</s>REPORT SYMBOL NO. CA-1-18 JOHNSTON, Mrs. R. H. Griffin, Johnnie Ernest 59% Hill Street, S. E. P. O. Box 365, 1913 M. Manhattan Atlanta, Georgia P. 0. Box 355, 1913 H. Manhattan ORIGINAL P.O. Box 555, 1913 N. Manhattan T.S. NO. A. EI NO. ORIGINI. DATE ACKNOWLEDEO ORIGINA. P.C. OCCUPATION 2. PERSON PHONE WRITTEN P. S. OCPOTY 8. ALIATESES, DBA, ETC. SOURCE: D.P. S. RECEIVED BY: (Name and Title) Doyle Hommason, Texas Doyle R/O. (Name & Title) (Address, Texas TO-RECEIVED) Dollar, T.E.M.A.E.) TO-16-49-69 TO-NATURE OF TAX 13. TAXABLE PERIODS 16. DATE NUMBUS 19. TASKABLE PERIORDS 10. DATES AND 1968 DALLAS, Toms 10. FILLS SEARCH 16. NOT KNOWN: WILL BE FILED BY. WILL BE FILEO BY. FORM FURNISHED 17. DAT. OF ID ID SEARCH 19. DIES SEARCH 19. FULES SEARCH 19. FORFORMATION ITEM DISPOSITION 1967 and 1968 mg D/R/10-1/2-1/-69 10. ID ID TO DATE CASE NUMBER 20. ASSIGNMENT RECORD AUDIT DARG TO ID FILE RETURNS INDEX T.RANSFERRED TO be com. T.O2-22-27-20 F/B/B (Return IS) FILLED (Years Searched) (Years Searched) 19. PRELIMINARY ITEM DESPOSITION (Return Is) Filled) <loc_394><loc_430>(Years Index) TO TO TO <loc_360><loc_452><loc_362><loc_362><loc_362><loc_372><loc_340><loc_372>TO

The document contains multiple entries related to federal investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK), including FBI affidavits, legal proceedings involving James Earl Ray, and alleged conspiratorial discussions. A 1970 FBI affidavit by Special Agent Frank V. Hitt details an interview with James D. Garner regarding Eric S. Galt’s rental history at a rooming house in Atlanta, Georgia, where Galt left belongings in a storage room accessed via two doors. The storage room was searched under Garner’s supervision and items were turned over to FBI agents. Legal documents reference a post-conviction relief petition filed by Ray’s attorneys (J. B. Stoner, Richard J. Ryan, Bernard Fensterwald) in Shelby County, Tennessee, alleging FBI misconduct during a 1968 search of Ray’s Atlanta premises. The FBI responded with an affidavit denying illegal activity and asserting compliance with legal procedures.  

A separate entry describes an overhead conversation overheard by a 14-year-old boy at Magellan, an Atlanta-based establishment described as a semi-museum and antiques sales outlet. The boy reported hearing Gene Purcell, Larry Meier, Bayne Culley, and others discuss plans to assassinate MLK in Tennessee on April 4, 1968, referencing the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The conversation included claims that Purcell had previously "killed Kennedy" and planned to stage a "jailbird" to take blame for MLK’s murder. The boy informed his parents, prompting fear. The document notes that Purcell had access to firearms at Magellan, while Meier was described as a car thief involved in homosexual orgies. A 1970 incident involving Thad Barnes and others allegedly stealing $26,500 from William S. Arnett’s property is also referenced, leading to burglary charges. The FBI and Secret Service were involved in investigations related to these events, with some documents suggesting potential connections to the MLK assassination inquiry.  

A third entry details meetings of the United Klans of America (UKA) in South Carolina and Alabama, including a rally on September 12, 1970, where Imperial Wizard Robert Shelton claimed James Earl Ray was a "fall guy" for MLK’s assassination. Shelton alleged Coretta King had an illicit relationship with a man named Anderson prior to the shooting, which allegedly influenced Ray’s actions. The UKA meetings included financial reports, property acquisition plans, and discussions about racial equality and potential uprisings. Later FBI memos reference interviews with individuals connected to the investigation, including William S. Arnett and Gene Purcell, and note the closure of the case after evidence was retained for potential future prosecutions.  

Key People  
- **Frank V. Hitt**: FBI Special Agent in Charge, Atlanta Division, who authored a 1970 affidavit regarding Eric S. Galt’s room.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Accused of assassinating MLK; subject of post-conviction legal challenges and FBI investigations.  
- **Gene Purcell (aka Harold Eugene Purcell)**: Alleged mastermind of the plot to assassinate MLK; associated with firearms, smuggling, and illicit activities at Magellan.  
- **Larry Meier**: Involved in the overheard conversation; described as a car thief and participant in homosexual orgies at Magellan.  
- **Bayne Culley**: Muscleman linked to the group but with unclear associations.  
- **William S. Arnett**: Former associate of Magellan; accused of smuggling, tax evasion, and defrauding Mrs. Watson.  
- **Robert Shelton (Imperial Wizard of UKA)**: Claimed MLK’s assassination was orchestrated by a "fall guy," referencing James Earl Ray.  
- **Coretta King**: Wife of MLK; alleged to have had an illicit relationship with Anderson, per Shelton’s claims.  
- **Bernard Fensterwald**: Attorney representing Ray in Tennessee court proceedings; previously served on the Senate Judiciary Committee (1957–1963).  
- **J. B. Stoner, Richard J. Ryan**: Attorneys involved in Ray’s post-conviction petition.  
- **Thad Barnes**: Alleged participant in the 1970 theft from Arnett’s property.  

Key Locations  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Site of Galt’s rooming house, Magellan (semi-museum and antiques sales outlet), and FBI search operations.  
- **Shelby County, Tennessee**: Location of Ray’s post-conviction legal proceedings.  
- **Hartsville, South Carolina**: Rally site for UKA meetings in September 1970.  
- **Florence, South Carolina**: Site of a UKA klanvocation meeting discussing financial matters and racial policies.  
- **Columbus, Georgia**: Location of Arnett’s residence and the 1970 theft incident.  

Key Events  
- **April 1968**: FBI interview with James D. Garner regarding Eric S. Galt’s rental history and storage room contents at a rooming house in Atlanta.  
- **March 1968**: Overheard conversation at Magellan involving Gene Purcell, Larry Meier, Bayne Culley, and others discussing plans to assassinate MLK, referencing JFK’s assassination.  
- **May 1970**: Submission of an affidavit by Frank V. Hitt refuting allegations of illegal search and seizure in Ray’s case.  
- **September 12, 1970**: UKA rally in Hartsville, South Carolina, where Robert Shelton claimed James Earl Ray was a "fall guy" for MLK’s assassination.  
- **1970 theft from William S. Arnett’s property**: Thad Barnes and associates allegedly stole $26,500, leading to burglary charges.  
- **UKA klanvocation meeting (Florence, South Carolina)**: Discussions on financial reports, property acquisition, and racial policies.  
- **Closure of the case**: FBI memos note evidence was retained for potential future prosecutions after interviews with individuals linked to the investigation.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted searches, provided affidavits, and conducted inquiries into MLK’s assassination and related individuals.  
- **United Klans of America (UKA)**: Organized rallies and meetings in South Carolina and Alabama, discussing racial policies and alleged civil rights violations.  
- **Internal Revenue Service (IRS)**: Mentioned in administrative tax-related forms within the document.  
- **Senate Judiciary Committee**: Bernard Fensterwald’s prior involvement with this body is noted.  
- **Secret Service**: Involved in investigations of the overheard conversation and related individuals.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_163-05-part_5_of_6.pdf

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