</s>CG 44-1114 RJD:jap RF: JAMES DAVID DAILEY On April 21, 1968, the St. Louis Division advised that DAILY is FBI number. The subject is an alleged former friend and associate FBI number is also a legally formed friend subject briefly to follow the Missouri Department of Public Safety. is an operator of a restaurant in Portageville, Missouri, and also a farm near PortageVILLE, St. Wardell, Missouri. allegedly owns a farm nearby Portagevillie, Missouri; subject. DAILY denied contact with subject on initial inter- view and is currently being re-interviewed on an effort to determine if he has a farm and its location. DAILY'S sister, HAZEL TERRELL, Wardell is Missouri, 1812 North Carolina, Chicago. On April 31, 1968. HAZELS among his sister is ADA GILES, On April 22, 1968; HARLES A. BRUNNER and SA ROBERT 1517 West that was the first person to be found in the area. A. GACCION that the JAMES DAILY grew up in the vicinity of Wardell Missouri, she and DAILY very familiar with that area. any owner of farm property in vicinity of Wardell by other authority, or farm property with Wardell and that JAMES operated the half Way Cafe, 154 South Jefferson, St. Louis, Missouri until the six weeks when he moved and restaurant, the identity unknown to her. the following other relatives for DAILY! HAZEL TERELL, General Delivery, Wardelli; LILLIAN JOHNSON, 2012 Sidney, St, Louis; VIMIE HOOKER, Pascola, Missouri! VIMIA NEWTON VIDA NEWTON, who resides with ADA HORN, advised substantantly named, who was set forth above. The subject is not known to either HORN or NEWTON by name, description, or photograph. Both claim no knowledge of the subject's association with DAILY if, in fact, any such association exists. - 117 - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities in connection with the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on his movements, aliases, and potential associates. Key elements include Ray’s 1955 burglary of the Kellerville Post Office with Riff, his Illinois driver’s licenses under aliases like James O’Connor and James Connor, and inquiries into individuals linked to him, such as Lee Miller (an Illinois State Penitentiary inmate) and Edward Paul Rivera (a former Pontiac Prison inmate). The FBI also investigated Ray’s residences in South Elgin, Illinois, where he lived with his wife and child until September 1967. Witnesses described Ray as a thin man with a heavy mustache, approximately 6'2" to 6'3", and weighing ~140 pounds. Investigations extended to "hippies" in Chicago, credit card transactions, vehicle registrations, and witness accounts of vehicles matching Ray’s description, including a 1962 Pontiac Catalina convertible and a car with Tennessee license plates BW 2739. The FBI coordinated with airlines, police departments, and credit agencies to monitor potential sightings of Ray or his associates. A Social Security Number was noted in the documents but not disclosed.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect in MLK Jr.’s assassination; linked to 1955 Post Office burglary, described as thin with a heavy mustache, ~6'2"-6'3", and weighing ~140 pounds.  
- **Lee Miller**: Inmate at Illinois State Penitentiary who claimed knowledge of a prisoner associated with Ray.  
- **Edward Paul Rivera**: Former inmate at Pontiac Prison with a criminal record; investigated for possible ties to Ray.  
- **James Daily**: FBI number with connections to Missouri residents, including a restaurant operator in Portageville.  
- **Hazel Terrell**: Sister of James Daily, located in Wardell, Missouri.  
- **Milton Dean Batcher**: Inmate at Illinois State Penitentiary who mentioned Ray’s association with a patron named RAY or RYAN and a criminal known as MANNY DAVIS.  
- **Ronald Shilling** and **Alice Meyer**: Landlords who rented apartments to Ray in South Elgin.  
- **Linda Beginn** (daughter of Alice Meyer): Provided physical description of Ray.  
- **George McKitchen**: Neighbor who reported Ray left the area by September 1967.  
- **Louis Lomax**: Mentioned in a separate investigation, with records indicating prior arrests and parole dates.  
- **Kelly Williams**: Allegedly linked to King’s chauffeur role; described as carrying $200,000 in cash for King.  
- **Russell Hiller** and **Earl Ray**: Investigated for possible connections to Ray.  
- **Joseph Clayton Montagne**, **Raymond Hillburn**, **Dale Baxter**, **Shirllee Mackowiaik**, **Jack Weissbuck**, **John Powell**, **Bernice Thomas**, **Gerald Hultgren**, **Randolph B. Jones**, **Robert Taylor**, **Troy Earls**, **John H. Carnahan**, and **James E. Bodker**: Individuals with alleged knowledge of the assassination or Ray’s activities.  

Key Locations  
- **Portageville, Missouri**: Home of James Daily’s alleged farm and restaurant.  
- **Wardell, Missouri**: Location of Hazel Terrell’s residence.  
- **South Elgin, Illinois**: Primary location of Ray’s residences (615 North Water Street).  
- **Kellerville, Illinois**: Site of the 1955 Post Office burglary involving Ray and Riff.  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Center for FBI investigations into "hippies" and Ray’s aliases; also mentioned in context of chauffeur allegations.  
- **O'Hare International Airport**: Investigated for potential sightings of Ray or associates.  
- **Pascagoula, Mississippi**: Location where Gerald Hultgren was said to reside.  
- **Gary, Indiana** and **Rockford, Illinois**: Involved in investigations of Dale Baxter and Troy Earls.  
- **Valley, Nebraska**: Part of Troy Earls’ background check.  

Key Events  
- **April 21–30, 1968**: FBI investigated Ray’s connections to Missouri residents, Lee Miller’s claims about a prisoner associated with Ray, and Edward Paul Rivera’s criminal history.  
- **March 7, 1955**: Burglary of the Kellerville Post Office involving James Earl Ray and Riff, resulting in stolen money orders.  
- **April 25–26, 1968**: FBI contacted Chicago establishments and individuals associated with "hippies" for information on Ray.  
- **Credit card transactions** linked to Randolph B. Jones and Clyde E. Phodes were reviewed for ties to Ray.  
- **Witness accounts** described vehicles matching Ray’s description, including a 1962 Pontiac Catalina convertible and a car with Tennessee license plates BW 2739.  
- **Postcard investigation**: R. Taylor in Oak Lawn, Illinois, referenced J. E. Ray and anti-MLK sentiments.  
- **Fingerprint analysis** by Lieutenant Emie Giese of the Chicago Police Department to identify Ray.  
- **Employment checks** at country clubs and bartending schools for potential sightings of Ray or his associates.  
- **Airlines coordination**: Delta, United States Airlines, and others monitored travel records for Ray’s movements.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted multiple investigations into Ray, Lomax, and others; coordinated with airlines, police departments, and credit agencies.  
- **Illinois State Penitentiary**: Site of Lee Miller’s incarceration and Edward Paul Rivera’s past imprisonment.  
- **Illinois Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)**: Provided registration records for Ray’s vehicle.  
- **Chicago Police Department**: Involved in fingerprint analysis and witness interviews.  
- **Federal Narcotics Bureau**: Reviewed cases for ties to Ray.  
- **American Bartending School**: Checked records for John Ray’s attendance.  
- **Delta Airlines** and **United States Airlines**: Investigated for potential sightings of Ray at O'Hare Airport.  
- **Springfield Division (FBI)**: Excluded voluminous negative information in a report dated May 24, 1968; distributed information to divisions in Atlanta, Birmingham, Chicago, Houston, Jackson, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and St. Louis under Executive Order 14176.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_010-02-part_05_of_12.pdf

Document Summary

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