</s>3 SL 44-775 AJR/ral Who he was, and her husband replied to the effect that it was a "fellow from the joint" which Mrs. WALLACE took to mean that he was someone her husband and known in the penitentiary. Specific inquiry was made of Mrs. Wallace to as to whether she could recall any occasion when she was at the Jefferson-Gravois Bank with her husband, at which time her husband and her boyfriend, at what time her remarked that he could recall her money out before they got in; she was glad he got her money one of the many may WALLACE said she could not recall having witnessed any Mrs. conversation. She commented, however, that one of her husband is given to making such joking remarks and such a conversation would not be able to talk about it. conversations. She committed, however she could recall all such conversational. She said she would like to be a conversation conversion specifically. Photographs of JAMES LOAMA OWENS and JAMES EARL RAY were exhibited to Mrs. WILLACE. She stated that OWENS is com- pleetly unknown to Mrs ., but, but that the photographs of RAY looked vaguely familiar to her, although she could NOT at this time seen in the past. She communicated specifically that she could not relate the photographs to either either RAY or OWENS to the man seen on the past, She commented specifically that the could was on the occasion referred to above. Although the photo- graphs of Ray looked vaguely familiar or to her. She has no idea waved on the occasional referred to a person, except that the photo - graphs she has never seen such a person except that over a phere she she has been seen such as person. Although no photo- frequently attended religious services at a Salvation Army establishing located near the address address on Hickory Street. WALLACE has read in the newspapers. Mrs.WALACE has been in it remotely possible near the newsroom at Hickory Streeet. it rarely possible near she might have James EARL RAIL RAY in such area in 1959, although the newspaper, Mrs. WHALLACE believes photographs of RAV, Mrs . and MRS. WALACE also does not specifically recall all photographs on RAY, Mrs .. and WALLAGE originally had that reaction to photographs of him when she saw pictures of RRAY in the newspapers and television at the time was first identified in this investigation. Mrs. WLLACE and herhusband now have five children, the youngest of whom is an infant. Over a period of several <loc_116><loc_870>37

Summary  
The declassified government documents detail an FBI investigation into James Earl Ray’s activities in St. Louis, Missouri, during the mid-to-late 1950s and early 1960s. Key focus areas include financial transactions linked to a checking account under the name *JAMES CARL O'CONNOR* at the **Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company** (opened March 9, 1959; closed July 20, 1959), interactions with individuals such as Mrs. Wallace, Eva Webbe Grochowski, Mary Louise Sawyer, John Paul Velanti, and Vincent P. Webbe, and Ray’s alleged associations with local figures like Jack Gawson. The investigation also examines Ray’s escape from the Missouri State Penitentiary on April 23, 1967, his movements in St. Louis, and potential connections to criminal activities. While no direct references to Martin Luther King Jr. are made in these records, the documents contextualize Ray’s financial and social ties as part of broader inquiries into his alleged involvement in the assassination of MLK, referenced once as "MARTIN LUTHER KING slaying."  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray (JER)**: Central figure under investigation for alleged criminal activities, including suspected ties to the MLK assassination.  
- **John Paul Velanti**: Former Missouri State Penitentiary inmate who claimed JER spent time in solitary confinement and was known as a "loner" involved in gambling.  
- **James H. Carpenter**: Another former inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary who interacted with JER post-escape; denied any connection to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Jack Gawson**: Local St. Louis figure associated with JER, frequented Peanut’s Bar, and allegedly discussed acquiring weapons for crimes.  
- **Orville "Whitey" Killion**: Bar owner in St. Louis who hosted poker games and was linked to Gawson.  
- **Mrs. Wallace**: Spouse of a St. Louis resident questioned about interactions with JER at the Jefferson-Gravois Bank.  
- **Eva Webbe Grochowski**: Sister-in-law of Vincent P. Webbe, denied any connection between her brother and JER or *JAMES CARL O'CONNOR*.  
- **Mary Louise Sawyer**: Hospital worker who met Andrew Wilson De Core but had no knowledge of his ties to Ray.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Central to the investigation; key areas include South 11th Street, Lafayette Avenue, Art’s Bar (corner of Lith and Soulard), Eddie Sang’s Tavern (1800 South 12th), and Opal’s Bar (1805 Lafayette).  
- **East St. Louis, Illinois**: Mentioned as a potential location for JER’s planned crime.  
- **Mississippi Avenue**: A search for JER was conducted in the 1800 block, though no such address existed.  
- **Jefferson-Gravois Bank** (St. Louis): Linked to JER’s alleged financial activities.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Site of JER’s incarceration and escape.  

Key Events  
- **Bank Account Activity**: *JAMES CARL O'CONNOR*’s account at Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company showed transactions with entities like *CAROL RYAN* and *Standard Auto Parts*, including a $600 withdrawal on April 26, 1959.  
- **JER’s Escape from MSP**: Confirmed by Velanti and Carpenter; occurred on April 23, 1967.  
- **FBI Surveillance and Interviews**: Agents conducted door-to-door inquiries in South 11th Street, showed photographs of JER to witnesses, and monitored bar patrons for sightings.  
- **Alleged Criminal Plans**: JER reportedly expressed a need for money and planned to acquire a gun in East St. Louis to "score" (commit a crime).  
- **References to MLK’s Assassination**: One document mentions the "MARTIN LUTHER KING slaying," though no direct details about the event are provided.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI**: Conducted investigations into JER’s activities, financial ties, and associations.  
- **Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company** (St. Louis): Linked to *JAMES CARL O'CONNOR*’s bank account.  
- **Jefferson-Gravois Bank** (St. Louis): Mentioned in relation to JER’s alleged interactions.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Site of JER’s incarceration and escape.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_09-03-part_3_of_6.pdf

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