</s>FEI WINNAPLS FEI LOUISVILLE 4/22 PM 4/1968 UNGENT CLM TO MINNEAPOLIS (157-450) * FROM LOUISVILLA (44-947)1P MURKIN PEURIEL APRIL EIGHTEEN, LASI. RE SUSPECT MURPHY LITTLE, III. AKA JOHN MURPY LITTLE. INVESTIGATION AT LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, REVEALS LITILE ELIMINATED AS SUSPT AFTER TENTATIVELY ESTABLISHING WALKE- ABOUTS IN MIAMI, FLORIDA NIGHT OF MURDER. 7 NO RESERPLANCE TO PHOTO OF UNSUS BY VIRTUE OF ILLNIFICATION OF JAMES KARL KAY AS SUBJECT. - NO FURTHER INVESTICATION BLING CONDUCTED RE LITTILE UACS BY MEXPHIS. AIR INVALLCOPY SNNT TO MEOPHIS. ARREL AND DANGEROUS. 44-97/108 ENL NUD FBI WINNAPS TU 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigative efforts into the 1968 assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on individuals linked to potential suspects, equipment purchases, and coordination across field offices. Key elements include:  
- **Harry Kniereim** purchased a Raytheon depth indicator model D-730 in Tampa, Florida, on April 15, 1968, using a blank check from Harry’s Auto Parts. He was noted to resemble Eric Galt and had a light green Pontiac with license plate K-80725.  
- **James Earl Ray** is referenced as a fugitive linked to Toledo, Ohio, and Big Rocks, Kentucky, with connections to Millie Marie Huff and her brothers Auggie and Pete Huff. His escape from prison in 1967 and alleged involvement in the assassination are documented.  
- **Frank W. White**, described as a chauffeur with a Pontiac car, was reported near the time of the shooting by Beula Drye, his grandmother, though no resemblance to suspects was noted.  
- FBI field offices in Louisville, Memphis, Tampa, and Cincinnati coordinated efforts to verify identities, eliminate suspects, and track individuals described as “armed and dangerous.”  
- The **Concerned Citizens Committee (CCC)** in Louisville is noted for distributing a tape blaming President Johnson and the Supreme Court for MLK’s death.  
- Investigations also included planning for MLK’s funeral, including bus routes from Louisville to Atlanta, and references to Richard Collins reserving transportation.  

Key People  
- **Harry Kniereim**: Purchased Raytheon equipment in Tampa; resembled Eric Galt.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Fugitive linked to Toledo, Ohio, and Big Rocks, Kentucky; connected to Millie Marie Huff and her brothers Auggie and Pete Huff.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: Linked to MLK’s assassination; photo comparison requested.  
- **Frank W. White**: Chauffeur reported near the time of the shooting; described as armed and dangerous.  
- **Beula Drye**: Grandmother of Frank W. White, provided sighting report.  
- **Vernon Payne**: Reported James Earl Ray’s marriage to Millie Marie Huff in 1958–1959.  
- **Charles Lyon**: Auto parts manager in Louisville who confirmed Kniereim did not resemble the suspect.  
- **James B. HATHAWAY**: FBI agent who received anonymous tips about the assassination.  
- **Carl Braden and Anne Braden**: Identified as Southern Conference Educational Fund (SCEF) executives; former members of the Communist Party.  

Key Locations  
- **Louisville, Kentucky**: Home to Harry’s Auto Parts and central location for reports on Kniereim, funeral planning, and SCEF operations.  
- **Tampa, Florida**: Site of Raytheon equipment purchase and Tampa Boat Mart inquiries.  
- **Toledo, Ohio**: Linked to James Earl Ray’s past employment and family connections.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Central hub for FBI investigations and coordination.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Destination for funeral attendees; referenced in transportation logistics.  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Ray’s residence and military service history.  
- **Topeka, Kansas**: Associated with a suspect named Lowery.  

Key Events  
- **April 15, 1968**: Harry Kniereim purchased a Raytheon depth indicator in Tampa using a blank check.  
- **April 19, 1968**: Reports of a man resembling Eric Galt at Security First National Bank in Los Angeles, described as visiting from Indiana.  
- **April 20, 1998**: FBI confirmed Kniereim’s lack of resemblance to the suspect and noted his presence in Louisville during MLK’s shooting.  
- **Ongoing investigations**: FBI offices coordinated efforts to verify identities and eliminate suspects linked to the assassination.  
- **Funeral planning**: Documentation of bus routes from Louisville to Atlanta, with Richard Collins reserving transportation.  
- **Anonymous tip**: Claimed a group used “astro-projection” or “out-of-body travel” to allegedly witness the assassination.  
- **CCC tape distribution**: The Concerned Citizens Committee in Louisville distributed a tape blaming President Johnson and the Supreme Court for MLK’s death.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations across multiple field offices, including Louisville, Memphis, Tampa, and Cincinnati.  
- **Raytheon Corporation**: Equipment purchased by Harry Kniereim was tied to the investigation.  
- **Harry’s Auto Parts**: Provided information on Kniereim’s background and connections.  
- **Southern Conference Educational Fund (SCEF)**: Civil rights organization linked to Dr. King’s movement; noted for possible Communist connections.  
- **West End Community Council (WECC)**: Organized transportation for funeral attendees in Louisville.  
- **Greyhound Bus Lines**: Used for transporting mourners from Louisville to Atlanta.

MLK Declassified Files

44-ls-947_sec_002_ser_76-200-part_3_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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