(Testimony of Mrs. Lee Harvey Oswald Resumed)
Mr. Rankin.
we have reports that at times neighbors saw signs of his having beat you, so that we might know the occasions and why he did such things.
Mrs. Oswald.
The neighbors simply saw that because I have a very sensitive skin, and even a very light blow would show marks. Sometimes it was my own fault. Sometimes it was really necessary to just leave him alone. But I wanted more attention. He was jealous. He had no reason to be. But he was jealous of even some of my old friends, old in the sense of age.
Mr. Rankin.
When he became jealous, did he discuss that with you?
Mrs. Oswald.
Yes, of course.
Mr. Rankin.
What did he say?
Mrs. Oswald.
I don't remember.
Basically, that I prefer others to him. That I want many things. which he cannot give me. But that was not so. Once we had a quarrel because I had a young man who was a boyfriend--this was before we were married, a boy who was in love with me, and I liked him, too. And I had written him a letter from here. I had---I wrote him that I was very lonely here, that Lee had changed a great deal, and that I was sorry that I had not married him instead, that it would have been much easier for me. I had mailed that letter showing the post office box as a return address. But this was just the time when the postage rates went up by one cent, and the letter was returned. Lee brought that letter and asked me what it was and forced me to read it. But I refused. Then he sat down across from me and started to read it to me. I was very much ashamed of my foolishness. And, of course, he hit me, but he did not believe that this letter was sincere. He asked me if it was true or not, and I told him that it was true. But he thought that I did it only in order to tease him. And that was the end of it. It was a very ill-considered thing.
Mr. Rankin.
Do you recall anything more that he said at that time about that matter?
Mrs. Oswald.
Of course after he hit me, he said that I should be ashamed of myself for saying such things because he was very much in love with me. But this was after he hit me.
Generally, I think that was right, for such things, that is the right thing to do. There was some grounds for it.
Please excuse me. Perhaps I talk too much.
Mr. Rankin.
When you had your child baptized, did you discuss that with your husband?
Mrs. Oswald.
I knew that Lee was not religious, and, therefore, I did not tell him about it. I lived in Fort Worth at that time, while he lived in Dallas. But when June was baptized, I told him about it, and he didn't say anything about it. He said it was my business. And he said, "Okay, if you wish." He had nothing against it. He only took offense at the fact that I hadn't told him about it ahead of time.
Mr. Rankin.
Are you a member of any church?
Mrs. Oswald.
I believe in God, of course, but I do not go to church---first because I do not have a car. And, secondly, because there is only one Russian Church. Simply that I believe in God in my own heart, and I don't think it is necessary to visit the church.
Mr. Rankin.
While your husband---or while you were visiting the Halls, did your husband tell you about getting his job in Dallas?
Mrs. Oswald.
Yes. I knew about it before he left for Dallas, that he already had work there.
Mr. Rankin.
Do you recall whether your husband rented the apartment in Dallas about November 3, 1962?
Mrs. Oswald.
For him?
Mr. Rankin.
Yes.
Mrs. Oswald.
He had told me that he rented a room, not an apartment. But that was in October.
What date I don't know.
Mr. Rankin.
And had he obtained an apartment before you went to Dallas to live with him?
Mrs. Oswald.
Yes. Cleaned everything up.
|
