</s>HO 44-1509 Dallas 59 San Antonio 46 Phoenix 1 Houston 391 Total All of the above field divisions were furnished the telephone number called in their division, date called 799 and number and place from which call emanated. The following investigation was conducted by SAS WILLIAM J. FLANAGAN and KENNEDY B. JACKSON on April 25, 1968 at Houston, Texas. JERRY F. MC PHERSON, Manager, Holiday Inn, 9799 Katy, revloned records for the period December 11-20, 1967; D.J. (GRAVINED), Manager, Howard Johnson Motor Lodge, LOWELL Katy. Reviewed, Manager for the Period Motor Lodge. LOWELL MASON, Assistant Manager, Cactus Court, 761 Katy, records for December 1967, Each advised no record of CHARLES STEIN or JAMES RAY by name or aliases as occupants of motel unit during repetitive periods indicated. FRANK M. T.V. following investigationwas conducted by SAS Houston, Texas, Registration records of the following motels along Katy Freeway west (T.S. (I.S.) were reviewed through the following persons for the perlod December 16-18, 1967 for CHARLES STEEN and/or JAMES EARL RAY BY name or alases. No record was located). Field Inn T.D. (D.M. D.M.) 321 Katy Freeway Yupon Motel Mrs. NORA WILSTE, Manager 8015 Katy Breeway Western Skies Motel DAVID E.R.K. Manager 7809 Katy Freway -44 - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
This document is an FBI investigative report from April 1968 detailing efforts to track James Earl Ray (JER) in connection with the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The report spans multiple locations and includes checks on business records, travel logs, informants, and forensic evidence. It references FBI directives to monitor civil rights threats, coordinate across jurisdictions, and investigate potential suspects like Earl Linder and David Hawthorath. Key findings include no direct link between JER and the assassination, but ongoing efforts to trace his movements and financial ties. The report also notes administrative case numbers (e.g., MM 44-1854) and references to other files (e.g., 44-38861).  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray** (JER): Suspect in MLK’s assassination, tracked by FBI agents.  
- **Paul L. Schmitt**: FBI agent assigned to investigate JER’s activities in Miami.  
- **Earl Linder**: Suspected racist with ties to South Carolina groups; monitored for connections to the case.  
- **David Hawthorath**: Former FBI informant (MM 1081-R) under surveillance.  
- **Juanita Welch**: Former dance instructor linked to JER’s alleged past activities.  

Key Locations  
- **Miami, Florida**: Focus of business and travel record checks (e.g., Amacker Motors, Chalk Airlines).  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination on April 4, 1968.  
- **Kansas City, Missouri**: Mentioned in investigative scope.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Referenced via the *Los Angeles Times* (likely a typo for "Werald Examiner").  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: FBI office involved in case coordination.  

Key Events  
- **April 7–29, 1968**: Timeline of investigative activities post-assassination.  
- **Business Record Checks**: Investigation into Amacker Motors (dissolved by 1961) and dance studios for JER’s ties.  
- **Passenger/Vessel Records**: Review of Port of Miami logs and Chalk Airlines baggage declarations to track JER’s travel.  
- **Forensic Analysis**: Examination of thermo-seal laundry marks from Textile Marking Machine Co. for potential evidence links.  
- **Informant Monitoring**: Surveillance of David Hawthorath and Earl Linder for connections to the case.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Central agency conducting the investigation, coordinating across offices (e.g., Miami, Birmingham).  
- **Amacker Motors**: Business linked to JER’s alleged 1954 car purchase in Miami.  
- **Textile Marking Machine Co.**: Company associated with laundry mark analysis in forensic checks.  

Additional Notes: The document includes internal FBI tracking numbers (e.g., MM 44-1854) and references to other case files (e.g., 44-38861, 44-1987). It highlights the FBI’s focus on civil rights threats and cross-jurisdictional collaboration during a period of national unrest. No direct evidence linking JER to the assassination was found in these records, though his movements and financial ties were under scrutiny.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_08-01-part_6_of_9.pdf

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