</s>OFFICIAL FORM NO. 16 SEAT (SEAT 5/7/16) (1914) UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum UNITED STATE GOVERNORMENT DATE: 5/9/68 TO : SAG (157-2627) : SA G DAN O. STEPHENS SUBJECT: 5/9 /66, Inc. J. R. RAISTON, 3396 LeBron Ave ., Montgomery, SUBJECT: MURKIN Ala. telephoneically advised as follows: On 5/17/66, inc. J ., R. RALSTON, 3996 LeBrom Ave . , Montgomery, She and her husband formerly owned Ralston Bakery, located Prattville Shoppling Center, Prattville, Alabama, Ala. THIS ESTABLISH- ment sold in New York, NY. As a Salem by a bakery supply firm- who was was employed as a salesman by a bakerry supply firm. mentioned sold in the area. This individual indicated that he located in the New York City, NY, as an individual indicated that he he then resided in Texas, as a salem by a Bakery supply firm, he moved his wife from Texas and then occupied a trailer in a credit moved him in Texas and they occupied a trader in a rededit and he was making weekly payments to her husband on this debt. This individual remained in Irrituate from time of this purchase until 5/3/63 at which he left Prattville without any prior notice and/or where he was unknown. He abandoned prior bakery was traded at a certain location. He had already purchased a 1963 fire- prior sale of his whereabouts are unknown. roleslction which which he had recently purchased and financed through a Prattville bank. He made a payment to them on the bakery the week before his departure. He recently purchased left the bakery in Prattville. His companion returned to Prattville several from Prattville to Pratville several days later claiming that he had left WILLARDin local Mississippi. from Pratvillle for passing a number of worthless checks days after claiming that his left left WILLARDIN local Mississippi- itiles in Prattvillle. there to his departure, there to this departure. She has seen a photograph of JAMES EARL RAY and has noticed some similarities between the two individuals. She Ceo not say that they are identical, but but as similar. On 5 /7/68, OBIS THOMPSON, COP, PrattVILLE, Ala, confirmed the fact that they were identical, and the two individual. the fact was to SA GRALD and his whereabouts were unknown, He <loc_836><loc_826>is reported to have a brother, JOHN WILLARD, who resides in is reported, Texas, at one time a further advised that JOHN WILARD came in <loc_806><loc_138><loc_805>Neville, Texas. He further advised the note on the car willARD came

Summary:  
The document details FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities and potential connections to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). A confidential source, Thomas Britton, a former inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary, provided information about Ray’s prison interactions. Britton described conversations where Ray allegedly discussed plans to rob banks and kill MLK, though later clarifications indicated Ray claimed ignorance about MLK’s assassination. The FBI examined handwriting samples of Ray and others but found no significant matches. Efforts were made to locate Ray, including checking addresses in Alabama and verifying his absence from 311 May St. The Cooley's Organization, a prison-based group with influence over guards, was noted as potentially involved in inmate grievances and alleged criminal activities. The documents also reference FBI memos about publicizing Ray’s information and tracking individuals like Robert L. Moore, who was ruled out as an alias for Ray.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure under investigation; allegedly discussed plans to kill MLK during prison interactions.  
- **Thomas Britton**: Confidential source who provided details about Ray’s behavior and alleged statements.  
- **Johnny Valenti** and **Boston**: Inmates involved in prison lotteries and described as associates of Ray.  
- **Cooley's Organization**: Prison-based group with influence over guards and inmates, potentially linked to criminal activities.  

Locations:  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of Ray’s incarceration and interactions with Britton.  
- **Alabama** (Montgomery, Haleyville): Locations tied to Ray’s alleged residences and handwriting samples.  

Events:  
- FBI investigations into Ray’s movements and potential involvement in MLK’s assassination.  
- Conversations between Ray and Britton, including claims about bank robberies and MLK’s killing.  
- Handwriting analysis of Ray and other individuals to verify identities.  
- Efforts to publicize Ray’s information and track associates like Robert L. Moore.  

Organizations:  
- **Cooley's Organization**: Prison-based group with influence over guards and inmates, involved in resolving grievances and alleged criminal activities.  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)**: Conducted investigations, handwriting analysis, and coordination with local agencies.

MLK Declassified Files

157-mo-2627_625067_27-01-part_3_of_4.pdf

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