</s>OFFICIAL PROM NO. 19 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum TO : SAC, SPRINGFIELD (44-551) : SAG, SPRINGSFIELD (54-551] DATE: 5/20/69 FROM : SA WILLIAM ROBERTS, III 5/7/69. MURKIN ReBunairtel 4/7//59 and Jackson airtel to Memphis 5/17/69, ReBrunairtel Bureau airtel, the Bureau advised as follows: WILLIAM BRADFORD HUE has written a third article for "look" magazine. The article appears on the issue dated for "Look" magazine, The article appeared on 4/1/69." A review of the article reveals that there was circulated on 4 /1/1969. A review of the Article reveals that JAMES EARL, RAY allegedly registered 3/29/69 , but this issue was circulating in Birmingham, Alabama, on a motel near Corinth, Mississippi, on 1/26/62, on it is to be noted that RAY, at a motel near Florence, Alabama. On 7/27/1969, on that RAV, using the name HARVESLOWYNER, negotiated the purchase Ainabama, on 3/9/39/68, in Memphis, Tennessee. Company, Birmingham, Rebel Hotel in Memphis. Tennessee. He was registered at the In an effort to establish whether or not RAY was in contact with any individuals immediately prior to the assassination, appropriate investigation should be conducted by the Birmingham and Jackson Office. It should be understood that there is to the Birmingham no identification offices. It shouldn't be understood by the investigation has any connection whatsoever with the case involving the case involvins. Birmingham and Jackson Offices should make inquiries of the notes in or near the cities indicated above to determine 3/9 to 4/15/69 in the area of individuals registered during the period of 3/19 to 4 /15/19. listed as well as obtaining descriptions and registrants for the automobiles of such persons. A Review of such records might indicate whether any one individual might have accompanied the individuals or questionable registration records should be performed. or questionible registration records shall be obtained if possible for examination by the FBI Laboratory. or (5/61/63) or (Springfield (44)-561) SEARCHED: DIXEDED (23) SEARCHERED: POSSIBLE F8M-20 1995 F8B-M-PROPHICHTICHTICE Buy U.S.Saving Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray (JER), a suspect in Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, spanning May 1968 to July 1969 and including a 1975 Department of Justice inventory request for materials related to MLK's case. The records include telephone records from Illinois Bell Telephone Company, motel registration checks, fingerprint comparisons between JER and individuals like John Ray and Jerry Ryan, and inquiries into Eric Starvo Galt, Harvey Lowyner, and others. References to MLK are indirect, focusing on JER’s movements and potential associations prior to the assassination. The 1975 inventory request specifically compiles files under "MURKIN" (file number 44-38861), which includes surveillance logs, tapes, transcripts, photographs, and materials on MLK’s family, associates, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Investigations also cover Communist influence in civil rights matters, commemorative activities following MLK’s death, and threatening letters allegedly written by Dale R. Sullivan in 1966. Redacted social security numbers are noted in multiple records.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray** (suspected assassin of MLK; referenced in motel registrations, phone records, and fingerprint comparisons)  
- **Robert J. Frye** (investigated for potential ties to Ray)  
- **Marie Mitchell** (hotel employee in Quincy, Illinois, linked to Ray’s movements)  
- **John Ray** (linked to bank robberies and Ray’s activities in Quincy)  
- **Jerry Ryan** (associated with bank robberies near Quincy)  
- **Max Lee** (confidential source providing information on Ray)  
- **Stanley David LeVision** (designated for review in MLK-related files)  
- **Coretta King** (wife of MLK), **Martin Luther King Sr.** (father), **Alberta Williams King** (mother, deceased), **Alfred Daniel Williams King** (brother, deceased), **Christine King Farries** (sister)  
- **Andrew Young** (MLK’s aide), **Dale R. Sullivan** (alleged writer of threatening letters to MLK)  

Key Locations  
- **Quincy, Illinois** (center of investigations involving Ray, Mitchell, and hotel registrations; site of New Virginia Hotel activity)  
- **New Virginia Hotel, Quincy, Illinois** (linked to Ray-related activity)  
- **Springfield, Illinois** (FBI field office involved in reviews)  
- **St. Louis, Missouri** (linked to bank robbery suspects)  
- **Memphis, Tennessee** (mentioned as a location for Ray’s sister, Melba Ray)  
- **Birmingham, Alabama** (location of bombing incident involving Alfred Daniel Williams King)  
- **Chicago, Illinois** (site of civil rights activities and surveillance)  
- **Washington, D.C.** (reference to 1971 march commemorating MLK’s death)  

Key Events  
- FBI fingerprint comparisons between James Earl Ray and individuals like John Ray, Jerry Ryan, and others  
- Investigations into bank robberies in Liberty, Illinois, and St. Charles, Missouri, linked to Ray or his associates  
- Review of MLK-related files by the Department of Justice in 1975, including COINTELPRO actions, surveillance materials, and commemorative activities (e.g., 1969, 1970, and 1971 anniversaries)  
- Confirmed connections between JERRY RAY and National States Rights Party activities  
- Monitoring of Ray’s movements via confidential sources (e.g., Max Lee)  
- Surveillance and background checks on James Earl Ray, including inquiries into his relatives and look-alikes  
- Civil rights demonstrations in Chicago, Illinois, on April 3, 1969  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** (conducted telephone record reviews, background checks, and administrative tasks)  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)** (organization led by MLK; referenced in files)  
- **National States Rights Party** (linked to JERRY RAY)  
- **Communist Influence in Racial Matters (CIRM)**  
- **Committee for the People of the United States (CPUSA)**  
- **Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)** and other civil rights groups referenced in surveillance files  
- **Illinois Bell Telephone Company** (provided call records for investigative purposes)  
- **Local police departments** (e.g., Belleville, Lebanon; collaborated with FBI on inquiries)

MLK Declassified Files

44-si-561_sec_018_ser_698-859-part_09_of_10.pdf

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