Read Online Hellhound on His Trail: The Stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the International Hunt for His Assassin by Hampton Sides - Free Book Online
Authors: Hampton Sides
Tags: United States, General, Social Science, History, Biography & Autobiography, True Crime, 20th Century, Ethnic Studies, Murder, Criminals & Outlaws, Murder - General, Cultural Heritage, History - General History, Social History, ‘60s, Assassination, History - U.S., History: American, United States - 20th Century, King; Martin Luther;, 1929-1968, Jr.;, Ray; James Earl;, 1928-1998, U.S. History - 1960s, Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - Histor
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and fire directly at, and slightly down upon, his target.
Then he realized he was missing something, a lookout's most important tool. The Lorraine was just far enough away that he couldn't make out faces or other details with the naked eye. Galt could use the Redfield scope on his Remington, but he didn't want to bring his rifle up yet--lugging the weapon in its cumbersome box might draw too much attention, especially in broad daylight. In any case, a rifle scope was impractical for long-term surveillance work. For all Galt knew, he could be stuck here for days, possibly a whole week, snooping on the SCLC entourage. He would have to improve on his equipment.
THROUGHOUT THE AFTERNOON, King held meetings to talk about what to do with the Invaders. Two members of his staff--Hosea Williams and James Bevel--had been negotiating with the Invaders for days, trying to extract a promise that they would help with the march and not resort to violence. King wanted the Invaders to be included in the planning and to serve as marshals along the march route. But the Invaders were unwilling to make any promises unless King's SCLC gave them a significant sum of cash--by some accounts, they demanded ten thousand dollars. 325 Hosea Williams refused to commit any money, but he did provide the Invaders with a room at the Lorraine while suggesting to one Invader leader, Charles Cabbage, that he come on board for the week as hired SCLC staff.
King grew angry when he learned of these developments. "Hosea," he fumed, "no one will be on our payroll 326 who accepts violence as a means of social change." When he found out that the Invaders were trying to extort money from the SCLC, King became even more furious, saying, "I don't negotiate with brothers." 327
Cabbage and his Invaders were told they were no longer welcome at the Lorraine, that their room had been promised to someone else. Cabbage stormed out 328 of the Lorraine late that afternoon, toting a small arsenal of rifles and guns wrapped in a blanket under his arm.
AROUND 4:00 P.M., Galt trundled down the narrow staircase of Bessie Brewer's rooming house and got in his car. He drove the short distance to the York Arms Company, a sporting goods store located several blocks north at 162 Main, close by a movie theater that was showing The Graduate . York Arms, which carried rifles and shotguns among other merchandise, was one of the stores that had been looted the previous week when King's march turned ugly. This afternoon, as Galt walked in the front door, a clutch of striking garbage workers--many carrying placards that said, I AM A MAN--strolled down Main Street, not far from the York Arms storefront.
"Got any binoculars?" 329 Galt asked the first salesman he met, Ralph Carpenter. "I'd be interested in some infrared ones if you got any--for night vision."
Carpenter looked at the new customer and would later describe him as having an "average face, average hands, average neck--he was a neat, average-looking fellow and there was nothing outstanding about him." The man wore a dark, smooth-finish suit, a wide-collared white shirt, and a tie whose knot was slightly off center.
Carpenter told the customer he didn't carry any infrared binoculars, then showed the customer several brands of regular, high-end binoculars that cost upwards of $100. Galt balked at the prices. Then Carpenter remembered that he had several cheaper pairs in the show window. They were 7x35 Banners, manufactured by Bushnell, with fully coated optics. "These only cost $39.95," Carpenter said brightly as he retrieved a pair from the window. "They're imports, from Japan."
Galt seemed to like the price and put the binoculars up to his eyes. He said they were acceptable.
Carpenter tallied the tax and said the total would be $41.55.
Galt retrieved a roll of neatly folded bills from his right front pants pocket, from which he peeled off two twenties and a one, and then found fifty-five cents in another pocket. The salesclerk
Then he realized he was missing something, a lookout's most important tool. The Lorraine was just far enough away that he couldn't make out faces or other details with the naked eye. Galt could use the Redfield scope on his Remington, but he didn't want to bring his rifle up yet--lugging the weapon in its cumbersome box might draw too much attention, especially in broad daylight. In any case, a rifle scope was impractical for long-term surveillance work. For all Galt knew, he could be stuck here for days, possibly a whole week, snooping on the SCLC entourage. He would have to improve on his equipment.
THROUGHOUT THE AFTERNOON, King held meetings to talk about what to do with the Invaders. Two members of his staff--Hosea Williams and James Bevel--had been negotiating with the Invaders for days, trying to extract a promise that they would help with the march and not resort to violence. King wanted the Invaders to be included in the planning and to serve as marshals along the march route. But the Invaders were unwilling to make any promises unless King's SCLC gave them a significant sum of cash--by some accounts, they demanded ten thousand dollars. 325 Hosea Williams refused to commit any money, but he did provide the Invaders with a room at the Lorraine while suggesting to one Invader leader, Charles Cabbage, that he come on board for the week as hired SCLC staff.
King grew angry when he learned of these developments. "Hosea," he fumed, "no one will be on our payroll 326 who accepts violence as a means of social change." When he found out that the Invaders were trying to extort money from the SCLC, King became even more furious, saying, "I don't negotiate with brothers." 327
Cabbage and his Invaders were told they were no longer welcome at the Lorraine, that their room had been promised to someone else. Cabbage stormed out 328 of the Lorraine late that afternoon, toting a small arsenal of rifles and guns wrapped in a blanket under his arm.
AROUND 4:00 P.M., Galt trundled down the narrow staircase of Bessie Brewer's rooming house and got in his car. He drove the short distance to the York Arms Company, a sporting goods store located several blocks north at 162 Main, close by a movie theater that was showing The Graduate . York Arms, which carried rifles and shotguns among other merchandise, was one of the stores that had been looted the previous week when King's march turned ugly. This afternoon, as Galt walked in the front door, a clutch of striking garbage workers--many carrying placards that said, I AM A MAN--strolled down Main Street, not far from the York Arms storefront.
"Got any binoculars?" 329 Galt asked the first salesman he met, Ralph Carpenter. "I'd be interested in some infrared ones if you got any--for night vision."
Carpenter looked at the new customer and would later describe him as having an "average face, average hands, average neck--he was a neat, average-looking fellow and there was nothing outstanding about him." The man wore a dark, smooth-finish suit, a wide-collared white shirt, and a tie whose knot was slightly off center.
Carpenter told the customer he didn't carry any infrared binoculars, then showed the customer several brands of regular, high-end binoculars that cost upwards of $100. Galt balked at the prices. Then Carpenter remembered that he had several cheaper pairs in the show window. They were 7x35 Banners, manufactured by Bushnell, with fully coated optics. "These only cost $39.95," Carpenter said brightly as he retrieved a pair from the window. "They're imports, from Japan."
Galt seemed to like the price and put the binoculars up to his eyes. He said they were acceptable.
Carpenter tallied the tax and said the total would be $41.55.
Galt retrieved a roll of neatly folded bills from his right front pants pocket, from which he peeled off two twenties and a one, and then found fifty-five cents in another pocket. The salesclerk
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