</s>1 Re: ALLEGED APPEARANCE OF JAMES EARL RAY SL 44-775 HCK:paw AT JEFFERSON-GRAVOS BANK, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, IN SUMMER, 1967. Mr. A. C. ARB, Vice President, Jefferson-Gravois Bank of St. Louis, 264 South Jefferson Avenue, St.Louis, telephone PR 1-833, on May 16, 1968, made available for examination. PR 1 -833, from May 16th, 1967 through August 30, checks in the bank from January 1967 through august 30, 1967. It is noted that this bank sells travelers checks of and Bank of America. These records consisting of duplicate copies of the application for travelers checks signed by the and bank of America: These records are of any known check to purchased in the state of the state. The state of New York is also known to JAMES EARLY RAY in his disclosure of the sale of any of known checks, now did the records disclose any sale of travelers checks by the JAMES OWENS, an associate of RAY. No travelers checks sales were disclosure, especially. CAROL PEPPER, JAMES EARL RAVOIS brother and sister, respectively. Mrs. MARGARET HOLMES, teller, Jefferson GRAVois Bank, who handles the sale off travelers checks at the bank, was unable to identify photographs of JAMES BARL RAT exhibited to her May 16, 1966, by SA HOWARD C. KENNEDY as being identical with anyone she has ever seen at the Bank. 41 2013 RELEASE UNDEREO. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations from May 1968 into James Earl Ray’s alleged connections to Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination (April 4, 1968) and his prior escape from Missouri State Penitentiary in 1967. Key figures include John Paul Velanti, a former inmate who claimed no direct contact with Ray but mentioned other inmates like James Carpenter and Russell Brannen, who allegedly observed Ray’s 1967 prison break. Velanti’s parole violations and employment history at Dismas House and Bardget Printing Company are noted. The FBI also interviewed Jack Gorman, described as Ray’s “foster son,” who claimed to know Ray’s whereabouts post-escape. Joseph McCormick, a witness with questionable credibility due to mental health issues, reported meeting Ray (referred to as “Jimmy”) in St. Louis and hearing discussions about violent acts. Russell Brannen, a parolee linked to the Missouri State Penitentiary, was questioned about potential ties to Ray or other suspects. The documents also reference unrelated 1965 investigations into Mississippi Avenue addresses and reviews of Field Interrogation Reports (FTRs) for Ray’s movements between November 1967 and May 1968. Charitable organizations like the Salvation Army were contacted to monitor for sightings of Ray.  

Key People:  
- **James Earl Ray** (central suspect in MLK’s assassination, alleged prison escapee)  
- **John Paul Velanti** (former Missouri State Penitentiary inmate, questioned about ties to Ray)  
- **Jack Gorman** (described as Ray’s “foster son,” linked to Ray’s 1967 escape)  
- **Joseph McCormick** (witness with low IQ and mental health issues, reported meeting Ray in St. Louis)  
- **Russell Brannen** (parolee tied to Missouri State Penitentiary, questioned about Ray connections)  
- **James Carpenter** (inmate who allegedly observed Ray’s 1967 escape)  
- **Rosalie Smith** and **Linda Smith** (St. Louis residents interviewed about sightings of Ray)  
- **Fred Powers** and **Muriell Jordan** (individuals associated with 1800 South 11th Street, St. Louis)  

Key Locations:  
- **Mississippi Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri** (investigated for addresses linked to Ray)  
- **1800 South 11th Street, St. Louis, Missouri** (associated with Jack and Mary, individuals linked to Ray)  
- **Art’s Bar** (corner of Lillith and Soutland, reported sightings of Ray)  
- **Eddie Sang’s Tavern** (corner of Lillith and Soullard, mentioned in witness accounts)  
- **1630 South 18th Street** (Opal Highly’s former bar location, referenced in unrelated 1965 investigation)  

Key Events:  
- FBI interviews with Velanti, Gorman, McCormick, and Brannen to trace Ray’s movements and associations.  
- Investigation into Ray’s 1967 escape from Missouri State Penitentiary, including claims of a “bread box” exit method.  
- Neighborhood inquiries in St. Louis (May 15–June 3, 1968) to identify individuals resembling Ray.  
- Review of Field Interrogation Reports (FTRs) for Ray’s activities between November 1967 and May 1968.  
- Unrelated 1965 investigation into Mississippi Avenue addresses, which found no matches.  
- Contact with the Salvation Army to monitor for sightings of Ray.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)** (led primary investigations)  
- **Missouri State Penitentiary** (linked to Ray’s 1967 escape and inmate associations)  
- **St. Louis Police Department** (conducted neighborhood inquiries)  
- **Salvation Army** (monitored for sightings of Ray)  
- **City Coroner’s Office, St. Louis, Missouri** (reviewed unidentified death records)

MLK Declassified Files

44-sl-775_742351_06-02-part_3_of_6.pdf

Document Summary

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