</s>X44 CLASSIFICATION NO. 44-657 Volume Number 2 43 Thu 128 Serials Jun 1 Bureau of Jupiter Bureau of FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER RH - RICHMOND RH-0044-00178: RH Class / Case # Sub Vol. Serial # Serial # INVESTIGATION 0044 657 2 43 128 Business File Number 9/10/907714 9/11/0907714 RRP002HBUZ 2026 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178 See the Title.

Summary  
The document details FBI investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., which occurred on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee. The Bureau focused on identifying suspects linked to the crime, including individuals such as Eric Starvo Galt, Harvey Lowyer/Loweyers, John Willard, Morris Clayton Skaggs, and John Lewis Camphane. Key leads included a rifle purchased in Birmingham, Alabama, by an individual using these names; forensic checks on fingerprints; and inquiries into financial records, credit histories, and criminal backgrounds. The FBI coordinated with local law enforcement agencies in Memphis, Birmingham, Richmond, and other locations to track suspects. Investigations also involved reviewing travel records, airline passenger manifests, and descriptions of the suspect’s appearance, including height, weight, hair color, and clothing. Multiple agents were assigned to cross-reference information from city directories, motor vehicle registrations, and military records. The case was marked as "ARMED AND DANGEROUS," with instructions to avoid revealing connections to the MLK assassination during investigations.  

Additional entries from April 1968 include fragmented FBI records detailing investigations into potential suspects linked to MLK’s assassination. Henry David McMinn Jr., a former NAACP associate in Little Rock, Arkansas, was last seen in Ruidoso, New Mexico, driving a white station wagon with Texas license plates. Fredrick Dunston of Whiteville, North Carolina, was arrested for public intoxication and allegedly contacted an unknown white male on April 8, 1968. Dunston claimed to have seen the assassin but was deemed unreliable due to alcoholism. Roy James, a member of the American Nazi Party, is linked to an assault on MLK in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963, resulting in a fine and jail sentence. The FBI sought information on these individuals, noting their physical descriptions, aliases (e.g., Harvey Lowyer, John Willard), and potential connections to MLK’s assassination.  

A separate entry from the FBI Richmond SAC on April 12, 1968, references an investigation into Thermo-Seal marking tape found on a red tape with black lettering, believed to be thermo-seal type, associated with a tee-shirt linked to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination on April 4, 1968. The FBI sought information about the origin of this tape, noting its unique coding system and potential connection to military or commercial textile marking machines. Other sections describe employment details for J.B. Miller and Zeige Smalley in Petersburg, Virginia, and mention an attorney named Lehner from Minneapolis, as well as Cooper Gill’s involvement with individuals in Richmond and Petersburg. The text also includes administrative records of FBI case numbers, locations, and serial numbers for Navy exchanges and other facilities, with references to Thermo-Seal machines at various military installations.  

Key People  
- **Eric Starvo Galt**: Identified as a principal suspect; described as a white male, 5'11", 135 lbs., blue eyes, brown hair, with a Southern accent and nervous habits (e.g., pulling at earlobe). Investigated for attending dancing schools in Birmingham, New Orleans, and California.  
- **Harvey Lowyer/Loweyers**: Suspected rifle purchaser; described as white male, 36 years old, 5'8", 150–160 lbs., black or dark brown hair.  
- **John Willard**: Mentioned in a description of a suspect observed near the scene of the crime.  
- **Morris Clayton Skaggs**: Reported to have expressed intent to kill MLK; described as white, 25–26 years old, 6'1", 165 lbs., blue eyes, blond hair, with acne and bad teeth.  
- **John Lewis Camphane**: Investigated for potential ties to the case; described as a white male, 6'1", 195 lbs., brown eyes/hair, with a facial scar.  
- **Henry David McMinn Jr.**: Former NAACP associate in Little Rock, Arkansas; last seen in Ruidoso, New Mexico, driving a white station wagon with Texas plates.  
- **Linda McMinn**: Wife of Henry McMinn; reported his movements and marital status.  
- **Fredrick Dunston**: Arrested in Whiteville, NC, for public intoxication; alleged contact with an unknown white male on April 8, 1968.  
- **Roy James**: Member of the American Nazi Party; assaulted MLK in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963; fined and jailed.  
- **J.B. Miller**: White male, age 65, Petersburg, Va.  
- **Zeige Smalley**: Foreman, Broadway Yards, R&M Railway, Petersburg, Va.  
- **Cooper Gill**: Linked to Minneapolis and Richmond.  
- **Lehner**: Attorney from Minneapolis, associated with Miller.  
- **James Gault**: Relative of Lucy Glen Gill, resides in Charlottesville, Va.  
- **Joseph A. Young**: Manager, Bonnie Bright Laundry, Arlington, Va.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Site of MLK’s assassination on April 4, 1968.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Suspect purchased the murder weapon; investigation focused on local directories and criminal records.  
- **Richmond, Virginia**: FBI headquarters for case coordination; involved in fingerprint analysis and cross-referencing leads.  
- **Fairfax County, Virginia**: Witnessed a man resembling the suspect at a grill; items used by the suspect were recovered for forensic analysis.  
- **Newark, New Jersey**: Morris Clayton Skaggs was linked to this area through employment and residency history.  
- **Ruidoso, New Mexico**: Last known location of Henry McMinn Jr.  
- **Whiteville, North Carolina**: Dunston’s arrest location and residence.  
- **Birmingham, Alabama**: Site of Roy James’s alleged assault on MLK.  
- **Little Rock, Arkansas**: McMinn’s former NAACP connection.  
- **Petersburg, Virginia**: Employment details for J.B. Miller and Zeige Smalley.  
- **Minneapolis, Minnesota**: Attorney Lehner associated with Miller.  
- **Military installations** (e.g., Navy Exchanges in Jacksonville, Fla.; Naval Air Station Quonset Point, R.I.).  

Key Events  
- **April 4, 1968**: MLK’s assassination in Memphis; FBI launched investigation into potential suspects.  
- **April 10–12, 1968**: Multiple reports from witnesses (e.g., James G. L. Howard) described a suspect driving a green Volkswagen with North Carolina license plates near Fairfax, Virginia.  
- **April 14, 1968**: FBI issued urgent directives to all continental offices to check dancing schools for Eric Starvo Galt’s prior attendance; case marked as "ARMED AND DANGEROUS."  
- FBI investigation into Henry McMinn Jr.’s movements and potential ties to MLK’s assassination.  
- Dunston’s arrest for public intoxication and his claim of witnessing the assassin.  
- Roy James’s 1963 assault on MLK, leading to legal consequences.  
- Investigation into Thermo-Seal marking tape linked to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination on April 4, 1968.  
- Inquiry into employment history of J.B. Miller and Zeige Smalley in Petersburg, Va.  
- Examination of textile marking machines and their coding systems for forensic analysis.  
- Administrative records of FBI case numbers and serial numbers for Navy exchanges.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)**: Central to the investigation; coordinated with local agencies and issued directives to regional offices.  
- **Local Law Enforcement Agencies**: Involved in Memphis, Birmingham, Richmond, Fairfax County, and Newark for witness interviews, record checks, and suspect tracking.  
- **Motor Vehicle Departments**: Sought to verify license plate registrations and driver identities.  
- **Military Records Offices**: Checked for potential ties to suspects like John Lewis Camphane.  
- **NAACP**: Henry McMinn Jr.’s alleged former affiliation in Little Rock, Arkansas.  
- **American Nazi Party**: Roy James’s membership linked to his assault on MLK.  
- **Textile Marking Machine Company (Syracuse, N.Y.)**: Investigated for potential connections to Thermo-Seal tape.  
- **U.S. Navy Exchanges and Naval Air Stations**: Mentioned in administrative records related to Thermo-Seal machines.  
- **Army and Air Force Exchange Service**: Referenced in administrative records.

MLK Declassified Files

44-rh-657_sec_002_ser_43-128-part_1_of_4.pdf

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