My Dad was my inspiration in getting into news. He gave me gave me a bird’s eye view…
of events, including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
The second picture above is of my Dad alongside his UPI wire service machine near the window Oswald was said to have shot from in the Texas School Book Depository, now the Sixth Floor Museum, downtown Dallas.
As November 22 approaches, I thought about what happened to us all half a century ago. I remember my Dad coming home after breaking the news about the assassination of President Kennedy on our small town radio station in Anna, Illinois.
Here’s his description.
“Dad, tell me what happened right after we all learned from Walter Cronkite on CBS that the President had been shot.
I…called the Dallas police department (having just gotten direct dial telephone service)
I reached detective E.E. Taylor, the officer who had just arrested Oswald at the Texas Theatre and brought him in to police headquarters only a few minutes prior to my call.
I did a 5-1/2 minute interview which I recorded and broadcast immediately, then turned around and called the national headquarters of UPI in Chicago. As we talked they were just then getting the information in on their wire about Oswald. So we beat UPI and most everyone everywhere with the identity of Oswald, which I wrote down on the back of one of the bulletins.
This bulletin was part of the display shown in the 6th floor museum here in Dallas for over 20 years, alongside the wire service machine near the window where Oswald is said to have fired from.
I saved all the bulletins through midnight of that night and they are all stored along with all my other Kennedy interviews at the Poage Legislative Library at Baylor University in Waco. Other interviews include ones with Abraham Zapruder, who filmed the shooting, and a Mr. Klein, in Chicago who sold gun to Oswald.
I did many interviews that day and the next and on Thanksgiving morning following and all of the interviews as well as my many books, magazines, newspapers and other material are stored permanently for future scholars at the Poage Legislative library, Baylor University at Waco.”
You have researched this most of your adult life, what do you think happened to President Kennedy?
I think it was a carefully planned and carried out hit job. By elements of our own government. I think we experienced a government coup, which changed world history.”
I’m going to tell you right up front that I do not agree with parts of the conclusion my Dad came to, but I do know that his information is well researched. I’ll have more on what he thinks happened that day in a post tomorrow.
I believe Scott McClellan’s dad wrote the definitive book about LBJ and Hoover plotting and carrying out the murder of JFK.
There are lots of views out there JW, I haven’t read the book my Dad refers to. Thanks for commenting! Jane
I think, and have thought for years, that your dad’s assessment is spot on.
Thanks so much, I appreciate your taking the time to read, and comment, jane
Jane, I was at Love Field that fateful day on “assignment” with my high school newspaper and actually got to shake hands with both JFK and Jackie. I never believed the Warren Commission report and am sure that there were a lot more people involved but I am not sure who it was that actually planned this assassination. LBJ, Hoover, Cuba, etc are all possible in my mind. I just don’t think we will ever really know the truth.
Thanks so much for the contribution, I truly appreciate it. And thanks for the read, jane
I was a teenager in E. St. Louis, IL in arguably, “the meanest small city in America.” Less than a year later I would be in the military. Many there expressed their relief that JFK was gone. I personally believe LBJ traded 58K dead and 400k injured to Congressmen chummy w/the military industrial complex for votes on his Social Agenda. he just didn’t know how to get VN stopped. What would JFK have done?
Great questions Tom, I’m not sure what I think. I’m always interested in hearing other opinions so thanks for commenting.
I’m from Anna, Il and was amazed and proud when I saw the bulletin during my first trip to the museum. I still remember listening to your dad’s radio station as a child, and even hearing your voice from time to time.
Hi Barb! Thanks so much…My Dad did a good job, but then, I’m partial. jane
I had just graduated high school in May, 1963. I was on my way to Dallas when the news broke on the radio that something had happened in the motorcade. I live south of Dallas. Within moments, every law enforcement vehicle imaginable flew by, all heading north toward Dallas. It was a moment that changed my life, and the lives of all Americans, and the world. Unfortunately, I do not believe we will ever know the truth, but I don’t believe the lone, crazy gunman theory.
Thanks so much for the comment Linda. Appreciate your input!
I think we all remember where we were that fateful day. I had a friend over for coffee and were waiting for delivery of a new couch. Just as they were delivering it, the news came over the T.V. We all sat down in shock (including the delivery guys). I don’t think we will ever know all the story, but we do know that we all grieved for the loss of a good man, and the sadness that it happened on our own turf.
Thanks so much for reading D.B. appreciate your thoughts, Jane
I was 6 watching the president on TV , it is etched in my memory seeing this unfold . I do believe your dad is close to being correct Johnson was a sneaky man who had his own agenda.
Gary, thanks so much for reading and taking time to comment, jane
I was 17 and in a high school history or government class (can’t remember which) at W.H. Adamson HS right in the middle of all the action: A couple of blocks from the Texas Theater and a couple of blocks from the intersection where officer Tippett was killed. Of course without today’s instant news feeds we didn’t know very much about what was going on until everything was over.
So true Ted, things were a lot different. Thanks so much for your thoughts! Jane
Gary, I can say that my very first thought was “Lyndon Johnson”. That was hearing it on the radio, not knowing at that moment whether the President was dead or alive.
Interesting Linda, thanks so much, Jane