</s>SI 44-561 On 4-19-68, attempts were made to interview MELBA MARIE RYAN, however, she was in a hysterical state and it was impossible to conduct an interview on that date. She advised that she would be available for an interview with advised the woman who would be able to be interviewed on the interview with the FBI. She did stated during a short period of time an interview was attempted to be conducted that she had no idea as to the whereabouts of her brother JAMES EARL RAY. - 97 - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s criminal history and associations, focusing on his 1955 arrest for stealing postal money orders with Walter Terry Rife. Both were incarcerated at Hannibal, Missouri, and later transferred to Leavenworth, Kansas, where Ray remained until 1958. Ray’s movements post-release included travel to New Orleans, Florida, Kansas City, Missouri, and California to cash stolen money orders. Interviews with individuals such as Hilliard Allen Sanders, Wilbur Connors, Laura Conners, and Joseph Adams confirmed Ray’s absence from known locations after his release and lack of recognition in photographs circulated following MLK’s assassination. Walter Rife’s employment at the Virginia Hotel in Quincy, Illinois, was noted, along with his family ties to Melba Marie Ryan (Ray’s sister), described as emotionally unstable, and her residence at the hotel. Ray’s alleged criminal activities included burglary, stick-ups with guns, and theft from homes.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray** – Subject of investigation; arrested in 1955 for stolen postal money orders, incarcerated at Leavenworth until 1958.  
- **Walter Terry Rife** – Interviewed regarding his association with Ray; worked at the Virginia Hotel in Quincy, Illinois.  
- **Melba Marie Ryan** – Sister of Ray; described as emotionally unstable and unreliable.  
- **Hilliard Allen Sanders** – Incarcerated at Missouri State Penitentiary (1952–1961); denied knowledge of Ray’s activities post-release.  
- **Wilbur Connors** – Husband of Laura Conners; provided information about Rife’s employment and lack of contact with Ray.  
- **Laura Conners** – Owner of the Virginia Hotel in Quincy, Illinois; noted Ryan’s ignorance about Ray’s whereabouts.  
- **Joseph Adams** – Inmate at Illinois State Penitentiary; claimed familiarity with Ray from Mississippi State Penitentiary but admitted no direct contact.  
- **Katherine Doris Buskirk** – Met Ray in 1955 during a trip to Hannibal, Missouri; confirmed Ray’s arrest for stolen money orders but no further contact.  

Key Locations:  
- **Quincy, Illinois** (Virginia Hotel, Lind Street) – Rife’s residence and business location; Melba Marie Ryan’s residence.  
- **Kennedyville, Illinois** – Site of stolen postal money orders in 1955.  
- **Hannibal, Missouri** – Location of Ray and Rife’s 1955 arrest.  
- **Leavenworth, Kansas** – Prison where Ray was incarcerated until 1958.  
- **Gadsden, Alabama; Camden, South Carolina; Wood River, Illinois** – Locations associated with Hilliard Allen Sanders’ residence post-release.  
- **Peoria, Illinois** (Jewel Lounge, Pierre Marquette Hotel) – Linked to Melvina “Rusty” Tyler’s tavern operations.  

Key Events:  
- Arrest of James Earl Ray and Walter Terry Rife in 1955 for stealing postal money orders.  
- Travel by Ray and Rife to multiple states (New Orleans, Florida, Kansas City, California) to cash stolen money orders.  
- FBI interviews confirming Ray’s absence from known locations post-release and lack of recognition in photographs following MLK’s assassination.  
- Walter Rife’s employment at the Virginia Hotel in Quincy, Illinois, from March 27, 1968, to April 4, 1968.  
- Joseph Adams’ claim of knowing Ray from Mississippi State Penitentiary but admitting no direct contact.  
- Interviews with former inmates at Illinois State Penitentiary (Pontiac Branch) regarding Ray’s incarceration and activities during imprisonment.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** – Conducted interviews and investigations into Ray’s movements and associations.  
- **Illinois State Penitentiary** (Menard Branch, Pontiac Branch) – Sites of incarceration for individuals mentioned.  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** – Location where Hilliard Allen Sanders was incarcerated.  
- **Baptist Rescue Mission** (East St. Louis, Illinois) – Mentioned in records related to John Eugene Gawron’s prison files.

MLK Declassified Files

44-la-1574_742142_010-02-part_08_of_12.pdf

Document Summary

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