Ruby’s Activities From November 21 to November 24, 1963
The Commission undertook a meticulous reconstruction of Jack Ruby’s movements from November 21 through November 24, 1963, in order to assess whether his actions reflected any conspiratorial involvement in the assassination of President Kennedy or the slaying of Oswald. While the Commission did not seek to determine when Ruby first decided to attack Oswald or to address the psychiatric dimensions of the case, it scrutinized his activities and associations over the three-day period for evidence of conspiratorial connections. The detailed account that follows examines Ruby’s routine as a nightclub owner in the days leading up to the assassination, his presence at the Dallas Morning News when the President was shot, the disputed allegation that he visited Parkland Hospital afterward, and his decision to close his establishments in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The Eve of the President’s Visit
On Thursday, November 21, 1963, the day before the President’s visit, Jack Ruby followed his customary routine as proprietor of two Dallas nightspots: the Carousel Club, a downtown striptease venue, and the Vegas Club, a rock-and-roll establishment in the Oaklawn section. Ruby arrived at the Carousel around 3 p.m., conferring with his handyman Larry Crafard, meeting a young woman who was job hunting, paying rent, addressing a peace bond related to a fight with one of his dancers, consulting an attorney about federal tax issues, distributing membership cards, and speaking with an assistant district attorney about insufficient-fund checks before submitting advertising copy to the Dallas Morning News. That evening he drove Crafard to the Vegas Club, spoke with a Chicago businessman at the Carousel, had dinner with his close friend and financial backer Ralph Paul, briefly encountered Dallas Morning News employee Don Campbell, served as master of ceremonies, peacefully ejected a troublesome patron, and later joined his guest at the Bon Vivant Room of the Dallas Cabana. Neither Paul nor the Chicago businessman recalled Ruby mentioning the President’s trip to Dallas. After closing the Carousel and the Vegas Club, Ruby was seen eating at a restaurant as late as 2:30 a.m.
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