</s>CG 44-1114 TNH: pas RE: AMERICAN TELEVISION INC. LOUIS I. KESSLER, 100 West Monroe, advised that he was the attorney for FRANCIS J. CURTIS, 11 south LaSalle, 1959, the bankruptcy of American Television, Inc. HESSLER bankruptcy CURTS is now deceased, and he knows of no one to control his records. KESSLER stated that the records of American Television would have been referee, they would have seen that upon judgment of the referee. they would be destroyed in that they are never returned to the bankrupt. For Sept. Bucililil-182 SEARCHED INDEXED SERIALIZED FILED MAY 2 1968 X-44-1144-281 FBI-CHICAGO 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations in Chicago (1968) involving James Earl Ray, a suspect linked to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. They include reports from informants, financial records, and witness accounts. Captain George Green of the Chicago Police Department described shooting Ray during a robbery apprehension near 9 West West Avenue, with Ray sustaining superficial wounds. FBI inquiries focused on Ray’s employment history, including conflicting records at Bell and Howell Company (April 1, 1965) and financial transactions tied to La Salle State Bank, Southwest Bank, Melrose Park National Bank, and other institutions. A witness, Kelisie Duncan, claimed an individual accused of murdering MLK visited his store multiple times. The FBI also investigated Ray’s connections to locksmithing institutes, Western Union contacts, and potential associates like Brenda S. Collier. Financial records under names such as John Willard and Arthur Gault were examined, with some linked to Illinois locations. Investigations included distributing wanted flyers at airports and hotels, interviewing airline personnel and hotel staff, and reviewing mental health histories and criminal backgrounds of suspects. The case was referred to as "MURKIN," involving inquiries into individuals with names like James Earl Ray, Robert G. Ray, and Raymond Ray, including a white male described as "pock-marked" residing in Chicago.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect in MLK’s assassination; linked to robbery apprehension, financial records, and multiple FBI inquiries.  
- **Captain George Green**: Chicago Police Department officer who testified about shooting Ray during a robbery pursuit.  
- **Kelisie Duncan**: Witness claiming an individual accused of murdering MLK visited his store.  
- **Brenda S. Collier**: Individual linked to illicit activities and potential connections to Ray.  
- **John Willard** and **Arthur Gault**: Names associated with bank accounts under investigation.  
- **Robert G. Ray** and **Raymond Ray**: Individuals referenced in the "MURKIN" case, possibly related to Ray through name similarity or family ties.  
- **Joseph M. Burke**: FBI agent involved in investigations.  

Key Locations  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Central to investigations, including addresses like 2238 Dayton Street, 2025 North Sedgwick Street, and hotels such as Belair Hotel.  
- **La Salle, Illinois** (La Salle State Bank)  
- **Southwest Bank** (Chicago, Illinois)  
- **Melrose Park, Illinois** (Melrose Park National Bank)  
- **New Paris, Ohio**: Address linked to Ray’s residence.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia** and **Savannah, Georgia**: Mentioned in airline route details and stewardess reports.  
- **Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey** (Prentice Hall records)  
- **Little Falls, New Jersey** (Locksmithing Institute records)  

Key Events  
- **Robbery Apprehension**: Captain George Green’s account of shooting James Earl Ray during a pursuit in Chicago.  
- **FBI Financial Investigations**: Review of bank accounts at La Salle State Bank, Southwest Bank, Melrose Park National Bank, and others under names like John Willard and Arthur Gault.  
- **Witness Testimony**: Kelisie Duncan’s claim about an individual accused of murdering MLK visiting his store.  
- **Distribution of Wanted Flyers**: FBI efforts to identify suspects at airports and hotels.  
- **Interviews with Hotel and Airline Staff**: Inquiries into potential sightings of suspects, including a white male described as "pock-marked."  
- **Inquiry into Locksmithing Institutes and Western Union Contacts**: Examination of Ray’s alleged connections to these entities.  
- **Background Checks**: Review of mental health histories, criminal records, and financial transactions for individuals linked to the case.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted primary investigations, including financial checks, witness interviews, and flyer distribution.  
- **Chicago Police Department**: Provided details on Ray’s apprehension and interactions with local law enforcement.  
- **La Salle State Bank**, **Southwest Bank**, **Melrose Park National Bank**: Financial institutions referenced in records tied to Ray.  
- **Prentice Hall** (Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey): Book publisher whose sales records were checked.  
- **Locksmithing Institutes** (e.g., Technical Home Study School, Belsaw): Entities investigated for potential connections to Ray.  
- **Airline Companies**: Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, United Airlines: Mentioned in staff interviews and route details.

MLK Declassified Files

44-cg-1114_738662_06-07-part_3_of_5.pdf

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