</s>FD-302 (Rev. 4-15-64) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Date April 16, 1968 CHARLES ELVIN STONE, 554 Orchard Drive, Memphis, Tennessee, was interviewed at the Number Two Engine House, Memphis Fire Department, 474 South Street, StONE advised that he is a member of the Memphis Fire Department. and has been in this employment for the past three years. STONE advised to his is the member of this Memphis Fire Deptartment, and he has been on this Employment for the Past Three Years. He stated that he was to the shooting of DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, he stated that at approximately 6:00 p.m. on that date, he was in the rear locker room of the Fire Department and was looking out at the back room of his room, and was standing on the balcony outside. We advised that DR. KING was standing the balcony Outside of his hotel room, was talking to another individual below of his home and was talking on another individual standing to of the hotel room and was speaking to other individuals who attended in the county directly below below the number of other individuals located STONE stated that the KING was talking in the individual below him, a shot rang out, and DR. King fell over backwards. STONE started that was KING was speaking in the following area. firehouse, that he saw out, for a few seconds, and after firehouse that were turned into the other firemen and the police officers stated that were stunned for a that second, and the firehouse. That were both the firehouse at that time the police jokken shot. At that instance, all of the police officers jokkens shot, at the other one thought that STONE was same thing. At the other instance. All of of all the police police officers rushed out of the fireplace in an attempt to cut off the area in the fire department, ten seconds later, at that instance. all of this door off the fire Department, in proceed towards Mulberry Street, the street off the street on which and proceed towards mulberry Street. The fire department. confusion, the hotel was held on the side door to see mass happened, and then the only ones we saw on the street at which were the police officials who were converging on the area. STONEY were the white hood. immediately after the shooting was not did not notice at that individual wearing a white hood, STONE stated after a few minutes, he walked to the front of the firehorse, but stated that that did not observe any white Mustang on Front Street or in that vicinity. 89 On 4/16/68 at SAS EDWARD M. QUINN Memphis, Tennessee File # 44-1987 SAS EOWARD M.QUINN SHIELD S. SMITH EMO:Jms

Summary:  
The documents consist of FBI records from April 1968 detailing witness accounts, investigative inquiries, and hotel records related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) in Memphis, Tennessee. Key elements include:  
- **Witness statements**: Multiple individuals described events at *Jim’s Grill* on April 4, 1968, including a shooting incident. Some witnesses reported gunshots or people fleeing, while others noted police presence and crowd reactions.  
- **Binoculars purchase**: An unknown individual bought binoculars from *York Arms Company* (162 S. Main St., Memphis) on April 1, 1962. The buyer was described as a white male in his early 20s–30s, wearing a light-colored shirt with a dark stripe and a tie tied in a long knot. Payment was made in cash ($41.55 total).  
- **Hotel records**: Eric S. Galt stayed at the *Rebel Motel* (3466 Lamar Avenue, Memphis) from April 3 to April 4, 1968, registered under his name. Hotel staff noted a white Mustang with Alabama license plates parked near his room.  
- **Investigative follow-up**: FBI agents interviewed witnesses, reviewed photographs of suspects (including Eric S. Galt), and tracked purchases at *Oliver Rexall Drug Store* in Whitehaven, Tennessee, where a Gillette shaving kit was sold to a man described as wearing a dark blue suit.  

Key People:  
- **Ralph H. Carpenter**: York Arms employee who identified the binoculars buyer on April 4, 1968, but could not confirm his identity through photographs.  
- **Eric S. Galt**: Suspect profiled in FBI investigations, linked to hotel records and potential connections to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Mrs. Peggy Burns**: Oliver Rexall Drug Store employee who sold the Gillette shaving kit on April 3, 1968.  
- **Anna Christine Kelly**: Rebel Motel manager who provided information about Galt’s stay.  
- **Ivan B. Webb**: Rebel Motel desk clerk who noted the white Mustang parked near Room 34.  

Key Locations:  
- **Jim’s Grill** (418 South Main St., Memphis): Central location where witnesses reported the shooting incident on April 4, 1968.  
- **York Arms Company** (162 S. Main St., Memphis): Retail store involved in the 1962 binoculars transaction.  
- **Rebel Motel** (3466 Lamar Avenue, Memphis): Hotel where Eric S. Galt stayed from April 3 to April 4, 1968.  
- **Oliver Rexall Drug Store** (Whitehaven, Tennessee): Retail store where a Gillette shaving kit was sold on April 3, 1968.  

Key Events:  
- **April 4, 1968**: Witnesses at Jim’s Grill reported a shooting incident, with conflicting accounts of timing and details.  
- **April 1, 1962**: Purchase of binoculars by an unknown individual from York Arms Company, later linked to investigative inquiries.  
- **April 3–4, 1968**: Eric S. Galt’s stay at Rebel Motel, with hotel staff noting a white Mustang with Alabama license plates parked near his room.  
- **April 3, 1968**: Sale of a Gillette shaving kit at Oliver Rexall Drug Store to a man described as wearing a dark blue suit.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, reviewed photographs, and tracked purchases as part of the investigation.  
- **Rebel Motel management and staff**: Provided information about Eric S. Galt’s stay and vehicle observations.  
- **York Arms Company**: Retail store involved in the 1962 binoculars transaction.  
- **Oliver Rexall Drug Store**: Retail store where a Gillette shaving kit was sold on April 3, 1968.  

Notes:  
- The documents emphasize witness statements and investigative follow-up but lack direct confirmation of MLK’s involvement or the suspect’s identity in the shooting incident.  
- All entries are dated under **E.O. 14176** (Executive Order 14176), which governs the release of sensitive information.  
- No social security numbers are present in the summaries.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_008-06-part_3_of_4.pdf

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