</s>AL 44-493 ALL OFFICES should index the names of these locations in their territories for future use in other type cases. The Bureau has been requested to supply to all of the offices covering the above states copies of color photo- graphs of the tapes attached to the garments recovered. The Bureau has advised that this is being done. ALL OFFICS It is suggested in contacts with above establishments the actual operators of Thermo-Seal machines rather than supervisor personnel of Thermoe-Sed machines. If further suggested, on the basic personnel of the first quarter of the year, the first Marking Machine Co. personnel that the letter "o" is in instant. Machine been used rather than a cash for first character. If the code is recognized by insertion of a dash instead of instant tape, obtain sample of acceptable as it appears on to FBI Laboratory for examination. ARMED AND DANGEROUS. -7* 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) investigation into the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on forensic analysis of laundry marks found on his clothing. The FBI examined Thermo-Seal machine specifications, including dimensions (1/8" long, 1/16" wide) and typographic features (first two characters in 15-point type, last three in 18-point type), to trace potential connections between the markings and suspects. Analysis of a laundry mark on King’s undershorts identified the first letter "O" as a lot number, with subsequent characters linked to dates, store names, or identifiers. The Bureau requested color photographs of Thermo-Seal tapes from recovered garments and sought locations of textile machines using this type of tape across military installations (e.g., Naval Air Stations, Navy Exchanges) and civilian facilities. Parallel investigations included tracking suspects like Eric Starvo Galt, Frank Leslie Baird, and John Willard through vehicle records, aliases, employment histories, and fingerprint checks. The FBI also monitored hotel stays in Memphis, Tennessee, and pursued administrative procedures for case management under Executive Order 14176.  

Key People  
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (subject of assassination investigation)  
- Eric Starvo Galt (suspect; described as an introvert with a Southern accent, clean appearance, and nervous habits; attended dancing schools in Birmingham, New Orleans, and California; linked to aliases like Harvey Lawymer or John Willard)  
- Frank Leslie Baird (Pennsylvania State University alumnus; arrested for narcotics possession in Massachusetts)  
- John Willard (linked to Memphis, Tennessee; employed at Dean Witter Brokerage in Philadelphia; associated with Galt via alias)  
- L.N. Page (U.S. Army veteran; linked to Rebel Motel room occupation post-suspect departure)  
- Jimmy B. Morgan (registered Ford sedan with Pennsylvania license plate 3C0845; vehicle suspected to be a white Mustang)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (Rebel Motor Hotel, Cascade Motel; central to assassination timeline and suspect surveillance)  
- Syracuse, New York (Textile Marking Machine Co., manufacturer of Thermo-Seal tapes)  
- Naval Air Stations, Navy Exchanges, Army/Navy supply depots (e.g., Norfolk, Virginia; San Francisco, California; Jacksonville, Florida)  
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (FBI office handling vehicle and fingerprint inquiries)  
- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (license plate records checked for Jimmy B. Morgan’s vehicle)  
- Downington, Pennsylvania (L.N. Page’s contact details provided)  
- Cambridge, Massachusetts (Frank Leslie Baird’s arrest location)  
- Hershey, Pennsylvania (John Willard’s forwarding address)  

Key Events  
- Forensic analysis of laundry marks on Dr. King’s clothing to identify Thermo-Seal machine codes and link them to suspects or locations  
- FBI efforts to trace the origin of specific Thermo-Seal tapes used in laundry markings and connect them to individuals or facilities  
- Investigation into Eric Starvo Galt’s attendance at dance schools, physical description, and aliases (Harvey Lawymer/John Willard)  
- Vehicle identification efforts: Request for confirmation if Jimmy B. Morgan’s Ford was a white Mustang  
- Fingerprint elimination request: FBI sought prints of L.N. Page to exclude from suspect list  
- Administrative procedures under Executive Order 14176 for case tracking and release of records  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), including SACs in Albany, Philadelphia, and Memphis; FBI Laboratory Latent Fingerprint Section & Ident Division  
- Textile Marking Machine Co. (manufacturer of Thermo-Seal machines referenced in the investigation)  
- Pennsylvania State Police (PSP); local county credit bureaus  
- Cambridge Police Department  
- Dean Witter Brokerage  
- U.S. Postal Service (forwarding address records)

MLK Declassified Files

44-ph-1368_sec_001_ser_1-91-part_8_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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