</s>1 SL 64-775 JRM/leh RAY ASSOCIATES - JAMES D. DAILYLEY The following investigation was conducted by SA J. ROBERT MEIGS on April 23, 1968, at St. Louis, Missouri! CATHERINE SKILLES, Clerk in the Electrical Inspection Division of the Department of Public Safety, St.Louis, Missouri: Hall, advised the Department to Public Safety. St. louis City letter was sent to KERMIT SEGFRID, 1673 South Jefferson Avenue, was regarded to the premises at 1549 South Jefferson, where was sent by the president of the South Jefferson. which was sent as to KERTIT SEGRID, 1873 South Jefferson, be corrected by a licensed electrical contractor to comply with city ordinances. On March 12, 1968. A similar letter was sentto Mr. SIGFRID was in which it was pointed out that this was the second and the last month would be taken. Further as last would be to take. KERMIT SIGFRIGID, 167A South Jefferson Avenue, ad- vised that he owns the premises as 1673 SOUTH Jefferson Avenue. He stated he the premises are vacant at the present time but that it had been operated as a restaurant known as Half Way that it has been operated at a restaurant located at that DALLEY operated a restaurant as a waitress for something that may years and remained operating a restaurant at this address through and month of February 1968. SIGFIRID stated that DAILY had added equipment to his restaurant which needed large amounts of electricity which the restaurant which needs large amounts not included with he stated that the building was subsequently examined by in- spectors for the City of St. St .. Louis and they found that the wir- he was defective and must be replaced. SIGRIFIED stated that he was defective and must have been replaced. he did learn that to rewire from the pole outside of the but building at the building it would cost $240. He said the in- building that he offered DAILYED three months to this. stated that he offered DAILYE three months he, DAILY, would bear the cost of wiring. SIGRIFID 2/3 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s family members, residences, financial records, and potential connections to criminal activities. Key inquiries include property inspections in St. Louis, Missouri, focusing on electrical wiring issues at 1673 South Jefferson Avenue, where James D. Daily allegedly resided before moving out in early March 1968. Interviews with Kermit Sigfrid (property owner) and Jalen Conway (witness) reference Daily’s past, including a 1965 shooting incident that left him paralyzed. The FBI also investigated Jerry Raynes (alleged father of James Earl Ray), seeking information on his military service and property history in Center, Missouri. Financial records for Albert and Carol Pepper (Ray’s siblings) include real estate transactions, bank accounts, and loans tied to properties in St. Louis and Maplewood, Missouri. Law enforcement inquiries explored potential ties between Pepper and Ray, including prior incidents of peace disturbance involving Albert Pepper. The investigation spanned multiple locations and involved administrative records, property inspections, and interviews with neighbors and business associates.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray** – Subject of the investigation, linked to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination.  
- **Jerry Raynes** – Alleged father of James Earl Ray; subject of FBI inquiries regarding his military service and property history.  
- **James D. Daily** – Individual investigated for potential connections to Ray, with ties to St. Louis properties and a 1965 shooting incident.  
- **Kermit Sigfrid** – Property owner in St. Louis who reported electrical wiring issues at 1673 South Jefferson Avenue.  
- **Jalen Conway** – Witness claiming knowledge of Daily’s past, including a 1965 shooting that left him paralyzed.  
- **Lucille Mary Ryan** – James Earl Ray’s mother, deceased by January 25, 1961.  
- **Franklin Ray** – James Earl Ray’s brother, who died in an automobile accident on October 1, 1963.  
- **Albert Pepper** – Sibling of James Earl Ray; financial records show real estate transactions and bank accounts linked to him and Carol Pepper.  
- **Carol Pepper** – Sister of James Earl Ray; resided in Maplewood, Missouri, with husband Albert Pepper.  
- **Jack Randolph** – St. Louis business owner who employed Jerry Raynes (possibly related to James Earl Ray).  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri** – Primary location for FBI investigations, including property inspections, interviews, and financial record checks.  
- **Center, Missouri** – Site of Jerry Raynes’ residence; subject of FBI inquiries into his military service and property history.  
- **Hannibal, Missouri** – Location associated with Franklin Ray’s death investigation.  
- **Maplewood, Missouri** – Residence of Albert Pepper and Carol Pepper.  
- **1913 Hickory Street, St. Louis** – Address linked to Lucille Mary Ryan’s residence.  
- **Alameda Street, St. Louis** – Property previously owned by the Holz family, later purchased by the Pepper family.  

Key Events  
- FBI agents conducted property inspections in St. Louis, focusing on electrical wiring issues at 1673 South Jefferson Avenue and interviews with Kermit Sigfrid regarding James D. Daily’s activities.  
- Interviews with Jalen Conway referenced a 1965 shooting incident involving Daily, which left him paralyzed.  
- FBI inquiries into Jerry Raynes’ military service and property history in Center, Missouri, included administrative records and neighbor interviews.  
- Financial records for Albert and Carol Pepper detailed real estate transactions, bank accounts, and loans tied to properties in St. Louis and Maplewood, Missouri.  
- Law enforcement explored potential connections between Albert Pepper and James Earl Ray, including a prior peace disturbance incident involving Albert Pepper and Wilma Shirley.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** – Conducted investigations into James Earl Ray’s family members, residences, financial records, and potential criminal ties.  
- **St. Louis Police Department** – Involved in law enforcement inquiries regarding Albert Pepper’s prior incidents.  
- **Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company** – Provided financial records for Albert and Carol Pepper.  
- **New Market Hardware** – Employed Albert Pepper; referenced in connection to his employment history.  
- **Missouri Liquor Control Board** – Mentioned in administrative records related to property transactions.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_009-01-part_6_of_9.pdf

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