Pete Mellor

After the JFK assassination the next month, Kittrell took on her own investigation, eventually deciding that this second Oswald was actually Curtis Laverne Crafoord. She would tell her story to the FBI in 1966, and again to the House Select Committee on Assassinations in 1978. Her story would then become grist for alternative theories of Kennedy’s assassination. (She wrote a letter to “Time” magazine, published 15 December 1975: “To think that you still believe the Warren Report. I do look forward to a future issue featuring the tooth-fairy story.”)Laura Kittrell never seems to have married. She outlived all of her immediate family. William Henderson II, her father, died in 1966. Her mother passed on 1988. Louise, her sister, died four years later, in 1992. She seems to have still been in Dallas as late as that year, but at some point presumably moved to Taylor county.She died there on 10 June 2000. Laura F. Kittrell was 82. She was buried at Sparkman Hillcrest Memorial Park, where her mother and father were also interred.********Kittrell’s most public skepticism of the official position came after the death of the Fortean Society, and so cannot really be used as evidence of her beliefs when she joined. But there are other reasons to suspect that she was disinclined to believe government pronouncements on controversial matters—even if (or maybe because) she worked for the government and seems to have shared at least some of her father’s progressive political inclinations.Kittrell’s Fortean career, based on the evidence I have found, was quite short, and mostly opaque. The entirety of it is composed of two mentions in Doubt from the mid- to late-1950s. I do not know if she ever read Fort, or what drew her to the Fortean Society, nor what kept here there, though a few suggestions can be inferred from her contributions to Thayer’s Fortean magazine.Kittrell’s first mention came in Doubt 47 (January 1955). The reference, though, is a generic one—Kittrell is listed in a paragraph of acknowledgments—that may have had something to do with anti-fluoridation reports (the credits were appended to a column on the topic) but also may not have. It is impossible from this mention to even be sure that Thayer referred to Laura F. Kittrell, because only the surname was included, though subsequent evidence strongly supports the idea that Laura had sent in the material. That most likely being the case, she was thus a member as early as the end of 1954. I am not sure what would have brought her to the Fortean Society at this time, though her father’s business may have provided an impetus: since she seems to have been somehow involved in the clipping service, she may have noted a mention to the Fortean Society in a news report.That speculation is based on her second (and final) appearance in Doubt, issue 56 (March 1958). Thayer devoted this “Doubt” to Sputnik—he thought the evidence for them spurious at best—in the course of which he mentioned “phenomena” in Levelland, Texas, on the night of Saturday, 2 November 1957. Thayer did not disclose the nature of the phenomena, but contemporaneous newspapers report a fiery “thing” that flashed through the sky—as reported by several witnesses—and seemed to land on a highway, though it was not found. It was described as a 200-foot long egg of fire. This was a month after Sputnik was launched. A number of people said the ball was a space ship. Later investigations by the government, though, suggested there were fewer witnesses than originally reported, the stories were inconsistent, and the most likely explanation was ball lightning.Thayer then went on: “In addition to the fine coverage from the national press by faithful members everywhere, the Society had the unique advantage of a member almost on the spot. That is MFS Laura Kittrell who owns a news clipping service in Dallas and heads a local UFO group. From her we received maps of the township and annotated diagrams of the events and interviews with eyewitnesses. In a more nearly normal issue this would make a feature story. Alas—we can only relate it to the Sputs—for they have taken over.” He then noted that the sighting occurred the very day Sputnik II was supposed to have been launched, and it reportedly passed over Moscow at the same time the events in Levelland unfolded. Similar phenomena then occurred in White Sands, N.M., the next day. Thayer’s exact point here is obscure to me—he wanted to cast aspersions on the Sputnik reporting and leave open other possibilities, which he did, but I am not clear what exactly he thought was going on. At any rate, though, we do learn some more about Kittrell. It is this mention that allowed me to connect the name to Laura Frances—the Dallas home and the relationship with the clipping bureau provided the necessary evidence (though there is some room for my being wrong). She remained a member. And she displayed the same interest in investigating a matter for herself that had driven her to Guam when her brother disappeared and had her looking into the identity of the second Oswald a few years later. This was, no doubt, a Fortean trait, the need to get into the weeds and make discoveries on her own, not taking the word of officials.The report also shows that she was interested in flying saucers—interested enough to head up her own group. This may not be exactly correct: Thayer also had her owning the news clipping bureau that was actually owned by her father. But it does suggest she was devoted to the subject. I obviously do not know when she took up UFOs, nor her opinion on them, nor, for that matter, to which group she belonged: my searches have come up empty. But it does explain how she might have learned about the Fortean Society, If she was collecting clippings on flying saucers for her own use, she likely came across the name of the Society. And if flying saucers were the main focus of her unorthodox views—or her only one—then she might not have heard about the Society until the early 1950s, which could account for the timing of her appearance in “Doubt.” (There was a mention of the Fortean Society in relation to flying saucers in a Vermont paper, August 1952, and several similar mentions across the country in 1951.)There’s also evidence here for speculating about why she did not appear in “Doubt” again. To be sure, there are plenty of possibilities: she was too busy; the Society folded not long after, when Thayer died in August 1959; she sent in material, but it was not used. But there’s also the possibility that she was irritated by the short-shrift Thayer gave what seems to have been a great deal of work. By his own admission, it should have been a feature, but he chose not to give the material its due. He blames Sputnik, but there is no reason he could not have devoted space to all of her Fortean investigation in a subsequent issue. It is exactly the kind of detailed work he wanted from Forteans, and yet, when he got it, chose to sit on it—a reflection, perhaps, of his souring on Forteanism.Whatever the case, it was the last mention of Kittrell in the pages of “Doubt.” Soon enough, she would have other conspiracies to investigate.

Great to shoot this down in flames! In Part II you write: Carmen also had her version of what happened between the president and Monroe after the famous 1962 rally in Madison Square Garden, where Monroe sang Happy Birthday to the president. As McGovern shows, this is also wrong since Monroe’s time before, during, and afterwards is all accounted for by neutral witnesses. She was escorted to the event by her former father-in-law and she kindly met with her New York fan club after the fund raiser. Randy Taraborrelli agrees that no such encounter happened. (McGovern, pp. 217-18)- In James Reston's 'Second Best Thing' published just recently, his essay documents in text as well as Cecil Stoughton's photographs MM attending the private party after the Madison Sq. Garden event at 33 East Sixty Ninth St., (still in that dress.) The party was attended by Jimmy Durante, Ella Fitzgerald, Shirley MacLaine, Harry Belafonte & Diahann Carroll among others. Marilyn departed the party by limo at around 2:00 am. Her driver took her to Brooklyn, where she dropped off Isadore Miller & went home alone to her thirteenth floor apartment at 444 East Fifty-Seventh St, arriving about 4:00 am.

I checked on Amazon all the Ian Griggs books that I put my name against & the Ruby book was by far the most expensive at £25. Have to wait & see if I get it. If other DPUK members also put their name on it, we have a bidding war!

Pam, I haven't read this book 'Dylan in America' but I don't see Bob Dylan having any sort of communist leaning in the early 60's, or any other traditional political party agenda for that matter. As for Suze Rotolo being a passionate advocate of communism, I don't think so. Her parents maybe back in the 1950's, but they were of Italian descent & Italy had strong Commie party membership, particularly after WWII. (Don't know when the family arrived in U.S.) The generation in question were largely rejecting the values and politics of their parents. But Suze Rotolo was an artist & more influenced by the 'boho' Greenwich Village beat generation. Circles that both Dylan & Rotolo moved in at that time. Whatever was under their bed, don't think there was anything red. Maybe some blues!

O.K. Larry, when I hear back I'll let you know the score.

Agree Ray. Would look forward to watching this, pretty amazing after all this time that they assembled seven members of the medical staff. Although there are a few names that I have not come across before.

Ian Griggs' remaining book collection has been offered to DPUK members & Willis & Demaris' 'Jack Ruby' is on that list. It's one of 10 that I have put my name against, just for the cost of postage. Not expecting 'fireworks', but just to add to my collection.

Well, I was feeling sad and feeling’ blue,I didn’t know what in the world I was gonna do. Them Communists they was comin' around, they was in the air, they was on the ground. They wouldn't give me no peace!Well, I finally started thinking straight, when I ran out of things to investigate. Couldn't imagine doing anything else,so now I’m sitting home investigating myself! Hope I don’t find out anything hmm, great God!

The article can't even get the date right! "The seven doctors in the film describe their efforts to resuscitate Kennedy in the emergency room at Dallas’ Parkland Hospital on Nov. 23, 1963"

😆Prompt service too! But that's the JFK case nearly 60 years on! No solid ballistics evidence. Incompetent autopsy. Are they bullet holes, or scalpel cuts? FBI has the shirt, has the size, knows JFK's body proportions etc., but can't put a shirt on a mannequin to prove beyond doubt where the POTUS was hit. Instead we get Specter i.e. speculation.

Well Ron, the paper has written & typed lyrics that must have been done in a hotel room in Nashville during the recording of 'Blonde on Blonde' in March '66. Who knows how it got to Sotherby's in London? If Weberman rescued it from a trash bin he should have kept hold of it! 37 grand is not to be sniffed at. But Weberman's trawling the trash was a few years after '66 so unlikely he ever had his hands on this.

Anthony, your recent recommendations of 'Burying the Lead' & 'The Kennedy Assassination Cover-Up' are in the post. This looks good too, thanks.

Could be argued both ways Joe. I think the interest & internet hits are a result of these releases being new stuff....rather than particular interest in JFK issues. Interesting to read a scrap of paper that Bob wrote lyrics for 'Most Likely You Go Your Way & I'll Go Mine' back in '66 was sold yesterday at Sotherby's in London for £37.5k, more than double the pre-sale estimate!

Ha! Good question. Can't say Brewer's testimonies are at the forefront of my memory bank. But the Tippit case is such a blatant exercise of laying a trail, wallet (billfold) jacket, bullet shells etc., all the way to the theatre. It stinks to me of Brewer being set up, being led by the nose. However he also said the balcony was deserted when he checked, which doesn't add up. Anyway, I'm off topic with this thread.

Jim, can you add to that list Brewer's shoe shop appearance of one Oswald buying a pair of 'two eyelet crepe-soled shoes, model 8110, size eight and a half' a few weeks prior to the assassination? Maybe another patsy set up of the Harvey by the Lee. Maybe 'Lee' appearing in the shoe shop doorway on the 22nd to lead Brewer to the Texas theatre, as we know two Oswalds came out of there, one through the front & one out the back.

You don’t know me darlin’You never would guessI’m nothing like my ghostly appearance would suggestI ain’t no false prophetI just said what I saidI’m just here to bring vengeance on somebody’s head.

Ian wasn't in good health back in 2013. His son Steve had to accompany him to Dallas, he was having difficulty walking. I recall Steve having to assist his old man onto the stage at the Adolphus. I've just finished my signed copy of the Rose Cherami book. A harrowing biography, fictional dialogue & only touches the JFK case in the latter pages.

Ian Griggs was in the process of finishing his manuscript on the DPD, when illness intervened. He then went into a care home & never came out. Maybe Bart knows what happened to his work.

Rough And Rowdy Ways is Bob Dylan’s first album of original material in 8 years and his first since becoming the only songwriter to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature, in 2016. Its 10 tracks include the three new songs released this spring: the album’s lead-off track, “I Contain Multitudes,” the nearly 17-minute epic “Murder Most Foul” and “False Prophet.”

The Rydberg drawing is incorrect in relation to the position of JFK's body.....as Chris Bristow has intimated in the above post. Humes and Fink were positioned around JFK's head, Boswell worked on the lower body with his back to the gallery, and Jim Jenkins assisted Boswell at JFK's right shoulder facing the gallery. Although the '68 Rydberg sketch gives the impression to me that you couldn't swing a cat in there!

Just to muddy the waters Trauma Room One nurse Phyllis J. Hall describes the throat wound as 'a big exit wound' and states that "half way between the earlobe and the shoulder there was a bullet laying perpendicular there". Was she ever in TR1? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36qUVsgCIpc&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0Od6y7eIKEdbzgOLC6VrD9vU3hv89H_tiZ7WnTGNyJW8Yuh5uekzkoKVI

Anthony, thanks for the recommendations. Three books that I don't have.

Wow! The Methuselah of the JFK case.

Ian's Jack Ruby & the DPD presentation was at the Lancer 2013 NID conf. I have a full recording. It is also available from Lancer.