End of Days

by James L. Swanson

  61 Kennedy White House parties. See Anne H. Lincoln, The Kennedy White House Parties (New York: Viking, 1967).

  61 “Remarks of the President at the Dinner Honoring All Living Nobel Prize Winners in the Western Hemisphere,” April 29, 1962, “. . . since Thomas Jefferson dined alone.” See Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy: January 1, 1962 to December 31, 1962 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1963), p. 347.

  61 Planned state dinner and birthday party for John Jr. See Manchester, Death, pp. 15–16.

  62 Speech in Amherst, October 26, 1963, “one acquainted with the night.” See Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy; January 1, 1963 to November 22, 1963 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1964), pp. 815–18.

  63 Political climate in Texas—attack on UN Ambassador Adlai Stevenson. See John Barlow Martin, Adlai Stevenson and the World: The Life of Adlai Stevenson (New York: Doubleday, 1977), pp. 774–75. For footage of the attack on Stevenson, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWXoAPMcVrE.

  63 Warned to stay away from Texas. See Manchester, Death, pp. 38–41. Because of right-wing extremism in Dallas, both LBJ and Governor Connally urged Kennedy to make only a quick luncheon speech in Dallas but no public appearances. Connally was especially opposed to a motorcade in Dallas. See John Connally Jr., “Why Kennedy Went to Texas,” Life, Nov. 24, 1967, p. 86.

  63 Fulbright, “dangerous place.” See Manchester, Death, p. 39.

  63 Skelton letter to RFK. Ibid., pp. 33–35.

  64 Jackie’s choice of clothes and JFK comments. “There are going to be all these rich, Republican women at that lunch. . . . Be simple—show these Texans what good taste really is.” See Manchester, Death, p. 10.

  The dressmaker of Jackie’s pink suit also was surrounded with some mystery. Although from the 1950s Jackie was a client of Coco Chanel, the world-renowned French fashion designer, Mrs. Kennedy received some bad press because of her shopping spree while visiting Paris. So although the very expensive pink, double-breasted suit (which was one of JFK’s favorites) was first shown by Chanel in her 1961 autumn/winter collection, there is very strong evidence that the suit was actually a knockoff copied by Oleg Cassini in the Chez Ninon dress shop in New York City. See Justine Picardie, Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life (London: HarperCollins, 2010), pp. 304–7, and the comments of Karl Lagerfeld, the current designer of the Chanel label, on the Fashionista website: http://fashionista.com/2012/03/karl-lagerfeld-says-oleg-cassini-knocked-off-that-pink-chanel-suit-jackie-kennedy-wore-the-day-jfk-was-assassinated. There are photographs of Jackie wearing this dress or something very similar several times prior to November 22. See www.pinkpillbox.com/pinksuit.htm.

  66 Kennedy’s inscribed photo. Currently in a private collection.

  67 Oswald’s opinion of JFK. According to the testimony of Paul Roderick Gregory (an acquaintance of the Oswalds who visited their home as a student studying Russian in the late summer of 1962), the Oswalds “always” had a copy of Life magazine in their living room with a picture of John F. Kennedy on the cover. Gregory stated that Oswald admired Kennedy and made positive comments on JFK as a “nice man” and a “good leader.” See testimony of Paul Roderick Gregory, WC 9, p. 148 (complete testimony, pp. 141–60). McMillan places the magazine on the livingroom table. See McMillan, Marina and Lee, p. 194.

  According to Marina, “Lee compared himself to the great men he read about in books and genuinely believed that he was one of them.” See McMillan, Marina and Lee, p. 321. She was explaining why Lee borrowed so many books about great leaders for the library. In addition, from the records of the New Orleans Public Library, it was determined that in July 1963, Oswald borrowed William Manchester’s book on JFK, Portrait of a President, and JFK’s Profiles in Courage. WC 2, CE 2650, pp. 928–31.

  67 Publication of the motorcade route from Main to Houston to Elm and then onto the Stemmons Freeway. The complete motorcade route was revealed to the public by the two Dallas newspapers on Tuesday, November 19, 1963. See United States, See WC 22, CE 1362, 1363.

  68 Oswald reading day-old papers. There were numerous sources and witnesses who saw Oswald reading newspapers from the previous day left behind at the Texas School Book Depository. Coworker Charles Douglas Givens stated that he never saw Oswald buy a newspaper and that he would read yesterday’s papers. However, Givens also stated that two of Oswald’s coworkers, Harold Norman and James Jarman, brought in the Dallas Morning News every day (WC 6, p. 352), so it is possible that Oswald read a paper or two on the same day.

  69 Beginning in 1840 and ending in 1960, every president elected in a year ending in zero died in office. This phenomenon, the “zero-year curse,” was finally broken in 1981, when President Ronald Reagan survived an assassin’s bullet outside the Washington Hilton Hotel in the District of Columbia.

  The first documented assassination attempt on a sitting U.S. president was the attack on Andrew Jackson outside the U.S. Capitol on January 30, 1835, after he attended the funeral for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Both pistols of the assassin, Richard Lawrence, misfired, and Jackson began to beat him with a cane. Almost immediately he was restrained by the crowd. The prosecutor at the trial was Francis Scott Key, and Lawrence was quickly found not guilty by reason of insanity. Lawrence was housed at various institutions and eventually was moved to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. (the place where another would-be assassin, John Hinckley Jr., the attacker of Ronald Reagan, resides today). For a contemporary account of the Jackson attack, see Shooting at the President! The Remarkable Trial of Richard Lawrence, Self-Styled “King of the United States,” “King of England and of Rome,” &c. &c. &c., for an Attempt to Assassinate the President of the United States . . . by a Washington Reporter (New York: W. Mitchell, 1835), 16 pp. This rare work is the first freestanding pamphlet or book published on the assassination or attempted assassination of a U.S. president. One of the few copies that exist can be found in the rare book collection of the Library of Congress.

  For a good general overview of the assassinations and attempts on presidents and other public figures, see James W. Clarke, American Assassins: The Darker Side of Politics (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1982).

  69 Attack on Blair House. See Stephen Hunter and John Bainbridge Jr., American Gunfight: The Plot to Kill Harry Truman—and the Shoot-out That Stopped It (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005).

  69 Puerto Rican nationalist shooting up U.S. House of Representatives. See Jim Abrams, “It’s Been 50 Years since Worst Attack on Congress,” Puerto Rico Herald, Feb. 24, 2004, www.puertorico-herald.org/issues/2004/vol8n10/ItsBeen50.html, and Edward F. Ryan, “Terror at the Capitol,” Washington Post, March 2, 1954, pp. 1, 12–13.

  69 Who was Lee Harvey Oswald? For a probing exposé on Oswald, see the compelling 1993 Frontline documentary, “Who Was Lee Harvey Oswald?” summarized on the PBS website: www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/oswald and the PBS American Experience broadcast, “Oswald’s Ghost”: www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/oswald.

  71 The president’s limousine and second car in San Antonio. Because the president was visiting so many cities so quickly, the Secret Service was unable to transport the presidential limousine to all the cities. Instead, the Ford Motor Company provided additional Lincoln town car convertibles. See Gerald Blaine and Lisa McCubbin, The Kennedy Detail: JFK’s Secret Service Agents Break Their Silence (New York: Gallery Books, 2010), p. 161.

  71 Handmade signs, jackie, come waterski in texas and segregated city. See Patricia Howard Harris, An Austin Scrapbook of John F. Kennedy (Austin, TX: Pemberton Press, 1964).

  71 Brooks Medical Center, “She really did touch me.” See Manchester, Death, p. 76.

  71 JFK San Antonio speech at Brooks Medical Center, Nov. 21, 1963. See Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy: January 1, 1963 to November 22, 1963 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1964), pp. 882–83.


  72 Change in Oswald’s routine, breakfast at Dobbs House. See the FBI interview with restaurant waitress, Mrs. Dolores Harrison, WC 26, CE 2009, p. 536, and McMillan, Marina and Lee, pp. 414–15.

  76 Oswald asks Frazier to drive him on Thursday to get curtain rods. See testimony of Buell Wesley Frazier, Oswald’s coworker and acquaintance, WC 2, pp. 222–27 (complete testimony, pp. 210–45) and WC 7, p. 531.

  77 Jackie to Rep. Thomas, “Don’t leave me!” See Manchester, Death.

  77 Marina surprised to see Lee on Thursday. See testimony of Marina Oswald, WC 1, p. 65, and McMillan, Marina and Lee, p. 414.

  78 Oswald tells Marina he will buy her a washing machine. See WC 1, p. 66, and McMillan, Marina and Lee, p. 416.

  78 Whether Oswald knew president was coming to Dallas. See testimony of Marina Oswald, WC 1, p. 70.

  79 Oswald upset at Marina and whether Marina was too hard on him. Ibid., p. 65.

  80 LBJ visits JFK room, problems with Yarborough. See Manchester, Death, p. 82.

  81 JFK’s Houston speech to League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Nov. 21, 1963. See Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy: January 1, 1963 to November 22, 1963 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1964), p. 884.

  81 Jackie speaks to crowd in Spanish. Because Jackie was able to communicate in a few foreign languages, she endeared herself in Paris with her ability to speak French (her major in college was French literature). She also spoke Spanish. To see her brief remarks in Spanish at the LULAC meeting, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2tQRfyucKY. In Miami in December 1962, she also joined the president and spoke in Spanish at the Orange Bowl to members of Brigade 2506, which participated in unsuccessful Bay of Pigs invasion. See video of her complete Miami speech in Spanish at www.youtube.com/watch?v=72z2025GyBE.

  81 Houston Coliseum speech in honor of Rep. Albert Thomas, Nov. 21, 1963. “Your old men shall dream . . .” See Public Papers . . . 1963, pp. 884–86.

  81 Oswald kicking Marina away when they went to bed. See McMillan, Marina and Lee, p. 419.

  82 “Not everyone can understand . . .” Marina Oswald’s notebook of poems in Russian and translated. See WC 16, CE 106.

  83 “You were great today.” See Manchester, Death, p. 87.

  CHAPTER 4: “A BRIGHT PINK SUIT”

  84 Morning edition of Dallas Morning News, November 22, 1963, p. 14, welcome mr. kennedy to dallas.” See testimony of Bernard William Weismann, who purchased the advertisement, WC 5, pp. 487–535, WC 11, p. 428–34; WC 16, CE 1031, pp. 835, and WC 21, Weismann Exhibit 1, p. 722.

  85 Handbill, wanted for treason. Robert Alan Surrey, a business partner and political associate of General Walker, was the author of this handbill. About five thousand copies were printed on “cheap colored newspaper print” (“dodger stock”) and then were inserted in some morning newspapers or put on car windshields. See testimony of Robert G. Klause, WC 5, pp. 535–46. Also see testimony of Robert Alan Surrey, WC 5, pp. 420–49, and WC 18, CE 996, p. 646.

  85 Curry goes on TV, November 20. See Jerry T. Dealey and George Bannerman Dealey, D in the Heart of Texas (Dallas: JEDI Management Group, 2002). According to these descendants of the namesake of Dealey Plaza, after the attack on United Nations ambassador Adlai Stevenson, civic leaders held a series of meetings in the office of Stanley Marcus (of Neiman Marcus, the Dallas-based department store). They concluded that there was no graceful way to retract the invitation to JFK and instead had the mayor, Earle Cabell, and the Dallas police chief, Jesse Curry, appear on local TV and radio stations, as well as give interviews in newspapers. They called on the citizens of Dallas to act according to law and warmly welcome the president. They condemned violence and warned that there would be a response to any misbehavior or protests. For instance, see Curry’s TV appearance at www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7K2OTw2Ds0. Also see Jesse Curry, Retired Dallas Police Chief Jesse Curry Reveals His Personal JFK Assassination File (Dallas: American Poster and Printing Company, 1969.

  85 JFK “we’re heading into nut country today.” See O’Donnell, Johnny, p. 23.

  85 “If someone wants to shoot me from a window.” See Manchester, Death.

  85 JFK fatalistic attitude. See, O’Donnell, Johnny, p. 19.

  85 JFK’s statement about possible assassination the night before. See Manchester, Death.

  86 The Palm Beach attempt on JFK. See Blaine, Kennedy Detail, pp. 73–74, 136–37, 149–50. The Secret Service expressed fears of JFK riding in a motorcade with an open car. “Unless the president changed his mind about the motorcade, or agreed to ride in a closed-top car—something Blaine knew just wasn’t going to happen—the only way to have a chance at protecting the president against a shooter from a tall building would be to have agents posted on the back of the car. Even then, if somebody had the advantage of looking down on the motorcade and was a good enough marksman to hit the president with the first shot, there was little an agent could do. No matter how quickly you reacted, no man was faster than a speeding bullet.” (P. 74; note to reader: Blaine wrote his book in third person.)

  86 JFK’s zero-year curse letter penned when Kennedy was a senator. See “Political Auction,” Potomack Company, Nov. 1, 2008, sale 15, lot 100.

  In her diary, Evelyn Lincoln, Kennedy’s secretary, said that she found a note written by JFK in 1961 (made public in July 1998) that suggested that the president had a premonition of his own death. The note paraphrased a thought that has been attributed to President Lincoln and was sometimes quoted by JFK in his 1960 presidential campaign: “I know that there is a God and I see a storm coming. If he has a place for me, I am ready.” Los Angeles Times wire service, July 29, 1998, http://articles.latimes.com/1998/jul/29/news/mn-8243.

  86 JFK favorite poem, “rendezvous with death.” In October 1953, when they returned from their honeymoon, Jack read to Jackie what he said was his favorite poem, by Alan Seeger. See Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House (New York/Boston: Houghlin Mifflin, 1965), p. 98.

  86 Oswald leaves money and wedding ring on dresser. See testimony of Marina Oswald, WC 1, pp. 72–73.

  87 Oswald walks to Frazier’s house; Buell’s sister remembers about curtain rods and sees him carrying a package. See testimony of Linnie Mae Randle, WC 2, p. 248.

  87 Frazier’s mother asks “who is that?”—first time Oswald ever walked to Frazier’s house. See testimony of Frazier, WC 2, p. 222.

  87 “What’s the package?” Oswald-Frazier exchange. Ibid., pp. 226–27.

  88 Oswald and Frazier did not discuss President Kennedy’s visit. Ibid., p. 227.

  89 Oswald jumps out of car on arrival at Texas School Book Depository; they usually walked in together. Ibid., pp. 229–30.

  89 Frazier’s impression of how Oswald carried package. Ibid., pp. 228–29.

  90 Oswald begins filling orders. Ibid., p. 231.

  91 Weather in Dallas, decision not to install bubble top. See testimony of Secret Service agent Roy H. Kellerman, WC 2, pp. 66–67 (complete testimony pp. 61–112). Also see Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin, Mrs. Kennedy and Me: An Intimate Memoir (New York: Gallery Books, 2012), p. 284; and O’Donnell, Johnny, p. 25.

  91 Kennedy’s speech to crowd outside Texas Hotel. “[N]o faint hearts in Fort Worth.” See Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, John F. Kennedy: January 1, 1963 to November 22, 1963 (Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1964), p. 887. The JFK Fort Worth tribute website has the complete audio of this address: www.jfktribute.com/videos. (There is also the complete video of the breakfast address to the Chamber of Congress.)

  92 “Where’s Jackie?” See O’Donnell, Johnny, p. 23.

  92 “Mrs. Kennedy is organizing herself.” See Public Papers . . . January 1, 1963 to November 22, 1963, p. 887.

  92 Hill is asked to get Jackie and tells her she is going to breakfast. See testimony of Secret Service Agent Clinton J. (“Clint”) Hill, WC 2, p. 133 (complete testimony, pp. 132–44). Also see H
ill, Mrs. Kennedy and Me, pp. 282–83.

  93 JFK comments about Jackie in Paris. See Public Papers . . . January 1, 1963 to November 22, 1963, pp. 888–90.

  93 Al Olsen, and then Power’s comment, “She’s not that kind of Bunny.” See Manchester, Death.

  93 Jackie’s comment, “I’ll go anywhere with you this year.” See O’Donnell, Johnny, p. 24.

  94 Open windows and modern Secret Service protection. The Secret Service had been assigned to protect the president after the McKinley assassination. However, by today’s standards, security was woefully inadequate. While the Secret Service agents in 1963 were dedicated, conscientious professionals, it really was not until after the assassination attempt on President Reagan that the protection of the “package” (the president) in the motorcade was really secure. There may now be up to three bulletproof cars that appear to be the president’s vehicle (two as decoys and one that actually carries the president, the car being known as the Beast).

  With few exceptions, such as presidential inaugurals and State of the Union addresses, the motorcade route is varied and almost never publicized. All traffic is stopped and all streets are closed. At presidential inaugurals (with the exception of Carter’s), when the president gets out of the car to walk on Pennsylvania Avenue, it is usually where governmental buildings, the FBI and Justice Department, are on either side of the street. There are never any open windows. Frequently, the president wears a bulletproof jacket at public functions. The Secret Service is not shy about putting up bulletproof glass to prevent sharpshooter snipers from firing from great distances. (For instance, this was employed when President Obama spoke in Grant Park in Chicago on the night he was first elected. Bulletproof glass was also used in his 2013 speech in Berlin, in contrast to the similar addresses given there by JFK and Reagan.) Oswald shot from a few hundred feet. Today a sharpshooter with a modern sniper rifle accurately can hit a target from a mile away.

  For a very thorough treatment of the tactics and procedures of the modern U.S. Secret Service in protecting the president, see the 2012 three-part series on the Discover-Military Channel: Secret Service Secrets—“The Home Front,” “Campaign Nightmare,” and “On Enemy Soil.” Two National Geographic DVD releases are also informative: Inside the Secret Service, 2004, and the 2013 release, Secret Service Files: Protecting the President.