Testimony of Mrs. Arthur Carl (Gladys J.) Johnson

The testimony of Mrs. Arthur Carl (Gladys J.) Johnson was taken at 3:40 p.m., on April 1, 1964, in the office of the U.S. attorney, 301 Post Office Building, Bryan and Ervay Streets, Dallas, Tex., by Mr. Joseph A. Ball, assistant counsel of the President's Commission.

Mr. Ball.

Come in, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, and sit down. My name is Joe Ball and Mrs. Johnson, I think we will start with you. Will you stand up, Mrs. Johnson, please, and hold up your. right hand?
[Complying.]

Mr. Ball.

Do you solemnly swear the testimony given before this Commission will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Mrs. Johnson.

I Certainly do; yes, sir.

Mr. Ball.

Mrs. Johnson, my name is Joe Ball and I am a staff counsel for the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy. You have received a letter from us, did you not?

Mrs. Johnson.

Yes, I did.

Mr. Ball.

Asking you to appear today and you are appearing voluntarily?

Mrs. Johnson.

Yes.

Mr. Ball.

You will be asked questions concerning certain facts of which you have knowledge that have to do with our investigation of the assassination of the President, and particularly your knowledge of Lee Harvey Oswald and his place of residence and various things that you might know concerning Lee Harvey Oswald.

Mr. Ball.

What is your address?

Mrs. Johnson.

1026 North Beckley.

Mr. Ball.

How long have you lived there?

Mrs. Johnson.

21 years.

Mr. Ball.

And You live there with your husband?

Mrs. Johnson.

Yes, sir; I do.

Mr. Ball.

What is his name?

Mrs. Johnson.

Arthur Carl Johnson.

Mr. Ball.

First Of all, before I ask you any more questions, can you tell me something about your background, where you were born, where you went to school?

Mrs. Johnson.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Ball.

How long you've been married and everything.

Mrs. Johnson.

I was born in 1902 in Cherokee County at Alto and I was married to my first husband in 1920 and he is deceased. I had two children by him and he is deceased and I have been married to this Mr. Johnson will be 18 years in August.

Mr. Ball.

You are a housewife by occupation?

Mrs. Johnson.

No, I have a restaurant. I have a little restaurant of my own for 28 years, 1029 Young Street, Johnson's Cafe.

Mr. Ball.

You still operate it?

Mrs. Johnson.

Yes, sir; I still do.

Mr. Ball.

You said you had lived at this place, 1026----

Mrs. Johnson.

About 21 years.

Mr. Ball.

North Beckley?

Mrs. Johnson.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Ball.

You and your husband own that property?

Mrs. Johnson.

I do; I owned it before I married. I don't own it. I am paying for it but I had ,bought the property before I married Johnson.

Mr. Ball.

What size house is that, how many rooms?

Mrs. Johnson.

Well, it has about 20-odd--22 rooms.

Mr. Ball.

22 rooms?

Mr. Johnson.

Yes.

Mr. Ball.

In October, last October, November, 1963, who lived there?

Mrs. Johnson.

October?

Mr. Ball.

Yes, October and November last year; you and your husband lived there?