</s>FD-302 (Rev. 4-15-64) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Date 4/24/68 HUBERT TOMLINSON, Service Beverage Company, Holly Springs, Mississippi, was located in inter- viewed at his place of business. TOMLINSON was advised the identity of the interviewing agents. TOMLINSION stated that he is a distributor for the Service Beverages Company that is a distributor Mississippi, and in conjunction with Clarksdale, he distributes Schlitz Beer in Marshall County, Mississippi, and a proton of De Soto County, Mississipi, area. TOMLINSON advised that it would have been Impossible for him to have distributed any Schlitz beer in Marshall City-to-State of Soto Country before the date March 15, 1968, TOMLNSON explained any Schlitt late March 15. 1968, TomLINSOM explained that the late March 16, 1968. TomLINSON explains that the date of March 18, 1968. He pointed out that he has received any shipment of a Schlitz beer with the cans of beer bearing a date subsequent to March 8, 1968." TOMILINSIONstated that any Schlitsch beer purchased in De Sotto County that any Schitz beer March 15, 1966, would have had to be distributed by the Service beverage Company in Clarksdale. Mississppi. 4/15/68 Holly Springa, Mississippi Jackson 157-9586-57/16 On SA'S RICHARD T. KABBEAU/R/T/Rth Hollyspringi, Mississippi # #1 Jackson 157.9586 -57/216 JOHN DENNIS MILLER/RT/RTH/br 4/19/68 by Date dictated This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loomed to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents consist of multiple FBI FD-302 forms from April 1968, detailing interviews with individuals in Mississippi regarding potential connections to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Hubert Tomlinson, a beverage distributor, provided information about Schlitz beer distribution timelines, noting that shipments after March 15, 1968, were unavailable until March 18, 1968. Thomas Blount Moody denied making statements suggesting knowledge of anyone willing to pay for MLK’s murder, though he acknowledged possible drunken remarks. Lowell Wayne Rogers and Joseph Skanier similarly denied involvement or awareness of plots against MLK. Woodrow W. Pringle corroborated Moody’s character, stating he was not affiliated with violent groups. Mrs. Syrill Eure discussed her past association with Leroy McManus, an inmate linked to Neshoba County, and admitted making casual remarks about potential payments for MLK’s murder in 1964, though she later expressed regret. The documents also reference a wanted flier for James Earl Ray and inquiries into his activities.  

Key People:  
- **Hubert Tomlinson**: Beverage distributor in Holly Springs, Mississippi; provided details on Schlitz beer distribution timelines.  
- **Thomas Blount Moody**: Interviewed in Biloxi, Mississippi; denied knowledge of plots against MLK.  
- **Lowell Wayne Rogers**: Partner at Farmwood Texaco Service Station; stated Moody was not opposed to Civil Rights.  
- **Joseph Skanier**: Employee at Fernwood Shell Service Station; denied awareness of MLK-related threats.  
- **Woodrow W. Pringle, Jr.**: Owner of Fernbrook Shell Service Station; corroborated Moody’s character and lack of involvement.  
- **Mrs. Syrill Eure**: Real estate owner in Jackson, Mississippi; admitted past remarks about potential payments for MLK’s murder.  
- **Leroy McManus**: Inmate at Leavenworth Penitentiary; linked to Neshoba County and Mrs. Eure’s business dealings.  

Key Locations:  
- Holly Springs, Mississippi (Tomlinson’s interview)  
- Biloxi, Mississippi (Moody, Rogers, Skanier interviews)  
- Tupelo, Mississippi (Monroe Poster’s beer shipment details)  
- Jackson, Mississippi (Mrs. Eure’s interview)  
- Neshoba County, Mississippi (linked to McManus and civil rights disturbances)  

Key Events:  
- FBI inquiries into Schlitz beer distribution timelines to establish alibis or connections to MLK’s assassination.  
- Interviews with individuals in Mississippi regarding potential involvement in plots against Dr. King.  
- Mrs. Eure’s admission of past remarks about paying for MLK’s murder, tied to her association with Leroy McManus.  
- Reference to a wanted flier for James Earl Ray and his alleged activities in the region.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Ku Klux Klan**: Mentioned in context of Neshoba County and Leroy McManus’s potential affiliations.  
- **Civil Rights Movement**: Discussed as a focus of Moody’s and Pringle’s statements about non-violent opposition.  
- **FBI**: Conducted interviews and investigations into the assassination and related activities.

MLK Declassified Files

157-jn-9586_624938_427e-03-part_5_of_5.pdf

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