</s>PAGE NINE ONE FOUR ZERO HOWARD AVE ., BURLINGAME, CALIF ., MODEL NUMBER H FIVE L FOUR, SERIAL NUMBER THREE ONE SIX FOUR SEVEN: SUPERIOR FRENCH LAUNDRY, ONE TWO EIGHT FOUR WEST MAIN AVENUE, OAKLAND, CALIFF ., WHICH HAS NUMEROUS MACHINES OF THIS TYPE SOME OF WHICH HAVE SEEN RETURNED TO REPRESENTATIVE. MACHINE. H FIVE K ONE SERIAL NUMBER THREE ONE THREE FIVE FIVE EIGHT RETURNED to TEXTILE MARKING MACHINA HAS BEEN CHECKED BY ALBANY. REGARDING THE ABOVE MACHINS ALL OF THOSE HAVING FIVE CHARACTERS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND THE NUMBERS FURNISHED BY TELEPHONE TO BALTIMORE, BOSTON AND SAN FRANCISCO. OTHER MACHINESS SET FORTH ABOVE FOR THE DESIGNATION IN THE MODEL NUMBER INDICATING THAT THEY ARE FIVE CHARTEER MACHINCES. HOWEVER THE RECORDS OF TEXTILE MARKING MACKINE END PAGE NINE 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The FBI conducted extensive investigative activities in April 1968 related to potential threats against Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and other matters. Key efforts included tracking individuals with ties to Memphis, Alabama, and other locations, focusing on suspects linked to MLK’s murder. Eric S. Golt of Birmingham, AL, was noted for his movements around April 3-4, 1968, and vehicle details (Mustang license plate). Jess Shannon in Denver reported seeing a suspect matching the FBI’s composite sketch in a yellow Cadillac. In Detroit, Al Thatcher and Francis Erdman heard a "GI" at an airport bar express intent to travel to Memphis to kill MLK, describing the individual as white, mid-20s, with a military uniform, scar, and specific physical traits. Investigations also explored Paul Adam Harmon in New York and John C. Price in Florida, both linked to Memphis via travel and statements about MLK’s death. Additional reports mentioned Vincent Paul De Palma and others under scrutiny, though no direct ties to the assassination were established. Separate communications referenced Alan Roy Peterson, a naval petty officer who reported his cousin (possibly John or Jack) expressed intent to assassinate MLK, though Peterson denied the statement’s truthfulness. The FBI requested an interview with Peterson’s mother in New York. Willard Benfield Jr., a suspect with violent criminal history including assault convictions, was noted for travel to Hayti, Missouri. An abandoned rifle purchased under the name Harvey Loweyeer/Lowyer was linked to MLK’s assassination, prompting FBI directives to check records for individuals with these names and prioritize bombing suspects. Unrelated investigations into laundry companies and marking machines were also mentioned.  

Key People  
- Eric S. Golt (Birmingham, AL) – Suspect with connections to Memphis, noted for vehicle and movement details.  
- Jess Shannon (Denver) – Witnessed a suspect matching the FBI’s composite sketch in a yellow Cadillac.  
- Al Thatcher (Detroit) – Reported hearing a "GI" at an airport bar express intent to kill MLK.  
- Francis Erdman (Detroit) – Provided detailed description of the suspect, including military uniform and physical traits.  
- Paul Adam Harmon (New York) – Linked to Memphis via travel and statements about MLK’s death.  
- John C. Price (Florida) – Connected to Memphis through travel and remarks on MLK’s assassination.  
- Alan Roy Peterson (naval petty officer who reported a cousin’s alleged intent to assassinate MLK)  
- Willard Benfield Jr. (suspect with violent criminal history, including assault convictions)  
- Ruth Gistaf Peterson (Peterson’s mother, contacted by FBI for information)  
- Harvey Loweyeer/Lowyer (individual linked to the purchase of a rifle connected to MLK’s assassination)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee – Primary focus of the FBI’s efforts, with ties to suspects’ movements and statements.  
- Birmingham, AL – Central to investigations involving Golt and Aeromarine.  
- Denver, CO – Mentioned in reports about a yellow Cadillac driver.  
- Detroit, MI – Site of the airport bar incident where the "GI" made threats.  
- New York City – Home to Paul Adam Harmon and related investigations.  
- Benton Harbor, Michigan – Benfield’s residence and past criminal activity.  
- Hayti, Missouri – Benfield’s alleged travel destination.  
- Los Angeles, California – Laundry company investigation.  

Key Events  
- Surveillance and interviews of suspects linked to Memphis, including Golt, Price, and Harmon.  
- Witness accounts of individuals matching the FBI’s composite sketch of the assassin.  
- Military personnel (GI) in Detroit expressing intent to kill MLK, with detailed physical descriptions.  
- Investigations into vehicle registrations, license plates, and travel patterns of suspects.  
- Coordination between FBI offices in Memphis, New York, Denver, and other locations for cross-referencing leads.  
- Alan Roy Peterson’s statement about his cousin’s alleged intent to assassinate MLK.  
- FBI request to interview Peterson’s mother for information on the cousin.  
- Investigation into Willard Benfield Jr.’s criminal past and movements.  
- Inquiry into the abandoned rifle purchased by Harvey Loweyeer/Lowyer.  
- FBI directive to check records for individuals with unusual names (Loweyeer/Lowyer).  
- Investigation into laundry companies and marking machines.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Conducted surveillance, interviews, and coordination across multiple regions.  
- Naval Station, Long Beach, California – Alan Roy Peterson’s affiliation.  
- Local law enforcement in Benton Harbor, Michigan – Involved in Benfield’s criminal activity tracking.  
- Laundry companies (Beach Cities Laundry, Standard Industrial Laundry) – Mentioned in unrelated investigations.  
- Probation Office (New York) – Involved in background checks on suspects like Paul Adam Harmon.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_62-06-part_3_of_4.pdf

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