</s>FD-302 (Rev. 4-15-64) 1 FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Date 4/13/88 The following documents were made available to SA JOHN H. KRESEEK by the Birmingham Trust National Bank, Birmingham, Alabama: 1. Record of Access to Safe Deposit Box No. 5517 of ERIC S. GALT. 2. Contract for Safe Deposit with ERIC 5. GALT. 3. Ledger card (Rental record) for Safe Deposit Box No. 55117 in name of ERICK S. GAIT. 4. Boxed letter from ERIC 6. GAINT. to Birmingham Trust National Bank. in the event that the above documents are needed for evidence, they may be obtained by execution of a subpoena due to the evidence, addressed to Mr. C. E. KIRKPATRICK, Vice President, Birmingham Trust NATIONAL Bank. 4/9/68 at Birmingham, Alabama 4/44-1740 On File # SA JOHN H . KRESEEK.gas 4/12/68 by 82 Date dictated This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusion of the FBI. It is the property of the Fbi and is loaned to your agency, it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI records from April 1968 concerning investigations into Eric S. Galt, a white male associated with dance lessons in New Orleans and Birmingham, Alabama. Galt rented Safe Deposit Box #5517 at Birmingham Trust National Bank, accessed it multiple times in 1967, and returned keys before relocating. The box was found empty upon inspection. Records include bank employee accounts of Galt’s interactions, a letter to the bank regarding relocation, and dry cleaning receipts (ticket #4591) and S&H green stamps linked to his effects in Atlanta, Georgia. FBI inquiries focused on Galt’s employment, residence, and movements, noting he never disclosed his job or reasons for being in Birmingham. Additional records include gun inquiries at "The Gun Rack" and hardware stores in Birmingham/Bessemer, though no direct connection to MLK, his assassination, or related investigations is present.  

Key People:  
- Eric S. Galt (renter of Safe Deposit Box #5517)  
- Mrs. Catherine Reedy (Safe Deposit Section Manager, Birmingham Trust National Bank)  
- Diane Battle (former employee of Birmingham Trust National Bank)  
- Charles T. Smith (Auditor, Birmingham Trust National Bank)  
- Marlin C. Myers (owner of Continental Dance Studios in Birmingham)  
- Joan Myers (wife of Marlin Myers, dance instructor)  
- Doris Ladner (student at dance studio, sister-in-law to Marlin Myers)  
- Ruby Goodman (manager of Mayfield Cleaners, provided dry cleaning receipts)  
- O. H. Abrams (manager of Standard Service Station, handled green stamps)  
- Quinton B. Davis (owner of "The Gun Rack," reported gun inquiries)  
- Clyde Royal Manasco (clerk at The Gun Rack)  
- John Michael Kopp (manager at Long-Lewis Hardware)  
- Lyn dell Earl Dilbeck (employee at Long-Lewis Hardware)  
- Bernard Bigboge (clerk at Banks Pawn Shop)  
- William P. McClinson (owner, Banks Pawn Shop)  
- Ralph Simmons (owner, Simmons Pawn Shop)  

Key Locations:  
- Birmingham Trust National Bank, Birmingham, Alabama  
- 2006 Highland Avenue South (Galt’s address)  
- Continental Dance Studios, New Orleans, Louisiana  
- Continental Dance Studios, Birmingham, Alabama  
- Mayfield Cleaners, Birmingham, Alabama  
- Standard Service Station, Birmingham, Alabama  
- The Gun Rack, Birmingham, Alabama  
- Long-Lewis Hardware Company, Bessemer, Alabama  
- Banks Pawn Shop, Bessemer, Alabama  
- Simmons Pawn Shop, Bessemer, Alabama  
- Budget Rent-A-Car, Birmingham, Alabama  
- Hertz Rent-A-Car, Birmingham, Alabama  
- American Leasing, Birmingham, Alabama  

Key Events:  
- Rental and surrender of Safe Deposit Box #5517 by Eric S. Galt  
- Bank employees’ records of Galt’s access to the box (dates and times)  
- Letter from Galt to the bank regarding relocation and key return  
- Inspection of the box revealing it was empty  
- Galt’s dance lessons in New Orleans (1964–1968) and Birmingham (1967)  
- Investigation into Galt’s employment, residence, and movements  
- Dry cleaning receipts (ticket #4591) and S&H green stamps linked to Galt’s effects in Atlanta, Georgia  
- Gun inquiries at "The Gun Rack" and hardware stores in Birmingham/Bessemer  
- FBI efforts to identify Galt through photographs, records, and witness accounts  
- Review of car rental records to trace potential vehicle movements  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Birmingham Trust National Bank  
- Continental Dance Studios (New Orleans and Birmingham)  
- Mayfield Cleaners (Birmingham)  
- Standard Service Station (Birmingham)  
- The Gun Rack (Birmingham)  
- Long-Lewis Hardware Company  
- Banks Pawn Shop  
- Simmons Pawn Shop  
- Budget Rent-A-Car  
- Hertz Rent-A-Car  
- American Leasing

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_008-07-part_3_of_4.pdf

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