Beschreibung:

RAY, James Earl Assassin. An archive of approx. 350 ALS ("J.," "Jim," "Jimmy," mostly to his brother, Jerry Ray (later Jerry Ryan), dated between 6 June 1969 and 4 June 1997. Most 4 o, some 8 o, nearly all with post-marked envelopes, many of the envelopes with "department of corrections" stamped over seal, some of the earlier letters on prison stationery stating rules of conduct on reverse. Most express legal concerns regarding Ray's conviction of the 1968 shooting of Martin Luther King, Jr. Ray's legal efforts to prove his innocence continued until his death. Many letters concern royalties on books, interviews, bank information, etc. A few of the letters are written to attorneys. In one dated 29 December 1971 to J. B. Stoner, Ray contends the courts use his case to "turn down other state prisoners for plenary hearing..." but adds hopefully "...Just a matter of time before we get a trial." An ALS from Ray's Stoner, who was briefly Ray's attorney, dated 28 February 1977, ends with the unsettling salutation, "With Best White Racist Wishes, I remain Yours For The White Race, J. B. Stoner." Includes a few political pamphlets Ray forwarded to Jerry. One beckons citizens to arm themselves, and quotes Abraham Lincoln (conspicuously excerpted) in its effort to decry the perils of corporate power. Ray (presumably) marked in red ink at the top, "RED HOT!!" above an article of an alleged Arkansas police cover-up that is profusely underlined. In 1977 Ray escaped from prison. A letter from Ray's brother Jerry to Ray dated 30 June 1977, soon after his capture comments, "I would have drove down and visited you right after you got back from vacation, but the Warden told me that i would have to wait 30 days..." Overall, a revealing archive that must be seen.