</s>ME 44-1987 2 be worth a large amount of money to Memphis businessmen to have KING killed. This conversation had taken place in his, SERO's, presence in Memphis but it was mere speculation and had no basis in fact. This conversion was related to his prison mates but he had no intention of implying that any prison mates built but no intention or was contemplating placing bounty on MARTIN LUTHER KING. It was was recollection that RAY had a great dis- like for Negros and although he would not describe him as a "low" or "would say that did not know how to make friends or "how" he would say that he did not have a regular user of amphetramines in other people. RAY was also a regular use of other narcotics. He did not believe that he had not had any important criminal connections he had had no idea where Ray might presently be. He has not heard from RAY since he left the Missouri State Penitentiary. Ivan DALE UNDERWOOD, former Missouri State Penitentiary Inmate, was interviewed by St. Louis Division. He stated he was not acquired with JAMES EARL RAY while at the penitentiary was upon viewing his photograph and believed RAY to be identical was upon visiting his photograph at J.J.E.R.M.RENFRO period during the late 1950's at Joplin, Missouri. carried on a furnace and heating business and would also "under" rearried on the furnace and he would also find "finger" the pretent to a free inspection of the premises, RAY would gain entrance to case the place of a possible robbery and burglary or, if it is the case appeared gullillied, would attempt to sell a new heheating out. UNDERWOOD KRAY knew only through their mutual association with RENFRNO and has no knowledge as to RAY's present whereabouts or close associates. JAMES D. WALLACE, inmate #75652, Missouri State Penitentiaries, stated he was raised with JIMMY OWENS who was arrested with JAMES EARL RAY prior to his incarceration at the penitentiaries in March, 1968. Last summer, 1967, month from 1950 until he was paroled in 1965 and was again returned to the penitentialary in March. 1968. last summer, 1987, month unknown, he was coming out of the Jefferson Gravois Bank, 67 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains interview transcripts from inmates at Missouri State Penitentiary who had limited or indirect contact with James Earl Ray (JER) during his incarceration. Inmate Ivan Dale Underwood recognized JER through photographs but claimed no personal association, noting JER’s racial animus toward Black individuals. James D. Wallace alleged he saw JER at a bank in 1967, though this was later disputed. Neal Edgar Abby described JER as a kitchen worker who used amphetamines and escaped prison in 1967. Other inmates, including Joseph Elmer Austin and Lewie Raymond Dowa, discussed JER’s escape plans, drug trafficking activities, and interactions with other prisoners. References to potential involvement in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) were speculative; for example, Wallace mentioned a letter referencing "rap the King death," but no evidence was provided. The text also includes discussions about prison operations, drug distribution, and JER’s alleged financial activities.  

The second summary details interactions between Rita Stein, Charles Stein, and Eric S. Galt in 1967–1968. Rita Stein met Galt in December 1967 at the Sultan Room in Los Angeles; he agreed to drive her brother Charles Stein and her children to New Orleans to retrieve them from their grandmother’s home. They registered for George Wallace’s political party in New Orleans, stayed at a Provincetown Motel, and returned to Los Angeles by December 19, 1967. Galt paid for travel expenses and left behind laundry items, including a Kodak camera box. Rita Stein later saw Galt in January 1968 but had no further interactions. Galt was identified as Jeremy Wallick or Jay Wallis Vernon, with ties to a laundromat in Los Angeles where he regularly dropped off laundry.  

James Earl Ray is detailed as a criminal with multiple arrests for burglary, forgery, and robbery in Missouri and Illinois between 1952–1960. He was associated with Garon, who taught him burglary techniques. Ray allegedly trafficked drugs or barbiturates and operated a loan shark business in prison. Galt’s connections to Ray are implied through mentions of his activities in Los Angeles and potential ties to the King assassination investigation (KING, DR. MARTIN LUTHER, JR. - SHOOTING).  

The third summary includes a list of names, numbers, and locations associated with individuals and entities, including FBI field offices in Mobile and Memphis. Names like James Earl Ray, Robert Lynn Powell, and others are listed alongside dates ranging from 1967 to 1968. Locations such as "Modern Photo Book Store," "National Dance Studio," and businesses like "York Arms Company" are referenced. The document notes corrections to reports dated December 7–17, 1967, and references FBI case numbers (e.g., ME 44-1987) and operations (UFAC - Robbery CR - Conspiracy). A routing slip dated June 11, 1968, references James Earl Ray as a fugitive.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (JER): Central figure; described as racist, involved in prison drug trade, and suspected of planning MLK’s assassination.  
- Ivan Dale Underwood: Inmate who recognized JER through photographs but had no direct association.  
- James D. Wallace: Inmate who claimed to have seen JER at a bank in 1967.  
- Neal Edgar Abby: Inmate who worked with JER in the kitchen and noted his amphetamine use.  
- Joseph Elmer Austin: Inmate who briefly associated with JER during a robbery attempt.  
- Lewie Raymond Dowa: Inmate who served as chief cook and described JER’s prison habits.  
- Rita Stein: Met Eric Galt in Los Angeles; traveled to New Orleans with Charles Stein.  
- Charles Stein: Brother of Rita Stein; recounted Galt’s activities during the New Orleans trip.  
- Eric S. Galt (Jeremy Wallick/Jay Wallis Vernon): Linked to a laundromat in Los Angeles and potential ties to MLK assassination investigation.  
- Garon: Taught James Earl Ray burglary techniques.  
- SAC Robert G. Jensen: FBI special agent in charge referenced in routing slips.  

Key Locations  
- Missouri State Penitentiary: Primary location for interviews; JER was incarcerated here.  
- Jefferson City, Missouri: Mentioned in context of JER’s escape and parole status.  
- St. Louis, Missouri: Location of some interviews and bank encounters.  
- Los Angeles, California: Sultan Room, St. Francis Hotel, laundromat associated with Galt.  
- New Orleans, Louisiana: Provincetown Motel, Charter Street (George Wallace party registration).  
- Memphis, Mobile: FBI field offices referenced in case numbers.  
- Modern Photo Book Store, National Dance Studio, York Arms Company: Businesses mentioned in third summary.  

Key Events  
- JER’s 1967 escape from Missouri State Penitentiary; inmates discussed possible methods and his whereabouts post-escape.  
- Prison drug trafficking involving JER and other inmates, including amphetamine distribution.  
- Speculative references to a potential bounty on MLK’s life, though no evidence was provided.  
- Galt’s trip to New Orleans with Stein and his children (December 1967), registration for George Wallace’s political party.  
- Laundry transactions at a laundromat in Los Angeles; Galt’s blue suitcase and camera box observed by Stein.  
- James Earl Ray’s criminal history and prison activities, including alleged drug trafficking and loan shark operations.  
- FBI routing slip dated June 11, 1968, referencing JER as a fugitive.  
- Corrections to reports dated December 7–17, 1967, and references to FBI case numbers (e.g., ME 44-1987).  

Key Organizations  
- Missouri State Penitentiary: Central institution where most interviews took place.  
- FBI: Involved in investigations; referenced field offices in Mobile and Memphis, SAC Robert G. Jensen.  
- Black Muslims: Mentioned in the context of a 1966 petition for religious services leading to a prison riot.  
- U.S. Postal Service: Linked to arrest records for James Earl Ray.  
- Commercial Appeal Newspaper, Free Press Newspaper: Mentioned in third summary.  
- York Arms Company, Modern Photo Book Store, National Dance Studio: Businesses referenced in third summary.

MLK Declassified Files

157-mo-2627_625067_27-03-part_5_of_5.pdf

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