</s>OFFICIAL FORM NO. 19 GSA PRIMA (C) (GMO) 01-14-14 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum TO : SA, PITTSBURGH (M1-578) -P- DATE: M/11/68 FROM : SA DEAN N. HOVEN SUBJECT: MURKIN OR (00) MEMPHIS) K On 1/10/68, the following laundries, the only complete laundries in the Beckley RA area, were contacted and none use Thermostromatic Marking Machines, red tags, were more numbers 02B-6 or D28-6 their laundry numbers: Richmond Cleaners and Laundry, Beckley, W. Va. Raleigh Cleanersand Laundries, Beckleys, W ., Va ., V. Va .- Crown Cleaners in Plant at Hinton, W .. Va . , which does its Laundry in plant at HINTON, W V. V.a. IMH: (1) X 44-578-142 SEARCHED SEARCHIZED REDEXED FRED APR 15 1958 FB1-PITTSBURGH Curtico 2018-04 Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178

Summary  
The document contains FBI records detailing investigations into threats against Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and forensic analysis of laundry equipment linked to evidence from his assassination. On April 12, 1968, Robert Schllick of Lavallette, N.J., reported that Morris Clayton Skaggs had threatened to kill MLK while employed at Birdsell Consulting Engineers. Skaggs was described as a white male aged 25–26 with blue eyes, blond hair, and divorced status. The FBI sought information on his whereabouts, including potential arrests in Monomohr County, N.J., and connections to Paducah, KY.  

The document also outlines an FBI inquiry into laundry equipment, specifically Thermo-Seal marking machines, used in evidence collection from MLK’s assassination scene. A red tape with black lettering (marked "0-25-6") was found at the location, identified as a product of Textile Marking Machine Co. Experts noted anomalies in the machine’s tape length and coding system, which may have been used to track laundry items. The FBI compiled a list of Thermo-Seal machines in California, including serial numbers and locations such as Acme French Laundry (Serial #32698), Albert Cleaners (Serial #32499), and others across San Diego, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Sacramento.  

Key People  
- **Morris Clayton Skaggs**: Suspect reported to have threatened MLK’s life; described as a white male with blond hair, blue eyes, divorced, and possibly from Paducah, KY.  
- **Robert Schllick**: Informant who provided details about Skaggs’ threats and background.  
- **Textile Marking Machine Co.**: Company referenced for expertise on Thermo-Seal machines used in laundry marking.  

Key Locations  
- **Monomohr County, N.J.** (Sheriff’s office records checked for Skaggs).  
- **California** (multiple cities including San Diego, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Sacramento; locations of Thermo-Seal machines listed).  
- **Beckley, W.Va.** (laundries checked for Thermostromatic machines).  

Key Events  
- **April 12, 1968**: Robert Schllick reported Morris Clayton Skaggs’ threats against MLK to the FBI.  
- **April 10–11, 1968**: FBI inquiries into laundry equipment used in evidence collection, including Thermo-Seal machines and red tape markings linked to MLK’s assassination scene.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into threats against MLK and forensic analysis of laundry equipment.  
- **Textile Marking Machine Co.**: Provided expertise on Thermo-Seal machine anomalies and coding systems.

MLK Declassified Files

44-pg-578_763522_02-02-part_1_of_4.pdf

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