(Testimony of John Henry Branch)
Mr. Hubert.
He was what?
Mr. Branch.
He'd be happy nearly every time you'd see him.
Mr. Hubert.
What did you mean then when you said he was temperamental?
Mr. Branch.
Well, the least little thing--if you say something to him and the price would be too high and he would get mad and said something like, "You know that's too much," but he was just like that--he was a good man.
Mr. Hubert.
Where is the Pago Club?
Mr. Branch.
Now, it's over on--over here on McKinney. Which one do you mean--the one that used to be on Lemmon? They've done moved it now; it's over on McKinney.
Mr. Hubert.
Where was it on November 23?
Mr. Branch.
That was on Lemmon.
Mr. Hubert.
On Lemmon Street?
Mr. Branch.
On Lemmon Avenue. Mr. Norton's.
Mr. Hubert.
There weren't two of them,were there?
Mr. Branch.
Only one.
Mr. Hubert.
It's moved to another address now?
Mr. Branch.
It's down there on McKinney now.
Mr. Hubert.
How far is your place, that is, the Empire Room at 1710 Hall Street, to the Pago Club, where it used to be?
Mr. Branch.
You come down Lemmon all the way to Washington and turn right on Washington at Ross and come right on to the Empire Room and I'd say it's about 15 blocks.
Mr. Hubert.
How far would the Hall Diner or the Empire Room be to the Carousel?
Mr. Branch.
Well, that's down on Commerce Street.
Mr. Hubert.
Yes; I mean how many blocks?
Mr. Branch.
I've never been to it.
Mr. Hubert.
Well, It's near the Adolphus Hotel, and let's put it this way--how far would it be from your place to the Adolphus?
Mr. Branch.
That should be about between 12 and 14 blocks. according to which way you go--which way you come down.
Mr. Hubert.
About a 5-minute drive in an automobile?
Mr. Branch.
About 7 minutes.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you have any indication from what Ruby said as to where he had been before he came to see you on the 23d?
Mr. Branch.
No, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
How was he dressed?
Mr. Branch.
He had on a gray pair of trousers and a blue coat.
Mr. Hubert.
Did he have a hat on?
Mr. Branch.
He wore a hat.
Mr. Hubert.
What color?
Mr. Branch.
It was black.
Mr. Hubert.
Did he have an overcoat?
Mr. Branch.
It wasn't cold--it wasn't even cold.
Mr. Hubert.
And he indicated to you that he was going directly to the Carousel?
Mr. Branch.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
When you saw him drive off, did he drive in the direction of the Carousel?
Mr. Branch.
He went up Hall Street. He had to go to the corner and turn back right.
Mr. Hubert.
Would that be the way you go to the Carousel?
Mr. Branch.
The way he was headed, he had to go one block and turn right and come down Ross. He didn't seem like he was angry or anything.
Mr. Hubert.
The band would have a break, wouldn't it, have several breaks?
Mr. Branch.
Our bands don't have but one break. In a white club you have four, breaks. You see, you play 45 and off 15 in a white club, and in a colored club, you play 2 1/2 hours and take 30 minutes.
Mr. Hubert.
So, if it started at 9, you would go to 11:30, and then start up again at 12?
Mr. Branch.
That's right.
|
