Senator Cooper.

Did you notice whether the rifle that you discovered had a telescopic sight?

Mr. Boone.

Yes, it did.

Senator Cooper.

Did it have a sling?

Mr. Boone.

Yes, it did. Because Captain Fritz picked it up by the sling when he removed it from its resting place.

Senator Cooper.

Looking at Exhibit 483, which represents the floor plan of the sixth floor, you have marked on there the place where you found the rifle. Is that near the stairwell?

Mr. Boone.

Yes, sir; this is the stairwell right here in the northeast corner.

Senator Cooper.

Also near the elevators?

Mr. Boone.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Belin.

Pardon me, Senator Cooper, I think you said northeast.

Mr. Boone.

Northwest--I beg your pardon.

Senator Cooper.

Do you remember whether Officer Mooney came up after you found the rifle?

Mr. Boone.

I don't recall. There were officers, both city and county officers, and constables officers up in the area on the floor. Now, whether he was among the crowd there, I do not know.

Senator Cooper.

When you climbed over the retaining wall at the railroad yard, can you describe what the situation in the railroad yard was at that time? Were there railroad cars in the area?

Mr. Boone.

There were four railroad cars down approximately 100 yards from the retaining wall, right over the Elm Street tunnel, or portion of the triple underpass. Then there were some people down to the south of the triple underpass which had viewed the parade, or were viewing the parade I don't know. The city officer went back south, as I recall, and I went off to the north, northwest.

Senator Cooper.

Thank you.

The Chairman.

Sheriff, thank you very much.

Mr. Ball.

There is one question. Did you hear anybody refer to this rifle as a Mauser that day?

Mr. Boone.

Yes, I did. And at first, not knowing what it was, I thought it was 7.65 Mauser.

Mr. Ball.

Who referred to it as a Mauser that day?

Mr. Boone.

I believe Captain Fritz. He had knelt down there to look at it, and before he removed it, not knowing what it was, he said that is what it looks like. This is when Lieutenant Day, I believe his name is, the ID man was getting ready to photograph it.
We were just discussing it beck and forth. And he said it looks like a 7.65 Mauser.

Mr. Ball.

Thank you.

The Chairman.

Thank you very much, Sheriff. You have been very helpful.

Mr. Ball.

Call Officer McDonald.

Testimony of M.n. Mcdonald

Senator Cooper.

Will you stand up and be sworn? Do you swear that the testimony you shall give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Mr. Mcdonald.

I do.

Senator Cooper.

You understand that the purpose of this inquiry is to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the assassination of the late President Kennedy?

Mr. Mcdonald.

Yes, sir; I do.

Senator Cooper.

Today's hearings are to hear testimony of various witnesses, including yourself, who were in the vicinity of the Texas School Book Depository Building at the time of the assassination, and because it is reported you apprehended Lee Harvey Oswald in the Texas theatre.

Mr. Mcdonald.

Yes, sir.

Senator Cooper.

Do you testify here voluntarily?