</s>FBI, WASH DC FEDERAL GUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Mr. Tolson. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Mr. DeLeach. Communication SECTION Mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishops. FBI CHARLIT APR22 1968 Mr. Callahan. 119 PM URGENT 4-22-68 BSH Mr. Conrad. TELETYPE Mr. Gale. Mr. R. Rouser TO DIRECTOR (444-38861) MEMPHIS (44-1987) AND MIAMI Mr. Rose FROM CHARLOTTE (44+388611) (P) Mr. Travel Mr. Ravel Tele. Miss Holmes. Miss Candy. MURKIN. PETER S. GILCHIST, CHARLOTT, NC, ADVISED APRIL TWELVE LAST HE WAS TRAVELING FROM ATLANTA TO HOUSTON VIA EAL FLIGHT ONE THREE THREE. HE LEFT ATLANTIA AT ELEVEN ZERO FIVE A.A.M. HE ADVISID UPON VIEWING JAMES EARL RAY'S PHOTOGRAPH, THAT HE WAS SURE THAT RAY WAS THE PASSENGER ON THIS FLIGHT, HE SAID THIS INDIVIDUAL WAS TRAVELLING WITHOUT LUGGAGE. ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RAY AND PASSENGERS WAS COLOR HAIR. INDIVIDENTIAL ON: PLANE HAD BLOND HAIR, HE ADVISER THERE WERE FORTY-FIVE TO FIFTY INDIVIGUALS ON THE FLIGHT BUT BUT INSOFAR AS HE KNOWS, THIS. INDIVIDUALS WAS THE FLIGHTH BUT INSFORA THE PLANE AT HOUSTON. GILCHRIST DID NOT KNOW THE NAME OF THIS INDIVILUAL WAS USING. MIAMI, THROUGH EAL RECORDS ATTEMPT TO DETERIVE INDIVIOUALS NAMES ON THIS FIGHT FROM ATLANTLA TO HOSTON TO SET OUT APPROPRIATE LEADS. EX-110 4-388/61-1542 AM COPIES TO ATLANTS AND HOUSTON, REC. 59 4 APR 23 1968 -CORRECTION LINE TWO WORD-3 SHOULD-BE-GILCHRIST- END. WPK FBI WASH D.C CC Long 3 MAY 1-1888<loc_48><loc_920><loc_238><loc_946><loc_48><loc_946>2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI communications from April 1968 regarding investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). On April 12, 1968, Peter S. Gilchrist reported seeing an individual matching James Earl Ray’s description on a flight from Atlanta to Houston. The individual was noted as traveling without luggage and having blond hair, distinguishing him from other passengers. The FBI sought to identify the passenger through license records and flight data.  

On April 5, 1968, Mrs. Hugh L. King reported an individual resembling Ray driving a Tennessee-licensed vehicle near Harlanssville, KY. The FBI requested verification of the individual’s identity via license registration.  

A separate communication on April 22, 1968, noted that Mrs. Mary Alice Nones in Philadelphia claimed to know who killed MLK and warned that the perpetrators would harm her if she went to Philadelphia. The FBI was advised not to allow her to travel there.  

The documents also include FBI efforts to track Eric S. Galt, described as a suspect with physical traits including brown hair, blue eyes, and a height of 5'10"–5'11". Photographs and descriptions of Galt were shared between field offices, with requests for returns to Los Angeles. A composite sketch of an unsub (unknown subject) was circulated, linking him to MLK’s assassination investigation.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK; identified by witnesses as a passenger on the Atlanta-to-Houston flight.  
- **Peter S. Gilchrist**: Witness who reported seeing Ray on the flight.  
- **Mrs. Hugh L. King**: Spouse of MLK, reported an individual resembling Ray in Kentucky.  
- **Mrs. Mary Alice Nones**: Claimed to know MLK’s killer and warned of threats against her.  
- **Eric S. Galt**: Suspect described in multiple documents with physical details; linked to the investigation.  

Key Locations  
- **Atlanta, GA**: Departure point for the flight where Ray was allegedly a passenger.  
- **Houston, TX**: Destination of the Atlanta-to-Houston flight.  
- **Harlanssville, KY**: Location where an individual resembling Ray was reportedly seen driving.  
- **Philadelphia, PA**: Where Mrs. Mary Alice Nones resided and claimed to know MLK’s killer.  
- **Los Angeles, CA**: Office handling photographs and records of Eric S. Galt.  

Key Events  
- **April 12, 1968**: Peter S. Gilchrist reported Ray on a flight from Atlanta to Houston.  
- **April 5, 1968**: Mrs. Hugh L. King reported an individual resembling Ray in Kentucky.  
- **April 22, 1968**: Mrs. Mary Alice Nones claimed knowledge of MLK’s killer and warned of threats.  
- **April 1968**: FBI circulated photographs and descriptions of Eric S. Galt as a suspect.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations, coordinated with field offices, and shared intelligence on suspects.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Involved in administrative and investigative coordination.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_04-02-part_4_of_7.pdf

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