Steve Thomas

Stephen, I believe that the tramps were, in fact, arrested twice - once by the Dallas County Sheriff's Department, and later by the Dallas City Police Department. William Earl Chambers was interviewed on 3/3/92 by SA Gary Gerszewski of the FBI and Lieutenant Kenneth Lybrand, City of Dallas Police Department. William Chambers worked for the City of Dallas Police Department from October, 1954 until January, 1992. He was a Detective in the Forgery Division. He was at the Trade Mart when Kennedy was shot. Approximately 40 minutes later, he drove down to City Hall. In his FBI interview, it says, "After watching the individuals for a period of time, Captain Jones approached Chambers and told him, “take them into my office”. Once inside Captain Jones office, Captain Jones told Chambers, “find out which one shot the President”. “When questioned regarding the circumstances of their arrest, the three individuals indicated that they were on a freight car sleeping when they were wakened by officers with different colored uniforms than the ones worn by the officers who drove them down to the station." “They were briefly questioned by those officers who then told them that they better leave town. The three then boarded another boxcar and were shortly thereafter arrested by the City of Dallas Police Department”. (They were arrested twice. The first time, they were driven down to the station). “Chambers believes that the Officers who first interviewed the hobos were members of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department, who at that time had uniforms of a different color than that of the City of Dallas Police Department. The hobos were then brought down to the station. Steve Thomas

Gerry, Thank you. Steve Thomas

Gerry, Did you ever meet Tosh Plumlee? Steve Thomas

Tim, Steve, et.al., Try this website: http://web.archive.org/web/20040701200251/...superchief.com/ He feels the same people who murdered JFK, murdered his father. Steve Thomas

Ron, I use Mozilla too, and my back button doesn't work anymore either. This problem appeared at the same time as hyperlinked advertisements started showing up within the body of members' postings. I figured the two issues were related somehow. Steve Thomas

Lee, From the WC testimony of Carlos Bringuer: Mr. BRINGUIER. [indicating.] See this guy, see this Japanese? He is from the Kasuga Co. here in New Orleans. He had the office in International Trade Mart. Mr. LIEBELER. And you pointed to the person standing immediately behind and to Oswald's right with his hands up behind his head? Mr. BRINGUIER. [Demonstrating.] That is right. RIF: 124-10167-10150 FBI: 89-69-1609 To: SAC, NEW ORLEANS (89-69) Date: 2/24/67 From: SA Stephen R. Callender Subject: Assassination of JOHN F. KENNEDY AFO J. EHARA -------- The above person appeared in photographs of OSWALD taken 8/16/63 taken in front of the International Trade Mart while OSWALD was handing out literature. 89-69-1051 This reference is a 302 interview with JUNICHI EHARA of the Kasuga and Co. which was on 12/2/63. He informed that on 8/16/63 he was leaving the building with John Alice and observed at least two persons passing out leaflets. One of these persons was later known to him to be Oswald and the other person he described as in his early 20's, 6', 200 lbs., (this second person is obviously STEELE), EHARA lokked [sic] at the photographs of persons in the front of the trade mart and identified himself, Alice and OSWALD in these photographs. He did not know any of the other persons. Steve Thomas

I ran across a research tool I hadn't heard of, so I thought I would pass it along. (Sorry if this is old news) It's called Singingfish and it searches out MP3's, videos, real and quicktime movies, etc. I did a search on John F. Kennedy and got 130 pages of press conferences, speeches, and dictabelt recordings. You can find it here: http://search.singingfish.com/sfw/home.jsp Steve Thomas

Tim, There was one aspect to Morrow's story that has given me pause - and that is the conterfeiting operation that he was involved in. In her WC testimony, Marina went to great lengths talking about a Mexican peso that LHO was supposed to have brought back from Mexico that had been drilled to accomodate a necklace or something. I have often wondered if the Mexican currency piece had something to do with the counterfeiting operation that Morrow talked about in his book. Steve Thomas

I was interested to read that Holt said he had been turned over to Deputy Sheriff Elkins. This coincides with what Elkins wrote in his after-action report - that a Dallas City Policeman turned three tramps over to him who had been picked up in the railroad yards. See Decker's Exhibit 5323 Steve Thomas

Tim, Over December 4 - 6, 1963 Lt.Jack Revill and Lt. F.I Cornwall traveled to Fort Hood, Austin and Houston to interview some people. One of the people they talked to was Helen K. Smith aka exotic dancer, Pixie Lynn. On December 6th, she signed a sworn affidavit denying that she had been to any parties at which either LHO or Ruby had been present. She also denied knowing an alleged lesbian attorney named Barbara Welz. Her affidavit can be found in the DPD Archives, Box 5, Folder# 7, Item# 27. http://jfk.ci.dallas.tx.us/box5.htm However, two months later, on February 5, 1964 a man named Travis Benkendorfer, a bartender at the Midnight Lounge in Houston, also signed a sworn affidavit saying that Pixie Lynn had told him on the night of the 22nd that she had been to several "swinging" i.e. gay parties at Jack Ruby's. Somehow the name of Barbara Welz, whome he described as a "popular lesbian in Dallas" came up and Benkendorfer was left with the idea that she had also been to some of Ruby's parties. His affidavit can be found in Box 18, Folder# 11, Item# 3 http://jfk.ci.dallas.tx.us/box18.htm I guess Benkendorfer was the original source of information that led Revill and Cornwall to travel to Houston to talk to Pixie Lynn two months earlier. Then, you have the statement from Rose Charamie that Ruby and Oswald knew each other and that they were bedmates. Steve Thomas

Ryan, You might want to read this article: http://www.penmarin.com/excerpts/Hepburn327.pdf Steve Thomas

Carrie, I don't have room for 5,000 books, but if you can't find anyone to take your interview notes, I would take them. Steve Thomas

Carrie, No, I didn't have a specific organization in mind, but one that does come to mind right now--- Do you know where Mary Ferrell's papers are going? Perhaps Debra Conway at JFK Lancer would know. Steve Thomas

I would like to ask Jack Revill for his memoirs. (Not that he's written any to my knowledge). Steve Thomas

Carrie, You've touched hisdtory in a way that not everyone can. Have you considered donating your material to an assassination information center? Steve Thomas

John, I'm sorry, I just don't believe this exchange. Oswald had already been arraigned for the murder of Tippit at 7:30 on Friday night and the murder of JFK in the wee hours of Saurday morning. For him to walk into an interrogation room at 10:00 or so on Sunday morning and say, "I don't know why I am here..." just stretches credulity. Steve thomas

Greg, I have always taken it on faith that during his arrest at the Texas Theater, Lee Harvey Oswald took out his gun and attempted to shoot arresting Officer M.N. McDonald. This is based on accounts of an audible "snap" that was heard. Later, we read accounts that the only reason Oswald's attempted murder of McDonald didn't succeed because of a bent primer or a "misfire" I would like to contend that perhaps the "snap" that was heard was either the sound of something else, or was accidently caused by the officers seeing the gun and immediately reacting to take it away from Oswald and that Oswald did not attempt to shoot Officer McDonald. I say this for the following three reasons: 1) Here are the after action reports of the arresting officers filed with Police Chief Curry on Decembers 2 - 5, 1963. They can be found in the Dallas Police Archives, Box 2, Folder# 7 http://jfk.ci.dallas.tx.us/box2.htm E.L. Cunningham: "When I reached the seating area on the main floor, several officers were in the process of disarming and handcuffing the suspect. ...I did not see anything that indicated that any more force was used than was absolutely necessary to effect the arrest". Paul Bentley: "Just as I entered the lower floor, I saw Patrolman McDonald fighting with this suspect. I saw this suspect pull a pistol from his shirt, so I went to Patrolman McDonald's aid immediately" Bob Carroll: "When I arrived at the lower floor, Lee Harvey Oswald was resisting vigorously"...At this time I observed a pistol with the muzzle pointed in my direction. I grabbed the pistol and stuck it in my belt..." Ray Hawkins: "The subject stood up and as Officer McDonald started to search him, he struck Officer McDonald in the face. The subject and Officer McDonald began to fight and both fell down in the seats. Officer Walker and I ran toward the subject and grabbed him by his left arm. The subject had reached in his belt for a gun and Officer McDonald was holding his right hand with the gun in it". T.A. Hutson: "As I entered the row of seats behind the suspect he jumped up and hit Officer McDonald in the face with his fist, Officer McDonald was in the seat next to the one in which the suspect was originally sitting, and the suspect was up out of his seat struggling with Officer McDonald. I reached over the back of the seats and placed my right arm around the suspect's neck and pulled him up on back of the seat. Officer C.T. WAlker came up and was struggling with the suspect's left hand, and as Officer McDonald struggled with with the suspect's right hand, he moved it to his waist and drew a pistol and as Officer McDonald tried to disarm the suspect, I heard the pistol snap". K.E. Lyon: "Enroute to the City Hall, Oswald refused to answer all questions. and he kept repeating, "Why am I being arrested? I know I was carrying a gun, but why else am I being arrested"? M.N. McDonald: "When I got within a foot of him, I told the suspect to get to his feet. He stood up immediately, bringing his hands up about shoulder high and saying, "Well it's over now". I was reaching for his waist and he struck me on the nose with his left hand. With his right hand, he reached for his waist and both our hands were on a pistol that was stuck in his belt under his shirt. We both fell into the seats struggling for the pistol. ... I managed to get my right hand on the pistol over the suspect's hand. I could feel his hand on the trigger. I then got a secure grip on the butt of the pistol. I jerked the pistol and as it was clearing the suspect's clothing and grip I heard the snap of the hammer and the pistol crossed over my left cheek, causing a four inch scratch". As you can see from reading these reports, at no time in the first 10 to 12 days following the assassination, did any of the arresting officers on the scene claim that Oswald tried to shoot M.N. McDonald. If the pistol did go off and cause a "snap" of the hammer falling into place, it was because McDonald jerked it out of Oswald's pants. 2) When questioned by Captain Fritz on the afternoon of November 22nd, Fritz did not accuse Oswald of trying to shoot Officer McDonald. Fritz (4H214) Mr. FRITZ. He told me he went over and caught a bus and rode the bus to North Beckley near where he lived and went by home and changed clothes and got his pistol and went to the show. I asked him why he took his pistol and he said, "Well, you know about a pistol; I just carried it." Let's see if I asked him anything else right that minute. That is just about it. Mr. BALL. Did you ask him if he killed Tippit? Mr. FRITZ. Sir? Mr. BALL. Did you ask him if he shot Tippit? Mr. FRITZ. Oh, yes. Mr. BALL. What did he say. Mr. FRITZ. He denied it---that he did not. The only thing he said he had done wrong, "The only law I violated was in the show; I hit the officer in the show; he hit me in the eye and I guess I deserved it." He said, "That is the only law I violated." He said, "That is the only thing I have done wrong." 3) If Oswald had attempted to shoot Officer McDonald, why were no charges of attempted murder filed as they were in the case of Governor Connally? I believe that the account of Oswald trying to shoot McDonald was invented after the fact. Steve Thomas

Ron, According to Mary Ferrell's database: LAST LAWRENCE FIRST JACK ALAN MID/AKA CARROLL ADDRESS 1964: 204 Ninth Ave., South Charleston, W. VA 'PHONE (304) 744-3168; RE 4-0857 SOURCES WC 26, pp. 452-453, 686-688, 704; CE 2970; CE 3080, CE 3089, CE 3093; CD 85, pp. 373-377; CD 205, pp. 211-213, 222-223; CD 329, pp. 61-78; CD 1546, p. 118; Forgive My Grief, Vol. 11, Jones, p. 124; The Third Decade, July 1991, pp. 1-17, "Jack Lawrence, Assassin or Fall Guy," by Sheldon Inkol; The Third Decade, September 1992, pp. 1-17, "Jack Lawrence Responds," by Sheldon Inkol. COMMENT DOB: 9/14/38; SS # 236-58-6645. Wife: Linda. Salesman at Downtown Lincoln Mercury, Dallas, TX at time LHO allegedly took demonstration ride. Lawrence allegedly left demonstrator car behind the picket fence at Dealey Plaza at 12:30 p.m., 11/22, when he was unable to drive through the Dealey Plaza area to the dealership. He was fired by Downtown Lincoln on 11/23/63. Lawrence came to Dallas in late October 1963 and stayed at YMCA on Ervay St. He came from West Virginia but claimed to have worked for a New Orleans car dealer on Carondolet. Checked out of Dallas YMCA (Room 811) on November 30, 1963 (Saturday), leaving address: 144 10th Ave., South Charleston, West Virginia (304) RI 4-0857. On 11/27/63, Lawrence told Gene Barnes of NBC that he was going to San Diego to get job similar to position he had held with NASA previously (CD 85, p. 376). I thought that last line about NASA was interesting. Didn't several former Reilly Coffee Company employees go to work for NASA? Steve Thomas

Robert, The date of the report was December 3, or two weeks after the event, itself a rather disquieting delay in filing a report that itself stipulates he went to Westbrook's office to file a report immediately after the arrest. This would have fallen right in that time period when the DPD was conducting an internal investigation into how Ruby got into the basement - an investigation that broadened out into a number of side investigations, including the shooting of J.D. Tippit. Steve Thomas

David,

Antti, There's an interesting story involving Audie Murphy, Decker, and a man named Gary Wean. Gary Wean Gary Wean and the JFK Assassination Sun Nov 16 23:23:33 2003 64.140.159.29 Gary Wean and the JFK Assassination http://home1.gte.net/res0k62m/cover-up.htm#wean You can read an excerpt from Wean's book here: http://www.apfn.net/messageboard/11-17-03/...ion.cgi.10.html It's ummm... interesting. Kind of interesting too that he identified the mysterious "John" as Senator John Tower. Steve Thomas

Mark, Here is an excerpt from John Armstrong's "Harvey and Lee" http://home.wi.rr.com/harveyandlee/November/November_22.htm "In his book Assignment: Oswald, James P. Hosty wrote that Dallas Police Captain W.R. Westbrook found a wallet with the identification of both Lee Harvey Oswald and Alek Hidell at the Tippit murder scene and showed it to FBI Agent Bob Barrett. Since Dallas Police Detective Paul Bentley removed Harvey's wallet, which also included the Hidell identification, from his left rear pocket in a squad car after his arrest at the Texas Theater, little was made of that claim. Recently, however, footage from WFAA-TV newsreel film was discovered and published in Dale Myers' book With Malice supporting Hosty's claim that Oswald's wallet was discovered at the sight of the Tippit murder. Here is a still from that footage: John Armstrong believes that "Lee" killed Tippit and left his wallet at the murder scene as a final act of setting up "Harvey" for the assassination of John Kennedy. The wallet deliberately left at the murder scene probably contained "Lee's" Texas driver's license. "Harvey" could not drive and did not have a license. In his speeches and writings, John has shown how Lee spent months establishing the groundwork to set up his look-alike as a patsy for the murder." On the other hand, Dale Myers in comments on his book, "With Malice" says, http://www.jdtippit.com/html/intro_faq.htm "Did Dallas police find Oswald's wallet at the Tippit murder scene? No. I first wrote about this allegation in my 1998 book With Malice: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Murder of Officer J.D. Tippit. The story has since been distorted by conspiracy theorists peddling the theory that Oswald was framed for the Tippit murder by unseen forces. While my investigation into the allegation that Oswald's wallet was found at the Tippit murder scene is too detailed to repeat in this limited format (see With Malice, pp.287-304), the essential elements are this: FBI agent Robert M. Barrett observed Dallas police handling a wallet at the Tippit murder scene shortly before Oswald's arrest. WFAA-TV news footage shot at the scene supports this basic fact. Barrett recalled that Dallas police Captain W.R. Westbrook asked him at the scene whether he knew a "Lee Harvey Oswald" or an "Alek Hidell?" While Barrett assumed the names were taken from identification in the wallet, he never saw the identification or handled the wallet. Despite Barrett's credibilty, his account runs counter to the documented version of events which show that Oswald's wallet was removed from his pants pocket following his arrest at the Texas Theater. Identification in the names "Oswald" and "Hidell" were discovered at that time. A comparison of the wallet filmed at the Tippit murder scene by WFAA-TV and the wallet removed from Oswald's pocket shows the two wallets to be similar in style, but not identical. The only thing connecting Oswald to the wallet filmed by WFAA-TV is Barrett's recollection that Captain Westbrook asked him about the names "Oswald" and "Hidell" while at the shooting scene. Yet the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the Oswald/Hidell identification suggests that Barrett was asked the questions at City Hall, long after Oswald's arrest, not at the shooting scene. (See With Malice) Conspiracy critics have since taken the facts I presented in With Malice and spun them into a series of distortions and half-truths that have transformed the wallet filmed by WFAA-TV as a "plant," designed to frame Oswald for Tippit's murder. The suggestion is preposterous and flies in the face of an avalanche of indisputable facts that prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Oswald murdered Tippit." So, I guess it's a tossup whether you want to believe that Barrett was told that at the scene, or not until later at the station. Steve Thomas

Recently, someone made a reference to something called Operation Tumbleweed (in reference to LHO's trip to Mexico I think). Can you fille me in on what Operation Tumbleweed was? Thanks, Steve Thomas

Wade, You might try writing to the Dallas Police Association and ask them to contact their members. They have been pretty helpful to me in the past. http://www.dallaspa.org/index.asp Steve Thomas

John, I believe the policeman is Edgar Leon Smith, who was stationed on Houston Street, and told the WC: "Anyhow, I couldn't see down there without running over here, and I run down here at the time to see the Presidential car go under the triple underpass at a high rate of speed, and I pulled my pistol out and there was people laying down there and run down the street and that was about all." http://jfkassassination.net/russ/testimony/smith_e.htm Steve Thomas