</s>SLi: 44-775 HGS:jfb RE: RAY FELLOW PRISONERS ROBERT POWELL AT FARMINGTON, MISSOURI, AND DOE RUN, MISSOURI Agent HOWARD G. FARMINGTON, MISSISSOURI. AND DOE RUN, MISSORRI The following investigation was conducted by Special Robert POWELL on April 15, 1968, was ordered by locate ROBERTH POWELL, G. SLACK on April 25, 1968. School for Men. This investigation was predicated on receipt of a communication from the Kansas City Division which advised that JAMES R. RUSSELL that was published on JAMES EABL RAY, RUSSELA advised that that POWELL was JAMES RAIN, R. R.R. ROBELI, O.POWELL was done in the Missouri, was interviewed at her residence and advised that Run, Missouri, won an interviewed POWEL, who was released from prison in February, 1968 - Mrs. POWell, who did not know her son's address, but believed. that he was employed in St. Louis. Mrs. POWELL showed a photograph of JAMES EARL RAV but stated she did not have her son on her address, BUT believed. his name. On April 29, 1968; ROBERT LIVIN, DOWNSON, BOMBARDY 16, was in prison on Jefferson, ROBERT R. LOVIN, from January 16, 1967, to February 1, 1968 ,, ROBERT LOVN, D.ROWNSOM, DOUNSON-DOWNSOVIAD 16, RAY only slightly since he both worked in food service in prison. POWELI advised him that he stated that he knew JAMES BARL in prison, POWELL advised that he may have talked to RAY but in any background information concerning RAY and he had knowed that he had been involved in a food service no information concerning Ray's escape from the prison and that RAY was somewhat of a later and no one was very close to him, POWEL stated that He had no idea of RAY's present whereabouts. 161 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into James Earl Ray’s associations and movements following his 1960 escape from Missouri State Penitentiary. Interviews with former inmates like Robert Powell, Donald Rigger, and James Russell describe Ray’s prison behavior, including drug use, petty theft, and reclusive tendencies. The FBI sought information on Ray’s whereabouts through contacts in Missouri, including potential associates like J.D. Daily, whose farm near Portageville or Kennett was speculated as a possible hiding place. Later investigations in 1968 focused on Daily’s alleged connections to Ray and Clarence Crews, an escapee from the same penitentiary. FBI agents interviewed residents in Missouri, examined property records, and explored Daily’s business operations, including his café in St. Louis and farm in Portageville. No direct link between Ray and Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination was established in these records, though the broader context of Ray’s criminal associations and movements is detailed.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray** (subject of investigation; suspect in MLK assassination)  
- **J.D. Daily** (restaurant owner in Portageville, Missouri; linked to Ray via alleged connections)  
- **Clarence Crews** (escapee from Missouri State Penitentiary; alleged associate of Ray)  
- **Robert Powell**, **Donald Rigger**, **James Russell** (inmates who interacted with Ray during his incarceration)  
- **Homer Townsley** (informant with ties to Ray and Daily)  
- **Jack Allison** (arrested for counterfeiting; alleged acquaintance of Ray)  
- **Charles Edward Allison** (brother of Jack Allison; incarcerated at Leavenworth)  
- **LUCILLE** (possibly Lucille Ryan; referenced in informants’ accounts)  

Key Locations  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (Jefferson City, Missouri)  
- **Portageville, Missouri** (alleged hiding place for Ray; Daily’s residence and business location)  
- **St. Louis, Missouri** (FBI offices; Daily’s former café operations)  
- **Wardell, Missouri** (residence of Daily’s family members)  
- **Leavenworth, Kansas** (prison facility where Charles Edward Allison was incarcerated)  
- **1920 Hickory Street**, **Jefferson Avenue**, **Mississippi Street** (St. Louis locations referenced in informants’ accounts)  

Key Events  
- Ray’s escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in 1960 and subsequent investigations into his movements  
- FBI interviews with inmates to assess Ray’s prison behavior, drug use, and interactions  
- Investigation into J.D. Daily’s alleged role in aiding Clarence Crews’ escape from the penitentiary  
- Surveillance of Daily’s residences and business locations (LaFont’s Cafe) in Portageville and St. Louis  
- Examination of property records to determine Daily’s land ownership and agricultural activities  
- Informants’ claims about Ray’s alleged financial support for his escape and potential criminal ties  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (Jefferson City, Missouri)  
- **St. Louis Police Department** (intelligence unit; referenced in context of Crews’ escape)  
- **Missouri State Highway Patrol**  
- **New Madrid County, Missouri** (county officials involved in land record examinations)  
- **Union Electric Service Company** (Allison’s workplace)  
- **Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Officer** (Dunklin County, Missouri)

MLK Declassified Files

44-sl-775_742351_03-01-part_5_of_9.pdf

Document Summary

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