JN 157-9586 16 WAYNE BLAKE Tupelo, Mississippi Mississippi license M-11529 ROBERT S. JONES 909 19th Avenue North Columbus, Mississippi Mississippi license PO 704, Mercury L. E. MANNING 813 Spruce Street Columbus. Mississippi C. J. BOWMAN (Mr. and Mrs.) SIS Parsons Street Greenwood, Mississippi Mississipi License ND 6901, Oldsmobile M. J, SHANNON Tupelo, Mississippi CHARLIE CALDWELL Box 586 Tupolo, Mississippi CHARLES B. WALKER 570 Brownville Drive Jackson, Mississippi Missississippi License H38598, Rambler JIM GARRISON 90A Lumpkin Tupela, Mississippi Mississimpi license M3898, Ford CLAY F. LEE 546 Heatherwood Drive Jackson, Mississippi Mississipli license HB 7900, Ford C. L. CRANGER 751 Woodland Drive Winona, Mississippi Mississipli license 49-2692, Ford

Summary  
The document details an FBI investigation into potential connections between James Earl Ray and individuals associated with motel registrations during specific periods. It references a review of motel records from March 29 to April 3, 1968, for locations including Birmingham, Alabama; Memphis, Tennessee; Corinth, Mississippi; Florence, Alabama; and New Orleans. The FBI requested that the Birmingham and Jackson offices investigate these records to identify individuals registered at motels in or near these cities during the specified timeframe. The investigation aimed to determine if Ray had contact with any individuals prior to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The document also includes a list of motel names, owners, and managers, along with some personal details such as license plate information (e.g., Georgia license ID2531). There are inconsistencies in dates and names, including references to "James Farley" instead of James Earl Ray, and errors in the text such as "April 1, 1959" for a 1969 article.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation)  
- William Bradford Rule (author of the magazine article referenced)  
- H.G. Freeman (owner/operator of Corona Plaza Motel)  
- M. Mercer (associated with Corona Plaza Motel)  
- Martin Berson (individual mentioned in motel records)  

Key Locations  
- Birmingham, Alabama  
- Memphis, Tennessee  
- Corinth, Mississippi  
- Florence, Alabama  
- New Orleans, Louisiana  
- Round-Town Motel (Birmingham)  
- Holiday Inn (various locations)  
- Southern Motel (Atlanta, Little Rock)  
- El-Ray Motel (Birmingham)  
- Dixie Court (Memphis)  

Key Events  
- Review of motel registration records for March 29 to April 3, 1968  
- Investigation into potential contact between James Earl Ray and individuals during the specified period  
- Request for identification of individuals registered at motels in targeted cities  
- Collection and analysis of motel records by FBI divisions (Jackson, Birmingham, Memphis)  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- SACs (Special Agents in Charge): Birmingham, Jackson, Memphis  
- FD-302 Division (motel record management)

MLK Declassified Files

157-dn-203_617806_45-01-part_4_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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