</s>FBI WASH DC RELAY MESSAGE PLAN - TURN ON PERFORATOR GA.72IPM URGENT 4-24-68 BJP TO ALL SACS - RELAY MESSAGE PLAN FROM DIRECTOR 44-38561 2P MURKIN CONTACTS SHOULD BE MAINTAINED WITH ALL MASS COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA IN YOUR TERRITORY TO INSURE THAT THERE IS FREQUENT REFERENCE TO RAY AND HIS CONNECTION WITH THIS CASE. SINCE YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN ADVISED THAT JAMES EARL RAY IS IDENTICAL WITH ERIC STARVO GALT AND YOU HAVE BEEN FURNISHED IO'S AND WANTED FLYERS ON RAY, YOU ARE TO BE CERTAIN THAT ALL APPROPRIATED STOPS HAVE RENEWED ON JAMES EARLY RAY and UNDER ALL OF HIS KNOWN ALIASES AS SET FORTH ON THE IO' S AND WANTEED FLYers. THIS IS TO INSURVE THAT THE BUREAU WILL BE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED IF THE SUBJECT IS ARRESTED OR COMES TO THE ATTENTION OF AUTHORITIES WITH WHOM STOPS PLACED. OFFICES COVERING DEPARTURE OR ARRIVAL OF OVERSEAS FLIGHTS SHOULD HAVE RENSEWED STOPS AND SUBJECT'S PHOTOGRAPH SHOULD BE DISPLAYED APPROPERIATLY. END PAGE ONE 44-2386.1901 SEARCHED. INDEXED. SERIALIZED. FILLED. ADC-1963 FBI-ATLANTA muller ae 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI and local law enforcement investigations into threats against Martin Luther King Jr. between 1964 and 1968, focusing on James Earl Ray’s alleged involvement in his assassination. On April 24-25, 1968, agents were instructed to verify Ray’s aliases through car rental records, photographs, and fingerprint checks, while investigating Lewis Dowda’s associations with a "Red" linked to neon lighting and a Volkswagen. Sharon Graham (Dowda’s wife) testified about her husband’s contacts with individuals using aliases like "Jimmy" and "KAY," including prison interactions in Jefferson City, Missouri. Agents also explored potential bounties for MLK’s assassination and funeral arrangements involving Van Ness, described as a white male with red hair and bushy eyebrows, who allegedly coordinated logistics with Thornton Mortuary. Additional inquiries included car dealer checks, laundry mark investigations, and communications about Ray’s movements. Earlier threats against MLK were documented from 1965–1968, including anonymous calls, posters offering rewards, and confessions from individuals linked to Nazi groups or criminal histories.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation)  
- Lewis Dowda (arrested April 15, 1968; married to Sharon Graham)  
- Sharon Graham (Dowda’s wife; provided testimony on husband’s associates)  
- Van Ness (described as a white male with red hair and bushy eyebrows; allegedly involved in King’s funeral arrangements)  
- Ralph Gault (born 1906, Atlanta; not considered suspect due to age discrepancies)  
- Marcid J. (52 years old, California resident; attempted meeting with MLK in Atlanta)  
- Ruth Hewington (Washington D.C., super market operator; threatened to kill MLK)  
- Karl Holcoco (KKK member; discussed plans to target MLK)  
- Benny Kingston (recently released mental institution patient; listed as a threat against MLK)  
- Bric Calt (investigated for associations with past threats against King)  

Key Locations:  
- Marietta, Georgia (Dowda’s residence; Sharon Graham’s address)  
- Jefferson City, Missouri (linked to "Red" and prison contacts)  
- Atlanta, Georgia (FBI offices; Community Blood Plasma Center; Peachtree-14th Street; Holiday Inn motel)  
- Chicago, Illinois (planned travel by James Riordan; FBI office)  
- Washington D.C. (Ruth Hewington’s residence; funeral arrangements for MLK)  
- Tuckers, Georgia (National Knights of the Ku Klux Klan headquarters)  
- Los Angeles, California (Dr. King’s planned speech; San Francisco, CA [MLK’s visit])  
- Nantucket, Texas; Solna, Alabama; St. Louis, Missouri; New Orleans, Louisiana; Vinona, Mississippi; Covina, California; San Antonio, Texas  

Key Events:  
- FBI directive to renew stops on James Earl Ray under aliases (April 24, 1968)  
- Investigation into Lewis Dowda’s associations with "Red" and neon lighting business (April 25, 1968)  
- Inquiry into potential bounties or contracts for MLK’s assassination (April 25, 1968)  
- Funeral arrangements for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., involving Van Ness and Thornton Mortuary (April 24-25, 1968)  
- Car dealer checks in Atlanta and laundry mark investigation (April 23-25, 1968)  
- Threats against MLK via anonymous calls, posters, and confessions (1965–1968)  
- FBI investigations into Ralph Gault, Marcid J., Ruth Hewington, and Nazi-linked plots  
- KKK meetings discussing assassination plans in Tuckers, Georgia (February 8, 1965)  
- Surveillance of MLK’s residences and lists of individuals with prior threats against him  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- City of Atlanta Department of Police  
- Ku Klux Klan (KKK); National Knights of the Ku Klux Klan  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)  
- National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)  
- Local law enforcement agencies in Atlanta, Kansas City, and Washington D.C.  
- Hix Green Buck Co., Strickland Motors (car dealers investigated)

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_159-02-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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