</s>OFFICIAL FORM NO. 10- UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum TO SAC, MEMPHIS (44-1987) DATE: 4/24/68 FROM : SA HARLEY E. GYLFE SUBJECT: MURKIN CR 00: MEMPHISS Re Bureau airtel to Memphis dated 4/17/68. Referenced communication concerns an anonymous letter received at the Bureau which was postmarked 4/12/68 at Chicago, Illinois. The letter was dated 4/13/68 in the state of Tennessee. The letters are dated MARTIN LUTHER KING, who is a white man (person). It was a colored person who is now hiding out at Hall of Motels in Memphis, Tennessee, on Felder Street." A view of a street guide for the Memphis metropolitan area does not list a street named Felder. A review area does NOT list a motel named Feider. metropolitan is list of all the motels in the Memphis Hall of Motels. A review of a road guide does not indicate a street spelling or pronunciation to Felder, The list of motels is not a sign of that in the Hall of Motel. None of the motel listed are of the Hall or Motels: None of these motels listed are located on a street with a name anywhere similar to that of Felder." Inasmuch as no information was developed as to the existence of a motel name Hall of Motors nor a street named Feeder, and no further investigation is being conducted. HEG:t.jm 44-1937-just-123 (2) 3 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail FBI investigations into potential connections between individuals and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) in 1968. Key elements include: Henry O'Neill's participation in a wager with Robert Rouston regarding MLK’s safety, his subsequent shock at MLK’s assassination, and his reported intention to send a check for a bet that was later torn up. The FBI also conducted inquiries into motor vehicle records, including license plates linked to suspects like James Earl Ray (MURKIN), and checked with agencies such as the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) and Memphis Division. Informants were contacted in Nashville, Memphis, and other locations to gather information on potential associates of the suspect. An anonymous letter dated April 13, 1968, was received by the Bureau and postmarked Chicago, Illinois, falsely claiming MLK was a white man hiding at "Hall of Motels" on Felder Street in Memphis, though subsequent checks confirmed no such motel or street existed. Other memos discuss FBI efforts to locate individuals linked to the case, including James Earl Ray (MURKIN), JERRY PAUL McCARTER (suspected of anti-Black sentiment), and others. A car registration for a 1966 Ford Mustang (VIN 6077397001) was noted as belonging to Paul McCarter, who denied involvement in the murder. The FBI also sought cost data on case-related expenses, including mileage and personnel hours, and referenced James Earl Ray's inclusion in the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list. References to Charles Carret, Gordon Joseph McCollom, and others involve connections to vehicles, residences, and alleged activities linked to Ray. Some entries mention unrelated administrative tasks, such as savings bond promotions and form submissions, alongside investigative efforts.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray (MURKIN)**: Central suspect in MLK’s assassination; referenced in multiple documents.  
- **Henry O'Neill**: American Airlines manager involved in a wager about MLK’s assassination risk.  
- **Robert Rouston**: Colleague of O’Neill who participated in the wager.  
- **JERRY PAUL McCARTER**: Suspected of anti-Black sentiment, employed by Triangle Distributors, Inc., with a blue 1966 Ford Mustang.  
- **Paul McCarter**: Car registration for a 1966 Ford Mustang noted as belonging to him; denied involvement in the murder.  
- **Merle Haggard**: Country music artist whose identity was checked against suspect photographs.  
- **CAROL WYLE**: Contacted by the Memphis FBI office regarding potential information on MLK’s assassination.  
- **WALTER R. HAPPELL**: FBI agent involved in reviewing leads related to the case.  
- **Charles Carret**: Associated with a Chevrolet vehicle and residence in Celina, Ohio.  
- **Gordon Joseph McCollom**: Fugitive linked to firearms and Indiana connections.  
- **Mrs. Garrett**: Individual in Celina, Ohio, where Charles Carret resided.  
- **Shirley Annie Lego**: Waitress at Limbrods Restaurant in Memphis, Tennessee.  
- **William M. Perrigan**: FBI agent involved in investigations.  
- **Frank C. Holloman**: Director of Fire and Police for Memphis, Tennessee.  
- **Inspector N. E. Zachary**: Memphis Police Department official handling evidence custody.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Primary location for FBI operations; references to "Felder Street" and "Hall of Motels" (later confirmed non-existent).  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Postmark location of an anonymous letter referencing MLK.  
- **Celina, Ohio**: Residence linked to Charles Carret.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Mentioned in context of Ray’s alleged movements.  
- **Nashville, Tennessee**: Sites of American Airlines offices, motor vehicle records checks, and hotel inquiries; Grider’s Motel referenced in vehicle records.  
- **Shelby County, Tennessee**: Address linked to Lottie O. Douglas, a subject of investigation.  
- **White County, Tennessee**: Mentioned in context of criminal activity discussions.  
- **Savannah, Tennessee**: Locations involving James Hardy and JEWELL J. Williams.  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into an anonymous letter alleging MLK’s hiding place in Memphis.  
- Review of car registrations and employment records for suspects like Paul McCarter.  
- FBI efforts to locate individuals matching descriptions of the MLK assassin, including a man seen at East Street Cafe in Somerville.  
- Request by the Bureau for cost data on case-related expenses (mileage, personnel hours).  
- James Earl Ray's inclusion in the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list.  
- Wager between Henry O’Neill and Robert Rouston about MLK’s assassination risk.  
- FBI efforts to track James Earl Ray (MURKIN) through motor vehicle records and informants.  
- Investigation into Merle Haggard’s identity to verify connections to suspects.  
- Coordination with Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) to retrieve evidence from Memphis PD.  
- Attempts to locate individuals via hotel registrations and address checks in Nashville and Memphis.  
- FBI and Memphis Police Department coordinated to secure evidence (e.g., firearms, documents) for grand jury review.  
- Interviews with informants in Memphis regarding Ray’s activities, including claims of his presence in the area and vehicle sightings.  
- Examination of a 1968 Chevrolet linked to Charles Carret, leading to a new case filing.  
- Investigation into anonymous tips about Ray’s alleged travel routes and financial transactions related to MLK’s assassination.  
- Administrative tasks such as form submissions and savings bond promotions interspersed with investigative notes.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Central agency conducting investigations, including Memphis and Nashville divisions.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Collaborated with FBI on evidence handling and suspect tracking.  
- **Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP)**: Provided motor vehicle records and evidence retrieval support.  
- **American Airlines**: Mentioned as a location for O’Neill’s workplace and potential suspect connections.  
- **U.S. Savings Bonds Program**: Mentioned in administrative forms alongside investigative content.  
- **Selective Service System**: Mentioned in context of Paul McCarter's military records.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_64-04-part_6_of_7.pdf

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