</s>1. SL 44-775 ADP/pjh RE: MISCELLANOUS - MILFORD JAMES ROEHRS The following investigation was conducted by SA AUBREY D. WILLIAM NETHINGTON, Post Office Box 99, Sullivan, PARK: Missouri, was interviewed at his home on May 1, 1968. He stated he is employed as a private investigator for DAVIS, a private investigating agency in Chicago, Illinois, although at the moment he was involved in a crime. In 1962, he married his wife, NORA, he is a niece of MILFORD ROEHERS, he will have police, nora, he has never been closely associated with ROBERTS, however, talked to him frequently. About two days after MARTIN LUTHER KING was murdered, ROBERNS associated with MATTER KING was talked murderer, on several occasions since that time he has talked with ROBERRS on several states that he has been in the state of NEWTINGTON stated that KING's killer is probably in Argentina. NETHINGTON JAMES EARL RAY'S escape from the Missouri State Pentitentiary and does not know whether or not RAY was known by ROBERS previous to his escape. CONVERSATION WITH ROBERES, that has concluded, based upon Klan, with ROBERS, that ROBERIS is a member of the Ku Klux native agency in Chicagoe, he reported the above information to his loss, Lieutenant EARL HENDERSON of Chicago, illinois, who it a possibility that ROBERS might be able to assist in furn- ishig information regarding the murder or furnishing infor- aston regarding the whereabouts of the murder; and in view amount of money collected if the information could be un- covered, he, therefore, proceeded to Sullivan, Missouri, where he was not known to ROBER's, he was in the situation of murder Chicago, Illinois. By his NETHENINGTON, in the solution of the inter- was not made known to ROERES. KENHERSHOT talked with ROHERS in private for about 30 minutes and after concluding the inter - view, he reached the conclusion that ROBERG probably was a member of the Klan. However, KENNESSHOT obtained no information 18.6 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail KKK activities from 1960–1967, including the national consolidation of regional chapters under the **National Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Inc. (NKKK)** in Atlanta, Georgia. The NKKK adopted a new flag and publicly declared anti-minority rhetoric. A St. Louis, Missouri chapter (Klaven #14) was established with leadership including James R. Venable (Imperial Wizard) and William Lon Lockhart (Grand Dragon of Missouri). Separate records describe a 1967 burglary at a tavern on 1801 S. 11th Street in St. Louis, involving Jack Eugene Gawron, who was arrested for theft and possession of burglary tools. Forensic evidence included paint samples, bloodstains, and cigarette packaging linked to Vicceroy cigarettes. The case involved inter-agency police collaboration and forensic analysis. No direct references to Martin Luther King Jr., his assassination, or related investigations are present in the text.  

Key People:  
- **James R. Venable**: Imperial Wizard of the NKKK, overseeing regional chapters including Missouri’s Klaven #14.  
- **William Lon Lockhart**: Grand Dragon of Missouri for the NKKK, associated with St. Louis chapter leadership.  
- **Jack Eugene Gawron**: Arrested for burglary, stealing, and possession of stolen property tools (e.g., sledgehammer, chisels).  
- **Ranseey**: Unidentified suspect linked to the 1967 burglary case.  
- **JERRY RAY** (also referred to as JAMES EARL RAY): Fugitive who escaped from Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967; investigations focused on his movements and financial records.  

Key Locations:  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Site of the NKKK’s national consolidation meeting in May 1960.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Location of the 1967 burglary at 1801 S. 11th Street; also home to Klaven #14 KKK chapter.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Site of JERRY RAY’s escape in 1967; details about bread distribution and inmate movements are documented.  
- **Renz Farm, Jefferson City, Missouri**: Linked to the prison truck involved in JERRY RAY’s escape; bread delivery procedures were investigated.  

Key Events:  
- **National KKK Consolidation (May 22, 1960)**: Unification of regional chapters under NKKK leadership in Atlanta.  
- **1967 Burglary Investigation**: Theft of bread from a prison truck led to the discovery of JERRY RAY’s escape; forensic analysis of paint samples and cigarette packaging was conducted.  
- **Inter-Agency Police Collaboration**: St. Louis and Illinois police departments coordinated efforts to investigate the burglary case.  
- **Fugitive Tracking (1967)**: Investigations into JERRY RAY’s movements, financial records, and potential connections to criminal activities.  

Key Organizations:  
- **National Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Inc. (NKKK)**: National KKK organization that consolidated regional chapters and adopted anti-minority rhetoric.  
- **St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department**: Conducted burglary investigations and provided forensic evidence for the 1967 case.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Central to JERRY RAY’s escape investigation, with records on inmate movements and bread distribution.  
- **Jefferson-Cravois Bank, St. Louis, Missouri**: Financial institution involved in record checks for individuals linked to fugitive activities.

MLK Declassified Files

44-bh-1740_729219_09-03-part_6_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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