(Testimony of John Wilkins Newnam)
Mr. Newnam.
It was approximately 12:40.
Mr. Hubert.
How do you fix that time, sir?
Mr. Newnam.
I fix that time this way: I watched the motorcade at Main and Austin. After the motorcade had passed, naturally, I proceeded to the office to take care of a few matters which had to be taken care of.
Mr. Hubert.
Had you been to the office prior to going to see the parade?
Mr. Newnam.
I had been there early in the morning; yes, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
At what time did you leave to go to see the parade?
Mr. Newnam.
Well, I left on our regular business--I left the office----I imagine
around 9:15 or 9:30.
Mr. Hubert.
Ruby was not there then?
Mr. Newman.
No, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
Go ahead then about your fixing of the time at which you got back to the second floor of the building.
Mr. Newnam.
I knew the motorcade was coming to Dallas and through downtown, and since my area covers downtown, I was rather anxious to get as much done as quickly as possible to get back to the office, and after taking care of the business which was normal to take care of, I walked back to the I was walking back to fine office because it was just about as quick to walk as to try to wait for a shopper's bus, because the crowd was gathering.
Mr. Hubert.
At the time you saw the parade, how far were you from the Dallas Morning News office?
Mr. Newnam.
I was about--well, walking distance, I would say about 7 or 8 blocks.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you walk back ?
Mr. Newnam.
Yes.
Mr. Hubert.
Approximately what time do you think you saw the President pass ?
Mr. Newnam.
I would say approximately 12--it must have been about 12:25 or possibly 12:26.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you leave your position on Austin and' Main and proceed to walk back to the Dallas Morning News Building, immediately after the President himself had passed in the motorcade?
Mr. Newnam.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
And you Walked the 7 blocks or so?
Mr. Newnam.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
When you got there, was Ruby on the second floor of the Dallas Morning News?
Mr. Newnam.
Yes; he was.
Mr. Hubert.
Was he standing or sitting or what was he doing?
Mr. Newnam.
He was sitting at my desk.
Mr. Hubert.
That is to say--No. 23 on Exhibit No. 4, is that correct?
Mr. Newnam.
Right, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you know at that time when you first saw him, that the
President had been shot?
Mr. Newnam.
No, sir.
Mr. Hubert.
What was he doing?
Mr. Newnam.
He was looking at a paper; I believe it was that morning's issue of the paper.
Mr. Hubert.
Well, was he engaged in drawing up the draft of an ad?
Mr. Newnam.
This--he had already completed--this he had finished, yes.
Mr. Hubert.
How do you know that, did he hand it to you when he came in?
Mr. Newnam.
I had---just--someone had reserved the space and he had fixed it, prepared the ad and put it in the box, which he knew what to do---the procedure.
Mr. Hubert.
Did you have any conversation with him immediately upon your arrival?
Mr. Newnam.
Spoke.
Mr. Hubert.
Was it unusual ----
Mr. Newnam.
I just spoke in the usual manner--I said,, "Hi Jack" and he spoke back, and that was about all.
Mr. Hubert.
Was it unusual that he should be occupying your desk?
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