Just 50 Years Ago

Camelot ended, a generation changed that day in Dallas

It was just before 12:30 p.m. when the motorcade reached Dealey Plaza In downtown Dallas. The plaza, a city park and memorial built to honor prominent early Dallas residents, was a Works Progress Administration project completed in 1940 and named for George Dealey, who had been a civic leader and publisher of the Dallas Morning News.

The presidential limousine—a specially built Lincoln Continental—rounded the corner onto Elm Street, passing the Texas School Book Depository building.

Nellie Connally, wife of Texas Gov. John Connally, was seated in one of the limousine’s pull-down jump seats. As the crowds lining the street cheered, she turned to the president and remarked how Dallas loved him. That’s when the first shot rang out. At least two more shots were fired. Gov. Connally, also in one of the limousine’s jump seats, was seriously wounded. The president fatally so. The motorcade immediately sped to Parkland Memorial Hospital. Doctors worked on the president for several minutes, but everyone in the trauma room knew it was no use.

President John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead at 1 p.m., Nov. 22, 1963—50 years ago today.

Later that same day, Lee Harvey Oswald, a worker at the Texas Schoolbook Depository who had been seen in the building after the assassination, was taken into custody after a scuffle with police at the Texas Theater. He had left the depository before police could seal off the building and went home. He then started walking and was stopped by Dallas police officer J.D. Tippit. According to police, Oswald pulled a gun and shot Tippit four times, killing him. A few minutes later, he walked into the theater without paying. The ticket clerk called police.

Oswald claimed he was innocent—a “patsy.” And he never stood trial for either murder. Two days later, he was gunned down by Dallas strip club operator Jack Ruby as he was being transferred from police headquarters to the county jail.

In the wake of the assassination, a presidential commission headed by U.S. Chief Justice Earl Warren concluded that President Kennedy was killed by Oswald acting alone.

But did he? That remains the greatest mystery of the 20th century. Many Americans—maybe most Americans—don’t buy the Warren Commission’s conclusion and believe there was a conspiracy to assassinate the president. In 1978, a review by the U.S. House Select Committee on Assassinations concluded that Oswald had killed the president, but that he was likely a part of some conspiracy. What do you think? We want to hear from our readers on this issue. Did Lee Harvey Oswald, acting alone, assassinate President John F. Kennedy? Or was it conspiracy involving Fidel Castro, the CIA, organized crime or some other shadowy group?

Send a one-sentence response (50 words maximum) to opinion@texarkanagazette.com by Wednesday, Nov. 27. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, Texas, 75504. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will tabulate the results and print them in next Friday’s paper. We will also print as many of the responses as space allows.

Last Week’s Question:

Last week’s Friday poll question concerned the possible vote to legalize medical marijuana in Arkansas come November 2016. Should Arkansas voters legalize medical marijuana? Or should the drug remain illegal in the state?

The voting was three for favor, none against.

Here are some reader comments:

As a healthcare professional, I am 100 percent for the legalization of medicinal cannabis—evidence based research is out there proving the validity of cannabis with the treatment of ALS, MS, and even Cancer.— C.M., Texarkana, Ark.

Marijuana has been around for hundreds of years, and is not going anywhere; so, yes, I believe it should be legalized and taxed just like liquor.—J.S., Texarkana, Ark.

The legalization of medical marijuana is absolutely what this country needs—not only does it work for chronic conditions such as cancer, insomnia, nausea, etc., this wonder plant is 100 percent usable for making paper, clothes, bonding materials, etc.—S.L.W., Texarkana, Texas.