</s>FRI SPRINGFLD FRI CHICAGO 35PM URGENT 4/29/68 CAR TO ALL SACS - RELAY MESSAGE PLAN FROM DIRECTOR, 44-38661 1P MURKIN' ALL OFFICES HAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THEIR TERRITORIES WHICH MAINTAIN UNIDENTIFIED LATENT FINGERPRINTS IN CONNECTION WITH MAKERS UNDER THEIR JURISDICTION SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT THESE AGENCES AND REQUEST THAT THE FINGERPIENTS OF SUBJECT JAMES EARL RAY AS SET FORTH ON THE 10 BE COMPARED WITH LATENTS OBTAINED SINCE HIS ESCAPE FROM MISSOURI STATE PENTENTIARY ON FOUR TWENTY-THREE SIXTY-SEVEN. THIS IS FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLEY ESTABLISHING RAY'S PAST WHEREABOUTS AND SOURCE OF FUNDS. LEGATTS OTTAWA AND MEXICO CITY REQUESTED TO DO LIKEWISE. ARMED AND DANGEROUS. END . MAL FBI SPRINGFIELD 16 YEROX X MAKE 16 XEROX COPIES COPIES MADE X ROUTE to ALL SRAI, COPYES MADE 5/1-541-5/19 3 ROUKE to ALL SIRA, SCHOOLWHITZER, GIANO, T. SEARCHED, IN INDEXED SERIALIZED, APR 2 9 1968 FEL/SPRINGFIELD 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigative activities in April 1968 related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on fingerprint comparisons, laundry records, witness interviews, and inquiries into potential suspects. James Earl Ray’s fingerprints were compared with latent prints from post-escape activities at Missouri State Penitentiary, prompting directives to trace his movements and financial sources. The FBI also investigated connections between individuals like Lawrence Wayne Feggett, Eric Galt, and Cecil Ray, while reviewing employment records, safety deposit boxes, airline data, and drug networks. Laundry bundle "20R-3" linked to Springfield, Illinois, was traced to 805 West Walnut Street, where Feggett rented an apartment and engaged in property damage and threats. FBI efforts included checking financial records, drivers’ licenses, and contacting Klan informants, with some leads remaining unconfirmed.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray** – Suspected assassin of MLK Jr., referenced in fingerprint comparisons and connections to Cecil Ray.  
- **Lawrence Wayne Feggett** (FBI #3637961) – Tenant at 805 West Walnut Street with a criminal history in Vermilion County, Illinois, including arrests for public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and property damage.  
- **Eric Starvo Galt** – Investigated across multiple counties (Shelby, Moultrie, DeWitt) without success.  
- **Cecil Ray** – Linked to James Earl Ray in FBI inquiries; associated with Mrs. Alberta L. French of Effingham, Illinois.  
- **Mrs. Alberta L. French** – Contacted for information on Cecil Ray’s ties to James Earl Ray.  
- **William Ernest Harper** – Atlanta resident interviewed regarding Bobby Joe Faulkner.  
- **Bobby Joe Faulkner** – Individual associated with Harper’s residence in Atlanta.  
- **Louisia Ray** – Mother of Earl Ray, referenced in employment records for C.B. & Q. Railroad and Sunset Amusement Company.  

Key Locations  
- **Springfield, Illinois** – Central to laundry record investigations, FBI office, and 805 West Walnut Street (Feggett’s apartment).  
- **Quincy, Illinois** – Ray’s childhood residence investigated; linked to Earl Everett Ray’s movements.  
- **Scott AFB, Illinois** – Site where Eric Galt was observed in cafeteria No. 1.  
- **Shelby County, Illinois** – Part of Eric Galt’s investigation.  
- **DeWitt County, Illinois** – Part of Eric Galt’s investigation.  
- **Moultrie County, Illinois** – Part of Eric Galt’s investigation.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia** – Location of William Ernest Harper and Bobby Joe Faulkner.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** – Mentioned in FBI lead tracing efforts.  
- **Galesburg, Illinois** – Associated with Earl Everett Ray’s movements.  
- **Omaha, Nebraska** – Part of FBI investigative scope.  
- **Kansas City, Missouri** – Part of FBI investigative scope.  

Key Events  
- FBI directive to compare James Earl Ray’s fingerprints with latent prints from post-escape activities.  
- Investigation into laundry bundle "20R-3" linked to 805 West Walnut Street and Wayne Feggett’s tenant history.  
- Interviews with Janice Barker and Mrs. Evelyn Norwell regarding Feggett’s disturbances at Springfield apartments.  
- FBI inquiries into Cecil Ray, including contact with Mrs. Alberta L. French of Effingham, Illinois.  
- Review of employment records for Earl Ray, including C.B. & Q. Railroad and Sunset Amusement Company.  
- Checks on safety deposit boxes, drivers’ licenses, and airline records in Georgia.  
- Drug trafficking inquiries and contact with Klan informants to trace assassination-related leads.  
- Ongoing efforts to verify Eric Galt’s existence across multiple counties without success.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** – Conducted fingerprint comparisons, witness interviews, and lead tracing.  
- **Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office** – Provided arrest records for Lawrence Wayne Feggett.  
- **Model Star Laundry** – Linked to laundry bundle tracking and Mr. J. O’BRIEN’s records.  
- **Brumgum Real Estate** – Provided tenant information on 805 West Walnut Street.  
- **C.B. & Q. Railroad** – Mentioned in employment records for Earl Ray.  
- **Local banks and credit bureaus** (e.g., Shelbyville, Windsor, Sullivan) – Checked for financial records.  
- **Shelby County Sheriff’s Office** – Part of Eric Galt’s investigation scope.  
- **DeWitt County Sheriff’s Office** – Part of Eric Galt’s investigation scope.  
- **Galesburg Police Department** – Associated with Earl Everett Ray’s movements.

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_005_ser_279-366-part_7_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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