</s>SL 44-775 RLB/rail SPINO said that frequently when this man visited the Halfway Cafe he would come into the shoe repair shop and have his shoes shined. SPINO noted that he no longer has a shoe shine boy and had no idea where his old shoe shine boy could be been quite close to DAILY as he appeared there very frequently over the entire period of time that DAILY had the restaurant. DAILY'S wife left DAILY on at least one occasion and went to the wrong time. He was on the work that she was in Arkansas. SPINO said apparently they have mentioned their differences and are again together. 2/2 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail an FBI investigation into the financial activities, property transactions, and familial connections of individuals linked to James Earl Ray, a suspect in Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. The inquiry focuses on Albert B. Pepper, Carol Pepper (Pepper’s spouse), and their associations with Jerry Raynes (Ray’s father), James D. Daily (a restaurant owner), and other figures. Financial records from Manufacturers Bank and Mercantile Trust Company show account activity for the Peppers between 1965 and 1968, including deposits tied to liquor control payments and real estate purchases. A property at 2025 Bellevue, Maplewood, Missouri, was acquired through a loan with Mercantile Trust Company as the seller. The FBI investigated Pepper’s connections to individuals named Jerry Ray, John Ray (also referred to as "JERRY RAY" and "JOHN LARRY RAY"), and James Earl Ray, with Pepper denying knowledge of their whereabouts. Interviews with neighbors in St. Louis, Missouri, described residences at 1915 Hickory Street, 1133 South Tenth Street, and Shenandoah Avenue, noting transient populations and limited familiarity with the Raynes family. Electrical inspection records from St. Louis City Hall reference wiring issues at Daily’s Halfway Cafe (1547 South Jefferson Avenue), requiring rewiring and financial contributions from Daily. Witness accounts include Conaway’s claim of being shot by Daily in 1965 and Sigfried’s notes on electrical code violations. The investigation also includes death records for LUCILLE MARY RYAN (Ray’s mother, died January 25, 1961) and FRANKLIN RAY (Ray’s brother, died October 1, 1963 in an automobile accident).  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected in MLK Jr.’s assassination; connected to Jerry Raynes (his father), Albert B. Pepper, Carol Pepper, and John Ray.  
- **Jerry Raynes**: Father of James Earl Ray; resided in Center, Missouri, with spouse Ruby Carpenter; mentioned in property transactions and family history.  
- **James D. Daily**: Restaurant owner associated with the Halfway Cafe; involved in property disputes and electrical code violations.  
- **Sigfried**: Electrical contractor who noted wiring issues at Daily’s restaurant and referenced conflicts with Daily.  
- **Conaway**: Witness who claimed to have been shot by Daily in 1965 and described Raynes’ family ties to gambling and violence.  
- **Carol Pepper**: Spouse of Albert B. Pepper; employed with "Operation Head Start"; linked to James Earl Ray through family connections.  
- **Albert B. Pepper**: Financial associate of Carol Pepper; involved in real estate purchases and bank transactions.  
- **Murray Schneider, Harry Schneider, Gene Griffin, Fred Ney**: Individuals referenced in FBI investigations as associates of Pepper or Ray.  
- **Ruby Carpenter**: Spouse of Jerry Raynes; resided with him in St. Louis before moving to Clarence, Missouri.  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Central location for property records, interviews, and electrical inspections; residences at 1915 Hickory Street, 1133 South Tenth Street, Shenandoah Avenue, and 712A Shenandoah.  
- **Halfway Cafe (1547 South Jefferson Avenue)**: Restaurant operated by James D. Daily; subject of electrical code violations.  
- **Maplewood, Missouri**: Location of the property at 2025 Bellevue acquired by Albert B. Pepper.  
- **Center, Missouri**: Residence of Jerry Raynes; noted for reclusive lifestyle and property ownership.  
- **Clarence, Missouri**: Where Jerry Raynes resided with Ruby Carpenter.  

Key Events  
- **Electrical Inspection Issues (1968)**: Sigfried reported defective wiring at Daily’s restaurant, requiring rewiring and financial contributions from Daily.  
- **Property Transactions**: Daily’s restaurant vacated in March 1968; Pepper acquired property at 2025 Bellevue through a loan with Mercantile Trust Company.  
- **Witness Interviews**: FBI agents interviewed Conaway, Sigfried, and neighbors to gather information on Raynes’ family and potential ties to criminal activities.  
- **Financial Activity (1965–1968)**: Bank records show deposits and checks for Albert B. Pepper and Carol Pepper, including liquor control payments.  
- **Family Deaths**: LUCILLE MARY RYAN died January 25, 1961; FRANKLIN RAY died October 1, 1963 in an automobile accident on Quincy Memorial Bridge.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, property checks, and investigations into Raynes’ family, Pepper’s associates, and Daily’s business activities.  
- **Manufacturers Bank and Trust Company**: Provided financial records for Albert B. Pepper and Carol Pepper; involved in real estate transactions.  
- **Mercantile Trust Company**: Seller of the 2025 Bellevue property; linked to Pepper’s loan activity.  
- **St. Louis City Hall**: Provided electrical inspection records related to Daily’s restaurant.  
- **Missouri Liquor Control Board**: Mentioned in financial records tied to liquor control payments.

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_009_ser_529_only-part_6_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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