</s>1 - Mr. Mortimer Laboratory Tronamittil Form 1 - Lab File 72 LABORATORY FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION WASHINGTON, D. C. 205535 To: FBI, Memphis (44-1987) April 9, 1968 Date: UNIONITY SUBJECT, also known Rei as John Wallard; John Edgar Hoover, Director MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR .- VICTIN: CIVIL RIGHTS 44-38861 FBI File No. D-560301 JK Birmingham Lab. No. Examination requested by: Memo 4/8/68 W.C. 6 Reference: Firearms (GAA) - Toolmarks - Document - Fingerprint Examination required: Remarks: Memphis dated 4/89/89, a limited number of handwritting and Memphisdated 4/98/98, a Limited number of Handwritting GRAVES, FBI 41015050, and the question signature appearing on similarities, however, because of the limited nature of BOBBY RAY GRAVE, FBI (410150,000, and a question of these few similarities compare material any significant of these similarities comparison to the above teletypes. set forth in the above telephone. The results of the other examinations will be fumished to you separately. REC-110-4-38861-281 COMMUNIC MARL 10 1968 19 APR 10 1968 Enclosures (2) (2 Lab report) Marl 10 1968 2 - Birmingham Enclosures(2) 2 Lab report(2 ) Lab report] Tolson Molton Molh 2 - Columbia Encloses (2 ) (2 lab report) Capella Capell Capello Capelli Cape Capele Cape Tolten Tolton Tolsen Tolle, Rose APR 1568 1/58 1/2/2 Tolte Candy MAIL ROOM TELEVATE UNIT ADMINISTRATIVE PAGE MAIL ROOF

The document contains multiple FBI investigative reports and teletypes from April 9, 1968, detailing forensic analysis of a .243 Winchester caliber Remington bolt-action rifle (Model 700, serial number 283749) purchased by Harvey Loweyer on March 29, 1968. The FBI requested comparisons of latent fingerprints from documents linked to Eric S. Galt’s safe deposit box access records and a contact form for the same box. A Rebel Motel registration card in Memphis, dated April 3, 1968, yielded two latent fingerprints: one matching John W. Bauer and another unidentified. The report also references a Standard Oil credit card used by an individual with Arkansas license plate tags, observed at Arnold’s Truck Stop in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, between March 27 and April 4, 1968. A plane registered to Memphis Machinery and Supply Company, Inc., was noted as having six men who discussed potential violence against MLK due to anticipated unrest during his visit to Memphis.  

A separate section details an FBI investigation into a laundry tape found at the scene of MLK’s assassination. The tape, marked with specific text and dimensions (1/4 inch wide, 1-1/8 inch long), is linked to a Textile Marking Machine Co. in Syracuse, NY. Experts noted anomalies in the machine’s output, including inconsistent tape length and character types. The FBI identified potential machines across multiple cities (Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Cincinnati, etc.) that could produce similar tapes, listing model numbers, serials, and locations. A letter from Harold F. Palmer, who subscribed to the *Times* with "THE KING IS DEAD" printed on it, was referenced, and the FBI was instructed to locate Palmer. Edward Meares of Medina, Ohio, a wealthy real estate developer and boxing promoter with no criminal record, was also noted in the investigation.  

Another report details an FBI inquiry into potential threats against MLK. On April 9, 1968, Lieutenant Louis Phelps of the Richmond, California Police Department reported that his mother, Thelma Phelps, claimed George Edward Murray, a former convict with a criminal record, had expressed intent to assassinate MLK before relocating to Chicago. The FBI requested a photograph of Murray from the California State Bureau of Criminal Identification (GII). Separately, Fredrick Dunston of Whiteville, North Carolina, was arrested for public intoxication and possession of untaxed whiskey on April 8, 1968. During his arrest, he claimed an unknown white male had instructed him to kill MLK. The FBI noted Dunston’s unreliable status due to alcoholism and lack of corroborating evidence from witnesses or police, leading to termination of the investigation into the alleged contact.  

Key People:  
- John W. Bauer (fingerprint match)  
- Eric S. Galt (safe deposit box records)  
- Harvey Loweyer (rifle purchaser)  
- Albert Hann (Arnold’s Truck Stop attendant)  
- William Stone (Standard Oil representative)  
- Charles Clark (mentioned in conversation about Memphis unrest)  
- Harold F. Palmer (subscription letter with "THE KING IS DEAD")  
- Edward Meares (real estate developer in Medina, Ohio)  
- George Edward Murray (ex-convict, California)  
- Fredrick Dunston (arrested for public intoxication, North Carolina)  
- Thelma Phelps (mother of Louis Phelps, informant)  
- Sarah Moore (residence owner, Whiteville, NC)  
- John W. Bennett (brother of Henry Bennett, alcoholism claimant)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (Rebel Motel, FBI lab)  
- Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Arnold’s Truck Stop)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (FBI field office)  
- Louisville, Kentucky (Standard Oil Company offices)  
- Syracuse, NY (Textile Marking Machine Co.)  
- Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, San Francisco (machines linked to tape analysis)  
- Medina, Ohio (Edward Meares’ residence)  
- Richmond, California (Thelma Phelps’ residence)  
- Whiteville, North Carolina (Dunston’s arrest and residence)  
- Columbus County Jail, North Carolina  

Key Events:  
- Forensic examination of a .243 Winchester rifle linked to MLK assassination investigation  
- Latent fingerprint analysis from Rebel Motel registration card  
- Safe deposit box access records for Eric S. Galt  
- Surveillance of Standard Oil credit card usage tied to an Arkansas-tagged vehicle  
- Discussion among six men about potential violence against MLK during his Memphis visit  
- FBI search for premises associated with MLK’s assassin, including laundry tape recovery  
- Analysis of the laundry tape’s markings and machine defects  
- Identification of potential machines across multiple cities that could produce similar tapes  
- Investigation into Harold F. Palmer’s subscription letter containing "THE KING IS DEAD"  
- Inquiry into Edward Meares’ background and connections to real estate and boxing  
- April 9, 1968: FBI requested Murray’s photograph from GII for MLK assassination investigation  
- April 8, 1968: Dunston arrested in Whiteville, NC, claimed contact with unknown white male about assassinating MLK  
- April 8–9, 1968: FBI concluded Dunston’s account was unreliable due to alcoholism and lack of corroborating evidence  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Standard Oil Company  
- Memphis Machinery and Supply Company, Inc.  
- U.S. Department of Justice  
- Textile Marking Machine Co. (Syracuse, NY)  
- California State Bureau of Criminal Identification (GII)  
- Richmond Police Department (California)  
- Whiteville Police Department (North Carolina)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_01-03-part_3_of_9.pdf

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