</s>OPTIONAL FORM NO. 16 USA PRIMA (c/o C/o) state. UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum TO :SAC, PORTLAND (157-380) (P) DATE: 4/11/68 FROM : SA RALPH P. HIMMELSBACH SUBJECT:MURKIN Re memo of CC LESTER T. AULTON, 4/10/68. Immediately upon receipt of information that an individual answering the description of UNSUB in this matter had been observed at the Chuck Wagon Restaurant, SE 60th Avenue and Foster Road, Portland, Oregon, the writer proceeded to that vicinity. The following individuals at the chuck We were asked to follow the following individuals and the Chuck We were advised they could recall no individual answering that description as having been in this establishment this date: ROBERT PETTINGILL, 7847 SE 90th Place, Portland Manager EVELYN PETTINGLL, 7640 SE Glenwood Waitress MARIE DAVIS, 7440 SE 63rd Avenue, Waitress DAVID G. KAADY, SALESman, George Kady Shoe Store, 6336 SF Foster Road. which is next door to the Chuck Wagon, DAVIDG. KAAADY. SALESMAN, SE Matson-Demorest advised that the description is UNSUD in this Matter is not familiar that thedescription is observed any such individual in this vicinity on this day not observed any Such individual The following employees of the SE Matshen-Demorest Company, a real estate office, 6300 SE Foster Road , which is onon the other side of the Chuck Wagner, advised they were not familiar with anyone fitting the description on UNSUE nor not familiar any anyone fitting in this description of USNUB nor had JO ROUD ANTHONY DEXHIEIMER 1577-380-42 SEARCHED INDEXED. RPH/no SEARCHEO APRILIZED. APR/NO PORTLAND $20.00-14.04 Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents consist of FBI teletype messages and memos from April 1968 detailing an investigation into individuals suspected of civil rights-related activities, including potential threats against leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. The focus includes code names such as "MURKIN," investigations into John Galt (with aliases John Willard, Harvey Lowymer), Donald Churchill, Clarence Hutchison, James Leonard, and Ernst Emil Josellis. A federal warrant was issued for Eric Starvo Galt on April 17, 1968, in Birmingham, Alabama, charging him with conspiring to interfere with constitutional rights under Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 241. The FBI sought information on his physical description, behavioral traits, and potential connections to a murder case. Discrepancies in the documents include conflicting dates (April 17, 1968 vs. April 17, 1988), formatting errors, and repeated entries for FBI office addresses. No conclusive evidence linking these individuals to MLK’s assassination was found, though the records reflect heightened FBI surveillance of civil rights figures post-assassination.  

Key People  
- **John Galt** (aliases: John Willard, Harvey Lowymer) – Suspected civil rights ties; investigated for potential links to MLK’s murder but no direct connection found.  
- **Donald Churchill** – Investigated as a suspect linked to MLK’s assassination; tracked via hotel stays in Washington, D.C., and other locations.  
- **Clarence Hutchison & James Leonard** – Suspected of discussing MLK’s assassination at a San Francisco bar; FBI attempted identification through the bartender.  
- **Ernst Emil Josellis** – German immigrant with mental health issues (diagnosed as psychotic); suspected East German ties but later eliminated as a suspect.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt** – Accused of civil rights conspiracy; sought in connection with a murder case; described as a "lone wolf" and potentially armed.  
- **Ruth E. Galt** – Linked to Lowell T. Galt (U.S. Census Bureau employee) via a checking account under the name "House on Hill."  

Key Locations  
- **San Francisco, California** – Site of a bar incident where suspects allegedly discussed MLK’s assassination.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama** – Location of the federal warrant issued for Eric Starvo Galt on April 17, 1968.  
- **Washington, D.C.** – Tracked hotel stays for Donald Churchill.  
- **Oregon and Louisiana** – Locations where John Galt’s background was investigated.  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into potential threats against civil rights leaders post-MLK assassination in April 1968.  
- Surveillance of individuals like John Galt, Donald Churchill, and Ernst Emil Josellis through driver’s license records, employment history, and behavioral analysis.  
- Issuance of a federal warrant for Eric Starvo Galt on April 17, 1968, charging him with civil rights conspiracy.  
- Bar incident in San Francisco where two men allegedly discussed MLK’s assassination; FBI attempted to identify them.  
- Psychological evaluation of Ernst Emil Josellis as a potential threat due to mental health issues and alleged East German ties.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** – Conducted surveillance, issued warrants, and compiled records on suspects.  
- **U.S. Census Bureau** – Linked to Lowell T. Galt through Ruth E. Galt’s checking account.  
- **Local law enforcement agencies** – Provided information on hotel stays and public sightings for Donald Churchill and Eric Starvo Galt.

MLK Declassified Files

157-pd-380_628415_06-02-part_3_of_7.pdf

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