</s>FD-302 (Rev. 1-25-60) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 1 Date: April 26, 1968 JERRY RAYNES advised that he is the stenfather of JAMES EARL RAY AS JAMES RAY RAY was born in JAMES EARL RAVNES advised he is in the stenfather of at Alton, Illinois, and Mr. RAYnes stated he married LUCILLE MAHER at Jacksonville, Florida, in the spring of 1929, 1930 at AlTON, Illinois. He believes that he was 30 years of age at that time and MAHER was at JacksonVILLE, Florida in the Spring of 1929. 1930 that she was believed to be the father of the late and that she believed he was the 30 year old of age of that time that they lived in Quincy and Galesburg, Illinois and in St. Louis and Ewing, Missouri. It was his understanding that LUCILE was born in Bridgton, New Jersey. Mr. RAVNEYS stated he believes he was he was a father of all of the RAYNEYS children born in LUCILIE MAHER and himself. Their son, JERRY, children born to Quincy, Illinois in the town, under the name JERKY RAYNES. Several of the other children were born in Ewing, missouri. His sister, Carol, was born there on Mr. RAYNES stated he had received a telephone call from his son, Jerry, in Chicago. Illinois, on April 19, 1968, advisiting him that it appeared JAMES EARLY RAY WAS involved in the KING assassination. 4/20/68 Center, Missouri File # SL: 44-775 4/22/68 by SA JAMES A. DUFFEY HIRD/ph 22/7 Date dictated The document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions or conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the Fbi and is licensed to your agency it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s family members, including his father Jerry Raynes, siblings Carol Pepper and Albert Pepper, and other relatives. Interviews with Jerry Raynes in April 1968 reveal he denied involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., stating his son called him on April 19, 1968, claiming Ray was involved. The FBI examined Raynes’ residences in St. Louis and Clarence, Missouri, noting he lived with Ruby Carpenter from 1952–1963. Relatives such as Carol Pepper (married to Albert Pepper) and Franklin Ray (who died in a car accident on October 1, 1963) are mentioned. Financial records from Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company include accounts for Albert and Carol Pepper, with a check dated September 9, 1967, payable to Jerry RAYNS for land acquisition. The FBI also investigated John Larry Ray (later identified as James Earl Ray), his employment history, and connections to Operation Head Start. A 1968 theft incident at a tavern in St. Louis involving individuals named VanHorn and Vaughn is documented, with Albert Benny Pepper noted as an associate. An altercation at the same tavern resulted in a fired shot, recovery of a 38 Calibre revolver, and injuries to victims treated at City Hospitals.  

Key People  
- **Jerry Raynes**: Identified as James Earl Ray’s father; interviewed about family history and alleged involvement in MLK’s assassination.  
- **Carol Pepper**: Sister of James Earl Ray; married to Albert Pepper; employed on Operation Head Start.  
- **Albert Pepper**: Husband of Carol Pepper; involved in real estate purchase; employed at New Market Hardware.  
- **Franklin Ray**: Brother of James Earl Ray; died in a car accident on October 1, 1963.  
- **Melba Ray**: Sister of James Earl Ray; resided in Quincy, Illinois.  
- **John Larry Ray**: Later identified as James Earl Ray; subject of FBI employment and criminal record investigations.  
- **Jerry RAYNS**: Likely a relative; recipient of a check for land purchase.  
- **Murray Schneider**: President of Ace Construction and Engineering; connected to Albert Benny Pepper.  
- **Harry Schneider**: President of New Market Hardware; employed John Larry Ray.  
- **Clarence Haynes, Ruby Wright, Noma Regazzi**: Involves in tavern altercation; victims and witness.  
- **Wilma Shirley**: Victim of an altercation involving Albert Benny Pepper and associates.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Residences of Jerry Raynes, Albert and Carol Pepper; locations of New Market Hardware, police departments, and the tavern incident.  
- **Maplewood, Missouri**: Relocation address for the PEPPEERS family by September 1967.  
- **Quincy, Illinois**: Residence of Melba Ray and other family members.  
- **Hannah, Maine**: Residence of Jerry Raynes (father of James Earl Ray).  
- **Tavern (St. Louis)**: Location of the altercation involving a fired shot and revolver recovery.  
- **City Hospital #1**: Treatment facility for victims of the tavern incident.  

Key Events  
- **April 19, 1968**: Jerry Raynes’ son called him in Chicago, advising he believed James Earl Ray was involved in MLK’s assassination.  
- **April 25–26, 1968**: FBI agents interviewed neighbors of Jerry Raynes in Center and St. Louis; no unusual activity noted at his residences.  
- **September 9, 1967**: Check payable to Jerry RAYNS for land acquisition recorded in Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company records.  
- **1964–1966**: Employment applications for John Larry Ray and Albert Benny Pepper reviewed by FBI; Pepper employed at New Market Hardware.  
- **1968 Theft Incident**: Arrests of VanHorn, Vaughn, and others at Grapevine Tavern in St. Louis; Pepper mentioned as an associate.  
- **Tavern Altercation (c. 9:05 P.M.)**: Physical assault on Clarence Haynes, firing of a shot, recovery of a 38 Calibre revolver, and injuries to Haynes and Wright treated at City Hospitals.  
- **October 1, 1963**: Death of Franklin Ray in a car accident near Quincy Memorial Bridge.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews and investigations into James Earl Ray’s family, residences, and financial records.  
- **Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company**: Provided financial records for Albert and Carol Pepper, including real estate transactions.  
- **St. Joseph's Church**: Linked to Operation Head Start employment for Carol Pepper.  
- **Catholic Archdiocesean Board of Education**: Potential record keeper for Head Start employment.  
- **St. Louis Police Department**: Involved in investigations of theft incidents and tavern altercation.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Mentioned in Albert Benny Pepper’s criminal history.  
- **New Market Hardware Company**: Employed John Larry Ray and associated with Albert Benny Pepper.

MLK Declassified Files

44-cg-1114_738662_05-02-part_2_of_5.pdf

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