</s>*TRONAL FORM NO. 10 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum TO DIRECTOR, FBI (44-38861) DATE: 5/14/68 FROM/BAC, SAN FRANCISCO (173-65) -P- FROMJAC, S.M.MURKIN Subject: MEMPHIS OR: 00: Memphis Re: HAROLD EDWARD NICHOLS Subject Enclosed for Memphis is one envelope containing 7 inserts and/or FD302 described as follows: (1) Report for Memphis's is one envelopee containing 7 NEWMAN, U.S. Secret Service, San Fran- (2) cisco - insert: Page headed SAS RICHARD J. MC MULLEN and (3) FILLIAM HUTTON, JR. (insert: 2) F.D. LARKY MC GRATH consisting of (4) Insert statement with SAS WILLIAM HUDTON, to observe ALLEN, MC MOULLEN were able (5) to observe ALEN, Insert starting with the words CLARA (6) Insert starting from the words CLIARA (7) of 2 pages: FD-302 regarding KATHY SHEETS consisting FD- 302 regarding HAROLD EWARD NICHOLS consisting of 8 pages. REC-23 Bureau (RM) 2 - Memphis (4H-1987) (RM)(Encl. 71) - 441-5361- 2 - San Francisco (2- Mtg: bja (7). 12 MAY 16 1968 SIX 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The document contains fragmented records from May 1968 detailing FBI and postal office inquiries related to individuals potentially connected to James Earl Ray, a suspect in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. It includes notes on P.O. Box usage, correspondence clubs (e.g., Swingers Correspondence Club), and attempts to trace addresses linked to Ray. Key entries reference Ruth Spencer’s relocation, Shirley Walsh’s P.O. Box 41, Doris Arretti’s Chicago-based correspondence club, and Annette La Pelle’s lack of contact with the Swingers Correspondence Club. FBI communications mention tracking phone numbers in Utah and San Juan, Puerto Rico, where an individual described as resembling Ray was observed attempting to purchase a ticket to Jamaica. The text also includes details about a wanted flyer depicting Ray with closed eyes, which was compared to a driver’s license photo.  

Key People:  
- Ruth Spencer (moved from Union City, Calif.)  
- Melra Nancy (resident of Bethel Island)  
- Doris Arretti (Salinas, Calif., member of Chicago-based correspondence club)  
- Shirley Walsh (Walnut Creek, Calif., P.O. Box 41 user)  
- Annette La Pelle (San Francisco, Calif.)  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in MLK assassination; described as resembling an individual observed at San Juan Airport)  

Key Locations:  
- Union City, California (P.O. Boxes, Bethel Island)  
- San Francisco, California (correspondence club activities)  
- Salt Lake City, Utah (phone number inquiry)  
- San Juan, Puerto Rico (San Juan International Airport, ticket purchase attempt)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI reference to MLK assassination)  

Key Events:  
- FBI inquiries into P.O. Box usage and correspondence club memberships (May 1968).  
- Tracking of phone numbers in Utah linked to potential suspects.  
- Observation of an individual resembling James Earl Ray at San Juan International Airport attempting to purchase a ticket to Jamaica.  
- Comparison of a wanted flyer depicting Ray with a driver’s license photo.  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Department of Justice  
- Postal Service (Union City, El Cerrito, Calif.)  
- Correspondence clubs (e.g., Swingers Correspondence Club, Chicago-based club)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_12-02-part_3_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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