEN by thew riter and

he was advised he would

be recontacted in the event further

information was required.

GLADDEN advised he will probably terminate WILSON'S employment

as a result of this matter.

Per instructions of ASAC MURRAY, no further action being

taken.

* 2-

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 218

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## Page 219

•H00 002 2331800

00 HQ DL ME JN

DE HO

0 211555L AUG 78

FM HOUSTON (44- 1509)

RUC)

TO DIRECTOR (44-33861) IMMEDIATE

DALLAS IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987) (SUB M) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON (62-544) IMMEDIATE

BT

UNCLAS

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, EJH.

MURKIN; 00: MEMPHIS.

RE JACKSON TELETYPE TO DIRECTOR, AUGUST 19, 1978;

•HOUSTON TELETYPE TO DIRECIOR, AUGUST 2D, 1978.

ON AUGUST 21, 1978, THE FOLLOWING PERSONS AT THEIR

RESPECTIVE AGENCIES WERE CONTACTED WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS

CONCERNING THE ISSUANCE OF A NON-CHILD SUPPORT WARRANT OR ANY

TYPE OF CIVIL OR CRIMINAL PROCESS CONCERNING A BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON, JR.:

SEARCHED_

62-544-54

SERIALIZED _N_ FILED

AUG 2 1 1973

FBI-JACKSON

NW 55196 DocId: 32989768 Page 219

---

## Page 220

PAGE TWO HO 44-1509 UNCLAS

1. GLENN JONES, CITY JUDGE, CLEVELAND, TEXAS;

2. LOUIS HOUGH, SECRETARY FOR JACK HARTELL,

COUNTY ATTORNEY, LIBERTY COUNTY, TEXAS;

3. LOUISE MORRIS, CLERK, LIBERTY COUNTY DISTRICT

COURT, LIBERTY COUNTY, TEXAS;

4. NELL WHITTINGION, IDENTIFICATION DIVISION,

LIBERTY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, LIBERTY, TEXAS •

FOR INFORMATION, THE SUBJECT MAY HAVE BEEN REFERRING IO

CLEBURNE, TEXAS, RATHER THAN CLEVELAND, TEXAS, INASMUCH AS

CLEBURNE IS RELATIVELY CLOSE TO DALLAS WHERE SUBJECT WAS

ARRESTED ON THE NON-CHILD SUPPORT WARRANT •

LEADS. DALLAS AT CLEBURNE, TEXAS. WILL COVER LEAD AS SET

OUT FOR HOUSTON AT -CLEVELAND, TEXAS, IN. ABOVE REFERENCED

ACKSON TELETYPE TO DIRECTOR, AUGUST 19, 1978.

BT

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 220

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## Page 221

=*=

H00 G82 2331800

00 HQ DL ME JU

DE HO

0 2115557 AUG 78

FM MOUSTON (44-1569) RUC)

TO DIRECTOR (44-33861) IMMEDIATE

DALLAS INMEDIATE

REMPHIS (44 1987) (SUB M1) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON (02-544) - IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8938, EJH.

MURKIU; 00: MEMPHIS -

RE JACKSON TELETYPE TO DIRECTOR, AUGUST 19, 1978;

HOUSTON TELETYPE TO DIRECTOR, AUGUST CD, 1978.

OT ALGUST 21, 1978, THE FOLLOWING PERSONS AT IKEIR

RESPECTIVE AGENCIES WERE CONTACIED WITH NEGATIVE RESULTS

CONCERNIRG THE ISSUANCE OF A NOI-CHILD SUPPORI VARRANT OR ANY

TYPE OF CIVIL OR CRIMINAL PROCESS CONCERNILG A BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON, UR .:

bộ 544- SY

SEARCHED.

SERIALIZED

AU: 2? 1978

FBI-JACKSON

137S

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 221

---

## Page 222

PAGE TWO KO 44-1569 UNCLAS

I GLENN JONES, CITY JUDGE, CLEVELAND, TEXAS;

2. LOUIS HOUGH, SECRETARY FOR JACK HARTELL,

COUNTY ATTORNEY, LIBERTY COUNTY, TEXAS;

3. LOUISE MORRIS, CLERK, LIBERTY COUNTY DISTRICT

COURI, LIBERTY COUNTY, TEXAS

4. NELL UHITTINGTON, IDENTIFICATION DIVISION,

LIBERTY COUNTY SHERIFF*S OFFICE, HIDERTY, TEXAS.

FOR INTORNATION, THE SUBJECT ITAY HAVE BEEN REFERRING TO

CLEBURNE, TEXAS, RATHER THAN CLEVELAND, TEXAS, INASIUCH AS

CLEBURNE IS RELATIVELY CLOSE TO DALLAS WHERE SUBJECT VAS

ARRESTED ON THE NON-CHILD SUPPORT WARRANI *

LEADS• DALLAS AT CLEBURNE, IEXAS

VILL COVER LEAD AS SET

OUT FOR HOUSTON AT CLEVELAND, TEXAS, IN ABOVE REFERENCED

ACKSON TELETYPE TO DIRECTOR, AUGUST. 19, 19786

BT

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 222

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## Page 223

Atlanta

CoPY

40900.3706

J0oCcT:0989768

Page 223

---

## Page 224

This UoL. Complete

See next

UDL.

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## Page 225

See SepeRate

1- A

VoL.

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## Page 226

DLO 895 2332155Z

00 HQ ME JN

DE DL

0 21 21032 AUG

78

FM DALLAS (44-2649) RUC)

TO DIRECTOR

(44-33861) IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987) (SUB M) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON (62-544) IMMEDIATE

BT

UNCLAS

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH.

MURKIN; 00 : MEMPHIS •

RE MEMPHIS TELCALL TO DALLAS, AUGUST 21, 1978.

BY REFERENCE, MEMPHIS REQUESTED STEPHEN WAYNE WILSON

BE RECONIACTED RE HIS KNOWLEDGE OF JAPANESE SNIPER

RIFLE WHICH HIS FATHER, BURGESS AUDIE. WILSON, ALLEGED TO

HAVE OBTAINED FROM A MITCH, NO DATE INDICATED.

STEPHEN WAYNE WILSON, 3117 LIVINGSTON, FORT WORTH,

TEXAS, CONTACTED ON AUGUSI 21, 1978, AND ADVISED AS

FOLLOWS :

THE VILSONS VERE CLOSELY-KNIT FAMILY, AND WERE VERY S4N-SS

ERIALIZED ATOFILED ALa

AUTAT 1973

1348

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 226

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## Page 227

UNCLAS DL 44-2649 PAGE TWO

CONSCIOUS OF EACH OTHER'S ACTIVITIES. HE IS POSITIVE

HIS FATHER OBTAINED THE JAPANESE RIFLE FROM AN UNKNOWN

SOURCE AFTER HE WAS IN THE MILITARY SERVICE, WHICH WOULD

HAVE BEEN AFTER 1970. RECALLED HIS DAD SHOWING IT TO

HIM WHEN HE CAME HOME ON MILITARY LEAVE. STEVEN NEVER

FIRED IHE WEAPON BECAUSE HE WAS AFRAID THAT IT WOULD NOT

FUNCIION PROPERLY, AND SECONDLY, BECAUSE THEY NEVER HAD

ANY AMMUNITION FOR THE RIFLE. HE PERSONALLY NEVER KNEW

OF HIS DAD USING THE WEAPON. HIS DAD HAD THE STOCK OF

THE WEAPON WORKED ON BY A FRIEND WHO WAS A FURNITURE

REFINISHER IN CANYON LAKE, TEXAS, BUT THAT WAS THE

ONLY WORK EVER DONE ON THE RIFLE. THE GUN WAS OF JAPANESE

MANUFACTURER, AS II HAD JAPANESE PRINTING ON ITS VARIOUS

PARTS •

WILSON'S DAD GAVE THE GUN TO HIM WHILE HE WAS IN THE

SERVICE, AND HE HOCKED THE RIFLE AT A PAWN SHOP IN SAN

ANTONIO SOMETIME IN THE EARLY 1970°S, DATE UNRECALLED.

HE HAS NO RECEIPT OR BILL OF LADING FOR THE RIFLE.

MARK WILSON, 514 SOUTHEAST GARDENS, BURLESON, TEXAS,

CONTACTED AUGUST 21, 1978, AND ADVISED THE FOLLOWING :

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 227

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## Page 228

UNCLAS DL 44-2649 PAGE THREE

HE PERSONALLY HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF HIS FATHER'S

WEAPONS, AS HE HAS NO INTEREST IN THEM. HIS DAD WAS

DEFINITELY AT HOME IN GRANDVIEW, TEXAS, TAKING CARE OF

HIMSELF AND HIS BROTHER AT THE TIME DR. KING WAS KILLED

IN MEMPHIS. HIS DAD FLEW HIS PLANE, A BONANZA BEECH-

CRAFT, USUALLY ON WEEKENDS, FROM A SMALL AIRFIELD NEAR

TOWN. HE BELIEVED HIS DAD OWNED THE PLANE, HOWEVER ,

HE IS NOT POSITIVE. WILSON STATED HIS DAD WAS NOT AWAY

FROM THE HOUSE ON THE DAY DR. KING WAS KILLED, AS HE

WAS TAKING CARE OF HIS BROTHER AND HIMSELF AT THE TIME,

WHILE HIS MOTHER AND SISTER FLEW TO MEMPHIS TO SEE THEIR

GRANDPARENTS.

MRS. BETTY LOU WADE, 233 SMITH ROAD, BURLESON,

TEXAS, RECONTACTED ON AUGUST 21, 1978, AND ADVISED THAT

SHE HAD NO RECOLLECTION OF HER FORMER HUSBAND HAVING

A JAPANESE RIFLE. SHE STATED SHE SEPARATED FROM BURGESS

WILSON IN 1974, WHICH WOULD MEAN HE MOST PROBABLY

OBTAINED THE RIFLE AFTER THAT PERIOD. SHE IS SURE SHE

WOULD HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE GUN, IF HE HAD BOUGHT IT

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 228

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## Page 229

UNCLAS DL 44-2649 PAGE FOUR

WHILE THEY WERE LIVING TOGETHER.

ADMINISTRATIVE

DALLAS IS NOI COVERING LEAD AT CLEBURNE, TEXAS,

REGARDING NON-CHILD SUPPORT WARRANT FOR WILSON, AS IT

HAS NO BEARING ON PERTINENI FACIS OF CASE, UACB.

BI

223 1 2304Z JN 1

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## Page 230

DLO 395 2332155Z

00 HO ME J#

DE DL

0 21 21032 AUS 78

FIl DALLAS. (44-2649) MUC)

TO DIRECTOR (44-338G1) IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987) (SUB (> IMMEDIATE

JACKSON (62-544) IMEDIATE

UNCLAS

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNII, ROOM 8988, JEI.

MURKIN; 00: HEMPHIS.

RE MEMPHIS TELCALL TO DALLAS, AUGUST 21, 1978-

BY REFERENCE, MENPHIS REQUESTED STEPHEN WAYNE WILSON

BE RECOLTACIED RE HIS KHOULEDGE OF JAPANESE SNIPER

RIFLE WHICH HIS FATHER, BURGESS AUDIE VILSON, ALLEGED TO

HAVE OSTAINED FROM A HITCH, NO DATE INDICATED.

STEPHEN VAYNE WILSON, 3117 LIVINGSTON, FORT WORTH,

TEXAS, CONTACIED OU AUGUST 21, 1978y AND ADVICED AS

FOLLOWS:

THE "ILSONS WERE CLOSELY-"NIT FAMILY, AND VERE VERY

62-544-55

SLARCHED

SHALLED DICER DIES

AUG & 1 1978

12,95

WW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 230

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## Page 231

UNCLAS DL 44-2649 PAGE IWO

COTISCIOUS OF EACH OTHER*S ACTIVITIES. HE IS POSITIVE

HIS FATHER OBTAINED THE JAPANESE RIFLE FROM AN UNKNOWI

SOURCE AFTER HE VAS IN THE MILITARY SERVICE, WHICH WOULD

HAVE BEEN AFTER 1970€ RECALLED HIS DAD SHOWING IT TO

HIN WHEN HE CAME HOME OW MILITARY LEAVE • STEVEN HEVER

FIRED THE WEAPON BECAUSE HE WAS AFRAID THAT II WOULD NOT

FUNCTION PROPERLY, AND SECONDLY, BECAUSE THEY WEVER HAD

AHY AMMUNITION FOR THE RIFLE. HE PERSONALLY NEVER KNEW

OF HIS DAD USING THE WEAPON. HIS DAD. HAD IHE STOCK OF

THE WEAPON WORKED ON BY A FRIEND WHO WAS A FURNITURE

REFINISHER IN CAlYOU LAKE, TEXAS, BUT THAT WAS THE

ORLY WORK EVER DONE ON THE RIFLE. THE GUW WAS OF JAPANESE

NANUFACTURER, AS IT HAD JAPANESE PRINTING Ol ITS VARIOUS

PARTS.

WILSON*S DAD GAVE THE GUN TO HIM WHILE HE WAS IN THE

SERVICE, AID KE HOCKED THE RIFLE AT A PAUN SHOP IN SAM

ANTONIO SOMETIME IN THE EARLY 1970'S, DATE URECALLED.

HE HAS NO RECEIPT OR BILL OF LADING FOR THE RIFLE.

HARK WILSON; 514 SOUTHEAST GARDENS, BURLESON, TERAS,

COLTACTED AUGUST 21, 1978, AND ADVISED THE FOLLOING:

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## Page 232

71995-11971

UNCLAS DL 44-2649 PAGE TIREE

HE PERSONALLY HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF HIS FATHER*S

WEAPONS, AS HE HAS NO INTEREST IN THEM. HIS DAD WAS

DEFINITELY AI HOME IN GRANDVIEU, TEXAS, TAKING GARE OF

HIMSELF AND HIS BROTHER AT THE TIME DR. KING WAS KILLED

IN MEMPHIS. HIS DAD FLEW HIS PLANE, A BONANZA BEECH-

CRAFT, USUALLY ON WEEKENDS, FROG A SlALL AIRFIELD lEAR

TOUD. HE BELIEVED HIS DAD OWNED THE PLANE, HOWEVER ,

HE IS NOT POSITIVE, WILSON STATED HIS DAD WAS NOT AWAY

FROM THE HOUSE ON THE DAY DR • KIKG WAS KILLED, AS HE

WAS TAKING CARE OF HIS BROTHER AND HINSELF AT- THE TIVE,

WHILE HIS MOIHER AND SISTER FLEW TO MEMPHIS TO SEE THEIR

GRANDPARENIS.

URS - BETTY LOU VADE, 233 SMITH ROAD, BURLESON,

TEXAS, RECOTACIED ON AUGUSI 21, 1975, AND ADVISED IHAI

SHE HAD NO RECOLLECIION OF HER FORMER HUSBAND HAVING

A JAPANESE RIFLE. SHE STATED SHE SEPARATED FROM BURGESS

WILSOU IN 1974, WHICH WOULD MEAN HE MOST PROSABLY

OBTAINED THE RIFLE AFTER THAT PERIOD. SHE IS SURE SHE

WOULD HAVE BEEN AVARE OF THE GUI, IF HE HAD BOUGHT IT

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232

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## Page 233

UNCLAS DL. 44-2649 PAGE FOUR

WHILE THEY VERE LIVING TOGETHER.

ADMINISTRATIVE

DALLAS IS NOT COVERING LEAD AT CLEBURIE, TEXAS,

REGARDING NON-CHILD SUPPORI WARRANT FOR WILSON, AS IT

HAS NO BEARING ON PERTIIENT FACTS OF CASE, UACE.

BI

223 1

23042 JN 1

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

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## Page 234

SA0 109 23322302

II HQ ME JN

DE SA

I 2022307 AUG 78

FM SAN ANTONIO (44-1242) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987, SUB M.) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON (62-544) IMMEDIATE

BT

UNCLAS EFT O

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH BUILDING.

MURKIN®

RE ME TEL TO BUREAU, ET AL, AUGUST 18, 1978, AND SA TEL IO

BUREAU, AUGUST 18, 1978, REGARDING INCARCERATION OF BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON, JR., IN BEXAR COUNTY JAIL, JUNE 19, 1972, IO

JUNE 3D, 1972, ON CONTEMPT OF COURI, STATE DISTRICT COURT 59,

(CASE NUMBER F248084) •

ON AUGUST 21, 1978, REVIEW OF COURT RECORDS, BEXAR COUNTY

5 TIH DISTRICI COURT, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, REVEALED WILSON

INCARCERATED FOR CONTEMPT OF COURT GROWING OUT OF CIVIL SUIT

ENTITLED ALLISON - KAUFMANN COMPANY, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION

VS. NORTH STAR DIAMOND CORPORATION (CASE NUMBER F248-084) OF

62-544-56

1973

NW 55-04 DozEd: 321803690

---

## Page 235

PAGE TWO (SA 44-1242) UNCLAS EFT O

WHICH WILSON WAS LISTED AS OWNER. THIS CIVIL SUIT INVOLVED

FRAUD CASE AND WILSON INCARCERATED FOLLOWING HIS REFUSAL TO

FURNISH THE COURT AN INVENTORY OF MERCHANDISE IN HIS POSSESSION

BELONGING TO ALLISON - KAUFMANN COMPANY. THIS INCARCERATION

DID NOT INVOLVE ANY ACTION GROWING OUT OF CHILD SUPPORI AND

IDENTITY OF CHILDREN NOT SET FORTH IN COURT RECORDS.

RW 55186 DocId: 32989768

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## Page 236

SAO 109 23322352

II HO ME JH

DE SA

I 202030Z AUG 78

FM SAN ANIONIO (44-1242) (P)

TO DIRECIOR (44-38361) INMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987, SUB MA) INMEDIATE

JACKSON (62-544) INMEDIATE

B-T

UNGLAS EFTO

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNII, ROOM 8988, JEH BUILDING •

MURKIN®

RE ME TEL TO BUREAU, ET AL, AUGUST 18, 1978, AND SA TEL IO

BUREAU, AUGUST 18, 1978, REGARDING INCARCERATION OF BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON, JRO, IN BEXAR COURTY JAIL, JUNE 19, 1972, TO

JULE 30, 1972, ON CONTEMPT OF COURI, STATE DISTRICT COURT 59,

(CASE NUMBER F248084) •

ON AUSUST 21, 1975, REVIED OF COURT RECORDS, BEXAR COUNTY

STEH DISTRICT COURT, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, REVEALED VILSON

INCARCERATED FOR

CONTEMPT OF COURT GROUING QUE OF CIVIL SUIT

ENTITLED ALLISON - KAUFMANN COPANY, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION

US. NORTH SIAR DIAMOND CORPORATION (CASE NUMBER F248-084) OF

62-544-56

DIS DIS

isrs

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

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## Page 237

PAGE TWO (SA 44-1242) UNCLAS EFT O

WHICH WILSON WAS LISTED AS OUNER. THIS CIVIL SUIT INVOLVED

FRAUD CASE AND WILSON INCARCERATED FOLLOWING HIS REFUSAL TO

FURMISH THE COURT AW INVENTORY OF MERCHANDISE. IN HIS POSSESSION

BELONGING TO ALLISON - KAUFMANN COMPANY. THIS INCARCERATION

DID NOT INVOLVE ANY ACTION GROWING OUT OF CHILD SUPPORI AND

IDENTITY OF CHILDREN NOT SET FORTH IN COURT RECORDS.

BT

NW 55186 Docid: 32989768 Page 237

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## Page 238

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription

8/21/78

Interviewed on

8/19/78

at Ocean Springs, Mississippfile # Jackson 62-544 - 57

SA K. P. WHITE-SPUNNER, JR./gah

Date dictated 8/21/78

Tour docucy, it and ats contes are not to be distri conclusie so the f It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 238

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## Page 239

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription

8/21/78

On August 19, 1978, Desk Sergeant LAURA MIZE, Ocean

Police Department, advised that one

RACHUBA had taken breakfast to

approximately 8:30 a.m., that date at which time Officer

RACHUBA asked WILSON if he was ready to sign papers waiving

extradition to the State of l'exas on a probation violation.

but prior to signing any waiver of extradition he wanted

Interviewed on 8/19/78

-at Ocean Springs, Mississippile # Jackson 62-544 - 58

SA K. P. WHITE-SPUNNER,

JR./ gah

Date dictated _ 8/21/78

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

FBI/DOJ

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 239

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## Page 240

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription

8/21/78

Officer BOBBY RACHUBA, Ocean Springs, Mississippi,

Desk Sergeant LAURA MIZE, he personally asked inmate "BILL"

WILSON whether he was ready to sign a waiver of extradition

. State of Texas. According to Officer RACHUBA, WILSON

rel Eirst, rea, on one condition, provided I can talk to the

Interviewed on 8/19/78

- at Ocean Springs, Mississippile # Jackson 62-544 -59

Date dictated _8/21/78

This dee it contain onither ace not to be dis routed luside so the B. It is the property of the FBI and is loand 6o,

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 240

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## Page 241

FD-36 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

Xx Teletype

• Facsimile

• Airtel

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

&X Immediate

I Priority

_ Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

• SECRET

[ CONFIDENTIAL

XX EF TO

I CLEAR

Date

8/22/78

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-33861) PRIORITY |556t

KANSAS CITY IMMEDIATE

1539 ₴

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) PRIORITY 1645Z

BT

UNCLAS EF TO

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT

MURKIN; 00: MEMPHIS.

CARL D. FORINA, ROUTE 6, BOX 387, OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPIS

STATED THAT HE MET BILL WILSON IN BELTON, MISSOURI, IN 1966 OR 1967.

FORTNA WAS IN THE AIR FORCE AT THIS TIME STATIONED AT RICHARDS-

GEBAUER AIR FORCE BASE IN BELTON, MISSOURI. FORINA STATED THAT

WILSON AND WILSON'S WIFE OWNED A JEWELRY STORE IN BELTON, MISSOURI,

AND THAT WILSON WAS A MEMBER OF THE 442ND AIR FORCE RESERVE UNIT

STATIONED AT RICHARDS-GEBAUER AIR FORCE BASE. FORTNA STATED HE

KNEW WILSON THROUGH THEIR ASSOCIATION IN THE VEW IN BELTON, MISSOURI.

FORTNA STATED THAT HE, FORTNA, RETIRED FROM THE AIR FORCE IN 1969

@- JACKSON

LCB/mae

62-944-60

Searched_

Surtalized OKsa

Indexed

Filed

Approved: K/ZUZ

Transmitted

001

(Number)

See cove

(Time)

Per OKE

GPO: 1977 0 - 225-539

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## Page 242

FD-36 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

• Teletype

• Facsimile

• Airtel

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

• Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

• SECRET

CONFIDENTIAL

DEFTO

• CLEAR

Date

PAGE 2 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E ET O

AND DID NOT SEE WILSON AGAIN EXCEPT FOR ONE BRIEF MOMENT IN 1972

UNTIL APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO. WILSON CAME TO OCEAN SPRINGS,

MISSISSIPPI, FROM LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA, ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO AND

LIVED IN THE TWIN PINES MOTEL ON HIGHWAY 90, OCEAN SPRINGS,

MISSISSIPPI. ON JULY 23, 1978, WILSON MOVED INTO A HOUSE OWNED BY

FORTNA LOCATED NEXT DOOR TO FORTNA'S PRESENT RESIDENCE.

AT APPROXIMATELY 4:15 PM ON AUGUST 18, 1978, WILSON ASKED

FORINA TO COME INTO WILSON'S HOUSE, THAI HE HAD SOMETHING VERY

IMPORTANT TO TELL HIM. WILSON TOLD FORINA, "I KILLED THAT BLACK

SON-OF-A-BITCH." FORINA ASKED WILSON WHO HE WAS TALKING ABOUT,

AND WILSON REPLIED MARTIN LUTHER KING. FORTNA STATED THAT HE TOLD

WILSON HE DID NOT BELIEVE HIM, AND WILSON SAID, "I AM TELLING YOU

THE TRUTH. I ACTUALLY KILLED HIM. I'VE BEEN LIVING WITH IT FOR

TEN YEARS, AND I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE." WILSON TOLD FORINA THAT

MARTIN LUTHER KING WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR WILSON'S FATHER'S DEATH.

WILSON DID NOT ELABORATE FURTHER ON THIS. WILSON TOLD FORTNA

THAT THIS KILLING WAS "ENGINEERED" BY LOU CRUZ (PHONETIC). FORTNA

STATED THAT HE KNOWS LOU CRUZ AND THAT LOU CRUZ OWNED OR STILL OWNS

LOU CRUZ JEWEIRY,, 1505 MAIN STREET, GRANDVIEW, MISSOURI. WILSON

TOLD FORINA THAT HE DROVE TO THE STATE LINE AIRPORT IN KANSAS CITY,

Approved:

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 242

Transmitted (Number)

Per.

(Time)

GPO: 1977 0 - 225-539

---

## Page 243

FD-36 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

• Teletype

[ Facsimile

• Airtel

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

I Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

• SECRET

O CONFDENTIAL

DEFTO

• CLEAR

Date

PAGE 3 JN 62-544 UNCLAS EE TO

MISSOURI, DRIVING A NEW FORD THUNDERBIRD. WILSON TOLD FORTNA. THAT

CRUZ ALSO OWNED AN IDENTICAL FORD THUNDERBIRD. WILSON LEFT HIS

THUNDERBIRD AT THE AIRPORT AND FLEW TO MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. CRUZ

CAME TO THE AIRPORT AND PICKED UP WILSON'S THUNDERBIRD AND TOOK IT

FROM THE AIRPORT SO IT WOULD NOT BE NOTICED. WHEN WILSON ARRIVED

IN MEMPHIS, HE BORROWED A WHITE FORD MUSTANG THAT HE HAD PURCHASED

FOR HIS DAUGHTER, DEBORAH. DEBORAH HAD DRIVEN FROM KANSAS CITY TO

MEMPHIS IN THE MUSTANG. WILSON TOLD FORTNA THAT HE WENT TO THE

MOTEL WHERE MARTIN LUTHER KING WAS STAYING AND THAT HE USED A

JAPANESE SNIPER RIFLE AND SHOT KING HOLDING THE RIFLE ON HIS HIP.

HE STATED THAT THIS RIFLE IS NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF WILSON'S SON,

STEVE. WILSON TOLD FORTNA THAT HE WAS DRIVING AWAY FROM THE SCENE

IN THE MUSTANG, AND HE WAS STOPPED BY THE MEMPHIS POLICE, BUT HE

TALKED HIMSELF OUT OF A TICKET, AND THE CAR WAS NOT SEARCHED. HE

STATED THAT THE RIFLE WAS IN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR AT THIS TIME.

WILSON TOLD FORTNA THAT HE THEN FLEW HIS AIRPLANE BACK TO KANSAS

CITI, AND CRUZ PICKED HIM UP AT THE AIRPORT AND TOOK HIM HOME.

FORINA STATED THAT WHEN WILSON TOLD HIM THE ABOVE INFORMATION,

HE, FORTNA, BELIEVED THAT WILSON THOUGHT HE WAS TELLING THE TRUTH

AND THAT HE SWORE ON HIS MOTHER'S GRAVE IN FRONT OF A PRIEST THAT IT

Approved:

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 243

Transmitted

Per

(Number)

(Time)

GPO: 1977 0 - 225-539

---

## Page 244

FD-36 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

[ Teletype

• Facsimile

• Airtel

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

• Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

• SECRET

CONFIDENTIAL

EFTO

• CLEAR

Date

PAGE 4 JN 62-544 UNCLAS EE TO

WAS THE TRUTH. FORTNA STATED THAT WILSON HAD NEVER MENTIONED THIS

SUBJECT PRIOR TO THIS INSTANCE. FORTNA STATED THAT WILSON HAS BEEN

DRINKING HEAVILY FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS AND HAS LIED TO HIM SEVERAL

TIMES. IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS. WILSON, ON OCCASION, WOULD TELI

FORTNA THAT HE HAD BEEN MARRIED THREE OR FOUR TIMES SINCE DIVORCING

HIS FIRST WIFE AND THEN COME BACK AT A LATER DATE AND SAY THAT HE

HAD NOT BEEN MARRIED AFTER DIVORCING HIS FIRST WIFE.

FORINA STATED THAT WILSON IS AN EXCELLENT PILOT, THAT HE,

FORINA, HAS FLOWN WITH WILSON THROUGH BAD WEATHER, AND WILSON HAD

NO PROBLEMS FLYING THE AIRCRAFT.

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., AKA BILL, WAS BORN AUGUST 28, 1931,

AT FULTON, MISSISSIPPI, 5 FEET 11 INCHES, 170 POUNDS, BROWN EYES,

GRAY HAIR, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

JEK Act 6 (3)

MILITARY SERVICE

U.S. AIR FORCE 1947-1960.

KANSAS CITY AT GRANDVIEW, MISSOURI. WILL LOCATE LOU CRUZ

(PHONETIC), 1505 MAIN STREET, RE KNOWLEDGE OF WILSON AND FACT HE

"ENGINEERED" ASSASSINATION OF DR.- KING.

AT KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. WILL CONDUCT APPROPRIATE INVESTIGA-

TION AND CHECK FLIGHT PLANS IF POSSIBLE AT STATE LINE AIRPORT IN AN

EFFORT TO DETERMINE IF WILSON FLEW FROM THIS AIRPORI TO MEMPHIS,

Approved:

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 244

Transmitted

(Number)

Per

(Time)

GPO: 1977 0 - 225-539

---

## Page 245

FD-36 (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

• Teletype

• Facsimile

• Airtel

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

• Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

J SECRET

CONFDENTIAL

DEFTO

I CLEAR

Date

PAGE 5 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F TO

TENNESSEE, ON OR ABOUT APRIL 4, 1968.

FOR INFORMATION OF KANSAS CITY, IN A PRIOR INTERVIEW OF WILSON,

HE STATED HE HAD A RED AND WHITE BONANZA AIRPLANE, REGISTER NUMBER

34L, AND A CESSNA 310 IWIN-ENGINE BLUE AND WHITE AIRCRAFT.

BT

Approved:

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 245

Transmitted

Per

(Number)

(Time)

GPO: 1977 0 - 225-539

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## Page 246

JNO 00115392

00 HQ KC ME

DE JN

0 2215362 AUG 78

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-33861) PRIORITY

KANSAS CITY IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) PRIORITY

BT

UNCLAS E FT O

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT

MURKIN; 00: MEMPHIS.

CARL D. FORINA, ROUTE 6, BOX 387, OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI,

STATED THAI HE MET BILL WILSON IN BELTON, MISSOURI, IN 1966 OR 1967.

FORTNA WAS IN THE AIR FORCE AT THIS TIME STATIONED AT RICHARDS-

GEBAUER AIR FORCE BASE IN BELTON, MISSOURI. FORINA STATED THAT

WILSON AND WILSON'S WIFE OWNED A JEWELRY STORE IN BELTON, MISSOURI,

AND THAT WILSON WAS A MEMBER OF THE 442ND AIR FORCE RESERVE UNIT

STATIONED AT RICHARDS-GEBAUER AIR FORCE BASE. FORTNA STATED HE

KNEW WILSON THROUGH THEIR ASSOCIATION IN THE VFV IN BELTON, MISSOURI•

FORINA STATED THAI HE, FORINA, RETIRED FROM THE AIR FORCE IN 1969

62-544-60

Searched

Aurialized &

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 246

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## Page 247

PAGE 2 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F T O

AND DID NOT SEE WILSON AGAIN EXCEPT FOR ONE BRIEF MOMENT IN 1972

UNTIL APPROXIMATELY IWO MONTHS AGO. WILSON CAME TO OCEAN SPRINGS, .

MISSISSIPPI, FROM LAFAYEITE, LOUISIANA, ABOUT TWO MONIHS AGO AND

LIVED IN THE TWIN PINES MOTEL ON HIGHWAY 9D, OCEAN SPRINGS,

MISSISSIPPI. ON JULY 23, 1978, WILSON MOVED INTO A HOUSE OWNED BY

FORINA LOCATED NEXT DOOR TO FORTNA'S PRESENT RESIDENCE.

AI APPROXIMATELY 4:5 PM ON AUGUST 18, 1978, WILSON ASKED

FORINA TO COME INTO WILSON'S HOUSE, THAT HE HAD SOMETHING VERY

IMPORTANT TO TELL HIM. WILSON TOLD FORINA, "I KILLED THAT BLACK

SON-OF-A-BIICH." FORINA ASKED WILSON WHO HE WAS TALKING ABOUT,

AND WILSON REPLIED MARTIN LUTHER KING • FORTNA STATED THAT HE TOLD

WILSON HE DID NOT BELIEVE HIM, AND WILSON SAID, "I AM TELLING YOU

THE TRUTH. I ACTUALLY KILLED HIM. I'VE BEEN LIVING WITH IT FOR

TEN YEARS, AND I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE." WILSON TOLD FORTNA THAT

MARTIN LUTHER KING WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR WILSON'S FATHER'S DEATH.

WILSON DID NOT ELABORATE FURTHER ON THIS. WILSON TOLD FORTNA

THAT THIS KILLING WAS "ENGINEERED" BY LOU CRUZ (PHONETIC). FORINA

STATED THAT HE KNOWS LOU CRUZ AND THAT LOU CRUZ OWNED OR STILL OWNS

LOU CRUZ JEWELRY, 1505 MAIN STREET, GRANDVIEW, MISSOURI. WILSON

TOLD FORTNA THAT HE DROVE TO THE STATE LINE AIRPORT IN KANSAS CITY,

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 247

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## Page 248

PAGE 3 UN 62-544 UNCLAS E FIO

MISSOURI, DRIVING A NEW FORD THUNDERBIRD. WILSON IOLD FORTNA THAT

CRUZ ALSO OWNED AN IDENTICAL FORD THUNDERBIRD. WILSON LEFT HIS

THUNDERBIRD AT THE AIRPORT AND FLEW TO MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. CRUZ

CAME TO THE AIRPORT AND PICKED UP WILSON'S THUNDERBIRD AND TOOK IT

FROM THE AIRPORT SO IT WOULD NOT BE NOTICED. WHEN WILSON ARRIVED

IN MEMPHIS, HE BORROWED A WHITE FORD MUSTANG THAT HE HAD PURCHASED

FOR HIS DAUGHTER, DEBORAH. DEBORAH HAD DRIVEN FROM KANSAS CITY TO

MEMPHIS IN THE MUSTANG • WILSON TOLD FORTNA THAT HE WENT TO THE

MOTEL WHERE MARTIN LUTHER KING WAS STAYING AND THAT HE USED A

JAPANESE SNIPER RIFLE AND SHOT KING HOLDING THE RIFLE ON HIS HIP.

HE STATED THAT THIS RIFLE IS NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF WILSON'S SON,

STEVE. WILSON TOLD FORINA THAT HE WAS DRIVING AWAY FROM THE SCENE

IN THE MUSTANG, AND HE WAS STOPPED BY THE MEMPHIS POLICE, BUT HE

TALKED HIMSELF OUT OF A TICKET, AND THE CAR WAS NOT SEARCHED • HE

STATED THAT THE RIFLE WAS IN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR AT THIS TIME.

WILSON TOLD FORINA THAT HE THEN FLEW HIS AIRPLANE BACK TO KANSAS

CITY, AND CRUZ PICKED HIM UP AT THE AIRPORI AND TOOK HIM HOME.

FORTNA STATED THAT WHEN WILSON TOLD HIM THE ABOVE INFORMATION,

HE, FORINA, BELIEVED THAT WILSON THOUGHT HE WAS TELLING THE TRUTH

AND THAT HE SWORE ON HIS MOTHER'S GRAVE IN FRONI OF A PRIEST THAT IT

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 248

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## Page 249

PAGE 4 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F T 0

WAS THE TRUTH. FORTNA STATED THAT WILSON HAD NEVER MENTIONED THIS

SUBJECT PRIOR TO THIS INSTANCE. FORTNA STATED THAT WILSON HAS BEEN

DRINKING HEAVILY FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS AND HAS LIED TO HIM SEVERAL

TIMES IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS. WILSON, ON OCCASION, WOULD TELL

FORINA THAT HE HAD BEEN MARRIED THREE OR FOUR TIMES SINCE DIVORCING

HIS FIRST WIFE AND THEN COME BACK AT A LATER DATE AND SAY THAT HE

HAD NOT BEEN MARRIED AFTER DIVORCING HIS FIRST WIFE.

FORINA STATED THAT WILSON IS AN EXCELLENT PILOI, THAT HE,

FORINA, HAS FLOWN WITH WILSON THROUGH BAD WEATHER, AND WILSON HAD

NO PROBLEMS FLYING THE AIRCRAFT.

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., AKA BILL, WAS BORN AUGUST 28, 1931,

AT FULTON, MISSISSIPPI, 5 FEET 11 INCHES, 179 POUNDS, BROWN EYES,

GRAY HAIR, SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

JFK Act 6 (3)

MILITARY SERVICE

U. S. AIR FORCE 1947-1960.

KANSAS CITY AT GRANDVIEW, MISSOURI. WILL LOCATE LOU CRUZ

(PHONETIC), 1505 MAIN STREET, RE KNOWLEDGE OF WILSON AND FACT HE

"ENGINEERED" ASSASSINATION OF DR. KING.

AT KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. WILL CONDUCT APPROPRIATE INVESTIGA -

TION AND CHECK FLIGHT PLANS IF POSSIBLE AT STATE LINE AIRPORT IN AN

EFFORT TO DETERMINE IF WILSON FLEV FROM THIS AIRPORI TO MEMPHIS,

NW 55186

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## Page 250

PAGE 5 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E FI O

TENNESSEE, ON OR ABOUT APRIL 4, 1968.

FOR INFORMATION OF KANSAS CITY, IN A PRIOR INTERVIEW OF WILSON,

HE STATED HE HAD A RED AND WHITE BONANZA AIRPLANE, REGISTER NUMBER

34L, AND A CESSNA 310 TWIN-ENGINE BLUE AND WHITE AIRCRAFT.

BT

1

2341555Z ME 1

13

2341506 HQ-1

CLR

23415534 KC

1 IKS

• NW 55186 • DocId: 32989768 Page 250

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## Page 251

JN 62-544

101c

AT VETERANS ADMINISTRATION CENTER, GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI

m August L1 1910, MrS. INGRID SAMPSON, Medical

Administration Division, Veterans

Administration Center

advised SC(S) BEITY LOU CLARK she

i can see can that BURGESS AUDIE FIESON,

JR., had ever received treatment at the Gulfport or Biloxi,

Mississippi, Veterans Administration Centers.

AT KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI

On August 21, 1978, Airman First Glass SUSAN DRENNON,

Clerk, Registrar's Office, Keesler Medical Center, Keesler Air

Base; Biloxl, Mississippi, advised sA EDGAR

I. O'NEILL,

JRo that there was

no record in the in-patient records or out-

patient records that BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR. had ever received

treatment there.

She stated that if a patient is treated for routine

physical examination and is not again seen for a period of two

years, all medical records are thereafter transmitted to U. S.

Air Force Medical Records Center, St. Louis, Missouri.

62-544-61

DWa 0t6

AUG?: 1978

FEL-JACIEON

3,45.

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 251

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## Page 252

JN 62-544

HHC/kbn

1

The following investigation was conducted at

Ocean Springs, Mississippi by SA HARRY H. CARPENTER

on August 19, 1978:

LOUIS P. HELMS, Helms Realty, U. S. Highway

MAUDIE ODOM, Bartender,

Angle Inn Restaurant

MiSSISSippl,

Inn for approximately two months and appeared to be a

normal customer, causing no trouble.

She stated that

one of WILSON's close friends, is CARL FORTNA, telephone

number 875-0220.

On August 19, 1978, Mrs. MARGARET ALLEN,

Assistant Manager, Iwin Oaks

Mi: 7135 aye a hope do get sped Chat

BILL WILSON

approximately one month and was an ideal tenant.

She stated he caused no problems and she knows of

no close associates of WILSON.

62-544-62

NUG i& 1978

FEI-lACKSON

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 252

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## Page 253

In Reply, Please Refer 10

File No.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Jackson, Mississippi

August 21, 1978

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS

UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENIATIVES

Box 205H3, Ocean Springs,

telephonically

He advised that on August 17, 1978, one of his

and loyees laden wilt with him.

telephonically requested that he

Thereafter, he and Mrs.

Gladen met Wilson at their card and gift shop located in

Ocean Springs.

Mr. Wilson told them he had killed Martin Luther

King.

tennessee is the only person to whom he wit

surrender.

Also,

he said he is to meet the sheritt at the Holiday Inn,

Biloxi, Mississippi, the worning of August 18, 1978.

Mr. Wilson further advised Mr. and Mrs. Gladen

he is sorry for the expense he caused them in setting up his

watch repair business but he had to get this ort his chest.

4 - Bureau (62-117290)

- Memphis

(InIo.

1- Jackson (62-544'

JWA/njb

(7)

nyhZ478

DO TO ME TO DU MA TO DE IS dE LA CLA

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions

of the FBI.

It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed

outside your agency.

FAr 10712-11

Indra

12-544-63

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768 Page 253

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## Page 254

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS

UNITES STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. Gladen advised that in July 1978, he had

rented Mr. Wilson part of his shop to establish a watch

repair service.

Mr. Gladen described Wilson as a white male,

46 years of age.

He stated that Wilson is a very intelli

gent man and although he was drinking at the time of above

meeting he thinks Wilson is serious about the murder of

King.

2%

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 254

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## Page 255

AIRTEL

3/21/78

TO:

DIRECTOR, FDI. (62-117290)

ATTI:

GOMGRESSIONAL

• IQUIRY UNIT

RECORDS ISAIGAINT DIVISION

FROM:

SAG, JAGESON (62-544)

SUBJECI: HOUSE SELICT COIIITTEE

OLL ASSASSIMATIONS (USCA)

Enclosed herewith for the Bureau and hemphis are

cour ond two copies, respectively, of an Liul datca 8/21/78,

santioned "Ilouse Selcot Cormittee on Assassinations, Unitec

Stato House of Representatives.

For the Bureau's infomationg page one, paragraph

line one of referenoed tolatype should road TILLINtI Da

GLADENE

• Loughis

(1 = Jackson

JAW/nib

(4).-

2,715

6.2-54X-44

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 255

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## Page 256

FD-26 (PEy. 77-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

XX Teletype

• Facsimile

• Airtel

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

Ky Immediate

• Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

[ TOP SECRET

I SECRET

& CONFIDENTIAL

• CLEAR

Date

8/22/78

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-33861) IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) IMMEDIATE

BT

2156%

2222 ₴

UNCLAS EF TO

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT

MURKIN; 00: MEMPHIS.

ON AUGUST 22, 1978, JACKSON SPECIAL AGENT VISITED OCEAN SPRINGS,

MISSISSIPPI, POLICE DEPARTMENT IN ORDER TO DETERMINE STATUS OF

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR. JACKSON SPECIAL AGENT ADVISED BY CHIEF OF

POLICE MATT COX THAT A TELETYPE HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM LOCAL

AUTHORITIES IN NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, ADVISING THEY WOULD ARRIVE IN

OCEAN SPRINGS DURING MORNING OF AUGUST 23, 1978, IN ORDER TO TAKE

WILSON BACK TO TEXAS.

CHIEF OF POLICE COX ADVISED HE HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY JACKSON,

MISSISSIPPI, AND LOCAL OCEAN SPRINGS NEWS MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

PRESSING HIM FOR A STATEMENT CONCERNING WILSON'S ALLEGED REMARKS

62-544-65

- JACKSON

KWS/ mae

Soarched

Serializid

Indorad

FLICT

003

(Number)

21487

(Time)

Per

---

## Page 257

FD-36 (Rer: 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

• Teletype

• Facsimile

_ Airtel

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

[ Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

DEFTO

I CLEAR

Date

PAGE 2 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E

ET 0

REGARDING KING ASSASSINATION. CHIEF COX ADVISED HAS GIVEN NO PRESS

STATEMENT TO DATE; HOWEVER, HE ADVISED THAI MISSISSIPPI STATE

REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS GOLLOTTE, ALONG WITH REVEREND NOEL FANNON,

ST. ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH, OCEAN SPRINGS, WERE APPARENTLY

IN CONTACT WITH LOCAL MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES CONCERNING THIS MATTER.

CHIEF COX FURTHER ADVISED HE HAD BEEN CONTACTED BY JACKSON COUNTY

DISTRICT ATTORNEY CLINTON LOCKARD, WHO HAS BECOME AWARE OF THIS

MATTER AND HAS INSTRUCTED CHIEF COX TO BRING INMATE WILSON TO THE

DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN ORDER THAT HIS STATEMENT CAN BE TAPE

RECORDED. CHIEF COX FURTHER ADVISED THAT WILSON APPARENTLY HAS MADE

REMARKS TO THE EFFECT THAT THE FBI INTENDS TO "COVER UP" INFORMATION

HE HAS FURNISHED.

FOREGOING SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION OF FBIHQ AND MEMPHIS IN

VIEW OF POSSIBLE PRESS INQUIRIES FORTHCOMING.

BT

Approved:

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 257

Transmitted

Per

(Number)

(Time)

GPO: 1977 0 - 225-539

---

## Page 258

* 1---0

JNO 0D3 234 22227

00 HQ ME

DE JN

0 2221482 AUG 78

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-33861) IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS E FT O

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT

MURKIN; 00: MEMPHIS.

ON AUGUST 22, 1978, JACKSON SPECIAL AGENT VISITED OCEAN SPRINGS,

MISSISSIPPI, POLICE DEPARIMENT IN ORDER TO DETERMINE STATUS OF

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR. JACKSON SPECIAL AGENT ADVISED BY CHIEF OF

POLICE MATT COX THAT A TELETYPE HAD BEEN RECEIVED FROM LOCAL

AUTHORITIES IN NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, ADVISING THEY WOULD ARRIVE IN

OCEAN SPRINGS DURING MORNING OF AUGUSI 23, 1978, IN ORDER TO TAKE

WILSON BACK TO TEXAS.

CHIEF OF POLICE COX ADVISED HE HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY JACKSON,

MISSISSIPPI, AND LOCAL OCEAN SPRINGS NEUS MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES

PRESSING HIM FOR A STATEMENT CONCERNING WILSON'S ALLEGED REMARKS

62-544-65

S01141150

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 258

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## Page 259

PAGE 2 JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F T O

REGARDING KING ASSASSINATION. CHIEF COX ADVISED HAS GIVEN NO PRESS

STATEMENT TO DATE; HOWEVER, HE ADVISED THAT MISSISSIPPI STATE

REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS GOLLOTTE, ALONG WITH REVEREND NOEL FANNON,

SI. ELIZABETH SETON CATHOLIC CHURCH, OCEAN SPRINGS, WERE APPARENTLY

IN CONTACT WITH LOCAL MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES CONCERNING THIS MATTER •

CHIEF COX FURTHER ADVISED HE HAD BEEN CONTACTED BY JACKSON COUNTY

DISTRICI AITORNEY CLINTON LOCKARD, WHO HAS BECOME AWARE OF THIS

MATTER AND HAS INSTRUCTED CHIEF COX TO BRING INMATE WILSON TO THE

DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN ORDER THAT HIS STATEMENT CAN BE TAPE

RECORDED • CHIEF COX FURTHER ADVISED THAT WILSON APPARENTLY HAS MADE

REMARKS TO THE EFFECT THAT THE FBI INTENDS TO "COVER UP" INFORMATION

HE HAS FURNISHED .

FOREGOING SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION OF FBIHQ AND MEMPHIS IN

VIEW OF POSSIBLE PRESS INQUIRIES FORTHCOMING.

BT

2342103Z HQ 1

23422257 HE 1

NW 55186 Docid: 32989768 Page 259

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## Page 260

H00DD8 23423337

00 HQ JN ME

DE HO

02223337 AUG 78

FM HOUSTON (44- 1509)

(P)

# DIRECIOR (44-33861) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON (62-544) IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1987) IMMEDIATE

BT

UNCLAS

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH.

MURKIN; 00 : MEMPHIS.

RE MEMPHIS TELETYPE TO BUREAU, AUGUST 21, 1978.

ON AUGUST 22, 1978, BOB SORRELL, ROUTE ONE, BOX 260,

(BEAUMONT COLONY), KOUNIZE, TEXAS, TELEPHONE 246-2705,

(UNLISTED), WAS CONTACIED AT HIS RESIDENCE WHERE THE FOLLOWING

INFORMATION WAS DEVELOPED • SORRELL BECAME ACQUAINTED WITH

BILL WILSON THROUGH HIS ATTENDANCE AT THE HOLLY/OOD BAPTIST

CHURCH IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, WHICH WAS PASTORED BY BROTHER

WILSON. SORRELL HAD NO OTHER ASSOCIATION WITH BILL WILSON

62-544-66

1.'.

1973

0.48

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 260

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## Page 261

PAGE TWO HO 44-1509 UNCLAS

EXCEPT THROUGH CONTACI AT CHURCH. SORRELL ATTENDED THAT

CHURCH AS A YOUNGSTER AND CONTINUED UNTIL APPROXIMATELY

1958, WHEN HIS FAMILY MOVED FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND

ATTENDANCE STOPPED .

HE, SORRELL, HAD NO OTHER CONTACT WITH BILL WILSON UNTIL

AFTER 1967, WHEN SORRELL EMPLOYED AT HAGLER AERO SERVICE,

CHARLES W. BAKER AIRPORT, MILLINGTON, TENNESSEE, TELEPHONE

872-2261• SORRELL WAS PART-TIME EMPLOYEE AT HAGLER UNTIL

OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER OF 1967, WHEN HE BECAME FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE

AS A LINEMAN.

SORRELL RECALLED THAT SOMETIME AFTER BECOMING A FULL-

TIME EMPLOYEE BILL FLEW INTO THE AIRPORI, EXACI DATE UNRECALLED,

IN A TWIN BEACHCRAFT @ - 18) BELIEVED RED AND WHITE IN COLOR

WITH POSSIBLY A BLUE STRIPE. SORRELL RECALLED THAT HE

REFUELED THIS AIRPLANE, BUT THE TIME OF DAY OF ARRIVAL

WAS UNKNOWN. AS RECALLED WILSON WAS WEARING CIVILIAN CLOTHING

AND PAID CASH FOR THE FUEL PURCHASE. SORRELL AND WILSON HAD

LITTLE CONVERSATION OTHER THAN GREETING. AS BEST RECALLED

BY SORRELL, WILSON STAYED OVERNIGHT AND LEFT THE FOLLOWING

DAY, TIME UNKNOWN. SORRELL DOES NOT KNOW HOW WILSON WAS

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 261

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## Page 262

PAGE THREE HO 44-1509 UNCLAS

TRANSPORTED FROM AND TO THE AIRPORT.

WITHIN TWO OR THREE MONTHS WILSON MADE A SECOND VISIT

TO HAGLER IN THE SAME AIRCRAFT WHERE HE RECEIVED GAS,

PAID CASH AND LAID OVER FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS. AGAIN,

SORRELL HAS NO IDEA AS TO HIS TRANSPORTATION FROM AND BACK

TO THE AIRPORT. SORRELL HAS NO INFORMATION AS TO WHERE

HE CAME IN FROM OR HIS DESTINATION UPON DEPARTURE FROM THE

AIRPORT. SORRELL COULD SUPPLY NO INFORMATION ABOUT A

1965, WHITE MUSTANG AND DID NOT KNOW THAT WILSON HAD A

DAUGHIER NAMED DEBORAH.

SORRELL HAS NOT SEEN NOR HEARD FROM WILSON SINCE THE

LAST VISIT TO HAGLER.

SORRELL TERMINATED HIS EMPLOYMENT AT HAGLER IN OCTOBER

OF 1976. HE CANNOI RECALL THE EXACT TIME OF ARRIVAL OR

DEPARTURE BUT DOES BELIEVE BOIH VISITS OCCURRED IN EITHER

1968 OR 1969. SORRELL ADVISED FUEL RECEIPTS BROKEN DOWN

BY SINGLE ENGINE OR MUTLI-ENGINE AIRCRAFTS ARE MAINTAINED

ON A MONTHLY BASIS. SORRELL ADVISED THAT MR. GLENN MITCHELL,

MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR, HAGLER AERO SERVICES, COULD ASSIST

WITH REVIEW OF GAS RECEIPTS TO DETERMINE EXACT DATE OF ARRIVAL •

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 262

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## Page 263

PAGE FOUR HO 44-1509 UNCLAS

SORRELL HAD NO INFORMATION HOW WILSON CAME INTO

POSSESSION OF AIRCRAFT AND DOES NOT KNOW WHETHER IT WAS

LEASED OR OWNED BY HIM. IN RECALLING THE TWO VISITS

BY WILSON, SORRELL HAS A GUT FEELING THAI SOMEONE MAY

HAVE BEEN WITH HIM ON EACH OCCASION, BUT THIS IS JUST A

FEELING ON HIS PART AND HE CAN SUPPLY NO INFORMATION TO

CONFIRM THIS FEELING. SORRELL HAD NO INFORMATION ABOUT

AN AIRPORT IN OLATHA, KANSAS, WHERE WILSON ALLEGEDLY LANDED

ATER DEPARTURE FROM MEMPHIS.

AS FURTHER BACKGROUND, SORRELL RECALLED THAT DURING

ATTENDANCE AT THE HOLLYWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH HE GOT THE IMPRES-

SION THAI WILSON WAS IN AND OUT OF TROUBLE, ALTHOUGH HE

DOES NOT KNOW THE TYPE. HE MAY HAVE RECEIVED THIS INFORMATION

FROM ONE OF WILSON'S SISTERS, NAMES UNRECALLED. THROUGH

CONTACT WITH WILSON AT CHURCH, WILSON IMPRESSED SORRELL AS

THE TYPE OF GUY WHO ALWAYS HAD A "BIG DEAL", "KIND OF

A CONMAN PERSONALITY". AGAIN, AND IT MAY HAVE BEEN ONE OF

WILSON'S SISTERS WHO MENTIONED IT, SORRELL GOT THE IMPRESSION

THAT WILSON HAD BEEN ARRESTED AND RECEIVED TIME FOR AN

UNKNOWN OFFENSE. SORRELL ADVISED THAI CONTACI WITH WILSON'S

SISTERS WAS AT CHURCH. HE AGAIN STATED THAT HE HAS A GUT

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 263

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## Page 264

PAGE FIVE HO 44-1509 UNCLAS

FEELING THAT ONE OF THEM MAY. HAVE BEEN AT THE AIRPORT ON

ONE OF THE ABOVE OCCASIONS.

SORRELL DID NOT KNOW FOR CERTAIN THAT WILSON SERVED

IN THE U.S. AIR FORCE, BUT RECALLED THAT WILSON WORE A

UNIFORM AT CHURCH ON OCCASION. SORRELL WAS NOT AWARE THAT

WILSON WAS EMPLOYED AT PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY BUT DOES

RECALL HIS MARRIAGE TO BETTY LOU, MAIDEN NAME UNKNOWN,

BECAUSE BETTY LIVED IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD • SORRELL

HAD NO INFORMATION ABOUT WILSON'S CLEANING BUSINESS OR

TIME SPENT IN THE TENNESSEE NATIONAL GUARD OR THAT WILSON

HAD EVER LIVED IN THE MEMPHIS AREA.

SINCE NO INFORMATION WAS DEVELOPED FROM SORRELL

CONCERNING THE AIRPORT IN KANSAS AND DID NOT KNOW

(FIRST NAME UNKNOWN) FISHER, FROM WHOM WILSON ALLEGEDLY

PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT, ANY LEADS FOR KANSAS WILL BE

LEFT UP TO THE DISCRETION OF MEMPHIS•

- LEADS. MEMPHIS AI MILLINGION, TENNESSEE. CONTACT GLENN

MITCHELL AND ATTEMPT TO REVIEW LOGICAL GAS RECEIPTS TO

DETERMINE EXACT DATE OF WILSON'S REFUELING AT HAGLER AERO

SERVICE •

• HOUSTON AT HOUSTON, WILL SUBMIT REPORI.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 264

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## Page 265

it.

10d. 3179.

• ілО? 044-352019 10D1:2

MONSOO C02-500 ISOLATE

SORRELLI SO OILER CLEOCITING MITH BILL MILTO.

99-1149-89

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 265

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## Page 266

N60S08 23423332

DO RE UN ME

DR N0

02223302 ANG 78

FIN, ROUSTON (44- 1509)

(P)

DIRECTOR (44-35861) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON (62-544) IMEDIATE

AENONIS (44-1987).

INIMED TATE

B3

UNCLAS

ATTENTION: COAGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEN.

MURKIN; 00 : MEMPNIS.

RE NONPHIS TELETYPE TO BUREAU, AUGUST 21, 1978.

ON AUGUSt 280 1976, 509

SORRELL, ROUTE QUE, BOX 2615

• GRAUMONT COLONY) & KOUNIZE, TEXAS, TELEPHONE 246-2705 s

CURLIOTED >, WAS CONTACTED AT. MIS RESIDENCE WHERE THE FOLLOWING

INFORMATTON AS DEVELOPSO * SORRELL BECAME ACGUAINIED WITH

PILL WILSON THOUGH HIS ATTZSDANCE AT THE HOLLYWOOD BAPTIST

CHURCH IN ACAPNES; TENNESSEE, WHICH WAS PASTORED BY BROTHER

WILSON, CORREWL HAD

NO, OTHER ASSOCIATION WITH BILL KILSON

SEARCHED.

SERIALIZED

62-544-66

-INDEXED

_FILED..

AUG 2 2 1978.

F5:- PACKS 2N

NW 55186 DocId: 32909768 Page 266

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## Page 267

PAGE TWO NO 44-1509 WECLAS

EXCEPT THROUGH COACT AT CHURCH, SORRELL. ATTENDED THAT

CHURCH AS A YOUNGSTER AND CONTINUED UNTIL APPROKIMATELY

1950, WHEN HIS FAMILY MOVED FROG THE WCICNBORNOOD AND

ATTENDANCE SIOPPED -

NE, SORRELL, NAD NO OTHER CONTACT WITH HILL WILSON UNTIL

AFTEN 1907, WNEW SORRELL EMPLOYED AT HAGLER AERO SERVIOS,

CHARLES W: BANCA ALAPORT, MILLINGTON, TENESSEE, TELEPHONE

072-2261, SORRELL WAS PART-TIME DUPLOYEE AT HAGLER UNTIL

OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER OF 1967, WMER

HE BECANE FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE

AS A LICENATO

SORRELL RECALLED THAT SOMET ME AFTER BECOMING A FULL-.

TIME EMPLOYEE BILL FLEW INTO INE AIRPORI, EXACT DATE UNRECALLED,

I! A TWIN BZACHCRAFT @- 16) BELIEVED RED AND WHITE IN COLOR

• VITH POSSIBLY A BLUE STRIPE, CORRELL RECALLED THAT HE

REFOELED THIS AIRPLANE, BUT THE TIME OF DAY OF ARRIVAL

WAS UNKNOUN. AS REGALLED WILSON WAS WEARING CIVILIAN CLOTHIE

AND PAID CASH FOR INE FUS. PURCHASE • SORRELL AND WILSON HAD

LITTLE CONVENSATION OINER THAN GREETING. AS'BEST RECALLED

BY SORRELL, WILSON STAYED OVERNIGHT AND LEFT THE FOLLOWING

LAY, TIME UNKNOT

SORRELL DOES NOT KNOW. NOW WILSON WAS

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 267

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## Page 268

PAGE THREE NO 44-1599 UNCLAS

TRANSPORTED FROM AND TO THE AIRPORT.

WITHIN TWO GR THREE MONTHS WILSON MADE A SECOND VISIT

TO HAGLER IE THE SAME AIRCRATE WHERE HE RECEIVED GASS

PAID CASH AND LAID OVER FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS. AGAIN,

SORRELL. HAS NO IDEA AS TO HIS TRANSPORTATION FROM AND BACK

TO INE AIRPORT: SORRELL HAS NO INFORMAIION. AS TO WHERE

HE CAME IN FROM ON HIS DESTINATION UPON DEPARTURE FROM THE

AIRPORT • SORRELL COULD SUPPLY NO INFORMATION ABOUT A

1965, WHITE MUSTANG AND DID MOT KNOW, THAT WILSON HAD A

DAUGHIER DAMED DEBORAH:

SORRELL MAS NOT SEEN NOR NEARD FROM WILSON SINCE IKE

LAST VISLI TO HAGLER.

SORRELL FERMENATED HIS EOPLOYMENT AT RAGLER IN OCTOBER

oF 19760

LE CANOT RECALL THE EXACT TINE OF ARRIVAL OR

DEPARTURE BUT DOES BELIEVE BOIM VISITS OCCURRED IN EITHER

1908 OR 19630 SORRELL ADVISED FUEL

RECEIPTS BROKEN DOW

BY SINGLE ENGINE OR MUTLI-ENGINE AIRCRAFTS ARE MAINTAINED

ON A MUNTHLY DASIS:

CORRELL ADVISED THAI MR. GLENN MITChELL

MAINTENGGE SUPERVISOR, RAGLER AERO SERVIOES, COULD ASSIST

WITH REVIEW OF CAS NECSIPIS TO DETERMINE EXACT DATE OF ARRIVAL.

NW 55106 DocId: 32909768 Page 268

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## Page 269

"PAGE FOUR

HO 44-1909 UNGLAS

CORRELL HAD NO IRFORMATION HOW WILSON CAME INTO

POSSESSION OF AIRCRAFT AND DOES NOT KNOW WHETHER IT WAS

LEASRD OR OWNED BY HIM. IN RECALLING THE TWO VISITS

BY WILSON, SORRELL HAS A GUT FEELING THAT SOMEONE MAY

HAVE BORN WITH ME ON EACH OSCASION, BUT THIS IS JUST A

FESLING ON HIS FART AND. HE CAN SUPPLY NO IGFORMATION TO

COMFIRD THIS FEELING •

SORRELL HAD NO INFORMATION ABOUT

AN AIRPORT IN OLATHA, KANSAS, WERE WILSOW ALLEGEDLY LANDED

STER DOPARTURE FROU MEMPHIS.

AS FURTHER BACKGROUND & SORRELL RECALLED THAT DURING

ATTENDANOE AT THE HOLLYWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH HE GOT THE IMPRES

SION THAT WILSON WAS IN AND QUT OF TROURLE, ALTROUGH HE

DOES NOT KNOW THE TURE. HE MAY MAVE, RECEIVED THIS INFORHATIDN

FROM OVE OF WILCON'S SISTENS, MANES UNRECALLED. THROUGH

CONTACT WITH WILSON AT CHURCH, WILSON IMPRESEED SORRELL AS

THE TYPE OF GUY WHO

ALWAYS HAD A BIG DEAL", "KIND OF

1 CURIAN PERSONALITY"S AGAIN, AND IT DAY HAVE BEEN DUE OF

WILSON'S SISTERS WHO MENTIONED IT; SORRELL GOT THE IMPRESSION

THAT WILSON MAD BEEN ARNESTED AND RECEIVED TIME FOR AW

OTFENSE, CORRELL ADVISED THAT CONTACT WITH WILSON'S

8151628

WAS AT CHUNCH, HE AGAIN STATED THAT ME KAS A-GUT

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768. Page 269

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## Page 270

PAGE FIVE HO 44-1509 UNCLAS

FEELING THAT ONE OF THEM MAY NAVE, BEEN AI THE AIRPORT ON

ONE UF THE ABOVE. OCCASIONS A

SORRELL DID NOT KNOW FOR CENTALI THAT WILSON SERVED

IN THE U0S. AIR FORCE, BUT RECALLED THAT WILSON WORE A

UNIFORIS AT CHURCH ON OCCASION. SORRELL WAS NOT AVARE INAT

WILSON WAS EMPLOYED AT PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY BUT DOES

RECALL MIS MARRIAGE TO BETTY LOU, MAIDEN

NAME UNKNOWN,

BECAUSE BETTY LIVED IN THE SANE HEIGHEORHUOD • SORRELL

MAD NO INFORMATION ABOUT VILSON'S CLEANING BUSINESS OR

TIME SPENT IN THE TENNESSEE MATTONAL GUARD OR THAT WILSON

NAD EVER LIVED IN THE NEMPHIS AREA.

SINCE NO INFORMATION WAS DEVELOPED FROM CORRELL

CONCERNINE THE AIRPORT IN KANSAS AND DID NOT KNOW

FIRET NAME UNINGUND FISHER, PROM WHOM WILSON ALLECEDLY

PURCHASED THE AIRCRAFT, ANY LEADS FOR KANSAS WILL BE

LEFT OP TO THE DISOROTION OF. MEMPHIE.

MEUPHIE AT MILLINGTON, TENNESSEE.. CONTACT GLENN

MITONELL AND ATTEMPE TO REVIEW LOGICAL GAS RECEIPTS TO

DETERMINE. EXACE DATE OF WILSON'S REFUELING AT. MAGLER ASHO

SERVICE A

HOUSTON AT YOUSTON, WILL SUBHIT REPORT.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 270

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## Page 271

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription _

August 21e 1978

CARL D. FORTNA, Route 6, Box 387, Ocean Springs,

Mississippi, telephone number 875-0220, was advised of the

identity of

the interviewing Agent and the nature of the

interview. FORTNA, a white male, born June 2,

1932, in

Great Bend, Kansas, advised that

he completed the tenth

grade of high school, and he could read and write.

FORTNA stated that he met BILL WILSON In Belton,

Missouri, in 1966 or 1967.

Be leon, i sound on header chat 20 are so a

wife owned a jewelry store in Belton, Missouri, and that

WILSON was a member of the 442nd Air

Force Reserve Unit

stationed at Richards-Gebauer Air Force Base.

FORTNA stated

he knew WILSON through their association in the VFW in Belton,

Missouri.

FORTNA stated that he, FORTNA, retired from the Air

Force in 1969 and did not see WILSON again except for one

brief moment in 1972 until approximately two months ago.

WILSON came to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, from Lafayette,

Louisiana,

about two months ago and lived in the Twin Pines

Motel on Highway 90, Ocean Springs, Mississippi. On July 23,

19/8, WILSON moved into a house owned by FORTNA

• located next

•to FORTNA's present residence.

asked FORTNA to come

very important to tell him.

something

WILSON told

about, and WILSON replied MARTIN LUTHER KING.

FORTNA stated

that he told wILsON he did not believe him.

and WILSON said,

"I am telling you the truth. I actually killed him. I've

been living with it for ten years, and I can't take it anymore."

WILSON

told FORTNA that MARTIN LUTHER KING was responsible for

WILSON's father's death. WILSON did not elaborate further on

WILSON told FORTNA that this killing was

"engineered"

by LOU CRUZ (phonetic). FORTNA stated that he knows LOU CRUZ

and that LOU CRUZ owned or still owns Lou Cruz Jewelry,, 1505

Main Street, Grandview, Missouri. WILSON told FORTNA that he

drove to the State Line Airport in Kansas City, Missouri,

driving a new Ford Thunderbird. WILSON told FORTNA that CRUZ

Interviewed on -

by

8/19/78

-aOcean Springs, Mississippifile# Jackson 62-544 -6?

life

SA HARRY H. CARPENTER/mae

Date dictated

8/19/78

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

FBI/DOS

NW 55186 DooId: 32989768

Page 271

---

## Page 272

JN 62-544

also owned an identical Ford Thunderbird. WILSON left his

s Thunderbird

and took it from the airport so it would not be noticed.

When WILSON arrived in Memphis, he borrowed a white ford

Mustang that he had purchased for his daughter, DEBORAH.

DEBORAH had driven from Kansas City to Memphis in the Mustang•

WILSON told FORTNA that he went to the motel where MARTIN

LUTHER KING Was Staying

and that he used a Japanese sniper

rifle and shot KING holding the rifle on his hip.

that this rifle is now in the possession of WIlSON's sonated

STEVE.

WILSON told FORTNA that he was driving away from

scene in the Mustang, and he was stopped by the Memphis police,

but he talked himself out of a ticket, and the car was not

searched.

stated that the rifle was in the trunk of the

car at this time. WILSON told FORTNA that he then flew his

airplane back to Kansas City, and CRUz picked him up at the

airport and took him home.

FORTNA stated that when WILSON told him the above

intormation, he, FORINA, believed that WILSON thought he was

telling the truth and that he swore on his mother's grave in

front of a priest that it was the truth.

FORTNA stated that

WILSON had never mentioned this subject prior to this instance.

FORTNA stated that WILSON has been drinking heavily for the

past two months and has lied to him several times in the past

two months.

WILSON, on occasion, would tell FORTNA that he

had been married three or four times since divorcing his first

wife and then come back at a later date and say that he had

not been married after divorcing his first wife.

FORTNA stated that WILSON is an excellent pilot,

that he, FORTNA, has flown with WILSON through bad weather,

and WILSON had no problems flying the aircraft.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 272

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## Page 273

JN 62-544

REH/drw

1.

SA KENNET P lleting investigation as conducted by

On August 19, 1918, a revieW ot the 19/8

Grenada City Directory shows a listing for the Central

Baptist Church with Reverend JOE BELL as pastor at

333 Second Street, Grenada, Mississippi, telephone

225-2715•

The directozy shows JOE BELL and wife,

MYRA N. BELug

residing at 235 South Mound Street,

Grenada, Mississippi, hoine telephone 226-4133, and

that jOE BELL is the

pastor of the Central Baptist

Church.

On August 19, 1978,

FRED TILGHMAN, Chief of

Police, Grenada,

MisSiSSIppi, Police Department,

Grenada, Mississippi, advised he could locate no

arrest record or outstanding warrants for BURGESS

AUDIE WILSOR, JR.

also known as BILL WILSON, date

I birch, August 28, 1931, place of birth, ulcon,

Mississippi.

record or outstanding warrants on BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.,

also known as BILL WILSON, white male,

date of birth,

August 28, 1931, at Fulton, Mississippi.

On August 19, 1978, HUBERT SPEARS, United

States Post Office, Grenada, Mississippi, advised

they did have a b. A. WILSON, who was formerly

the

preacher at the Central Baptist Church, Grenada,

Mississippi, approximately four or five years ago.

62-544-68

Alf to es 1978

Aw:

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 273

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## Page 274

JN 62-544

2

SPEARS stated that B. A. WILSON died, and his

death sided at see te. A WILSON"s

Street, Grenada,

Mississippi, which house is now vacant or in the

process of being torn down.

SPEARS further stated

that B. A. WILSON and his wife lived in the parsonage

behind Central Eaptist Church, and SPEARS stated that

II WILsoN had any chloren, none lived in Grenada, or

they were all gicin when WILSON was the preacher at

Central Baptist Church.

A review of the Grenada City Directory for

Grenada, Mississippi,

telephone number 226-4737.

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 274

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## Page 275

JN 62-544

/blc

AT VETERANS ADMINISTRATION CENTER, GULFPORT, MISSISSIPPI

On August 21, 1978, MrS. INGRID SAMPSON, Medical

Veterans

Administration Center,

can at no soon an eating that sues one so,

JR., had ever received treatment at the Gulfport or Biloxi,

Mississippi, Veterans Administration Centers.

AT KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI

On August Z1, 1918, Airman First Class SUSAN DRENNON,

Clerk, Registrar's Office, Keesler Medical Center,

Keester Alt

Base, Biloxl, MisSissippi, advised sA EdGAR

I. O'NEILL,

JR. that there was no record in the in patient records or out

patient records that BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR. had ever received

treatment there.

She stated that if a patient is treated for routine

physical examination and is not again seen for a period of two

years, all medical records are thereafter transmitted to U. S.

Air Force Medical Records Center, St. Louis, Missouri.

62-544-69

Waits tit

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 275

---

## Page 276

62-544-70

SEARCHLO GES

AUG *8 $ 1978

wails

H,

NN 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 276

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## Page 277

?

:

JN 62-544

GLH/bjw

The following investigation was conducted by

SA GWYNNE I. HUPFER at Columbus, Mississippi, on

August 19, 1.978:

A physical observation of 401 5th Street South,

columbus, Mississippi, revealed that this is the addres.

of the Candlewood Apartments.

JAMES LANCASTER, 8LO HOLLand Avenue, advised

that he is the owner of the Candlewood Apartments.

LANCASTER stated that he does not recall anyone by the

name BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JRO, OF BILL WILSON, renting

an apartment from him.

LACASTER advised, however, that

he has had a great deal turnovers in these apartments

over the past several years and he could not possibly

recall

all his tenants by name

LANCASTER advised

that his daughter,

RITA BROWNLEE, was the resident

manager of the Candlewood Apartments for him for several

years. He stated that she might recall this individual.

RITA BROWNLEE, 3504 Camilia Gircle, advised that

was the resident manager of Candlewood Apartments

during portions of 1974 and all of 1975 and 1975.

BROWNLEE

advised that she does not recall anyone named BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON, JRo, Or BILL WILSON renting an apartment

from her.

she stated, however, that she located a payment

Iron a BILL WILSON, dated July 16, 1975, for apartment 19

at the Gandlewood Apartments.

She advised that this is

the only record she could find of this individual and

stated that he must have paid his rent payments in cash.

DONALD BEARD, Columbus Police Department

advised that their records indicate BURGESS A. WILSON

was the complainant and victim of a strong-arm robbery

on August 1, 1915. BEARD advised that is the only recor

they have of a BURGESS A. WILSON in their tiles.

BEARD stated that they have a record of a BIUL

Apartment 79, Candlewood Apartments,

the subject of a disturbance call on August

_as being

again on August 13, 1975. BRARD advised that a review o

his records indicate that on both of these occasions another

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 277

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## Page 278

JN 62-544

tenant at the Candlewood Apartments had called the

police to complain of excessive noise at the apartment

of BILL WILSON•

Both of these incidents were handled

by officers of their department with no arrests being

made and no charges being filed.

BARBARA HENSON, Dispatcher, Lowndes County

Sheriff's Office,

advised that their records are negative

concerning BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., or BILL WILSON.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 275

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## Page 279

FD-36 (Rev. 3-24-77)

TRANSMIT VIA:

L teletype

Facsimile

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

[ Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

7 SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

GEETO

O CLEAR

Date

8/23/78

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO ERECTOR 141-338421 Ass.

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUBM) PRIORITYA 0502

SAN ANTONIO (44-1242) PRIORITY LDORF

BT

UNCLAS EFTO

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH.

MURKIN; 00: MEMPHIS.

ON AUGUST 23, 1978, SERGEANT LAURA MIZE, DESK SERGEANT,

OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, POLICE DEPARIMENT ADVISED THAT

DEPUTY (FIRST NAME UNKNOWN). REYUN, OF THE COMAL COUNTY, TEXAS,

SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAD ARRIVED AT THE OCEAN SPRINGS POLICE

DEPARTMENT EARLY THIS MORNING TO PICK UP PRISONER BURGESS AUDIE

WILSON, JR. DESK SERGEANT MIZE ADVISED THAT DEPUTY REYUN

DEPARTED OCEAN SPRINGS AT APPROXIMATELX 10:00 A.M., THIS DATE

WITH WILSON EN ROUTE TO NEW BRAUNFELLS, TEXAS.

BT

67-544-71

Jackson

(1)

Searched

Serialized.

Indexed

Filed

Approved: -

1K/7,76

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Transmitted

Page 279

(Number)

Per

(Time)

With

FBI/DOJ

---

## Page 280

JNO D01 23519582

PP HQ ME SA

DE JN

R 231955Z AUG 78

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-3382) PRIORITY

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) PRIORITY

SAN ANTONIO (44-1242) PRIORITY

BT

UNCLAS E FT O

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH.

MURKIN; DO: MEMPHIS.

ON AUGUST 23, 1978, SERGEANT LAURA MIZE, DESK SERGEANT,

OCEAN SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, POLICE DEPARIMENT ADVISED THAT

DEPUTY (FIRSI NAME UNKNOWN) REYUN, OF THE COMAL COUNTY, TEXAS,

SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAD ARRIVED AT THE OCEAN SPRINGS POLICE

DEPARTMENT EARLY THIS MORNING TO PICK UP PRISONER BURGESS AUDIE

WILSON, JR. DESK SERGEANT MIZE ADVISED THAT DEPUTY REYUN

DEPARTED OCEAN SPRINGS AT APPROXIMATELY 10:00 A.M., THIS DATE

WITH WILSON EN ROUTE TO NEW BRAUNFELLS, TEXAS.

BT

2351901 HQ 1:

#352005 5A, =

69-544-71

tot

Searched-

Serialized.

Indexed

Fileil

235195 TZ ME 1

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 280

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## Page 281

~PD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription

8-21-78

LUKE JOSEPH BRODERICK, 1204 Hammer Smith Lane,

cean Springs, Mississippi, telephone number 875-1404

as advised of the identity of the interviewing Agent

and the nature of the interview. BRODERICK stated

that he is the manager of the Angle Inn Restaurant

and Lounge, Highway 90, Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

BRODERICK, a white male, stated that he

was born February 7, 1940, and has completed three

years of college.

BRODERICK stated that he is acquainted with

BILL WILSON, who has been coming to the Angle Inn

for approximately two months as a customer.

BRODERICK

stated that late on the night of August 16, 1978,

he,

BRODERICK, came to the Angle Inn and WILSON was

sitting at the bar and had been drinking Draft Beer

and was half drunk.

BRODERICK stated he started

talking to WILSON and WILSON said that he, WILSON,

knew more about the MARTIN LUTHER KING assassination

than people thought. WILSON started telling

BRODERICK about how

than EARL RAY. WILSON was describing the other

assassin in the third person.

after WILSON talked for a few minutes, he, BRODERICK,

realized that WILSON was actually talking about himself

person minatalking

BRODERICK stated that

When he questioned WILSON on this,

WILSON stated

• WILSON stated

that he had flown to Memphis, Tennessee,

in a private

plane and he stated that he had shot KING from approxi-

that RAY was a scapegoat in this conspiracy.

WILSON stated that he was turning himself

in to an old friend of his, GENE (last name unknown),

who is the sheriff of Shelby County• WILSON tolc

Interviewed on _8-19-78

- Ocean Springs, Mississippfile # Jackson 62-544-12

by

SA HARRY H. CARPENTER/kbn

Date dictated -

8-21-78

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 281

GPO: 1975 0 - 566-118

---

## Page 282

=--==--=---=

JN 62-544

BRODERICK that he was scheduled to turn himself in at 9:30 a.M.,

on August 18, 1978, at the Holiday Inn in Biloxi, Mississippi.

At the time

WILSON was telling BRODERICK the above information,

WILSON had tears in his eyes and said he had been living with

this on his conscience for ten years and could not stand it

anymore. Also listening in to a portion of the above

conversation was part-time bartender, DOROTHY WOODSIDE.

BRODERICK stated that he asked WILSON during the

conversation on the night of August 16, 1978, if he was

RAOUL and WILSON did not either deny or confirm this

statement.

BRODERICK stated that WILSON had dated a female,

KLIA HERRINGION, and that RITA HERRINGTON'S son, HOWARD

HERRINGTON, went to New Orleans with WILSON at one time.

BRODERICK stated that WILSON came into the Angle

Inn on the morning of August 1o

was turning himself in to the Sheriff and stated that he

of Shelby County

at 6:30 p.M., on that day at the Holiday Inn in Gulfport,

Mississippi.

WILSON used the pay telephone in the Angle

Inn to call the Sheriff of Shelby County and he wrote the

number of the sheriff on a Yellow Cab Company card on the

wall by the pay telephone.

BRODERICK made available this

Yellow Cab Company sign to the interviewing Agent.

Written on this sign was the telephone number 901:

528-3600. WILSON stated that he could not turn himself in

on the morning of August Lo

1978, because the sheriff

could not be

at the motel because of the police strike

now going on in Memphis, Tennessee.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 282

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## Page 283

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription _

8-21-78

WILLIAM HENRY CAMPBELL, 1706 Kensington Drive,

cean Springs, Mississippi, was advised of the identity

of the interviewing Agent and the nature of the interview.

CAMPBELL stated that he is the general superintendent of

Gulf South Construction Company, Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

CAMPBELL stated that he does know BILL WILSON

and that BILL WILSON had worked for him at Gulf South

Construction Company as a carpenter for approximately

two weeks in July. He stated that WIlSON worked

directly under him, CAMPBELL, but that WILSON quit

after two weeks because he wanted more money and

He stated that WILSON was a relatively quiet

person who did not brag or talk about anything concerning

violence or notoriety and did not appear to have any

racial problems.

CAMPBELL made available the following application

for employment concerning BILL WILSON:

Interviewed on 8-19-78

-a Ocean Springs, MississipPie #

Jackson 62-544-15

by SA HARRY H. CARPENTER/kbn

8-21-78

Date dictated

his de cont is contents are not to at districon lusion out Y. " is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

NW 55186 • DocId: 32989768 Page 283

GPO: 1975 0 - 566-118

---

## Page 284

JN .62-544

appliration for employment

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name

WiLsaN:

Last

Present Address TWid "PINES

AРT.FF2

Stroot

Daio 7-5:- > 8. Soclal Security Number

Audio

JFK Act 6 (3)

Age 46 sex 1'7

SPRIN NOS 39,454

Permanent Addr935

Stroet

City

State

Zip

Phone Number 825-0230

Date of Birth 8 - 28-31

Married

Single

Own Home

Heighi, 5' /1" Weight /70

Rent

Board

of Hair Blacks

of Eyes

Widowed

Dependents:Other.../

Than Wife or Chlidren

Divorced

Number of Children

3

li Relatad to Anyone in Our Employ,

State Name and Department

Referred

By

Separated

Citizen

of U.S. A.

PAPER

Yes

NO

EMPLOYMENT DESIRED

Position

Are You Employed Now?

CARPENTER

NO

Date You

Can Start

7-6-78

If So May We Inquire

of Your Present Empioyer

Salary

Desired Y.00 fR

Hidde

Ever Applied to this Company Before? *

Where

Wrien

EDUCATION

Name and Location of School

Years

Attended

Date

Graduated

Subjects Studied

Grammar School

High

High School

College.

Trade, Business or

Correspondence

School

Subjects of Special Study or Research-Work

What Foreign Languages Do You Speak Fluently?

NONE

U.S. Military or

Naval Service

USAL

Present Membership in

Rank (/S§T National Guard or Reserves

Activities Other Than Religious

(Civic, Athletic, Fraternal, etc.)

Lade

EXCLUDE ORGANIZATIONS, THE NAME OR CHARACTER OF WHICH INDICATES THE RÁCE: CREED, COLOR OR NATIONAL ORIGIN OF ITS MEMBERS.

(Continued on Other Side)

Form 660-26 V. S. A. WILSON JONES

APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 284

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## Page 285

JN 62-544

•FORMER EMPLOYERS (List Below Last Four Employers, Starting With Last One First)

Date

Month and Year

From JAN Y&

TO JUN YE

From FAR Z5

TO NAU TY

From MAY,

TO FEB 3'5

From

To

Name and Address of Employer

LA. DFFSHORE

HOUMA, LA.

CONTRANTER

Salary

Position

US AiR FORCE

KERSLER AEB, INS

4.05 H2

SELF

2004WK ENd

1100 MINA

Reason for Leaving

TiRED WORdiNg

OFFSHIRE

NO WORK

RETiRED

REFERENCES: Give Below the Names of Three Persons Not Related To You, Whom You Have Known At Least One Year.

- Nama...

-:.

Address sE

18 Business in

=* Years

Acquainted

1 CARL FORTNA

OCEAN SPRiNG, MESS

207 BALLANTRAR

P.J:BoX 40.

BRUSsARa, LAi

RETIRER USAL

ENGINEER

LA- OFFSiELAL

15

3 MARVIN BRAOSHAN

PHYSICAL RECORD:

List Any Physical Defects

NINt

Were You Ever Injured? X00

Havo You Any Defects In Hearing?

Give Detalls

In Vision? NA

In Speechi? No

GộI -37 - 1141

I authorize investigation of all statements contained in this application. ! understand that misrepresentation or omission of facts called for

Is cause for dismissal: Further, I understand and agree that my employment is for no definite period and may, regardless of the date of payment

of my wages and salary, be terminated at any time without any previous notice.

Date

7-5->8

Signature

Bill Gie Calins

DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE

+25-76-537

Interviewed By.

REMARKS:.

it we area?

Neatnogs

Character

Personality

Ability

Hired

For Dept.

Position

Will Report

Salary

Wages

Approved: 1.

2.

Employment Manager

Dept. Head

3.

General Manager

=s".

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 285

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## Page 286

FD 302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription _

August 21, 1978

DOROTHY RUTH WOODSIDE, 203 Morris Noble Road,

Ocean Springs, Mississippi, telephone number 875-4721, was

advised of the identity of the interviewing Agent and the

nature of the interview. WOODSIDE stated that she is a part-

time bartender at the Angle Inn Restaurant and Lounge located

on Highway 90 in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

She stated

she works full time as an accountant at Ingalls Shipbuilding

high school education plus

graduating from

business college.

WOODSIDE stated that she does know BIlL WIESOMe and

she has talked to him numerous times at the Angle Inn.

stated that she dated WILSON one time and has seen him once

or twice at his apartment.

WOODSIDE stated that at approximately 1:00 AM on

August 18, 1978, WILSON came to the Angle Inn. WILSON talked

to LUKE BRODERICK, the owner of the Angle Inn.

While WILSON

was conversing with BRODERICK,

WOODSIDE joined the conversation.

She stated that at the time WILSON was talking, he had had

several beers but was not drunk, but the longer he talked and

drank, the more inebriated he became.

heard WILSON say, "I'm the man that shot MARTIN LUTHER KING•

I have had this

on my conscience for ten years. I wanted to

get it off my mind."

She stated that WILSON stated that he

had a green airplane he had flown in to Memphis, Tennessee,

at the time he killed KING. She stated that the reason he

was

going to surrender himself to authorities was that he had just

renewed his pilot's license and that he knew he would be caught

WILSON showed this pilot's

License to BRODERICK. WOODSIDE stated that she remembers

WILSON saying that he was looking through a window or over a

windowsill at the time he shot KING. He stated that after he

shot KING, there was a series of bangs or shots but WILSON

stated that he was the one that actually shot KING. She stated

that WILSON said he was going to turn himself in to the Sheriff

of Shelby County, Tennessee, and that WILSON started crying at

the end of the conversation.

WOODSIDE stated that BRODERICK

said that he believed WILSON was telling the truth, but WOODSIDE

did not believe him.

Interviewed on

8/19/78

_aOcean Springs, Mississippifile # Jackson 62-544-74

SA HARRY H. CARPENTER/kbn/mae

Date dictated

8/21/78

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

FBI/DOJ

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 286

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## Page 287

JN 62-544

Sometime during the conversation, WILSON had

stated that he had at one time been a pilot for Governor

CLIFF FINCH, the Governor of Mississippi. He stated he hac

flown FINCH during FINCH's gubernatorial

campaign.

WILSON

also stated that he had flown at one time with the original

Flying Tigers.

WOODSIDE stated that WILSON has been dating a friend

of hers, RITA HERRINGTON, who resides on Fountaine Lane it

Biloxi, Mississippi, telephone number 374-5311. HERRINGTON is

employed as a waitress at the Ramada Inn in Biloxi.

HERRINGTON's

son, HOWARD HERRINGTON, supposedly accompanied WILSON to New

Orleans at one time.

WILSON also stated that he had been

assigned to

Keesler Air Force Base,

at this time.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page

287

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## Page 288

VZCZ CHQO 583

PP BH CG DL HO JN KC ME OC SL SA

DE HQ 0083 2342218

ZNR UUUUU

P 222206 AUG 78

FM DIRECTOR FBI (44-38861)

TO FBI BIRMING HAM PRIORITY

FBI CHICAGO PRIORITY

FBI DALLAS PRIORITY

FBI HOUSTON PRIORITY

FBI JACKSON PRIORITY

FBI KANSAS CITY PRIORITY

FBI MEMPHIS PRIORITY

FBI OKLAHOMA CITY PRIORITY

FBI SAN ANTONIO PRIORITY

FBI SI. LOUIS PRIORITY

B

UNCLAS

MURKIN

EXTENSIVE INVESTIGÁTION HAS ALREADY BEEN CONDUCTED IO

RESOLVE THE ALLEGATION BY BURGESS AUDIE WILSON THAT HE

ASSASSINATED MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., AND TO DETERMINE

68-544-73

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 288

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## Page 289

PAGE TWO DE HQ 0083 UNCLAS

WILSON'S WHEREABOUIS ON APRIL 4, 1968, THE DAY KING WAS

ASSASSINATED. IN ADDITION, IF NOI ALREADY DONE, THE

FOLLOWING OFFICES SHOULD CONDUCT THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL

INVESTIGATION:

SAN ANTONIO:

WILSON ALLEGED ON AN UNSPECIFIED DATE MITCH (NU)

FURNISHED HIM A JAPANESE SNIPER RIFLE WHICH HE ALLEGEDLY

USED TO SHOOT KING. DEBRA JONES, DAUGHTER, ADVISED HE WAS

ARRESTED ABOUT FOUR AND ONE HALF YEARS AGO AI BROWNSVILLE,

TEXAS, WHILE INTOXICATED AFTER HAVING MADE THREATS TO KILL

HIS WIFE, AND THE POLICE FOUND A RIFLE IN HIS CAR.

SAN ANTONIO AT BROWNSVILLE, OBTAIN DETAILS OF THIS ARREST,

AND OBTAIN ANY DESCRIPTION OF RIFLE REPORTEDLY LOCATED BY

POLICE.

JACKSON: •

APPARENTLY REFERRING TO A SKETCH OF KING'S KILLER,

WILSON TOLD THE GLADDENS WORKING ASSOCIATES IN OCEAN SPRINGS,

MISSISSIPPI) THAT IT WAS ALMOST AN EXACI LIKENESS OF HIM AND

BCAUSE IT WAS RECENTLY SHOWN ON IV, HE DECIDED TO TURN HIM-

SELF IN. WILSON SAID HE HAS A SISTER IN FULTON, MISSISSIPPI,

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 289

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## Page 290

PAGE THREE DE HQ

UNCLAS

WHO IELEPHONED HIM IN OCEAN SPRINGS TO SAY THAT THE SKETCH

LOOKED JUST LIKE HIM.

JACKSON, IN YOUR ATTEMPI IO LOCATE CHRISTINE WILSON,

SISTER, AT FULTON, MISSISSIPPI, IF NOT ALREADY DONE, ALSO

INTERVIEW HER RE ALLEGED CALL RE SKETCH DESCRIBED ABOVE.

MEMPHIS :

WILSON ADVISED THE TWO WHITE MALES IN MEMPHIS TOOK HIM TO

A HOTEL ON SOUTH MAIN STREET NEAR BEALE STREET AND TOOK HIM

TO A ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR. MEMPHIS ADVISE PROXIMITY OF

THIS ADDRESS TO ACTUAL KING ASSASSINATION LOCATION.

OPAL HOOTEN, MOTHER OF BETTY LOU WADE, WAS UNABLE TO

FURNISH SPECIFIC DATES OF VISITS, OF BETTY AND DEBRA, HOWEVER,

WOULD CHECK FAMILY MEDICAL RECORDS. DEBRA ALSO STATED WHILE

HER MOTHER BETTY AND HER WERE IN MEMPHIS VISITING HOOTENS

AT TIME KING WAS ASSASSINATED, BETTY CALLED WILSON IN KANSAS

CITY AT LEAST TWO TIMES.

MEMPHIS FOLLOW STATUS OF HOOTEN LOCATING FAMILY MEDICAL

RECORDS, AND DETERMINE WHETHER SHE HAS ANY TELEPHONE RECORDS,

OR IF SAME ARE AVAILABLE AT TELEPHONE COMPANY, SHOWING ANY

CALLS IO KANSAS CITY, OR BRANDVIEW AREA, DURING PERIOD OF

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 290

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## Page 291

PAGE FOUR DE HQ OD&

UNCLAS

"AThaL, 1968.

ALL RECIPIENT OFFICES:

SUTEL SUMMARY RESULTS OF ANY INVESTIGATION STILL

OUTSTANDING, AND PROMPTLY SUBMIT REPORIS REPORTING ALL

INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED RE WILSON'S ALLEGATION, DESIGNATING

4 COPIES TO BUREAU, AND 3 TO MEMPHIS, WITH COPY DESIGNATED

FOR USA MEMPHIS •

BT

0083

NNNN

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 291

---

## Page 292

VZCZ CH00 633

PP BH CG DL HO JN KE HE OC SL SA

DE HQ 8183 2342213

ZNR UUUUU

P 222266 AUG 78

FI DIRECIOR FBI (44-33861)

TO FBI BIRMINGHAN PRIORITY

FBI CHICAGO PRIORITY

FBI DALLAS PRIORITY

FBI HOUSTON PRIORITY

FBI JACKSON PRIORITY

FBI KANSAS CITY PRIORITY

FBI MEMPHIS PRIORITY

FBI OKLAHOMA CITY PRIORITY

FBI SAN ANTONIO PRIORITY

FBI ST. LOUIS PRIORITY

B

UlCLAS

MURKIN

EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION HAS ALREADY BEEN CONDUCTED TO

RESOLVE THE ALLEGATION BY BURGESS AUDIE WILSON THAT HE

ASSASSINATED MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR=, ARD IO DETERMINE

62-544-15

lik

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 292

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## Page 293

PAGE TUO DE HQ GOB3 UNCLAS

VILSON'S UHEREABOUTS ON APRIL 4, 1965, THE DAY KING VAS

ASSASSINATED • Ill ADDITION, IF NOI ALREADY DONE; THE

FOLLOWING OFFICES SHOULD CONDUCT THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL

INVESTIGAIION :

SAN ANTONIO :

WILSON ALLEGED ON AN UNSPECIFIED DATE WITCH CHU>

FURNISHED HIM A JAPANESE SNIPER RIFLE WHICH HE ALLEGEDLY

USED TO SHOOT KILG DEBRA JONES, DAUGHTER g/ADVISED HE UAS

ARRESTED ABOUT FOUR AND ONE NALF YEARS AGO AI BROUNSUILLE,

TEXAS, WHILE INTOXICAIED AFTER HAVING MADE THREAIS TO KILL

HIS WIFE, AD THE POLICE FOUND A RIFLE IN HIS CAR.

SAN ANTONIO AT BROUNSVILLE, GIAIN DETAILS OF THIS ARRESI,

AID OBTAIN ANY DESCRIPTION OF RIFLE REPORTEDLY LOCATED BY

POLICE.

JACKSOW:

APPARENTLY REFERRING TO A SKETCH OF KING'S KILLER,

ELSON TOLD THE GLADDENS C/ORKINS ASSOGATES IN OCEAN SPRITAS,

MISSISSIPPI) THAT IT VAS ALMOST AN EXACT LIKENESS OF HI AND •

BCAUSE IT WAS REGENILY SHOUN Oi TV, HE DECIDED TO TURN MIN-.

SELF Illa WILSON SAID HE HAS A SISTER IN FULTON, MISSISSIPPI,

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 293

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## Page 294

PAGE THREE DE HQ

6083 UNCLAS

•WHO TELEPHONED KIM IN OCEAN SPRINGS IO, SAY THAT THE SKETCH

LOOKED JUST LIKE HIM.

JACKSON, IU YOUR ATTENPI TO LOCATE GRISTINE WILSOW,

SISTER, AT FULTON, MISSISSIPPI, IF NOT ALREADY DONE, ALSO

INTERVIEW HER RE ALLEGED CALL RE SKEICH DESCRIBED ABOVE

MEMPHIS :

WILSON ADVISED THE TUO WHITE MALES IN MEMPHIS TOOK HIM TO

A HOTEL ON SOUTH MAIN STREET NEAR BEALE STREET AND TOOK HIN

TO A ROOM ON THE THIRD FLOOR MEMPHIS ADVISE PROXIMITY OF

THIS ADDRESS TO ACTUAL KING ASSASSINATION LOCATION+

OPAL HOOTEN, MOTHER OF BETTY LOU WADE, WAS UNABLE TO

FURNISH SPECIFIC DATES OF VISITS OF BETTY AND DEBRA, HOWEVER,

WOULD CHECK FAMILY MEDICAL RECORDS, DEBRA ALSO STATED WHILE

HER MOTHER: BETTY AND HER WERE IN MEMPHIS VISITING HOOTENS

AT IIME KING WAS ASSASSINATED, BETTY CALLED VILSON IN KANSAS

CITY AT LEAST TWO TIMES•

HEMPHIS FOLLOW STATUS OF HOOTEN LOCATING FAMILY MEDICAL

RECORDS, AND DETERMINE WHETHER SHE HAS ANY TELEPHONE RECORDS,

OR IF SAME ARE AVAILABLE AT TELEPHONE COMPANY, SHOVING ANY

CALLS TO KANSAS GITY, OR BRADVIEV AREA, DURING PERIOD OF

NW 55186 'DocId: 32989768 Page 294

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## Page 295

PAGE FOUR DE HQ 0083 UNCLAS

" APRIL, 1968+

ALL RECIPIELT OFFICES:

SUTEL SUMMARY RESULTS OF ANY INVESTIGATION STILL

OUTSTANDING, AID PROMPTLY SUBMIT REPORTS REPORTING ALL

INVESTIGATIOU CONDUCTED RE WILSON'S ALLEGATION, DESIGNATING.

4 COPIES TO BUREAU, AID 3 TO MENPHIS, WITH COPY DESIGNATED

FOR USA MEMPHIS A

0083

ANAN

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 295

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## Page 296

VZCZCHQO 665 2351735

00 HQ ME JN

DE SA

0 231645Z AUG 78

FM SAN ANTONIO (44- 1242) P

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) IMMEDIATE

MEMPHIS • (44-1987) (SUB M) IMMEDIATE

JACKSON (62-544) IMMEDIATE

ALL OFFICES VIA FBI HQ -----

BT

UNCLAS EFTO

• ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH BUILDING.

MURKIN.

RE SA TEL AUGUST 18, 1978; DL TEL AUGUST 19, 1978, SETTING

FORTH INTERVIEW OF BETTY LOU WADE IN WHICH SHE INDICATED

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., WAS "COMMITTED IO A HOSPITAL AT

NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, IN 1974 - 1975 FOR HIS UNSTABLE MENTAL CONDITION"

AND SA TEL AUGUST 19, 1978, SETTING FORTH INTERVIEW OF JO ANN

CHILDRESS WHICH INDICATED WILSON TREATED AT VETERANS ADMINISIRATION

(VA) HOSPITAL AI SAN ANTONIO.

ON AUGUST 22, 1978, WALTER FELLERS, SHERIFF, COMAL COUNTY,

NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, ADVISED THAT BURGESS WILSON, DEPARTMENT

OF PUBLIC SAFETY OPS) NUMBER 1808984 HAD BEEN INCARCERATED IN

62-544-76

NEX 14

AUG 2 3 1978

FBI-JACKSON

MW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 296

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## Page 297

PAGE TWO (SA 44-1242) UNCLAS E FT O

THE COMAL COUNTY JAIL ON THE FOLLOWING OCCASIONS: ARREST NUMBER

A8491, MARCH 1, 1976, THEFT OVER $200 AND UNDER $ 10, 000, ADDRESS

401 FIFTH STREET, SOUTH COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, PLED GUILTY AND

WAS SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF

CORRECTIONS, HOWEVER, SENTENCE PROBATED FOR EIGHI YEARS.

RREST NUMBER A 8942, JUNE 8, 1976, FOR VIOLATION OF PROBATION.

ARRESI NUMBER A9636, NOVEMBER 2i, 1976, ON A CAPIAS FOR VIOLATION

OF PROBATION AT WHICH TIME HIS ADDRESS WAS LISTED AS ROUTE 4,

BX 6206, CANYON LAKE, TEXAS. ARRESI NUMBER A 19576 ON JULY 13,

1977, FOR VIOLATION OF PROBATION.

ON AUGUST 22, 1978, HAZEL KUHN, DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE,

STATE DISTRICI COURT, COMAL COUNTY, NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, MADE

AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW RECORDS OF THE COMAL COUNTY DISTRICT COURT •

A REVIEW OF THESE RECORDS REVEALED THAI ON SEPTEMBER 3, 1974,

WILSON WAS INDICTED BY GRAND JURY FOR THEFT OVER $209, A COLOR

* SET BEING THE PROPERTY OF DOROTHY E. WIMBERLY. ARREST WARRANT

WAS SERVED ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1974, IN BAXTER COUNTY, ARKANSAS,

(MOUNTAIN HOME) • WILSON WAIVED EXTRADITION AND RESTITUTION

WAS MADE. CHARGE WAS FORMALLY DISMISSED ON MARCH 3D, 1976.

DocId: 32989768 Page 297

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## Page 298

PAGE THREE (SA 44- 1242) UNCLAS E F I O

ON FEBRUARY 7, 1975, INFORMATION WAS FILED IN COMAL

COUNTY DISTRICT COURT CHARGING WILSON WITH THEFT BY CHECK•

A CAPIAS WAS ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 7, 1975. WILSON, AKA WILLIAM

WILSON, HIGHWAY 5, MOUNTAIN HOME, ARKANSAS, WAS DOING BUSINESS

AS OZARK JEWELRY AND WATCH REPAIR. THE CHARGE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY

DISMISSED ON DECEMBER

22, 1977.

ON AUGUST 7, 1974, WILSON WAS INDICIED FOR THEFT OF

DER $20D AND UNDER $10, 000. WILSON SUBSEQUENILY PLED GUILTY

TO CHARGES AND PLACED ON EIGHT YEARS PROBATION. AS OF MARCH,

1976, WILSON ALSO HAD CAUSE NUMBER 21-797 PENDING IN THE 18TH

JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT, JOHNSON COUNTY, TEXAS, FOR CRIMINAL

NON-SUPPORI AND A CASE PENDING IN OKTIBBEHA COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI,

FOR FRAUD BY FALSE PRETENSES.

HIS SPOUSE AT THAI TIME WAS LISTED AS PATRICIA WILSON,

103 KATHERINE DRIVE, STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI. WLSON WAS

SUBSEQUENTLY ARRESTED FOR VIOLATION OF PROBATION ON JUNE 8, 1976,

NOVEMBER 2D, 1976, JULY 9, 1977, AND JULY 13, 1977. WILSON

WAS RELEASED FOLLOWING EACH OF THESE CHARGES AND PROBATION

CONTINUED •

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 298

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## Page 299

PAGE FOUR (SA 44-1242) UNCLAS E F I O

ON APRIL 22, 1974, BETTY LOU WILSON FILED PETITION FOR

DIVORCE IN COMAL COUNTY DISTRICT COURT SEEKING TO DISSOLVE

HER MARRIAGE TO BURGESS A. WILSON. THE PETITION LISTED A SON

MARK ANTHONY WILSON, BORN JANUARY 25, 1958, AT MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

A CROSS PETITION FILED BY WILSON

INDICATED THEY WERE

ORIGINALLY MARRIED ON DECEMBER 13, 1948, AND DIVORCED ON

AGUST 28, 1966, IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. THEY REMARRIED ON

FEBRUARY 28, 1967, AND SEPARATED ON MARCH 28, 1974. A DECREE

OF DIVORCE WAS ENTERED ON JUNE 27, 1974, GRANTING CUSTODY OF

MARK ANTHONY WILSON TO BETTY LOU WILSON AND REQUIRING BURGESS A .

WILSON TO PAY CHILD SUPPORI. A MOTION FOR CONTEMPT WAS FILED

@ AUGUST 19, 1974, AS WILSON WAS IN ARREARS IN CHILD SUPPORT

PAYMENIS. THE COURT HAS BEEN UNABLE UNTIL THIS TIME TO LOCATE

WILSON FOR THE PURPOSE OF SERVING NECESSARY PAPERS •

ON AUGUST 22, 1978, FRANK ALLEN, PROBATION OFFICER, COMAL

COUNTY, TEXAS, ADVISED THAT BURGESS WILSON WAS REFERRED TO HIS

EFICE FOR PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION. ALLEN ADVISED THAT AS

A RESULT OF HIS PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION HE REPORTED THAT

HE CHANCES OF SUCCESSFUL PROBATION BY WILSON WOULD BE POOR •

TW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 299

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## Page 300

PAGE FIVE (SA 44-1242) UNCLAS E F I O

ALLEN FURTHER ADVISED THAI ON JUNE 8, 1976, WILSON REPORTED

TO THE PROBATION OFFICE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.

WILSON ADVISED THAT HE HAD BEEN WORKING WITH U.S. SECRET SERVICE,

IN SEGUIN, TEXAS, ON A COUNTERFEITING RING AND THAT MEMBERS

OF THIS RING WERE ATTEMPTING TO KILL HIM. HE ADMITTED IO BEING

UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND ASKED HIS PROBATION BE

REVOKED • WILSON WAS INCARCERATED IN THE COMAL COUNTY JAIL.

SUBSEQUENT INQUIRY BY ALLEN WITH U.S. SECRET SERVICE DETERMINED

THAT WILSON HAD FURNISHED INFORMATION OF NO VALUE TO THAT

AGENCY AND THAT THERE WAS NO COUNTERFEITING RING. AFTER

APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS INCARCERATION WILSON ADVISED ALLEN

THAT THE REASON HE HAD REQUESTED HIS PROBATION BE REVOKED WAS

BECAUSE HE WAS SEEKING PROTECIION. HE INDICATED THAI HE WANTED

HIS PROBATION CONTINUED •

ALLEN STATED THAT HE DID NOT BELIEVE WILSON TO BE CAPABLE

OF VIOLENCE AND NOTED THAT HE EXPERIENCES ILLUSIONS OF GRANDEUR

AD IS CAPABLE OF TELLING "WILD STORIES" WHEN DRINKING.

ON APRIL 22, 1978, BARBARA HARTIGAN, RECORDS, MCKENNA

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, ADVISED THAI WILSON

WAS ADMITTED TO THAT HOSPITAL ON MAY 23, 1974, SUFFERING WITH

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 300

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## Page 301

PAGE SIX (SA 44-1242) UNCLAS E F T O

SEVERE CHEST PAINS AND NUMBNESS IN THE RIGHT ARM. HE HAD AN

ABNORMAL ELECIROCARDIOGRAM AND WAS TREATED FOR CORONARY OCCLUSION.

HE FOLLOWING DAY THE PAIN DISAPPEARED AND THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAM

WAS NORMAL. WILSON LEFT THE HOSPITAL AGAINST MEDICAL ADVICE

• MAY 24, 1974.

WILSON WAS AGAIN ADMITTED IO THE HOSPITAL ON MAY 28, 1974,

FOR A POSSIBLE RATTLESNAKE BITE. NO FANG MARKS WERE LOCATED

HOWEVER, THERE WAS A SLIGHTLY RAISED SCRAICHED AREA ON HIS LEFT

WRIST. SUCTION WAS APPLIED, HOWEVER, NO VENOM WAS LOCATED .

HE WAS DISCHARGED ON MAY 3D, 1974.

ON AUGUST 22, 1978, HAZEL KUHN, SUPRA, ADVISED THAT ON

THE DAY WILSON WAS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN COMAL COUNTY DISTRICT

COURT IN CONNECTION WITH HIS DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS HE WAS ADMITTED

• THE MCKENNA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOR AN "ALLEGED" RATTLESNAKE

BITE. HIS ATTORNEY, IRVIN BOARNET OF NEW BRAUNFELS, WITHDREW

FROM THE CASE FOLLOWING THIS INCIDENT.

ON AUGUST 22, 1978, MARGI MARTIN, VA HOSPITAL, SAN ANTONIO,

TEXAS, ADVISED THAT WILSON WAS TREATED AS AN IN-PATIENT FROM

JUNE 27, 1976, TO JUNE 29, 1976, FOR INSECT BITES. HE WAS

NW 55186

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## Page 302

PAGE SEVEN (SA 44-1242) UNCLAS E FT O

TREATED AS AN OUT-PATIENT ON AUGUSI 4, 1976, FOR A LIME BURN ON

HIS LEFT FOOT AND ON DECEMBER 11 AND 14, 1976, FOR A SWOLLEN

LEFT ELBOW •

REPRESENTATIVE OF COMAL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPARTED

NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, ON AUGUST 22, 1978, FOR THE PURPOSE

OF RETURNING WILSON TO NEW BRAUNFELS. HE IS EXPECTED TO RETURN

ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 25, 1978.

REPORT FOLLOWS.

BT

FOR ANY CORRECTIONS OR CORRECTIONS PLS CONTACT

SAN ANTONIO

23518452 JW 1

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 302

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## Page 303

VZCZCHGO 065 2351735

00 HO ME JA

DE. 5A

0 2316454 AUC. 78

FIA SAM

AVIONIO. (44-1242) ₽

IQ DIRECION CA4-3E961) INMEDIATE

MEMPHIS (44-1057) (SUB MY' IMEDIATE

JACKSON (62-544) IMMEDIATE

ALL OFFICES VIA PRI HO

UNCLAS EF10

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INGUIRIES UAIT, ROOM 3938, JEM BUILDING.

MURKIN-

RE SA TEL AUGUST 18, 1978; DL. TEL AUGUST 19, 1978, SETTING

FORTH INTERVIEW OF SETTY LOU VADE ID WHICH SHE INDICATED

BURGESS AUDIE VILSON, JRA, VAS "COMMITTED TO A HOSPITAL AI

NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, IN 1974 - 1975 FOR HIS UNSTABLE MENIAL CONDITION"

AND SA CEL AUGUST 19, 1978, SETTING FORTH INTERVIEN OF DO AN

CHILDRESS WICH INDICATED WILSON TREATED AI VETERANS AUMINISTRATION.

(VA HOSPITAL AI SAN ANIONIO.

• ON AUGUST 22, 1978, WALTER FELLERS,

SHERIFF, COMAL COUNTY,

NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, ADVISED THAT BURGESS WILSON, DEPARTMENT

OF PUBLIC SAFETY OPS, NUMBER 1838984 HAD BEEN INCARCERATED

62-544-76

SEARCHED

SERIALIZED.

AUG 2 3 1978-

FBI-JACKSON

210

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 303

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## Page 304

PAGE TWO (SA 44-1842) UNCLAS EFT

THE COMAL COUNTY JAIL ON THE FOLLOWING OCCASIONS: ARREST NUMBER

A 8491, MARCH 1,.

1975, THEFT OVER 5200 AND UNDER $10,000, ADDRESS

401 FIFTN STREET, SOUTH COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, PLED GUILTY AND

WAS SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF

CORRECT IONS,

HOWEVER, SENTENCE PROBATED FOR EIGKI YEARS:

BREST NUNBER A8942, JUNE 8, 1976, FOR VIOLATION OF PROBATION.

ARREST NUMBER ASS36, NOVEMBER 21, 1976, ON A CAPIAS FOR. VIOLATION

UP, PROBATION AT

WHICH TIME HIS ADDRESS WAS LISTED AS ROUTE 4,

EX 6206, CANYON LAKE, TEXAS. ARREST NUMBER A 10576 ON JULY 139

1977, FOR VIGLATION OF PROBATION.

ON AUGUST 22$ 19785 MAZEL KUNG, DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE,

STATE DISTRICI COURT, COMAL COUNTY, NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, MADE

AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW RECORDS OF INE COMAL COUNTY DISTRICT COURT.

A RÉVIEW OF THESE RECORDS REVEALED THAT ON SEPTEMBER

3, 1974,

WILSON WAS INDICTED BY GRAND JURY FOR THEFT OVER $200, A COLOR

SET BEING THE PROPERTY OF DOROTIY E: WIMBERLY. ARREST WARRANT

WAS SERVED ON SEPILIBER 20, 1972A IN BAXTER COUNTY, ARKANSAS,

MOUNTAIN HONE).

WILSON WAIVED EXTRADITION AND RESTITUTION

VAS

RADE.

CHARGE WAS FORMALLY DISMISSED ON MARCH 30, 1976.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 304

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## Page 305

PAGE TIGEZ SA 14- 142) UNCLAS E F TO

ON FEBRUARY 7,

1975, INPORMATION WAS' FILED IN COMAL.

COUNTY DISTRICT COURT CHARGING WICSON WITH THEFT BY CHECK•

A CAPIAS VAS ISSURD ON FEBRUARY Z ISTS, WILSON, AKA WILLIAM

WILSON, NIGHWAY 5, MOUNTAIN HOME, ARKANSAS, WAS DOING BUSINESS

AS UZARK JEVELRY AND WATCH REPAIR. THE CHARGE WAS SUBSEQUENILY

DISMISSED ON DECEMBER 28, 1977.

ON AUGUST 7, 1974, W4.30%

WAS INDICTED FOR THEFT OF

DEA BERR-AND UNER SIR, OUR VISON SUDSEQUENTLY PLE QUILTY

TO CHARGES. AND FLACED ON EICHT YEARS PROBATION. AS CE MARCH,

1976, WILSON ALSO HAD CAUSE NUNBER 21-797 PENDING IN THE LETH

JUDICIAL DISTRICT

COURT, JONNSON COUNTY, TEXAS, FOR CRIMINAL

NOW-SUPPORT AND A CASE PENDING IN OKTIBBEMA COUNTY MISSISSIPPI,

FOR FRAUD BY FALSE PRETENSES A

HIS SPOUSE AT THAT TIME WAS LISTED AS PATRICIA WILSON,

103 KATHERINE DHIVE, STARKVILLE, WISSISSIPPI. ULSOMWAS

SUBSEQUENTLY ARRESIED FOR VIOLATION OF PROBATION ON JUNE 81976,

NOVEMBER 20, 1975, JULY 9, 1977 AND JULY 13, 19770 WiLSON

MAS RELEASED FOLLOWING FACH OF THEGE CHARGES AND PROBATION

CONTINUED

NW 55166 DocId: 32989768

Page 305

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## Page 306

PAGE FOUR (SA 44- 1242) UNCLAS EFT O

APRIL 22, 1974, BETTY LOU WILSON FILED PETITION FOR

DIVORCE IN COMAL COUNCY DISTRICT COURT SEEXING TO DISSOLVE

HER MARRIAGE TO BURGESS A . WILSOW. INE PETITION LISTED A SON

MARK ANTHONY WILSON, BORN JANUARY

.25, 1958, AI MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE .

A CROSS PETITION FILED BY WILSON INDICATED THEY WERE

ORIGINALLY MARRIED ON DECEMBER 13, 1948, AND DIVORCED ON

AGUST 28, 1966, IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. THEY REMARRIED ON

FEBRUARY 28, 1967, AND SEPARATED ON MARCH 29, 19740: A DEGREE

OF DIVORCE WAS ENTERED

ON JUNE 87, 1974, GRANTING CUSTODY OF

MARK ANCHONY WILSON TO BETTY LOU WILSON AND REQUIRING BURGESS A •

WILSON TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT.. A MOSION FOR, CONTEMPT WAS FILED

O AUGUST 19, 1974, AS WILSON WAS IN ARREARS IN ONILD SUPPORT

PAYMENTS. THE COURT HAS BEEN UNABLE UNTIL

THIS TIME TO LOCATE

WILSON FOR THE PURPOSE OF. SERVING NECESSARY PAPERS A

ON AUGUST 22, 1978, FRANK'ALLEN, PROBATION OFFICER, COMAL

COUNTY, TEXAS, ADVISED THAT BURGESS WILSON WAS REFERRED TO HIS

DRICE FOR PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION, ALLEN ADVISED THAT AS

A RESULT OF MIS PIESENTENCE INVESTIGATION HE REPORTED THAI

HE CHANORE ON SUCCESSFUL, PROBATION BY WILSON WOULD BE POOR:

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 306

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## Page 307

PAGE FIVE (SA 44- 1242) UNCLAS E FT O

ALLEN FURTHER ADVISED THAT ON JUNE. B, 1976, WILSON REPORTED

TO THE PROBATION OFFICE WHILE UNDER INE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.

WILSON ADVISED THAI HE HAD. BEEN WORKING WIIH UOS. SECRET SERVICE,

IN SEQUIN, TEXAS, ON A COUNTERFEITING RING

AND THAT MEMBERS

OF THIS RING WENE ATTEMPTING TO, MILL HIM. ME ADMITTED

TO BEING

UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND ASKED HIS PROBALION BE

REVOKED • WILSON VAS INCARCERATED IN INE COMAL COUNTY JAIL.

GUBSEQUENT INGUIRY BY ALLEN WITH US. SECRET SERVICE DETERMINED

THAT WILSON HAD FURNISHED INFORMATION OF NO VALUE TO THAT

AGENCY AND THAT THERE WAS NO COUNTERFEITING RING.

AFTER

APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS INCARCERATION WILSON ADVISED ALLEN

THAT THE REASON HE HAD REQUESTED HIS PROBATION BE REVOKED WAS

BECAUSE HE WAS SECKING PROTECTIONS ME INDICATED THAI NE WAITED

HIS PROBATION CONTINUED •

ALLEN STATED THAT HE DID NOT BELIEVE WILSON TO BE CAPABLE

OF VIOLENCE AND NOTED THAI. HE EXPERIENCES ILLUSIONS OF GRANDEUR

AD IS CAPABLE OF TELLING "WILD STORIES" WHEN DRINKING.

ON APRIL 22, 1978, BARBARA MAREIGAN, RECORDS, MCKENNA

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, ADVISED THAT WILSON

VAS ADULITED TO THAT HOSPITAL ON MAY 23, 1974, SUFFERING WITH

• WW 55186 DocId:32989768 Page. 307

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## Page 308

PAGE SIX (SA 44- 1242) UNCLAS EFT O

SEVERE CHEST PAINS AND-NUMBNESS IN THE RIGHT ARM.

HE HAD AN

43 NORMAL. ELECTROCARD IOGRAM AND WAS TREATCH FOR CORONARY OCCLUSION*

RE FOLLOWING DAY THE PAIN DISAPPEARED AND THE ELEOTROCARDIOCRAM

WAS

FORNAL, WILSON LEFT THE HOSPITAL AGAINST MEDICAL ADVICE

• WAY 240 1974.

WILSON WAS AGAIN ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL ON MAY 28, 197A,

FOR A POSSIOLE RATTLESAAKE BITE.

NO FARG MARKS WERE LOCATED

ROVEVER, THERE WAS A SLIGHTLY RAISED SCRATCHED AREA OW HIS LEFT

MRIST • SUCTION WAS APPLIED, HOWEVER, NO VENON WAS LOCATED •

KE WAS DISCHAROED ON MAY 30, 19740.

ON AUGUSE 22$ 1973, HAZEL KUNi, SUPRA, ADVISED IMAI ON.

THE DAY WILSON WAS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN CORAL COUNTY DISTRICT

• COURT IN CONNECTION WITH HIS DIVORCE PROGEEDINGS HE WAS ADMITTED

O THE ACKENA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOR AN "ALLEGED" RATILESNAKE

BITE. HIS ATTORNEY, IRVIN SCANNET OF NEW BRAUMPELS, WITHDREY

FROM THE CASE FOLLOWING THIS INCIDENT:

ON ALGUST 224. 1978, MARQI MARTI, VA HOSPITAL; SAI ANTONIO;

TEXAS, ADVISED THAI WILSON WAS TREATED AS AM IN-PATISNT FROM

JUNE 27, 1976, TO JUNE 29, 1976, FOR INSECI BITES•

HE WAS

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 308

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## Page 309

PAGE

SAVEA (SA 44- UNCLAS UNCLAS EFTO

TREATED AS AN OUT -PATIENT ON AUGUST 4, 1976, FOR A LIME BURN OU

HIS LENT FOOT AND ON DECEMBER I AND 14, 1976, FOR A SWOLLEN

LEFT ELBOW.

REPRESENTATIVE OF COMAL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPARTED

NEV BRAUNCELO, TEXAS, OU AUGUST 224. 1978S FOR THE PURPOSE

OF RETURNINO WILSON TO NEW BRAUNFELS. NE IS EXPECTED TO RETURN

ON OR DEFORE AUGUST 25, 1978.

REPORT FOLLOWS,

FOR AVY CORRECIIONS OR CORRECIIONS PLS CONTACT SAN ANTONIO

23518452

JN 1

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768• Page 309

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## Page 310

FD-36. (Rev. 3-24-77)

TRANSMIT VIA:

X Teletype

• Facsimile

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

[X Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

• SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

DEFTO

GEBAR UNCLAS E E TIO

Date AUGUST 23, 1978

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) PRIORITY

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) PRIORITY

BT

2235₴

2245₴

UNCLAS EF TO

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH.

MURKIN; 00: MEMPHIS.

RE BUTEL, AUGUST 22, 1978.

ON AUGUST 19, 1978, MRS. LEON (CHRISTINE) GUNTHARP, FULTON,

MISSISSIPPI, WAS TELEPHONICALLY CONTACTED AT HER RESIDENCE AT

WHICH TIME SHE ADVISED THAT SHE IS THE SISTER OF BURGESS AUDIE

WILSON, JR., WHOM SHE HAS HAD LIMITED CONTACT WITH DURING THE PAST

ELEVEN YEARS SINCE THE DEATH OF THEIR NATURAL FATHER AT GRENADA,

MISS. MRS. GUNTHARP ADVISED THAT HER PAST EXPERIENCE WITH HER

BROTHER HAS PROVEN HIM TO BE AN INDIVIDUAL WITH ALCOHOL AND

APPARENT MENTAL PROBLEMS IN VIEW OF HIS ERRATIC BEHAVIOR AND

TENDENCY TO FABRICATE. SHE ADVISED THAT UNTIL THIS CONTACT SHE

Q- JACKSON

67-544-79

DHG/BWW/1rm

searched

Sericlised

Inder :

Filed

Approved: 11/743

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 310

Transmitted

004

(Number)

Abore

(Time)

WAITS

Per

7

FBI/DOJ

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## Page 311

FD-36 (Rev. 3-24-77)

TRANSMIT VIA:

• Teletype

• Facsimile

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

• Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

• SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

DEFTO

CLEAR

Date

PAGE TWO

JN 62-544

UNCLAS EF TO

HAS HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF HER BROTHER'S WHEREABOUTS AND HAS HAD

ONLY ONE TELEPHONE CALL FROM HIM IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, FROM AN

UNKNOWN LOCATION. SHE ADVISED THAT ALTHOUGH SHE CONSIDERS HER

BROTHER TO BE AN INTELLIGENT INDIVIDUAL, SHE RARELY BELIEVES

ANYTHING HE SAYS, ESPECIALLY WHEN HE HAS BEEN DRINKING. SHE

STATED THAT HE AT QNE TIME FLEW FOR AN AIR FREIGHT SERVICE OUT

OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, AND ALSO HAS THE CAPABILITY OF JEWELRY

AND WATCH REPAIR.

MRS. GUNTHARP EMPHATICALLY

STATED ON AUGUST 23, 1978, THAT

SHE DID NOT CONTACT HER BROTHER "BILL" WILSON IN OCEAN SPRINGS,

MISS., IN THE RECENT PAST CONCERNING HER RECOGNITION OF A LIKENESS

TO HIM WITH REGARD TO A SKETCH OF THE KILLER OF MARTIN LUTHER KING

SEEN IN A NEWSPAPER.

INVESTIGATION, COLUMBUS, MISS., DETERMINED THE GUN REPAIR SHOP•

LOCATED BEHIND BANK IDENTIFIED AS BOX 4N GUN SHOP. THIS SHOP WAS

RUN BY A GUNSMITH NAMED PARKER NEELY WHO HAS SINCE MOVED TO TENNES-

SEE, AND WHOSE CURRENT WHEREABOUTS ARE CURRENTLY UNKNOWN TO HIS

PAST ASSOCIATES IN COLUMBUS, MISS.

INVESTIGATION AT STARKVILLE, MISS., DETERMINED WILSON WAS

MARRIED TO PATRICIA SHINDALA. SHINDALA WAS A DIVORCEE AND WILSON

Approved:

Transmitted

(Number)

NW 55186 DOOId 32989768

Page 311

(Time)

-

Per -

FBI/DOJ

---

## Page 312

FD-36/(Fev. 3-24-77)

TRANSMIT VIA:

• Teletype

Facsimile

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

• Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

SECRET

CONFIDENTIAL

EF TO

I CLEAR

Date

PAGE THREE JN 62-544

UNCLAS EFTO

USED HER ALIMONY MONEY ALONG WITH HER SETTLEMENT MONEY TO OBTAIN

A LOAN AND START A JEWELRY STORE AT A MALL IN STARKVILLE, MISS.

THIS OCCURRED IN THE SPRING OF 1975 AND THE BUSINESS LASTED

APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS BEFORE WILSON "FLED IN THE NIGHT," DESERT-

ING HIS WIFE AND OWING SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS. SHINDALA IS CURRENTLY

ENROLLED IN THE NURSING PROGRAM AT WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY,

SILVA, NORTH CAROLINA. WILSON IS WELL KNOWN IN THE STARKVILLE

AREA AS A "CON-ARTIST".

INVESTIGATION CONTINUING TO LOCATE PARKER NEELY AND HAVE HIM

INTERVIEWED RE WILSON'S STATEMENT THAT HE HAD THE JAPANESE SNIPER

RIFLE REWORKED AT A GUN SHOP IN COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI.

BT

Approved:

WW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Transmitted _

(Number)

Per

(Time)

FBI/ DOJ

Page 312

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## Page 313

JNO 084 2352235Z

• PP HQ ME

DE JN

P 2322302 AUG 78

FM JACKSON (52-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) PRIORITY

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) PRIORITY

BT

UNCLAS E FT O

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8958, JEH.

MURKIN; 00 : MEMPHIS.

RE BUTEL, AUGUST. 22, 1978.

ON AUGUST 19, 1978, MRS. LEON (CHRISTINE) GUNTHARP, FULION,

MISSISSIPPI, WAS TELEPHONICALLY CONTACTED AT HER RESIDENCE AI

WHICH TIME SHE ADVISED THAT SHE IS THE SISTER OF BURGESS AUDIE

WILSON, JR., WHOM SHE HAS HAD LIMITED CONTACT WITH DURING THE PAST

ELEVEN YEARS SINCE THE DEATH OF THEIR NATURAL FATHER AT GRENADA,

MISS. MRS. GUNTHARP ADVISED THAI HER PAST EXPERIENCE WITH HER

BROTHER HAS PROVEN HIM TO BE AN INDIVIDUAL WITH ALCOHOL AND

APPARENT MENTAL PROBLEMS IN VIEW OF HIS ERRATIC BEHAVIOR AND

TENDENCY TO FABRICATE. SHE ADVISED THAT UNTIL IHIS CONTACT SHE

62-544-77

Searched

Serialized

Indexed

Filed

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 313

---

## Page 314

PAGE TWO JN 62-544 UNCLAS E FI O

HAS HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF HER BROTHER 'S WHEREABOUTS AND HAS HAD

ONLY ONE TELEPHONE CALL FROM HIM IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, FROM AN

UNKNOWN LOCATION. SHE ADVISED THAT ALTHOUGH SHE CONSIDERS HER

BROTHER TO BE AN INTELLIGENT INDIVIDUAL, SHE RARELY BELIEVES

ANTHING HE SAYS, ESPECIALLY WHEN HE HAS BEEN DRINKING. SHE

STATED THAT HE AT ONE TIME FLEW FOR AN AIR FREIGHT SERVICE OUT

OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, AND ALSO HAS THE CAPABILITY OF JEWELRY

AND WATCH REPAIR.

MRS. GUNT HARP EMPHATICALLY STATED ON AUGUST 23, 1978, THAT

SHE DID NOT CONTACT HER BROTHER "BILL" WILSON IN OCEAN SPRINGS,

MISS., IN THE RECENT PAST CONCERNING HER RECOGNITION OF A LIKENESS

TO HIM WITH REGARD TO A SKETCH OF THE KILLER OF MARTIN LUTHER KING

SEEN IN A NEWSPAPER.

INVESTIGATION, COLUMBUS, MISS., DETERMINED THE GUN REPAIR SHOP

LOCATED BEHIND BANK IDENTIFIED AS BOX 4N GUN SHOP. THIS SHOP WAS

RUN BY A GUNSMITH NAMED PARKER NEELY WHO HAS SINCE MOVED TO TENNES-

SEE, AND WHOSE CURRENT WHEREABOUTS ARE CURRENTLY UNKNOWN TO HIS

PASI ASSOCIATES IN COLUMBUS, MISS.

INVESTIGATION AT STARKVILLE, MISS., DETERMINED WILSON WAS

MARRIED TO PATRICIA SHINDALA• SHINDALA WAS A DIVORCEE AND WILSON

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 314

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## Page 315

PAGE THREE JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F I O

USED HER ALIMONY MONEY ALONG WITH HER SETTLEMENT MONEY TO OBTAIN

A LOAN AND START A JEWELRY STORE AT A MALL IN STARKVILLE, MISS •

THIS OCCURRED IN THE SPRING OF 1975 AND THE BUSINESS LASTED

APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS BEFORE WILSON "FLED IN THE NIGHT," DESERT-

ING HIS WIFE AND OWING SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS. SHINDALA IS CURRENTLY

ENROLLED IN THE NURSING PROGRAIT AT WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY,

SILVA, NORTH CAROLINA. WILSON IS WELL KNOWN IN THE STARKVILLE

AREA AS A "CON-ARTIST".

INVESTIGATION CONTINUING TO LOCATE PARKER NEELY AND HAVE HIM

INTERVIEWED RE WILSON'S STATEMENT THAT HE HAD THE JAPANESE SNIPER

RIFLE REWORKED AT A GUN SHOP IN COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI.

2352145Z HQ A 2

IKS

235215ĐZ ME 1

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 315

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## Page 316

DLO 923 23603XXX 23602347

PP HQ JN OC ME

DE DL

XO DP 232345Z AUG 78

FM DALLAS (44-2649) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) PRIORITY

JACKSON (62-544) PRIORITY

OKLAHOMA CITY (44-686) PRIORITY

MEMPHIS (44-1987) PRIORITY

BT

UNCLAS

MURKIN; 00: MEMPHIS.

RE OKLAHOMA CITY TELETYPE TO DALLAS, AUGUSI 23, 1978.

FOR INFORMATION OF RECEIVING OFFICES, REFERENCED TELETYPE

REQUESTED DALLAS TO CONDUCI TITLE SEARCH RE BONANZA AIRCRAFT,

REGISTRATION NUMBER 34L, REPORTEDLY OWNED BY BURGESS AUDIE

WILSON.

A REVIEW OF RECORDS AT THE FEDERAL RECORDS CENTER (FRC)

REFLECTS REGISTRATION NUMBER N34L WAS ASSIGNED TO A TWIN ENGINE

BEACH CRAFT IN CONTRAST TO A SINGLE ENGINE BEACH BONANZA •

THIS AIRCRAFT WAS ORIGINALLY IMPORTED INTO SWITZERLAND

62-544-78

ado'd

goon

SEARGHED

SERIALIZED,

_INDEXED

FILED

AUG 2 8 1=53

gun

Waits ACKSON

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 316

---

## Page 317

PAGE TWO DL 44-2649 UNCLAS

SOME TIME AROUND 195D. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY BROUGHT

BACK INTO THE UNITED STATES IN 1956, AT WHICH TIME IT RECEIVED

THE REGISTRATION NUMBER N341. IN 1959 THE OWNER, MR • LEAR, SR • ,

OF LEAR, INC. SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK THE AIRCRAFT BACK TO SWITZERLAND

AND SOLD IT TO AN ITALIAN CORPORATION IN 1962. APPARENILY, FOR

INSURANCE PURPOSES, THE AMERICAN REGISTRATION NUMBER, N34L, WAS

REQUESTED TO BE DEREGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH IT WAS

ON JULY 27, 1962.

THERE IS NO INFORMATION IN THE FILES REGARDING A SINGLE

ENGINE BONANZA, BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, OR ANY PREVIOUS OWNER WITH

LAST NAME FISHER.

JERRY PACE, SECURITY, SOUTHWESTERN REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS,

FAA, FORI VORIH, TEXAS, ADVISED HE TELEPHONICALLY CONTACTED FAA,

OKLAHOMA CITY, AND DETERMINED REGISTRAIION NUMBER N34L HAS BEEN

UNASSIGNED SINCE 1962. PACE ALSO STATED A REVIEW OF THE 1963,

1968 AND 1969 UNITED STATES CIVIL AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION BOOKS

FAILED TO REFLECI THIS REGISTRATION NUMBER.

JACKSON WILL RE-INTERVIEW BURGESS AUDIE WILSON RE CORRECT

REGISTRATION NUMBER OF BONANZA AIRCRAFT HE CLAIMED HE OWNED AT

THE TIME OF KING'S DEATH.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 317

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## Page 318

PAGE THREE DL 44-2649 UNCLAS

FOR INFORMATION OF RECEIVING OFFICES, IT IS NOTED WILSON

GAVE THE REGISTRATION NUMBER OF HIS AIRCRAFT AS 34L. ALL UNITED

STATES AIRCRAFT BEAR THE PREFIX "N" BEFORE THE REGISTRATION NUMBER.

DALLAS WILL SUBMIT RUC REPORT.

BT

JN 1.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Fage 318

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## Page 319

DLO 923 236/3X0 23602347

PP MA JD OC ME

DE DLi

2323452 AUG 78

FU DALLAS (44- 2649) (P)

• TO PIRECTOR (44-33891) PRIORITY

JACKSON 182-544) PRIORITY

OKLANGUS CITY (44- 68G) PRIORITY

HEAPHIS (44-1987) • PRIORITY

38

UNCLAS

MURKIM: 00 : MEXPHIS .

HE OXLANORA CITY TELETYPE TO DALLAS, AUGUST 23, 1978.

FON INFORMATION OF RECEIVIG OFFICES, REFERENCED TELETYPE

NGQUESTOD DALLAS TO CONDUCT TITLE SEARCH RE BONANZA AIRCRAFT

KEGISTRATION RUNDER 34L , REPORIEDLY OUNED BY BURGESS AUDIE

WILSON.

A REVIEY OF ROCORDS AT THE FEDERAL. RECORDS CENTER (RC)

PUFLECES REGISTRATION NUNDER N54 VAS ASSIGNED TO A TIN ENGINE

ELACH CRAFT IL CONTRAST TO A SINGLE ENGINE BEACH BONARZA•

THIS AIRCRAFT WAS ORIGIMALLY IMPORTED INTO STITZERLAND

SEARCHED

SERIALIZED,

65-544-28

INDEXED

FILED

AUG 2 3 1978

FBI-JACKSON

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 319

---

## Page 320

PAGD THO DL. 44-2543 UNCLAS

LONG TIUE AROLOD 1950 CHS AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY BROUGiT

BAGS INTO THE UNITED STATES IN 1956, AL WHICH TIME- IT RECEIVED

THE REGISTRATION UMBER W3ALA. IN 1952 THE OUNER, iR LEAF, SPOS

OF LEAR, ING A SUESECUENTLY TOOK THE AIRCRAFT BAGK TO SWITZERLAND

AND SOLD IT TO 4N TIALINO CONPORATION IN IOS20 APPARENTLY, FON

ZUSUMANCE PLAPOSES, THE AMERICAN REGISTRALION NUMBER, NE4 & VAS

REQUESTED TO BE DERSCISTERED IN THE UNITED STAIGS, WHICH IT VAS

ut duL? 27, 19020

THERE IS NO INPORVATION IN THE FILES REGARDING A SINGLE

COME BONANA, BUCESS AUDIE WILSON, ON ANY PREVIOUS OUNER WITH

LAST HAVE FISMER.

JERRY PACE, SECURITY, SOUTIVESTERY REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS,

FLA, FORT VORTH, TEXAS, ADVISED HE TELEPHONICALLY CONIACTED FAA,

OKLAHOMA CITY, AND DETERIINED RECISINATION NUOBER A34 WAS BEEN

UNSSCIGNED SINCE 1962,

PACE ALSO STATED & REVIEY DE THE 1963,

1000 AND 19GS UNITED STATES CIVIL AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION BOOKS

PAILEL TO REFLECT IRIS REGISTRATION DUNDER P

JACKSON TILL RE-INTERVIEW DURGESS AUDIE WILSOM RE CORRECT

REOASTRATION NUMBER OF BONANZA AIRCRAFT HE CLAIMED HE OWWED AT

INE TINE OF KIRO 'S DEATK,

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 320.

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## Page 321

PAGE

THREE DL 44-2649 UNCLAS

FOR INFORDATION OF RECEIVING OFFICES, II IS NOTED WILSON

CAVE THE RECISTRATION NUMBER OF HIS. AIRCRAFT AS 34L. ALL UNITED

SIATES AIRCRAFT. SEAR

ING PREFIX """ BEFORE THE REGISTRATION SUNDER.

DALLAS WILL SUBMIT RUC REPORT •

J N

1W 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 321

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## Page 322

• SAO 123 23522097

PP HQ JN ME

DE SA

P 232209Z AUG 78

FM SAN ANTONIO (44-1242) P

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) PRIORITY

JACKSÖN (52-544) PRIORITY

MEMPHIS: (44-1987) (SUB M) PRIORITY

BT

NOLASE FTO

MARKIN.

RE BUTEL AUGUST 22, 1978.

ON AUGUST 23, 1978, A SEARCH ON BROWNSVILLE POLICE

DEPARTMENT RECORDS, CAMERON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE RECORDS,

AND CAMERON COUNTY JAIL RECORDS, FAILED TO REFLECT ANY RECORD

• IDENTIFIABLE WITH BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.

BIT

White-spurner

gur

SEARCHED_

62-544-19

SERIALIZED NEED.

AUG 2 3 1978

FBI-JACKSON

Waits

fan

NW 55186--DocId:32989Z68_ Page 322

---

## Page 323

SAO 123 23502092

PH HO JA ME

DE. SA

P 2302052 AUG 79

• IN CAN ANTONIO (44-1242) F

BOND IRSCTOR 844-5806D: PRIORILY

JACKSON (s2-544) PRIORITY

IPHIS (44-1987) (SUB M, PRIORITY

TO LASGETO

NUR KIN•

HE MUTEL MUGUST 30, 1978.

WE AUGUST 229. 1273, A SEARCH OF BROUNSVILLE POLICE

DEPANTIENI RECORDS, CAMERON COUNTY SKERIFF"S OFFICE RECORDS,

ANE. CAVERON COUNTY JAIL RECORDE, FAILED TO SEPLECT ANY RECORD

IDE TIFIAZLE WICH SURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.

. B1

SEARCHED

SERIALIZED

62-544-79

INDEXED.

_FILED

AUG 2 3 1978

FBI-JACKSON

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 323

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## Page 324

°D-36 (Rev. 3-24-77)

TRANSMIT VIA:

Teletype

[ Facsimile

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

[X Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

• SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

DEFTO

• CLEAR

Date AUGUST 24, 1978

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-33861) PRIORITY

1545 ₴

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) PRIORITY. 1840 ₴

SAN ANTONIO (44-1242) PRIORITY 1555 ₴

BT

UNCLAS E F TO

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH.

MURKIN; 00: MEMPHIS.

RE JACKSON TELETYPE, AUGUST 23, 1978; AND DALLAS TELETYPE TO

BUREAU, AUGUST 23, 1978.

DALLAS DIVISION ADVISED THAT SEARCH OF RECORDS AT FEDERAL

RECORDS CENTER (FRC) CONCERNING REGISTRATION NUMBER 34L, REPORTEDLY

FOR A BONANZA AIRCRAFT OWNED BY BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, REVEALED

THAT THE CORRECT NUMBER WOULD HAVE BEEN N34L INASMUCH AS ALL

AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES HAS THE PREFIX "N".

REGISTRATION NUMBER N34L WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED FOR USE ON A TWIN

ENGINE BEACH CRAFT IN 1956, THE OWNER BEING MR. LEAR, SR., OF LEAR,

62-544-80

1) - JACKSON

JWN/ 1rm

(1) In

"earcher

Serialist

Filed_

(Number)

Abere

(Time)

Per

FBI/DOJ

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 324

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## Page 325

13-36 (Rev. 3-24-77)

TRANSMIT VIA:

• Teletype

Facsimile

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

[ Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

I SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

ДЕЕТО

I CLEAR

Date

PAGE TWO JN 62-544 UNCLAS EFTO

INC., WHO SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK THE AIRCRAFT TO SWITZERLAND AND SOLD

IT TO AN ITALIAN CORPORATION IN 1962. A REQUEST WAS RECEIVED THAT

THE PLANE BE DE-REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH IT WAS ON

JULY 27, 1962. NO RECORD COULD BE LOCATED WHICH WOULD INDICATE

ANY USE OR REFERENCE TO THIS REGISTRATION NUMBER AFTER THAT DATE.

NO RECORD WAS LOCATED REGARDING BURGES'S AUDIE WILSON.

SAN ANTONIO DIVISION AT NEW BRAUNFELLS, TEXAS. WILL REINTER-

VIEW BURGESS AUDIE WILSON RE CORRECT REGISTRATION NUMBER OF THE

BONANZA AIRCRAFT HE CLAIMED HE OWNED AT THE TIME OF KING'S DEATH.

BT

Approved: -

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 325

Transmitted

Per

(Number)

(Time)

FBI/DOJ

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## Page 326

JNO 0D1 2361545Z

PP HQ ME SA

DE JN

P 2415302 AUG 78

FM JACKSON (62-544) (P)

TO DIRECTOR (44-33861) PRIORITY

MEMPHIS (44-1987 SUB M) PRIORITY

SAN ANTONIO (44-1242) PRIORITY

BI

UNCLAS EFT O

ATTENTION: CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES UNIT, ROOM 8988, JEH.

MURKIN; 00 : MEMPHIS •

RE JACKSON TELETYPE, AUGUST 23, 1978; AND DALLAS TELETYPE IO

BUREAU, AUGUST 23, 1978.

DALLAS DIVISION ADVISED THAT SEARCH OF RECORDS AT FEDERAL

RECORDS CENTER (FRC) CONCERNING REGISTRATION NUMBER 34L, REPORTEDLY

FOR A BONANZA AIRCRAFT OWNED BY BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, REVEALED

THAT THE CORRECT NUMBER WOULD HAVE BEEN N34L INASMUCH AS ALL

AIRCRAFT REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES HAS THE PREFIX "N".

REGISTRATION NUMBER N34L WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED FOR USE ON A TWIN

ENGINE BEACH CRAFT IN 1956, THE OWNER BEING MR. LEAR, SR., OF LEAR,

62-544-801

Searched

Serialised

Inderal

Filed.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 326

---

## Page 327

*.

PAGE TWO JN 62-544 UNCLAS E F I O

INC., WHO SUBSEQUENTLY TOOK THE AIRCRAFI TO SWITZERLAND AND SOLD

IT TO AN ITALIAN CORPORATION IN 1962. A REQUEST WAS RECEIVED IHAT

THE PLANE BE DE-REGISTERED IN THE UNITED STATES, WHICH IT WAS ON

JULY 27, 1962. NO RECORD COULD BE LOCATED WHICH WOULD INDICATE

ANY USE OR REFERENCE TO THIS REGISTRATION NUMBER AFTER THAT DATE.

NO RECORD WAS LOCATED REGARDING BURGESS AUDIE WILSON.

SAN ANTONIO DIVISION AT NEW BRAUNFELLS, TEXAS. WILL REINTER -

VIEW BURGESS AUDIE WILSON RE CORRECT REGISTRATION NUMBER OF THE

BONANZA AIRCRAFT HE CLAIMED HE OWNED AT THE TIME OF KING'S DEATH.

BT

2361743 Z ME

1

,3615157 SA

NW 553861P38-9032989768

Page 327

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## Page 328

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription

8/22/78

Following the arrest by Ocean Springs, Mississippi,

presence of WILSON and the following items were contained

Current Texas driver's license #7911315 under

the name of BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., 113 Mill Street,

San Marcos, Texas. License expires 1980 and indicates

the date of birth of August 28, 1931.

A slip of paper bearing the name MADLYN, 304

Beresford, no city listed, telephone 455-3765.

875-4380. A slip of paper with the name WILL CAMPBELL,

A business card for DANIEL D. GUIGE, JR.,

Field Supervisor, Mississippi Probation and Parole

Office, Biloxi, Mississippi, telephone 432-2271.

On the reverse side of the business card

was an inked notation 1005 Hickory Hill Lane, C-103,

Hermitage, Tennessee 37076.

Business card for MAX D. MURRAY, Advertising

Representative, Austin, Texas, American Statesman.

Business card for DAN LEARNER, telephone 388-9601,

Craftsman Workshop, Edgewater Mall, Biloxi, Mississippi.

Business card for DENNIS SULLIVER, Chief Engineer,

Red Fox Industries,

Incorporation, New Iberia, Louisiana,

telephone number 365-8131.

Business card for LoUIs P. HELM, Realtor,

Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 875-2098 and 875-0016.

8/18/78

Interviewed on

- at Ocean Springs, MississipPile#

Jackson 62-544-81

by

K. P. WHITE-SPUNNER, JR./bjw

Date dictated

8/21/78

This doey, it contain onither sece mot co be distric on duside youthe BY. " is the property of the FBI and is loaned to,

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 328

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## Page 329

JN 62-544

Business card for TRAVIS GARNER, Building

Officials, City of Ocean Springs, 875-4236.

in inked note "State Farm Claims Office

ulfport, Mississippi, 896-6353'

FASOD, 8694, 7oked note bearing the name of XARL

A payroll check voucher for WILSON from

July 12, 1978.

Business card for Louisiana Off-short Caterors,

JIM FONTENOT, Personnel Director, Houma, Louisiana,

876-3642.

A note bearing the name BOB CAZOET, 214-521-4195.

A bill of sale bearing the name of VERA M.

NEVILL, Canyon Lake,

Texas, Route 4, Box 620G.

A payroll voucher for WILsON from Gulf Coast

Catering Company, New Iberia, Louisiana, for the

period ending June 16, 1978.

A note bearing the name TAD MURRAY, Monroe,

Louisiana, 323-7382, or 728-4060.

Jacksonville, texas, 1 er Bene De surrent storeisoN,

067001572.

under t29 19sor Bucks a si, farten ate, card

A business card for Eserman Off-short Services,

Incorporation, Golden Meadow, Louisiana, 693-8287.

2

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 329

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## Page 330

JN 62-544

Veteran's of Foreign Wars (VFW) membership

card #990998 for 1977 for VEW Post #8573 at Canyon

Lake, Texas.

icense #6H4659,

A business card for Ler-Son International

Incorporated, Houma,

Louisiana.

BULLARD and Jones Builders of Long Beach,

n inked note bearing the names of sissippi.

A business card for BILL WILSON Builders,

Solar Screens and Doors, Custom Homes, Canyon Lake,

l'exas, and 817 East Nuclid, San Antonio, Texas.

A card bearing WILSON's Social Security

Number

JFK Act 6 (3)

A credit type card from the Security State

Bank, Starkville, Mississippi, under the name of

Colonel BURGESS A. WILSON, USAE, retired, #3038940.

Private pilot certificate number 1106770

JR., of 13125 Herrick Avenue,

Grandview, Missouri,

64030, is authorized to fly single and multi-engine

land airplanes.

A Department of Transportation form for a

bi-annual flight review dated July 18, 1978, giving

instructor's name CARL FOWLER, and aircraft piper

C-152, certificate #542727734, dated September 30,

19/8, to expire July 3l, 1980, showing that subject

is authorized to fly private

aircraft.

A Department of Transportation medical

certificate first class form signed by Dr. JAMES B.

A receipt from Dr. JAMES B. MARTIN, #14168,

dated August 9, 1978, in the amount of $25 for a flight

physical.

3

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 330

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## Page 331

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription

8/23/78

Detective KEVIN ALVES, Ocean Springs, Mississippi,

Police Department, accompanied by Ocean Springs Patrolman

MICHAEL W. PITALO

and Officer-Intern JOHN CHARLES THOMPSON

arrested BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., also known as "BILL"

at 7:35 p.m., on August I8, driven by Reverend NoEL

while WILSON was a

Mississippi.

The arrest was affected without incident and was based

on information

on a probation violation by the New Braunsells, Texas,

Police Department.

Immediately after the arrest, WILSON was transported

by the Ocean Springs Police to the Ocean Springs Police

Department where he was processed for confinement in the

Ocean Springs City Jail.

Detective ALVES advised that after WILSON was

brought to the Ocean Springs Police Department, he voluntarily

stated on three different occasions without being questioned

that he was the man that shot MARTIN LUTHER KING.

According

to Detective ALVES, WILSON referred to the Shelby County,

Tennessee, Sheriff

saying that it had been arranged prior

to this date that WILSON would give himself up to the

sheriff. ALVES further advised that WILSON claimed he

had been a colonel in the U.S. Air Force and had flown

with the Shelby County Sheriff while in the service.

ALVES further advised that WILSON stated he wants

to "deal with the FBI"

WILSON told ALVES that he would

talk to the FBI only if "we take him to Memphis to see

the sheriff of shelby county where he will talk in front

of any FBI Agent". WILSON also voluntarily told Detective

ALVES that the reason he shot MARTIN LUTHER KING was that

KING was directly or indirectly the cause of the death of

some member of WILSON's family.

Interviewed on

8/18/78

_ot Ocean Springs, Mississippile# Jackson 62-544-82

SA R. P. WHITE-SPUNNER, JR./bjw

Date dictated -

8/21/78

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 331

---

## Page 332

JN 62-544

Detective ALVES advised that he had warned

the subject of his rights and WILSON had signed a

Waiver of Rights for Detective ALVES.

MW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page

332

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## Page 333

ED-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription August 19, 1978

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., also known as Bill,

cate of birth August 28, 1931,

Social Security Account Number

JFK Act 6 (3)

furnished the following information to SA ROYCE

DAVID HIGNIGHT:

Mr. WILSON advised that he was born August 28, 1931,

at Fulton, Mississippi, and that he resided with his family at

Golden, Mississippi, until 1936, at which time the family moved

to Eldridge,

attended school until the eighth

grade and then went

to high school at Carbon Hill, Alabama,

until 1947.

He advised on May 2, 1947, he entered the U. S. Air

Force and was discharged in 1950. He stated that after being

out of the Air Force for approximately eight months he was

recalled for the Korean War and stayed in until February, 1960,

at which time he was given an honorable discharge.

He and his wife, BETTY LOU WILSON, moved to Memphis,

lennessee,

following his discharge, where he worked for

Prudential Insurance Company for approximately one year•

After Leaving Prudential Insurance Company, he operated a

laundry and cleaning business in Memphis.

During this time,

he was also in the Tennessee Air National Guard.

He left Memphis, Tennessee, went to Grandview,

Missouri, where he became a civil service employee in the Air

Force Reserve. He stayed employed in the Air Force Reserve

until 1970.

From 1966 until 1970, he also operated a jewelry

store business.

In 1970, he and wife, BETTY WILSON, moved to Memphis,

Tennessee, and opened a jewelry business in Bartlett,

Tennessee.

In addition to the jewelry business, he also built

aluminum storage buildings. He stated that in June, 1970, a

tornado hit his business and destroyed it.

He then went to San Antonio, Texas, and became

employed by the Air Force Reserve as a flight engineer.

He

also operated a jewelry store in San Antonio until 1974, when

he and his wife BETTY divorced.

Interviewed on _ 8/19/78

_aOcean Springs, MississippiFile# Jackson 62-544-53

by

Date dictated -

8/19/78

This drency it and is coniere are not to ate distied usions of the FI. It is the property of the Fl and is loamed to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 333

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## Page 334

JN 62-544

He then went to Mountain Home, Arkansas, and opened

a jewelry store and married AVIS LEA HUNTER. He was married

to HUNTER for approximately six months, and they divorced.

IUNTER now resides at 1010 Hickory Hill Lane, Hermitage,

Tennessee.

He then went to Columbus, Mississippi, where he

vorked in the gubernatorial campaign for Governor CLIFF FINCH.

While in Columbus, he married PATRICIA SHINDALA of Starkville

He also advised that while in Columbus he sold

fire extinguishers. He stated that during the gubernatorial

campaign it was suggested that he tell people that he was a

•etired colonel anc

FINCH. He stated that after the campaign was over, he was

11 and ested that

an ex-prisoner of war to campaign for

dropped by the FINCH people.

He left Columbus,

Mississippi, in January, 19/6, and

went to Tyler, Texas, where he stayed with LARRY HUGHEY, &

Friend who had a

farm.

He went to Texas for the purpose of

clearing up some

"charges" against him at New Braunfels, Texas.

He advised that he went to Dallas, Texas, to see a

triend, and while there, he called his son and asked him to

come see him,

and shortly thereafter the police arrived and

arrested him on a charge of non-child support on a warrant

issued for him at Cleveland, Texas. He was released to

authorities from New Braunfels, where he pled guilty to a

charge of theft by check and received a sentence of eight

years probation.

He advised that he then stayed in the vicinity of

New Braunfels where he did construction work. He had an

altercation with another employee; and he was arrested for

violation of his probation but was released a couple of weeks

later.

He continued working around New Braunfels and

was again

arrested for possession of stolen merchandise which actually

was a dispute between himself and an associate over some

property that he had stored for the associate, and the charge:

were subsequently dropped. He continued in the constructior

business and married JO ANN CHILDRESS, and they were divorced

after three months.

In January of 19/8, he went to Houma, Louisiana,

and went to work for Louisiana Off-Shore Caterers and workec

there until April, at which time he went to work for Gulf Coast

2

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768: Page 334

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## Page 335

JN 62-544

at the Twin Pines Apartments the first three weeks he was

in Ocean Springs and then moved to Route 6, Box 387.

He furnished the following description of himself:

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.

Also known as

Date of birth

Place of birth

Height

Weight

Bill

August 28, 1931

Fulton, Mississippi

5 feet 11 inches

170 pounds

Brown

Gray

Social Security Number

Education

Military service

Father

JFK Act 6 (3)

High school graduate

U. S. Air Force

1947-1960

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, SR.

(deceased)

Grenada, Mississippi

Mother

Stepmother

Brother

MITTIE DALE (deceased)

LILLIE MAE WILSON (deceased)

Grenada, Mississippi

ALLISON

TOWERS WILSON

Reform, Alabama

Sister

LYDA MC GAHEY

2002 East Eighth Avenue North

¡OLumbus, Mississipp1

Sister

CHRISTINE GUNTHORPE

Fulton, Mississippi

Ex-wife

BETTY LOU WILSON WADE

Burleson, Texas

Ex-wife

AVIS LEA HUNTER

1010 Hickory Hill Lane

Hermitage, Tennessee

Ex-wife

PATRICIA SHINDALA

Starkville, Mississippi

(believed killed in car

accident)

Ex-wife

JO ANN CHILDRESS

113 Mill Street

San Marcos,

Texas

3

NW 55186 DocId:32989768 Page 335

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## Page 336

JN 62-544

Daughter

Son

Son

DEBORAH ANN JONES,

husband CHARLES,

Belvedere, Illinois

STEVEN WAYNE WILSON

Burleson, Texas

MARK ANTHONY WILSON

Burleson, Texas

NW 55186

DocId:32989768

Page

336

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## Page 337

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription _

August 19, 1978

BURGENS AUDIE WILSON, UR., an Inmate or the Ocean springs

City Jail, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, furnished the following

InformatIOn to ROYCE DAVID HIGNIGHT and k. P. WHITE-SPUNNER, JR.,

who he knows to be Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investi-

gation, after having been advised the purpose of the interview being

his knowledge and involvement in the murder of Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING

after having been advised of his Constitutional rights which he

waived as indicated by an Advice of Rights and Waiver of Rights Form

which he signed:

Mr. WILSON advised that at the time prior to the murder of

MARTIN LUTHER KING, he was living in Grandview, Missouri, in a house

on byers road with his wife, BElTY LOU, and his three children,

DEBORAH, STEVE, and MARK. He was in the Air Force Reserve and

also

operated a jewelry store.

In the course of his jewelry business, he met a white male

Italian who was in his late sixties and was approximately 5 feet 9

inches tall, weighed approximately 230 pounds, and who operated a

jewelry trade shop on Walnut Street. He stated that this white male

introduced him to another white male Italian by the name of MITCH

(Last Name Unknown), who was in his mid fifties and was approximately

5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighed approximately 190 pounds, who had

black, wavy hair and had some connection with a bonding company, and

also MLICH's brother, name not recalled, who fit the same physical

description as MIlCH, but who had numerous cut scars on his face.

He stated that, MITCH started delivering jewelry to him for

the purpose of having the stones removed from the fittings. He stated

MITCH usually met him at a bar on Walnut Street which was run by a

white female and it also appeared that MITCH might have been a part

owner of had an interest in this bar. He stated that due to the

volume of jewelry that MITCH was bringing to him, he asked MITCH

about it, and MITCH advised him that it was stolen jewelry. MITCH

told him, however, that he, WILSON, was in as deep as he, MITCH, was

and that he would have to continue

working with MITCH. He stated

this relationship with MITCH continued until 1970.

He stated that MITCH brought up the idea of killing KING

and said that there was a $50,000 contract on him. However, he

8/19/78

Interviewed on

_aOcean Springs, MISSISSIPPile#

Jackson 62-544 - 555

P. WHITE-SPUNNER U

JR. Mh

SA ROYCE DAVID HIGNIGHT/RDH/mae

8/19/78

Date dictated

by

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

FBI/DOJ

NW 55186 DocId:32989768 Page 337

---

## Page 338

JN 62-544

never said who put out the contract but said that he could get

the money for WILSON if he killed. KING.

WILSON stated that MITCH was well aware of his, WILSON's,

thoughts concerning KING and the black civil rights movement, in

that his father, who was a pastor of the Central Baptist Church at

Grenada, Mississippi, died of a heart attack which he, WILSON,

thought was

• caused as a result of racial tensions at Grenada brought

on by the forceful integration of his father's church.

WILSON stated that approximately five or six months before

KING's murder, he started gathering information on the movements,

habits, and whereabouts of KING.

WILSON advised that he had a red and white Bonanza airplane,

Register Number 341, and a Cessna 310 twin-engine aircraft, which was

blue and white, which planes he used to fly to different places

where KING was

He stated that he recalls going to

Huntsville, Alabama; Tupelo, Mississippi; Jackson, Tennessee; Atlanta,

Georgia; and Greenville, South Carolina.

Tupelo, Mississippi, he

He stated that while at

stayed in the Ramada Inn and believes that

in the

other places

he visited he stayed in Holiday Inns.

He stated that MITCH furnished him a Japanese sniper rifle.

He stated that he kept the rifle and that just before Christmas of

1975, he had it reworked at a gunshop in Columbus, Mississippi, on

Fourth Street across from a bank. He stated that the last knowledge

he had of the rifle, his older son, STEVEN WAYNE WILSON, had the

rifle and

a shotgun

but had told him that he had sold it.

Mr. WILSON advised that there was a garbage strike in

progress at Memphis, Tennessee, and that MITCH called him at his

store in Grandview,

Missouri, and told him that KING was coming to

Memphis for. a rally and instructed WILSON to come to Memphis where

he was to meet two men at the Wonder Bar located at the corner of

Summer Avenue and White Station Road.

Mr. WILSON advised that he flew to Memphis, Tennessee,

in the Bonanza aircraft and landed at an airport just north of

Raleigh, Tennessee.

He stated that the airport was operated by a

long-time acquaintance of his who had attended a church which was

pastored by WILSON's father in the past.

WILSON stated that his

daughter, DEBORAH, picked him up at the airport in her 1965 white

Mustang,

which WILSON had previously bought for her and which was

registered in his name in Missouri.

2

ITw

55186 DooId: 32989768 Page 338

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## Page 339

JN 62-544

He advised that DEBORAH and her mother, BETTY LOU, were

staying at the residence of WILSON's father-in-law, VERNON HOOTEN.

3U9s Ruskin Road, Memphis, Tennessee. He stated that HOOTEN had had

a heart attack and that his wife and

daughter were temporarily stay-

ing at the HOOTEN residence.

WILSON advised that he went to the Wonder Bar and while

having a drink two white men approached him, one having an accent

similar to a Puerto Rican.

The two white males furnished him with FBI credentials,

which he stated had a black and white photograph of himself on it,

and they took him and showed him where KING was to hold the rally.

They then took WILSON to a hotel on South Main Street near Beale

Street and took him to a room on the third floor.

They told him

he was to be in the crowd at the rally and that a decoy shot was to

be fired and that he was then to shoot. They said that KING had a

habit of raising his arms over his head when he was making a speech

and that the second time that he did so, the shots were to be fired.

WILSON stated that on the day of the murder he was in the

crowd standing near a wood fence approximately 60 feet from where

KING was standing and that when KING raised his arms the second time

he shot him.

22222

Mr. WILSON advised that he had the rifle which he used

strapped to his belt under a suit coat and attached to his belt on

a swivel.. He stated that the barrel protruded from below his coat

but no one questioned him concerning it. He said that he had prac-

ticed a great deal swiveling the rifle and firing it.

He advised that after the shooting, he was stopped by the

Memphis police, but he showed them the credentials, and they let

him go,. and he

walked on down the street approximately two blocks

to where he had left the Mustang parked.

He advised that he got

in the. Mustang and drove back to

the HOOTEN residence, and his

plane and DEBORAH, then took him to the airport, and he got his

flew back to Kansas City. He stated that the airport

that he used was on the Kansas side on the highway to Olathe,

Kansas. He stated the airport was run by (First Name Unknown)

FISHER.

He also stated that he had purchased the Bonanza aircraft

from FISHER.

WILSON advised that approximately one week before the

murder, MITCH

murder,

MITCH Save him $25,000 in $20 bills, and following the

gave him another $25,000, at which time he gave the

credentials back to MITCH.

3

55186 DooId: 32989768 Page 339

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## Page 340

JN 62-544

WILSON advised that he has no knowledge of JAMES EARL

RAY having been involved in the conspiracy.

4

MW 55186 DooId: 32989768 Page 340

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## Page 341

FD- 302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription.

8/23/78

Reverend JOE BELL, Pastor, Central Baptist

Church, Grenada, Mississippi, furnished the followin:

information:

Central Baptist Church,

stated that B. A. WILSON died of a heart attack on

chu son died

January 7, 1967• BELL stated that WILSON was the

pastor of the Central Baptist Church for approximately

13 years, or from 1954 to 196/.

BELL stated that prior to coming to Grenada,

B. A. WILSON was at Camp Creek at Fulton, Mississippi,

and prior to that was at Lynn Station, which is

located north of Jasper, Alabama, and also at

Eldridge, Alabama.

that B. A. WILSON'

BELL stated that LILLY and B. A. WILSON lived in

the church parsonage behind the church, and their

children

were all grown and married at that time.

BELL identified the WILSON children as

follows:

1.

Mrs. CHRISTINE GUNTHORPE (phonetic)

Fulton, Mississippi

2.

BILL WILSON

Kansas City, Kansas

3.

LIDA (Last Name Unknown)

Columbus, Mississippi

4. One other son, name not known.

BELL stated that LILLY WILSON was B. A. WILSON's

second wife as B. A. WILSON's first wife died when the children

were young.

Interviewed on

8/19/78

-at Oxford, Mississippi

- File # JN 62-544 - 85

SA KENNETH P. HUGHES/daw He

Date dictated 8/20/78

This document contains neither recommendations nor codclusions of the fT. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to.

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 341

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## Page 342

JN 62-544

BELL stated that he, himself, came_ to Grenada,

ississippi, and was pastor at the Central Baptist

hurch beginning in March. 1967

Concerning BILL WILSON, BELI stated that he

was a pilot, and flew

va rea a nearia pLane son Kansas City, Kansas, to

BELL stated that BILL WILSON caused his

was arrested in California for embezzlement, city and

state not known.

BELL stated that BILL WILSON flew into

Memphis, Tennessee,

a sunday after his father

died on

January 7, 1967, and BELI stated he believed

Tennessee airport.

for B. A. WILSON was on the followng

he, BELL

Be A. WILsON's fueral, BELi stated he did not knouter

how long BILI WILSON stayed in Grenada, Mississippi

after his father's funeral.

BELL described BILL WILSON as a white male,

sandy hair, and stated that he did talk with BILl

WILSON's second wife whom he described as a bleached

blowe with earson keny chit seated he did not

BELL stated that B. A. and LILLY WILSON

did own a house on the corner of Levee and Fourth

Streets in Grenada, Mississippi, and BELL stated

hat he knew of no other land that B. A. WILSON

owned that BELI was aware of.

BELL stated that he had talked with

ILLY WILSON after B. A. WILSON's death, and statec

hat LILLY WILSON was desperately afraid of BILI

WILSON, and told BILL WILSON she never wanted to

2

NW 55186

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## Page 343

JN 62-544

lay eyes on him again, or have him, BILL WILSON, set

foot in her house.

Bald further stated that LILLY

WILSON did not want BiLl wiLsoN to get any of his

father's

Eathe son, had already enerd nee she le of the

estate by his father, B. A. WILsW

BELA stated, haying believed

amount of $5,000 was the figure mentioned.

BELL stated that LILLY WILSON is now

deceased, stating that she had left Grenada, Mississippi,

and went

to a nursing home at Fulton, Mississippi,

where she died approximately one year go.

BELL stated that he did hear that BILL WILSON

did get his father's, B. A. WILsON, shotgun as part

of the inhentance, stating that BILL WILSON and his

name not known, argued or disagreed over

bro would get this shotgun, which BELL stated was worth

approximately $150 or $200 at that time.

BELL stated

that he heard that the other WILSON brother walked

out in disgust, and apparently left the shotgun with

BILL WILSON.

BELL stated that CHRISTINE GUNTHORPE (phonetic)

was the administrator of the estate, and an attorney

by the name of FREDERICKS read the will.

BELL concluded by stating that the State

and their locations.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 343

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## Page 344

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription

8/22/78

LYDIA MC GAHEY, 2002 East 8th Avenue North,

Columbus, Mississippi, was advised of the identity

of the interviewing Agent and of the nature of the

inquiry. MC GAHEY thereafter provided the following

information:

MC GAHEY stated that she is the sister of

shortly after the death of their father in 1967.

MC GAHEY advised that BILL WILSON had been

very close to their father and became extremely upset

and distressed after he passed away. MC GAHEY advised

that WILSON may have had

a drinking problem prior to

the death of their father, but that she only noticed

it after their father passed away in 1967.

MC GAHEY advised that on this past Thursday

night at approximately 11:00 p.m. (August 11, 19/8),

she received a telephone call from her brother, BILl

WILSON,

and during that call he indicated to her that

killed Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MC GAHEY

stated that she did not take her brother seriously

as he has a history of telling untrue and stated that

she quickly asked him if he was "rauel"

MC GAHEY

advised that her brother indicated to her he did not

know what she was talking about.

MC GAHEY advised that approximately one week later

she received a similar telephone call from BILL WILSON

and on this occasion, he told her that their brother,

ALLYSON WILSON, Reform, Alabama, had suffered a heart

attack. MC GAHEY stated that she immediately called

her brother in Reform, Alabama, and found that he was

in perfect health.

MC GAHEY stated that on another occasion, BILL

WILSON had called her and told her that he had been involved

Interviewed on -

8/19/78

by

-at Columbus, Mississippi

ЯХН

SA GWYNNE L. HUPFER/bjw

Jackson 62-544-86

Date dictated -

8/21/78

This decay at contain oither recent to at dis i conduside solute y. It is the property of the FBY and is loaned tou

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 344

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## Page 345

JN 62-544

in an airplane crash but that he had survived this crash.

She stated that she later found out this was not true

serted chat several head avera nevertends.

his girl friends have contacted her and asked her if

it was true that BILL WILSON had been a prisoner of

war. She stated that she assured all of them that this

was

not the case.

MC GAHEY advised that in 1968, to the best of

her recollection, BILL WILSON was living in Grandview,

Missouri, and

was working at the Wilbur Jewelry Store,

Belton,

Missouri.

She stated that WILSON told her that

he owned this jewelry store, but she later found out

that he just was an employee there.

She stated that

BILL WILSON never went to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968,

to the best of her knowledge.

MC GAHEY stated that BILL WILSON moved to

Columbus, Mississippi, around

the first of June, 1975,

but left Columbus,

Mississippi, around the last of

August, 1975.

She stated that when he left Columbus,

Mississippi, he moved to Starkville1976,sissippt, and

stayed there until around January,

She advised

that while he was living in Starkville, Mississippi,

he married PAT SHINBOLA, 103 Catherine Drive, Starkville,

Mississippi, telephone number 323-6717.

MC GAHEY indicated

that after her brother left Starkville, Mississippi,

(and left PAT SHINBOLA) he went to the State of Texas.

She indicated that shortly after his arrival in lexas,

he was placed in jail in San Antonio.

she received numerous letters from BILL WILSON while

ne was incarcerated in san Antonio, lexas, and recalled

that the jail was on

"Mill Street"

MC GAHEY advised that BILL WILSON was married

to BETTY WADE, 233 Smith Street, Burleson, Texas, for

several years. She stated that to the best of her

recollection, her brother was married to BETTY WADE in

1968. She stated that he received a divorce from her on

one occasion and that they later remarried. MC GAHEY

2

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## Page 346

JN 62-544

advised that her brother and BETTY WADE had three

children, one daughter and two sons.

MC GAHEY advised that their daughter is

DEBBIE JONES, 2628 Newburg Road, Trailer #106,

Belvidere, Illinois, telephone number 815-543-9734.

MC GAHEY advised that BILL WILSON's oldest

She stated that WILSON's youngest

has been recently married and she

is not certain where he is presently living.

MC GAHEY advised that BILL WILSON's former

mother and father-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. VERNON HOTTEN,

reside at 3095 Ruskin Road, Bartlett,

Tennessee, and

subscribes to telephone number 901-386-4628.

MC GAHEY stated that BILL WILSON married an

individual in San Marcos, Texas, whose first name was

JOANN and whose last name she did not know. She statec

that this individual resides at 113 Mill Street,

San Marcos,

Texas, and subscribes to telephone number

512-392-4025.

GAHEY stated that JOANN indicated

to her in a telephone conversation on one occasion

that she planned to divorce BILL WILSON and during

the same conversation she asked MC GAHEY whether or

not WILsON had, in fact, been a prisoner of war.

MC GAHEY stated that she told JOANN that he had never

been a prisoner of war.

MC GAHEY stated that she, as the oldest child

in the family, has always felt an obligation to look out

for the interest of her brothers and sisters.

She stated

that she has been quite concerned for the past several

years with the behavior pattern of her brother, BIll

WILSON. She stated that on more than one occasion she

has discussed the possibility of admitting him to an

institution for alcoholics with her brother, ALLYSON WILSON,

who lives in Reform, Alabama.

She stated that both she

and ALLYSON WILSON feel that their brother, BILL WILSON,

desperately needs some type of help.

3

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GLH/Djw

The following investigation was conducted by

SA GWYNNE L. HUPFER at Columbus, Mississippi, on

August 19, 1978:

A physical observation of 401 5th Street South,

iolumbus, Mississippi, revealed that this is the addres:

if the Candlewood Apartments.

JAMES LANCASTER, 810 Holland Avenue, advised

that he is the owner of the Candlewood Apartments.

LANCASTER stated that he does not recall anyone by the

an apartment from him.

LANCASTER advised, however,

that

the past several years and he could not possidiy

all his tenants by name. LANCASTER advised

that his daughter, RITA BROWNLEE, was the resident

manager of the Candlewood Apartments for him for several

years.

He stated that she might recall this individual.

RITA BROWNLEE, 3504 Camilia Circle, advised that

she was the resident manager of Gandlewood Apartments

during

advisedortions of 1974 and all of 1975 and 1976.

BROWNLEE

that she

does not recall anyone named BUrGESS

AUDIE WILSON, JR., or BILL WILSON renting an apartment

from her.

She stated, however, that she located a payment

She advised that this is

the only record she could find of this individual and

stated that he must have paid his rent payments in cash.

DONALD BEARD, Columbus Police Department,

advised that their records indicate BURGESS A. WILSON

was the complainant and victim of a strong-arm robbery

on August 7, 1975.

BEARD advised that is the only record

they have of a BURGESS A. WILSON in their files.

BEARD stated that they have a record of a BILI

Apartment #9, Candlewood Apartments,

the subject of a disturbance call on August

as being

7, 19753

again on August 13, 1975. BEARD advised that

a review of

records

indicate that on both of these occasions another

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 347

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## Page 348

JN 62-544

tenant at the Candlewood Apartments had called the

of BILL WILSON. Both of these

by officers of their department with no arrests being

made and no charges being filed.

BARBARA HENSON, Dispatcher, Lowndes County

Sheriff's Office, advised that their records are negative

concerning BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JRo, Or BILL WILSON.

NW 55186

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Page 348

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## Page 349

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.

Date of transcription

8/21/78

Mr. WILLIAM DON GLADDEN, age 46, white male,

Route 3, Box

: 205-H-3 (Meadowlark Drive), Gulf Park Estates,

Ocean Springs, Mississippi (telephone number 875-3518), was

contacted at the Seasons and Reasons Gift Shop located at

2446 Highway 90 East,

information:

He is employed as the manager of the Social

Security Administration Office in Gulfport, Mississippi

(telephone number 896-3221), but also is owner of the above

noted gift shop along with his wife, ALICE A. GLADDEN.

GLADDEN advised that he and his wife opened the gift shop

in Ocean Springs on July 3, 1978.

a man came to the gift

shop and identified himself as

On of about July 26, BIll" WILSON. He talked with

GLADDEN's wife stating that he was getting ready to open a

watch repair business in the Edgewater Shopping Mall in

WIwsON agreed approximately four or tive days later to permi

WILSON to rent repair shop space in the rear of GLADDEN

gift shop.

According to GLADDEN, neither he nor his wife hac

ever met WILSON before but he was a friendly outgoing

individual whonthey came to trust.

He was a very good

worker and always was the first one to open the store in

the morning.

WILSON paid his own money for a lot of radio

ads for his watch repair business. WILSON had some of his

own jewelry and watch repair equipment but after moving into

GLADDEN's gift shop, spent several" thousand dollars of his

own money for additional equipment.

GLADDEN advised that

the only investment he (GLADDEN) had in the watch repair

effort was that he agreed to go in half with WILSON on an

$800 sign for the store.

GLADDEN again described WILSON as being a very

fast, good worker, who was tactful with customers and was

Interviewed on -

8/18/78

-Ocean Springs, MississippiFile #

Jackson 62-544-8?

SA ROYCE DAVID HIGNIGHT and e

by -

SA K. P. WHITE-SPUNNER, JR. KWS/njb

Date dictated

8/21/78

This documenl contains neither recommendations nor condusions of the F'Bl. It is the property of the FRI and is loaked bou

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NW

55186 DocId:32989768 Page

349

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## Page 350

JN 62-544

to GLADDEN, all signs were that BILL WILSON was going to

stay with the gift shop as a watch repairman on a permanent

After a

i ran at alad one i in a lue Beninter all,

GLADDEN advised that neither he nor his wife

ever visited the WILSON residence 'in Ocean Springs but

it was their understanding that WILSON resided in Apartment

No. 9 at the Iwin Pines Motel on Highway 90 in Ocean Springs

for several days after first arriving in town.

WILSON advised the GLADDENs that he had moved to a residence

Located at Route 6, Box 387, Ocean Springs (telephone number

3/5-9542) GLADDEN advised

Boy 387 that

that this residence apparently

is located on the Vancleave Road north of the Ocean Springs

Hospital. WILSON told the GLADDENs that the house is owned

by an unidentified friend who was letting him live there

in exchange for keeping the house in good repair.

GLADDEN advised that WILSON is an excellent pilot.

GLADDEN and his son flew with WILSON in a rented plane and

according to GLADDEN, WILSON appeared to know everything

but described him as

we deser ged nin as been toe rene cattier sanction

WILsON would come and go in the shop every day and had numerous

advertising fliers printed up which he apparently hand

delivered in various businesses around the Ocean Springs area.

GLADDEN advised that sometime after WILSON began

working at his watch repair business in Ocean Springs, he

became aware that WILSON had a drinking

problem, however, did not effect WILSONs work because he

The drinking

would come into the shop early every morning and do all of

the watch repairs that were waiting for him and then he woulc

Leave for the day GLADDEN advised that one salesman (identity

unrecalled) who apparently had some contact with WILSON

stated that WILSON told him that he had a drinking problem

but was trying to work hard at the watch repair business in

order to defeat this problem.

2

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On August 17, 1978, at around 11:45 p.I.

WILSON telephoned ALICE GLADDEN at the GLADDEN residence

in Ocean Springs. He asked to speak to WILLIAM D. GLADDEN

who at that time was asleep.

GLADDEN answered the phone and

WILSON told him that he had to seehim and his wife immediately

about a matter which would not wait until the morning. WILSON

refused to come to the GLADDEN residence and stated that

they should meet at the gift shop to discuss a matter of

"national

GLADDEN stated that he became worried

year old son along

a cool one can no to a that el t no at 12,15

a.mo On August 18, 1978.

WILSON arrived at the gift shop at the appointed

time driving his old model blue Chevrolet with a white top

and unrecalled Louisiana license tags. He had been drinking

because his breath smelled of alcohol and his eyes were

extremely red; however, he did not talk like an intoxicated

person. He appeared very depressed according to GLADDEN.

the mystery man. „opened the conversation by saying, "I am

When questioned by GLADDEN as to what

he meant by this remark WILSON said,

"I am the man that

murdered Martin Luther King•

" GLADDEN advised that WILSON

then talked with him for the next hour and 15 minutes about

how he had grown up in Grenada, Mississippi, where his father

was a Baptist preacher.

WILSON described how his father's

church was open for local blacks to worship in and they were

treated like neighbors.

When the racial unrest was running

rampant in the State of Mississippi in 1967 some

"northern

blacks came to the church escorted by FBI Agents. WILSON's

father welcomed them to the church only if they were not there

"for trouble"

However, according to WILSON, they did come

for trouble and his father subsequently died

of a heart attack

as a result of the racial unrest.

pulled the trigger."

WILSON then stated again that, "I am the one that

He stated that the KING killing was

a conspiracy and that he was the logical one to pull the

trigger. WILSON told the GLADDENs that he had been with the

Government (not further described) and had been involved in

undeclared wars (not further described). WILSON also said that

he knew MARTIN LUTHER KING's father and brother and grew up

right next door to KING's cousin and knew the entire family.

3

ITw

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## Page 352

JN 62-544

(VALSON did not furnish the name of KING's cousin to the

GLADDEN advised that WILSON told him that he had

daughter had driven the white Mustang to Memphis, Tennessee,

to be in Kansas City, Missouri, at the time of the assassina-

tion and had alibis to prove it when actually hetoo was ir

Memphis.

WILSON told GLADDEN that JAMES EARL RAY was the

"fall guy". He said that RAY only saw him twice but WILSON

knew who RAY was.

RAY was supposed to have gotten away clean.

WILSON said that he was surprised that RAY has brought it

all back up again inasmuch as he (RAY) is probably due for

parole in about two years.

WILSON told GLADDEN, "You won't see me anymore

after tonight."

He wanted the GLADDENs to have his watch

that the KING assassination was a

WILSON stated that he would only deal with the

oI Memphis, Tennessee, whom WILSON use to fly with". WILSON

also said that he felt the Government (not further described)

wanted the KING killing to happen and he (WILSON) knew it

needed to be done and did not expect to get much time for it.

in their conversation WILSON did say he was sorry that he had

WILSON told the GLADDENs that the Sheriff of Memphis

had talked to him on the telephone and had agreed to meet

4

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## Page 353

JN 62-544

VILSON also told the GLADDENs that he fired th

hot that killed MARTIN LUTHER KING not from 50 yards bu

WILSON never mentioned the type of gun he used nor did he

tell the GLADDENs the location from which he allegedly fired

the shot.

by WILSON's revelations.

WILSON told GLÄDDEN's son that he

could tell he did not approve of what he had done but that

he had better keep his nose out of it.

WILSON, who apparently had served in the U. S.

Air Force, indicated that he had worked in some type of

investigative work while in the military service.

WILSON kept bringing up the fact that he was

going to meet with the Sheriff of Memphis, Tennessee

norning of August lo, 1978, and even offered to furnist

GLADDEN

this individual's name and telephone number if he

wanted it for verification. GLADDEN declined.

WILSON said that he had gone through 10 years of

hell because he killed KING. He said that it had ruined

26 years of a good marriage and now his conscience was bothering

him more than ever in the last few years.

WILSON referred to a sketch of the KING murder

suspect which apparently had been recently shown on television

and told GLADDEN that the sketch was almost an exact likeness

WILSON said that he has a sister in Fulton,

Mississippi, who telephoned him in Ocean Springs after the

5

NW 55186

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Page 353

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## Page 354

JN 62-544

GLADDEN advised that at the end of their

WILSON left the gift shop and drove east

GLADDEN feels sure that WILSON probably

drove to the Angular's Inn Tavern which is located a

short distance from the gift shop and was apparently

GLADDEN advised that shortly before noon on

August 18

the Holiday

the Holiday In ture ties e sherined by

The sheriff of

Memphis, Tennessee, had not shown up; however,

individuals there believed by WILSON to be FBI Agents.

believed he had been betrayed and was now ready to "blow

anyone's head off who comes to my house except the father".

About three hours after this conversation WILSON walked into

GLADDEN's gift shop.

He was clean and neat and told GLADDEN

that he apparently

had been in touch with the FBI and that

the fBi was not going to do anything

• to him.

According

CO GLADDEN, WIION indicated that he had worked out some

"bargain" with the FBI and now WILSON wanted to live a normal

routine life. He asked GLADDEN if he could continue working

in the watch repair business. GLADDEN advised WILSON that

he and his wife were seriously contemplating selling the

business and they would make no decision about retaining

Outside the possibility that WILSON had a drinking

security Office he deals with a lot of people who have

He does not fit WILSON into any of the

i cal the ame anyan i son can that he by on en the

twice to the same woman.

MisSisSippI Coast only for about three months even though he

6

NW 05180

DocId: 32989768

Lage

354

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## Page 355

JN 62-544

GLADDEN described WILSON as a white male, five

NW 55186

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Page 355

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## Page 356

JN 62-544

BWW/1rm

1

PARKER W. NEELY, 1814 Short Main Street, Columbus,

Mississippi, advised he did business until 19/6 as the

Box 4-N Gun Shop. His business concerned gunsmithing.

NEELY's records reflect on July 1/, 19/5,

B. A. WILSON, JR.,

Starkville, Mississippi, brought in

an Arisaka 25 caliber

citle, which rifle was a Japanese military type with the

serial number obliterated.

The rifle was a long barrel

model. NEELY redid the stock and action. The gun was in

working order when he got it. The gun was picked up on

December 9, 1975. NEELY advised all other records regarding

as he sold the subject

inch barrel, for which the subject still owes him.

stated he determined later the subject was arrested somewhere

in west Texas and this revolver was confiscated.

NEELY could

provide no other information regarding the subject or his

activities.

NEELY did recall the subject stated he obtained

the xifle from some individual in Tupelo, Mississippi, name

unrecalled.

62-544-88

SL-R04T

AUG % 3 1978

FBI -JACISSON

3,48

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page

356

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## Page 357

F'D-350 (Rev- 10-19-77)

(Mount Clipping in Space Below)

700020

Evidence Distorted

lames Larinay Days

NASHVILLE, Tennare AP)e 71a

They: can surprise you with doc.

James, Earl Ray says the House As:

druments that you have not viewed

sassinations. Committee, aidedy by: Sit for years and thus give; a false im-

reporters, is distorting evidence:

prote in his letter y vas in, Misie

Last week, federal marshals took:

sippi April 1; 1968.but I may have ai

Ray: to. Washington to testify before

i problem proving it now..DE 3r

the, committee aboutrthe killing. of

Ma Ray, also alleged that: the,com

civil rights leader Dr. Martin.:Lu-

primittee paraphrased

a letter he

ther- King Jra And as he.has for

el) wrote in. 1968 about his inability to

nearly:a,decade, Raÿ:recanted: his

sleep in a Memphis jail cell, and

1969/ guilty plea; saying the swas.

duped.by a mysterious man named

ture re are other examples: of

Raow, I-served by his former law.

at this and the next time we should be:

ver and coerced by the the rigors

the the rigors of

a ready. for ther committee's distor-

his conifinement.'

25/5 tions," he said In fact the commit-

In a letter written

Mountain " Penitentiary

ture-s sessions is use

Press here, Ray said: "Concerning i questioning. "estam

Shabstr

the hearing, apparently they had

The committee's investigation of

everything layed out: to, quotating

King's death resumes this winter.

Cong-Mandel Davis,. nail: us to the.

Ray, has recanted his guilty. plea to

cross' My assesment of the bear-;

ings are the same as Cong.: Davis;

year pril tele to series o

and it-seems that most of the press.

Flown by helicopter from the Pe

did their: best to assists

tros. prison on April-15, Ray said he

committēe.":

iwas: taken to a rederal prisonnear

Some questions and evidence pre-

Petersburg, Vale an in

harare

sented. during Ray's three days of

testimony-in Washington concerned

2c*T got into an altercation with

his whereabouts just : before the

prison officials first thing = they

King was shot. on April 4, 1968, in

wanted me to-fill out forms, take,

Memphis. There were suggestions

pictures, etc.,'

2 he wrote: ""I swas

that Ray

stalked

King through

checked into the prison under the

Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee,

¿rame' Michael»Brewer. I supposei

The committee produced a laun-

the 'row' was supposed to effect my

dry ticket purportedly placing Ray

rability to. testity. There was not

in Atlanta on April 1a day hay

much to it, 'my shirt was torn" off

says he, was driving through Missis

rand intended wearing it to the

sippe toward Memphis' to

meet

hearing,

g, however, the FBI Came

Raout?™

and confiscated it me n

ndicate page, name o

ewspaper, city and state.

Page 4A

The Clarion Ledger

Jackson,

MS

Date: 8/26/78

Edition: Home

Title: MURKIN

Character:

or

Classification: CIVIL RIGHI

Submitting Office: JACKSOL

02-544-90

SEARCHED.

SER AZODICATED 10145

AUG 2 i 1978

FBI-JASKSON

NW

55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 357

FBI/DOJ

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## Page 358

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription

8/23/78

Mrs. CHRISTINE (LEON) GUNTHARP was telephonically

contacted at Fulton, Mississippi, telephone number 862-9355.

Mrs. GUNTHARP advised that she is the sister of BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON, JR., and resides at Route 1, Box 36, Fulton,

Mississippi.

MIS• GUNTHARP advised that her brother BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON,.

„JRo, is commonly known as "Bill"

'. Mrs. GUNTHARP

telephone number 327-1141.

Mrs. GUNTHARP stated that she has had extremely

limited contact with "Bill"

during the last l1 years since

her father's death. Mrs. _GUNTHARP related that her father

B. A. WILSON, SR., was a Baptist minister in Grenada,

Mississippi, and

died in 196%.

Mrs. GUNTHARP stated

that

It was agreed prior to her father's

death that she, CHRISTINE,

would be named executrix of the will which would leave all of

B. A. WILSON's personal property to his wife LILLY who was

his second wife and stepmother to each of the children. Mrs.

GUNtHARI stated that her stepmother LILLY WILSON remained

alive until 1976 and during her life span from 1967 until 1976

she was extremely dependant upon others for assistance.

Mrs. GUNTHARP stated that she and her sister LYDIA were the

only children to show any concern for LILLY WILSON's needs.

GUNTHARP stated that she therefore handled the disbursement

of the WILSON estate in accordance with the interest of each

of the brothers

and sisters.

She stated that this created

hard feelings with the brothers since they did not feel as

the the were celine cute ee see see estathis

matter and, in fact, called the GUNTHARP residence on one

occasion several weeks ago stating that CHRISTINE had "killed"

her brother referring to ALLISON who resides in Reform,

• ALLISON MO

Alabama. Mrs. GUNTHARP stated that she understood her brother

"Bill"

to mean that her

handling of the estate was responsible

for her brother ALLISON's death.

Mrs. GUNTHARP stated that

ALLISON is alive and healthy and this statement by

totally incorrect. Mrs. GUNTHARP advised that her deceased

Interviewed on -

8/19/78

_at Tupelo, Mississippi

_ File #

Jackson 62-544 - 90

by

SA DONALD H. GREENE/njb

Date dictated

8/21/78

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 358

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## Page 359

JN 62-544

father tried to get help for

"Bill" on a number of

occasions concerning

"Bill's" alcoholic and mental

Mrs. GUNTHARP stated that her brother is a

peariner and ten so tedicate sees enter

"Bill" will fabricate various types of stories to gain

attention.

contacted

penitentiary. Mrs. GUNTHARP stated that this was totally

untrue.

Mrs. GUNTHARP explained that "Bill" entered the

United States

Air Force by forging his father's signature

at age 14 or 15 and remained in the Air Force for almost

20 years.

She advised that he served one tour in England

for approximately three years and resigned prior to

business Planes and conducting a jewelry and watch repair

She advised that he had been involved in insurance

sales in the past.

Mrs. GUNTHARP advised that her brother has been

married five times and she has learned through family

conversations that her brother "Bill" told one of his

wives that he had been a prisoner of war in the past. Mrs.

GUNTHARP stated this is also untrue.

Mrs. GUNTHARP advised that her brother had threatened

her husband LEON in the past over the will settlement and she

and her husband have very little to do with him in view

of his erratic behavior.

Mrs. GUNTHARP stated that she recalls her brother

"Bill" living

She race that net other a a ved it aten one se

to BETTY LOU (Last Name

no last no one a chat the to to er the inite scatson

Air Force.

She advised he has one daughter DEBORAH ANNE who

resides in

Bellview, Illinois, and two sons STEVE and MARK

ANTHONY.

2

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## Page 360

JN 62-544

T 7 e peat epotoate uat ate ango by hoh bolher

NW 55186 DooId: 32989768

Page

360

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## Page 361

FD-263 (Rev. 7-15-75)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

REPORTING OFFICE

SAN ANTONIO

OFFICE OF ORIGIN

MEMPHIS

TITLE OF CASE

JAMES EARL RAY, aka;

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. -

VICTIM

DATE

8/30/78

INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD

8/18-23/78

REPORT MADE BY

SA THOMAS E. MOODY, IV

CHARACTER OF CASE

CR - CONSPIRACY

TYPED BY

mik

REFERENCES:

Memphis teletype to the Bureau, dated 8/18/78;

San Antonio teletype to the Bureau, dated 8/18/78;

Dallas teletype to the Bureau, dated 8/19/78;

Jackson teletype to the Bureau, dated 8/19/78;

San Antonio teletype to the Bureau, dated 8/19/78;

San Antonio teletype to the Bureau, dated 8/21/78;

Bureau teletype, dated 8/22/78;

Jackson teletype, dated 8/24/78.

- RUC -

ADMINISTRATIVE

CONVIC. BIVERSION FUG.

A review of San Antonio indices revealed that BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON, JR. is a subject of San Antonio file 29-2620

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CLAIMED

• NONE

FINES

SAVINGS

RECOVERIES

ACQUIT- CASE HAS BEEN:

TALS

PENDING OVER ONE YEAR

DYES INO

PENDING PROSECUTION

OVER SIX MONTHS

YES

CINO

SPECIAL AGENT

APPROVED

IN CHARGE

COPIES MADE:

4-Bureau (44-38861)

3-Memphis (44-1987 Sub M)

(I-USA, Memphis, Tennessee)

Jackson (62-544)

1-San Antonio (44-1242)

DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW

62 544

_ IRDEXED

CALL ONE FILED

SEP 6 1978

Wait our

Dissemination Record of Attached Report

Agency

Request Recd.

Date Fwd.."

How Fwd.

By

COVER PAGE

NW 55186 DooId: 32909768 Page 361

+B1/DOS

---

## Page 362

it me?

SA 44-1242

captioned "BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., BE&E, 00: San Antonio."

WILSON allegedly defaulted on a

• $1,000.00 note at the Kyle

State Bank, Kyle, Texas, and in a

security agreement and

financing statement filed with the Hayes County District

Clerk's Office, WILSON indicated that the $1,000.00 note was

obtained to purchase cattle.

BY teletype, dated August 24, 1978, Jackson DiviSiOn

requested San Antonio to re-interview WILSON regarding a dis-

crepancy in the registration number of the Bonanza Aircraft he

claimed he owned at the time of KING's death.

was not conducted based on telephonic instructions received

from ASAC, Memphis Division, on August 24, 1978.

t-s cous: 342962520356

B*

COVER PAGE

. NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 362

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## Page 363

* FD-204 (Rev. 3-3-59)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Copy 8o:

Report of:

Date:

Field Office File #:

"Title:

I-U. S. Attorney, Memphis, Tennessee

THOMAS E. MOODY, IV

8/30/78

44-1242

JAMES EARL RAY;

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. - VICTIM

Office: San Antonio, Texas

Bureau File #: 44-38861

Character:

CIVIL RIGHTS - CONSPIRACY

Synopsis:

NCIC inquiry revealed BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., born

8/28/31, in Mississippi, Social Security Account Number (SSAN)

JFK Act 6 (3)

wanted by New Braunfels, Texas, Police Department.

as Probation Violator as of 8/18/78. WILSON presently on pro-

bation out of Comal County District Court, Texas, for theft over

$200.00 and under $10,000.00. WILSON previously treated at

Mckenna Memorial Hospital, New Braunfels, Texas, and Veterans

Administration (VA) Hospital, San Antonio, Texas. No record

located for treatment of mental disorders.

Results of record

reviews of both hospitals, Comal County District Court Clerk's

Office, Comal County Probation Office, Comal County Sheriff's

Office, and interview of ex-wife set forth.

- RUC -

DETAILS:

AT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

On August 18, 1978, inquiry of the National Crime

Information Center (NCIC) revealed that BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.,

born august 28, 1931, in Mississippi, Social Security Account

Number (SSAN)

JFK Act 6 (3)

• Texas Drivers License Number 77911315,

was wanted by the New Braunfels, Texas, Police Department as a

Probation Violator, date of warrant April 18, 1978.

The following investigation was conducted by Special

Clerk DAVID A. WALI:

AT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

ww 551d ice conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency, it and its contents

---

## Page 364

SA 44-1242

A review of the records, Identification Bureau, Bexar

County Jail, San Antonio, Texas, on August 18, 1978, indicated

that BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., white male, born August 28, 1931,

brown, was booked into the Bexar

County Jail on June 19, 1972 on Contempt of Court charges out of

State District Court 57 (case number F248-084) • WILSON served

twelve days and was released on June 30, 1972.

The following investigation was conducted by Special

Clerk CARMEN J. HINES:*

AT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

On August 21, 1978, a review of court records, Bexar

County 57th District Court, San Antonio, Texas, revealed WILSON

was incarcerated for Contempt of Court growing out of a civil

suit entitled "Allison-Kaufmann

Company, a California corporation,

v. North Star Diamond Corporation (case number F248-084) of which

WILSON was listed as the owner.

This civil suit involved a fraud

case and WILSON was incarcerated following his refusal to furnish

the court with an inventory of merchandise in his possession

belonging to Allison-Kaufmann Company. This incarceration did

not involve any action growing out of child support.

The following investigation was conducted by Special

Agent WAYNE SMITH:

• AT SAN MARCOS, TEXAS

On August 19, 1978, JO ANN CHILDRESS, 113 Mill, San

Marcos, Texas, advised

that she met BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.,

also known as

Bill Wilson, at Sadler, Texas, in September, 1977,

and they were married in November of

1977.

They separated

February 15, 1978 and the divorce was finalized on April 26, 1978.

On August 12, 1978, she received a telephonic message from WILSON

indicating that he was in the state of Tennessee and was involved

in an automobile accident.

WILSON stated that as a result of

this accident both of his legs were amputated. CHILDRESS advised

that WILSON is a "very convincing liar and a con-man". He has

never mentioned the death of MARTIN LUTHER KING and has never dis-

played any hatred or dislike for members of the black race.

2

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 364

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## Page 365

-.

SA 44-1242

According to CHILDRESS, she believes that WILSON was in the

United States Army during 1968, and WILSON has stated that

he was a Prisoner Of War (POW)

during the Vietnam conflict.

She is aware that WILSON visited the Veterans Administration

(VA) Hospital in San Antonio, Texas on several occasions, but

she possesses no knowledge of him suffering from any psychiatric

problems.

By previous marriage, WILSON has three children, two

sons and one daughter, locations not known by CHILDRESS.

CHILDRESS advised that it is her personal opinion

that WILSON is sick and she is not in a position to provide any

information regarding his whereabouts in 1968 other than the

fact that he did mention that he once resided in Memphis,

Tennes see.

Nw 55186 DocId: 32989768

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365

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## Page 366

1

SA 44-1242

TEM: eya

The following investigation was conducted at

San Antonio, Texas, by SA THOMAS E. MOODY, IV:

On August 22, 1978, MARGI MARTIN, Records,

Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital, after having been

furnished an Authority to Release Medical Information

executed by BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., furnished the

following background and descriptive data:

Name

VA Claim Number

BURGESS A. WILSON

14592430

Social Security

Account Number

JEK Act 6 (3)

Date of Birth

August 28,

1931

Place of Birth

Fulton, Mississippi

U. S. Air Force

Service Number

142 25 795

Dates of Service

May 2, 1947

February,

1960

Type of Discharge

Honorable

Address

2601 Westward Drive

Apartment 104

San Antonio, Texas

(June, 1976)

Route 4, Box 620-D

Canyon Lake, texas

78130

(August 4, 1976)

Occupation

Jeweler

Relatives

STEPHEN WILSON (Son)

5627 Culebra

San Antonio, Texas

Telephone 433-0588

Further review of the record indicated that no

compensation was being received from the VA by WILSON and

that he had received no treatment at that facility for

mental disorders. In June, 1976, his claim folder was

located

in the Wichita VA Center.

4

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## Page 367

2

SA 44-1242

On June 27, 1976, WILSON was admitted as an

in-patient to the VA hospital in San Antonio for insect

bites. Initial diagnosis indicated Cellulitis of the right

knee, Lymphangitis and Lymphadenitis; inflammation of lymph

glands and multiple pus nodules on all extremities and neck.

Additional diagnosis included chronic obstructive pulmonary

disease; mild cardio infarction and a questionable cerebral

vascular attack at age 30.

On June 29, 1976, WILSON went on pass from the

hospital to visit his son who had been involved in a motor-

cycle accident in Dallas, Texas. WILSON did not return to

the hospital.

On August 4, 1976, WILSON was treated as an out-

patient for lime burn

on his left foot. He was seen and

released. On August 6, 1976, he telephonically contacted

the hospital to report that his foot was healing properly.

On December 11, 1976, he was again treated as an

out-patient for a swollen left elbow. He returned on

December 14, 1976, for additional treatment. On December 21,

1976, WILSON failed to keep an appointment at the VA hospital

for additional treatment and has not been treated subsequent

to that time.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 367

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## Page 368

1

SA 44-1242

TEM: eya

The following investigation was conducted at

New Braunfels, Texas, by SA THOMAS E. MOODY, IV:

On August 22, 1978, WALTER FELLERS, Sheriff, Comal

County, advised that BURGESS WILSON, also known as BILL WILSON,

Texas Department of Public Safety Number 1808984, had been

incarcerated in the Comal County Jail on the following occasions:

Arrest Number

A 8491

Date

March 1, 1976

Charge

Theft Over $200 and under

$10,000

Address

401 5th Street

South Columbus, Mississippi

Disposition

Pled guilty and sentenced

to 8 years in the Texas

Department of Corrections -

probated to 8 years

Arrest Number

Date

Charge

Address

8942

June 8, 1976

Violation of Probation

401 5th Street

South Columbus, Mississippi

Arrest Number

•Date

Charge

Address

9636

November 21, 1976

Violation of Probation

(Capias Number 7721)

Route 4, Box 6206

Canyon Lake, Texas

Arrest Number

Date

Charge

Address

A 10576

July 13, 1977

•Violation of Probation

Route 4, Box 6206

Canyon Lake, Texas

Disposition

On bond to District Court

6

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## Page 369

SA 44-1242

Sheriff FELLERS advised that a Deputy from his office

departed on August 22, 1978, en route to Ocean Springs,

Mississippi to return WILSON to New Braunfels, Texas.

He

indicated that he expects WILSON to be returned prior to

the end of the week.

-NN-55186 DocId:32989768 Page 369

---

## Page 370

1

SA 44-1242

TEM: eya

The following investigation was conducted by

SA THOMAS E: MOODY, IV at New Braunfels, Texas:

On August 22, 1978, HAZEL KUHN, Clerk, District

Clerk's Office, Comal County District Court, New Braunfels,

Texas, made available for review the records of the Comal

County District Court. She noted that on the day BURGESS

WILSON was scheduled to appear in Comal County District

Court in connection with his divorce proceedings set forth

hereinafter, he was admitted to the McKenna Memorial

Hospital for an "alleged" rattlesnake bite. His attorney,

IRVIN BOARNET of New Braunfels, withdrew from the case

following this incident.

A review of the Comal County District Court

records revealed that on September 3, 1974, WILSON was

indicted by a Comal County Grand Jury for Theft Over

$200, a color television set being the property of DOROTHY E. :

WIMBERLY, under Cause Number 7520, in the 22nd Judicial

District Court. An arrest warrant was served on WILSON

on September 20, 1974, in Baxter County, Arkansas

(Mountain Home). WILSON waived extradition and restitution

was made. The charge was formally dismissed on March 30,

1976.

On February 7, 1975, an information was filed

in Comal County District Court charging WILSON with Theft

By Check. A capias was issued on February 7, 1975. WILSON,

also known as WILLIAM WILSON, Highway 5, Mountain Home,

Arkansas, was doing business as Ozark Jewelry and Watch

Repair, (501) 425-8636.

The charge was subseguently

dismissed on December 22, 1977.

On August 7, 1974, WILSON was indicted by the

Grand Jury in Comal County for Theft of Over $200 and

Under $10,000 from ALBERT J. CRAUSE, Apartment 18, 1786

Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas, under Case Number 7712.

WILSON pled guilty to this charge on March 11, 1976, at

which time the following other charges were pending

against him:

8

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 370

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## Page 371

2

SA 44-1242

Cause Number 7520

Theft Over $200 -

To be dismissed upon

Restitution

Cause Number 7686

•

•Theft Under $200 -

To be dismissed upon

Restitution

Cause Number 21,797

Pending in the 18th

Judicial District Court,

Johnson County, Texas -

Criminal non-support case

Case Pending in Oktibbeh,

Mississippi - Fraud by

False Pretenses

WILSON's spouse at that time was listed as

PATRICIA WILSON, 103 Catherine Drive, Starkville, Mississippi.:

As a result of WILSON's guilty plea, he was placed

on 8 years probation by the 22nd Judicial District Court,

Comal County, beginning March 25, 1976. He was to report

weekly to the Probation Officer and pay $2500 restitution

and $62.50 for court costs.

On June 8, 1976, the 22nd Judicial District Court

issued a warrant for WILSON's arrest for violation probation.

frequently consuming alcoholic beverages and his failure

and refusal to pay restitution.

On June 25, 1976, an order for continuing probation

was issued after his

serving

20 days in jail.

9

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 371

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## Page 372

3

SA 44-1242

On November 18, 1976, an order for arrest was

issued by 207th Judicial

District Court, Comal County, for

WILSON's arrest for violation of probatvember 25, 1976,

was served on November 20, 1976.

an order continuing probation was issued after WILSON

spent four days in jail.

on July 8, 1977, an order for WILSON's arrest

was issued by the 207th Judicial District Court. Capias

was served on July 9, 1977. Also on that date, an order

for his arrest was issued by the 207th Judicial District

-

Court for violation of probation involving

the Theft of

Over $200. The capias was served. on July 13, 1977.

On April 18, 1978, an order was issued for

WILSON's arrest by the 22nd Judicial District Court for

violation of probation. The capias was issued on April 18,

1978 .

On April 22, 1974, BETTY LOU WILSON filed a

petition

for divorce in Comal County District Court

seeking

to dissolve her marriage to BURGESS A. WILSON. The petition

listed a

Memphis, Tennessee. In the petition BETTY LOU WILSON

listed her address as 1505 West Canyon Lake Drive, Startzville,

Texas, and BURGESS WILSON's address as 101-B Wonderland

Shopping Center, Timex Center, San Antonio, Texas.

The

petition indicated that they were married on February 25,

1967, and separated on March 28, 1974.

In a cross petition filed by BURGESS WILSON on

May 21, 1974, he indicated that they were originally married

on December 13, 1948, and divorced on August 28, 1966, in

Memphis, Tennessee•

They were remarried on February 28, 1967,

and separated on March 28, 1974.

The cross petition indicated that the son, MARK

ANTHONY WILSON, was residing with WILSON's daughter, DEBORAH

ANN JONES. A degree of divorce was entered on June 27, 1974,

granting custody of MARK ANTHONY WILSON tO BETTY LOU WILSON

and requiring BURGESS A. WILSON to pay child support. A

motion for Contempt was filed on August 19, 1974, as WILSON

was in arrears in child

support payments.

The court has been

unable, until this time, to locate WILSON for the purpose of

serving the necessary papers.

10

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page

372

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## Page 373

SA 44-1242

TEM: eya

The following investigation was conducted by

SA THOMAS E. MOODY, IV at New Braunfels, Texas:

On August 22, 1978, FRANK ALLEN, Probation Officer,

Comal County, New Braunfels, Texas, advised that BURGESS

WILSON was referred to his office for pre-sentence investigation

on March 11, 1976. As a result of his pre-sentence

investigation, he reported that the chances of successful

that che

probation by WILSON would be poor.

ALLEN stated that he did not believe WILSON to be

capable of violence and noted that WILSON experiences

Illusions of grandeur and is capable of telling "wild

stories" when drinking.

A review of the records of the Comal County

Probation Office regarding WILSON revealed the following

information:

Name

Date of Birth

Race

Sex

Height

Weight

Eyes

FBI Number

Texas Department of

Public Safety Number

Social Security Account

Number

Mississippi Driver's

License Number

Address

Spouse

Length of Marriage

Number of Marriages

Number of Dependents

BURGESS WILSON

August 28, 1931

White

Male

5'11"

165 pounds

Brown

879 421 E

1,80-898-4

JEK Act 6 (3)

-==

5627 Culebra, Number 1401

San Antonio, Texas 78228

PATRICIA ELSIA

7 months

3

4

11

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373

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## Page 374

2

SA 44-1242

References

Relatives

NW 55185

DocId: 32989768

Page 374

KENNETH I. KING

Pastor, First Baptist

Church of Canyon Lake,

Star Route #2

Box 94,

New Braunfels, Texas 78130

(512) 964-3457

LAWRENCE F. HUGHEY

• Route 1

Box 1955

Winona, Texas

(In letter of recommendation,

HUGHEY indicated that he

had never known WILSON to

be hostile, although he

did drink too much)

Sister: Mrs. LYDIA MCGAHEY

2002 East 8th Avenue

North Columbus,

Mississippi

(WILSON indicated that this

sister is the relative who

understands him best)

Sister: Mrs. CHRISTINE GUNTHORP

Route 1

Fulton, Mississippi

One Brother (not further

identified)

---

## Page 375

3

SA 44-1242

Previous Employments

Prior Marriages

13

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 375

Crittenden Drywall

8310-A Speedway

San Antonio, Texas

Telephone 341-2407 (5/76)

Austin Power,

Buda, Texas

Incorporated

Telephone 295-7351 (12/77)

U. S. Air Force (May, 1947 -

February, 1960)

Knights Life Insurance

Memphis, Tennessee

(July, 1963 - December, 1965)

Prudential Insurance Company

Memphis, Tennessee

(February, 1960 - July, 1963)

U. S. Air Force Reserve

Richards - Gebaur Air

Force Base, Missouri -

Panel Engineer (January, 1966

January, 1967)

Self-employed Jewelry and

Watch Repairs,

Starkville, Mississippi

(January, 1967 - January,

1976)

BETTY LOU (HOOTEN) WILSON,

December 13, 1948 - 1966;

1966-1973

AVIS LEA (PRUETT) WILSON,

December 31, 1974 - June

• 7, 1975

---

## Page 376

4

SA

• 44-1242

Prior Arrests

1963 - Los Angeles, California -

Bad Check - Restitution Made -

Dismissed

1973 - San Antonio, Texas -

Contempt of Court - Dismissed

1972 - San Antonio, Texas -

Post-dated check - Made Good

1966 - Memphis, Tennessee -

forgery - Dismissed

February, 1975, Mountain Home,

Arkansas - Public Drunk -

Fined

January, 1976, Hurst, Texas -

Child support - pending

1974 - Fulton, Mississippi

DWI - Fined

On March 25, 1976, under Cause Number 7712, WILSON

was placed on 8 years probation by the 22nd Judicial

District

Court, Comal County, for Theft Over $200 and Under $10,000.

The charge resulted

from WILSON's taking a check for $2500

from a supposed business partner to Dallas, Texas, for the

purpose of purchasing stock for their jewelry store. WILSON

did not return. A condition of the probation was the restitution

of $2500 and payment of court costs in the amount of $62.50.

On June 8, 1976, WILSON reported to the Probation

Office while under the influence of alcohol.

WILSON advised

that he had been working for the U. S. Secret Service in

Seguin, Texas, on a counterieiting ring and that members of

this ring were attempting to kill him.

under the influence of alcohol and asked that his probation

be revoked. WILSON was incarcerated in the Comal County Jail.

i was neard rate sna

He admitted to being

14

NW 55186 DooId: 32909768 Page 376

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## Page 377

5

SA

44-1242

Subsequent inquiry by ALLEN with the U.S. Secret

Service determined that WILSON had furnished information of

no value to that agency and that there was no counterfeiting

ring. After approximately three days of incarceration WILSON

advised ALLEN that the reason he had requested his probation

be revoked was because he was seeking protection.

He indicated

that he wanted his probation continued. By report dated

February 6, 1978, to the Probation Office, WILSON indicated

that he was residing at 113 Mill street, San marcos, lexas,

78666, telephone number 392-2776. He listed his employment

as self-employed - construction.

The report indicated that

he was living with his wife, JO ANN WILSON.

• 15

NW- 55186-DocId:32989768 Page 377

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## Page 378

1

SA 44-1242

TEM: eya

The following investigation was conducted at

New Braunfels, Texas, by SA THOMAS E. MOODY, IV:

On August 22, 1978, BARBARA HARTIGAN, Records,

Mckenna Memorial Hospital, New Braunfels, Texas, after

having been furnished an Authority to Release Medical

Information, executed by BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR, furnished

the following background and descriptive data:

Name

Date of Birth

Address

BURGESS WILSON

August 28, 1931

Box 1444

Startzville, Texas

Relatives

STEPHEN WILSON (son)

5427 Little Creek

San Antonio, Texas 78242

Telephone 623-4939,

U. S. Air Force

Occupation

Telephone Number

Retired

899-2764

Medical records indicate that on May 22, 1974,

• at 10:35 p.M.! WILSON arrived at the Emergency Room, McKenna

Memorial Hospital by ambulance experiencing severe chest pains

and numbness of his right arm. Examination indicated an

abnormal electro-cardiogram.

WILSON was admitted at 12:05 a.M.,

May 23, 1974. He was treated for coronary occlusion.

The

following day the pain disappeared and the electro-cardiogram

was normal.

His past medical history listed alcoholism and

heart attack, the last "heart attack" being in 1963 in Memphis,

Tennessee.

On May 24, 1974, WILSON left the hospital via taxi

against medical advice at

3:20 p.m.

• It was noted in the medical records that WILSON has

upper dentures.

On May 28, 1974, WILSON again appeared at the McKenna

Memorial Hospital Emergency Room at 8:45 a.m., indicating that

he had received a rattlesnake bite at approximately 7:30 a.m.,

16

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## Page 379

-

=

2

SA 44-1242

while pulling weeds at his residence near Canyon Lake.

He was admitted to the hospital at 9:45 a.m., with the

initial diagnosis being "rattlesnake bite, possible;

toxic hepatic dysfunction probably secondary to ethanol

intake."

Examination of the wound revealed a slightly

raised, scratched area on the left wrist, however, no

fang marks were located. WILSON was determined to be

allergic to anti-venom.

Suction was applied to the wound

area, however, no venom was located.

His medical history indicated that he supposedly

has carcinoma of the prostate which was diagnosed at the

University of Tennessee about six months prior to May 30,

1974. Patient admitted to slightly heavy use of alcohol.

WILSON was discharged at 9:10 a.m., on May 30,

1974.

-*

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Page 379

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## Page 380

SA 44-1242

The following investigation was conducted by

SA MANUEL, MARQUEZ, JR.:

AT BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS

On August 23, 1978, a search with Brownsville, Texas,

Police Department records, Cameron County Sheriff's Office

records, and Cameron County Jail records, failed to reflect

any record identifiable with BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.

18*

LNW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 380

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## Page 381

FD-302 (REV. 11827-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

8/25/78

Date of transcription,

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., who was accompanied by

Father NOEL FANNON, Pastor, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic

if he were BURGESS AUDIE WILSON and he acknowledged that

he was WILSON and further stated that he was a junior.

WII.SON was advised that Sheriff GENE BARKSDALE

Tennessee, was not at the motel to meet him;

however,

of Memph BI Agents were there and desired to talk with

him, particularly about his daughter's supposedly having

driven a white Mustang from Kansas City, Missouri, to

Memphis,

lennessee. He stated he had no information to

furnish the FBI.

WILSON inquired as to whether or not he was under

arrest and he was advised that he was not under arrest.

WILSON

commented he was not going to give anyone any trouble.

He was asked if he had any weapons on him and he stated he

did not and that SA GRAVES could search him if he so desired.

WILSON was then

"patted down"

and

no weapons were felt on

his body.

WILSON commented that he and Father FANNON had been

630 mo en August 1a 1998, ust SheriTE BARd DAL at

the Sheriff had lied to them.

WILSON then asked Father FANNON if he would drive

him back to the place he had been picked up and Father FANNON

agreed to do so.

WILSON was again advised that FBI Agents were at the

motel and were still willing to talk with him and he reiterated

that he had nothing to say to the FBI and, as he departed,

commented that the FBI, in the past, had harassed his father

without any explanation.

Interviewed on.

8/18/78

Gulfport, Mississippi

_File # Jackson 62-544-92

by-

_ate

57/.

SA BENJAMIN F. GRAVES

/b1c

_Date diclated.

8/24/78

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency;

it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768 Page 381

---

## Page 382

....

JN 62-544

WILSON and Father FANNON thereafter left the area

of the Holiday Inn in Father FANNON's 1976 Plymouth bearing

Jackson County, Mississippi, License JAH 637, and proceeded

2

NN 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 382

---

## Page 383

FD-302 (REV. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription_

8/23/78

At 6:28 Pollo?

SAS LOUIS S. BULLARD and GEORGE L.

HOLDER arrived at the Holiday Inn, Gulfport, Mississ1PP1:

to assist in a physical observation of BURGESS AUDIE WILSON,

SAs BULLARD and HOLDER parked in the rear parking lot

of the Holiday Inn.

Approximately 6:55 p.m., SSRA BENJAMIN E. GRAVES

instructed SAs BULLARD and HOLDER to maintain a loose sur-

veillance of WILSON, who was traveling with Father NOEL

FANNON, a Catholic priest, in a 1970 green Plymouth four-door

sedan, bearing Jackson County, Mississippi, license JAH 637.

SAs BULLARD and HOLDER followed FANNON's vehicle to

oden are a state probate 2o a on To go placed

Ocean Springs

Interviewed on.

by_

8/18/78

SA GEORGE L. HOLDERA

SA LOUIS S. BULLARD X

\ Gulfport, Mississippi

File # Jackson 62-544-93

LSB/blc

_ Date dictated.

8/23/78

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBi. Il is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency:

it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NW 55166

DocId: 32989768

Page 383

---

## Page 384

FD-302 (REV. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription-

8/23/78

Approximately 6:25 p.m., SA EDGAR L. O'NEILL, JR.

arrived at the Holiday Inn, Gulfport, Mississippi, and

instituted a physical observation in the dining room area

to determine the possible presence of BURGESS AUDIE WILSON,

From available physical descrip-

tive data, it was determined that these two men were not

then present in the dining room of the Holiday Inn.

A yew minutes Later, SA BENJAMIN E• GRAVES WaS

individual

fitting the physical description of BURGESS AUDIE

WILSON, JR.

SA GRAVES thereafter advised SA O'NEILL that he had

been talking to BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR. and that WILSON and

Father NOEL FANNON had departed the Holiday Inn in a green

Plymouth automobile bearing Mississippi License JAH 63/,

and

SA O'NEILL was instructed to maintain a physical surveillance

of this vehicle, which was traveling in an easterly direction

SA O'NEILL maintained this vehicle under continuous

observation until such vehicle arrived in Ocean Springs,

Mississippi, when it was stopped by units of the Ocean Springs

Police Department and WILSON was arrested by officers of the

Ocean Springs Police Department for state probation violation,

such warrant being outstanding from the State of Texas.

Interviewed on.

bye

8/18/78

Gulfport, Mississippi

Еза

SA EDGAR L. O'NEILL, JR.

/blc

_Date dictated

_ File #_

Jackson 62-544-94

8/23/78

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBl. It is the property of the FBl and is loaned to your agency;

it and ils contents are not to be distribuled oulside your agency.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 384

---

## Page 385

FD-302 (REV.11-27-70)

- FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription.

8/24/78

Approximately 6:45 p.m., SA BENJAMIN F. GRAVES

observed a green Plymouth, bearing a Jackson Gounty,

stop in front of the Holiday

Inn located

Me at was driving the ven ele pore, Mice mai.

was sitting on the passenger side of the vehicle.

individual on the passenger side got out of the vehicle

and it was observed that he was wearing a blue shirt and

checked

trousers and he was approximately 45 years of age,

5 feet 10 inches in height, and weighed about 150 pounds.

This individual entered the lobby of the motel. The

Iriver of the vehicle parked the vehicle on the west enc

of the motel and walked to the front door of the motel.

SA GRAVES asked the driver of the vehicle if he

were Father (NOEL) FANNON and he acknowledged that he was.

SA GRAVES identified himself to Father FANNON and advised

him that GENE BARKSDALE, Sheriff of Shelby County, Memphis,

lennessee, was not going to meet BURGESS WILSON.

advised that Agents of the FBI were in the motel and he was

requested to tell WILsON that the sherift was not going to

meet him; however,

the FBI Agents were at the motel and

desired to talk with him if he (WILSON) would agree to talk

with the Agents.

Father FANNON stated he would first like

to talk with WILSON because Sheriff BARKSDALE had lied about

his appearance in Gulfport.

Father FANNON thereafter entered the motel and talked

with WILSON in the lobby.

Interviewed on.

8/18/78

_ Gulfport, Mississippi

_Filo # Jackson 62-544-95

by_

SA BENJAMIN F. GRAVES

/blc

_Date dictated.

8/24/78

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency:

il and ils contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 385

---

## Page 386

FD-263 (Rev. 7-15-75)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

REPORTING OFFICS

JACKSON

OFFICE OF ORIGIN

MEMPHIS

TITLE OF CASE

JAMES EARL RAY, aka;

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. -

VICTIM

DATE

9/12/78

INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD

8/18/78 - 8/23/78

REPORT MADE BY

SA WILLIAM E. BOOTH, JRe

CHARACTER OF CASE

sin.

TYPED BY

1rm

CR - CONSPIRACY (B)

REFERENCE:

Jackson abstel to puregal aged 8/21/18-

ADMINISTRATIVE:

In the interest of brevity, numerous teletypes generated

by this investigation are not included in above references.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CLAIMED

CONVIC. BEHSION/FUG.

FINES

SAVINGS

APPROVED

COPIES MADE:

SPECIAL AGENT

IN CHARGE

4

Bureau (44-38861)

3 - Memphis (44-1987

Sub M)

(1 ~ USA, Memphis, lenn.)

Jackson (62-544)

Dissemination Record of Attached Report

&ANONE

ACQUIT- CASE HAS BEEN:

RECOVERIES

TALS

PENDING OVER ONE YEAR EYES BONO

EYES DENO

• 2=

DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW

-+ 4

96

Searched.

Serialized

Indexed

Filed_

KH

Book If

Waits

Agency

Request Recd.

Date Fwd.

How Fwd.

By

A%

COVER PAGE

+15-18-83188-1

WW 55166 DocId: 32989768 Page 386

---

## Page 387

FD-204 (Rev. 3-3-59)

UNICO STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Copy to: 1 - UNITED STATES ATTORNEY, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

Report of: SA WILLIAM E. BOOTH,. JR.

Date:

September 12, 1978

Field Office File #: Jackson 62-544

Title:

JAMES EARL RAY;

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. -

VICTIM

Character:

CIVIL RIGHTS - CONSPIRACY

Office: • JACKSON

Bureau File#:

44-38861

Synopsis: BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., claims that he is "man that murdered

MARTIN LUTHER KING"

and conveyed this admission in recent past

o at least eight non-law enforcement personnel (confirmed by

enclosed interviews).

WILSON arrested 8/18/78,

by Ocean springs,

Mississippi, Police Department on probation violation from New

Brauntels,

l'exas, PD and remanded to custody of Texas authorities

on 8/23/78. WILSON variously described by relatives ano

associates as a quiet man, intelligent and coherent, while

also at the same time, a

problem drinker" who, while under the

influence of alcohol, loses contact with truth

and reality.

- RUÇ -

DETAILS:

This document contains neither secommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents

are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768 Page 387

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1970 0 - 406-840

---

## Page 388

11-202 (Rov. Ti-27-79)

7

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.

Date of transcription

8/21/78

MI• WILLIAM DON GLADDEN, age 46, white male,

route 3, Box. LUsrlia3 (Meadowlark Drive), Gull Par Estaces,

cean Springs, Mississippi (telephone number 875-3513), Was

90 Bast

Mississippi (telephone

information:

He is employed as the manager oi the social

Security Administration Office in Gulfport, Mississippi

GLADDEN advised that he and. his wife opened the gift shop

in Ocean Springs on July 3, 1978.

shop and identificd hinself as

dent cd himseY as "Bill Wince talked with

GLADDEN's wife stating

watch repair business in the Idgewater Shopping

Mall in

GLADDEN discussed the matter with her husband and

gift shop

According to GLADDEN, neither he nor his wife had

ever met wilsoN befoce but he was a friendly outgoing

Gut he v

individual whanthey came to trust.

He was a very good

worker and always was the first one to open the store in

che morning. WILsON paid his own money for a lot of radio

ads

for his watch repair business. WILSON had some of his

own jewelry and watch xepair equipment but after moving into

GLADDEN®

s gift shops spent several thousand dollars of his

own money for additional equipment.

GLADDEN advised that

the only investment he (GLADDEN) had in the watch repair

effort was that he agreed to go in hale with WILSON on an

$800 sign for the store.

GLADDEN again described WILSON as being a very

fast, good werker, Who was tactful with customers and was

Interviewed on

8/18/78

_Ocean Springs, Mississippifilet Jackson 62-544

SA ROYCE DAVID HIGNIGHT and

by -

SA K. Po WHITE-SPUNNER, JR./KWS/njb

Date dictated -

8/21/78

2

This docent contains neither reconmendations not conclusions of the FUl. Il is the property of the IBI and is loaned loos

N: 5518qcybodta 13298gtdgue Nage yagsiributed outside your agency.

---

## Page 389

JN 62-544

alvays trying to "drum up new business"

According

LO GLADDEN

stay with the

all signs were that BILL WILSON was going to

gift shop as a watch repairman on a permanent

basis.

Aftex a few days, WILSON

advised hir. and His.

GLADDEN that. he had changed his mind about opening up

a watch and jewelry repair business

in the Edgewater Mall,

Bilori, Mississippi.

GLADDEN advised that neither he nor his wife

ever visited the WILSON residence in Ocean Springs but

it was their understanding that WILSON resided in Apartment

No. 9 at the Irin Pines Hotel on Highway 90 in Ocean Springs

for several days after first arriving in town.

Later

WILSON advised

the GLADDENs that he had moved to a residence

located at Route 6s Box 387, Ocean Springs (telephone number

87509542) 0

GLADDEN advised

that this residence apparently

is located

on the Vancleave Road north of the Ocean Springs

Hospital®

WILSoN told the GLADDENs that the house is owned

by an unidentified friend who was letting him live there

In exchange for keeping the house in good repair.

GLADDEN advised that WILSON is an excellent pilot.

GLADDEN and his son flew with WILSON in a rented plane and

according to GLADDEN, WILSON appeared to know everything

about flying the plane and could handle it well in rough

weather.

GLADDEN did not know the extent of WILSON's education

but described him as being an "extrenely intelligent man"

WIlson would come and go in the shop every day and had numerous

advertising fliers princed up which he apparently hand

deLivered in various businesses around the Ocean Springs area.

GLADDEN advised that sometime after WILSON began

working at his watch repair business in Ocean Springs, he

became aware that WILSON had a drinking

problem, however, did not affect WILSOne Problen.

The drinking

s work because he

would come into the shop early every morning and do all of

the watch repairs that were waiting for him and then he would

leave for the day. GLADDEN advised

that one salesman (identity

unrecalled) who apparently had some contact with WILSON

stated that WILSON told him that he had a drinking problem

but was trying to work hard at the watch repair business in

order to defeat this problem.

3

NW 55186 Docid: 32989768 Page 389

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## Page 390

JN 62-544

On August 1/s 1918, at around 11:45 Polo

WILSON telephoned ALICE GLADDEN at the GLADDIN residence

He asked to speak to WILLIAM D. GLADDEN

• Who at that time was agleep. GLADDEN answered the phone anc

WILSON told him that he had to seehim and his wife immediately

WILSON

"national urgency"

• GLADDEN stated that he became worried

at WILSON's insistence so besides his wite, he took his o

year old son along and met WILSON at the gift shop at 12:15

aol, on August 18, 1978.

WILSON arrived at the gift shop at the appointed

time driving his old

model blue Chevrolet with a white top

and unrecalled Louisiana License Cags.

He had been drinking

because his breath smelled of alcohol and his eyes were

extremely red; however, he did not talk like an intoxicated

person

He appeared very depressed according to GLADDEN.

WILSON

opened the conversation by saying. "I am

the mystery man."

When questioned by GLADDEN as to what

he meant by this remark WILSON

said,

"I am the man that

murdered Martin Luther King."

GLADDEN advised that WILSON

then talked with him for the next hour and 15 minutes about

how he had grown up in Grenada, Mississippi, where his father

was a Baptist preacher. WILSON described how his father's

church was open for local blacks to worship in and they were

treated. like neighbors.

When the racial unrest was ruring

rampant in the State of Mississippi in 1967 some "northern

blacks came to the church escorted by FBI Agents. WILSON'S

father welcomed them to the church only if they were not there

"for trouble"

However, according to WIlson, they did come

tor trouble and his father subsequently died

of a heart attack

as a result of the racial

unrest

WILSON then stated again that,

"I am the one that

pulled the trigger.

He stated that the KING killing was

a conspiracy and that he was the logical one to pull the

trigger.

WILSON told the GLADDENs that he had been with the

Government (not further described) and

had been involved in

undeclared wars (not further described).

WILSON also said that

he knew MARTIN LUTHER KING's father and brother and grew up

right next door: to KING's cousin and knew the entire family.

4

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 390

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## Page 391

JN 62-544

if

GLADDENS.)

(WILSON did not furnish the name of KING's cousin to the

GLADDEN advised that WILSON told him that he had

urchased a white Mustang for his daughter and that it was

imilar to a vahicle which GLADDEN hac

purchased for his

daughter in Ocean Springs.

WILSON told GLADDEN that his

daughter had ariven the white Mustang to Memphis, lennessee,

just prior to the KING assassination, PILSON was supposed

to be in Kansas City, Missouri, at the time of the assassina

cion and had alibis to prove it when actually he too was in

Memphis®

WILSON told GLADDEN that JAMES EARL RAY was the

"Fa'll guy"s

He said that Ray only saw hin twice but WILsON

Knew who RAY was

RAY was sumposed

to have gotten away clean.

WILSON said that he was

surprised that RAY has brought it

all back up again inasmuch as he (RAY) is probably due for

parole in about two years.

WILSON told GLADDEN, "You won't see me anymore

after tonight." He wanted she GLADDENs to have his watch

repair equipment. WILSON again insisted to the GLADDENS

that the KING assassination was a

"group conspiracy"

WILson stated that he would only deal with the

"Sherift

of Memphis, Tennessee, whom WILSON used to fly with"

• WILSON

the KING killing since the

• Later

in their conversation WILSON did say he was sorry that he had

pulled the trigger.

WILSON told the GLADDENs that the Sheriff of Memphis

had talked to him on the telephone and had agreed to meet

be allowed to have

a television set in his

cell and would

probably be allowed to repair watches or give instruction

in watch repair while in prison.

5

NW 55186 DocId: 32969768 Page 391

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## Page 392

shes asto

JN 62-544

5

WILSON also told the GLADDENs that he fired the

shot that killed MARTIN LUTHER KING not from 50 yards but

from about 50 feet away and he saw the bullet hit.

said that,

"I shot the shit out of him and saw it fly.

shit oe

WILSON

WILSON never mentioned the type of gun he used nor. did he

tell the GLADDiNs the location fxom which he allegedly fired

the shot.

Looked at one to in the cot a sat do that he

could tell he did not approve of what he had done but that

he had better keep his nose out of it.

WILSON, who apparently had served in the U.S.

Air Force,

indicated that he had worked in some type of

investigative work while in the military service.

going to meet with the sheritt of Memphis, tennessee

norning of August 18, 1978, and even offered to furnish

GLADDEN this individual's name and telephone number it he

wanted it for verification. GLADDEN declined.

2252-

WILSON said that he had gone through 10 years of

hell because he killed KiNG.

He said that it had ruined

26 years of a good marriage and now his conscience was bochering

him more than ever in the last few years.

WILSON referred to a skeich of the KING murder

suspect which apparently had been recently show on television

and told GLADDEN that the sketch was almost an exact likeness

of him (WILSON).

WILSON said that he has a sister in Fulton,

Mississippi, who telephoned him in Ocean Springs after the

sketch was

shown on television saying that the skeich looked

exactly like him.

According

to WILSON he called his sister

and other members of his family to let them know he was

turning himself in.

6

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 392

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## Page 393

JN 62-544

6

GLADDEN advised that at the end of their

conversation, WILsoN Left the giit shop and drove east

on Highway 90, GLADDEN feels sure that WiLsON probably

at thes

s Inn Tavein which is located a

short distance from

I the gift shop and was apparently

frequented by WILSON.

GLADDEN advised that shortly before noon on

August dog tolo, he was telephonically contacted by Wilson

who

said that he was now at home and that he had been to

the Holiday In in Guleport, Mississippi, accompanied by.

"the father" (not further identified).

The sheritt of

Memphis, Tennessee, had not shown up; however, there were

individuals there believed by WILsON to be fBl Agents.

He

believed he had been betrayed and was now ready to "blow

anyone's head off who comes to my house except the father'.

About three hours after this conversation WILSON walked into

GLADDEN's gift shop.

He was clean and neat and told GLADDEN

that he apparencly

had been in touch with the FBI and that

the fBl was nut going to do anything

to him.

According

tO GLADDEN, WILSON indicated that he had worked out some

"bargain"

with the FBI

and now WILSON wanted to live a normal

routine life. He asked GLADDEN if he could continue working

in the watch repair business. GLADDEN advised WILSON that

he and his wife were seriously contemplating selling the

business and they would nake no decision about retaining

Outside the possibility that WILSON had a drinking

and did not consider him to be

Security Office he deals with a lot of people who have

He does not fit WILSON into any of the

categories oi mental imparicies that he has observed.

He

recalled that he has heard a lot about WILSON®

but nothing about has activities within the past to years.

recalled WILSON saying he had been married five times,

twice to the same womall..

saying hellad

WILSON said that he had been on

L the

Mississippi Coast only for about three months even though he

grew up in che state of Mississippi:

7

NiN

55186 DooId:32939768 Page 393

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## Page 394

JN 62-544

1.

GLADDEN described WILSON as a white male, five

glaying hait,

partial to vodka and Coca-Cola.

8

NW 05180

Docid: 32989768

Page 394

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## Page 395

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription

8-21-78

LUKE JOSEPH BRODERICK, 1204 Hammer Smith Lane,

Jean springs,

Mississippi, telephone number 875-1404,

was advised of the identity of the interviewing Agent

and the nature of the interview.

BRODERICK stated

that he is the manager of the Angle Inn Restaurant

and Lounge, Highway 90, Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

BRODERICK, a white male, stated that he

was born February 7, 1940, and has completed three

years of college.

BRODERICK stated that he is acquainted with

BILL WILSON, who has been coming to the Angle Inn

for approximately two months as

a customer.

BRODERICK

stated that late on the night of August 16, 1978,

he, BRODERICK, Came to the Angle Inn and WILSON was

sitting at the bar and had been drinking Draft Beer

and was half drunk. BRODERICK stated he started

calking to WILSON and WILSON said that he, WILSON,

knew more about the MARTIN LUTHER KING assassination

than people thought. WILSON started telling

BRODERICK about how someone else had shot KING other

than EARL RAY.

WILSON was describing the other

assassin in the third person. BRODERICK stated that

after WILSON talked for a few minutes,

he, BRODERICK,

realized that WILSON was actually talking about himself

• shooting KING.

When he questioned WILSON on this,

WILSON stated

"I definitely shot him. I was 50 feet

I blew that nigger shit away"

• WILSON stated

that he had flown to Memphis, Tennessee, in a private

plane and he stated that he had shot KING from approxi-

mately 50 feet away while standing on the ground.

WILSON tOld BRODERICK there were more people involved

than himself and that firecrackers and other shots

were going off at the time he shot KING. He stated

that RAY was a scapegoat in this conspiracy.

WILSON stated that he was turning himself

in to an old friend of his, GENE (last name unknown),

who is the Sheriff of Shelby County. WILSON told

Interviewed on 8-19-78

at Ocean Springs, Mississippfile#

Jackson 62-544

by

SA HARRY H. CARPENTER/kbn

Dare dictated 8-21-78

9

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

---

## Page 396

JN 62-544

BRODERICK that he was scheduled to turn himself in at 9:30 a.Mag

on August 10, 2918, at the Holiday Inn in Biloxi, Mississippi.

At the time

WILSON was telling BRODERICK the above information,

WILSON had tears in his eyes and said he had been living with

this on his conscience for ten years and could not stand it

anymore.

Also listening in to a portion of the above

conversation was part-time bartender, DOROTHY WOODSIDE.

BRODERICK stated that he asked WILSON during the

conversation on the night of August 1o, 1y/o, 1I he was

RAOUL and WILSON did not either deny or confirm this

statement.

BRODERICK stated that WILSON had dated a female,

RITA HERRINGTON, and that RITA HERRINGTON'S son, HOWARD

HERRINGTON, went to New Orleans with WILSON at one time.

BRODERICK stated that WILSON came into the Angle

Inn on the morning of August lo, 191o, and stated that he

was turning himself in to the Sheriff of Shelby County

at 6:30 PoMo, on that day at the Holiday Inn in Gulfport,

Mississippi.

WILSON used the pay telephone in the Angle

Inn to call the Sheriff of Shelby County and he wrote the

number of the sheriff on a Yellow Cab Company card on the

wall by the pay telephone.

BRODERICK made available this

Yellow Cab Company sign to the interviewing Agent.

Written on this sign was the telephone number 901:

528-3600.

WILSON stated that he could not turn himself in

on the morning of August lo, 1918, because the sherifi

could not be

at the motel because of the police strike

now going on in Memphis, Tennessee.

10

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 396

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## Page 397

FD- 302 (Rev. 11-27-70) '

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription - August 21, 1978

DOROTHY RUTH WOODSIDE, 203 Morris Noble Road,

Ocean Springs, Mississippi, telephone number 875-4721,

was

advised of the identity of

the interviewing Agent and the

nature of the interview.

WOODSIDE stated that she is a part-

time bartender at the Angle Inn Restaurant and Lounge located

on Highway 90 in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. She stated

she works full time as an accountant at Ingalls Shipbuilding

high school education plus graduating from

business college.

WOODSIDE stated that she does know BILL WILSON, and

she has talked to him numerous times at the Angle Inn.

stated that she dated WILSON one time and has seen him once

to ted WinSoN

She

or twice at his apartment.

WOODSIDE stated that at approximately 1:00 AM on

August 18, 1978, WILSON came to the Angle Inn.

WILSON talked

to LUKE BRODERICK, the owner of the Angle Inn. While WILSON

was. conversing with BRODERICK, WOODSIDE joined the conversation.

She stated that at the time WILSON was talking, he had had

several beers but was not drunk, but the longer he talked and

drank,

the more inebriated he became. WOODSIDE stated that she

heard WILSON say, "I'm the man that shot MARTIN LUTHER KING.

I have had this on my conscience for ten years. I wanted to

get it off my mind.

She stated that WILSON stated that he

had a green airplane he had flown in to Memphis, Tennessee,

at the time he killed KING. She stated that the reason he

going to surrender himself to authorities was that he had just

renewed his pilot'

s license and that he knew he would be caught

as a result of his pilot's license. WILSON showed this pilot's

license to BRODERICK.

WOODSIDE stated that she remembers

WILSON saying that he was looking through a window or over a

windowsill at the time he shot KING. He stated that after he

shot KING, there was a

series of bangs or shots but WILSON

stated that he was the one that actually shot KING. She stated

that WILSON said he was going to turn himself in to the Sheriff

of Shelby County, Tennessee, and that WILSON started crying at

the end of the conversation. WOODSIDE stated that BRODERICK

said that he believed WILSON was telling the truth, but WOODSIDE

did not believe him.

Interviewed on _ 8/19/78

_Ocean Springs, Mississippifile # Jackson 62-544

by SA HARRY H. CARPENTER/ kbn/mae

Date dictated.

8/21/78

11

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

FBI/DOJ

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page

397

---

## Page 398

JN 62-544

2

Sometime during the conversation, WILSON had

stated that he had at one time been a pilot for Governor

CLIFF FINCH, the Governor of Mississippi. He stated he had

flown FINCH

during FINCH's gubernatorial campaign. WILSON

also stated that he had flown at one time with the original

Flying Tigers.

of hers, RITA HERRINGTON, who resides on Fountaine Lane in

Biloxi, Mississippi, telephone number 374-5311. HERRINGTON is

employed as a waitress at the Ramada Inn in Biloxi. HERRINGTON's

son, HOWARD HERRINGTON, supposedly accompanied WILSON to New

Orleans at one time.

WILSON also stated that he had been assigned to

12

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 398

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## Page 399

FD-302 (REV. 11-21-70)

• FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Dale of transcription.

8/24/78

Approximately 6:45 pem., SA BENJAMIN E. GRAVES

observed a green Plymouth, bearing a Jackson county:

Mississippi, license tag, stop in front of the Holiday

Inn Located on U.s. Highway 90, Gulfport, MIssissippI.

A white male was driving the vehicle and a white male

was sitting on the passenger side of the vehicle.

individual on the passenger. side got out of the vehicle

and it was observed that he was wearing a blue shirt and

checked trousers and he was approximately 45 years of age,

5 feet 10 inches in height, and weighed about 150 pounds.

This individual entered the lobby of the motel. The

driver of the vehicle parked the vehicle on the west end

of the motel and walked to the front door of the motel.

SA GRAVES asked the driver of the vehicle if he

were Father (NOEL) FANNON and he acknowledged that he was.

SA GRAVES identified himself to Father FANNON and advised

him that GENE BARKSDALE, Sheriff of Shelby County, Memphis,

Tennessee, was not going

to meet BURGESS WILSON.

advised that Agents of the FBI were in the motel and he was

requested to tell WILSON that the sherifi was not going t

meet him; however!

the FBI Agents were at the motel anc

desired to talk wich him if he (WILSON) would agree to talk

with the Agents.

Father FANNON stated he would first like

to talk with WILSON because Sheriff BARKSDALE had lied about

his appearance in Gulfport.

Father FANNON thereafter entered the motel and talked

with WILSON in the lobby.

Interviewed on_

8/18/78

_a Gulfport, Mississippi

_File # Jackson 62-544

by:

SA BENJAMIN F. GRAVES

/blc

_ Dale diclated.

8/24/78

13

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBl. Il is the property of the FBI and is looned to your agency;

il and ils contents are nol lo be distribuled oulside your agency.

NW 55186 DooId: 32989768

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## Page 400

FD-302 (REV. 11-27;70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

1

Dole of transcription.

8/25/78

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JRe, Who was accompanied by

St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic

of the identity of SA BENJAMIN F. GRAVES and he was asked

if he were BURGESS AUDIE WILSON and he acknowledged that

he was WILSON and further stated that he was a junior.

WILSON was advised that Sheriff GENE BARKSDALE

of Memphiss

Tennessee, was not at the motel to meet him;

however, IBl Agents were there and desired to talk with

him, particularly about his daughter's supposedly having

driven a

white Mustang from Kansas City, Missouri, to

Memphis, Tennessee. He stated he had no information to

furnish the FBI.

WILSON inquired as to whether or not he was under

arrest and he was advised that he was not under arrest.

WILSON commented he was not going to give anyone any trouble..

He was asked if he had any weapons on him and he stated he

did not and that SA GRAVES could search him if he so desired.

WILSON was then "patted down" and no weapons were felt on

his body.

WILSON commented that he and Father FANNON had been

to the motel at 9:30

6: 30p mo en August 18, 1998, 8e Sheri75 BARd DAtin ad

the Sheriff had lied to them.

WILSON then asked Father FANNON if he would drive

him back to the place he had been picked up and Father FANNON

agreed to do so.

WILSON was again advised that FBI Agents were at the

motel and were still willing to talk with him and he reiterated

that he had nothing to say to the FBI and, as he departed,

commented that the fBI, in the past, had harassed his father

without any explanation.

Interviewed on.

8/18/78

Gulfport, Mississippi

_File # Jackson 62-544

by-

SA BENJAMIN F. GRAVES

/blc

_Date dictated.

8/24/78

This document contains neither recommendalions nor conclusions of the FBl. Il is the property of the FBI and is loaned lo your agency:

it and its contents ore nol lo be distribuled outside your agency.

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 400

14

---

## Page 401

JN 62-544

2

Jackson County, Mississippi,

east on U. S. Highway 90.

. •

15

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Lage

401

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## Page 402

stunt witte

JN 62-544

BFG/ blc

1

The following investigation was conducted by

SAS LEON ROSS GRABEN and BENJAMIN E. GRAVES approximately

6:50 p.m., August 18, 1918, at Gulfport, Mississippi:

The Harrison County Sheriff's Office, Gulfport,

Mississippi, was requested to determine the identity of

the individual to whom Jacksond the sheris sissippi, license

tag JAH 637 was registered,

s Ottice deter-

mined this license tag was

issued Ior use on a 1y/b flymouth,

operated by Rev. NOEL FANNON, Post Office Box 979, Ocean

Springs, Mississippi.

16

NW 55186 DooId: 32989768

Page 402

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## Page 403

don on!

RD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription

8/23/78

Detective KEVIN ALVES, Ocean Springs, Mississippi,

Police Department, accompanied by Ocean Springs Patrolman

MICHAEL W. PITALO

and Officer Intern JOHN CHARLES THOMPSON

arrested BURGESS AUDIE WILSONS JR. s

also known as "BILL"

at 7:35 Pollo, on August 18, 1978,

while WILSON was a

passenger 1

an automobile

driven by Reverend NOEL

Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church,

Mississippi. The arrest took place on

The arrest was effected without incident and was based

on information

ubtained from a National Crime Information

Center (NCIC) "hit" indicating that WILSON was wanted

on a probation violation by the New Braunfels,, Texass

Police Department.

Immediately after the arrest, WILSON was transported

by the Ocean Springs Police to the Ocean Springs Police

Department where he was processed for confinement in the

Ocean Springs City Jail.

Detective ALVES advised that after WILSON was

brought to the Ocean Springs Police Department, he voluntarily

stated on three different occasions without being questioned

that he was the man that shot MARTIN LUTHER KING. According

to Detective ALVES, WILSON referred to the Shelby County,

Tennessee, Sheriff

saying that it had been arranged prior

to this date that WILSON would

give himselt up to the

sheritic ALVrS further advised that WILSON claimed he

had been a colonel in the U.S. Air Force and had flown

with the Shelby County Sheriff while in the service.

ALVES further advised that WILSON stated he wants

to "deal with the FBI"

WILSON told ALVES that he would

talk to the FBI only if "we take him to Memphis to see

the sheriff of shelby County where he will talk in front

of any FBI Agent"

• WILSON also voluntarily told Detective

ALVES that the reason he shot. MARTIN LUTHER KING was that

KING was directly or indirectly the cause of the death of

some member of WILSON'

s fanily.

Interviewed on

8/18/78

_ot Ocean Springs, MississipPflel Jackson 62-544

by

SA K. P. WHITE-SPUNNER, JR./biw

Date dictated

8/21/78

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBl and is loaned to

are bolde a distributed outside your agency.

---

## Page 404

JN 62-544

Detective ALVES advised that he had warned

the subject of his rights and WILSON had signed a

Waiver of Rights for Detective ALVES.

18

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 404

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## Page 405

FD-302 (Kev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription

8/22/78

Following the arrest by Ocean Springs, Mississippi,

as BILL,

The contents of WILSON's wallet were examined in the

thesence of WILSON and the following items were contained

Current Texas driver's license #7911315 under

the name of BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., 113 Mill Street,

San Marcos, Texas. License expires 1980 and indicates

the date of birth of August 28, 1931.

A slip ot paper bearing the name MADLINs 304

Berestord, no city listed, telephone 455 3/65.

A slip of paper with the name WILL CAMPBELL

875-4380.

A business card for DANIEL D. GUICE, JRAs

Field Supervisors

Mississippi Probation and arole

Office, Biloxi, Mississippi, telephone 432-22/1•

On the reverse side of the business card

was an inked notation 1005 Hickory Hill Lane, C-103,

Hermitage, Tennessee 37076.

Business card for MAX D. MURRAY, Advertising

Representative, Austin, Texas, American Statesman.

Business card for DAN LEARNER, telephone 388-9601,

Craftsman

Workshop, Edgewater Mall, Biloxi, Mississippi.

Business card for DENNIS SULLIVER, Chief Engineer,

Red Fox Industries

telephone number 365-8131.

Incorporation, New. Iberia, Louisiana,

Business card for LOUIS P. HELM,

Real tor,

Ocean Springs, Mississippi, 875-2098 and 875-0016.

Interviewed on .

8/18/78

Ocean Springs, MississipPfile #

Jackson 62-544

by

K. P. WHITE-SPUNNER, JR./biw

Date dictoted

8/21/78

19

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FRI. It is the property of the FBl and is louned to

your agency; it and ils contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

DocId: 32989768

Page 405

---

## Page 406

JN 62-544

An inked note bearing the name BARTON and CHASE,

740 Sanson Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107.

Business card for TRAVIS GARNER, Building

Officials, City of Ocean Springs; 875-4236.

An inked note "State Farm Claims Office,

Gulfport, Mississippi, 896-6353"

FASOID, 863 inked note bearing the name of KARL

A payroll check voucher for WILSON from

July 12, 1978.

Business card for Louisiana Off-shore Caterers,

JIM FONTINOT, Personnel Director, Houma, Louisiana,

876-3642.

A note bearing the name BOB GAZOET, 214-521-41950

A bill of sale bearing the name of VERA Ma

NEVILL, Canyon Lake, Texas, Route 4, Box 620G.

A payroll voucher for WILSON from Gulf Coast

Catering Company, New Iberia, Louisiana, for the

period ending June 16, 1978.

A note bearing the name TAD MURRAY, Monroe,

Louisiana, 323-7382, or 728-4060.

A credit bill for Beall's Department Store,

Jacksonville, Texas, under the name of BURGESS A. WILSON,

067001572.

A Veteran's Administration patient data card

under the name of BURGESS

Ao WILSON, Canyon Lake,

card #422341275.

A business card for Eserman Offshore Services,.

Incorporation, Golden Meadow, Louisiana, 693-8287.

20

NW 55186 DocId:32989768 Page 406

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## Page 407

JN 62-544

Veteran's of Foreign Wars (VFW) membership

card #990998 for 1977 for VFW Post #8573 at Canyon

Lake, Texas.

A Federal Communications Commission radio

license #6H4659, issued to WILSON on September 26, 1960.

A business card for Ler-son International

Incorporated, Houna, Louisiana.

An inked note bearing the names of STAN

BULLARD and Jones Builders of long Beach, Mississippi.

A business card for BILL WILSON Builders,

Number

A card bearing WILSON's Social Security

JEK Act 6 (3)

A credit type card from the Security State

Bank, starkville, Mississippl

under the name of

Colonel BURGESS A. WILSON, USAF, retired, #3038940.

Private pilot certificate number. 1106770

issued by the federal Aviation Administration,

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, showing BURGESS AUDIE WILSON,

of 13125

Herrick Avenue,

Grandview, Missouri,

64030,

is authorized to fly single and multi-engine

land airplanes.

A Department of Iransportation form for a

biannual flight review dated July 18, 1978, giving

instructor's name CARL FONLER, and aircraft piper

C102 certificate 7542121134, dated September 30,

1978,

to expire July 31, 1980, showing that subject

Is authorized to fly private aircraft.

A Department of Transportation medical

certificate first class form signed by Dr. JAMES B.

MARLIN, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, on August 9, 1978,

giving

the examining physician serial as 12021-1.

A

receipt from Dr. JAMES B. MARTIN, #14168,

dated August 9, 1978, in the amount of $25 for a flight

physical.

21

WW 55186 DocId: 32909768 Page 407

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## Page 408

thats

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

1

Date of transcription -

8/21/78

On August 19, 1978, Desk Sergeant LAURA MIZE, Ocean

Police Department, advised that one

RACHUDA had taken breakiast to

approximately 8:30 a.m., that date at which time Officer

RACHUBA asked WILSON

if

he was ready to sign papers waiving

extradition to the state of lexas on a probation violation.

According to Desk Sergeant MIZE, WILSON replied that he was,

but prior to signing any waivei of extradition he wanted

to talk to the FBI.

Interviewed on

8/19/78

-at Ocean Springs, MississippicH Jacksea 62-544

by

SA K. P. WHITE-SPUNNER, JRe/gah

Date dictated _ 8/21/78

22

your deney, i cont i coriches ate no one distig cop luide out rey It is the property of the FBI and is load bos

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 408

---

## Page 409

Jan wai

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Dote of transcription

8/21/78

Officer BOBBY RACHUBA, Ocean Springs, Mississippi,

Police Department, advised that at about 8:30 a.M., on

August 19, 1978, he was delivering breakfast to inmates of

the Ocean Springs City Jail. At the direction of PoligILI"

Desk Sergeant LAURA MIZE, he personally asked inmate

WILSON whether he was ready to sign a waiver of extradition

to the State of Texas.

According to Officer RACHUBA, WILSON

replied, "Yes, on one

condition, provided I can talk to the

FBI first.

Interviewed on 8/19/78

-at Ocean Springs, Mississipple # Jackson 62-544

SA Ke R. WHITE-SPUNNER, JR./gah

Date dictated _ 8/21/78

23

you decay contain onions are no no be distro cod lusie out a fri, i is the property of the FBi and is loanad tou

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 409

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## Page 410

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FL

ERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIO

Date of transcription - August 12, 1978

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR

date of birth August 28, 1931,

JEK Act 6 (3)

furnished the following information to SA ROYCE

DAVID HIGNIGHT:

Mr. WILsoN advised that he was born August 28, 1931,

at fulton, Mississippi, and that he resided with his family at

Golden, Mississippi, until 1936, at which time the family moved

to eldridge, Alabama, where he attended school until the eighth

grade and then went to high school at Carbon Hill, Alabama,

until

1947•

1947, he entered the U. S: Alr

Force and was discharged in 1950.

He stated that arter being

out of the Air Force for approximately eight months he was

recalled for the Korean War and stayed in until February, 1960,

at which time he was given an honorable discharge.

ennessee

he and his wite, BellY Lou wILSoN, moved to Memphis,

following his discharge, where he worked for

Prudential Insurance Company for approximately one year.

After Leaving Prudential Insurance Company, he operated

Laundry and cleaning business in Memphis.

During this time,

he was also in the Tennessee Air National Guard.

He left Memphis, Tennessee, went to Grandview,

Missouri, where he became a civil service employee in the Air

Force Reserve. He stayed employed in the Air Force Reserve

until 1970. Fxom 1966 until 1970, he also operated a jewelry

store business.

In 1910, he and wife, BETTY WILSON, moved to Memphis,

Tennessee; and opened

a jewelry

Tennessee.

aluminum storage buildings.

He stated that in June, 1970, a

tornado hit his business and destroyed it.

He then went to San Antonio, Texas, and became

employed by the Air Force Reserve as a flight engineer.

He

also operated a jewelry store in San Antonio until 1974, when

he and his wife BETTY divorced.

Interviewed on 8/19/78

-alcean Springs, Mississippifile # Jackson 62-544

by -

SA ROYCE DAVID HIGNIGHT /mae

Date dictated

8/19/78

24

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loanel bos

rour agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NN 55186 DooId: 32989768 Page 410

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## Page 411

JN 62-544

He then went to Mountain Home, Arkansas, and opened

and they divorced.

• Tennessee.

He then went to Columbus, Mississippi, where he

worked in the gubernatorial campaign for Governor CLIFF FINCH.

While in Columbus, he married PATRICIA SHINDALA Of Starkville,

He also advised that while in Columbus he sold

He stated that during the gubernatorial

campaign it was suggested that he tell people that he was

cetired colonel and an ex-prisoner of war to campaign for

FINCH.

He stated that after the campaign was over, he was

dropped by the FINCH people.

• He left Columbus, Mississippi, in January, 1976, and

went to Tyler, Texas, where he stayed with LARRY HUGHEY, a

friend who had a farm. He went to

Texas for the purpose of

clearing up some "charges" against him at New Braunfels, Texas.

He advised that he went to Dallas, Texas,

to see a

triend, and while there, he called his son and asked him to

come

see him, and shortly thereatter the police arrived anc

arrested him on a charge of non-child support on a warrant

issued for him at Cleveland, Texas.

He was released to

authorities from New Braunfels, where he pled guilty to a

charge of theft by check and received a sentence of eight

years probation.

He advised that he then stayed in the vicinity of

New Braunfels where he did construction work. He had an

altercation with another employee; and he was arrested for

violation of his probation but was released a couple of weeks

later.

He continued working around New Braunfels and was again

arrested for possession of

stolen merchandise which actually

was a dispute between himself and an associate over some

property that he had stored for the associate, and the charges

he he toned for e

were subsequently dropped. He continued in the construction

business and married JO ANN CHILDRESS, and they were divorced

after three months.

there until April, at which time he went to work for Gulf Coast

25

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 411

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## Page 412

shake monitorie

JN 62-544

Caterers of New Iberia, Louisiana, and worked there until

the end of June of 1978, at which

time he came to Ocean

Springs, Mississippi, and opened a jewelry shop. He lived

at the Iwin Pines Apartments the first three weeks he was

-

in Ocean Springs and then moved to Route 6, Box 387.

He furnished the following description of himself:

Name

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.

Also known as

Bill

Date of birth

August 28, 1931

Place of birth

Fulton, Mississippi

Height

5 feet 11 inches

Weight

170 pounds

Eyes

Brown

Hair

Social Security Number

Gray

JEK Act 6 (3)

Education

High school graduate

Military service

U. S. Air Force

Father

1947-1960

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, SR.

(deceased)

Grenada, Mississippi

Mother

Stepmother

Brother

Sister

MITTIE DALE (deceased)

LILLIE MAE WILSON (deceased)

Grenada, Mississippi

ALLISON

TOWERS WILSON

Reform, Alabama

LYDA MC GAHEY

2002 East Eighth Avenue North

Columbus, Mississippi

Sister

CHRISTINE GUNTHORPE

Fulton, Mississippi

Ex-wife

BETTY LOU WILSON

WADE

Burleson, Texas

Ex-wife

AVIS LEA HUNTER

1010 Hickory Hill Lane

Hermitage, Tennessee

Ex-wife

PATRICIA SHINDALA

Starkville, Mississippi

believed killed in car

accident)

Ex-wife

JO ANN CHILDRESS

113 Mill Street

San Marcos, Texas

26

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 412

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## Page 413

JN 62-544

4

Daughter

Son

Son

DEBORAH ANN JONES,

husband CHARLES,

Belvedere, Illinois

STEVEN WAYNE WILSON

Burleson; Texas

MARK ANTHONY WILSON

Burleson, Texas

27

NN 03180

DocId: 32989768

Lage

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## Page 414

ala canted

FD-302 (Rov. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription -

August 19, 1978

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., an inmate of the Ocean Springs

City Jail, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, furnished the following

InformatIon to ROYCE DAVID HIGNIGHl and k. I. WHITE-SPUNNER, JR..

who he knows to be Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investi-

gation, after having been advised the purpose of the interview being

his knowledge and involvement in the murder of Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING

and after having been advised of his Constitutional rights which he

waived as indicated by an Advice of Rights and Waiver of Rights Form

which he signed:

Mr. WILSON advised that at the time prior to the murder of

MARTIN LUTHER KING, he was living in Grandview, Missouri, in a house

on Byers Road with

his wife, BEIlY LOU, and his three children,

DEBORAH, STEVE, and MARK. He was in the Air Force Reserve and

operated a jewelry store.

also

In the course of his jewelry business, he met a white male

Italian who was in his late sixties and was approximately 5 feet 9

inches tall, weighed approximately 230 pounds, and who operated a

jewelry trade shop on Walnut Street.

He stated that this white male

introduced him to another white male Italian by the name of MITCH

(Last Name Unknown), who was in his mid fifties and was approximately

5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighed approximately 190 pounds, who had

black, wavy hair and had some connection with a bonding company, and

MITCH's brother, name not recalled, who fit the same physical

description as MITCH, but who had numerous out scars on his face.

He stated that. MITCH started delivering jewelry to him for

the purpose of having the stones removed from the

fittings.

He stated

MITCH usually met him at a bar on Walnut Street which was run by a

white female and it also appeared that MITCH might have been a part

owner or had an interest in this bar.

He stated that due to the

volume of jewelry that MITCH was bringing to him, he asked MITCH

about it; and Milch advised him that it was stolen jewelry. MITCH

toLa nim, however, that he, WILSON, was in as deep as he, MITCH, was

and that he would have to continue

working with MITCH. He stated

this relationship with MITCH continued until 1970.

He stated that MITCH brought up the idea of killing KING

and said that there was a $50,000 contract on him. However, he

8/19/78

Interviewed on -

_ocean springs, Mississippfile#

Jackson 62-544

SA K. P. WHITE-SPUNNER, JR.

SA ROYCE DAVID HIGNIGHT/RDH/mae

by

8/19/78

Date dictated

28

This document contains neither recommenditions nor conclusions of the FBI. I is the property of the FBI and is loaned tos

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 414

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## Page 415

JN 62-544

2

never said who put out the contract but said that he could get

the money for WILSON if he killed KING.

WILSON stated that MITCH was well aware of his, WILSON's,

.thoughts. concerning KING and the black civil rights movement, in

that his father, who was a pastor of the Central Baptist Church at

Grenada, Mississippi, died of a heart attack which he, WILSON,

thought

Nas caused as a result of racial tensions at Grenada brought

on by the forceful integration of his

father's church.

WILSON stated that approximately five or six months before

KING's murder, he started gathering information on the movements,

habits, and whereabouts of KING.

WILSON advised that he had a red and white Bonanza airplane,

Register Number 34L, and a Cessna 310 twin-engine aircraft, which was

blue and white, which planes he used to fly to different places

where KING was supposed to be.

He stated that he recalls going to

HuntsvilLe, Alabama; lupelo, Mississippi; Jackson, Tennessee; Atlanta,

Georgia; and Greenville, south carolina.

He stated that while at

Tupelo,

Mississippi, he

stayed in the Ramada Inn and believes that

in the other places

he visited he stayed in Holiday Inns.

He stated that MITCH furnished him a Japanese sniper rifle.

He stated that he kept the rifle and that just before Christmas of

1975, he had it reworked at a gunshop in Columbus, Mississippi, on

Fourth Street

across from a bank.

He stated that the last knowledge

he had of the rifle, his older son, STEVEN WAYNE WILSON, had the

rifle and a shotgun

but had told him that he had sold 1t.

Mr. WILSON advised that there was a garbage strike in

progress at Memphis, Tennessee, and that MITCH called him at his

store in Grandview,

Missouri, and told him that KING was coming to

Memphis for. a rally and instructed WILSON to come to Memphis where

he was to meet two men at the Wonder Bar located at the corner of

Summer Avenue and White Station Road.

Raleigh, Tennessee.

He stated that the airport was operated by a

long-time acquaintance of. his who had attended a church which was

pastored by WILSON's father in the past. WILSON stated that his

daughter, DEBORAH, picked him up at the airport in her 1965 white

Mustang, which WILSON had previously bought for

her and which was

registered in his name in Missouri.

29

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 415

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## Page 416

JN 62-544

He advised that DEBORAH and her mother, BETTY LOU, were

staying at the residence of WILSON's father-in-law, VERNON HOOTEN,

' 3095 Ruskin Road, Memphis

• lennessee.

He stated that HOOTEN had had

a heart attack and that his wife and daughter were temporarily stay-

ing at the HOOTEN residence.

WILSON advised

that he went to the Wonder Bar and while

having a drink two white men approached him, one having an

accent

similar to a Puerto Rican.

The two white males furnishea him with FBl credentials,

which he stated had a black and white photograph of himself on it,

and they took him and

showed him where KING was to hold the rally.

They then took WILSON to a hotel on South Main Street near Beale

Street and took him to a room on the third floor.

They told him

he was to be in the crowd at the rally and that a decoy shot was to

be fired and that he was then to shoot.

They said that KING had a

habit of raising his arms over his head when he was making a speech

and that the second time that he did so, the shots were to be fired.

WILSON stated that on the day of the murder he was in the

crowd standing near a wood fence approximately 60 feet from where

KING was standing and that when KING raised his arms the second time

he shot him.

Mr. WILSON advised that he had the rifle which he used

strapped to his belt under a suit coat and attached to his belt on

a swivel,. He stated that the barrel protruded from below his coat

but no one questioned him concerning it.

He said that he had prac-

ticed a great deal swiveling the rifle and firing it.

He advised that after the shooting, he was stopped by the

Memphis police, but he showed them the credentials, and they let

him

go,. and he

walked on down the street approximately two blocks

to where he had left the Mustang parked. He advised that he got

in the. Mustang and drove

aaughter. Deborah, then took him to the airport, ana he got his

plane and flew back to Kansas City. He stated that the airport

that he usea was on the kansas side on the highway to ULathe,

Kansas. He stated the airport was run by (First Name Unknown)

FISHER.

He also stated that he had purchased the Bonanza aircraft

from FISHER.

WILSON advised that approximately one week before the

murder, MIICH gave him $25, 000 in $20 bills, and following the

murder, MITCH gave him another 525, 000, at which time he gave the

credentials back to MITCH.

30

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 416

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## Page 417

JN 62-544

4

WILSON advised that he has no knowledge of JAMES EARL

RAY having been involved in the conspiracy.

. •

31

WW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page

417

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## Page 418

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription

8/21/78

Photographs and major case fingerprints were taken of

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON,

also known as

"BILL" at the Ocean

Springs, Mississippi, City Jail.

Interviewed on -

8/19/78

_at Ocean Springs, Mississippfil # Jackson 62-544

by

SA R. P. WHITE-SPUNNER, JR. /gah

Date dictated _8/21/78

32

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

FBI/DOS

MW 55186 DooId: 32989768

Page 418

---

## Page 419

JN 62-544

KPH/drw

1

The following investigation was conducted by

SA KENNETH P. HUGHES:

On August 19, 1978, a review of the 1978

Grenada City Directory shows a listing for the Central

Baptist Church with Reverend JOE BELL as pastor at

333 Second Street, Grenada, Mississippi, telephone

226-2715.

The directory shows JOE BELI and wife,

MYRA N. BELL,

residing at 235_ South Mound Street,

Grenada, Mississippi, home telephone 226-4133, anc

that JOE BELL is the

pastor of the Central Baptist

Church.

On August 19, 1978,

FRED TILGHMAN, Chief of

Police, Grenada,

MississippI, Police Department,

Grenada, Mississippi, advised he could locate n

arrest record or outstanding warrants for BURGESS

AUDLE WILSON, JR.,

also known as BILL WILSON, date

of birth, August 28, 1931, place of birth, Fulton,

Mississippi.

Mete, are a on he one to reto reperade,

record or outstanding warrants on BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.,

also known as BILL WILSON, white male, date of birth,

August 28, 1931, at Fulton, Mississippi.

on August 19, 1978, HUBERT SPEARS, United

States Post Office, Grenada, Mississippi, advised

Mississippi, approximately four or five years ago.

33

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 419

---

## Page 420

JN 62-544

2

SPEARS stated that B. A. WIION died, and his

dere, possibly named GLADYS, after B. A. WILSON'S

L, resided at 315 Levee

Street, Grenada,

Mississippi, which house is now vacant or in the

process of being torn down.

SPEARS further stated

that B. A. WILSON and his wife lived in the parsonage

behind Central Baptist Church, and SPEARS stated that

Central Baptist Church.

1 review of the Grenada City Directory Io1

he year 1978 shows a listing for MIS. LILLY M.

WILSON

at 375 South Levee Street, Grenada, Mississippi,

telephone number 226-4737.

34

NW 55186 DocId 32989768

Page

420

---

## Page 421

Don tier

! 1-302 (Rov. 11-27-40)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription .

8/23/18

Reverend JOE BELL

Pastor, Central Baptist

Church, Grenada, Mississippi, fumished the following

information:

BaLl stated that he lonew B. A. WILSON,

stating

thet WILSON was the former pastor at the

Central Baocist Church, C700202g

Nississippi.

BELL

stated that b. Ao wilson died of a heart artack or

January 7, 1967.

BEll stated that WILSON was the

pastor of the Central Baptick Church for approximately

13 gears, or Erom 1954 to 1967.

Bhu stated that mior to coming to Grenada,

Bo he WIlsoN was at wano Creck at culton,

Mississippi,

and prior to Chat was at lynn Station, which is

located norch of

Jaspers

Alabatra, and also at

Eldridge, Alabana.

BELL, stated

that. B. A. WILSON's wife was known as

Concerning the WILSON FaMily"LILLY WiLSON.

BELL stated that LILly and B. A. WILSON lived in

the church parsonage behind the chuich, and their

children

were all grown and married at that time.

BELL identified the WILSON children as

follows:

MrS. CHRISTINE GUNTHORPE (phonetic)

Fulton, Mississippi

2.

BILL WILSON

Kansas City, Kansas

3.

LIDA (Last Name Unknown)

Columbus, Mississippi

4 One other son, name not known.

Interviewed on

by

were young.

8/19/78

at Oxford, Mississippi

SA KENNETH P. HUGHES/diw

_ File # JN 62-544

Dote dictated _ 8/20/78

35

---

## Page 422

JN 62-544

BELL stated that he, himself, came to Grenada,

Mississippi, and was pastor

at the Central Baptist

Church beginning in March, 1967.

Concerning BILL WILSON, Ball Stated that he

was from Kansas City,

Kansas, was a pilot, and flew

freight or ferried planes from Kansas City, Kansas,

to

the Island of Guam.

BELI stated that BILL WILSON caused his

facher, B. A.

WILSON,

many problems with dedts and

money,

and BElL stated he beliered that BILL WILSON

was arrested in California for embezzlement, city and

state noi kncin.

BELI stated that BILL WILSON flew into

Memphis, Tennassee, on a Sunday after his father

died on

"January 7,

1967, and BELT stated he believed

that BILL WILSON

was met by the ramily at the Memphis,

Tennessee aimport.

BelL recalled thai the funeral

for B. A. WILSON was on the folloung

Monday, and that

he, Blis

left Grenada, Mississippi on the Tuesday after

Ba Ac WILSON's funeral. BELI stated he did not know

how long BILI WILSON stayed in Grenada, Mississippi

after his father's funeral.

BELL described BILL WILSON as a white male,

sandy hair, and stated that he did talk with BILI

WILSON's second wife whom he described as a bleached

blonde with heavy make-tip.

BELL stated he did not

know if BILL WILSON had any children or not.

BELL stated that B. A. and LILLY WILSON

did own a house on the corner of Levee and Fourth

Streets in Grenada, Mississippi, and BELL stated

that he knew of no other land that B. A. WILSON

owned that BELL was aware of.

BELL stated that he had talked with

LILLY WILSON after B. A. WILSON's death, and stated

that LILLY WILSON was desperately afraid of BILL

WILSON, and told BILI WILSON she never wanted to

36

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 422

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## Page 423

IN 62-544

Lay eyes on him again, or have him, BILL WILSON, set

foot in her house.

Bai Losther stated that Lilu

WILSON

BILL WILSON

had already

reccived his share of che

estate by his faches.

BILL WILSON®

s debts.

BiLA stated may he believed

the amount of $5,000 was the figure mentioned.

BELL stated that LILLY WILSON is now

deceased, stating that

she hed lect Grenada, Mississippi,

and

went to a nursing home at Fulton, Mississippi,

where she died approximately one year ago.

Bald stated chat he did hear that BIl WILSON

did get his facher

'S, Ba Ao WILSON,

of the inhenrance?

pROCheLs

name not known, argued

or disagreed over

who would get this shotgun, which BELL stated was worth

approximately $150 or 9200 at chac time.

BELL stated

that he

heard that the other WILSON brother walked

out in disgust, and apparently left the shotgun with

BILL WILSON.

BELL stated that CHRISTINE GUNTHORPE (phonetic)

was the administracor of the estate,

and an attorney

by the name of Flebakish read the will.

BELL, concluded by stating that the State

Mississippi

and their locations.

37

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 423

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## Page 424

FL-102 (Rov. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Dute of transcription.

8/22/78

LYDIA MC GAHEY, 2002 Fast 8th Avenue North,

Columbus, Mississippi, was advised of the identity

of the interviewing Agent and of the nature of the

inquiry.

MC GAHEY thereafter provided the following

information:

MC GAHEY stated that she is the sister of

BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JROS

known to the tamily as

''BILL" WILSON. She advised that WILSON has a very

serious drinking problem that came to the surface

shortly after the death of their father in 1967.

MC GAHEY advised that BILL WILSON had been

very close to their father and became extremely upset

and distressed after he passed away. MC GAHEY advised

that WILSON

may have had

a drinking

problen prior to

the death of their father, but that she only noticed

it after their father passed away in 1967.

MC GAHEY advised that on this past Thursday

night at approximacely 1i:00 pom. (august lie 1910)

she received a telephone call

from her brother, BiLl

WILsON, and during that call he indicated to her that

he had killed Dr.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MC GAHEY

stated that she did not take her brother

sariously

as he has a history

of telling untruths and

staied

she quickly asked him if he was

"Rauel"

MC GAHEY

advised that her brother indicated to her he did not

know what she was talking about.

MC GAHEY advised that approximately one week later

she received a similar telephone call from BILL WILSON

and on this occasion, he told her that their brother?

ALLISON WILSON, Reform, Alabama, had suffered a heart

atcack. Me GAhey stated that she immediately called

her brother in Reform, Alabama, and found that he was

in perfect health.

MC GAHEY stated that on another occasion, BILL

WILSON had called her and told her that he had been involved

Interviewed on

8/19/78

-o Columbus, Mississippi

_ File #

Jackson 62-544

38

by

SA GWYNNE L. HUPFER/biw

- Date dictated

8/21/78

i our l rain not reo ration not a dutie otie Fi, is the roperty of the Bl and in lour ou

---

## Page 425

«buse market

JN 62-544

in an airplane crash but that he had survived this crash.

She stated that she later found out this was not true

at all.

MC GAHEY stated that BILL WILSON has been

married several times and has had numerous girl friends.

She stated that several of his ex-wives and several of

his girl friends have contacted her and asked her if

it was true that BILL WILsoN had been a prisoner of

WaT.

She stated that she assured all of them that this

was not the case.

MG GAHEY advised that in 1968, to the best of

her recollection, BILL WILSON was living in Grandview,

Missouris

and was working at the Wilbur Jewelry Store,

Belton,

Missouri.

She stated that WILSON told her that

he owned this jewelry stores

but she later found out

that he

just was an employee there.

She stated that

BILL WILSON never want to Memphis,

Tennessee, in 1968,

to the best of her knowledge.

MG GAHEY stated that BILL WILSON moved to

Columbus, Mississippi, around the first of June, 1975,

but left Columbus,

Mississippi

August,

around the last of

1975.

She stated that

Mississippi, he moved to Starlevilt 1976.

when he left Columbus,

Mississippi,

and

stayed there until around January,

She advised

that while he was living in Starkville, Mississippi,

he married PAT SHINBOLA, 103 Catherine

Starkville,

hi tered to an at 5 are 17, i er indicated

(and left PAT SHINBOLA) he went to

the State of Texas.

She indicated that shortly after his arrival in texas,

he was placed in jail in San Antonio.

She stated that

she received numerous letters from BILL WILSON while

he was incarcerated in san Antonio, lexas, and recalled

that the jail was on

"Mill Street"

MC GAHLY advised that BILL WILSON was married

to BETTY WADE, 233 Smith Street, Burleson, Texas, for

several years.

She stated that

to the best of her

recollection, her brother was married to BETTY WADE in

1968. She stated that he received a divorce from her on

one occasion and that they later remarried. MC GAHEY

39

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 425

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## Page 426

JN 62-544

advised that her brother and BETTY WADE had three

children, one daughter and two sons.

MC GAHLY adviSed that their daughter is

DEBBIE JONES

2628 Newburg Roads Trailer FlUo,

Belvidere, Illinois, telephone number 815-543-9734.

MC GAHEY advised that BILL WILSON's oldest

son, STEVE WILSON, resides at 3117 Livingston,

fort worth, lexas.

She stated that WILSON's youngest

son, MARK WILSON, has been recently married and she

is not certain where he is presently living.

MC GAHEY advised that BILL. WILSON's former

mother and father-in-law,

Mr. and Mrs. VERNON HOTTEN,

reside at 3095 Ruskin Road, Bartlett,

Tennessee, and

subscribes to telephone number 901-386-4628.

MC GAHEY stated that BILL WILSON married an

individual in San Marcos, Texas:

whose first name was

JOANN and whose last name she did not know.

She stated

that this individual resides at 113 Mill Street,

San Marcos y

Texas, and subscribes to telephone number

512-392-4025.

GAHEY stated that JOANN indicated

to her in a telephone conversation on one occasion

that she planned to divorce BILL WILSON and during

the same conversation she asked MC GAHEY whether or

not WILSON had, in fact, been a prisoner of war.

MC GAHEY stated that she told JOANN that he had never

been a prisoner of war.

MC GAHEY stated that she, as the oldest child

in the tamily, has always felt an obLigation to look oui

for the interest of her brothers and sisters

She stated

that she has been quite concerned for the past several

years with the behavios pattern of her brother, BiLL

WILSON.

She stated that on more than one occasion she

has discussed the possibility of admitting him to an

institution for alcoholics with her brother, ALLISON WILSON,

who Lives in kerorm, Alabama.

She stated that both she

and ALLYSON WILSON

feel that their brother, Bill WILSONg

desperately needs some type of help.

40

WW 55186 DocId: 32909768 Page 426

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## Page 427

152-702/9y. 11-27-1112

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTICATION

Daic of transcription

8/23/78

Mcs. CHRISTINE (LEON) GUNCHAR? vas iele honically

contacted at Fulson,

kassissippi, telephore number 862-93556

Mise

Gonsieur advised that she is the sister of BURGESs

AUDIE WILSON, JRo, and residos at Route 1, Box 36, Fulüon,

Hississippie

Kre. GUNTHARP advised that her brother BURGESS

NaSo GUNTHARP

telephone number 327-11410

Mise GUNNARD stated that she has had extremely

limited contact with

"Bill."'

during the last l1 years since

her

father's death.

Mas. GUNCHARD

related that her fathes

B. A. WILSON, Sio, was a Baptist minister in Grenada,

Mississippi.

and died in 1967.

Nes. GUNTHARP stated.

that

it was agroed prio: to her father"

s deach that she, CHRISTINE,

would be named executrix of the will which would lcave all of

Ba Ao WILSON?

s personal property to his wife LILLY who was

his

second wite ard

stopnother to each of the children.

Mas o

GUNtinae staced that her stupmother LILLY WILSON remained

aLive until 191s and during her life span from 1907 uncil 1976

she was extremaly depondant upon others for assistances

MES. CUNTMARE stated

that she and her sister LYDIa were the

only chilrren to show any concern for LILLY

WILSON's needs.

GUNIHARP stated that she therefore handled the disbursement.

of the WiLSON escate in accordance with the interest of

each

of the brothers and sisters. She stated that this created

nard feelings with the brothors since they did nor feel as

chough they were receiving an equitable share of the estates

seemed to be extremely upset over this

matter and, in

fact, called the GUNMARP resirence on one

occasion several weeks ago stating that CHRISTINE had "killed"

her brother referring to ALLISON who resides in Reform,

Alabama.

Nirs• GUNTHARE stated that she understood her brother

"Bill"

to mean that her handling of the estate wan responsible

for her brother ALLISON's death.

Mas• GUNiHARP scared that

ALLISON is alire and healthy and this statement by "Bill" was

totally incorrecte Wirs. GUNCHARl aluised that her deceased

Interviessed on -

8/19/78

_o Tupelo, Mississippi

_File | Jackson 62-544

by

SA DONALD HI• GREENE/nib

Date diclared

8/21/78

41

This dooumom contains nosther recommonditions nor conclusions of the lil. It is the property of the Fit and is loner lo

Nu55186; Docid! 32989768c ragebadntribuled oulside your agenes.

---

## Page 428

IN 62-544

father tried to get held for

"Bill" on a number of

occasions concernin

"5ill?

s" alcoholic and mental.

problem,

NaSo GUNTHARP scated that her brother 15 a

neary drinker and tends

to fabricate stories when under

the influence of alcohol.

. Mxs, GUNTHARP stated that

willl fabricate verious types

of stories to gain

attention.

penitentiary Mrs. GUNTHARP stated that this was totally

untrue.

hE's GUNTHARP explained that "Bill" entered the

United Scates

4ls force by forging his father's signature

at age .l4 or 15 and remained in the Air Torce for almost

20 years

She advised that he served one tour in England

for approximotely three years and resigned prior io

completing his Lo-year tour.

She described her brother

as being

a very intelligent

Individual who was capable oi

piloting plones and conducting a jevelry and watch repair

she advised that he had been involved in insurance

sales in

the past.

MrS. GUNTHIARP advised that her brother has been

married five times and

she has learned through family

conversations

that her

• brother "Bill" cold one of his

wives that he had been a prisoner of war in the pasto Mis

GUNTHARP Stated this is also untrue.

Mrs. GUNTHARP advised that her brother had threatened

her husband LEON in the past over the will settlement and she

and her husband have very little to do with him in view

of his erratic behavior.

Mrs • GUNTHARP stated that she recalls her brother

"Bill" has a high school education

and completed a portion of college through the United States:

Air Force. She advised he has one daughter DEBOR'H ANNE who

resides in Bellview, Illinois, and two sons STEVE and NARK .

ANTHONY.

42

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 428

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## Page 429

JN 62-544

les, GUNTHARP concluded by stating that she has

very little confidence in

any statements made by her brother

in view of her past experience with him.

43

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 429

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## Page 430

JN 62-544

HHC/kbn

}

The following investigation was conducted at

Ocean Springs, Mississippi by SA HARRY H. CARPENTER

on August 19, 1978:

LOUIS P. HELMS, Helms Realty, U. S. Highway

ocean springs, Mississippi

home telephone number

a photograph of WILSON and he still stated that he

did not know WILSON and did not know how WILSON had his

MAUDIE ODOM, Bartender,

Angle Inn Restaurant

number 875-0220.

On August 19, 1978, Mrs. MARGARET ALLEN,

Assistant Manager,

Iwin Oaks

BILL WILSON

stayed at the Twin Oaks Motel for

approximately one month and was an ideal tenant.

She stated he caused no problems and she knows of

no close associates of WILSON.

44

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 430

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## Page 431

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription -

August 21, 1978

CARL D. FORTNA, Route 6, Box 387, Ocean Springs,

MISSissippI, telephone number 875-0220, was advised of the

identity of the interviewing Agent and

the nature of the

interview.

FORINA, a white male, born June 2, 1932, in

Great Bend, Kansas,

advised that

he completed the tenth

grade of high school, and he could read and write.

FORTNA stated that he met BILL WILSON in Belton,

Missouri, in 1966 or 1967.

FORTNA was in the Air Force at

this time stationed at Richards-Gebauer Air Force Base in

Belton, Missouri. FORTNA stated that WILSON and WILSON's

wife owned a jewelry store in Belton, Missouri, and that

WILSON was a member of the 442nd Air Force Reserve Unit

stationed at Richards-Gebauer Air Force Base. FORTNA stated

he knew WILSON through their association in the VEW in Belton,

Missouri.

FORINA stated that he, FORTNA, retired from the Air

Force in 196y and did not see WILSON again except for one

brief moment in 1972 until approximately two months ago.

from Lafayette,

WILSON came to Ocean Springs, Mississipph' in the Iwin Pines

Louisiana, about two months ago and lived

Motel on Highway 90, Ocean Springs, Mississippi. On July 23,.

1978, WILSON moved into a house owned by FORTNA located next

door

to FORTNA's present residence.

At approximately 4:15 PM on August 18, 1978, WILSON '

asked FORTNA to come into WILSON's house, that he had

something

very important to tell him.

WILSON told

FORINA, "I killed that

black son-of-a-bitch." FORTNA asked WILSON who he was talking

about, and WILSON repLied MARTIN LUTHER KING FORINA statec

that he told WILSON he did not believe him,

"I am telling you the truth. I actually killed him. I've

been living with it for ten years, and I can't take it anymore."

WILSON told FORTNA that MARTIN LUTHER KING was responsible for

WILSON's father's death. WILSON did not elaborate further on

this. WILSON told FORTNA that this killing was

"engineered"

by LOU CRUZ (phonetic). FORTNA stated that he knows LOU CRUZ

and that LOU CRUZ owned or still owns Lou Cruz Jewelry, 1505

Main Street, Grandview, Missouri. WILSON told FORTNA that he

drove to the State Line Airport in Kansas City, Missouri,

driving a new Ford Thunderbird. WILSON told FORTNA that CRUZ

Interviewed on -

8/19/78 Ocean Springs, MississippiFile# Jackson 62-544

by -

SA HARRY H. CARPENTER/mae

- Date dictated

8/19/78

45

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

FBI/DOJ

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 431

---

## Page 432

JN 62-544

2

DEBORAH had driven from Kansas. City to Memphis

in the Mustang.

WILSON told FORTNA that he went to the motel where MARTIN

Sanapese en spered

WILSON told FORTNA that he was driving away from the

scene in the Mustang, and he was stopped by the Memphis police,

but he talked himself out of a ticket, and the car was not

He stated that the rifle was in the trunk of the

car at this time. WILSON told FORTNA that he then flew his

airplane back to Kansas City, and CRUZ picked him up at the

airport and took him home.

FORTNA stated that when WILSON told him the above

intormation, he, FORINA, believed that WILSoN thought he was

telling the truth and that he swore on his mother's grave in

front of a priest that it was the truth.

FORTNA stated that

" WILSON had

never mentioned this subject prior to

this instance.

FORTNA stated that WILSON has been drinking heavily for the

past two months and has lied to him several times in the past

two months.

WILSON, on occasion, would tell FORTNA that he

had been married three or four times since divorcing his first

wife and then come back at a later date and say that he had

not been married after divorcing his first wife.

FORTNA stated that WILSON is an excellent pilot,

that he, FORTNA, has flown with WILSON through bad weather,

and WILSON had no problems flying the aircraft.

46

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 432

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## Page 433

JN 62-544

GLH/bjw

The following investigation was conducted by

SA GWYNNE L. HUPFER at Columbus, Mississippi, on

August 19, 1978:

A physical observation of 401 5th Street South,

Columbus, Mississippi, revealed that this is the address

of the Candlewood Apartments.

that he is the owner of the Candlewood Apartments.

LANCASTER stated that he does not recall anyone by the

name BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., or BILL WILSON, renting

LANCASTER advised, however, that

he has had a great deal of turnovers in these apartments

over the past several years and he could not possibly

recall all his tenants by name.

LANCASTER advised

that his daughter, RITA BROWNLEE, was the resident

manager of the Candlewood Apartments for him for several

years. He stated that she might recall this individual.

RITA BROWNLEE, 3504 Camilia Circle, advised that

she

was the resident manager of Candlewood Apartments

during portions of 1974 and all of 1975 and 1976.

BROWNLEE

advised that she does not recall anyone named BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON, JR., or

BILL WILSON

renting an apartment

from her.

She stated, however, that she located a payment

from a BILL WILSON, dated July 16, 1975, for apartment #9

at the Candlewood Apartments.

She advised that this is

the only record she could find of this individual and

stated that he must have paid his rent payments in cash.

DONALD BEARD, Columbus Police Department

advised that their records indicate BURGESS A. WILSON

the complainant and victim of a strong-arm robbery

on August 1, 1975.

BEARD advised that is the only record

they have of a BURGESS A. WILSON in their files.

BEARD stated that they have a record of a BILL

as being

again on August 13, 1975.

his records indicates that on both of these occasions another

47

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 433

---

## Page 434

JN 62-544

tenant at the Candlewood Apartments had called the

police to complain of excessive noise at the apartment

of BILL WILSON. Both of these incidents were handled

by officers of their department with no arrests being

made and no charges being filed.

BARBARA HENSON, Dispatcher, Lowndes County

Sheriff's Office, advised that their records are negative

concerning BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR., or BILL WILSON.

48

NW 55186 DocId 32989768

Page 434

---

## Page 435

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

• Date of transcription

8-21-78

WILLIAM HENRY CAMPBELL, 1706 Kensington Drive,

Mississippi, was advised of the identity

of the intervieving Agent and the nature of the interview.

CAMPBELL stated that he is the general superintendent of

Gulf South Construction Company, Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

CAMPBELL stated that he does know BILL WILSON

and that BILL WILSON had worked for him at Gulf South

construction company as a carpenter for approximately

two weeks in July. He stated that WIlSON worked

directly under him, CAMPBELL, but that WILSON quit

after two weeks because he wanted more money and

CAMPBELI was not able to pay him more.

He stated that WILSON was a relatively quiet

person who did not brag or talk about anything concerning

violence or notoriety and did not appear to have any

racial problems.

CAMPBELL made available the following application

for employment concerning BILL WILSON:

Interviewed on _

8-19-78

-at Ocean Springs, MississipPie #

Jackson 62-544

by SA HARRY H. CARPENTER/kbn

8-21-78

Date dictated

49

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 435

000. 10250 502119

---

## Page 436

IN 62-544: *

6.

applicationto employmaal

PERSONAL INFORMATION :

Daie 7-5-> 8 Social Security Number

JFK Act 6 (3)

Name

WiLSAN

Las

5 PRIN INS 39554

Pormanent Addrsys

Stroet

"i?"

CITY

Phone Sumber 8>5-0220:

Own Hame

Date of Bith 8 - 28-30 Hogn 0/1" waght 70

Mariod

•:.Single

Widowed

Zip

'Rant

Color

of Hair BlAck.

• Board

Color

Divorced

Number of Chlidren

It Related to Anyone In Our Employ,

State Name and Dapariment

- NA

..Than Wite or Chlidren

Referred

Separated

Citizan:

of U. S. A-

PAPER

•Yes

No. 0

EMPLOYMENT DESIRED

POON CARPELTRA

Aro You Employed Now? NO

Date You

Can Start

7-6-x8

It So May We Inquire

of Your Present Empioyer

• Salary

Desired Y.60 FAL

Ever Applied to this Company Before?

Where

When

EDUCATION

Nams and Location of School

Years

Attendad

Date

Graduated

Subjects Studie

Grammar School: *

12

P97:/42

• Gain

• High School :.

College.

Trade, Business or

Correspondence

School

Subjects of Special Study or Research Work

What Foreign Languages Do You Speak Fluently? NONK

Read

Writa

U. S. Military or

Naval Service

USAL

Present Membership in

Rank /1/50T National Guard or Reserves

Activitias Other Than Religious

(Civic, Athletic, Fraternal, otc.) -

LacC

EXCLUDE ORGANIZATIONS, THE MAME OR CHARACTER OF WHICH INDICATES THE RÁCE, CREED, COLOS OR NATIONAL ORIGIN OF ITS NEMBERS.

FOrM 650-25 1. 5. A WILSON JONES

(Continued on Osher Side)

APPLICATION FOR EMPLOTMENT

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768 Page

436

---

## Page 437

: JN=62-5447

• FERMEA EMPLOYERS (List Below Last Four Employers, Starting With Last One First)

Dato

Month and Year

From JAN Y&

TO TUN 78

From FAB Z5

TO NAN TY

Name and Address of Employer

LẠ: DFFSHORE

HOUMA, LA

CONTRAUTER

Salary

Position

Reason for Leaving

US AiR

FARCE

. :.

KERSIER

4.05.42

STANLE

SELF

20040FF12

110014 M

i FESTIRE

NO WORK:

RETIRED

Ta FEB S

From

To

¿ REFERENCES;

Give Below the Names of Three Persons Not Related To You, Wham You Have Known At Least One Yaar.

1 CARE FORTRA

Address-.

-OCEANS

SPRINES DRIVE

207: BALANTRAR

^ Business

Years"

Acqualnted:

2 LARY MS QUIEN

MARIEN BRAOSHAN

REUSSALE, LA

INANCER

LA-O FESENIL

15

PHYSICAL RECORD:

List Any Physical Delects Naid

W722

Wore You Ever Ired? 0 Give Dotals.

Have You Any Defecis in Hoaring? No

in Vision? Na

In Speat? NA

Emergency Notify MRS React on ≤ GAthy

202 EMAN COLUMBILI

• I authorize investigation of all statements contained in this application. I understand that misrepresentation or omission of facis callad for

Is cause for dismissal. Furtier, l understand and agree that my employment is for no delinite period and may, regardless of the date of payment

ot my wagea and salary, be terminated at any time without any

Date

8

• Signatura

DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE

2-8

Interviewed By.

Fi

REMARKS:

Nealness. :

Personality

Hired

Approved: 1.

For Dept.

Position

Employment Manager.

" 2.

Character

Ability

Will Report

Dapt. Head

Salary

Wagas

General Managar

51

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page

437

---

## Page 438

19.

JN 62-544

/blc

1

AT VETERANS ADMINISTRATION CENTER, GULFPORI, MISSISSIPPI

On August 21, 1918, Mrs. INGRID SAMPSON, Medical

JR., had ever received treatment at the Gulfport or Biloxi,

Mississippi, Veterans Administration Centers.

AT KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI

Clerk, Registrar

Keesler Air

the in-patient records or out-

patient records that BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR. had ever received

treatment there.

She stated that if a patient is treated for routine

physical examination and is not again seen for a period of two

years, all medical records are thereafter transmitted to U. S.

Air Force Medical Records Center, St. Louis, Missouri.

52

MW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page

438

---

## Page 439

18 д.

JN 62-544

BWW/1rm

The following investigation was conducted by SA

BRENT W. WARBERG at Columbus, Mississippi:

PARKER W. NEELY,

Mississippie did Be Shot Men See Columba,

Box 4-N Gun Shop.

NEELY's records reflect on July 11, 1975,

His business concerned gullisoN, Ir.,

Starkville, Mississippi, brought in an Arisaka 25 caliber

nor 1. we pede ate state and actor

winch of erate panese tary type telene

The gun was

Decline see hero died a in ves pecked pegarding

the gun were destroyed; however, he does recall the subject

as he sold the subject a Colt Diamondback 38 revoLVer,

inch barrel, for which the subject still owes him.

stated he determined later the subject was arrested somewhere

in west Texas and this revolver was confiscated. NEELY could

provide no other information regarding the subject or his

aCtIVICleS. NiLLY did recall the subject stated he obtained

the rifle from some individual in Tupelo, Mississippi, name

unrecalled.

53

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 439

---

## Page 440

JN 62-544

The following investigation was conducted by

SAK. P. WHITE-SPUNNER, JR., of the Jackson Office of the

On August 23, 1978, Sergeant LAURA MIZE, Desk

that Deputy

County, Texas,_Sheriff's Department had arrived at the

Ocean

Springs Police Department early that morning to pick

up prisoner BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR. Desk Sergeant MIZE

advised that Deputy REYUN departed Ocean Springs at

approximately 10:00 AM, that date, with WILSON en route to

New Braunfels, Texas.

54*

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 440

---

## Page 441

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

REPORTING OFFICE

JACKSON

TITLE OF CASE

OFFICE OF ORIGIN

DATE

INVESTIC ATIVE PERIOD

MEMPHIS

9/19/78

8/23/78

REPORT MADE BY

SA WILLIAM E. BOOTH, JR.

JAMES EARL RAY, aka;

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. -

CHARACTER OF CASE

VICTIM

CR - CONSPIRACY (B)

TYPED BY

bal

REFERENCE:

Jackson report of SA WILLIAM E. BOOTH, JR., dated 9/12/78.

-RUC-

ACCOMPLISHMENTS CLAIMED

CONVIC. BIVERMON FUG.

FINES

SAVINGS

APPROVED

COPIES MADE:

4 - Bureau (44-38861)

3 - Memphis (44-1987 Sub M)

(1 - USA, Memphis, Tenn.,

Jackson (62-544

•ECIAL AGEN

I CHARG

O NONE

RECOVERIES

AÇALT- CASE HAS BEEN:

PENDING OVER ONE YEAR EYES ENO

PENDING PROSECUTION

OVER SIX MONTHS

EYES DINO

62

DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW

S44

97

Searched

Serialized Dyse

Indexed OVS

Filed

Dissemination Record of Attached Report

Notations

Agency

Request Recd.

Date Fwd.

How Fwd.

By

013-16--83189-1

COVER PAGE

apo

•NW 55186 DocId:32989768 Page 441

---

## Page 442

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

DERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION O

Copy to:

1 - USA, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE

Report of:

SA WILLIAM E. BOOTH, JR.

Date:

SEPTEMBER 19, 1978

Field Office File #:

Title:

62-544

JAMES EARL RAY;

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. - VICTIM

Office: JACKSON

Bureau File #:

44-38861

Character:

CIVIL RIGHTS - CONSPIRACY

sister of BURGESS AUDIE WILSON, JR.,

emphatically stated on 8/23118, that she dia not contact her

which supposedly was shown on television.

-RUC-

DETAILS:

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents

are not to be distributed outside your agency.

I U.S. GPO: 1975-0-575-841

• NW. 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 442

---

## Page 443

FD-302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Dote of transcription -

9/19/78

Mrs. CHRISTINE (LEON) GUNTHARP, Route 1, Box 36,

• Fulton, Mississippi, was recontacted, at which time she was

advised of the official identity of the interviewing Agent.

She was advised specifically that the purpose of this interview

was to resolve a statement attributed to her brother, BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON, JR., to the effect that GUNTHARP's brother indi-

cated that a

sketch of a suspect in the DI. MARTIN LUTHER KING,

JR., murder case, which was allegedly shown on television

recently, was almost an exact likeness of WILSON.

GUNTHARP

was advised that WILSON said his sister (GUNTHARP) telephoned

WILsON in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, after the sketch was

allegedly shown on television, saying that the sketch looked

emphatically certing he not coatte M GUNT stated

in Ocean

I Springs, Mississippi, in the recent past

concerning her alleged recognition of a likeness to him with

regard to a sketch of the killer of MARTIN LUTHER KING, which

supposedly was shown on television.

Interviewed on

8/23/78

Fulton, Mississippi

- File #Jackson 62-544

SA DONALD H. GREENE:

bal

Date dictated .

9/19/78

by

2%

our echey t contain either recomme be distin on lusion out e a " is the property of the FBi and is loaned to.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 443

---

## Page 444

us Bin di. AT 1.0

LA

7111 260-123

ZUY ESDEE

і 1931237 SEP 79

FU DIRECTOR FEI (62-1172,00)

TO FRI SIXTIGHAT ROUTINE

FOI JACKSON MOUTINE

FBI ATLANTA ROUTINE

FRI MEN URLEANE ROUTINE

FBI

LUS ANGELES ROUTINE

UNCLAS E FT O

HOUSE SELECI COMMITTEE ON ASSASSIMATIONS (SCA)

BUREAU DEADLINE SEPTIMBER 26, 107%

THE hOCA, "HICH IS INVESTIGATING IHE

ASSASSINATION. OF

JOH. F. KENNEDY AID MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., RENUESTED BY

LETIER DATED SEPTE. BER 12, 1978, ACCESS TO ALL BUREAU FILE

MATERIAL AS VELL AS MATERIAL FRO.1 THE

FIELD OFFICES OF

BIRMINGHAM, JACKSON, ATLANTA, NEW ORLEANS AND LOS ANGELES,

ON THE CITIZENS COUNCIL OF AMERICA FOR THE YEARS 1967-1968.

IT IS TO BE NOTED THAT THE CITIZENS COUNCIL OF AMERICA IS A

101-544-98

Budap 9/24/2.8

so: Bureau

#Y

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 444

SEr 19

Waits if

348

---

## Page 445

PAGE TIO DE HO 0141 UNCLAS I FT O

SEPARATE ORGANIZATION FROM THE WHITE CITIZENS COUNCIL

RECIPIENT OFFICES FURMISH FBI HEADOUARTERS IVO COPIES OF

ANY CO MUNICATION MEETING ABOVE CRITERIA. ALL COPIES SHOULD

BE CLEARLY LEGIBLE ALD SHOULD BE SENT BY REGISTERED MAIL,

MAILED TO THE ATTENTION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT,

RECORDS MAVAGEIENT DIVISION.

BT

7141

MGME

is

NW 55186 1 DocId: 32989768 Page 445

---

## Page 446

FD- 302 (Rev. 11-27-70)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Date of transcription.

9/19/78

MrS. CHRISTINE (LEON) GUNTHARP, Route 1, Box 36,

Fulton, Mississippi, was recontacted, at which time she was

advised of the official identity of the interviewing Agent.

was advised specifically that the purpose of this interview

was to resolve a statement attributed to her brother, BURGESS

AUDIE WILSON, JR., to the effect that GUNTHARP's brother indi-

cated that a sketch of a suspect in the Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING,

IR., murder case, which was allegedly shown on television

recently, was almost an exact likeness of WILSON.

GUNTHARP

was advised that WILSON

said his sister (GUNTHARP) telephoned

WILSON in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, after the sketch was

allegedly shown on television, saying that the sketch looked

exactly like him.

Concerning the above matter, Mrs. GUNTHARP stated

emphatically that she did not contact her brother, "BILI"

WILSON, in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, in the recent past

concerning her alleged recognition of a likeness to him with

regard to a sketch of the killer of MARTIN LUTHER KING, which

supposedly was shown on television.

8/23/78

Interviewed on

_ at.

Fulton, Mississippi

File #Jackson 62-544 - 99

SA DONALD H. GREENE:

bal

by

9/19/78

Date dictated

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 446

---

## Page 447

FN.38 (Rev. 7-27-75)

FBI

TRAYSMIT VIA:

L Foletype

[7 Facsimile

_*Airtel

PRECEDENCE:

Immediate

Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

I TOP SECRET

I SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

DEFTO

I CLEAR

Date

9/26/78)

TO:

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-117290)

ATT:

CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT,

KECORDS MANAGEMENT DIVISION

FROM:

SAG, JACKSON (62-544) (RUC.)

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE

ON ASSASSINATIÓNS (HSCA)

Re FBIHQ teletype, dated 9/19/78, captioned

as above.

Enclosed, under separate cover, are two Xerox

copies of documents from indicated Jackson files:

I 157-42

(CITIZENS COUNCIL, OF AMERICA) (Bufile 105-46604)

(1) 45 serials numbered 314-357.

It is noted that

two serials are numbered 338.

exhibits numbered 1A-37 (two separate pamphlets);

1A-43 - 1A-61

IN 15/-59/ GREATER LOS ANGELES CITIZENS COUNCIL

(ButileV105-34237)

3 serials numbered 24-26

JN 157-541

(ASSOCIATION OF CITIZENS COUNCILS OF MISSISSIPPI)

(BuLITE 105-34237 -33)

62-544-100

8

serials numbered 526-533

Searched

JN 157-1792

One

serial numbered 23

Ferialized Oles

Indered

Elled_

"CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL ATTACHED"

Approved:

NW 55186

• Bureau (RM)

1 - Package Copy (Enc. 268)

IX- Jackson

JAW/bal (4)

DO NOT DESTROY

Transmitted

ules

Dodid: 32989768

Finder cards

numbinatin

Destroy

Waits

not-

he these fuss-

---

## Page 448

JN 62-544

IN 157-1909

serials numbered

- 26-32

(2) 1A-1

JN 157-9577

i git 157-180,

JN 157-6614

Ví2 serials numbered 1-12

8 serials numbered 158-165

serials numbered 8-24 (serial 15 skipped)

JN 157-9335

2

serials numbered 1 and 2

IN 157-671

Che serial numbered 10

IN 157-1742

serials numbered 6 and 7

IN 157-180k

(1)

(2)

JY 157-1796

One serial numbered 11

1A-A

3 serials numbered 34, 56, 57

2 exhibits numbered 1A-1, 1A-2

It should be noted that above Jackson file numbers

not immediately followed by title of case represent individual

cases opened concerning

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768 Page 448

---

## Page 449

Indicga Search Slip

"FD-160 (Rev, 3-43-11

Celes inner,

14/1/28

negatine

Веникя t

chockd

inchic

Date

TO: CHIEF CLERK

Subject

Aliases

9/20/78

Social Seburity Account #

CITIZENS COUNCIL DE AMERICA

Address

Birth Date

Birthplace

Race

Sex

→ Male

_Female

Exact Spelling

All References

Main Subversive Case Files Only

Subversive References Only

File & Serial Number

-157-316*

157-59*

Main Criminal Case Files Only

1 Criminal References Only

Main Subversive (If no Main, list all Subversive References)

Main Criminal (It no Main, list all Criminal References)

Remarks

File & Serial Number

I Restrict to Locallty of

Remarks

prido copin Aresials 314-352

, DO NOT DESTROY FILE.

pride copir preside (24-26)

DO NOT DESTROY FILE.

oleve

Requested by

Waits

Searched by

Consolidated by

Reviewed by

Squad

9

4

21/78

(date)

(date)

_(date)

File Review Symbols

Identical

VI - Not identica

Not identifiable

Unavallable reference

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 449

Po.P. O: 1 972-478-961

Extension

70

File No.

62-544

62-544-701

KH

SFP

---

## Page 450

Indices Search Slip

LED-16R' (Hev. 3-23-71)

Date

TO: CHIEF CLERK

Subject

Allases

Citizens Council O) Amessi

Social Securlty Account#

Address

Birth Date

Birthplace

Race

Sex

•Male

@Female

Exact Spelling

All References

Main Subversive Case Files Only

Subversive References Only

File & Serial Number

X157-1/6147

X157-1742*

x157-1743*

4157-1800*

4157-2258*

x/57-9335€

Main Criminal Case Files Only

J Restrict to Locality of

Criminal References Only

Main Subversive (If no Main, list all Subversive References)

_ Main Criminal (If no Main, list all Criminal References)

Remarks

File & Serial Number

Remarks

Iopo. subresent to

1968

1 Provido revol 6+7.

Info prior $ 1967

No info. fer yeas

1967+1968.

No info. fus Jean 1962+1968.

DO NOT DESTROY FILE.

DO NOT DESTROY FILE,

Requested by

Searched by

Consolidated by

Reviewed by

Squad

Extension

File No.

(date)

(date)

(date)

1, - Identical

• NI

- Not identical

NW 55186 DooId: 32989768

File Review Symbols

? - Not identifiable

J - Unavallable reference

Page 450

FBI/DOJ

---

## Page 451

Indices Search Slip

5FD-1602 (Rev. 3-23-711

•

Date

TO: CHIEF CLERK

cities tinct Ameri

Social Security Account #

Address

Birth Date

Birthplace

Race

Sex

→ Male

→ Female

Exact Spelling

All References

Main Subversive Case Files Only

Subversive References Only

File & Serial Number

XS7-1808

x157-1694*

x257-658#

x157-184>17

X 62-2-575

X157-5271

x105-86*

x157-9577*

X157-6711*

+57-1799%

XX157-1841*

x157-1739#

X157-1835#

x157-15/49

X15718387

X157-1909

x157-1968*

Main Criminal Case Flles Only

J Restrict to Locality of

Criminal References Only

Main Subversive (If no Main, list all Subversive References)

Main Criminal (If no Main, list all Criminal References)

Remarks

File & Serial Number

No ifs: far gen 196771968

No info fas the yeous 1967 41968

Perrered - Into prior to 1967.

Remaris

NOT DESTROY

No into far years

1967+1968

purico copier previole (1-12)

1 Provido copin of seiro1o

DO NOT DESTROY FILE.

DO NOT DESTROY FILE.

No info fa 196311968.

11

No info for year

1967+1568

DESTROY

1962+1968.

V Pride reper & seuch (26-32) IDPANOT DESTROY FILE

No info far ear 1962 +1968

File No.

Searched by

(date)

Consolidated by

(date)

Revlewed by

(date)

identical

NI - Not identical

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

File Review Symbols

- Not identifiable

" - Unavallable reference

Page

451

FBI/DOJ

---

## Page 452

Indices Search Slip

§D-1603/Her. 3-23-711

Date

TO: CHIEF CLERK

9-21-78.

Subject

Allases

citizens Council of Amensa

Social Securlty Account #

Address

Birth Date

Birthplace

Race

Sex

• Male

Female

Exact Spelling

Main Criminal Case Files Only

/ Restrict to Locality of

All References

Criminal References Only

Main Subversive Case Files Only

Main Subversive (If no Main, list all Subversive References)

Subversive References Only

¿ Main Criminal (If no Main, Iist all Criminal References)

File & Serial Number

Remarks

File & Serial Number

Remarks

X157-1690

*

To info. Her year

+1967+196808

1.02 D267ROY FILE.

X157-1856*

11

"

1, taxe

X157-454*7

DO NOT BESTOW MEN

No info far 1967-1968

X157-5958#

"11

"1

X157-6658*

Reveral -nato press to 1962

TROY FEE

x157-1825*

Noinfo far yeaur 196741968.

X157-1840#

As info far 194241968

X157-240=*

DO NOT DI

X157-1847*

11 "1 "1 "

X157-6614*

V Provido cojies of serial (8 -24) DO NOT DESTROY FILE.

+157-18821

No infor fa 1967+1968.

X157-1795*

X157-1799*

No info. far 1967+1968.

X152-1798#

V Provide copier of, reial 23

DO NOT DESTROY FILE,

Noib. fa yem 1967+1968.

X205-86#

Info: se Drew Couns citzine Cornial, norticello, cubenson

X157-185457

Remic ma prints con

Ra-swent, min.

Is connil

Revino- Info. priss to 1962.

+57.1909€

Requested by

Squad

Extension

File No.

Searched by

(date)

Consolidated by

(date)

Reviewed by

(date)

File Review Symbols

Identical

NÍ = Not identical

?

- Not identiflable

U - Unavallable reference

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 452

FBI/DOJ

---

## Page 453

Indices Search Slip

fF D-:66: (Rev. 3-23-711

Date

TO: CHIEF CLERK

Subject

Allases

Cityens

Social Security Account #

Address

Birth Date

Birthplace

Race

Sex

[Male

[Female

Exact Spelling

All References

Main Subversive Case Files Only

Subversive References Only

File & Serial Number

1157-1692*

*

1157-1693

1157-1883*

(157-50287

1157-717*

1157-18377

1157-1886*

1157-590X*

1157-1801*

11521825*

1157-1896%

1157-1886€

1157-1798*

1157-1694*

1157-5796*

1157-1789€

1152-1802

Requested by

Main Criminal Case Files Only

Criminal References Only

Main Subversive (If no Main, list all Subversive References)

Main Criminal (I{ no Main, list all Criminal References)

Remarks

File & Serial Number

To info fo year

No info. fa yeurs

1967+1968

1962+1968.

11

_ Restrict to Locality of

Remarks

DO NOT LISTROY E

1111

Rainfo. for yea

19k7+1968.

Tho info fur yes.

1967+1968.

11

1)

DO NOT DESTROY FEE

No info. fur year

1967+1968.

K Previce copen of sevil 158-165

DO NOT DESTROY FILE.

No info, fa 1967t1965

11

-11

1 Pezy de cigun of re

al 11 and It/

DO NOT DESTROY FILE.

No info for your

1962+1968

Ro info fer yesis

1962+1968.

1 Pruile copin A serial 34,56,52 + 1A1, LANE NOT DESTROY FILE.

No itto fa 1967+1968

No info, fu yeun 19678 19650

Extension

File No.

Searched by

(date)

Consolidated by

(date)

Revlewed by

(date)

File Review Symbols

Identical

Ni - Not identical

- Not Identifiable

Ü - Unavallable reference

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 453

FBI/DOJ

---

## Page 454

AIRPEL

10/2/78

To:

SACS,

Birmingham

(44-1740)

Chicago

(44-1114)

Dallas

(44 - 2649)

Houston

(44~1509)

Jackson

(62-544)

Kansas City

(44-760)

'Memphis

(44-1987 sub. 11)

Oklahoma City

(44-696)

Pittsburgh: (44-1572)

San Antonio (44-1242)

St. Louis (44-775)

Director, FBI (44-38861)

FION:

MURKIN

RE: ALLECATION BY BURGESS AUDIC WILSON

Copies of all reports from recipient offices

have been received and have been forwarded to the

Department.

Based on the extensive investigation conducted

re this Burgess Audie Wilson allegation including the

fact investigation determined he did not have access to the

airplane in April of 1968, nor to a vehicle in Missouri

as he claimed, the Department requested no further

investigation re the wilson allegation.

Promptly report any additional intormation to

EBINO volunteered re the Wilson allegation; however,

conduct no active investigation unless instructed by

FBINQ as directed by the beparement..

42.544-1

102

SEARCHED

INDEXED

SERIALIZED:

_ FILED_

OCTA

1978

FBI-JACKSON•

Wate

55186 DocId: 32989768. Page 454

---

## Page 455

20/4/72

3AC0:

PRODI:

Mrainpian: (89-1740)

Salcago:

(14: 1116)

10b1az

(44-2643)

Monastat-

14A:

1309)

Jaciços " (52.544)

Renans City

006-740)

Hamphis

164-200% sok 31)

Gil aliens

city

(46-688)

Dictabings

{44. 1572)

Snh. Antone

(44 1244)

(44- 775)

146:306622

X1493

have

30x2r

Coplas

Of all Exports foon recipians ofeloas

and have band. tornardad on the

ene coronaire. lovestigation conductor

TG. SAAG

Margoto

ViTaos allegation.

reot antabcacatica

dotemitnes he did not

da April: 01

ASTO 40000s.10

Carcher

Luvestigatton so tha

N2160 0120g466084

any badleonal Infosaati0o

the Wilson aJlosation: hovovor,

condset

be istiyo

Aurostigatien

andens instazobad by

7X160 45

sinschod by the pepartneet..

42.544-102

SEARCHED

INDEXED

SERIALIZED PA

_FILED

OCT 4

1378.

FBI-JACKSON

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 455

---

## Page 456

0-$ (Rev. 7-27-76)

TRANSMIT VIA:

airtel

PRECEDENCE:

CLASSIFICATION:

DATE: October 2, 1978

TO: /SAC, Jackson (62-544)

From: Director, FBI (62-117290)

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS

U. S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (HSCA)

Re Jackson airtel, 9/26/78.

Enclosed for Jackson is one copy of "The Citizen"

dated November, 1968, which was included with Xerox copies

of other documents.

Enclosurel

his

ine for LEFT MARGIN.)

(Do not type BEYOND THIS MARGIN.)

Almo ent

157-

316-1A60

(Do not type below this line.)

42-544:103

1973

Wanto

whered:

FBI/DOJ

WN 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 456

---

## Page 457

FD-36 (Rev_ 5-22-78)

TRANSMIT VIA:

x& Teletype

• Facsimile

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

* Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

7 SECRET

7 CONFIDENTIAL

J UNCLAS EFTO

I UNCLAS

Date

10/16078

FM JACKSON (62-544)

TO DIRECTOR (44-38861) PRIORITY

1911₴

ATTENTION CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY UNIT, JEH BUILDING

MEMPHIS (44-1987-SUB-M) PRIORITY 1924z

BT

UNCLAS

HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON ASSASSINATIONS; MURKIN.

RE JACKSON AIRIEL TO BUREAU AND MEMPHIS, APRIL 18, 1969.

FOR INFO OF BUREAU, THE ALCORN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT,

CORINTH, MS., IS IN RECEIPT OF A LETTER DATED OCTOBER 10, 1978,

FROM JAMES EARL RAY, IN WHICH RAY STATES THAT UNTIL "JUST RECENTLY"

HE ASSUMED THAT AUTHORITIES KNEW THAT HE HAD REGISTERED IN A MOTEL

IN CORINTH, MS., ON APRIL 1, 1968. IN THE LETTER, RAY REQUESTS

THE ASSISTANCE OF THE ALCORN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND ANY

RECORDS THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE AT THAT DEPARTMENT TO VERIFY THAT

HE AND/OR A 1966 MUSTANG BEARING ALA. LICENSE B8993, REGISTERED TO

ERIC S. GALT, WAS SEEN IN CORINTH, MS., ON APRIL 1, 1968. RAY

1 - Jackson

DHG/bal (1)

82-5÷4-104

Searched

Serialized.

Indexed

GReeNe

Approved: 1K/748

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 457

Transmitted

Per'

(Time)

FBI/DOJ

---

## Page 458

F'D-36 (Rev, 5-22-78)

TRANSMIT VIA:

_ Teletype

• Facsimile

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

[ Immediate

• Priority

• Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

• SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

• UNCLAS E F T O

• UNCLAS

Date

PAGE TWO DE JN 000I UNCLAS JN 62-544

ATTACHED TO HIS LETTER A SKETCH OF HIS RECOLLECTION AS TO THE

LOCATION OF THE MOTEL IN WHICH HE REPORTEDLY STAYED APRIL 1, 1968.

INVESTIGATION CONCERNING THE ABOVE DESCRIBED MUSTANG AUTO AND

RAY AND HIS KNOWN ALIASES WAS CONDUCTED IN ALCORN COUNTY, MS., AT

LOCAL MOTELS DURING THE COURSE OF INVESTIGATION IN CONNECTION WTIH

THE KILLING OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING. REFERENCED AIRTEL DISCLOSED

THAT CONTACT WAS MADE WITH ALL MOTELS LOCATED IN CORINTH, MS., AND

VICINITY AND NO RECORD WAS LOCATED UNDER SUBJECT'S TRUE NAME, KNOWN

ALIASES AND ALABAMA LICENSE IN CONNECTION WITH CAR DRIVEN BY

SUBJECT.

LHM TO INCLUDE COPY OF RAY'S OCTOBER 10, 1978, LETTER TO THE

ALCORN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE BUREAU.

BT

#0001

NNNN

Approved:

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 458

Transmitted

(Number)

(Time)

Per

FBI/DOJ

---

## Page 459

In Reply, Please Refer to

File No.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Post Office Box 1450

Jackson, Mississippi 39205

November 28, 1978

JAMES EARL RAY;

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. -

VICTIM

CIVIL RIGHTS - CONSPIRACY

(

On October 12, 1978, Edwin B. Coleman, Sheriff,

Alcorn County, Corinth,

Mississippi,

telephonically

contacted the

Federal Bureau of Investigation advising

that on that date, he received a letter from

James Earl Ray, postmarked Petros, Tennessee,

37845, requesting that the Alcorn County Sheriff Code

Department furnish any records they may have to indicate

that a 1966 Mustang displaying Alabama License B8993,

was observed in Alcorn County, Corinth, Mississippi,

April 1, 1968..

In his letter, Ray claims to have been

registereda a Corinth motel on April 1, 1968.

As reflected in the files of the Federal

Bureau of Investigativn, extensive investigation

concerning Eric S. Galt and a 1966 Mustang registered

in the Galt name, was conducted subsequent to the

killing of Dr. Martin Luther King in Memphis, Tennessee.

62-544-105

3 - Bureau (44-38861)

Searched

- Memphis

144-1901 SUB M

/ - Jackson (62-544) (RUC)

DHG/ dIw

(6)

NoW.

Flled

248

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions

of the FBI.

It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed

outside your agency.

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 459

---

## Page 460

JAMES EARL RAY;

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. -

The entire scope of this investigation is a matter of

record in the FBI investigative reports.

Since all logical investigation concerning

this matter has been concluded, no additional inves-

tigative effort in response to

Ray's letter is being

pursued

at this time.

A photocopy of the envelope, letter,

and

attached diagram

is attached hereto.

2%

NW 55186 DooId: 32989768

Page 460

---

## Page 461

JUDE UTT

ALCORN COUNTY SHERIFF

P. O. BOX 1573

CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI 38834

DEPT.

EDWIN B. COLEMAN, SHERIFF

TERRY W. DOLES, CHIEF DEPUTY

PHONE (601) 286-5521

286-552:

JAIL 286-395:

October 13, 1978

Donald Green

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Tupelo, Mississippi 38801

Ref: Enclosed letter

Dear Don,

On October 12, 1978, I recieved a letter from James Earl Ray requesting that

this Department try to locate a motel that he stayed In or April 1, 1968. The

motel is supposed to be on Highway 72 in Corinth. I checked with the Southern

Motel and they have no record. I also checked with the Corona Plaza. They have

no record but the ownership has changed hands several times since 1968 and the

present owner is trying to locate the old records.

Enclosed you will find a copy of the letter and diagram of the location of

the motel. Also enclosed is a message from the National Sheriff's Association

addressed to Mr. Ray.

Do you think there is any reason why we should check any further into this matter

since you checked all the motels in 1968?

If we can be of any assistance to you in the future, please feel free to call

on us.

With kindness and best regards,

edwin

Edwin B. Coleman, Sheriff

EBC; bet

cc

NW 55186- DocId: 32989768 Page 461

---

## Page 462

....

OCTION=

1978

378:5

8y,j-65477

Petros, '2: 17047.

Sheriff Eduir E. Coleman

Alcorn County Sheriff's Debt.

Corinth, Misrisainy.

38334°

NW 55186

DacId: 32989768

Page 462

---

## Page 463

Mr. Edwin B. Colenan

Sheriff, Alcorn County

Corinth, Missis: inni. 38834.

10 October 1978

James E. Rey 465477

B.M.P.

Petros, IN. 37845.

Dear Sheriff Coleman:

This letter vertrins to the Dr. Martin Luther King jr homicide and

rolated matter as follows:

On April 1, 1968, I checked into a Motel in Corinth, Mississippi, and

departed the following morning. Until just recently I as umed the

authorities knew this consequently I never asked anyone to check into

the mitter. No: I learn the authorities belfieve Inwas else where April 1st.

My reason(s) for this letter is to enquire if your of ice has a record,

through perhaps : routine check of cars registered in Motels on the

nforimentioned drite, of thi rutomobile I was driving. It was a 1966 Mustang

registered under the nome of Eric S. GrIt; Alaban: tre no. B 8993.

11so, suming liotels have to be licensed by the city or county in

Missisioni, would either of thoes Governments require liotels to retain,

or furnish them to rctain, a list of the Motel quests? possibly for tax

purposes.

"in:lly ny other informition -bout the rbove subject from your ofrice

would be very mush appreciated, such as the 1968 Oner of the Motel I

stayed in ( see disgrom attached), providing the Dingron can be mitched

with tic Motel.

Sincerely:

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 463

---

## Page 464

TaBles

Main Highway

NN 55186

DooId: 32989768

Page

464

trim Dip.

2. Not sure

about restediot or-JusT

how for from motel. Restaurant. EveN

with motel I bellèuo. Iflad broatsass there

sidedoor

motei

West side of towN!

DiP IN HIGHWAY

Merita

Ter

PaSs CappAreNty A Highway

---

## Page 465

MESSAG

•E.

Tues By Ray: 460477

00 P:

retros, Tentassad: 37945

RE

DATE :.

DATE COichar 3, 1978

Per you rcaint teresic the folloing

ine the cursent sharifie in the areas

which yos mercione?:

I; Sheriff. Ven Hare .

NorgantCounty Sheriff's Dept.

Decatury.

35601,

Sherift J. I. Aldridge

wIsent fiunto Choricess Dept.

includia, airbo. it

35674

3. SnoriEL Eirin B. Colenra

corinth, Fissisclook, 130351

Petit

FOrmH-NTSUOTH DIAWiNG BC

and inc. Bom 305, Dallar Tones 18221

Man tataran,

SIGNED

RECIPIENT KEEP THIS COPY. RETURN WHITE COPY TO LENDER

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 465

---

## Page 466

& Airtel

11/27/78

TO:

DIRECTOR, FBI

FROM:

SAG, JACKSON (62-544) (RUC)

JAMES EARL RAY, aka;

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. -

VICTIM

CR - CONSPIRACY (B)

00: L-ELIPHIS

Re Jackson teletype to FBIHQ, dated 10/16/78.

Enclosed for the Bureau are three copies of

one LIM captioned and dated as above.

Iwo copies of

the LHM are being furnished to Memphis.

Jackson Diven fut na nee ate me tea the

2 - Bureau (Enc. 3)

hemphis (44-1987

1 - Jackson

DHG/ CIT

(5) •

SUB M) (Enc. 2)

1254-19s

63-09-7

NW 55186 Docid: 32989768

Page 466

---

## Page 467

Mr. Edwin B. Coleman

Sheriff, Alcorn County

Corinth, Missis: inni. 38834-

10 October 1978

James E. Rsy 165477

B.M.P.

Petros, TN. 37845.

Dear Sheriff Coleman:

This letter pertains to the Dr. Martin Luther King jr homicide and

related matter as follows:

On April 1, 1968, I checked into & Motel in Corinth, Mississippi, and

departed the following morning. Until just recently I as uned the

authorities knew this consequently I never asked anyone to check into

matter. Now I learn the authorities believe I:was else where April 1st.

My reason(s) for this letter is to enquire if your of ice has a record,

through perhops : routine check of cars registered in Motels on the

aforumentioned drto, of thi rutomobile I was driving. It was a 1966 Mustang

registered under the nome of Eric S. Grlt; Alabama t: & no. B 8993.

also, 'suming Hotels have to be licensed by the city or county in

Mississioni, would either of thoes Governments require Motels to retain,

or furnish them to rotain, a list of the Motel quests? possibly for tax

purposes.

Fin: lly :ny other informtion -bout the -bove subject from your ofrice

would be very mush sopreciated, such

as the 1968 Owner of the Motel I

stayed

in

( see disgrom attached), providing the Dingrom can be mitched

with the Notel.

Sincerely:

games

62-544-1841

M0!.. 1978

BICWB

. WW. 55186. DecId: 32989768 Page 467

---

## Page 468

0000040817

2. Not sure

Hot surel about restaurant

about restarrart or dust

how sar frem motel, Restaurant even

with motel I bellèut. Illad breaksest there.

Restaurant

side door

TaBles

motei

West side of towl?

319b0m

DiP IN HIGHway

(77851718415

mark Highway

Pass (apparently A Highwau

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768

Page 468

N

---

## Page 469

MESSAGE:.

REPLY

Г.

7

TO

DATE

etiros, Jenn

DATE: "i"

BY

Form N-N7ZUOTho Drawing Board, Inc, Box 505, Dallas, Texas 75221

SIGNED

RECIPIENT KEEP THIS COPY, RETURN WHITE COPY TO SENDER

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768 Page 369

---

## Page 470

UN 62-544

ALCORN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT.

P. O. BOX 1573

CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI 38834

EDWIN B. COLEMAN, SHERIFF

TERRY W. DOLES, CHIEF DEPUTY

PHONE (601) 286-5521

286-5522

JAIL 286-3952

October 13, 1978

Donald Green

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Tupelo, Mississippi 38801

Ref: Enclosed letter

Dear Don,

On October. 12, 1978, I recieved a letter from James Earl Ray requesting that

this Department try to locate a motel that he stayed in on April 1, 1968. The

motel is supposed to be on Highway 72 in Corinth. I checked with the Southern

Motel and they have no record. I also checked with the Corona Plaza. They have

no record but the ownership has changed hands several times since 1968 and the

present owner is trying to locate the old records.

Enclosed you will find a copy of the letter and diagram of the location of

the motel, Also enclosed is a message from the National Sheriff's Association

addressed to Mr. Ray.

Do you think there is any reason why we should check any further into this matter

since you checked all the motels in 1958?

If we can be of any assistance to you in the future, please feel free to call

on us.

With kindness and best regards,

edwin

Edwin B. Coleman, Sheriff

62-544-188

EBC;bet

cc

enc.

LNW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 470.

---

## Page 471

122-514-129-

FEB - 5 1979

FAI-JACKSON

195-70-0

•...

..-=

NN 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 471

---

## Page 472

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Dallas, Texas

February 1, 1979

In Reply, Please Refer 10

File No.

ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

CIVIL RIGHTS

On January 30, 1979, an anonymous woman caller

telephonically furnished the following information to

• Agent Udo H. Specht, FBI, Dallas, Texas:

I she stated that an individual by the name of

C. H. Wilson, residing at Boyd, Texas, in a brick house

on the road between Boyd and Azle, Texas, might have been

responsible or somehow involvea in the assassination of

Martin Luther King, JI.

She described Wilson as a white

male, 6', 180 pounds, 51 years of age, and a pipe welder

by trade.

Wilson was involved in Ku Klux Klan activities

I lived in Greenville, Mississippi in 1968 and prior to

that.

Prior to the assassination of King, Wilson allegedly

stated that he would kill or was going to kill Martin Luther

King.

Wilson and another man, whom she would not identify,

were in Memphis the day King was assassinated. At that time,

Wilson owned a relatively new white Ford Mustang bearing

Mississippi license plates.

After Wilson returned to

Greenville, Mississippi, from Memphis, Tennessee, he hid the

white Mustang for approximately one month.

The caller stated that wilson is an alcoholic and

was during that time.

He was drinking two and three quarts a

day.

The caller stated that Wilson is mean and capable of murder,

especially. if he has been drinking.

The caller would not identify the other man who was in

Memphis with Wilson until she found out somehow that someone is

investigating what she is saying.

On January 30, 1979, a telephone company information

operator advised that a

C. H. Wilson is listed as residing in

Boya, Texas, telephone number (817) 433-5105.

The Dallas, Texas FBI indices to investigatory records

did not reflect any information identifiable with C. H. Wilson.

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of

the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency;

it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

FBI/DOJ

NW 55186

DocId: 32989768

Page 472

---

## Page 473

FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-78)

TRANSMIT VIA:

• Teletype

D Facsimile

Airtel

FBI

PRECEDENCE:

• Immediate

• Priority

[ Routine

CLASSIFICATION:

• TOP SECRET

7 SECRET

• CONFIDENTIAL

• UNCLAS EF TO

• UNCLAS

Date

2/1/79

TO:

DIRECTOR, FBI

FROM:

SAC, DALLAS (44-2649)

(C)

SUBJECT:

ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

!-

(MURKIN)

CIVIL RIGHTS

00: MEMPHIS

Enclosed herewith for the Bureau are five copies

of an IHM dated and captioned as above.

One copy of same is being designated for Memphis

and Jackson.

- Bureau (Encs - 5)

- Jackson (Encs - 1)bf

- Memphis (Encs - 1)

I - Dallas

UHS/mpc

(6)

62-544-110

*, HITT

FEB - 5 1979

FEI-JACKSON

Approved:

NW 55186 DocId: 32989768 Page 473

Transmitted

Per -

(Number)

(Time)

FBI/DOJ

---