Originator: FBI
From: DL
To: HQ
Document date: 04/01/1964
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

Released under the John F. Kennedy

Assassination Records Collection Act of

1992(44 USC 2107 Note). Case#:NW

E457A Date: 12-14-2022

JFK Assassination System

Identification Form

Agency Information

Date:

6/4/2015

AGENCY: FBI

RECORD NUMBER: 124-90129-10083

RECORD SERIES : DL

AGENCY FILE NUMBER: 105-1280-80

Document Information

ORIGINATOR:

FBI

FROM:

DL

TO: HQ

TITLE :

DATE :

' PAGES:

SUBJECTS :

04/01/1964

36

MINUTEMEN

DOCUMENT TYPE:

PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION:

Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS :

4

CURRENT STATUS:

Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW: 09/15/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE

COMMENTS:

MEMO

v9.1

NW 64578 Docld:32335692 Page 1

22

---

## Page 2

gor.

OPTIONAL FOAM NU. _0

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

MEMORANDUM

TO:

FROM:

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-107261)

SAC, DALLAS (105-1280) (P)

SUBJECT: "MINUTEMEN"

INFORMATION CONCERNING

(INTERNAL SECURITY)

00: KANSAS CITY

DATE: 4/1/64

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED

Re Dallas letter to Bureau, 2/14/64; Bureau artel

•to Denver, et al, 2/24/64; Kansas City airtel to Bureau, 3/3/64;

Oklahoma City letter to Dallas, 3/11/64.

Investigation conducted to date thragh reliable con-

tacts, informants and sources

has reflected no evidence of any

organized activity on the part of subject organization in the

barras Division.

Therefore, no report is being submitted at this

time; however,

investigation is continuing in an effort to deter-

mine specifically whether captioned organization is active or has

adherents in this territory making efforts to establish units.

There follows the results of investigation conducted

throughout the Resident Agency territories as to the existence

of captioned organization.

The following investigation was conducted by SA.

WILLIAM R. JENKINS:

AT AMARILLO, TEXAS

74203

On 2/7/64, JACK SEALE, Regional Coordinator, John Birch

Society, 319 Oak Street, advised as far as he knew there were no

members of the above organization anywhere in the Panhandle area

He advised that a few members of the John Birch Society

had received some of their literature but stated as far as he knew

this literature was unsolicited or merely for study purposes.

Ae

advised he would notify SA JENKINS should he receive any informati:

indicating the above organization had any members in the Amarillo

area.

-Bureau (RM)

2 - Kansas City (62-7797) (RM)

/ Houston 162-2802) (RM)

• Oklahoma City (100-6949) (RM)

M "ÉT Paso (RM)

L - San Antonio (105-2356) (RM)

7 - Dallas

(2 - DL 105-1686)

(3 - DL 105-1280)

(2 - DL 157-218)

RLW: rmb

(16)

105-1280-80

NW 64578 Docld:32335692 Page 2

---

## Page 3

DE 105-1280

FRANK CHAPMAN, PD, Hamlin, Texas

1/28/64

The following were contacted by SA DEL D. DRAKE, JR.:

LOYD MATHEWS, Detective, PD, Paris,

1/24/64

Texas

JIM N. THOMPSON, County Attorney, Paris; 1/24/64

Texas

V. E.

STEWART, Vice President, Liberty

National Bank, Paris,

Texas

J. E. WILKINS, PCI, Paris,

Texas

MELVIN THEILMAN, PCI, Paris,

Texas

DL-124-C, Paris, Texas (identity known

to Bureau

STANLEY RIGGS, PCI, Paris,

Texas

HOYT IVEY, Sheriff; Fannin County,

Bonham, Texas

0. R. MC KISSOCK, Chief of Police,

Bonham, Texas

R. A. HULEN, Sheriff, Red

River County,

Clarksville, Texas

T. L. HOPKINS, Sheriff, Delta County,

Cooper,

Texas

TRUMAN RATLIFE, Delta County Attorney,

Cooper,

Texas

BENNIE WARREN, Chief of Police,

2/4/64

2/4/64

2/4/64

2/4/64

2/4/64

2/3/64

2/3/64

2/8/64

1/23/64

1/23/64

1/23/64

Greenville;

Texas

BILL PEMBERTON, Hunt County Attorney

Greenville,

Texas

PAUL RAY JONES, Sheriff, Hopkins

2/6/64

1/23/64

County, Sulphur Springs, Texas

JOHN TITTLE, Sheriff, Franklin County,

Mt. Vernon,

Texas

BERT MC KEOWN, Sheriff, Rains County,

2/7/64

2/6/64

Emory, Texas

The following were contacted by SA JOE B. ABERNATHY?

I ExaGYANS, Sherifs, Kauman County,

1/28/64

Deputy 0. O. PICKERING, Navarro County, 2/3/64

Texas

Chief BILL ONSTOTT, Corstana,

Texas, PD

OBIE FREEMAN, Chief of Police, Ennis,

2/3/64

2/7/64

Texas

NW 64578 Docld:32335692 Page 3

---

## Page 4

DI 105-1280

permitted interview on advice of his attorneys and has even

declined to interview by parole

authoritios

On 3/17/64, ELLSWORTH advised MASEN is still await-

ing trial and MASEN's trial will probably commence about the

first of May,

1964.

Patrolman PRESTON SNOGA, Irving, Texas,

PD, was con-

tacted

at his residence, 2517 Dewitt Street, Irving,

and

fur'-

nished the following information

• to SA WIEHL

on 2/11/64:

SNOGA advised he had known JOHN MASEN

since approxi

this acquaintanceship had furnished information

concerning

MASEN's activities to ATTU, Dallas, Texas.

MASEN's activities;

he advised, included changing semi-automatic weapons to fully

automatic weapons. He advised MASEN is strictly in the gun

business for the

money he can make.

MASEN 1s full of a lot of

"big talk" which he never substantiated.

MASEN told SNOGA he

had been contacted by Cuban revolutionists for the purpose of

supplying guns and ammunition.

MASEN also advised him that

"Minutemen"

'and John Birchers in the Dallas area had contacted

him for the purpose of buying ammunition.

MASEN never mentioned

the names or locations of these individuals. MASEN never advised

SNOGA that he was himself a member of a John Birch Society or

"'Minutemen""

..It was

SNOGA's impression that MASEN was not a

member of either of these organizations, 1f, in fact, he was im

contact with them.

This impression

based primarily on the

fact that MASEN was more interested

In money than in political

beliefs.

On 2/28/64, SA JAMES P. HOSTY, IR. conducted the

following investigation:

DONALD G. KIMP advised that he had no further informa

tion concerning the activities of "Minutenen" type organizations

In the Dallas area.

KEVD advised over since the

of former

assassination

President JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY on 11/22/63, these

individuals have been

extrenely quiet and it is not known whether

they have ceased their activity, or they are merely

restricting

their activities

following the

assassination of President KENNEDY.

It is noted in referenced Kansas City airtel to Bureau

dated 3/3/64, reference

is made to the names of WILLIAM HENRY

JOHNSON OF EARL JOHNSON and MORRIS TANNAHIL,

aka. JOHN MORRIS,

who may be "Minutenen" in the Dallas,

Texas

area

=.9.=

NW 64578 Docld:32335692 Page 4

---

## Page 5

DL 105-1280

thereafter have photograph exhibited to T. V. STEPHENS, Altus,

Oklahoma, to determine 1f TANNEHILL is the individual who con-

tacted STEPHENS. Furnish Dallas results of this contact.

KANSAS CITY

AT KANSAS CITY.

will consider reinterview with Jerry

BROOKS

for the purpose of obtaining more identifying information

concerning WILLIAM HENRY JOHNSON OT BARL JOHNSON, Dallas.

DALLAS

AT LUFKIN, TEXAS.

Will expeditiously recontact

Sheriff LION JONS, Angelina County, and Mr. A. C. CHILDS in

an effort to determine if local ammunition storage may have

"Minutemen" connections.

AT DALLAS, TEXAS.

Will contact former DL-18-S for

intormation he may be able to furnish at this time relative to

the possibe activity of captioned organization in the Dallas

Division.

- 12-

NW 64578 Docld:32335692 Page 5

---

## Page 6

OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

MEMORANDUM

TO:

FROM :

SUBJECT:

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-107261)

SAC, DALLAS (105-1280) (P)

"MINUTEMEN"

INFORMATION CONCERNING

(INTERNAL SECURITY)

00: KANSAS CITY

. DATE: 4/1/64

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED

DATE 5/20/83 BY SPIESK/ALR

@ 26,590

Re Dallas letter to Bureau, 2/14/64; Bureau airtel

to Denver, et al, 2/24/64; Kansas City airtel to Bureau, 3/3/64;

Oklahoma City letter to Dallas, 3/11/64.

Investigation conducted to date throgh reliable con-

tacts, informants and sources has reflected no evidence of any

organized activity on the part of subject organization in the

Dallas Division.

Therefore, no report is being submitted at this

time; however,

investigation is continuing in an effort to deter-

specifically whether captioned organization is active or has

adherents in this territory making efforts to establish units.

There follows the results of investigation conducted

throughout the Resident Agency territories as to the existence

of captioned organization.

The following investigation was conducted by SA

WILLIAM R. JENKINS:

In Kid

AY AMARILLO, TEXAS

TOn 2/7/61, JACK SEALE,

Regional Coordinator, John Birch

Society, 319 Oak Street, advisedlas far as he knew there were no

members of the above organization anywhere in the Panhandle area

of Texas.

He advised that a few members of the John Birch Society

had received some of their literature but stated as far as he knew

this literature was unsolicited or merely for study purposes.

advised he would notify SA JENKINS should he receive any information

indicating the above organization had any members in the Amarillo

area.

i 1.

wishe

Bureau (RM)

-hansas City (62-7797) (RM)

Oklahoma City (100-6949) (RM)

]. Houston (62-1802) (RM)

El Paso (RM)

- San Antonio. (105-2356) (RM)

7 - Dallas

• (2 - DL 105-1686)

(3

DL

105-1280)

12 - DL

157-218)

RLW : rmb

(16)

cine

105-1280-80

NW 64578 Docld:32335692 Page 6

---

## Page 7

DI 105-1280

8-3

1.5

FRANK CHAPMAN, PD, Hamlin, Texas

1/28/64

The following were contacted by SA DEL D. DRAKE, JR.:

LOYD MATHEWS, Detective, PD, Paris,

1/24/64

Texas

JIM N. THOMPSON, County Attorney, Paris, 1/24/64

Texas

V. E.

STEWART, Vice President, Ilberty

2/4/64

National Bank, Paris,

Texas

J. E. WILKINS, PCI, Paris, Texas

MELVIN THEILMAN, PCI, Paris,

Texas

2/4/64

2/4/64

DL-124-C, Paris, Texas fidentity known

2/4/64

to Bureau

STANLEY RIGGS, PCI, Paris,

Texas

2/4/64

HOYT IVEY, Sheriff, Fannin County,

2/3/64

Bonham,

Texas

0. R. MC KISSOCK, Chief of Police,

2/3/64

Bonham, Texas

R. A. HULEN, Sheriff, Red River County,

2/8/64

Clarksville, Texas

T. I. HOPKINS, Sheriff, Delta County,

1/23/64

Cooper,

Texas

TRUMAN RATLIFF, Delta County Attorney,

1/23/64

Cooper,

Texas

BENNIE WARREN, Chief of Police,

Greenville,

Texas

BILL PEMBERTON, Hunt County Attorney

Greenville,

Texas

PAUL RAY JONES, Sheriff, Hookins

County, Sulphur Springs, Texas

JON TErE, Sharel, Pranklin County,

Vernon, Texas

BERT MC KEOWN, Sheriff, Rains County,

1/23/64

2/6/64

1/23/64

2/7/64

2/6/64

mory, Texas

The following were contacted by SA JOE B. ABERNATHY:

H. L. EVANS, Sheriff, Kaufman County,

1/28/64

Texas

Deputy O

O. PICKERING, Navarro County, 2/3/64

Texas

Chief BILL ONSTOTT, Corstana, Texas, PD

2/3/64

OBIE FREEMAN, Chief of Police, Ennis,

2/7/64

Texas

NW 64578 Docld:32335692 Page 7

---

## Page 8

DL 105-1280

permitted interview on

advice of his attorneys and has even

declined to interview by parole authorities

On 3/17/64, ELLSWORTH advised MASEN is still await-

ing trial

first of May, 1964.

and MASEN's trial will probably commence about the

patrolman PRESTON SNOGA,

Irving, Texas, PD, was con-

tacted at his residence, 2517 DeWitt Street, Irving,

and

fur

nished the following information to SA WIEHL on

2/11/64:

SNOGA advised he had known JOHN MASEN

mately February, 1963, and that during the last die approx!

this acquaintanceship had furnished information concerning

MASEN's activities to ATTU, Dallas, Texas. MASEN'S activities,

he advised, included changing semi-automatic weapons to fully

automatic weapons. He advised NASEN isstrictly in the gun

business for the money he can make.

MASEN is full of a lot of

"big talk" which he never substantiated.

MASEN told sNoGA he

had been contacted by Cuban revolutionists for the purpose of

supplying guns and ammunition

"Minutemen"

MASEr also advised him that

and John Birchers in the Dallas area had contacted

him

for the purpose of buying ammunition.

MASEN never mentioned

the names or locations of these individuals. MASEN never

advised

SNOGA that he was himself a member of a John Birch Society or

"Minutemen"

It was SNOGA's impression that: MASEN was not a

member of either of these organizations, 1f, in fact, he was in

contact with them.

This impression

was based primarily on the

fact that

MASEN was more interested in money than in political

beliefs 1

On 2/28/64, SA JAMES P. HOSTY, IR. conducted the

following investigation:

ALTA

DONALD G.

KEMP advised that he had no further informa-

tion concerning the activities fu"Minutenen" type organizations

assassination

of former President JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY On 11/22/63, these

are nerely restricting

their activities following the assassination of President KENNEDY

It 1s noted in referenced Kansas City airtel to Bureau

dated 3/3/64, reference is made to the names of WILLIAM HENRY

JOHNSON Or EARL JOHNSON and MORRIS TANNAHIL,

aka JOHN MORRIS,

who may be "Minutemen" In the Dallas,

Texas,

area.

: =.9

NW 64578 Docld:32335692 Page 8

---

## Page 9

DI 105-1280

tacted STEPHENS.

Furnish Dallas results of this contact.

KANSAS CITY

AT KANSAS CITY.

Will consider reinterview with JERRY

BROOKS for the purpose of obtaining more identifying information

concerning WILLIAM HENRY JOHNSON OF EARL JOHNSON, Dallas.

DALLAS

AT LUFKIN, TEXAS.

Will expeditlously recontact

Sheriff, LION JONES, Angelina County, and Mr. A. C. CHILDS 1n

an effort to determine if local ammunition storage may have

"Minutemen" connections.

AT DALLAS, TEXAS.

Will contact former DL-18-S for

information he may be able to furnish at this time relative to

the possible activity of captioned organization in the Dallas

Division.

NW 64578 Docld:32335692 Page 9

---

## Page 10

OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

MEMORANDUM

TO:

FROM:

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-107261)

SAC, DALLAS (105-1280) (P)

SUBJECT:

"MINUTEMEN"

INFORMATION CONCERNING

(INTERNAL SECURITY)

DATE: 4/1/64

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED

00: KANSAS CITY

DAIL 520/83 BY-SP/GSK/ALP

226,590

Re Dallas letter to Bureau, 2/14/64; Bureau airtel

to Denver, et al, 2/24/64; Kansas City airtel to Bureau, 3/3/64;

Oklahoma City letter to Dallas, 3/11/64.

Investigation conducted to date throgh reliable con-

tacts, informants and sources has reflected no evidence of any

organized activity on the part of subject organization in the

Therefore, no report is being submitted at this

time; however, investigation is continuing in an effort to deter-

specifically whether captioned organization is active or has

adherents in this territory making efforts to establish units.

There follows the results of investigation conducted

throughout the Resident Agency territories as to the existence

of captioned organization.

The following investigation was conducted by SA

WILLIAM R. JENKINS:

AT AMARILLO, TEXAS

On 2/7/64, JACK SEALE, Regional Coordinator, John Birch

Society, 319 Oak Street, advised as far as he knew there were no

members of the above organization anywhere in the Panhandle area

of Texas.

He advised that a few members of the John Birch Society

had received some of their literature but stated as far as he knew

this literature was unsolicited or merely for study purposes.

advised he would notify SA JENKINS should he receive any information

indicating the above organization had any members in the Amarillo

area.

2

Bureau

(RM)

Kansas City (62-7797) (RM)

Oklahoma City (100-6949) (RM)

Houston (62-1802) (RM)

El Paso (RM)

San Antonio (105-2356) (RM)

7 - Dallas

(2 - DL 105-1686)

(3 - DL 105-1280)

(2 - DL 157-218)

RLW : rmb

(16)

105-1288-80

NW 64578 Docld:32335692 Page 10

---

## Page 11

ĐL 105-1280

FRANK CHAPMAN, PD; HamliD, Texas

1/28/64

The following were contacted by SA DEL D. DRAKE, JR.:

LOYD MATHEWS, Detective, PD, Paris,

1/24/64

Texas

JIM N. THOMPSON, County Attorney, Paris, 1/24/64

Texas

V. E. STEWART, Vice President, Liberty

National Bank, Paris, Texas

J. E. WILKINS, PCI, Par1e,

Texas

MELVIN THEILMAN, PCI, Paris,

Texas

DL-124-C, Paris, Texas (identity known

to Bureau

STANLEY RIGGS, PCI, Paris,

Texas

HOYT IVEY, Sheriff; Fannin County,

Bonham, Texas

0. R. MC KISSOCK, Chief of Police,

Bonham, Texas

R. A. HULEN, Sheriff, Rod River County,

Clarksville, Texas

T. L. HOPKINS, Sheriff, Delta County,

cooper,

Texas

TRUMAN RATLIFF, Delta County Attorney,

2/4/64

2/4/64

2/4/64

2/4/64

2/4/64

2/3/64

2/3/64

2/8/64

1/23/64

1/23/64

cooper,.

Texas

BENNIS WARREN, Chief of Police,

1/23/64

Greenville,

Texas

BILL PEMBERTON, Hunt County Attorney

Greenville,

Texas

PAUL RAY JONES, Sheriff, Hopkins

County, Sulphur Springs, Texas

JOHN TITTLE, Sheriff, Franklin County,

Mt. Vernon,

Texas

BERT MC KEOWN, Sheriff, Rains County,

2/6/64

1/23/64

2/7/64

2/6/64

Emory, Texas

The following were contacted by SA JOE B. ABERNATHY:

H. L. EVANS, Sheriff, Kaufman County,

1/28/64

Texas

Deputy 0. O. PICKERING, Navarro County,

2/3/64

Texas

Chief BILL ONSTOTT, Corstana, Texas, PD

OBIE FRESMAN, Chief of Police, Ennis,

2/3/64

2/7/64

Texas

= 3 =

NW 64578 Docld:32335692 Page 11

---

## Page 12

Đi 105-1280

permitted intervier on advice of his attorneys and has even

dechined to interview by parole authorities.

On 3/17/64, ELLSWORTH advisod MASEN 1s Still

await-

ing trial and MASEN's trial will probably commence about the

first of May,

1964.

Patrolman PRESTON SNOGA, Irving,

Texas, PD, was con-

tacted at his residence, 2517 Dewitt Street, Irving,

and

fur-

nished the following information to SA WIEHL on 2/11/64:

shoG advised he had know. Joun Masen since approxi

mately February, 1963, and that during the last few months of

this acquaintanceship had furnished information concerning

MASEN's activities to ATTU, Dallas,

Texas.

MASEN's activities;

he advised, included changing semi-automatic weapons

to fully

automatic weapons

He advised MASEN isstrictly in the gun

bus iness for

the money he can make.

MASEN is full of a lot of

"big

talk" which he never substantlated.

MASEN told SNOGA

he

had been contacted by Cuban revolutionists for the purpose of

supplying guns and anmunition.

MASEN also advised him that

"Minutemen" and John Birchers In the Dallas area had contacted

him for the purpose of buying ammunition.

MASEN nover mentioned

the names or locations of these individuals. MASEN never

advised

SNOGA that he was hinself a

member of a John Birch Society or

"Minutemen""

o"t was hoGA's inpression that MasEn was not a

member of either of these organizations, 1f, In fact, he was in

contact with them

This impression

was based primarily

on the

fact that MASEN was more interested

In money than in political

beliefs.

On 2/28/64, SA JAMES P. HOSTY, JR. conducted the

following Investigation:

DONALD G. KeMP advised that he had no further

Informa

tion concerning the activitles of "Minutenen" type organizations

In the Dallas area.

KElt advised ever since the assassination

of former President JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY On 11/22/63, these

Individuals have been extrenely quiet and it is

not known whethey

they have ceased their activity, or they are merely

restricting

their activities

following the assassination

of President

KENNEDY.

It is noted in referenced Kansas City airtel to Bureau

dated 3/3/64, reference

is made to the names of WILLIAM HENRY

JOHNSON Or EARL JOHNSON and MORRIS TANAHILL, aka. JOHN MORRIS,

who may be "Minutenen" in the Dallas;

Texas,

=.9

NW 64578 Docld:32335692 Page 12

---

## Page 13

DE 105-1280

thereafter have photograph exhibited to T..V. STEPHENS, Altus,

Oklahoma, to determine if TANNEHILL is the individual who con-

tacted STEPHENS. Furnish Dallas results of this contact.

KANSAS CITY

AT KANSAS CITY.

Will consider reinterview with JERRY

BROOKS for the purpose of obtaining more identifying information

concerning WILLIAM HENRY JOHNSON OF EARL JOHNSON, Dallas.

DALLAS

an effort to determine if local ammunition storage may have

"Minutemen"

connections

AT DALLAS, TEXAS.

Will contact former DL-18-S for

information he may be able to furnish at this time relative to

the possible activity of captioned organization in the Dallas

Division:

• 12

NW 64578 Docld:32335692 Page 13

---