</s>1 SL 44-775 EJ/m/leh RE: SUSPECT ERNEST SUMPTER GALT AT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI National A review on April 12, 1968, of the personnel records, Personal Records Center (Civilian Personnel Records), St. Louis, Missouri, by IC EDWARD J. MERGEN, indicated that BRNEST SUN, 1942, as a HospitalAttendant with the Veterans Ad- March 18, 1942. as a Hospitalsattendant with a Hospital Attendant, by mainstation, at North Little Rock, Arkansas. This employment was terminated on July 13, 1942; to report as duty. reason of termination by July 13. 1942, to report for duty. (Tenanted employed on December 5, 1947, as Hospital Attendant on the Department of Commerce, Arkansas, Administration Hospital, Ward, at north Little Rock. Arkansas, Effective October 1, 1948, he was suspended for a period of five days for making a false statement. This Employment was by reason for resignation because of leaving the state of Arkansas due to illness in the family. He was employed on December 13, 1951, as A Deckhand, when actually employed, with the Department Of Commerce, Inland Waterways Corporation, Federal Barge Lines, Marine Division, St.Louis, as an Deckhand because of separation for abandonment 28, 1955, asa Deckhand cause of separation from abandonment of position - failed to return from authorized leave. He was employing on March 1, 1952, as Deckand, when actually Employed with the Dept. of Commerce. Inland Waterways Corporations, Federal Barges Lines, and Marine Division at St. Louis Corporation, federal Barge Lines, Marine division July 21, 1952. as Deckhand by reason for separation for aban- donment of position - fail to return as authorized leave, He was Employed on May 25, 1953, as of Deckand. When actually employed, on the Department of Commerce , inland Waterways Commission, with Federal Bargo Lines, Marina Division, St. Louisiana, as Assessor, This Department of Barge Line, Marina division, October 19, 1953 as a Deckand by reason of reduction in force "Action taken because of sale of Bargo Lines necessitating abolishment of all position of computing area in accordance with provisions of Act of Congress ... 63 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail James Earl Ray’s criminal record and employment investigations in St. Louis, Missouri, during the 1950s–1960s. Key focus areas include his involvement in a 1959 robbery case at a Kroger store on Ohio Avenue, association with the St. Louis Police Department, and prior arrests for theft and vehicle-related offenses. No mention of Martin Luther King Jr., the 1968 Birmingham bombing, or any direct connection to the MLK assassination investigation is present in the text.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure in the documents, linked to a 1959 robbery case and prior arrests.  
- **James Owens**: Co-conspirator in the 1959 Kroger store robbery.  
- **St. Louis Police Department**: Investigated Ray’s activities, including his alleged possession of firearms.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Primary location for Ray’s employment investigations and arrests.  
- **Kroger Bakery (3417 Ohio Avenue)**: Site of the 1959 robbery incident.  
- **Glen Echo Country Club**: Mentioned in context of potential employment history.  

Key Events  
- **1959 Robbery Case**: Ray and James Owens robbed a Kroger store, stole cash, and fled to Ray’s home. A 765-caliber Belgian Browning Automatic Rifle and a revolver (Serial #249) were recovered from Ray’s residence.  
- **Prior Arrests**: Ray had multiple arrests in St. Louis, including a 1958 robbery case involving a stolen car and a 1966 investigation into his employment history with the Kroger Bakery Company.  

Key Organizations  
- **Selective Service System**: Referenced in context of draft board numbers and military records.  
- **FBI**: Mentioned via FBI numbers (e.g., "FBI Number 743 226 B.6.") associated with Ray’s investigations.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_009-01-part_3_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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