</s>PAGE TWO LARRY AMATEIS, FIELD SERVICE MANAGER, GLOBE UNION, INC ., MILWAUKEE, ADVISED F-FOUR ONE INDICATES BATTERY MANUFACTURED AT LOUISVILLE PLANT, LOUISSVILLE, KENTUCKY AND THE "C EIGHT" INDICATES THAT THIS BATTERy WAS SHIPPED FROM THE LOUIUSVILLE PLANT TO A SEARS STORE IN MARCH OF SIXTY EIGHT. HE ADVISID THAT LOUSSVILLE SHIPS BATTERIES TO ALL OF KENTUCKY, MICHIGANS, OHIO. MISSOURI, N.E .- F.O.F.O .- POTION OF INDIANA. SOUTHERN HALF OF W. VIRGINIA. NORTHERN PORTION OF TENNESSEE AND SOUTHERM HALP OF ILLINOIS. HE ADVISED THE PERSONS TO CONTACT AT THE LOUSVILLE PLANE ARE OR. JOHN GAYHART OR MR. DARNELL, PHONE NO ., FIVE ZERO TO - NINE SIX FOUR - SIX FORD THREE ONE- HE STATED IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIM TO DETERMINNE EXACTLY WHAT SEARS STORES THIS BATTERNY WAS SHIPPED TO. HE DOUSTS IF THE LOUISUILLE PLANT WOULD BE ASLE TO FURNISH THIS INFO UNLESS THERE WAS A WARRANTY CARD ISSUED WITH THE PURCHASE OF THE BATTER. LOUISSILLE AT LOULSVILLE, KYENTUCKYA, CONTACT ME. JOHN GAYHAHT FOR MORE SPECIFIC INFO RE INSTANT BATTERRY. END CLM FIB LOUSIVILLE TUX 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O., 14176

Summary:  
The document contains FBI memos and telegrams dated April 24-27, 1968, detailing investigative efforts into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Key elements include tracking James Earl Ray’s movements, verifying his absence from criminal records, and examining logistics related to potential activities. The memos reference a leased 1968 Ford Galaxie (VIN E8F5638391) linked to Sandos Pharmaceuticals, with delivery arranged via transportation agency in Paducah, Kentucky. Sears battery shipments from Louisville plant are analyzed for traceability, though serial numbers and individual identification were lacking. FBI agents confirm no record of James Earl Ray in local databases or law enforcement files. Telegrams reference transmission of photographs of Ray taken at Missouri State Penitentiary on January 4, 1966, to Continental Offices for identification purposes. A search for Edward George Wilson is noted, including his employment history with Mississippi Valley Barge Line until September 1967 and requests to verify his whereabouts in early April 1968 through contacts in Louisville or Paducah. Walter Terry Rife is mentioned as being located and interviewed, with a warning that Ray is armed and dangerous. Ongoing efforts to track laundry marks linked to Culver City, California, are noted alongside discontinuation of prior searches.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in MLK’s assassination)  
- Edward George Wilson (individual under investigation; former riverboat worker in Memphis, Tennessee; business associate of Jerome K. Johnson)  
- Walter Terry Rife (interviewed by FBI)  
- John Gayhart (Globe Union Inc., Louisville, KY; provided battery shipment details)  
- Jerome K. Johnson (business associate of Edward George Wilson, Minnesota)  
- Mrs. Chester & Johnson (Minnesota residents with ties to Wilson)  
- Dutch Folks (vehicle transportation agent in Akron, Ohio)  
- George E. Wilson (former business partner of Johnson, later identified as a riverboat worker in Memphis)  

Key Locations:  
- Louisville, Kentucky (FBI field office; battery shipment tracking)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI investigation hub; potential residence of Wilson)  
- Paducah, Kentucky (delivery point for leased vehicle)  
- Akron, Ohio (vehicle transportation agency)  
- Minnesota (Johnson and Wilson’s business ties)  
- Missouri State Penitentiary (location of photographs of James Earl Ray)  
- Culver City, California (linked to laundry mark searches)  

Key Events:  
- FBI efforts to verify James Earl Ray’s absence from criminal records in multiple jurisdictions.  
- Investigation into the 1968 Ford Galaxie lease and delivery logistics linked to Sandos Pharmaceuticals.  
- Analysis of Sears battery shipment patterns for potential links to Ray’s activities.  
- Transmission of photographs of James Earl Ray to Continental Offices for identification purposes.  
- Request to verify Edward George Wilson’s employment and whereabouts in early April 1968.  
- Interviewing Walter Terry Rife as part of the investigation.  
- Discontinuation of prior laundry mark searches linked to Culver City, California.  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Louisville and Memphis field offices  
- Globe Union Inc. – battery manufacturer/distributor  
- Sandos Pharmaceuticals – linked to leased vehicle delivery  
- Mississippi Valley Barge Line – former employer of Edward George Wilson  
- National Maritime Union – potential employer of George E. Wilson  
- Continental Offices – recipient of photographs for identification purposes

MLK Declassified Files

44-ls-947_sec_002_ser_76-200-part_8_of_8.pdf

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