</s>FD-36 (Rev.) 5-22-64) FBI Date: 5/10/68 Transmit the following in (Type in plantex or code) Vid AIRTEL (Priority) TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) FROM: SAC, MEMPHIS (44)-3886) MURKIN CR Re Kansas City airtel to Bureau 5/8/68 regarding the interview with CECIL CLAYTON LILLIERIDGE. Memphis desires that your interviews with LILLIBRIDGE develop all possible background information concerning the subject, with particular attention to any plans might have had to leave this country to go either to the right side of the country to migrate to leave either of these countries in order to migrate. still a third country. As you are aware, subject left Penitentiary, and for a time you know to be at Montreal, Canada. Investigation has discovered that subject Canada. regarding the possibility of migrating to Rhodesia. Your interview should develop all possibile information regarding any rumors regarding escape routes through Canada to Rhodesia, or to other countries where extraction might be resisted. You are requested to obtain any possible information regarding subject to smuggling activities while in Mexico and to determine whether or not LILLIBRIOGE thinks and to determine whether or morely engaging in conversation when discussing the possibility or suggling. 3-Bureau 2- Kansas City REG 36 Teletytype 2- Memphis A.M. (J/CH/AC) 25 MAY 11 1968 A.S.D. Spec. Del. Rufman Reg. Mail Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent M Per SIX Re:GOMAY151969P 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities in May 1968, focusing on his alleged connections to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, migration plans, and potential involvement in criminal activities. Key elements include anonymous calls to the FBI from Brooklyn alleging ties between Ray and King’s murder, inquiries into Ray’s post-prison movements, and efforts to verify a 1958–1959 bank robbery claim involving Ray. The FBI pursued leads on unidentified individuals, including David Gordon Fox in Guatemala, Cecil Clayton Lillibridge’s migration routes, and fingerprint comparisons of an unidentified body found in Mexico potentially linked to Ray. Additional reports from May 10–25, 1968, examine Eric S. Galt’s financial transactions and enrollment at the Locksmithing Institute in Little Falls, New Jersey, including payments via Bank of America money orders tied to addresses in Montreal, Los Angeles, Birmingham, and Atlanta. FBI handwriting analysis compared specimens linked to Galt and James Earl Ray, while a FD-302 form from April 29, 1968, listed deposits from the Fidelity Union Trust Company, including Canadian and U.S. postal orders signed by Eric S. Galt. The FBI Laboratory also analyzed typewritten documents connected to Galt and Dale M. Dykema, including correspondence from Los Angeles and Chicago.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure in the investigation; alleged connection to MLK’s assassination, bank robbery claims, and migration plans.  
- **Eric S. Galt**: Enrolled in Locksmithing Institute correspondence course; financial transactions linked to multiple locations.  
- **Dale M. Dykema**: Connected to typewritten specimens analyzed by FBI Laboratory.  
- **Aaron Weisberg, M.D.**: Brooklyn physician who received anonymous calls alleging ties to MLK’s murder.  
- **Lanny Coodman** and **Bernard Landsmen**: Suspected individuals linked to the anonymous caller threatening Weisberg.  
- **John Eugene Gawron**: Claimed interaction with Ray in 1958–1959 regarding a bank robbery; received $250 from an unidentified individual.  
- **Carl Murphy Jr.**: Described as armed and dangerous, sought by the FBI.  
- **Douglas Watson** and **John M. Mize**: Gordon Hotel staff who provided records on ERNEST S. GAULT’s stays.  
- **George Durvey**: Director of Locksmithing Institute, provided enrollment and payment records for Eric S. Galt.  

Key Locations  
- **Brooklyn, New York**: Site of anonymous calls to the FBI involving Weisberg and alleged ties to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Mexico City, Mexico**: Location of an unidentified body under investigation for potential connection to Ray.  
- **Guatemala**: Involvement of David Gordon Fox and Paulino Jarquin in a restaurant operation linked to Ray.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Source of information on former inmates potentially connected to Ray.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia** (Gordon Hotel, 113 14th Street): Address tied to Galt’s financial records.  
- **Little Rock, Arkansas**: Location of Gault’s registered stay at Gordon Hotel.  
- **Little Falls, New Jersey**: Locksmithing Institute where Eric S. Galt enrolled.  
- **Montreal, Canada**: Address linked to Galt’s tuition payments.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Address tied to Galt’s financial records.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Address mentioned in correspondence addressed to Eric S. Galt.  

Key Events  
- **Anonymous calls to FBI** from Brooklyn alleging ties between James Earl Ray and MLK’s assassination, with threats against Aaron Weisberg.  
- **Investigation into a 1958–1959 bank robbery** involving Ray, based on claims by John Eugene Gawron.  
- **Fingerprint comparison efforts** to identify an unidentified body found in Mexico as potentially being Ray.  
- **Surveillance and tracking of former MSP inmates** released around 1967–1968 for potential connections to Ray.  
- **FBI Laboratory handwriting analysis** comparing specimens linked to Eric S. Galt and James Earl Ray.  
- **Gordon Hotel records** indicating ERNEST S. GAULT’s stays in Atlanta and Little Rock, Arkansas.  
- **Locksmithing Institute enrollment and payment records** for Eric S. Galt, including money orders from Bank of America.  
- **FBI request for handwriting analysis** of Galt’s documents against James Earl Ray’s known signatures.  
- **FD-302 form detailing financial deposits** from Fidelity Union Trust Company, including Canadian and U.S. postal orders signed by Eric S. Galt.  
- **FBI Laboratory analysis of typewritten specimens** linked to Eric S. Galt and Dale M. Dykema, including correspondence from Los Angeles and Chicago.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations, handwriting analysis, inter-agency communications, and coordination with Mexican authorities.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary (MSP)**: Provided records on former inmates potentially linked to Ray.  
- **Mexican Police**: Involved in handling the unidentified body and providing fingerprints for comparison.  
- **Locksmithing Institute**: Provided enrollment records and payment details for Eric S. Galt.  
- **Bank of America**: Issued money orders linked to Galt’s tuition payments.  
- **Fidelity Union Trust Company**: Recorded financial deposits from Eric S. Galt, including restricted information subject to subpoena duces tecum.  
- **Superior Bulk Film Co.**: Addressed in correspondence tied to Eric S. Galt in Birmingham, Alabama.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_10-03-part_8_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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