</s>DN 157-203 BDA:1kr P. 1 Re: Look-Alike, JOSEPH A. MURPHY Boston, Massachusetts Plaza Hotel, Colorado Springs, Mr. WILLIAM ELLIS, Manager, Antlers On April 19, 1968, Mr.'s. WILLIAN ELLISS, Manager. SA ALVIN W. BERRY that a maid in his hotel, OPLAN KANCHEL, advised SA ADVILN W. executive housekeeper, BILLY KRAFT, that an individual who occupied Room No. 1420 at the hotel from April 15, 1968 to April 18, 1968. Bore a strong resemblance to the photographer of ERIC STARGO, GALT, who had been seen in the local newspaper of ERIG STARGO GALT. She had seen on April 15 to 1968, to individual, using the name of JOSEEP, MURPY, the hotel on April 1, 1967. Street, Boston, Massachusetts, checked into the hotel at April 15. 1968, and checked out on April 18, 1966, paying the bill of $44.88 in cash. ON April 19. 1968, OPAL KANACHEL, maid, advised S.A. ALVIN V. BERRY, BERTY, had just had seen a photograph of the ERIC STARVO GALT in the morning newspaper, and thought it looked a great deal like Mr. MURNPHY. She stated Mr. Murphy. She started Mr. PURPHY it had been great deal with him. He appeared to purposely try to keep her from seeing his face when he entered to try to room She stated, however, that she was able to see him clearly on about two occasions. She described Mr. MurPHY as follows: Race White Sex White Sex Height Weight 5'-10" 145-160 Hair Light brown Eyes Brown Age 35-40 Clothing Wore yellow short sleeve shirt and dark pants 157-203-536 SEARCH: SEN: in SEN. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into individuals suspected of being look-alikes for Eric Stargo Galt and James Earl Ray, linked to the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. On April 19, 1968, a hotel maid in Colorado Springs reported an individual resembling Eric Stargo Galt staying at the Plaza Hotel under the name Joseph A. Murphy. In Sedalia, Missouri, Russell Galt was described as a possible look-alike with ties to the American Bridge and Steel Company and alleged connections to Minutemen missile sites. In Omaha, Nebraska, Sam Masey, matching descriptions of Eric Stargo Galt, was noted by a hotel manager but lacked verified address information. A separate report identified an individual in Denver driving a 1967 Ford Mustang with Oklahoma license plate 7H9370, resembling James Earl Ray.  

The FBI also investigated Holt Chew, who had a history of violence against Martin Luther King Jr., including a 1965 threat. Chew admitted to making the call but claimed intoxication at the time and denied involvement in King’s assassination. Records indicated no prior connection to MLK’s death, though he expressed animosity toward civil rights leaders.  

The documents also include an FBI investigation into CARL RAY, a man suspected of using forged identification to obtain travel tickets and credit cards. The inquiry involved flight records, credit card applications, and fingerprint comparisons across Colorado, Texas, and Wyoming. A look-alike named JAMES EARL RAY was incarcerated in Wyoming but found not to match the subject of the investigation. Fingerprint analysis of a *Life Magazine* copy from May 3, 1968, linked to JAMES EARL RAY yielded no matches.  

A separate section discusses Robert Dale Porter, a former inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary allegedly supplying amphetamines to Ray (possibly Martin Luther King Jr.) and others. Porter stated ex-guard John Stout provided drugs for inmates and that Ray escaped prison in 1967. The FBI sought verification of Stout’s involvement in the escape and requested information on unidentified individuals.  

Key People  
- **Joseph A. Murphy**: Reported as a look-alike for Eric Stargo Galt at the Plaza Hotel, Colorado Springs.  
- **Russell Galt**: Described by Mrs. Leo Williams as resembling Eric Stargo Galt; linked to Sedalia, Missouri, and alleged Minutemen activities.  
- **Sam Masey**: Hotel guest in Omaha, Nebraska, matching descriptions of Eric Stargo Galt; no verified address found.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK; reported as resembling individuals in Denver and Oklahoma.  
- **Holt Chew**: Made threats against MLK in 1965; interviewed by FBI in 1968, denied involvement in assassination but expressed hostility toward civil rights leaders.  
- **CARL RAY** (subject of investigation)  
- **JAMES EARL RAY** (look-alike incarcerated in Wyoming)  
- **Robert Dale Porter**: Alleged drug supplier to Ray (possibly MLK); former inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary.  
- **John Stout**: Ex-guard at Missouri State Penitentiary allegedly involved in Ray’s escape and drug distribution.  

Key Locations  
- **Colorado Springs, Colorado**: Plaza Hotel where Joseph A. Murphy was reported.  
- **Sedalia, Missouri**: Russell Galt’s alleged residence and connection to American Bridge and Steel Company.  
- **Omaha, Nebraska**: Rockland Hotel where Sam Masey stayed.  
- **Denver, Colorado**: Locations of hotel registrations, FBI interviews, and license plate sightings.  
- **Alpine, Texas**: Telephone calls linked to Holt Chew’s alleged threat against MLK.  
- **Pecos, Texas**: CARL RAY’s alleged residence.  
- **Wheatland, Wyoming**: JAMES EARL RAY’s incarceration.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of Robert Dale Porter’s alleged drug supply to Ray.  

Key Events  
- **April 19, 1968**: Hotel maid in Colorado Springs reported an individual resembling Eric Stargo Galt.  
- **April 20–23, 1968**: FBI investigations into Sam Masey in Omaha and individuals resembling James Earl Ray in Denver.  
- **December 17, 1967**: Telephone call from Alpine, Texas, linked to Holt Chew’s alleged threat against MLK.  
- **April 1968**: FBI interviews with Holt Chew regarding his past threats and potential involvement in MLK’s assassination.  
- **Investigation into CARL RAY’s use of forged identification** for travel tickets and credit cards.  
- **Fingerprint analysis of *Life Magazine* (May 3, 1968)** to identify JAMES EARL RAY; no matches found.  
- **Robert Dale Porter’s interview in Sheridan, Wyoming**, detailing his alleged role in supplying drugs to Ray and facilitating escape from Missouri State Penitentiary.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into look-alikes, license plates, and individuals linked to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Minutemen**: Allegedly associated with Russell Galt; mentioned in connection to missile site installations.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of Robert Dale Porter’s alleged drug supply to Ray.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Involved in administrative records and investigative processes.

MLK Declassified Files

157-dn-203_617806_44-02-part_4_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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