</s>OPTIONAL FORM NO. 18 OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT UNITED STATES GOVENTMENT Memorandum TO : SAC, Birmingham DATE: 4-18-68 FROM : Stephen Pierce, clerk SUBJECT: MURKIN H.T. CRITTEND, 2813 Circle Drive, Hueytown, Ala. advised that on Friday after MILK was killed he saw a man who resembled CALT. . CRITTEND advised that this man works in Sokols Furniture Store in Bessemer, Ala .. on weekends. CRITITTEND advised that his man had changed his appearance by wearing glasses and a much shorter hair out. H. T. CRTTEND may be reached at the following tele- phone number: 491-1491. 3:30- 14/4-1740-984 SEARCHED SEARCHERED INDEXED SERIALIZED 18-FILED FROBERMIRMINGHAM Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents consist of multiple FBI memoranda dated April 15–18, 1968, detailing investigations into potential connections between individuals and Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Informants reported sightings of a man resembling Eric Starvo Galt, a suspect in the case, in Birmingham and Bessemer, Alabama, following MLK’s death on April 4, 1968. H.T. Crittenden noted an individual working at Sokols Furniture Store in Bessemer who changed his appearance after the assassination. M.B. Helms mentioned an employee at Salzman Machine and Fabricating who did not return to work post-assassination. A suitcase containing photographs of Galt was identified as being with Mrs. Vinsant Cutolo in Miami, Florida, for potential identification purposes. The FBI sought to trace Galt’s movements through employment records, including a dance instructor at the Continental Dance Studio in New Orleans and other individuals linked to his activities. Credit checks and criminal record reviews were initiated for suspects like Charles Edwin Smith of Albertville, Alabama, who had prior arrests for alcohol-related offenses and reckless driving. A letter from William Jay Miller urged Sheriff M. Bailey to investigate MLK’s assassination as part of a broader conspiracy. Additional FBI memoranda reference administrative inquiries, including interviews with Albert Hann (Arnold Truck Stop, Tuscumbia, Alabama) and William Stone (Standard Oil Company, Sheffield, Alabama), conducted on April 4, 1968. Administrative notes mention a telephone call from a pay station near 808 South Highland Avenue, Birmingham, to a number linked to Charles Hilton in Haleyville, Alabama. Lowell Wiggins, brother of Hilton’s wife, is noted as an unknown address in Birmingham. Credit records for Bryce Moore, including employment history with Alabama Power Company and character assessments by local authorities, were also reviewed.  

Key People  
- Eric Starvo Galt (suspect in MLK’s assassination)  
- H.T. Crittenden (informant in Birmingham, Alabama)  
- M.B. Helms (informant at Salzman Machine and Fabricating)  
- Mrs. Vinsant Cutolo (individual with suitcase containing Galt’s photos)  
- Charles Edwin Smith (subject of credit and criminal record checks)  
- William Jay Miller (sent letter to Sheriff M. Bailey regarding conspiracy claims)  
- David Louis Townsend (Albertville, Alabama; no record of Charles Edwin Smith)  
- Bryce Moore (Jasper, Alabama; credit records reviewed)  
- Charles Hilton (Haleyville, Alabama; linked to telephone call inquiry)  
- Lowell Wiggins (Birmingham, Alabama; brother of Hilton’s wife)  
- Albert Hann (Tuscumbia, Alabama; interviewed on April 4, 1968)  
- William Stone (Sheffield, Alabama; interviewed on April 4, 1968)  

Key Locations  
- Birmingham, Alabama (FBI offices, informants, pay station at 808 South Highland Avenue)  
- Bessemer, Alabama (Sokols Furniture Store)  
- New Orleans, Louisiana (Continental Dance Studio)  
- Miami, Florida (Mrs. Vinsant Cutolo’s residence)  
- Albertville, Alabama (Charles Edwin Smith’s address)  
- Jasper, Alabama (Bryce Moore’s residence)  
- Haleyville, Alabama (Charles Hilton’s residence)  
- Tuscumbia, Alabama (Arnold Truck Stop; Albert Hann’s location)  
- Sheffield, Alabama (Standard Oil Company; William Stone’s location)  

Key Events  
- Informants reported sightings of a man resembling Galt in Birmingham and Bessemer after MLK’s assassination.  
- FBI sought to identify Galt through employment records, photographs, and witness accounts.  
- A suitcase containing photos of Galt was sent to Nashville for review by Mrs. Cutolo.  
- Credit checks and criminal record reviews were initiated for suspects like Charles Edwin Smith.  
- A letter alleged a conspiracy involving MLK’s assassination and requested further investigation.  
- Investigation at Bear Creek, Alabama (April 13–15, 1968).  
- Interviews with Albert Hann and William Stone conducted on April 4, 1968.  
- Telephone call inquiry from Birmingham to Haleyville, Alabama.  
- Credit record review for Bryce Moore, including employment history with Alabama Power Company.  
- Character assessment of Bryce Moore by local authorities.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Birmingham, Memphis, Atlanta, New Orleans offices  
- Marshall County Sheriff’s Office (Alabama)  
- Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (Alabama)  
- Alabama Power Company (Bryce Moore’s employment history)  
- Standard Oil Company (Sheffield, Alabama)  
- Arnold Truck Stop (Tuscumbia, Alabama)

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_05-01-part_9_of_9.pdf

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