</s>F FD-24(Rev. 5-22-64) FBI Date: Transmit the following in (Type in plaintext or code) Via (Priority) PAGE TWO OF ABOVE LISTED SUSPECTS AND WHO MIGHT BE WILLING TO TALK. INFORMATION FURNISHED BY INFORMANT BEING FOLLOWED CLOSELY AND PERSONS NAMED WILL BE LOCATED AND INTERVIEWED. MAIL COPIES TO CHICAGO, MEMPHIS, AND ST. LOUIS. P. Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent M Per 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations into the 1967 Bank of Alton robbery and related inquiries into James Earl Ray's potential involvement. On August 21-28, 1968, agents reported that John McClintock was arrested in Alton, Illinois, for failing to appear on a bench warrant from Los Angeles County, California, linked to a burglary charge. McClintock was transported to Madison County Jail, and efforts were made to secure his release by associates. Informants indicated McClintock may have been involved in the Bank of Alton robbery but confirmed no connection between McClintock and Ray. The FBI also canvassed laundry and dry cleaning establishments in the Alton area, reviewed public records, and contacted local law enforcement and media figures like Paul Cousley (editor of *Alton Evening Telegraph*) to gather information on Ray's activities. Investigations concluded that Ray was not linked to the robbery, leading to a shift from daily teletype updates to weekly summaries.  

Key People:  
- James Earl Ray (suspected bank robber)  
- John McClintock (arrested for burglary-related warrant)  
- Dick Covington, Delmar Grindstaff (associates of McClintock)  
- Paul Cousley (editor, *Alton Evening Telegraph*)  
- Marion Van Fossen, Howard Shelton (parole officers)  

Key Locations:  
- Alton, Illinois (Bank of Alton robbery site)  
- Madison County Jail (McClintock's detention)  
- Springfield, Illinois (FBI SAC office)  
- Chicago, Memphis, St. Louis (mailing destinations for reports)  

Key Events:  
- Arrest of John McClintock in Alton on August 26, 1968  
- FBI canvassing of laundry/dry cleaning establishments in the Alton area  
- Interviews with local law enforcement and media figures to verify Ray's involvement  
- Shift from daily teletype updates to weekly summaries after failed linkage between Ray and the robbery  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Alton Police Department  
- Illinois Laundries Association  
- National Dry Cleaning Institution  
- Madison County, Illinois (public records review)

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_018_ser_698-859-part_03_of_10.pdf

Document Summary

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