Report of the President's Commission on the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy

At Radio Station KLIF

Ruby left police headquarters and drove to radio station KLIF, arriving at approximately 1:45 a.m. and remaining about 45 minutes. He distributed his sandwiches and soft drinks, settled in the newsroom for the 2 a.m. newscast, and was credited with suggesting that Russ Knight ask Wade whether Oswald was sane. Speaking with Danny Patrick McCurdy, Ruby mentioned closing his clubs, saying he would rather lose $1,200 or $1,500 than remain open, and McCurdy noted Ruby looked pale and kept looking at the floor. To Glen Duncan, Ruby expressed satisfaction that evidence was mounting against Oswald and seemed pleased about his earlier contact with the investigation. Upon leaving, Ruby gave Knight a “Heroism” radio script from the “Life Line” program and suggested that the radio station owner should editorialize against a group of “radicals” he believed partially responsible for the assassination.

Early Morning of November 23

At about 2:30 a.m., Ruby entered his automobile and departed KLIF, heading for the Dallas Times-Herald Building. En route, he stopped for about an hour to speak with Kay Helen Coleman and Harry Olsen at a parking garage at the corner of Jackson and Field Streets, where the couple were crying and extremely upset about the assassination. Ruby later explained he had not mentioned this meeting in his first two FBI interviews because he did not want to involve Olsen, who was reportedly having a secret relationship with Coleman. The Olsens, who later married about six weeks after the assassination, denied the specific remarks attributed to them but confirmed their lengthy conversation with Ruby and his expressed sympathy for Mrs. Kennedy and her children.

Encounter with Olsen and Coleman

At the parking garage at Jackson and Field Streets, Ruby spoke for approximately one hour with police officer Harry Olsen and dancer Kay Helen Coleman, who were emotionally distraught over the assassination. According to Ruby, Olsen remarked that “they should cut this guy [Oswald] inch by inch into ribbons,” and Coleman said “in England they would drag him through the streets and would have hung him.” Ruby did not mention this encounter in his first two FBI interviews, explaining he did not want to expose Olsen’s secret relationship with Coleman. The Olsens acknowledged the conversation and their upset state but disputed the specific remarks, claiming instead that Ruby had cursed Oswald and expressed sympathy for the Kennedy family.

Visit to Dallas Times-Herald

Ruby arrived at the Dallas Times-Herald around 4 a.m., speaking for about 15 minutes with composing room employee Roy Pryor, who had just ended his shift. Ruby described seeing Oswald, correcting Wade about the Fair Play for Cuba Committee, and arranging a phone interview with Wade, stating he believed he was in good favor with the district attorney. Pryor recalled Ruby calling Oswald a “little weasel of a guy” and being emotionally concerned about the President’s family, shaking a newspaper for emphasis. Ruby also spoke with Arthur Watherwax, seeking his views on closing the clubs and his plan to persuade other owners to follow suit, and with foreman Clyde Gadash. Ruby displayed a “twistboard” exercise device he had promised to Gadash, leading to demonstrations and merriment, though Gadash agreed Ruby’s general mood was one of sorrow. Ruby also expressed his view that the Weissman advertisement was an effort to discredit Jews.

Return to Apartment

At about 4:30 a.m., Ruby drove from the Dallas Times-Herald to his apartment, where he awakened his roommate George Senator. Ruby discussed the Weissman advertisement and a signboard urging Chief Justice Earl Warren’s impeachment, then telephoned Larry Crafard at the Carousel Club, instructing him to meet them at Nichols Garage with a Polaroid camera. The three men then drove to the “Impeach Earl Warren” sign near Hall Avenue and Central Expressway, where Ruby had Crafard take three photographs of the billboard, believing the sign and the Weissman ad might be connected. Ruby noted on the back of an envelope a name and post office box number appearing on the sign.