(Testimony of Anna N. Meller)
Mrs. Meller.
with baby. Seems her husband will not care for her about anything. We never saw he will be really----
Mr. Liebeler.
Responsible?
Mrs. Meller.
Responsible for her; thank you, sir; yes. I never saw that feelings, never, and being a Russian myself and go through certain trouble during World War II where the good people helped us very much for all sides of walks when I came to United States, even I was brought up in family at home to help somebody if I can in trouble, so I saw Russian girl couldn't speak word of English and baby and looks like husband didn't caring much about her, it was our mutual feelings toward Marina start to help her. It was only idea. Somehow it sounds strange but somehow it even looks to me like we didn't see Lee Harvey buying anything, very little; they was just existing--woman and baby in hands, baby 4 months old, young girl. When we went to, George Bouhe and I, to house we took her to store in Fort Worth and George Bouhe bought about $18 groceries and I tried to let her pick up some of the things she would like and first thing she started with baby food. I will tell you, she's young but it's amazing how she cares about children. She's young mother; she gives pretty good care of the children. I looked and I was wondering; baby was first.
Mr. Liebeler.
Was it only on one occasion that you purchased groceries for them?
Mrs. Meller.
I don't recall exactly but I think it was more probably two occasions that George Bouhe spent lot of money. Second time, I think he bought for child baby playpen, excuse me, I am not familiar with those names, playpen and certainly we tried to buy cheaper and something because child did not have bed and it was same time bed for the child.
Mr. Liebeler.
Mr. Bouhe also bought a bed for the baby?
Mrs. Meller.
No; he bought playpen and it was for time bed for the baby. I think we bought her one dress, probably couple underwears, couple pairs, and stockings; something she is really need and certainly more groceries. Then one day when came with groceries like that Lee Harvey come from work and Mr. Bouhe told him to come with and try to help to pick up playpen. He was furious why we did all that and buy all that and he said "I don't need"; he was in rage; "I don't need," he say.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did he go with Mr. Bouhe to get the playpen?
Mrs. Meller.
He went but you can see it was not like he had to go-it was something which was real hard for him to do it--never talked much and I could not talk much to him.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did you think that he was strange or somewhat peculiar because he resented this help that you tried to give him, or did you understand that perhaps he had good reasons?
Mrs. Meller.
Sir, he was peculiar, yes; he was and I think he was a person which will not go; he was not easy to go with the other people. He could not talk like--I see first time and anyway, to explain as much as I could, but I doubt if he would talk to you same way I do. He had always something hidden; you can feel it. He was not very--not willing to talk and very much against, against the food you buy, against the milk for baby--"We don't need anything."
Mr. Liebeler.
Did you ever know how much money he was making at his job in Fort Worth?
Mrs. Meller.
No; no idea.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did he say anything to you about repayment of a loan that the United States had made to him?
Mrs. Meller.
Yes; he said that he has to pay to Embassy back money and that's what he was doing and he had to send certain amount to American Embassy to pay their passage but I never asked how much.
Mr. Liebeler.
But you knew or he told you at that time that he was making payments to the American Government?
Mrs. Meller.
Yes; he was paying; if I am not wrong, I think he say he mentioned he had to pay and what is left he will never say and I think it was not much at all.
Mr. Liebeler.
Did you ever give any money to Marina or did you just confine your help to buying groceries and clothes and giving her clothes and buying the playpen and that sort of thing?
|
