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

KAPITEL VIII. She did not then know Oswald’s address in Dallas.[C6-367]

Chapter VIII traces Jack Ruby’s movements and activities from the afternoon of November 22 through the early morning hours of November 23, 1963. After leaving the Carousel Club, Ruby closed his clubs for three days, made numerous emotional phone calls, attended Friday evening synagogue services, arrived at Dallas police headquarters by approximately 11:30 p.m., was present at Oswald’s midnight press conference, visited radio station KLIF, and continued to interact with acquaintances into the early morning hours, before photographing an “Impeach Earl Warren” signboard with companions.

Closing the Clubs

After leaving the Carousel Club around 3:15 p.m. and briefly visiting Eva Grant’s home, Ruby returned to the club and instructed Larry Crafard to prepare a “closed” sign, but to delay posting it to avoid alerting competitors. He later purchased cold cuts at a nearby delicatessen. Upon returning to his sister’s apartment, Ruby decided to close both clubs for three days following a phone conversation with Dallas Times-Herald columnist Don Saffran. He then called the Dallas Morning News to modify his advertisement accordingly, and informed Saffran that the clubs would be closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Phone Calls and Emotional State

While at Eva Grant’s apartment, Ruby continued making rapid telephone calls, ate sparingly, became ill, and tried to rest. He called Cecil Hamlin, sounding “broken up,” explaining that he had closed the clubs out of concern that people would not patronize them and expressing worry for President Kennedy’s “children.” He also made two calls to determine service times at Temple Shearith Israel, placed a second call to Alice Nichols confirming his attendance, and phoned Larry Crafard at the Carousel Club to check for messages. Eva Grant testified that Ruby looked like a “broken man” and said he had “never felt so bad in my life, even when Ma or Pa died.”

Friday Evening

Ruby is uncertain whether he went directly from his sister’s home to his apartment or to his club. While at least five witnesses believed they saw him on the third floor of police headquarters between 6 and 9 p.m., the Commission found it doubtful he was there before 11 p.m., as the descriptions of his appearance and the witness reliability were questionable. Ruby has denied being at police headquarters before approximately 11:15 p.m. He returned to his own apartment before 9 p.m., unsuccessfully tried to persuade Ralph Paul to attend synagogue services, and called his brother Hyman Rubenstein and sisters in Chicago, expressing distress about Dallas and considering selling his business. He attended services at Temple Shearith Israel, arriving near the end, where Rabbi Silverman noted Ruby appeared depressed. After services, he drove by night clubs, purchased kosher sandwiches and soft drinks intending to feed officers at police headquarters, and attempted to deliver food to KLIF radio station employees before heading downtown.

Third Floor of Police Headquarters

Ruby made his way to the third floor of the Dallas Police Department by about 11:30 p.m., where reporters gathered near the homicide bureau. Newsman John Rutledge described seeing Ruby flanked by two out-of-state reporters, walking rapidly, hunched over, and writing on a piece of paper. Detective Augustus M. Eberhardt recalled Ruby carrying a note pad and professing to be a translator for the Israeli press, while remarking on the tragedy for Dallas. Video tapes confirmed Ruby’s presence on the third floor when Chief Jesse E. Curry and District Attorney Henry M. Wade announced that Oswald would be shown to newsmen at a basement press conference. Ruby stated his original purpose was to locate a KLIF employee but was “carried away with the excitement of history.”

Midnight Press Conference

Ruby accompanied the newsmen to the basement press conference, established by television tapes and at least 12 witnesses. When Oswald arrived, Ruby stood atop a table alongside other reporters. After Oswald’s brief appearance, Ruby remained to hear reporters question District Attorney Wade, who stated Oswald would likely be moved to the county jail the following week and that Oswald belonged to the “Free Cuba Committee.” Ruby was among the voices correcting Wade on the organization’s name. After the conference, Ruby introduced himself to Wade, who did not initially recognize him, and also met Justice of the Peace David L. Johnston, giving him a Carousel Club business card. He obtained the KLIF “hot line” number from a KBOX representative, facilitated a phone interview between KLIF and Wade, and directed Russ Knight to Wade for a second interview.