</s>2 SL 44-775 With respect to associates of GAWRON, MC CORMICK ad- vised that GAWRON drinks frequently at Pantry's Bar, 1861 Park, St. Louis. GAWRION dr. PAUNTY's PAUNT'S from the owner of this bar, known only as PEANUTS from MC CORNICK. GARMON also associates with one ORVILLE "WHITLEY" MILLION, who resides at 1617A Park. KILLION often runs poker games at his residence, also associates KILLIONS often run poker games in this residence, and GAWROON KILLILLION is presently at Koch Hospital suffering from tuberculosis. KILLIION reports to hospital at given intervals for treatment. Last Monday, two-convicts came to GAWROM's home. One of these men was a JIMMY (last name unknown) who's MC CORRICK Describe those men who were unknown; they felt hat. The other man, who unknown, who was wearing a felt hat, The 40s, 5'7" 160 pounds, short, and thin with black hair. This man is from Louisiana. Jimmy at one time robbed a bar at Grand and Chouton, Louisiana. JimMY at the time robbed at Grand to GAWRRON last night. May 14, 1966, the same two men returned to GAVRON's last night, May 16, 1968, gave the man from Louisiana's residence. GAVRON gave the same man from Louisiana. "silver platter. "38 caliber. "GAMRON gave me the man who had requested this revolver from GAWRN on the preceding Monday night. Although GAWRM did not specifically revolver. The man had night. Also GAWROR did not specializely state so. M. GAYRON did not recognize that Madison, Illinois, GAYRON has spoken to him on the connections that he has at a bar in Madison, Illinois. Something was wrong with this GAWRON and then from Louisiana tapped the bullets in the gun. According to MC CORNCICK this man wanted the gun to hold up a couple of places. The man from Louisville offered him, MC CORNICK, $250 to kill a man. The Man from Louisiana did not mention the prospective man, The man who wanted wanted the man killed. MC CORNCIK advised that he decided why wanted the offer to hold not kill a man for $1,000, much less $250. JC CORNCIX said he was convinced that GARRON saw sub- ject, RAY, in St. Louis, he pointed out that GAYRWON has not left the St.Louis area to his knowledge, and that he visits GAWROW Daily. . Approximately one week ago, GAWRWON told him that RAY is presently in Algiers. MC CORNWICK understood him to mean 07 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities during his incarceration at the Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP), his escape in 1967, and subsequent interactions with individuals outside the prison. Interviews with former inmates, including Walter E. Nolan, William E. Russell, and Chester Spratt, described Ray as reclusive, non-confrontational, and lacking close associates. Nolan claimed Ray worked as a bread cutter in the bakery, discussed methods to escape legally or illegally, and speculated he stole civilian clothing during his 1967 escape, possibly using a new guard at the prison gate. Nolan also doubted Ray’s involvement in Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, citing it as foreign to Ray’s personality. Other inmates, such as Francis Powell (father of Robert Powell), mentioned rumors about his son potentially aiding Ray’s escape but denied knowledge of Ray’s whereabouts. Ivan Dale Underwood speculated Ray might be linked to Ralph Renfo, a burglar with ties to heating businesses in Joplin, Missouri. James David Daily recounted interactions with CREWS, who escaped from MSP and sought refuge at Daily’s restaurant before returning to prison, noting he believed Ray was either dead, out of the country, or unable to evade authorities without significant negligence.  

The FBI also conducted interviews in May–June 1968 to locate Ray, including inquiries into his alleged presence in St. Louis, Missouri. John Paul Velanti reported an unnamed convict claimed to have seen Ray in St. Louis around two weeks after his release from MSP (April 23, 1967), though no witnesses confirmed sightings. Opal Highly, former owner of Opal’s Bar, described a man named Jack (last name unknown) with a limp and criminal history, while Marie McMurty, a former waitress at the bar, viewed Ray’s FBI photo but could not identify him. Field Interrogation Reports from St. Louis police yielded no records of Ray or others linked to MLK’s assassination. The FBI also checked charitable organizations in St. Louis, including addresses like 3949 Forest Park and 614 Franklin, for potential lodging or associations with Ray.  

Joseph H. McCormick, a probationer in St. Louis, provided information about Jack Garmon (also referred to as GAWRON) and his associates, noting Garmon’s frequent visits to Pantry’s Bar, his association with Jimmy (a convicted robber), and the presence of two convicts at Garmon’s home. One convict was identified as a Louisiana man who robbed a bar in Grand and Chouton, Louisiana, while another was Jimmy, who allegedly robbed a bar in 1966. McCormick reported Garmon gave the Louisiana man a silver platter and a 38-caliber revolver for robberies. McCormick also claimed Garmon stated James Earl Ray was his foster son and had escaped from prison, though the source of this information is unclear. The FBI sought Ray’s whereabouts, with McCormick indicating he would not disclose such knowledge despite being under surveillance.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray**: Subject of investigation; incarcerated at MSP, worked in bakery, speculated to have escaped using civilian clothing and a new guard.  
- **Joseph H. McCormick**: Probationer informant who provided details about Jack Garmon’s associates and activities.  
- **Jack Garmon (GAWRON)**: Associated with Jimmy (unknown last name), convicts, and alleged provision of revolver to Louisiana man for robberies.  
- **Walter E. Nolan**: Former inmate who interacted with Ray; described him as reclusive, untrustworthy, and unlikely to commit murder.  
- **Donald Garfield Cox**: Fellow inmate at MSP who noted Ray’s association with Bob Burns, allegedly involved in prison organization.  
- **Bob Burns**: Allegedly involved in organized prison activities, mentioned by Cox.  
- **Francis Powell**: Father of Robert Powell; mentioned a rumor about his son potentially aiding Ray’s escape.  
- **Ivan Dale Underwood**: Inmate who speculated Ray might be linked to Ralph Renfo, a burglar in Joplin, Missouri.  
- **James David Daily**: Provided details on CREWS’ escape and return to prison; believed Ray was dead or out of the country.  
- **John Paul Velanti**: Reported an unnamed convict’s claim about seeing Ray in St. Louis.  
- **Opal Highly**: Former bar owner who described a man named Jack (last name unknown) with a limp and criminal history.  
- **Marie McMurty**: Former waitress at Opal’s Bar who viewed Ray’s FBI photo but could not identify him.  
- **Carl Benton Drake**: Interviewed about potential ties to Ray but provided no direct information.  
- **James Cooper Green Jr.**: Former inmate who claimed no contact with Ray.  
- **David Don McFarlin**: Former inmate who denied knowing Ray.  
- **Mrs. Hazel Menard**: Mother of inmates contacted for possible assistance in locating Ray’s associates.  

Key Locations:  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Site of Ray’s incarceration; key location for his work in the bakery and alleged escape planning.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Mentioned as a potential destination for Ray post-escape; associated with informants, Pantry’s Bar, Art’s Tavern, Opal’s Bar, and charitable organizations (e.g., Salvation Army at 3949 Forest Park, Rescue Mission at 4023 Olive, Sunshine Mission at 614 Franklin).  
- **Geyer Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri**: Addresses listed in surveillance checks.  
- **Mississippi Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri**: Mentioned as a potential location where Ray was allegedly seen (though no 1800 block exists).  
- **Joplin, Missouri**: Linked to Ralph Renfo, a burglar described by Underwood.  

Key Events:  
- **Ray’s escape from MSP in 1967**: Speculated methods included stealing civilian clothing and exploiting a new guard at the prison gate.  
- **Interactions between Ray and inmates**: Discussions about escaping legally or illegally, with Ray described as reclusive and untrustworthy.  
- **CREWS’ escape and return to prison**: Daily’s account of CREWS seeking refuge at his restaurant before returning to MSP.  
- **Speculation on Ray’s whereabouts**: Nolan and Daily believed Ray was either dead, out of the country, or unable to evade authorities without negligence.  
- **FBI interviews in May–June 1968**: Inquiries into Ray’s alleged presence in St. Louis, including reports from Velanti, Highly, and McMurty.  
- **Search for unidentified fatalities**: No matches found in St. Louis and Missouri since April 1968.  
- **Review of Field Interrogation Reports (FIR)**: No records of Ray or others linked to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Checks at charitable shelters**: Efforts to locate Ray through lodging or social networks.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, surveillance, and record checks.  
- **St. Louis Police Department**: Provided FIR records and directory information.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of Ray’s incarceration and inmate interactions.  
- **Charitable organizations** (e.g., Salvation Army, Rescue Mission): Potential locations for Ray’s movements post-release.  
- **Probation and Parole Office (Missouri)**: Involved in McCormick’s probation status and supervision.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_163-03-part_5_of_6.pdf

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