Hellhound On His Trail Part 26

CHAPTER 27.

A FEW MINUTES AND A FEW MILES.

407 "entirely a hoax": "entirely a hoax": My pa.s.sages concerning the Memphis Police Department's postmortem a.n.a.lysis of the CB car chase hoax are primarily drawn from the sixteen-page report "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Homicide #3367, Supplement #85, Re: C.B. Incident," Hughes Collection. The Memphis Police Department investigated the probable culprit behind the hoax, a teenage CB enthusiast named in the report. Also see House Select Committee on a.s.sa.s.sinations (hereafter HSCA), My pa.s.sages concerning the Memphis Police Department's postmortem a.n.a.lysis of the CB car chase hoax are primarily drawn from the sixteen-page report "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Homicide #3367, Supplement #85, Re: C.B. Incident," Hughes Collection. The Memphis Police Department investigated the probable culprit behind the hoax, a teenage CB enthusiast named in the report. Also see House Select Committee on a.s.sa.s.sinations (hereafter HSCA), Final a.s.sa.s.sinations Report Final a.s.sa.s.sinations Report, pp. 383-85.

408 he headed southeast: he headed southeast: Ray's exact route out of Memphis is not absolutely known, but he consistently stated that he drove southeast toward Birmingham; Highway 78 would have been the fastest, most direct, and (having stayed in a motel on that same road the previous night) most familiar route for his exit. See Ray, Ray's exact route out of Memphis is not absolutely known, but he consistently stated that he drove southeast toward Birmingham; Highway 78 would have been the fastest, most direct, and (having stayed in a motel on that same road the previous night) most familiar route for his exit. See Ray, Tennessee Waltz Tennessee Waltz, p. 80, as well as Ray's testimony in HSCA, Appendix Reports Appendix Reports, vol. 3, p. 240.

409 broadcasters now broke in: broadcasters now broke in: In all his accounts, Ray consistently stated that he heard the news about King's death over his car radio. However, the FBI investigation of the abandoned Mustang later determined that the radio was not in good working order at the time of inspection. In all his accounts, Ray consistently stated that he heard the news about King's death over his car radio. However, the FBI investigation of the abandoned Mustang later determined that the radio was not in good working order at the time of inspection.

410 Coretta King hurried down: Coretta King hurried down: My depiction of the scene at the Atlanta airport is adapted from the My depiction of the scene at the Atlanta airport is adapted from the Atlanta Const.i.tution Atlanta Const.i.tution, April 5, 1968, p. 1, and from Coretta Scott King, My Life with Martin Luther King Jr. My Life with Martin Luther King Jr., pp. 319-20.

411 "a tragic setback": "a tragic setback": Author interview with Clark, Oct. 9, 2008, New York City. Author interview with Clark, Oct. 9, 2008, New York City.

412 "I think the bureau": "I think the bureau": This conversation between Clark and DeLoach is recalled in DeLoach's, This conversation between Clark and DeLoach is recalled in DeLoach's, Hoover's FBI Hoover's FBI, p. 224.

413 "a crime of immense importance": "a crime of immense importance": DeLoach's testimony, HSCA, DeLoach's testimony, HSCA, Appendix Reports Appendix Reports, vol. 7, p. 22.

414 "Hoover remained at war": "Hoover remained at war": DeLoach, DeLoach, Hoover's FBI Hoover's FBI, p. 222.

415 "He was as anxious": "He was as anxious": Ibid., p. 226. Ibid., p. 226.

416 "The FBI's reputation": "The FBI's reputation": Author interview with Clark. Author interview with Clark.

417 "the guy with a thousand opportunities": "the guy with a thousand opportunities": DeLoach, DeLoach, Hoover's FBI Hoover's FBI, p. 225.

418 Born in Denmark: Born in Denmark: These biographical details concerning Jensen derive primarily from his obituary in the These biographical details concerning Jensen derive primarily from his obituary in the Memphis Commercial Appeal Memphis Commercial Appeal, March 22, 1992, as well as from Jensen's testimony in HSCA, Appendix Reports Appendix Reports, vol. 6, pp. 586-87.

419 "As you well know": "As you well know": DeLoach, DeLoach, Hoover's FBI Hoover's FBI, p. 225.

420 Now Jensen removed: Now Jensen removed: This pa.s.sage concerning Jensen's a.n.a.lysis of the evidence is primarily drawn from the FBI FD-302 report filed on April 4 and 5, 1968, by Special Agent in Charge Jensen and Special Agent Robert Fitzpatrick, enumerating and describing all items in the abandoned bundle, Hughes Collection. This pa.s.sage concerning Jensen's a.n.a.lysis of the evidence is primarily drawn from the FBI FD-302 report filed on April 4 and 5, 1968, by Special Agent in Charge Jensen and Special Agent Robert Fitzpatrick, enumerating and describing all items in the abandoned bundle, Hughes Collection.

CHAPTER 28.

THEY'VE TORN IT NOW.

421 Johnson sat at his mahogany desk: Johnson sat at his mahogany desk: My account of Johnson's reaction to the King a.s.sa.s.sination is drawn from a number of sources, including Kotz, My account of Johnson's reaction to the King a.s.sa.s.sination is drawn from a number of sources, including Kotz, Judgment Days Judgment Days, p. 415; Dallek, Flawed Giant Flawed Giant, p. 533; Risen, Nation on Fire Nation on Fire, pp. 40-42, 53-54; and Califano, Triumph and Tragedy of Lyndon Johnson Triumph and Tragedy of Lyndon Johnson, pp. 273-75. Especially helpful to me was "The President's Appointment File, 4/3/68 to 4/11/68," box 95, Lyndon Baines Johnson Papers, Johnson Presidential Library.

422 "Justice has just advised": "Justice has just advised": This memo is at the Johnson Presidential Library. This memo is at the Johnson Presidential Library.

423 "A jumble of anxious thoughts": "A jumble of anxious thoughts": Johnson, quoted in Risen, Johnson, quoted in Risen, Nation on Fire Nation on Fire, p. 42.

424 "Everything we've gained": "Everything we've gained": Dallek, Dallek, Flawed Giant Flawed Giant, p. 533.

425 "America is shocked": "America is shocked": "Statement by the President on the a.s.sa.s.sination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," Johnson Presidential Library. "Statement by the President on the a.s.sa.s.sination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," Johnson Presidential Library.

426 "Don't send your skinny little rookies": "Don't send your skinny little rookies": Busby, Busby, Thirty-first of March Thirty-first of March, p. 236.

427 "They're holed up like generals": "They're holed up like generals": Ibid. Ibid.

428 "The D. C. Civil Defense" "The D. C. Civil Defense": Situation Room memorandums from the night of April 4, 1968, Johnson Library. Situation Room memorandums from the night of April 4, 1968, Johnson Library.

429 "King was the last prince of nonviolence": "King was the last prince of nonviolence": Floyd McKissick, quoted in the Floyd McKissick, quoted in the Was.h.i.+ngton Post Was.h.i.+ngton Post, April 5, 1968, p. 1.

430 "The next Negro to advocate nonviolence": "The next Negro to advocate nonviolence": Risen, Risen, A Nation on Fire A Nation on Fire, p. 56.

431 "When white America killed Dr. King": "When white America killed Dr. King": Stokely Carmichael, quoted in Gilbert et al., Stokely Carmichael, quoted in Gilbert et al., Ten Blocks from the White House Ten Blocks from the White House, pp. 60-61.

432 "The nation is steeped in violence": "The nation is steeped in violence": Church, quoted in a UPI report on the White House ticker tape on the night of April 4, 1968, Johnson Presidential Library. Church, quoted in a UPI report on the White House ticker tape on the night of April 4, 1968, Johnson Presidential Library.

433 "It was one of those frozen moments": "It was one of those frozen moments": Mrs. Johnson, quoted in Dallek, Mrs. Johnson, quoted in Dallek, Flawed Giant Flawed Giant, p. 533, and Risen, Nation on Fire Nation on Fire, p. 54.

434 "I and all the citizens of Memphis": "I and all the citizens of Memphis": Memphis Commercial Appeal Memphis Commercial Appeal, April 5, 1968, p. 1.

435 "We feel that the a.s.sa.s.sin crouched": "We feel that the a.s.sa.s.sin crouched": Memphis Press-Scimitar Memphis Press-Scimitar, April 5, 1968, p. 1.

436 "d.a.m.ned to h.e.l.l": "d.a.m.ned to h.e.l.l": Blanchard, quoted in Honey, Blanchard, quoted in Honey, Going Down Jericho Road Going Down Jericho Road, p. 440.

437 "I'm so sorry": "I'm so sorry": Beifuss, Beifuss, At the River I Stand At the River I Stand, p. 300.

438 "Our neighborhood was like a tomb": "Our neighborhood was like a tomb": Honey, Honey, Going Down Jericho Road Going Down Jericho Road, p. 444.

439 "This is the darkest day I've ever seen": "This is the darkest day I've ever seen": Beifuss, Beifuss, At the River I Stand At the River I Stand, p. 283.

440 "that n.i.g.g.e.r King": "that n.i.g.g.e.r King": Honey, Honey, Going Down Jericho Road Going Down Jericho Road, p. 441.

441 "The Lord has deserted us": "The Lord has deserted us": Beifuss, Beifuss, At the River I Stand At the River I Stand, p. 303.

442 "Just respect the man": "Just respect the man": Ibid. Ibid.

443 "rioting and looting is now rampant": "rioting and looting is now rampant": Fire and Police Director Frank Holloman, quoted in the Fire and Police Director Frank Holloman, quoted in the Memphis Commercial Appeal Memphis Commercial Appeal, April 5, 1968, p. 1.

444 "That's what I thought": "That's what I thought": Honey, Honey, Going Down Jericho Road Going Down Jericho Road, p. 447.

445 "Stay calm": "Stay calm": Beifuss, Beifuss, At the River I Stand At the River I Stand, p. 301.

446 "I went numb": "I went numb": Honey, Honey, Going Down Jericho Road Going Down Jericho Road, p. 437.

447 "I thought I was going to get away": "I thought I was going to get away": Ray, quoted in Ayton, Ray, quoted in Ayton, Racial Crime Racial Crime, p. 143. See also Frank, American Death American Death, p. 390.

448 "I had to drive slow": "I had to drive slow": James Earl Ray, "20,000 Words," quoted in Huie, James Earl Ray, "20,000 Words," quoted in Huie, Making of an a.s.sa.s.sin Making of an a.s.sa.s.sin, p. 145.

449 "I knew that the car could be hot": "I knew that the car could be hot": Ray, Ray, Who Killed Martin Luther King? Who Killed Martin Luther King? p. 97. p. 97.

450 "I just wanted to get rid": "I just wanted to get rid": Ray, Ray, Tennessee Waltz Tennessee Waltz, p. 80.

CHAPTER 29.

POWER IN THE BLOOD.

451 "King wouldn't make a decision without him": "King wouldn't make a decision without him": Hosea Williams, quoted in McKnight, Hosea Williams, quoted in McKnight, The Last Crusade The Last Crusade, p. 108.

452 "flashbulbs still blinked": "flashbulbs still blinked": Wills, "Martin Luther King Is Still on the Case," reprinted in Wills, "Martin Luther King Is Still on the Case," reprinted in The New Journalism The New Journalism, ed. Tom Wolfe, p. 393.

453 "sleepwalk through the night": "sleepwalk through the night": Young, Young, Easy Burden Easy Burden, p. 467.

454 "had received, through letter or telephone": "had received, through letter or telephone": Abernathy's testimony in House Select Committee on a.s.sa.s.sination, Abernathy's testimony in House Select Committee on a.s.sa.s.sination, Appendix Reports Appendix Reports, vol. 1, p. 19.

455 "We can't let Martin down": "We can't let Martin down": Bevel, quoted in Young, Bevel, quoted in Young, Easy Burden Easy Burden, p. 468.

456 "They got him": "They got him": Ibid. Ibid.

457 "I touched the pillow": "I touched the pillow": Georgia Davis Powers, Georgia Davis Powers, I Shared the Dream I Shared the Dream, p. 233.

458 "This is Martin's precious blood": "This is Martin's precious blood": Frady, Frady, Jesse Jesse, p. 232.

459 Withers took several shots: Withers took several shots: Frank, Frank, American Death American Death, p. 109.

460 wiped them down the front of his s.h.i.+rt: wiped them down the front of his s.h.i.+rt: Young, quoted in Frady, Young, quoted in Frady, Jesse Jesse, p. 232.

461 "There's nothing that unusual": "There's nothing that unusual": Ibid. Ibid.

462 "composed but dazed": "composed but dazed": Atlanta Const.i.tution Atlanta Const.i.tution, April 5, 1968, p. 1.

463 King had not written a will: King had not written a will: Kathryn Johnson, "Dr. King Leaves Little--He Gave It All Away," Kathryn Johnson, "Dr. King Leaves Little--He Gave It All Away," Atlanta Const.i.tution Atlanta Const.i.tution, May 13, 1968, p. 1.

464 "If something happens": "If something happens": Honey, Honey, Going Down Jericho Road Going Down Jericho Road, p. 452.

465 "but there was something a little different": "but there was something a little different": Memphis Commercial Appeal Memphis Commercial Appeal, April 2, 1978.

466 "just to do any little menial thing": "just to do any little menial thing": Belafonte, quoted in Coretta Scott King, Belafonte, quoted in Coretta Scott King, My Life with Martin Luther King Jr. My Life with Martin Luther King Jr., p. 322.

467 "Mommy, when is Daddy coming home?": "Mommy, when is Daddy coming home?": Ibid., p. 321. Ibid., p. 321.

468 "No, darling": "No, darling": Ibid. Ibid.

469 Dr. Jerry Francisco: Dr. Jerry Francisco: Biographical details and physical descriptions of Francisco are adapted from Biographical details and physical descriptions of Francisco are adapted from Memphis Commercial Appeal Memphis Commercial Appeal clippings and my interview with Francisco, Jan. 20, 2009. clippings and my interview with Francisco, Jan. 20, 2009.

470 "somehow looked more dead": "somehow looked more dead": Abernathy, Abernathy, And the Walls Came Tumbling Down And the Walls Came Tumbling Down, p. 445.

471 "This is the body": "This is the body": Ibid. Ibid.

472 "It might tell us something": "It might tell us something": Ibid. Ibid.

473 "giving the appearance": "giving the appearance": Memphis Police Department doc.u.ment, "Martin Luther King Homicide No. 3367, Supplement #5, Re: Consent for Autopsy and Autopsy," p. 2, Hughes Collection. Memphis Police Department doc.u.ment, "Martin Luther King Homicide No. 3367, Supplement #5, Re: Consent for Autopsy and Autopsy," p. 2, Hughes Collection.

474 "More than any case": "More than any case": Author interview with Francisco. Author interview with Francisco.

475 "I felt very safe": "I felt very safe": Ibid. Ibid.

476 "This is a well developed": "This is a well developed": Francisco's autopsy report, Hughes Collection. Francisco's autopsy report, Hughes Collection.

477 "Every light in every store": "Every light in every store": Wills, "Martin Luther King Is Still on the Case," reprinted in Wills, "Martin Luther King Is Still on the Case," reprinted in New Journalism New Journalism, p. 390.

478 "tens of thousands of Americans": "tens of thousands of Americans": Graham's reaction to King's murder, and the other reactions reproduced in this pa.s.sage from various international figures, are taken from White House newswires, Situation Room memorandums, and State Department telexes received on April 4 and 5, 1968, Johnson Presidential Library. Graham's reaction to King's murder, and the other reactions reproduced in this pa.s.sage from various international figures, are taken from White House newswires, Situation Room memorandums, and State Department telexes received on April 4 and 5, 1968, Johnson Presidential Library.

CHAPTER 30.

A SUMMONS TO MEMPHIS.

479 Lockheed Jetstar taxied: Lockheed Jetstar taxied: My account of the initial trip to Memphis made by Clark and DeLoach on April 5 derives from multiple sources. I especially relied on DeLoach, My account of the initial trip to Memphis made by Clark and DeLoach on April 5 derives from multiple sources. I especially relied on DeLoach, Hoover's FBI Hoover's FBI, pp. 228-30, as well as my own interview with Clark, Oct. 9, 2008, New York City. I also gained valuable insights from Wilkins, A Man's Life A Man's Life, pp. 211-12, and Risen, Nation on Fire Nation on Fire, pp. 95-97. See also DeLoach's testimony in House Select Committee on a.s.sa.s.sinations (hereafter HSCA), Appendix Reports Appendix Reports, vol. 7, pp. 18-117, as well as Clark's testimony, HSCA, Appendix Reports Appendix Reports, vol. 7, pp. 120-63.

480 fugitive named John Willard: fugitive named John Willard: DeLoach, DeLoach, Hoover's FBI Hoover's FBI, p. 228.

481 Now he opened his briefcase: Now he opened his briefcase: Wilkins, Wilkins, A Man's Life A Man's Life, p. 212. See also Risen, Nation on Fire Nation on Fire, p. 95.

482 "At daybreak I stopped for gas": "At daybreak I stopped for gas": Ray, Ray, Tennessee Waltz Tennessee Waltz, p. 80.

483 location he had scoped out: location he had scoped out: FBI agents later discovered that the map Ray left behind in his Atlanta rooming house bore a circle on it, presumably made by Ray, at the location of the Capitol Homes project--which seemed to indicate that he had investigated the location prior to abandoning his car there. FBI agents later discovered that the map Ray left behind in his Atlanta rooming house bore a circle on it, presumably made by Ray, at the location of the Capitol Homes project--which seemed to indicate that he had investigated the location prior to abandoning his car there.

484 Mary Bridges: Mary Bridges: My depiction of Galt's abandoning his Mustang at the Capitol Homes project on the morning of April 5 is adapted from varied sources. I especially relied on a thirty-four-page FBI report t.i.tled "Eric Starvo Galt, Bureau File #44-38861" prepared by Special Agent Alan G. Sentinella of the Atlanta field office, filed on April 18, 1968, Hughes Collection. This report contains a detailed description of the Mustang's location and condition (with accompanying photographs) as well as interviews with the various Capitol Homes tenants (including Mary Bridges) who saw the Mustang and its driver. I also made use of "Capitol Homes Stirred Up by That Mustang," My depiction of Galt's abandoning his Mustang at the Capitol Homes project on the morning of April 5 is adapted from varied sources. I especially relied on a thirty-four-page FBI report t.i.tled "Eric Starvo Galt, Bureau File #44-38861" prepared by Special Agent Alan G. Sentinella of the Atlanta field office, filed on April 18, 1968, Hughes Collection. This report contains a detailed description of the Mustang's location and condition (with accompanying photographs) as well as interviews with the various Capitol Homes tenants (including Mary Bridges) who saw the Mustang and its driver. I also made use of "Capitol Homes Stirred Up by That Mustang," Atlanta Const.i.tution Atlanta Const.i.tution, April 22, 1968.

485 United Cab Company driver: United Cab Company driver: FBI interview with Stephens conducted on April 12, 1968, by Special Agent Thomas J. Barrett, Hughes Collection. FBI interview with Stephens conducted on April 12, 1968, by Special Agent Thomas J. Barrett, Hughes Collection.

486 "This is one of the darkest days": "This is one of the darkest days": Abernathy's comments at the morning press conference at the Lorraine Motel were reprinted in the Abernathy's comments at the morning press conference at the Lorraine Motel were reprinted in the Atlanta Const.i.tution Atlanta Const.i.tution, April 6, 1968.

487 had hired a public relations agent: had hired a public relations agent: Kenneth R. Timmerman, Kenneth R. Timmerman, Shakedown: Exposing the Real Jesse Jackson Shakedown: Exposing the Real Jesse Jackson (Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C.: Regnery, 2002), pp. 9-10. (Was.h.i.+ngton, D.C.: Regnery, 2002), pp. 9-10.

488 "To prost.i.tute and lie": "To prost.i.tute and lie": Bevel, quoted in Frady, Bevel, quoted in Frady, Jesse Jesse, p. 230.