(Testimony of Robert Edward Oswald Lee)
Mr. Jenner.
home at the first opportunity open to her under the rules or policy of the Bethlehem Orphan Home in that respect.
Mr. Oswald.
That is correct.
Mr. Jenner.
Now, did she come to visit the home when Lee was placed in the home?
If I may, you recall you said you were free on Wednesdays, it may have been limited to the summer time, and you and John would go into the New Orleans town district and visit your mother.
Did she come to see Lee? Does that stimulate your recollection that she did come to visit?
Mr. Oswald.
Yes, sir; she did come to visit us. I recall after Lee was placed in the home, that all three of us would go down and visit mother, and we always took Lee with us.
Mr. Jenner.
I see. What contact did you have with Lee in that 1-year period; in 1943, when he was with you boys in the home?
Mr. Oswald.
John and I both looked on Lee as our, kid brother, and we stayed pretty close to him, and defended him whenever we had to.
Mr. Jenner.
How did Lee get along during those days? Let's confine it to up to 1944, when you moved to Dallas.
Mr. Oswald.
I don't recall any instance where it would stand out in my mind that he did not get along with anybody.
Mr. Jenner.
He had the normal life of a 4-year-old at that particular time .. got into his fights to the extent everyone else did?
Mr. Oswald.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Mckenzie.
You mean at the time he was 4 years old?
Mr. Oswald.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Jenner.
There may be others who would be interested in his course of conduct and his reactions even at age 4. You will forgive me for going into that.
Mr. Oswald.
Certainly.
Mr. Jenner.
But your present recollection, as far as Lee's relationship with other 4-year-olds or 5's or 3's, his general course of conduct, with regard to the interplay between himself and others at or near his age, is what you would describe as normal?
Mr. Oswald.
Yes, sir; that is correct.
Mr. Jenner.
All right.
Now we are moving to Dallas in 1944. You brought out the fact that Lee became enrolled in Bethlehem Orphan Home, because I asked you questions whether there was anything unusual etched on your mind at that time that had occurred up to the point of your moving to Dallas. Was there anything else that this discussion, that is now stimulated that you would like to report?
Mr. Oswald.
No, sir, I cannot think of anything else.
Mr. Jenner.
Now, what was the reason you moved to Dallas?
Mr. Oswald.
I don't really know, sir. Of course we were quite happy to leave the Bethlehem Orphan Home. By that, I don't mean to imply that they didn't treat us well there. But, of course, we were quite happy to be with mother again, all of us together.
As to the reason why mother moved us to Dallas, I do not know.
Mr. Jenner.
Now, when you moved to Dallas, you resided--can you recall the address or at least approximately where you lived in Dallas?
Mr. Oswald.
As I recall, it was Victor Street. It was a corner house, a large two-story white I feel sure it was a frame white house. The garage was to the back side of the house. Victor Street ran in front of the house, and another street down the side where you entered the garage.
Mr. Jenner.
I don't think I asked you this. It is a little bit out of order.
Do you happen to recall your brother John's date of birth?
Mr. Oswald.
Yes, sir; you did ask me that. It was January 17, 1932.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Jenner.
All right. Thank you.
|