</s>NK 44-254 PAGE TWO WHEREABOUTS WERE KNOWN DURING PERTINENT PERIOD FOUR TWENTY- NINE TO THIRTY SIXTY-EIGHT AND FOUR FOUR SIXTY-EIGHTH. MAIL COPY SENT TO BIRMINGHAM. END WASH ... EFPH FBI WASH DC /C VPHILA ... ERA FBI PHILA 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigative activities in 1968 related to potential suspects connected to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on individuals such as John Edward Willard, Donald Cameron Gault, and Eric Starvo Galt. The FBI conducted checks on driver’s license records in Louisiana and Pennsylvania for individuals with birthdates matching those of potential suspects. Investigations included cross-referencing employment details for Gault, a Naval Reserve member affiliated with Anti-Submarine Warfare Group VP 933, and verifying his whereabouts during specific dates (April 4, 1968; March 29–31, 1968). A cryptic note from Camden, New Jersey, referenced "ERIC STARVO GALT" as an anagram of "GROVEL AT CHRIST," suggesting a possible connection to the case. The FBI also coordinated with other offices to trace subscription data for publications like *Hardware Age* and *Argosy*, and investigated locksmithing institute records. Additional inquiries involved Thermo-Seal Identification Machines used by laundries in Pennsylvania, including West Chester, Havenford, Media, Coatsville, and New Idea Laundry, with specific coding systems noted. Administrative notes referenced document release under Executive Order 14176 and unrelated case files such as "Laundry Mark On/45/66" and "Gio Woodbury, Inc."  

Key People  
- John Edward Willard (broker in Maple Shade, NJ; Philadelphia)  
- Donald Cameron Gault (Naval Reserve member, Anti-Submarine Warfare Group VP 933, Willow Grove, PA; employed by Continental Assurance)  
- Eric Starvo Galt (suspect linked to anagram reference "GROVEL AT CHRIST")  
- Carl Schulte Yingling (sender of anagram note from Camden, NJ)  
- James Cadagan (circulation manager for *Hardware Age*)  
- Donald G. Cox (FBI agent conducting laundry investigations)  
- John N. Grantam (Canadian citizen at Philadelphia Consulate)  
- Samuel and Bernard Horvitz (operators of Montrose Laundries)  
- Maurice Weingarten (president of Gio Woodbury, Inc.)  
- Linwood (individual with fingerprint records)  
- Nash Page (linked to Rebel Motor Hotel fingerprints)  

Key Locations  
- Philadelphia, PA (FBI offices, Dean Witter Brokerage, Sterling Supply Corp., Montrose Laundries)  
- Willow Grove, PA (Gault’s Naval Reserve attachment)  
- Coco Beach, FL (Gault’s travel locations)  
- Louisiana and Pennsylvania (driver’s license records checks)  
- New York City (subscription records for publications)  
- West Chester, Havenford, Media, Coatsville, Bloomsburg, Columbia, Union County Court House, PA (laundry operations and Thermo-Seal machine investigations)  
- Rebel Motor Hotel (Room 34, fingerprint comparison)  

Key Events  
- FBI verification of Gault’s employment and whereabouts in 1968  
- Investigation into driver’s license records for individuals with specific birthdates  
- Anagram reference to "ERIC STARVO GALT" as a potential clue  
- Coordination between FBI offices to trace subscription data and lead investigations  
- FBI inquiries into subscription records for *Hardware Age* and *Argosy* to locate Galt/Gault subscribers  
- Investigations into Thermo-Seal Identification Machine codes used by laundries in Pennsylvania, including West Chester’s lot numbers (1A-20A) and Havenford’s coding system (e.g., 1-A-1)  
- Contact with institutions and individuals to verify Eric Starvo Galt’s identity or connections  
- Drivers’ license comparisons between Alabama and Louisiana for potential matches to Galt  
- Forensic analysis of fingerprints and palm prints from Rebel Motor Hotel  
- Tracking of thermo-seal machine SN 23193 for investigative purposes  
- Administrative note on document release under Executive Order 14176  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Continental Assurance (Gault’s employer)  
- Locksmithing Institute (LI)  
- *Hardware Age* and *Argosy* (publications linked to Gault’s records)  
- Sterling Supply Corp. (Philadelphia-based supplier)  
- Montrose Laundries (bankrupt laundry operation)  
- Gio Woodbury, Inc. (company associated with Maurice Weingarten)  
- Neodata Service, Inc. (Colorado-based entity contacted by Denver FBI office)  
- Canadian Consulate, Philadelphia

MLK Declassified Files

44-ph-1368_sec_003_ser_93-174-part_2_of_5.pdf

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