</s>ATI 44-2386 AGS:bJc 1 During the period April 9 through 11, 1968, inquiry was made of all laundries listed in the current Classified Telephone Directory for major communities in each of the following following: The following: Office with negative results regarding use of Thermo Seal marking machine which had produced a marking tag appearing to read "02B-6" or "D2B-61" G5 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The FBI investigation into Eric Stavro Galt (also known as Harvey Loweyers or John Willard) focused on his alleged ties to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with particular emphasis on his activities in Birmingham, Alabama, and surrounding areas between 1967 and 1968. The inquiry spanned April–June 1968 and involved checks of laundries, motels, public utilities, motor vehicle records, Western Union transactions, and postal records to trace Galt’s movements, residences, and associations. Key aspects included his alleged possession of a Remington 30.06 rifle purchased in 1966, connections to weapons transactions, and potential involvement in civil rights violations. In Birmingham, Galt resided at a rooming house operated by Peter Cherdes (2008 Highland Avenue) from August 26 to October 7, 1967, where he maintained a 1966 Mustang parked nearby. A package containing photographic equipment was shipped from Chicago to Birmingham, and Green Stamps (S&T & H) distributed between September 8–27, 1967, were recovered. Dry-cleaning records linked him to Mayfield Cleaners in Atlanta, while his safe deposit box #5517 at Birmingham Trust National Bank showed activity on August 27, 1967, and December 13, 1967. Galt attended dance classes at the Continental Dance Club in Birmingham from September 12, 1967. Legal proceedings included charges of conspiracy under Title 18, U.S.C., with recommended bail amounts of $50,000 and $60,000. A photograph of Galt was compared to items at AEROMARINE Supply Company in Birmingham, where witnesses identified it as matching a camera purchased by Harvey Lowerby on July 7, 1968.  

Key People  
- **Eric Stavro Galt** (also referred to as Harvey Loweyers or John Willard): Suspect under investigation for alleged ties to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  
- **Peter Cherdes**: Operator of the rooming house at 2008 Highland Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama, where Galt resided from August 26 to October 7, 1967.  
- **Harvey Lowerby**: Purchaser of a camera from AEROMARINE Supply Company in Birmingham, identified as matching a photograph of Galt.  
- **R. Macey Taylor**: Birmingham police officer involved in legal proceedings against Galt.  
- **Mildred P. Sprague**: Individual associated with charges against Galt.  

Key Locations  
- **2008 Highland Avenue, Birmingham, Alabama**: Rooming house where Galt resided from August 26 to October 7, 1967.  
- **AEROMARINE Supply Company, Birmingham, Alabama**: Retail location linked to the camera purchased by Harvey Lowerby.  
- **Mayfield Cleaners, Atlanta, Georgia**: Dry-cleaning establishment with a ticket dated August 28, 1967, linked to Galt.  
- **Birmingham Trust National Bank, Birmingham, Alabama**: Financial institution where Galt’s safe deposit box #5517 showed activity in August–December 1967.  
- **Continental Dance Club Studios, Graymont Ave., Birmingham, Alabama**: Location of dance classes attended by Galt from September 12, 1967.  

Key Events  
- **August 26–October 7, 1967**: Galt resided at Peter Cherdes’ rooming house in Birmingham, maintaining a 1966 Mustang nearby and avoiding interaction with roommates.  
- **September 8–27, 1967**: Distribution of Green Stamps (S&T & H) recovered from Galt’s records.  
- **August 28, 1967**: Dry-cleaning ticket linked to Mayfield Cleaners in Atlanta was associated with Galt.  
- **April 16, 1968**: Photograph of Galt compared to items at AEROMARINE Supply Company, where witnesses identified it as matching a camera purchased by Harvey Lowerby on July 7, 1968.  
- **Legal charges**: Conspiracy under Title 18, U.S.C., with recommended bail amounts of $50,000 and $60,000.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted the primary investigation into Galt’s activities and connections to the assassination case.  
- **Birmingham Police Department**: Involved in legal proceedings against Galt.  
- **AEROMARINE Supply Company**: Retail location linked to the camera purchase by Harvey Lowerby.  
- **Continental Dance Club Studios**: Venue where Galt attended dance classes.  
- **Western Union**: Checked for money orders linked to Galt’s activities.  
- **Georgia State Motor Vehicle Bureau**: Provided vehicle registration records for Galt’s 1966 Mustang.  
- **U.S. Postal Service**: Traced mail forwarding addresses and delivery records for Galt.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_05-03-part_3_of_7.pdf

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