Testimony of Mary E. Bledsoe

Mr. Ball.

The testimony of Mary E. Bledsoe was taken at 9:30 a.m., on April 2, 1964, in the office of the U.S. attorney, 301 Post Office Building, Bryan and Ervay Streets, Dallas, Tex., by Messrs. Joseph A. Ball, David W. Belin, and Albert E. Jenner, Jr., assistant counsel of the President's Commission. Mrs. Mary E. Bledsoe was accompanied by her attorney, Miss Melody June Douthit.

Mr. Ball.

Will you stand up, Mrs. Bledsoe, please
Will you raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony which you are about to give before this Commission will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Mrs. Bledsoe.

I do.

Mr. Ball.

State your name, please.

Mrs. Bledsoe.

Mary E. Bledsoe.

Mr. Ball.

And your residence?

Mrs. Bledsoe.

621 North Marsalis.

Mr. Ball.

Mrs. Bledsoe, you received a letter from the counsel for the Commission asking you to be here today, didn't you?

Mrs. Bledsoe.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Ball.

And you received that what date? March 26, or was it March 27?

Mrs. Bledsoe.

When? This first time?
Miss DOUTHIT. No, back.

Mr. Ball.

I mean the letter your attorney just showed me. Seventeenth of March?

Mrs. Bledsoe.

Uh-huh.
Mr. BALL. And you have come down here in response to that letter, haven't you?

Mrs. Bledsoe.

Yes.
Mr. BALL. And you are here appearing with your attorney, who is present at this time?

Mrs. Bledsoe.

Yes.
Mr. BALL. You've been asked to give testimony in this matter which concerns an investigation into the assassination of President Kennedy, and certain facts which you have, which I believe that you knew of, and we are going to ask you questions about it. That is the general subject of the investigation.

Mrs. Bledsoe.

Uh-huh.

Mr. Ball.

And you are willing to testify, are you not?

Mrs. Bledsoe.

Yes.

Mr. Ball.

And give us as much help as you can?

Mrs. Bledsoe.

Yes.

Mr. Ball.

What is your---you have given us your address, haven't you?

Mrs. Bledsoe.

Yes.
Mr. BALL. Can you tell me something, briefly, about your past life? Where you were born and what your education was and what your occupation has been?
Mrs. BLEDSOE. I was born in the country. Town of about 12 miles from Corsicanna, Tex. My father was a doctor down there, and I was a second child; I have a brother older than I am. And then I moved to Ennis, and then come to Dallas and lived here until I was a little girl, 4 or 5 years old, then I went back down to Ennis and my father practiced medicine in Ennis, Tex., and then about---I married then when I was 17, and then I moved around quite a little while I was married, but-and then my husband and I, we had trouble, and I divorced him in-oh, about in 1925, and I raised my two children by myself, and I have been in the place where I live 24 years, and over on the back, I was--I have been here 43 years in the neighborhood, and I raised both of my boys, and they are grown.

Mr. Ball.

Your occupation has been that of a housewife?

Mrs. Bledsoe.

Yes. Well, I had rented rooms, but I had some money my father had given me. I had some money from him.

Mr. Ball.

Your present address, you rent rooms, do you?