</s>JN 157-9586 10 JAMES WEBSTER 1626 South Street Goshen, Indiana Indiana license 20A65A, Pontiac Mr. and Mrs. HAROLD MILKISER 2739 Tindale Avenue, N.E. Cedar Rapids, Iowa RICHARD E. ZOLONSKY 2317 15th Avenue North Fort Dodge, Iowa Iowa license 8,358, Pontiac CHARLES E. BOURRET 3015 Myrtle Street Sioux City, Iowa Florida license 16WS-4450, Buick EDGAR R. SCHIRICK Rural Route 1 George, Iowa Iowa licence 60-1437, Chrysler Mr. & Mrs. T. W. STEVENS 1221 Plum Ottumwa, Iowa Iowa License 90-1745, Chrysler Mr. And Mrs. and Mr. PAUL NOBIS 51. 14th Street Davenport, Iowa Iowa licensse 82-3658, Cadillac DARREL F. POLARD 2524 S. Hydraulic Wichita, Kansas Kansas license S/B 22716, Chevrolet WOODIE GROTEWOLD 2305 Sonerset Wichita. Kansas 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document details FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s movements during March 29–April 3, 1968, focusing on motel registrations in Corinth, Mississippi, and Birmingham, Alabama. The Bureau requested reviews of motel records to identify individuals associated with Ray during this period, including checks at the Round-Town Motel (Birmingham) and Holiday Inn (Corinth). Canadian registrations from Saskatchewan and Winnipeg, Manitoba, were noted but left to Memphis’s discretion for further action. The FBI coordinated with SACs in Birmingham, Jackson, and Memphis to compile motel registration data via FD-3025 forms. Leads involving potential associates of Ray were flagged for review, though some were deemed unproductive due to time elapsed and inconsistencies in Ray’s statements. A separate section references an article by William Bradford Hui in "Look" magazine (April 15, 1969) detailing Ray’s alleged motel registrations in Birmingham on March 27, 1968, though this was circulated earlier. Another document from the FBI Springfield Division (May 20, 1969) notes Ray’s alleged registration at a Travelodge Motel in Birmingham on March 29–30, 1968, and his negotiation of a motel purchase near Corinth under the name Harvey Lowyer. The Springfield Division sought to investigate potential connections between Ray and individuals registered at motels in Alabama, Tennessee, and Illinois during March 28–30 and April 3, 1968, listing names for further credit and arrest checks. A separate entry references an article in "Lock" magazine (April 15, 1909) discussing James Fast’s alleged hotel registrations in Birmingham, Alabama; Florence, Alabama; and Corinth, Mississippi, as well as a reference to "James Earl Bay" and an investigation into potential contact prior to an assassination.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (subject of investigation)  
- William Bradford Hui (author of "Look" magazine article referencing Ray)  
- SACs (Special Agents in Charge): Birmingham, Jackson, Memphis  
- FBI Director (referred to as "Director, FBI")  
- Motel managers and owners (e.g., Louise Brewer, Don M. Strickland, Brooks Phillips, Howard Starnes, William Phillips, H.C. Freeman)  
- Harvey Lowyer (name used by Ray for motel purchase)  
- Alton, Illinois residents (listed names include Allen Augenbaugh, Manuel Bolman, Roy Stremmel, Edwin Lewis, J. Barcus, C. M. Becketol, George C. Engel, Cecil M. Carter, Chester W. Bradley, Wayne Scribner, Stephen Jegel, C. M. Higgins, J. Claney, Walter Limrick, Betty Teaford, Charles Clayton, Raymond Davis, Robert Wilson, George Flayer, LEO Wacker, Glen Keister, Chris Knudsen, Tom Clark, Paul Mc Reynold, Tony R. Reynold, K. Rodden, K. Roben, Hilton L. Johnson, M. L. Shafer, R. F. Gillhouse, W. R. Summers, I. Pesses)  
- James Fast (alleged hotel registrant referenced in "Lock" magazine article)  
- James Earl Bay (reference to potential contact prior to an assassination)  

Key Locations  
- Corinth, Mississippi (motel records reviewed; motel near which Ray allegedly purchased property)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (Round-Town Motel, Travelodge Motel)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (Rebel Motel referenced in prior records)  
- Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Holiday Inn registration)  
- Saskatchewan, Canada (Round-Town Motel registration)  
- Various Illinois towns including Alton, Beardstown, Centralia, Champaign, Decatur, Ellisville, Fairbury, Galatia, Litchfield, Macombi, Marion, Monmouth, New Holland, Normal, Pana, Paxton, Pekin, Quincy, Springfield, Sheldon, Sims, Sparta, Virginia, Willow Hill, Winchester  
- Florence, Alabama; Birmingham, Alabama (hotel registrations referenced in "Lock" magazine article)  

Key Events  
- FBI review of motel registrations to trace James Earl Ray’s associates during March 29–April 3, 1968.  
- Compilation and distribution of FD-3025 forms containing motel guest data for investigative follow-up.  
- Discretionary decision by Memphis SAC to pursue Canadian individuals identified through registrations.  
- Acknowledgment of unproductive leads due to time elapsed and Ray’s inconsistent statements.  
- Reference to an article in "Look" magazine (April 15, 1969) detailing Ray’s alleged motel registration activity.  
- FBI Springfield Division investigation into Ray’s alleged registration at motels in Birmingham and Corinth, Mississippi, around March–April 1968.  
- Efforts by the FBI Springfield Division to conduct credit and arrest checks on listed individuals for potential links to Ray.  
- Reference to an article in "Lock" magazine (April 15, 1909) discussing James Fast’s alleged hotel registrations in Birmingham, Alabama; Florence, Alabama; and Corinth, Mississippi, as well as a reference to "James Earl Bay" and an investigation into potential contact prior to an assassination.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Springfield Division  
- Special Agents in Charge (SACs) divisions: Birmingham, Jackson, Memphis  
- Motel management entities (e.g., Round-Town Motel, Holiday Inn, Southern Motel, Illinois Motel)  
- "Lock" magazine  
- "Look" magazine

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_018_ser_698-859-part_08_of_10.pdf

Document Summary

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