</s>NA. 10:30 FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION! U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAUE OF INVESIATION! M. TOLANO 10:350 U. S. DEPARIMENT OF JUSTICE. MAY 9 1959 Mr. D. Doloch Mr. B.B.P. M. Doloch M. Cappar M. Corrard M. G. Cooper TELETYPE Mr. Golan FBI WASH DC Mr. Gale Mr. R. Golen Mr. P. Gano Fbi MIAMI Mr. Pawel Mr. David M. Pavell 9:50PM UPRENT 5-9-68 P.JL Tele Room Mise Candy Mise Gandy TO DIRECTOR, MEMPHIS AND HOUSTON TO DIRECTORS, MEMPHS AND HOUSTON FROM MIAMI (44-1554) 2P MURKIN. CR RE JACKSONVILLE TELETYPE TO BUREAL, MAY SIX LAST. ON MAY FIVE LAST, MR. JAMES OWENS TELEPHONICALLY ADVISED JACKSONVILLE OFFICE AN INDIVIDUAL HE BELIEVES 8 SIMILAR IN APPEARANCE TO PHOTO OF JAMES EARL RAY WAS DRINKING IN THE GOLDEN EARRING LOUNGE, DUNNS AVENUE, JACKSONVILLE. INVESTIGATIONAL BY JACKSONville DIVISION RELECTS UNSUB REPORTEDECK MAINTENANCE MAN ABOARD "TRANSCHAM- PLAIN" AND WAS ACCOMPANIED BY ANOTHER INDIVIDENTIAL, NAME UNKNOWN, WHO WAS ACCOPPANEDLY CHIEF ENGINEER. OWENS ADVISIDED HE WAS NOT ABLE TO FURNISH AN OPTION AS TO AS TO UNSUNBK&S SUBJECT AS TO 8861-3249 SIMILARIITY OF APPEARRANCE BETWEEN UNSUBK& SUBJECT BY COMPANING PHOTOS. 22 RECORDED 22 MAY 10 1968 UNSUS ABOUT FORTY, DRESSED IN SUIT AND TIE, VERY-MEAT IN APPEANANCE, SHORT HAIR AND CASHED ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR END PAGE ONE <loc_107><loc_896>END PAGE 1E6MAY151968 ee-Long <loc_538><loc_936><loc_537><loc_941><loc_417><loc_936>2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains telegraphic and telephonic communications from May 1968 detailing FBI investigations into potential connections between James Earl Ray and events related to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. Key elements include inquiries about a man resembling Ray observed aboard the "Transchamplain" ship departing Jacksonville, Florida, for Key West, with efforts to verify his identity through fingerprint comparisons and photographic analysis. Investigations extended to Mexico City, where authorities checked military enlistment records and searched for individuals matching Ray’s description in Guadalajara, Sonora, and Copilco areas. The FBI also examined anonymous letters referencing potential links between Ray and locations such as Elgin Apartments in Guatemalatown and the Copilco regions. Donald McDonald was interviewed but ruled out as an identical match to Ray. Paulino Jarquin, an alleged informant in Mexico, provided information about Ray’s movements but was dismissed as unreliable. Administrative notes include case file numbers, redactions for sensitive information, and references to diplomatic inquiries regarding U.S. passport policies for Rhodesia. Additional telephonic communications reference William Nethington and his wife Nora Sullivan in Missouri, who allegedly advised that MILFORD POWER, a city policeman, claimed Ray planned to kill MLK through the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). Interviews with Mrs. Britton in Alabama denied receiving calls from her husband Thomas Britton after his release from prison, while locations such as the Little Warrior River Cafe and other taverns were noted as potential sites of Ray’s activity. Airline records and flight ticket details for Delta Airlines, Trans World Airlines, United Airlines, and Southern Airways are referenced, with specific dates tied to suspect movements. The FBI coordinated efforts across Memphis, St. Louis, Birmingham, and other locations to locate informants or individuals linked to the investigation.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspected assassin of MLK Jr.)  
- Donald McDonald (individual investigated as a potential suspect)  
- Paulino Jarquin (alleged informant in Mexico)  
- William Nethington (informant in Missouri)  
- Nora Sullivan (wife of Nethington)  
- MILFORD POWER (alleged KKK member, city policeman)  
- Thomas Britton (husband of Mrs. Britton, released from prison)  
- Gladys Key ("Mama Haywood," operator of Little Warrior River Cafe)  
- Carl Drake (former prison buddy of JER)  
- James D. Daley (allegedly acquainted with JER)  

Key Locations  
- Jacksonville, Florida (location of initial sightings)  
- Key West, Florida (destination of "Transchamplain" ship)  
- Mexico City, Mexico (investigations into military records and suspects)  
- Guadalajara, Sonora, Mexico (search for Ray-related individuals)  
- Copilco Alto/Copilco Bajo, Mexico City (residential areas checked for sightings)  
- Missouri (Route 66, Nethington’s residence)  
- Alabama (Jasper, Dora, Little Warrior River Cafe, Rose’s Place)  
- Memphis, St. Louis, Birmingham, and other FBI offices  
- Airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Minneapolis, and New York  

Key Events  
- Investigation into James Earl Ray's movements aboard the "Transchamplain" ship  
- Fingerprint and photographic comparisons to verify identity matches  
- Search for suspects resembling Ray in Mexico City and Guadalajara  
- Inquiries into anonymous letters referencing potential connections to MLK assassination  
- Diplomatic discussions regarding U.S. passport policies for travel to Rhodesia  
- Interview of William Nethington and MILFORD POWER regarding KKK ties and MLK assassination plan  
- Interviews with Mrs. Britton and Gladys Key regarding JER’s movements  
- Tracking of airline records and flight tickets linked to suspects  
- Re-interviews of Carl Drake and James D. Daley  
- Coordination between FBI offices for location and interrogation efforts  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Ku Klux Klan (KKK)  
- Allied Van Lines (transportation company referenced in phone records)  
- Various airlines (Delta, Trans World, United, Southern Airways)  
- U.S. Department of Justice  
- Mexican National Defense Secretariat (for military enlistment records)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_10-03-part_3_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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