</s>1 SL 44-775 JRM/leh RAY ASSOCIATES - JAMES D. DAILEY The following investigation was conducted by SA J. ROBERT MEIGS on April 23, 1963, at St. Louis, Missouri! CATHERINE SKILLES, Clerk at St ., Electrical Inspection Division of the Department of Public Safety, St.Louis City Hall, advised that her records show that on March 1, 1968, a letter was sent to KERMIT SEGRIFIED, 1637 South Jefferson venue, was regard to the premises at 1349 South Jefferson, welcome, with the presence of the public safety department. service and defective wiring to 1549 South Jefferson which must be corrected by a licensed electrical contractor to comply with city ordinances. On March 12, 1968. A similar letter was sent into Mr. SIEGRIFRIED was pointed out that this was the second and the in which it was pointed outside that was the Second further action would be taken. SIEGRIED would receive until KERMIT SIGRIFIED. 1637A South Jefferson Avenue, ad- vised that he owns the premises as 1549 SOUTH Jefferson. He stated that he promises as vacant at the present time but that it has been operated as a restaurant known as Half Way that it had been operated at a restaurantknown as Half WAY operated at a restaurants as a waitress for something over four years and remained operating a restaurant at this address through the month of February 1968. SIEGFRID stated that DAILY had added equipment to his restaurant which needed large amounts added equipment which the restaurant which needs large amounts of electricity He stated that the building was subsequently examined by in- spectors for the City of St. Louds and they found that the wir- he was not known for the incident. He would not have stated that he does not know the exact cost to rewrite the building that he did learn that to rewire from the pole outside the out building at the building it would cost $240. He said the in- he did that he offered DAILY three months. state that he offered DAILYThree months. Free rent however he, DAILY, would bear the cost of wiring. 213 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail an FBI investigation into James Earl Ray’s family connections and financial activities, focusing on his relatives in Missouri, including Jerry Raynes (stepfather), Albert Pepper, and Carol Pepper. The inquiry examined Raynes’ residences in Center and Clarence, Missouri, his wife Lucille Maher, and their children Carol RAY and Melba RAY. Interviews with neighbors and property owners were conducted to verify Raynes’ past and potential ties to Ray. Financial records of Albert and Carol Pepper’s bank accounts (Manufacturers Bank) between 1965–1968 revealed transactions involving real estate purchases, including a $1900 check to Jerry Rayns for land in Maplewood, Missouri. The FBI also investigated connections between Pepper and James Earl Ray, a fugitive linked to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., though no direct evidence was found. Additional inquiries included verifying death certificates for LUCILLE RYAN (Ray’s mother) and Franklin Ray (his brother), as well as reviewing property records and legal conflicts involving individuals like James D. Daily in St. Louis.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray** (subject of investigation; fugitive linked to MLK assassination)  
- **Jerry Raynes** (stepfather of Ray; retired individual with residences in Center, Clarence, Missouri)  
- **Lucille Maher** (wife of Jerry Raynes; married in Jacksonville, Florida, early 1930s)  
- **Carol RAY** (daughter of Jerry Raynes; contacted FBI regarding Ray’s involvement)  
- **Melba RAY** (another daughter of Jerry Raynes; mentioned in FBI interviews)  
- **Albert Pepper** (sibling of Ray; financial records reviewed by FBI)  
- **Carol Pepper** (spouse of Albert Pepper; bank account transactions examined)  
- **JERRY RAYNS** (individual receiving $1900 check from Albert Pepper for land purchase)  
- **James D. Daily** (linked to conflicts with Jalonay Ray Conway in St. Louis)  
- **Kermit Siegrified** (property owner on South Jefferson Avenue; discussed electrical issues)  
- **Jalonay Ray Conway** (provided information about fights involving James D. Daily)  

Key Locations:  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Central to property investigations, interviews, and conflicts involving James D. Daily.  
- **Center, Missouri**: Jerry Raynes’ residence; property described as a small house with two vehicles parked nearby.  
- **Clarence, Missouri**: Location where Jerry Raynes lived with Ruby Carpenter from 1952–1963.  
- **Maplewood, Missouri**: Property purchased by Albert Pepper via real estate loan (Book 1952, Page 167).  
- **South Jefferson Avenue**: Address associated with Kermit Siegrified’s property and alleged restaurant operations.  
- **Hannibal, Missouri**: Mentioned in relation to family members and local contacts.  
- **Quincy, Illinois**: Referenced in connection to Ray’s family history.  

Key Events:  
- **FBI Interviews with Jerry Raynes**: Conducted in April 1968 to assess his ties to James Earl Ray; Raynes claimed no direct contact for 17 years but received a call from his daughter regarding FBI involvement.  
- **Property Investigations**: FBI agents checked Jerry Raynes’ residences for visitors or unusual activity, noting no significant findings.  
- **Financial Record Review**: Examination of Albert and Carol Pepper’s bank account (Manufacturers Bank) revealed transactions from April 1967–April 1968, including a $1900 check to Jerry Rayns for land purchase.  
- **Death Certificate Verification**: LUCILLE RYAN’s death certificate (January 25, 1961) and Franklin Ray’s accident death (October 1, 1963) were confirmed.  
- **Legal Conflicts Involving James D. Daily**: Fights with Jalonay Ray Conway led to legal consequences, including incarceration.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, property checks, and financial inquiries into James Earl Ray’s associates and family.  
- **Manufacturers Bank** (St. Louis, Missouri): Held financial records for Albert and Carol Pepper; reviewed transactions from 1965–1968.  
- **Catholic Church**: Owned properties adjacent to 4149 West Pine in St. Louis, including a former rooming house.  
- **Liberty Loan Company** (credit agency): Mentioned in financial records related to real estate loans.  
- **St. Louis Police Department**: Conducted inquiries into Albert Pepper’s connections to James Earl Ray and an incident involving Albert Pepper and Wilma Shirley in 1968.

MLK Declassified Files

44-kc-760_404058_171-01-part_6_of_9.pdf

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