</s>408 Post Office Building Baltimore, Maryland 21202 May 16, 1968 Mr. D. Herbert Syfritt Wilmington Suburban News P. Box 825 Washington, Delaware 1999 Dear Mr. Syfrift: JAMES EARL RAY, who is being sought as a Fugitive in connection with the slaying of Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. has been the subject of nationwide attention in order to obtain the greatest publicity and direction. In order to be able to obtain a new publicity sought fugitive, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is requesting the aid of the nation's press. I would greatly appreciate it if you would give this information publicity concerning MAY and I am enclosing two newspaper mats and proof sheets for your use in this matter. Sincerely, EDWY R. TULLY Special Agent in Charge Enc. 4 - Addressee 1- Baltimore (H-I-S69) JUO:JtK (2) S.C.U.S. S.S ., S.C ., U.S .. Indexed Filed 44-669-3457 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigative efforts related to James Earl Ray’s connection to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination and broader racial violence investigations. From May 1966 to May 1968, the Bureau conducted surveillance, fingerprint comparisons, and media outreach to locate Ray, a fugitive linked to the murder. Key activities included analyzing laundry tapes from cleaners, tracking telephone records of Ray’s movements between December 13–18, 1967, and requesting comparisons of thermoseal tape markings (code 026-6) with specimens in the case. The FBI also coordinated with local police departments to display Ray’s photograph in unsolved cases and sought witness accounts of individuals matching his physical description. Investigations extended to threats against MLK Jr., racial violence inquiries, and surveillance at locations such as Mrs. K’s Toll House Restaurant in Silver Spring, Maryland. Documents reference unidentified deceased individuals, driver’s license checks for males aged 30–55, and interactions with entities like the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Maryland.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspected assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)  
- Charles H. Langaster Sr. (denied knowledge of riots or threats against MLK Jr.)  
- Charles H. Lancaster Sr. (referenced in a 1958 memorandum, possibly connected to racial violence investigations)  
- Mrs. Pearl Headley and Mildred Curry (witnesses describing individuals matching Ray’s appearance)  
- Harold Shirk (Maryland resident who reported seeing an individual resembling Ray)  
- Preston L. Payne (president of Colesville Cleaners, provided thermoseal markings for analysis)  
- Robert I. McEnroe (Special Agent in Charge, Baltimore FBI office)  
- Edwin R. Tully (Special Agent in Charge, FBI)  
- SA Paul J. Samson, Roy D. Dunkle, William J. Campbell, James C. McGrath III (FBI agents involved in investigations)  
- Nancy Burns (individual who provided notes about a possible suspect at Mrs. K’s Toll House)  

Key Locations  
- Baltimore, Maryland (FBI offices, Silver Spring Shopping Center)  
- Wilmington, Delaware (newspaper outreach for Ray’s capture)  
- Annapolis, Maryland; Hyattsville, Maryland; Waldorf, Maryland; Silver Spring, Maryland (witness accounts and surveillance locations)  
- Prince George’s County, Maryland (context of potential riots or racial violence)  
- Fort Bliss, Texas (linked to an American Airlines flight passenger observation)  
- San Antonio, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Memphis, Tennessee (locations of telephone records tied to Ray’s movements)  

Key Events  
- FBI media campaign to locate James Earl Ray through newspapers in Maryland and Delaware (May 16, 1968)  
- Witness accounts of individuals matching Ray’s physical description (5'10", 250 lbs; 5'18", 160 lbs) seen in Maryland and Delaware  
- Analysis of laundry tapes by FBI Laboratory to determine their relevance to the case  
- Investigation into thermoseal laundry tape markings (code 026-6) linked to Ray’s alleged activities  
- Tracking of Ray’s telephone calls from San Antonio, Dallas, Memphis, and other locations between December 13–18, 1967  
- Fingerprint comparisons of James Earl Ray to latent prints from 1967 (May 1968)  
- Coordination with local police departments to display Ray’s photograph in unsolved cases  
- Surveillance at Mrs. K’s Toll House Restaurant in Silver Spring, Maryland (May 1968)  
- Inquiry into potential connections between individuals and the Drug Fair Store (Silver Spring, Maryland)  
- Observation of a passenger on an American Airlines flight by Fort Bliss, Texas authorities (May 1968)  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Maryland State Police  
- Local police departments (Baltimore, Hagerstown, Hancock, Wilmington, Delaware)  
- Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company of Maryland  
- Colesville Cleaners (provided thermoseal markings for analysis)  
- Drug Fair Store (Silver Spring, Maryland)

MLK Declassified Files

44-ba-669_729218_1-02-part_7_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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