</s>UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIC 14 SR 4-22-65 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20357 3. The following information from FBI record, NUMBER 743 663 A is furnished for OFFICIAL USE ONLY. All descriptive factors (if any) furnished by you match those in our identification file unless herein quoted. Description and Related Data: Race: White Sex: Male * Height: 72" Weight: 190 Hair: Black Eyes: Brown Date and Place of Birth: Collinsville Oklahoma Scars and Marks: diag et sc between Tip RT index eyes 1" vert et finger ampt it upper lip and left corner of mouth Address: (in 1967) 2813 E 45th St N Tulsa Oklahoma HIDUCA. FLED Occupation: Truck Driver Fbi-WEATHER Since neither fingerprints nor at Identifying number which is indeed Fbi can be accompanied with your request, Fbi cannot be used to identify the that this material concerns the included in whom you are interested. John Edgar Hoover Director 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into potential connections between James Earl Ray, Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassin, and various individuals and organizations. Key activities include tracking James Bevel (SCLC official) in Philadelphia via Beverly Stern, investigating Karl Rapp's interactions with "Manger" (possibly linked to Ray), reviewing Mrs. Friendly Var's address changes and correspondence, examining McCARVER's hospital records and ties to Arkansas, and noting a confidential source's claim about GARDON WHITNER seeking to eliminate MLK. The FBI also sought information on JERRY RAY's whereabouts, his alleged conspiracy claims, and the status of investigations in Memphis, Kansas City, and other locations. Additional inquiries focused on motel registrations in Birmingham and Memphis during March–April 1968, correspondence with informants like Morris R. McCarrer, interviews with witnesses such as Raul Victor Esquiel, and verification of travel and lodging records for "GALT" at Travelodge Motel, Birmingham. A letter from Canada disputes James Earl Ray’s role in the assassination, attributing the act to an "adopted brother" or another individual. The FBI explored connections between Ray and "Raul" through travel logs and media reports.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspected assassin)  
- Morris R. McCarrer (informant linked to FBI file #743 663 A)  
- Raul Victor Esquiel (witness interviewed about interactions with Ray)  
- John Edgar Hoover (FBI Director)  
- Gordon Whitner (mentioned in unconfirmed investigation context)  
- James Bevel (SCLC official)  
- Beverly Stern (Bevel's aide)  
- Karl Rapp (Kansas City resident with ties to Manger)  
- Manger (possibly linked to Ray or conspiracy claims)  
- McCARVER (hospital records, Arkansas connections)  
- GARDON WHITNER (alleged plot against MLK per confidential source)  
- JERRY RAY (suspected conspirator, subject of FBI inquiries)  
- MORRIS MC CARVER  
- J. GURDEN WHITENER (spouse: Mrs. WHITENER)  
- J.B. STONER  
- George Wallace  
- PHIL M. CANALE (District Attorney General)  
- SA JOG C. HESTER (FBI agent)  

Key Locations  
- Birmingham, Alabama (Travelodge Motel, Florence area motels)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (police departments, FBI SAC)  
- St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada (letter from John D. Glas Burey)  
- New Orleans, Louisiana (Esquiel’s residence and police records)  
- Philadelphia (Bevel's location)  
- Kansas City (Rapp and Manger ties)  
- Topeka, Kansas (McCARVER's hospital records)  
- Arkansas (Whitener family, McCARVER's past residence)  
- Eureka Springs, Arkansas  
- Busch, Arkansas  
- Little Rock, Arkansas  
- Washington, D.C. (NBC radio station WRC)  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into motel registrations around the time of King’s assassination  
- Correspondence with informants about potential threats or involvement in the assassination  
- Interview with Raul Victor Esquiel regarding Ray’s activities in 1967–1968  
- Verification of travel and lodging records for "GALT" at Travelodge Motel, Birmingham  
- Claims from Canada disputing James Earl Ray’s role in the assassination  
- FBI efforts to locate Bevel through SCLC and Stern  
- Investigation into Karl Rapp's interactions with Manger and potential ties to Ray  
- Review of Mrs. Friendly Var's address changes and correspondence  
- Examination of McCARVER's hospital records (AWOL status, 1968 discharge)  
- Confidential source's claim about GARDON WHITNER's motive to kill MLK  
- FBI tracking JERRY RAY's movements and alleged conspiracy claims  
- MC CARVER’s brief stay at the WHITENER home in 1967–1968, including financial assistance and a bounced check  
- FBI interviews with J. GURDEN WHITENER regarding MC CARVER’s activities  
- Investigation into RAY’s alleged involvement in MLK’s assassination, including claims of political motivation or connection to George Wallace  
- Transmission of FBI case updates via airtel (telecommunication) between offices in Memphis, Little Rock, and Savannah  
- Legal appeals by RAY and public perception shifts regarding his actions  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- U.S. Army Military Intelligence Group  
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)  
- Local police departments (Memphis, Birmingham, Florence, Alabama)  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)  
- Topeka State Hospital (McCARVER records)  
- Arkansas Department of Justice (MC CARVER's ties)  
- National Radio Company (NBC radio station WRC)  
- Tennessee State legal system  
- Arkansas State Penitentiary

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_86-07-part_5_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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