</s>BH 44-1740. CONTINENTAL DANCE CLUB STUDIOS ... aka FRIENDSHIP CLUB, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA 96 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail multiple FBI investigations conducted in Birmingham, Alabama, between April 6-11, 1968, focusing on individuals associated with firearms inquiries, car rentals, pawn shops, and drug stores. One investigation involved an individual who visited gun stores in Birmingham, asking about high-powered rifles, scopes, and ballistics, including specific calibers (.243, 30/06), bullet drop trajectories, and scope mounts. The individual was described as light-skinned, pale, slender, and soft-spoken, with no apparent familiarity with the area. Another investigation centered on a suspect whose physical appearance was detailed in an artist’s sketch, including hair thickness, facial structure, clothing (dark brown business suit, green tie with yellow stripes), and accessories (blue/yellow pin stripes). The FBI checked records at businesses such as Long-Lewis Hardware, Hertz Rent-A-Car, Avis Rent-A-Car, Budget Rent-A-Car, pawn shops in Bessmer, and drug stores for purchases or rentals linked to suspects named Harvey Lowmeyer, W. Lehner, and others. No matches were found for the artist’s conception of the suspect. Additionally, records from Continental Dance Studios in New Orleans and Birmingham were reviewed regarding Eric Galt’s dance lessons (1964–1965), including his alleged debts, attendance at the Friendship Club in Birmingham, and a dry cleaning receipt under "GAULT" found in Atlanta. The FBI also sought information from Al Le Breton Sr., former landlord of the New Orleans studio, regarding its closure in October 1965.  

Key People  
- **Eric Galt**: Took private and group dance lessons at Continental Dance Studios in New Orleans and Birmingham; allegedly owed money for some sessions and avoided interaction with other students.  
- **Marlin C. Myers** (owner of Continental Dance Studios in Birmingham and New Orleans) and **Joan Myers** (wife, dance instructor): Provided information about Galt’s lessons.  
- **Doris Ladner**: Sister-in-law of Myers; student at the Birmingham studio.  
- **Al Le Breton Sr.**: Former landlord of the New Orleans studio location; requested for information on its closure.  
- **Quinton B. Davis** (owner of "The Gun Rack"), **Clyde Royal Manasco** (clerk at "The Gun Rack"), **Lyndell Earl Dilbeck** (employee at Long-Lewis Hardware Company), **John Michael Kopp** (manager at Long-Lewis Hardware), and **SA J.T. Arnett** (FBI agent): Involved in firearm inquiries and investigations.  
- **Jimmy Phillips**: Standard Oil Service Station Manager who reported a customer with a Mustang and Georgia license plates.  
- **Harvey Lowmeyer/W. Lehner**: Suspects whose names were checked against business records; no matches found.  
- **SA David T. Daly**: Contacted residents around 1907 11th Avenue South for suspect identification.  

Key Locations  
- **Continental Dance Studios** (New Orleans, Louisiana; closed October 1965) and **Friendship Club** (Birmingham, Alabama; venue for dance classes).  
- **The Gun Rack** and **Long-Lewis Hardware Company** (Birmingham, Alabama; sites of firearm inquiries).  
- **Hertz Rent-A-Car**, **Avis Rent-A-Car**, **Budget Rent-A-Car**, and **pawn shops** in Bessmer, Birmingham.  
- **Liggett Rexall Drug Stores** and **Lane-Rexall Drug Stores** (Birmingham, Alabama; monitored for cash register receipts).  
- **Standard Oil Service Station** (Birmingham, Alabama; where a Mustang with Georgia license plates was observed).  

Key Events  
- Eric Galt took dance lessons at Continental Dance Studios in New Orleans and Birmingham, allegedly owing money for some sessions.  
- FBI sought records of Galt’s lessons, as Marlin Myers claimed Galt never mentioned his connection to the New Orleans studio.  
- A dry cleaning receipt under "GAULT" was found in Atlanta, Georgia, and a service station in Birmingham was linked to S&H green stamps associated with Galt.  
- FBI requested information from Al Le Breton Sr., who may have access to records from the New Orleans studio’s closure.  
- Inquiries by an individual about high-powered rifles, scopes, and ballistics were conducted at gun stores in Birmingham, including discussions on rifle calibers, bullet drop trajectories, and scope mounts.  
- Investigations into firearms purchases and rentals linked to suspects Harvey Lowmeyer and W. Lehner; no matches found for the artist’s sketch of a suspect.  
- Review of car rental records, including a Mustang with Georgia license plates observed at a Standard Oil station.  
- Examination of pawn shop records for high-powered rifles and ballistics-related inquiries.  
- Displaying artist’s conceptions to business owners and residents in Bessmer and Birmingham neighborhoods for suspect identification.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations, including record checks at businesses and neighborhood inquiries.  
- **Long-Lewis Hardware Company** and **Hertz Rent-A-Car**: Businesses involved in firearm and vehicle records reviewed.  
- **Pawn shops** in Bessmer and Birmingham: Checked for transactions related to firearms or high-powered rifles.  
- **Drug stores** (Liggett Rexall, Lane-Rexall): Monitored for cash register receipts and customer transactions.  
- **Continental Dance Studios**: Provided information on Eric Galt’s dance lessons and studio operations.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_05-03-part_6_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search