</s>BH 44-1740 RENTAL OF SAFE DEPOSIT BOX NO. 5517 AT. MAIN OFFICE OF BIRMINGHAM TRUST NATIONAL BANK, BY ERIC S. GALT ON AUGUST 28, 1967. 81 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains FBI records from April 1968 detailing investigations into Eric S. Galt, a white male described as approximately 5'11" tall, 165–175 pounds, with sandy hair, light blue eyes, and a southern accent. Galt rented Safe Deposit Box No. 5517 at Birmingham Trust National Bank on August 28, 1967, and returned keys by December 13, 1967. The box was accessed multiple times between August 28 and September 28, 1967, with records indicating interactions with bank officials, including Mrs. Catherine Reedy (manager of the Safe Deposit Section) and Diane Battles (former employee). The FBI retrieved rental contracts, ledger cards, and an undated letter from Galt to the bank for investigative purposes.  

The document also includes FBI inquiries into Galt’s activities, including visits to sporting goods stores like "The Gun Rack" and Long-Lewis Hardware Company in Birmingham and Bessemer, Alabama, around March 29, 1968. A man described as white, aged 28–32, with light brown hair, blue eyes, and a pale complexion inquired about high-powered rifles (e.g., 243 caliber, 30/06, 30/07), ballistics, ammunition, and rifle scopes. Store clerks noted his interest in bullet drop calculations and specific firearms but reported no purchases. Witnesses varied slightly in descriptions of his appearance, with some noting a "serious expression" or "weak physical build."  

A red dry cleaning ticket (No. 4591) from Mayfield Cleaners in Birmingham was linked to Galt’s effects found in Atlanta, Georgia. S&H green stamps associated with a service station in Birmingham were also noted. The FBI sought information on Galt’s activities, including visits to dance studios in New Orleans and Birmingham, where he paid cash for lessons between June 1964–October 1965 and September–October 1967, respectively. Witnesses described Galt as quiet, reserved, and uninterested in conversation, with no known employment or residence details.  

Key People  
- **Eric S. Galt**: Rented Safe Deposit Box No. 5517 at Birmingham Trust National Bank; investigated for activities including visits to gun stores and dance studios.  
- **Charles T. Smith**: Auditor at Birmingham Trust National Bank, confirmed the box was no longer rented after December 13, 1967.  
- **Mrs. Catherine Reedy**: Manager of the Safe Deposit Section at Birmingham Trust National Bank, detailed Galt’s access to the box.  
- **Diane Battles**: Former employee of Birmingham Trust National Bank who assisted Galt in accessing the box.  
- **Joan Myers**: Dance instructor at Continental Dance Studios in New Orleans; reported Galt paid cash for lessons and never mentioned his employment or residence.  
- **Marlin Myers**: Husband of Joan Myers; stated Galt attended dance classes in Birmingham and left without interacting with other students.  
- **Doris Ladner**: Sister-in-law of Marlin Myers; noted Galt’s quiet demeanor, lack of conversation, and unfamiliarity with Birmingham.  
- **Ruby Goodman**: Manager at Mayfield Cleaners; provided dry cleaning receipts linked to Galt.  
- **O.H. Abrams**: Manager at Standard Service Station in Birmingham; reported S&H green stamps associated with Galt.  
- **Clyde Royal Manasco**: Clerk at The Gun Rack (Birmingham, Alabama).  
- **Lyn dell Earl Dilbeck**: Employee at Long-Lewis Hardware Company (Bessemer, Alabama).  
- **John Michael Kopp**: Manager of firearms department at Long-Lewis Hardware Company.  
- **William W. McClinston**: Owner, Banks Pawn Shop (Bessemer, Alabama).  
- **Bernard Bigger**: Clerk, Banks Pawn Shop.  
- **Ralph Simmons**: Owner, Simmons Pawn Shop (Bessemer, Alabama).  

Key Locations  
- **Birmingham Trust National Bank** (Birmingham, Alabama): Primary location for safe deposit box rentals and records.  
- **Continental Dance Studios**, New Orleans, Louisiana: Where Eric Galt took dance lessons (June 1964–October 1965).  
- **Friendship Club**, Birmingham, Alabama: Location of Galt’s later dance classes (September 1967–October 1967).  
- **Mayfield Cleaners**, Birmingham, Alabama: Linked to a dry cleaning receipt associated with Galt.  
- **Standard Service Station**, Birmingham, Alabama: Associated with S&H green stamps tied to Galt.  
- **The Gun Rack**, Birmingham, Alabama: Sporting goods store where Galt allegedly visited.  
- **Long-Lewis Hardware Company**, Bessemer, Alabama: Store where Galt inquired about rifles and ammunition.  
- **Banks Pawn Shop** and **Simmons Pawn Shop**, Bessemer, Alabama: Mentioned in connection with Galt’s activities.  

Key Events  
- Rental of Safe Deposit Box No. 5517 by Eric S. Galt on August 28, 1967; return of keys by December 13, 1967.  
- FBI investigation into Galt’s activities, including visits to gun stores in Birmingham and Bessemer around March 29, 1968.  
- Inquiries at sporting goods stores regarding high-powered rifles, ballistics, and ammunition.  
- Link between a red dry cleaning ticket (No. 4591) from Mayfield Cleaners and Galt’s effects found in Atlanta, Georgia.  
- FBI efforts to identify Galt through witness statements, photographs, and business records.  
- Galt’s attendance at dance lessons in New Orleans (1964–1965) and Birmingham (1967).  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Eric S. Galt’s activities, including safe deposit box access, gun store inquiries, and business records review.  
- **Birmingham Trust National Bank**: Provided rental records and access logs for Safe Deposit Box No. 5517.  
- **Continental Dance Studios** (New Orleans, Louisiana): Linked to Galt’s dance lessons in June–October 1964–1965.  
- **Mayfield Cleaners** (Birmingham, Alabama): Associated with a dry cleaning receipt tied to Galt.  
- **Standard Service Station** (Birmingham, Alabama): Connected to S&H green stamps linked to Galt.  
- **The Gun Rack** and **Long-Lewis Hardware Company**: Sporting goods stores where Galt allegedly visited.  
- **Banks Pawn Shop** and **Simmons Pawn Shop** (Bessemer, Alabama): Mentioned in connection with Galt’s activities.

MLK Declassified Files

157-mo-2627_625067_26-04-part_3_of_4.pdf

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