</s>OPTIONAL FORM NO. 2016-19-43 UNITED STATES OF UNITED STATES C RMENT Memorandum Memorandum TO SAC, CHICAGO (44-1114) DATE: 4/25/68 FROM: SA RENE J. DUMAINE SUBJECT: MURKIN RE: COOK COUNTY HOSPITAL RECORDS During the commission of an armed robbery in Chicago JAMES EARL RAY, DOB was shot by a police officer Date of the Commission around May 6, 1952. He was treated at the Cook County Hospital. LEAD Review records Cook County Hospital, effort to determine location of scars and any information furnished to the hospital by RAY. RJD:pas (2) B SEARCHED INDEXED/A SERIALIZED / FEXED APR2 6 1968 FBI-CHICAGOO KATZERKIN.K Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. On April 20, 1968, an informant reported seeing a man resembling Ray at a Chicago cafe, describing him as having a scar and claiming he had previously targeted "colored people" before attempting to murder MLK. The informant provided Ray’s residence address (4/01 S. Berkly Tol # 4 5 887). Subsequent memos from April 29, 1965, and May 1968 focus on verifying Ray’s employment history, financial records, and movements. Agents conducted surveillance at locations such as the Sherman Williams Plant (115th and Cottage Grove), gas stations (103rd and Cottage Grove), and country clubs in Illinois, noting Ray’s presence around April 26, 1968. FBI checks of VA records revealed payments to addresses in Chicago and Cleveland. Employment verification at golf courses and country clubs yielded no prior associations with Ray, though flyers containing his photograph were distributed for identification.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation) – Linked to armed robbery in Chicago (May 6, 1952), alleged connections to Memphis-based Gregory A. Hincafield, and movements around MLK’s assassination date.  
- J.R. Roberts – Informant who reported seeing Ray in Chicago on April 20, 1968.  
- Gregory A. Hincafield – Reported observing an individual resembling Ray during a telephone installation in Memphis.  
- Charles Lodge – Witnessed an individual resembling Ray on television during Dr. King’s funeral proceedings.  
- Robert C. Taylor, Ronald P. Taylor, Russell C. Taylor – Names mentioned in Illinois telephone directories as potential leads.  
- FBI agents: SA Merle B. Hamre, Robert P. Wright, James W. Swinford, Rene J. Dumaine, Roy D. Ragsdale, Joseph B. Graffy, Leroys D. Federie, Paul B. Frankfurter, Daniel J. Hurley, Robert J. Bates, Ronald Bell, Thomas M. Henderson, Robert F. Barry, Anthony F. De Lorenzo, Robert A. Gaccione, Robert K. McQueen.  

Key Locations:  
- Chicago, Illinois – Addresses including 61 East Cedar Street, 2025 North Sedgwick Street, Sherman Williams Plant (115th and Cottage Grove), gas stations (103rd and Cottage Grove), Briarwood Country Club, Thomarwood County Club, Sycamore Community Golf Club.  
- Memphis, Tennessee – Mentioned in context of Ray’s alleged movements and telephone installation reports.  
- Cleveland, Ohio – Address 1776 5:17th Street.  
- St. Louis, Missouri – John Ray’s bar (technically owned by Carol Pepper).  
- Various Illinois golf clubs: Arlington Country Club, Rolling Green Country Club, Palatine Hills Golf Course, Dempster Golf Club, Parlain Golf Club.  

Key Events:  
- Armed robbery in Chicago (May 6, 1952) involving James Earl Ray.  
- Informant sighting of Ray resembling a suspect at a Chicago cafe on April 20, 1968.  
- FBI surveillance at Sherman Williams Plant and gas stations near Cottage Grove, Chicago (April 26, 1968).  
- VA records checks for James Earl Ray, including payment addresses in Chicago and Cleveland.  
- Employment verification at Illinois golf clubs and country clubs (April 30–May 14, 1968), yielding no prior associations with Ray.  
- Distribution of flyers containing Ray’s photograph to club management for identification purposes.  
- Witness reports of an individual resembling Ray during television coverage of Dr. King’s funeral proceedings.  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Conducted fingerprint comparisons, neighborhood investigations, postcard analysis, and surveillance.  
- Veterans Administration (VA) – Provided financial records for James Earl Ray.  
- Country clubs and golf courses in Illinois (e.g., Briarwood, Thomarwood, Sycamore Community Golf Club).

MLK Declassified Files

44-cg-1114_738662_06-07-part_1_of_5.pdf

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