</s>CG 44-1114 RWS-CMS 4 she has never known him to carry a weapon on his person. She stated that at no time Dr. KING. She ever heard her son mention Nazism or talk about Dr. King. She stated it was her belief that at the time he may have called the FBI in Chicago, he may She advised that taking him some bar was not mentally unbalanced, he did frequently during his marriages just take up and leave when he felt like it. She stated she would immediately contact the FBI if she receives any information as to as whereabouts. FRANCES CRAMER, subject's sister, who resides with her mother, could furnish no additional information. Mrs. MARY KENNEDY, his mother said that he had a brother, DONALD, in Fremont, Ohio, and a stepbrother, BOB SHANAHAN, in Chicago. She said she believed this BOB SHANANAN, his half-brother, lived on George Street, back of the Stewart- Warner Factory. The Seattle Division advised on May 21, 1968, that THOMAS BUGENE CRAMBER was located and interviewed at Seattle, Washington, on May 2, 1968. He claimed to have been in Seattle, on may 3, 1969. He calmly since early March, 1968 which claim was forwarded by hotel and employment records and interview of his roommate. 15 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into potential threats against Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) during 1966–1968, focusing on individuals linked to extremist groups, anti-Vietnam demonstrations, and alleged assassination plots. Joseph John Gafney, a student at Elmhurst College, was interviewed regarding his family ties and associations with the Minutemen, though he denied membership. His mother, Mary Kennedy, provided information about his siblings. Jessie Kilgraf of Buffalo, New York, sent a telegram to the NAACP warning MLK was in danger after a dream and reported mental health treatment. John Medizer, an employee at Rotoprint Company in Chicago, was identified as active in the National Socialist White Peoples Party (NSWPP) and made threats against MLK, including plans to "take care of him." Medizer claimed travel to St. Louis, Missouri, and Arlington, Virginia, to meet with NSPP members. The FBI noted his Nazi affiliations, anti-Vietnam activities, and potential ties to forged passports for Nazi operations in Argentina. Investigations also explored threats linked to Alfred Schneider, who allegedly threatened MLK’s life if he appeared at Winnemac Park in 1966, though the rally never occurred. Morton Zaslavski, an attorney and currency exchange owner, was questioned about a $10,000 offer for MLK’s assassination, which he denied. DONALD LAWRENCE STOUT, identified as FBI number 495930, was linked to anti-Negro rhetoric and plans to kill MLK in Kansas City, Missouri, after meeting hitchhikers including STEWART LINDHUR and RICHARD COIN. The FBI tracked STOUT’s criminal history, including theft and unregistered vehicle operations, but no direct connection to James Earl Ray or confirmed involvement in MLK’s assassination was established.  

Key People  
- **Joseph John Gafney**: Elmhurst College student; interviewed about family and associations with the Minutemen.  
- **Mary Kennedy**: Gafney’s mother; provided details about his siblings, including a half-brother in Chicago.  
- **Jessie Kilgraf**: Buffalo, New York resident; sent a telegram to the NAACP warning MLK was in danger after a dream and reported mental health treatment.  
- **John Medizer**: Former Rotoprint employee linked to the NSWPP; made threats against MLK and planned Nazi-related activities.  
- **Alfred Schneider**: Chicago resident who allegedly threatened MLK’s life if he appeared at Winnemac Park in 1966.  
- **Morton Zaslavski**: Attorney and currency exchange owner questioned about a $10,000 offer for MLK’s assassination.  
- **DONALD LAWRENCE STOUT (DONALD STOUT)**: White male, 5'8", blue eyes; linked to anti-Negro threats and alleged plan to kill MLK.  
- **STEWART LINDHUR**: Hitchhiker who traveled with STOUT in 1966; reported STOUT’s violent intentions toward MLK.  
- **RICHARD COIN**: Hitchhiker who accompanied STOUT during his trip to New York.  

Key Locations  
- **Elmhurst College, Illinois**: Gafney’s enrollment and academic records.  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Medizer’s employment at Rotoprint Company; Schneider’s residence; Chicago Police Department records searched for STOUT.  
- **Buffalo, New York**: Jessie Kilgraf’s location; site of her telegram to the NAACP.  
- **Seattle, Washington**: Thomas Bugene Cramber’s location (unclear details).  
- **Arlington, Virginia**: Medizer’s planned meeting with NSPP member Matt Koehl.  
- **Kansas City, Missouri**: Site of STOUT’s encounter with hitchhikers and his disappearance after expressing anti-Negro sentiments.  
- **Winnemac Park, Chicago**: Alleged site of a planned MLK rally that never occurred.  
- **San Francisco, California**: Location of a classified ad where STOUT recruited passengers for the trip to New York.  

Key Events  
- **Telegram warning**: Jessie Kilgraf alerted the NAACP about MLK’s safety after a dream.  
- **Medizer’s threats**: Claims of Nazi affiliations and plans to "take care of" MLK; connections to anti-Vietnam demonstrations and forged passports for Nazi activities in Argentina.  
- **April 1966**: Alfred Schneider allegedly threatened to kill MLK if he appeared at Winnemac Park.  
- **May 1968**: FBI interviewed John Medizer about his activities, including claims he left Chicago and discussed MLK’s policies.  
- **April–May 1968**: Investigations into Morton Zaslavski’s potential involvement in a $10,000 offer for MLK’s assassination.  
- **September 5, 1966**: DONALD STOUT told passengers in Kansas City he intended to shoot MLK.  
- **August 1966**: Schneider allegedly discussed opposition to MLK’s planned rally at Winnebago Park with patrons at a tavern.  
- **April 26, 1968**: FBI searched Chicago Police Department records for STOUT and found no additional information on his whereabouts.  

Key Organizations  
- **National Socialist White Peoples Party (NSWPP)**: Medizer’s affiliation; involved in anti-Vietnam demonstrations and Nazi activities.  
- **American Nazi Party (ANP)**: John Medizer was a member; investigations explored potential ties to threats against MLK.  
- **Minutemen**: Mentioned as a group Gafney allegedly had contact with, though he denied membership.  
- **National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)**: Received an anonymous call about a threat against MLK in November 1966.  
- **Chicago Police Department**: Involved in monitoring Schneider’s activities and responding to anonymous threats.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into STOUT, Medizer, Schneider, and Zaslavski; reviewed records and tracked criminal histories.  
- **National Car Rental Company**: Linked to STOUT’s employment and use of rental vehicles for travel.

MLK Declassified Files

44-cg-1114_738662_09-03-part_7_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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