</s>1-221 (Rev. 8-20-63) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20397 TO: SAC, SPRINGFIELD (44-561) Date 4-21-68 7 Your inquiry 4-20~68 MURKIN L Attached furnished in reply to your inquiry. Attached furnishings in compliance with request from Only record available attached. Supplementing FBI Laboratory report dated are furnished since there is a possibility that one may pertain to be in the subject you are interested. Confirming FSI Wire of When you no longer desire your notice maintained, please advise. Submission to be placed as subject appears to be to your notice may be cancelled. Submission required to be enclosed please please do not include recorded (possibly identical). If identical, If it is determined that the subject notice will be placed, not the Individual in whom you are Interested, please advice. Your communication is returned. XXKinc. 1 SAC'S, AT, BH, Cg, ME, KC, SF, SL. SEARCHED INEXEDX SERALIZED: APR 23 1968 SPRINGFIELD John Edgar Hoover Director 44-561-2442 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into multiple individuals suspected of involvement in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and other violent acts. Key figures include Eric Starvo Galt (FBI #405,942), a 36-year-old white male described with blue or brown eyes, medium build, and a distinctive ear protrusion, who was listed as a suspect in an assassination where the victim died from gunshot wounds. A federal arrest warrant for Galt was issued on April 17, 1968, in Birmingham, Alabama, under Title 18, Section 241 of the U.S. Code. The documents also focus on James Earl Ray, a suspect in MLK’s assassination, with investigative efforts including interviews with his relatives and associates, reviews of criminal records, employment history, military service, and motor vehicle registrations. FBI offices across multiple states provided administrative contact information, and case identifiers such as KC 88-9449 were noted.  

Key People  
- **Eric Starvo Galt** (FBI #405,942) – Suspect in an assassination where the victim died from gunshot wounds; aliases: Harvey Lowmeyer, John Willard.  
- **James Earl Ray** – Suspect in MLK Jr.’s assassination; subject of FBI investigation.  
- **Walter Terry Rife** – Associate of Ray; interviewed in Quincy, Illinois.  
- **Floyd Rife** – Brother of Walter Rife; interviewed.  
- **Viola Mayfield** – Relative of Walter Rife; interviewed.  
- **Rosie S. Rife** – Mother of Ray; interviewed.  
- **William Maher** – Relative or friend of Ray; interviewed in Alton, Illinois.  
- **Katherine Doris Buskirk** – Friend of Walter Rife; referenced in FBI records.  
- **Darlene Crawford** – Niece of Walker Rife; referenced in FBI records.  

Key Locations  
- **Birmingham, Alabama** – Location of the federal arrest warrant for Eric Starvo Galt.  
- **Quincy, Illinois** – Central location for interviews and record reviews related to James Earl Ray.  
- **Alton, Illinois** – Home of William Maher; tied to Ray’s employment history.  
- **Edwardsville, Illinois** – Site of an arrest record referenced (case #2640).  
- **Menard, Illinois** – Location of the Illinois Penitentiary where Rife’s records were reviewed.  
- **Buffalo, New York** – Mentioned in a death certificate for Earl Everet Ray (possibly a relative).  
- **Albany, New York** – Administrative contact location noted in documents.  

Key Events  
- Issuance of a federal arrest warrant on April 17, 1968, for Eric Starvo Galt in Birmingham, Alabama.  
- FBI investigation into James Earl Ray’s background, including interviews with relatives and associates, reviews of criminal records, employment history, military service, and motor vehicle registrations.  
- Verification of Ray’s birthplace and familial connections; coordination between FBI offices in Kansas City, Springfield, and Chicago.  
- Examination of a death certificate for Earl Everet Ray (possibly a relative), noting his death in Buffalo, New York, from cardiovascular disease.  
- Review of Illinois State Penitentiary records (case #26274) and arrest records (e.g., #2640).  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** – Conducted investigations into Eric Starvo Galt and James Earl Ray; issued arrest warrants and coordinated with field offices.  
- **Illinois State Penitentiary (Menard, Illinois)** – Provided records for review in connection with Walter Rife’s case.  
- **Selective Service System** – Reviewed for Ray’s draft registration status.  
- **Illinois State Bureau** – Provided motor vehicle registration and driver’s license records.  
- **International Shoe Company (Hartford, Illinois)** – Mentioned in employment history reviews for James Earl Ray.

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_004_ser_218-278-part_3_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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