</s>SI 44-561 Stork's Cleaners LUCILLE STORK, Alton, Illinois - 2 - 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document outlines FBI efforts to investigate potential suspects linked to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on name verification, witness accounts, and physical evidence collection. Between April 12–17, 1968, agents conducted directory checks in Illinois counties (Macon, Dewitt, Shelby, Christian, Moultrie) for individuals named LOWYER, LOWYMER, or LOMETER, yielding no matches. A trucker, JACK RUSSELL, reported transporting a hitchhiker on April 12, 1968, described as 40–42 years old, 5'10", 170 pounds, dark-haired, balding, with a sharp nose and receding hairline. This individual was later associated with an artist’s conception of the assassin. A suitcase containing laundry tags from Textile Marketing Machine Co., Inc., marked with code "O221," was identified as evidence tied to the assassination. The Bureau sought laundries in California (e.g., American Laundry, Arlington Cleaners) using specific serial numbers and codes linked to the suspect’s clothing. Investigations also included premises associated with UNAB, the alleged assassin of Dr. King on April 14, 1968.  

Key People  
- **Jack Russell**: Truck driver who transported a hitchhiker matching the assassin’s physical description.  
- **UNAB**: Identified as the individual responsible for assassinating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on April 14, 1968.  
- **Textile Marketing Machine Co., Inc.**: Company producing laundry tags with code "O221" found on evidence.  

Key Locations  
- **Illinois counties**: Macon, Dewitt, Shelby, Christian, Moultrie (sites of directory checks).  
- **California**: Laundries and cleaners sought for serial numbers and codes linked to the suspect’s clothing.  
- **Decatur, Illinois** (Macon County), **Clinton, Illinois** (Dewitt County), **Shelby County, Illinois**, **Christian County, Illinois**, **Moultrie County, Illinois**.  

Key Events  
- **April 12–17, 1968**: FBI conducted directory checks in Illinois counties for suspect names.  
- **April 13, 1968**: Jack Russell reported transporting a hitchhiker resembling the assassin.  
- **April 14, 1968**: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated; UNAB is identified as the perpetrator.  
- **April 17, 1968**: FBI sought laundries in California with specific serial numbers and codes associated with the suspect’s clothing.  

Key Organizations  
- **FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)**: Conducted investigations into suspects, evidence, and witness accounts.  
- **Textile Marketing Machine Co., Inc.**: Provided details on laundry tag coding used in evidence.  
- **Local County Clerks, Credit Bureaus, and Sheriff’s Offices**: Assisted in directory checks and record verification.

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_002_ser_123-140-part_2_of_8.pdf

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