Mr. Jenner.

So, I take it, she was employed.

Mr. Oswald.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

Was she also employed during the 1 year when you boys were at the Catholic school?

Mr. Oswald.

I am sure--I feel sure she was, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

Could we say, except as I might return to the subject specifically, that from the time of the death of your father, in August of 1939, at least until the time of her marriage with Mr. Ekdahl, she was always employed, either continuously or with short breaks?

Mr. Oswald.

Yes, sir; we certainly can.

Mr. Jenner.

She was the sole support, as far as you know, of your family?

Mr. Oswald.

That is correct, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

All right.
I interrupted you--pardon me.
You and John entered the Bethlehem Orphan Home. Would you describe to us the nature of that school?

Mr. Oswald.

Well----

Mr. Jenner.

Was it a public or private institution?

Mr. Oswald.

I would say it was a private home. The atmosphere generally--of course all the boys and girls were separated--I recall just one large dormitory building, sleeping area and so forth. The cafeteria was located----

Mr. Dulles.

Could you tell us about how many there were in this orphanage, roughly? Was it 50, 100, 200?

Mr. Oswald.

I would say around 75 to 100, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

So you are now about 8 years old, am I correct?

Mr. Oswald.

1942--that would be correct, sir.
The cafeteria was located in a separate, or perhaps a wing of this large dormitory building. The school area was located in a separate building towards the entrance of the home. There was quite a large playground there, and quite a large playroom within that large dormitory.

Mr. Mckenzie.

The home itself was located in New Orleans, is that correct?

Mr. Oswald.

That is correct.

Mr. Jenner.

In the city proper, rather than a suburb?

Mr. Oswald.

I would say that was so, sir. I still recall that it was pretty close to the end of the St. Charles Street carline at that particular time.
My recollection of the atmosphere and the general conditions there it was nice, I had a lot of friends there at the home. It was a Christian atmosphere.
Going back to the Catholic school--we had to go to church every morning and so forth like that.
But here at the tables and so forth we had our grace and such as that. It was generally a Christian atmosphere there. He treated us well, I might add--better than the Catholic school did. They were not as strict as far as discipline was concerned, but they certainly kept us in line.

Mr. Dulles.

Could I ask a question there? Was this a denominational school, or a publicly maintained school?

Mr. Oswald.

I don't believe it was a denominational school. I believe it was a public--I feel it was a private school or home. But that the religious background did not have anything to do with it. It might have been just a Protestant home.

Mr. Jenner.

I am curious, if I may, Mr. Dulles--the name of this school or home is the Bethlehem Orphan Home. But neither of you boys was an orphan.

Mr. Oswald.

No, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

I take it, then, that apart from the name of the school, there were orphans and young people, children such as you, whose mothers, or perhaps fathers, were unable to take care of them during the daytime completely, and the school accepted children under those circumstances.

Mr. Oswald.

Yes, sir; that is my understanding.

Mr. Jenner.

Therefore, it was not exclusively for orphans?

Mr. Oswald.

No, sir.

Mr. Dulles.

I think I have read somewhere I would like to ask, if I may--I understand there had to be only one parent, though. I don't think if you had