</s>OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 MAY 1-11-16 MAY 2-13-18 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum TO : SAC, KNOXVILLE (11-11)-696) DATE: 1-12-68 FROM : SA ROBERT LEE MORRISON SUBJECT: MURKIN On 1-1-11 -66 the following County Court Clerks advised SA Robert Lee Morrison that a search of new registrations from 3-1 -66 to the present failed to locate any registration in the name of Eric Starvo Call or a 1966 White Ford Mustang, VIN 6707(C/C/906)17 bearing 1968 Alabama License 1-38993) Paul White, County Court Clerk, Brinin, Tennessee Marion Carr, County County Court clerk, Jonesboro, Tennessee RIM (1) 44-696-21 Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan MID-10-18 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on Eric Starvo Galt (also referred to as "GALT" or "Murkin") and his alleged connections to the crime. GALT, later identified as James Earl Ray, was tracked for movements in Memphis, Tennessee, around April 4, 1968, the date of MLK’s assassination. Investigators examined vehicle registrations for a white Ford Mustang (VIN 6707(C/C/906)17, Alabama license plate 1-38993), GALT’s aliases such as "John Willard" or "John Loweryner," and his employment history, including work on Mississippi River vessels. The FBI coordinated with Tennessee county court clerks, local law enforcement, and the U.S. Navy to verify records, fingerprints, and potential ties to threats against MLK. Informants in Chattanooga, Tennessee, were contacted regarding racial unrest or threats linked to MLK’s activities. Searches of credit bureaus, voter lists, and laundries yielded limited results, while inquiries into dance schools and Thermo-seal machines referenced potential evidence or suspects. Administrative notes mention savings bond promotions and document classification under Executive Order 14176.  

Key People:  
- **Eric Starvo Galt** (also referred to as "GALT," "Murkin," or "John Willard")  
- **James Earl Ray** (later identified as GALT)  
- **Harvey Lowmeyer** (suspect linked to GALT)  
- **Leonard Curtis Thurman** (caller providing information about Tony Harrison and John Dillon)  
- **Tony Harrison** and **John Dillon** (allegedly tied to the assassination)  
- **Jessie Whaley Robinson** (dance school owner in Chattanooga, Tennessee)  
- FBI agents: SA Colman C. Keane, SA Charles A. Riley, SA Joseph L. Fleming, SA Patrick J. Lennon, SA George C. Welborn, SA John C. Quirin, SA Jack K. Murphree, SA Robert Lee Morrison, SA James H. Rike, SA Joe D. Starnes  

Key Locations:  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** (GALT’s reported presence on April 3–4, 1968)  
- **Chattanooga, Tennessee** (dance school and informant contacts)  
- **Knoxville, Tennessee**, **Jonesboro**, **Greeneville**, **Rhea County**, **Bledsoe County**, **McMinn County**, **Meigs County**, **Roane County**, **Loudon County** (county court records checks)  
- **Atlanta, Georgia** (GALT’s destination after Memphis)  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**, **Long Beach, California**, **Los Angeles, California**, **Birmingham, Alabama** (locations of GALT’s travel and employment)  

Key Events:  
- April 10–17, 1968: FBI and Tennessee law enforcement searched county court records, credit bureaus, voter lists, and laundries for GALT, Lowmeyer, and Mustang car registrations.  
- Informants in Chattanooga provided information about Tony Harrison and John Dillon’s alleged ties to the assassination.  
- Investigations into Thermo-seal machines, laundry tags, and dance schools in Chattanooga and Knoxville.  
- FBI efforts to verify GALT’s aliases, vehicle registration, and employment history, including Mississippi River vessel work.  
- Mention of informants contacted on April 4–5, 1968, regarding threats or racial unrest linked to MLK’s activities.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**  
- **Tennessee county court clerks** (Rhea County, Bledsoe County, etc.)  
- **U.S. Navy** (fingerprint checks)  
- **Internal Revenue Service (IRS)** (referenced in initial contact with Jessie Whaley Robinson)  
- **Local law enforcement agencies** (e.g., Memphis Police Department, Chattanooga laundries, credit bureaus)  
- **U.S. Savings Bonds Program** (administrative note within documents)

MLK Declassified Files

44-kx-696_742347_01-01-part_4_of_6.pdf

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