</s>1 SL 44-775 HRD/1eh RE: SUSPECT ERNEST SUMPER GAULT AT ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI AT ST ., LOUISS, MISSOURI The following investigation was conducted by SA JACK A. FRENCH, on April 11, 1968. The following Investigation was conductedby SA JACK Mr. LOUSIS F. CLOVIS, Official of the Seafarers Inter- national and inland Boatmen's Union, 505 Delmar, St. Louis, Missouri, advised that a thorough search of the records of his union failed to disclose any record for an individual named E. S. GALVIN, who was not recognized for an equalized with any person who had to disclose his record he was not acquainted with any person that that was not stated he was acquired with any Mr. BARRY WILSON, Official Of the National Maritime Union, 2033 North 7th Street, St Louis, Missouri, advised this an ERNERT S. GAULT, born August 15, 1920, in Arkansas, had been employed during the early 1960s with Inland, Missouri. He was consigned to the the St.Louis, Missouri area. His records disclose that in the St. Louisiana, Missouri, and the FederalBargo Lines, ERNEST GAULT has Z5959231-01. His residence as of 1953 was in the 1911 West 18th Street. North Little Rock, Arkansas. indicated as 1911 West Eight Street, He appeared in the file. No social security number for him appeared. Mr. WILSOON stated that he has not accounted with GAULT and had no additional information concerning him. 62 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains fragmented records of James Earl Ray’s activities between 1958 and 1960, focusing on his employment history, arrests, probation supervision, and personal connections in St. Louis, Missouri. Key details include his reported work as a baker or cook’s helper at locations such as the Glen Echo Country Club and North 18th Street bakeries, though formal records from commercial bakeries and unions do not confirm these roles. Ray was arrested for robbing a Kroger store in St. Louis on October 9, 1959, alongside James L. Owens, with whom he allegedly planned the robbery for financial gain. During probation supervision following his release from federal prison in 1958, Ray expressed intentions to live with his aunt, Lucille Ryan, at 1913 Hickory Street. The text notes discrepancies in Ray’s birth date (conflicting records list August 6, 1919, versus other dates) and typographical errors, such as repeated names ("JAMES EARL RAY" vs. "JAMES EARL RAV") and inconsistent gender descriptors for Ray. These records reflect police investigations into his criminal activities but do not directly reference the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., which occurred in 1968.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Central figure, reported as a baker, robber, and probation supervisee.  
- **James L. Owens**: Co-conspirator in the 1959 Kroger store robbery.  
- **Lucille Ryan**: Ray’s aunt, listed as his contact during probation supervision.  
- **FBI**: Mentioned in relation to Vernon’s apprehension (not directly tied to Ray).  

Key Locations  
- **St. Louis, Missouri**: Primary location for Ray’s employment and arrests.  
- **Glen Echo Country Club**: Site of reported bakery work (May 28, 1958).  
- **Kroger Store (St. Louis)**: Location of the October 9, 1959, robbery.  
- **Kansas City, Louisiana**: Mentioned in jobber arrangements for Ray’s employment.  

Key Events  
- **Robbery at Kroger Store (October 9, 1959)**: Ray and Owens robbed a St. Louis store using a stolen car, abandoned after the crime.  
- **Probation Supervision (1958–1960)**: Ray was conditionally released from federal prison and placed under probation supervision.  
- **Discrepancies in Records**: Conflicting birth dates, typographical errors, and inconsistent descriptions of individuals.  

Key Organizations  
- **Kroger Bakery Company**: Noted Ray’s potential role as a "jobber" (day-to-day worker) in St. Louis, Kansas City, and Louisiana.  
- **FBI**: Involved in Vernon’s apprehension (not directly tied to Ray).  
- **St. Louis Rescue Mission**: Mentioned as a location where Owens claimed to have met Ray.

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_010_ser_529_only-part_3_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search