</s>Mr. Tolomn. Mr. Deloach U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Mr. Bishop. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Mr. Bishops Mr. Bishop, COMMUNICATIONS SECTION Mr. Collahan APR12 1968 Mr. Collins Mr. G. Mr. Sullivan FBI KAN CITY TELETYPE Mr. Sullan FBI KAM CITY Mr. Gillan Mr. Sulan 929PM URGENT A+12-68 ENT Mr. Trower, Mr. Bolona, Mr. Trotter, Mr. Molina, TO DIRECTOR, BIRMINGHAM, MEMPHIS AND SAN FRANCISCO Mr. M. Bolina, Miss Candy FROM KANSAS CITY (44-760) IP Mr. Golton Morkin Mr. Fortun RE BIRIMINGHAM TEL TODAY. MRS. CHARLES A. GALT, A SEVENTY-SEVEN-SEVENT-SEVERY YEAR OLD WIDOW, TOPEXA, KS ., ADVISED HER HUSBAND HAD THREE CHILDREN BY HIS FIRST MARRIAGE; RUTH GALT ., BORN WINEETEN TEN, ONE THREE-SEVEVEN FIVE FIVE OEEN, SAN FRANCISCSO; CORINNE GALT KEGEL, EIGHT ZERO EIGHT THIRTY-FIRST AVE ., SAN MATEO, CALIF, AND HOWARD GALT. CHANUATE, KS. SHADORBOOT e RECONIZE THE NAME ERIC STARVO GALT .. THERE WERE NO BILDREER FROM HER MARRIIGE TO MR. GALT. KANSAS CITY IS CONTACTING HOWARD CALT. FOR INFO SAN FRANISCO, ERIC STAVVO GALIT, IS SUSPECT THIS CASE DESCRIBED ., FOR BORN FIVE FEET FEN, ON ONE SIX ZERO-LBS ., DARK BROWN HAIR, MEDIUM COMPLEXION, NEAT DRESSER: SAN FRANCISCO CONTACT RUTH GALTY AND CORININE GALT GALT FOR ANY INFO THEY MAY HAVE RE GALT FAMILY IN CALIFORNIA. END REC-69 49-38867 -- 055 <loc_764><loc_878><loc_788><loc_571><loc_788>GFN FBI WASH DC 13 CC-Fray 62APR181968 <loc_128><loc_912>2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI and U.S. Department of Justice investigations into potential threats related to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in April 1968. Central figures include Eric Starvo Galt, a suspect linked to Memphis, Tennessee, and Los Angeles, California, with ties to Jay Vernon, a dry cleaning business owner who provided laundry services to Galt. Financial records from the St. Francis Hotel and Pacific Telephone Company indicate Galt resided in Los Angeles, paid rent via checks, and had a forwarding address in Atlanta, Georgia. The FBI sought to identify Galt through composite sketches and photographs, noting discrepancies between witness descriptions. Investigations also tracked Richard Kinst, a U.S. Army veteran initially considered a suspect but later dismissed, and Morris Clayton Skaggs, who allegedly expressed intent to kill MLK Jr. Communications referenced FBI field offices in Memphis, Birmingham, and San Francisco, with coordination on case updates. Encrypted or garbled sections, possibly related to secure communications, were noted alongside inquiries into threats against MLK, including surveillance of locations near his residences and public appearances.  

Key People:  
- Eric Starvo Galt (suspect linked to Memphis, described as a white male aged 35–45)  
- Jay Vernon (dry cleaning business owner in Los Angeles, provided laundry services to Galt)  
- Richard Kinst (U.S. Army veteran initially considered a suspect but ruled out)  
- Morris Clayton Skaggs (allegedly expressed intent to kill MLK Jr.)  
- Robert Keeley (hotel clerk at St. Francis Hotel, noted Galt's rental payments)  
- Mrs. Frank Powers (apartment manager who rented an apartment to Galt)  
- Alan O. Thompson (hotel manager at St. Francis Hotel)  

Key Locations:  
- Memphis, Tennessee (center of the assassination investigation)  
- Los Angeles, California (Galt’s residence and laundry business)  
- Atlanta, Georgia (forwarding address for Galt)  
- Serrano Apartments (apartment complex where Galt resided)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (linked to Eric Galt’s activities)  
- New Orleans, Louisiana (associated with Galt’s movements and property records)  
- San Francisco, California (SCLC headquarters referenced in investigations)  

Key Events:  
- FBI interviews with witnesses to establish Galt’s identity and activities  
- Examination of financial records, including hotel rental payments and bank checks  
- Creation and evaluation of composite sketches of Galt by the FBI  
- Investigation into Galt’s employment history and potential connections to the assassination plot  
- Coordination between FBI offices in Memphis, Birmingham, and San Francisco for case updates  
- Requests for information on individuals associated with Dr. King, including hotel stays and SCLC associates  
- Surveillance of locations near MLK’s residences and public appearances  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)  
- Pacific Telephone Company (bank associated with Galt’s financial transactions)  
- St. Francis Hotel (residence and rental records for Galt)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_02-03-part_3_of_9.pdf

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