</s>F.D. 245 (REV. 4:13-60) H. S. Department of Justice Znust after arrest (MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO . HIS FILE) F.S. 18th-Sub-M (MATE) NO. 4-13-66 ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FIELD OFFICE FILE FOR HISTORICAL FOIPA FROUSSED DECLASSIFICATION FEDERAL BUREAU DO NOT DESTROY PENDING LITIGATION DATE:19/31/01 SP.CK/06 2778 3/85-camel of of CLASSIFIED INFORMATIONENERCLOSED INVESTIGATION Series: Volume Number Bureau File Number 44/4-3/16/1 "DO NOT DESTROY, HISTOICAL VALUE, NATIONAL ARCHIVES" See also Nos. SEE INSIDE FOR LITILIGATION DO NOT DESTROY HISTORIC VALUE NATIONAL ACHIVES See neut Section MADE WALES 10-37972 2023 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s activities related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on his possession of a .38 caliber "Liberty Chief" revolver (serial number 715) manufactured by Mikoku Firearms Co., Japan. The weapon was traced through Robert Tatum of Mableton, Georgia, who purchased it from Solingen Cutlery Co., Montrose, California, in October 1966. It was later sold to Walter E. Spain in Birmingham, Alabama, in December 1966. Ray’s arrest in London on June 9, 1968, under the alias "Ramon George Sneyd," led to the seizure of additional items, including a Polaroid camera, a "Merc" transistor radio (RCA model), clothing, and documents such as birth certificates and passport photos. The FBI sought to connect Ray to MLK’s assassination, noting his association with a "Mysterious Fat Man" in Toronto, Canada, who allegedly delivered an envelope during his stay at a rooming house on Dundas Street. Investigations also referenced Ray’s links to David Ferrie and Earl Anglin James, suspects in JFK assassination inquiries. Communications between U.S. embassies in Ottawa, London, and Tokyo highlighted efforts to verify Ray’s identity, track his movements, and secure evidence for extradition. A separate inquiry examined Ray’s possession of a hypnosis-related booklet titled "How to Hypnotire," with Dr. Adolph E. Lome identified as the author, though no direct connection to the assassination was established. Walter Leon Spain confirmed selling a revolver to an unidentified buyer matching Ray’s physical description in late 1967, though no evidence of its use in the murder was provided. Toronto police records noted a "mystery man" investigation but found no leads, while Ray stayed under the alias Paul Bridgeman at a Toronto rooming house in April 1968 with false biographical information sent to the Bureau of Statistics.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspect arrested in London with the revolver; linked to MLK assassination and Toronto-based "Mysterious Fat Man."  
- **Robert Tatum**: Purchased the revolver from Solingen Cutlery Co. in 1966.  
- **Walter E. Spain**: Acquired the revolver from Tatum in 1966; described as a white male with brown hair.  
- **David Ferrie**: Alleged conspirator in JFK assassination, referenced by Reynolds in Toronto.  
- **Earl Anglin James**: Suspected associate of Ray, connected to JFK assassination investigations.  
- **Buford Ellington**: Governor of Tennessee, requested extradition of Ray for MLK’s murder trial.  
- **Ramsey Clark**: U.S. Attorney General, provided details on Ray’s indictment.  
- **Dr. Adolph E. Lome**: Author of hypnosis booklet "How to Hypnotire."  
- **Melvin Powers**: Publisher in Memphis; confirmed book not sold to Ray.  
- **Paul Bridgeman**: Alias used by Ray during stay in Toronto.  

Key Locations  
- **London, England**: Site of Ray’s arrest and initial seizure of the revolver.  
- **Toronto, Canada**: Rooming house where Ray resided; location of "Mysterious Fat Man" sightings.  
- **Montrose, California**: Origin of Solingen Cutlery Co., seller of the revolver.  
- **Mableton, Georgia**: Tatum’s residence and location of revolver purchase.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Spain’s residence where the revolver was sold.  
- **Ottawa, Canada**: U.S. embassy communications regarding Ray’s travel documents.  
- **Chicago, Illinois**: Origin of hypnosis booklet inquiry.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: FBI office involved in tracking Ray’s movements.  

Key Events  
- **June 9, 1968**: James Earl Ray arrested in London with the .38 caliber revolver.  
- **October 15, 1966**: Revolver purchased by Robert Tatum from Solingen Cutlery Co.  
- **December 3, 1966**: Revolver sold to Walter E. Spain in Birmingham, Alabama.  
- **June 7–8, 1968**: FBI and Department of State coordinated efforts to verify Ray’s identity and secure evidence for extradition.  
- **April–May 1968**: Toronto police investigated a "mystery man" linked to Ray’s activities.  
- **Late 1967**: Walter Leon Spain sold revolver to buyer matching Ray’s physical description.  
- **April 1968**: James Earl Ray stayed in Toronto under alias Paul Bridgeman, with biographical details sent to Bureau of Statistics.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into Ray’s activities, revolver tracing, and connections to other conspiracies.  
- **Department of State**: Coordinated extradition efforts and provided legal guidance.  
- **Scotland Yard (UK police)**: Arrested Ray in London.  
- **Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)**: Assisted in identifying the "Mysterious Fat Man" as B.O. McDoultion.  
- **Polaroid Corporation**: Involved in tracking a camera purchased by Ray.  
- **RCA Corporation**: Provided information on serial numbers for a "Merc" transistor radio.  
- **Bureau of Statistics**: Received false biographical information from Ray.  
- **Toronto Police Department**: Investigated "mystery man" and long-distance phone calls.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_85-06-part_1_of_6.pdf

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