</s>STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum . UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : SAC ( 44-371 ) DATE: 4/10/68 FROM : SA ELGIN E. OLROGG SUBJECT: MURKIN Re memo SA Coyne, 4/9/68. On 4/410/68 the following laundries in Tacoma using a thermal seal marking machine were contacted and each advised the tag and code appearing on the articles in question in connection with instant matter are not used: Pearless Laundry & Dry Cleaning, 2912 S. 12th. Washington Cleaners & Laundries, 1448 -6th Ave. Home Service Company dba Tacoma Superior LaundRY, 1012 Center. EEO 44-371-62 SEARCHED . INDEXED. SERIALIZED .A.FIELD. APR 1 2 1968 FRI-SEATTLE 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail an FBI investigation into thermal seal marking machines used to produce coded tags on clothing potentially linked to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) on April 4, 1968. The Bureau sought information on laundries and textile marking equipment across multiple states, including Washington, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and others. Specific machines with unique serial numbers and models were identified, such as those manufactured by Textile Marking Machine Co., Inc., Sterling, and details about their tape specifications (e.g., 1/8" long, 1/4" wide). The investigation included checking laundries for records of these machines, contacting local law enforcement agencies, and compiling lists of businesses suspected of using such equipment. A suspect named Eric Starvo Galt was noted, but no records were found linking him to the case. Additional documents reference a Bureau request to contact laundries to identify a specific tape on garments believed to have been abandoned by an individual referred to as "the Unub." The Textile Marking Machine Company’s sales representatives are listed with regional coverage areas, and instructions for indexing locations and providing color photographs of garment tapes were included. Personnel records for John Donaldson Willard, employed by Rosenblatt & Son, Inc., include payroll details indicating his work in Seattle, Washington, during March and April 1968, along with personal information such as residence in Spring Valley, California; physical description (5'10", 190 pounds, light complexion, balding); and identification details (driver's license number, vehicle registration). FBI communications from Seattle and San Diego dated April 12, 1968, reference inquiries about Willard’s employment and whereabouts.  

Key People  
- Eric Starvo Galt (suspect in the investigation)  
- Charles McClure (executive of Washington S & L League, advised to publish suspect's name)  
- Dick Bristow (sales representative for Textile Marking Machine Company, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Southern Mississippi)  
- Joe Combs (sales representative for Textile Marking Machine Company, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, Eastern Kentucky)  
- Fred Weber (sales representative for Textile Marking Machine Company, Metropolitan New York City, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Upstate New York)  
- Jagk Cody (sales representative for Textile Marking Machine Company, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio)  
- Pete Wukovich (sales representative for Textile Marking Machine Company, Illinois, Eastern Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin)  
- Ab Davis (sales representative for Textile Marking Machine Company, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Western Iowa, Mississippi, Western Tennessee, Western Kentucky)  
- Fred Raupak (sales representative for Textile Marking Machine Company, California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington)  
- John Donaldson Willard (individual with personnel records from Rosenblatt & Son, Inc.)  
- Rolf Kramme (Administrative Assistant at Rosenblatt & Son, Inc.)  
- Joseph A. Dushek (SA)  
- Robert W. Olson  
- Richard John Cunningham  

Key Locations  
- Tacoma, Washington  
- Montgomery, Alabama  
- Phoenix, Arizona  
- Little Rock, Arkansas  
- Denver, Colorado  
- New Haven, Connecticut  
- Dover, Delaware  
- Washington, D.C.  
- Miami, Florida  
- Atlanta, Georgia  
- Baltimore, Maryland  
- Minneapolis, Minnesota  
- Tupelo, Mississippi  
- Great Falls, Montana  
- Omaha, Nebraska  
- Las Vegas, Nevada  
- Albuquerque, New Mexico  
- Raleigh, N.C.  
- Charlotte, N.C.  
- Goldsboro, N.C.  
- Durham, N.C.  
- Wilmington, N.C.  
- Jacksonville, N.C.  
- Asheville, N.C.  
- Salem, Oregon  
- Portland, Oregon  
- Columbia, S.C.  
- Chattanooga, Tenn.  
- Memphis, Tenn.  
- Knoxville, Tenn.  
- Salt Lake City, Utah  
- Arlington, Va.  
- Richmond, Va.  
- Seattle, Washington  
- Spokane, Washington  
- Eau Claire, Wis.  
- Racine, Wis.  
- Spring Valley, California  
- San Diego, California  
- New York, New York  

Key Events  
- FBI search for laundries and textile marking machines linked to MLK's assassination  
- Investigation into thermal seal tape specifications and usage patterns  
- Compilation of laundry business listings across multiple states  
- Verification of suspect records with local law enforcement agencies  
- Bureau teletype request to contact laundries for identification of a specific tape on garments  
- Reference to the Textile Marking Machine Company and its sales representatives covering various regions  
- Instructions for indexing locations and providing color photographs of garment tapes  
- Payroll record verification for Willard’s employment in 1968  
- FBI inquiries into Willard’s activities and whereabouts  
- Administrative documentation of personnel records and form submissions  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Local police departments (e.g., Tacoma PD, Pierce County SO, Puyallup PD)  
- Textile Marking Machine Co., Inc. (manufacturer of thermal seal machines)  
- Washington S & L League (organization involved in disseminating suspect information)  
- Rosenblatt & Son, Inc. (employer of John Donaldson Willard)  
- Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company  
- Sales representative networks for the Textile Marking Machine Company

MLK Declassified Files

44-se-371_767164_02-01-part_5_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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