</s>FD-35 (How): 12:43-3:58) FBI Date: 4/19/68 Transmit the following in (Type in plain text or code) Via AIRTEL (Priority or Method of Mailing) TO : ALL CONTINENTAL OFFICES FROM : SAC, MEMPHIS (44-1987) (P) : SUBJECT: : SAC_MEMPHIS_44-1997) (p) MURKIN CIVIL RIGHTS (44/51 (00: ME) Re Albany airtels 4/10/68 and 4/11/68, setting forth conzance who purchased Thermo-Seal marking machines, and Bureau teletype to Memphis, 4/12/68. The FBI Laboratory advised that pillowcase and bed sheet were found in trunk of 1966 white Mustang The FBI laboratory was found in 1964 when it was located at registered to ERIC STARVO GALY, which was located on Atlanta 411/168. These items contain thermo-Scal Atlanta 411 /168, these items contain Thermo -Scal on. items recovered, but are yellow in color and contain code, (20-3) - (20~3). These items contained in textile marking Machine Company, Syracuse, New York, and tapes were machine Company, in conjunction with the type of tape and the first three characters are point type and the last two characters are 18 point type. The Textile Marking Machine Company suggests the twenty in above code would be the lot number, the may mean that this was a return of a batch of laundry, and the three is the bundle number. DEATUR: SCHUSEL'S. Mossel, P.P.A.S. LEADS LEADS 150 S. Church St. ALL CONTINENTIAL OFFICES SCRUZEL'R.R3297-1- Will recontact laundries determined to be 3830 operating Thermo-"Seal Marking Machines in an effort to locate laundry using the code, "20~2" - 3." 2 - All Continental ASSA BERKENKINS 2 - Memphis GMR-Jms (118) (118-5) Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail a federal investigation into James Earl Ray (JER) following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968. Agents from the Springfield Division and Chicago Office conducted inquiries into JER’s family members, including his sister Susie, brother Jerry, and uncle William Maher. Susie claimed William Maher resided in Alton, Illinois, but no confirmed address was provided. Jerry stated he had previously hidden with Maher in Alton when in trouble. The investigation also noted Franklin Delano "Buzzie" Ryan, JER’s presumed deceased brother, who attended the St. James Trade School in Springfield, Illinois. SA Haines advised checking Ryan’s background to locate JER. The documents emphasize JER’s dangerous status and ongoing efforts to track him, including contacting relatives and institutions like the Catholic Children’s Home in Alton.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (JER) – subject of investigation  
- Susie (sister of JER) – go-go dancer in Chicago  
- Jerry Ray (brother of JER) – resides in Chicago  
- William Maher – uncle of JER, allegedly residing in Althan, Illinois  
- Franklin Delano "Buzzie" Ryan – presumed deceased brother of JER  
- Gerald RYAN – second husband of subject’s mother  
- SA RENEE DUMANE, ASAC KYLE CLARKE, SA ROBERT C. HAINES, SA ELYON H. DAVIS – agents involved in the investigation  

Key Locations:  
- Chicago Office (Federal Bureau of Investigation)  
- Springfield Division (FBI)  
- Alton, Illinois – residences of William Maher and Catholic Children’s Home  
- St. James Trade School, Springfield, Illinois – Franklin Delano Ryan’s attendance  

Key Events:  
- April 2, 1968: Initial contact with Susie Ray regarding JER’s family  
- Investigation into JER’s uncle William Maher’s whereabouts in Alton  
- Efforts to locate Franklin Delano Ryan and verify his status  
- Coordination between Chicago Office and Springfield Division on JER’s case  
- Note on JER being “armed and extremely dangerous”  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Springfield Division, Chicago Office  
- Catholic Children’s Home in Alton, Illinois  
- St. James Trade School, Springfield, Illinois

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_003_ser_141-217-part_6_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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