</s>SI 44-561 On 5/7/68 Chief of Police DEAN WATSON, kewanee, advised that I knew of a DWIGHT ROWE having formerly lived in Kewanee. but advised that he had not seen him in years. He further advised that both of his parents were deceased, but that he believed ROSE V. JACASON, 111 Hollis Street, Kewanoe, was related in some way to ROWe. On 5 /7/66 Mrs. ROSE ROWA, 111 Hollis, Kevance, advised that DWIGHT ROVE was her first husband's brother, advised him that DWight ROWB was her husband's her children but she has not done so since the assassination of MARTIN LUTHER KING. She has never heard him mention JAMES EARL RAY. Mrs. JASONSON advised that ROWF presently resides at third Third Street, Green Rock, Illinois. On 5 7/68 attempts were made to contact ROWÉ, 905 Third Street, Greenwood Rock, Illinois, but were unsuccessful. On 5 &/68 DWIGHT PIERSON ROWR,905 Third Street. Green Rock, I'll miss you, I will be there for a few days at Pontiac, Illinois, advised he had had had his third time at EARL RAV. He had that to the best of his knowledge the first he had ever heard of the RAY when his picture appeared in the newspapers in regard to his ROWS advised many different names that he could have met him and not realized it. - 151 - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail fragmented FBI investigations into potential threats against Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and individuals linked to his assassination. Dwight Rowe, connected to James Earl Ray through family ties, was investigated for possible involvement; Mrs. Rose Rova, his wife, stated her husband’s brother had not mentioned Ray prior to MLK’s death. Attempts to locate Rowe in Greenwood Rock, Illinois, failed. Dwight Pierson Rowe claimed ignorance of Ray until the latter’s arrest and noted multiple aliases. Benny K. Pinkston, a client of attorney David V. Lansden, was monitored for John Birch Society ties but no direct threats against MLK were confirmed. William Ray King, a Louisiana deckhand, was interviewed after an anonymous tip about his presence near the Fort Armstrong Hotel in Rock Island, Illinois, during the assassination; he denied involvement. MLK’s travel history and possessions, including firearms at his home, were noted. An unidentified suspect in Arkansas allegedly planned to assassinate MLK, while Allen Richard Thayer matched the assassin’s physical profile but denied knowledge of the murder. Other individuals investigated included Jerome J. Trares (U.S. Gypsum salesman with Memphis travel history), Richard Galt (crewman on SS Hudson), and unknown suspects.  

Key People  
- Dwight Rowe (linked to James Earl Ray via family)  
- Mrs. Rose Rova (Rowe’s wife)  
- Benny K. Pinkston (John Birch Society associate, client of David V. Lansden)  
- David V. Lansden (attorney, Pinkston’s client)  
- William Ray King (Louisiana deckhand, interviewed post-assassination)  
- Allen Richard Thayer (described as matching the assassin’s profile)  
- Jerome J. Trares (U.S. Gypsum salesman, Memphis travel history)  
- Richard Galt (crewman on SS Hudson, alleged connections to MLK assassination)  
- Joseph Clayton Montagne (driver of a Corvair with Illinois license plate stopped in Mississippi)  
- Raymond Mitchell Hilliburn (linked to Illinois license records)  
- Paul Stanley Boothby (Illinois resident with ties to Chicago groups)  
- James J. McGovern (license details, SSN 361 078297)  
- George Ward (licensed for a Ford pickup truck)  
- Robert Strader (subject of threats related to MLK’s assassination)  
- Mrs. Strader (spouse of Robert Strader, reported harassment)  

Key Locations  
- Kewanee, Illinois (Rowe’s residence)  
- Greenwood Rock, Illinois (Rowe’s reported location)  
- Rock Island, Illinois (King’s interview location)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (MLK’s assassination site)  
- St. Louis, Missouri (travel and transportation details)  
- Greenville, Mississippi (King’s employment history)  
- Mississippi (vehicle stop on April 19, 1968)  
- Springfield, Illinois (Motor Vehicle Bureau records)  
- Chicago, Illinois (Paul Stanley Boothby’s ties)  
- Detroit, Michigan (Strader’s reported movements)  

Key Events  
- Anonymous tips about potential assassins in Kewanee and Arkansas  
- FBI investigation into Benny K. Pinkston’s activities in Missouri/Arkansas  
- Interview of William Ray King regarding his movements during MLK’s assassination  
- Composite sketches of suspects linked to MLK’s murder  
- Tracking of Richard Galt’s travel on the SS Hudson  
- Vehicle stop in Mississippi involving Joseph Clayton Montagne  
- Driver’s license checks for James J. McGovern and George Ward  
- Threats against Robert Strader and his wife related to MLK’s assassination  
- Report of a tan Chevrolet following Robert Strader, resulting in gunfire  
- Note found in Strader’s car warning against contacting authorities  

Key Organizations  
- John Birch Society (associated with Benny K. Pinkston)  
- U.S. Gypsum Company (Jerome J. Trares’ employer)  
- Lipsett Steel Products Company (lease and vehicle records)  
- Motor Vehicle Bureau (Springfield, Illinois)  
- International Harvester Company (Bloomington, Illinois)  
- Local law enforcement agencies (Illinois counties)  
- Unspecified groups referenced as "MRC SAINO CHILZ" and others

MLK Declassified Files

157-jn-9586_624938_427d-02-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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