(Testimony of Billy Nolan Lovelady)
Mr. Lovelady.
Right there at the entrance of the building standing on the the step, would be here (indicating).
Mr. Ball.
You were standing on which step?
Mr. Lovelady.
It would be your top level.
Mr. Ball.
The top step you were standing there?
Mr. Lovelady.
Right.
Mr. Ball.
Now, when Gloria came up you were standing near Mr. Shelley?
Mr. Lovelady.
Yeah.
Mr. BALL. When Gloria came up and said the President had been shot, Gloria Calvary, what did you do?
Mr. LOVELADY. Well, I asked who told her. She said he had been shot so we asked her was she for certain or just had she seen the shot hit him or--she said yes, she had been right close to it to see and she had saw the blood and knew he had been hit but didn't know how serious it was and so the crowd had started towards the railroad tracks back, you know, behind our building there and we run towards that little, old island and kind of down there in that little street. We went as far as the first tracks and everybody was hollering and crying and policemen started running out that way and we said we better get back into the building, so we went back into the west entrance on the back dock had that low ramp and went into the back dock back inside the building.
Mr. Ball.
First of all, let's get you to tell us whom you left the steps with.
Mr. Lovelady.
Mr. Shelley.
Mr. Ball.
Shelley and you went down how far?
Mr. LOVELADY. Well, I would say a good 75, between 75 to 100 yards to the first tracks. See how those tracks goes---
Mr. Ball.
You went down the dead end on Elm?
Mr. Lovelady.
Yes.
Mr. Ball.
And down to the first tracks?
Mr. Lovelady.
Yes.
Mr. Ball.
Did you see anything there?
Mr. Lovelady.
No, sir; well, just people running.
Mr. Ball.
That's all?
Mr. Lovelady.
And hollerin.
Mr. Ball.
How did you happen to go down there?
Mr. LOVELADY. I don't know, because everybody was running from that way and naturally, I guess---
Mr. Ball.
They were running from that way or toward that way?
Mr. LOVELADY. Toward that way; everybody thought it was coming from that direction.
Mr. Ball.
By the time you left the steps had Mr. Truly entered the building?
Mr. Lovelady.
As we left the steps I would say we were at least 15. maybe 25. steps away from the building. I looked back and I saw him and the policeman running into the building.
Mr. Ball.
How many steps?
Mr. Lovelady.
Twenty, 25.
Mr. Ball.
Steps away and you looked back and saw him enter the building?
Mr. Lovelady.
Yes.
Mr. Ball.
Then you came back. How long did you stay around the railroad tracks?
Mr. Lovelady.
Oh, just a minute, maybe minute and a half.
Mr. Ball.
Then what did you do?
Mr. Lovelady.
Came back right through that part where Mr. Campbell, Mr. Truly, and Mr. Shelley park their cars and I came back inside the building.
Mr. Ball.
And enter from the rear?
Mr. Lovelady.
Yes, sir; sure did.
Mr. Ball.
You heard the shots. And how long after that was it before Gloria Calvary came up?
Mr. Lovelady.
Oh, approximately 3 minutes, I would say.
Mr. Ball.
Three minutes is a long time.
Mr. LOVELADY. Yes, it's---I say approximately; I can't say because I don't have a watch; it could.
Mr. BALL. Had people started to run?
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