</s>CO 44-299 MBM/c/rg 1 INVESTIGATION NE SUSPECT GENE HUDSON DOGWOOD DRIVE, CHARLESTONE, SOUTH CAROLINA as follows: On April 18, 1968, the Atlanta Office advised On April 19, 1968 ,, the Atlantic Office advised BETTY CHAMBERS, United Airlines Ticket Counter, In-Town Motor Hotel, Atlanta, advised individual named GENE HUDSON checked into the above motel on April 12, 1968. and departed April 15, 1968; the stated head no 12 home and departedApril 15, 1969; the noted noted head no 10 home indicated HUDDSON checked into into the hotel previously on March 28 and March 29, 1968: listing address to Dogwood March 28 as March 29. 1968, listing address at Dogwood Hudson's white male, who was to 34 years of age, 511" 175 pounds, brown hair, 27 appeared similar to pictures of JAMES BARL RAY, who appeared similar at Atlanta, as well as local television stations at Atlanta, on April 15. 1968. SA WARDLAW E. SKINNER: A review of the current Charleston, South Carolina, telephone directory, and the Charleston, south Carolina, City Directory on April 18. 1968; disclosed no listing for GENE HUDDSON. It was also noted that current maps of the City of Charleston,South Carolina, the City Directory contain no listing for a Dogwood Drive, Charleston, and City Directory contained FRANCIS OLIVER, Credit Bureau of Greater Charleston, Charleston, South Carolinas, advised on April 13, 1968 ;, that the record, South Caroline, advised to April 18; 1968;, that the Bureau contain no record identifiable with GENE Hudson. County Police Department, North Charleston, Record Division, Charleston Sergant J. S. MINOR, record division, Charleston advised on April 14, 1968), that the records of the Department contain a record for GENE HUDSON. Mrs. JULIA BEATTE, Clerk, Recorder, Record Room, DIBED-1-1,6-1.65 Department that Charleston, North Carolina, RecordRoom, DIEED-4-4,16 1968, that, Charleston. South Carolina. Aisdard an APPO-10 GENE HUNSON. THE NAMI MEMPHIS GENE HOUSON. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document details FBI investigations into individuals linked to James Earl Ray, a suspect in Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. Gene Hudson, described as resembling Ray, checked into an Atlanta motel under a fictitious name between April 12–15, 1968. The FBI sought to verify his identity by checking Charleston, South Carolina, phone directories and comparing handwriting from hotel records with Ray’s known signature. Investigations also focused on Texaco ship crew members in Port Arthur, Texas, including Paul Rainville and Harry Bicham, who were interviewed about potential ties to Ray. Charles W. Clark of Virginia was reviewed for credit and employment history, with noted affiliations to the United Klans of America (UKA), though no direct link to MLK’s assassination was established. The FBI pursued leads on WardeLL Hicks and John Eugene Gavron, connected to bank robbery allegations. A separate entry references a letter received by the Memphis Police Department on May 17, 1968, referencing threats against Dr. King, forwarded to Ottawa for further investigation.  

Key People  
- Gene Hudson (suspect linked to James Earl Ray)  
- James Earl Ray (implicated in MLK’s assassination)  
- Charles W. Clark (subject of credit and employment records review; UKA affiliate)  
- Paul Rainville (Texaco ship crew member interviewed)  
- Harry Bicham (Third Mate on Texaco ship)  
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (victim)  
- Robert D. Johnson (Deputy Director, Passport Office)  
- Kennith J. Haser (Special Agent)  
- Francis, Knight, Barbara Watson (State Department officials)  

Key Locations  
- Atlanta, Georgia (motel check-in for Hudson)  
- Charleston, South Carolina (phone directory checks)  
- Port Arthur, Texas (Texaco ship docked)  
- Chester and Hopewell, Virginia (Clark’s residences and employment)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (Memphis Police Department letter receipt)  
- Montreal, Canada (letter postmark)  
- Ottawa, Canada (FBI investigation coordination)  
- Washington, D.C. (U.S. Department of State operations)  

Key Events  
- FBI efforts to verify Gene Hudson’s identity and eliminate him as a suspect  
- Investigation into Texaco ship crew members for potential ties to James Earl Ray  
- Review of Charles W. Clark’s credit records and UKA affiliations  
- Receipt of a letter by the Memphis Police Department referencing threats against Dr. King  
- FBI Memphis Office forwarding the letter to Ottawa for further investigation  
- Administrative review of passport applications at the U.S. Department of State  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- United Klans of America (UKA, mentioned in connection with Charles W. Clark)  
- United States Department of State  
- General Services Administration  
- Memphis Police Department

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_71-02-part_1_of_4.pdf

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