</s>4/16/68 AIRMA IL AIRTHL TO: SAC, CLEVELAND (44-565) FROM: SAG, BIRMINGHAM (44-(1748) (P) MURKIN 00:J0J0P1S April 12, 1963. Re Cleveland teletype to Birmingham dated Albany, 12, 1962. Records of the Molton Hotel, Birmingham dated Albarn, 12. 1962. RIBMAN checked into that hotel at 9:15 pm 4/4/68, occupied Room 408, checked out prior to 12:00 Noon, 4/5/68), and paid for room in cash, employee of hotel de not recall REMAN and cash, me other partiement information concerning him. 2-Cleveland (AN) 2-Sophie (A40) (44(44-1997) S-Sphie's (A4) (A2) RIDghams (D)1/2) 44-1740.802 5.P.X.XED. INDEXID. CORALIZED 2/2/20 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigative activities surrounding the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) on April 4, 1968, with a focus on Birmingham, Alabama, and Nashville, Tennessee. Key elements include witness accounts of an individual observed in Nashville at Andy’s Lounge on March 29, 1968, described as wearing dark trousers, a dress shirt, tie, and dark brown or blue sport coat, with blue eyes and sandy hair. The FBI conducted interviews in Birmingham regarding individuals named Harvey Loweyer and Eric S. Galt, including access to Safe Deposit Box #88 at Birmingham Trust National Bank under Galt’s name. Gun shop inquiries noted a customer interested in high-powered rifles, ballistic information, and rifle scopes, with detailed physical descriptions provided by witnesses. Investigations also explored Galt’s connections to the Continental Dance Studios in New Orleans, Louisiana, including his private dance lessons from 1964–1965 and financial discrepancies. Additional efforts included photographic identification of Galt among seven individuals and background checks into his employment history.  

Key People  
- **Frances Brown**: Waitress at Andy’s Lounge in Nashville, Tennessee, who described a man observed on March 29, 1968.  
- **Harvey Loweyer**: Name investigated in Birmingham, Alabama, with no confirmed connections to MLK or related activities.  
- **Eric S. Galt**: Central figure in the investigation; linked to Safe Deposit Box #88 at Birmingham Trust National Bank and associated with Continental Dance Studios in New Orleans.  
- **Clyde Royal Manasco**: Gun rack clerk in Birmingham who described a man interested in high-powered rifles and ballistic information.  
- **John Michael Kopp**: Manager of Firearms at Long-Lewis Hardware, who provided details about a customer’s inquiry regarding rifles and scopes.  
- **Marlin C. Myers**: Owner of Continental Dance Studios in New Orleans, who provided information about Galt’s dance lessons and financial records.  
- **Doris Ladner**: Sister-in-law of Myers; described Galt as quiet, reserved, with a crew cut, blue eyes, and fair complexion.  
- **Donald F. Wood**: Identified Galt in a group of seven photographs.  

Key Locations  
- **Andy’s Lounge, 1923 1st Avenue North, Nashville, Tennessee** (March 29, 1968).  
- **Birmingham Trust National Bank, Birmingham, Alabama** (Safe Deposit Box #88).  
- **Long-Lewis Hardware, Besser, Alabama** (firearms inquiry).  
- **Continental Dance Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana** (Galt’s dance lessons from 1964–1965).  
- **11th Avenue South, Memphis, Tennessee** (FBI neighborhood inquiry near Five Points South).  

Key Events  
- **Witness Interview at Andy’s Lounge**: Frances Brown described a man observed on March 29, 1968, potentially linked to MLK-related activities.  
- **Safe Deposit Box Investigation**: FBI accessed Safe Deposit Box #88 under Eric S. Galt’s name at Birmingham Trust National Bank.  
- **Firearms Inquiry**: Gun shop records noted a customer interested in high-powered rifles, ballistic data, and rifle scopes with specific physical characteristics.  
- **Dance Studio Background Check**: FBI sought information on Galt’s activities at Continental Dance Studios, including payment records and instructor details.  
- **Photographic Identification**: Donald F. Wood identified Galt among seven individuals in a photo lineup.  
- **Neighborhood Inquiry in Memphis**: Special Agent Charles Donald Byron checked residences along 11th Avenue South for matches against an FBI sketch of an unknown subject.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, accessed financial records, and coordinated firearm inquiries as part of the investigation.  
- **Birmingham Trust National Bank**: Provided access to Safe Deposit Box #88 for evidence retrieval.  
- **Continental Dance Studios, New Orleans**: Linked to Eric S. Galt’s private dance lessons and potential financial ties.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_05-01-part_2_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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