Oswalds’ Reunion and Move to Elsbeth Street Apartment
Four days after Mrs. Hall returned from the hospital, she departed for New York. By her return, Marina had moved to a three-room apartment at 604 Elsbeth Street that Oswald had rented on November 3 for $68 monthly plus utilities, with a $5 deposit. The Taylors helped the Oswalds move their belongings with a rented trailer, and Kleinlerer assisted.
Marital Conflict and Marina’s Temporary Stays with Acquaintances
Soon after reuniting, marital difficulties resumed. Kleinlerer witnessed Oswald slap Marina over an unzipped dress during the move. The couple argued about his prohibition of her smoking and about his misrepresentation of her nationality to the landlady as Czechoslovakian. Oswald discouraged others from teaching Marina English, and he continued to beat her. When George De Mohrenschildt criticized his conduct, Oswald replied, “It is my business.” Marina’s husband became increasingly nervous and irritable, and she admitted some fault for provoking him.
Marina’s Return to Oswald and Strained Russian Community Ties
Several acquaintances felt Marina would be better off alone. George Bouhe offered help if she promised to leave Oswald permanently. In early November, with De Mohrenschildt assistance, Marina moved into Anna Meller’s house intending not to return. Oswald was upset and temporarily did not know her location. After meeting at De Mohrenschildt’s house, Oswald asked her to return, but she insisted he change; he said he could not. Marina then moved to Katherine Ford’s house (November 11-17), then briefly to Mrs. Frank Ray’s home. When Oswald professed his love and cried, begging her return, she agreed to come back. Russian community members felt their efforts had been in vain, with Bouhe so irritated that he never helped the Oswalds again. Contacts with the community diminished, and Lydia Dymitruk testified she saw them only once. Mrs. Ford testified Marina had contemplated suicide during this period.
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