</s>ME 44-1987 Uncle WILLIAM E. MAHER and his wife, MILDRED MAHER, 7/12 Brown Street, Alton, Illinois, claim, to have last seen the subject 10 or 12 years ago and has expressed the belief that the subject has been in Alton. Illinois, since 1959 when he was involved the subject will contact them in Alto, the subject shall not be present in the same indicated they will make known any attempt Uncle on his part to do so. EARL E. RAY (MAHER) reported to have died May 2, Aunt 1959, at Buffalo, New York. Mrs. FRANK (MAHLE) FULLER, 2001 Chestnut Mrs. F. FILLER, who died Chestnut 222-742, Quincy, New Orleans, the telephone number 1955 when her mother, subject's grandmother, died. She stated she was not seen since died, she stated she has not seen her of years and has had no close contact with him, she said that while the subject was him, She said that she had no subject was a number of occasions and occasionally sent him small amounts of money. She said sent him him small amount of money, she was and this was the only contact she had had with him. She Said said these Christmas cards were him. He said said this christmas cards were recently had not been on the subject's mailing list. subject claims to have had no contact with the subject since his escape and is not aware of his brother's whereabouts and has not aware her his brother in the event he does contact her cooperation in the background. her. Grandparents Both material and paternal grandparents are reported to be deceased. 45 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document compiles inmate testimonies and prison records detailing James Earl Ray’s activities during incarceration at Missouri state prisons between 1955 and 1968. Key details include Ray’s reputation as a loner and escape planner, his alleged involvement in drug trafficking within prisons (including amphetamine smuggling), and discussions about potential financial incentives for assassinating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Inmates noted Ray’s awareness of a $100,000 bounty offered by the Businessman’s Association for MLK’s death, his expressed intent to claim it if he escaped, and his familiarity with Alabama’s Walker County and Birmingham. Ray’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in April 1967 is repeatedly referenced, along with his interest in Mexico as a hiding place. Testimonies also mention his interactions with inmates like Donald Nolan, John Edward Johnson, and Kenneth Lee Wade, who described his anti-Black sentiments, financial dealings, and alleged connections to Los Angeles and New Orleans.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure; described as a loner, escape planner, and drug trafficker in prisons. Mentioned for discussions about the MLK assassination bounty, potential hiding locations (e.g., Mexico), and associations with inmates like Donald Nolan, John Edward Johnson, and Kenneth Lee Wade.  
- **Donald Nolan**: Inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; considered Ray’s closest associate, noted his distrust of other inmates and belief that informants thwarted escape plans.  
- **John Edward Johnson**: Inmate at Men’s Training Center, Missouri; stated he never heard Ray mention MLK or express antagonism toward Black people.  
- **Kenneth Lee Wade**: Inmate incarcerated at San Quentin and Missouri State Penitentiary; detailed Ray’s drug operations, financial dealings, and alleged anti-Black sentiments.  
- **Milton Zavalcofski**: Former inmate at Missouri State Penitentiary; noted Ray’s escape in 1967 and association with Charles Calvin Bookman.  
- **Charles Calvin Bookman**: Allegedly received a phone call from Ray in 1968 requesting money, though his testimony was deemed inconsistent.  
- **Rita Stein**: Linked to Ray through travel arrangements and political affiliations with George Wallace.  
- **Eric Stavio Galt (GALT)**: Associated with Stein; described as having anti-Black sentiments and financial dealings with Ray.  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary**: Primary facility where Ray was incarcerated; multiple inmates described interactions with him, including drug trafficking and escape planning.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Mentioned in relation to Ray’s alleged movements, prison labor (e.g., bookshop operations), and interactions with other inmates.  
- **Mexico City, Mexico**: Referenced as a potential hiding place for Ray after escape attempts.  
- **Campfire Bay, Yucatan, Mexico**: Speculated as a smuggling route linked to Ray’s associate.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Site of travel arrangements involving Rita Stein and GALT, including visits to the Industrial Canal area.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Mentioned as a location Ray frequented and where he read the *Post-Herald* newspaper.  

Key Events  
- **Ray’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary (April 1967)**: Described by multiple inmates, including Donald Nolan and Robert Powell.  
- **Discussion of MLK assassination bounty**: Ray allegedly knew about the $100,000 reward offered by the Businessman’s Association and expressed intent to claim it if he escaped in time.  
- **Drug trafficking within prisons**: Multiple inmates noted Ray’s involvement in smuggling amphetamines and pills for perceived health issues.  
- **Alleged phone call from Ray to Bookman (1968)**: Requesting money, though Bookman’s testimony was inconsistent.  
- **Travel arrangements involving Rita Stein and GALT**: Including trips to New Orleans and political affiliations with George Wallace.  
- **Prison labor and operations**: Ray’s involvement in bookshops, bread delivery, and other prison work.  

Key Organizations  
- **Businessman’s Association**: Allegedly offered a $100,000 bounty for MLK’s assassination; Ray expressed awareness of this reward.  
- **Black Muslim prisoners**: Mentioned as a group involved in conflicts at Missouri State Penitentiary, with Ray possibly linked to related incidents.  
- **FBI Identification Division**: Provided fingerprint records for James Earl Ray.  
- **U.S. Postal Service**: Involved in Ray’s forgery convictions.  
- **Prison labor systems**: Mentioned in context of Ray’s financial dealings (e.g., laundry services).

MLK Declassified Files

44-cv-565_738446_03-04-part_4_of_7.pdf

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