</s>LA H-1571 AT BIRTHEGHAL, ALABAMA: Mill consider interviewing SAMUEL JOHNSON, W. JOSEPH V. SLEPSON at the eddcesses in the enclosed letter concerning any knowledge they might have of the assassination of KING. LOUISVILLE AT LOUISVILLESVILLE, KENTUCKY. WILL consider interviewer at LOUISSVILLE, KY. KENTUCHY. Will consider The Southern Patriot as referred to on page three of enclosed Letter for any information they might have concerning the assassination off KING. MOBILE AT EUBUATIA, ALBAMA: WILL consider interviewing HARRY I. GOOGHA, THE ACRESS in the enclosed letter for any information he might have concerning the assassination of KING. AT HOTASULGA, ALABAAMA: Will consider interviewing A. H. C. Cress and Steve Senor, EDWARD H. REYNOLDS at the address in enclosed letter for any informatien of they might possess concerning the assessment of KING." AT SHORTER, ALADAMA: MILL consider interviewing CHARLIE NO. ALBAMIA, WILL consider interviewing knowledge of the assassinationof KING." AT T. A. SHORTON, ALAMBA: WILL considering his possible C. J. A, AVENUEZ, ALBABA, WILL considers interviewing COGGIES, G. W. DISHON, JOHN J. ROLES, DOB DAVISSON, W ., J. J ., R. HOSAET, HOWARD RULHEN, HARVEY SADLER, owner of the Story Equipment Company, AND THOMAS C. STORY FOR INFORMATION they might have concernning the assassinationassination of KING, AT UNION SERVICES, ALAMA: WILL consider interviewing W. L. AVANT FOR any information ne might have concearing KING's assassination. -4- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail an FBI investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray as the primary suspect and his alleged movements between Memphis, Alabama, and California. Ray is linked to a blue Buick owned by Eddie Wilburn of Huntsville, Alabama, used for transport after the assassination. His travel routes include Southern Greyhound Bus trips from Memphis to Los Angeles, with a bus ticket dated April 7, 1968, noted in an anonymous tip relayed by William Thomas, a Los Angeles Times editor. Ray’s alleged connections to the KKK and potential accomplices like Samuel Lewis are explored, alongside financial transactions involving keno tickets and cash transfers. The FBI coordinated with local law enforcement offices to verify claims about Ray’s activities, including his stay at a Memphis rooming house associated with Samuel Lewis. Frank Brickley, also known as Bill Robert Shaw, is flagged as a person of interest due to his criminal history, resemblance to Ray, and potential ties to Samuel Lewis. Brickley’s movements are tracked via bus tickets from Knoxville to Memphis, Los Angeles, and El Paso, with specific attention to ticket number 130008222942 issued by Augusta Nichols in Knoxville. The investigation also references financial activities linked to Western Union and connections to the VFW Club.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspect in MLK’s assassination; linked to KKK, Memphis rooming house, and blue Buick)  
- William Thomas (Los Angeles Times editor who received anonymous tip about Ray’s movements)  
- Eddie Wilburn (Buick owner in Huntsville, Alabama; associated with Ray’s transport)  
- Samuel Lewis (roommate of Ray in Memphis; potential accomplice)  
- Frank Brickley (aliases: Bill Robert Shaw, William Franklin Brickley; flagged as person of interest due to criminal history and resemblance to Ray)  
- Augusta Nichols (ticket issuer in Knoxville, Tennessee)  
- Jesse G. Brown (bus driver in Nashville)  
- Bernard Foster (bus driver in Memphis)  
- Ben Thompson (boat owner in Key West, Florida)  
- William Pierce (airfield operator in Belle Glade, Florida)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (rooming house, transportation hub; Ray’s alleged stay and weapon placement)  
- Huntsville, Alabama (Wilburn’s residence; Buick ownership)  
- Los Angeles, California (telephone calls, newspaper offices; Ray’s alleged travel destination)  
- Belle Glade, Florida (private airfield for Ray’s flight to Key West)  
- Key West, Florida (yacht associated with Ray)  
- Knoxville, Tennessee (bus ticket origin for Brickley’s movements)  
- El Paso, Texas (destination on Brickley’s bus route)  
- Terre Haute, Indiana (Brickley’s prior incarceration site)  
- Louisville, Kentucky (FBI coordination and prison records review)  

Key Events  
- James Earl Ray’s alleged travel from Memphis to Los Angeles via Southern Greyhound Bus and private plane.  
- Use of a blue Buick with Alabama plates for transporting individuals after the assassination.  
- Anonymous tip about Ray’s activities, including keno ticket transactions and travel to Belle Glade, Florida, and Key West.  
- FBI verification efforts through interviews, document checks, and coordination with local law enforcement offices.  
- Investigation into Frank Brickley’s movements via bus tickets from Knoxville to Memphis, Los Angeles, and El Paso.  
- Cross-referencing of Brickley’s identity with Samuel Lewis and James Earl Ray due to resemblance and prior FBI involvement in MLK’s case.  
- Flagging Brickley as a person of interest for his criminal history and potential threats.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Department of Justice  
- Los Angeles Times (media involvement in tip-sharing)  
- Southern Greyhound Bus Company  
- Kentucky State Police (KSP)  
- Western Union (linked to communication and financial activities)  
- VFW Club (suspected association of Pierce and Wilburn)  
- Local law enforcement offices (e.g., Memphis, Huntsville, Belle Glade)

MLK Declassified Files

44-ls-947_sec_003_ser_201-296-part_5_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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