Mrs. Viola Peterman, 1012 Bartholomew Street, New Orleans, La., after first being duly sworn, testified as follows:

Mr. Jenner.

This is Mrs. Mildred Peterman, is that right?

Mrs. Peterman.

No; that's Milfred.

Mr. Jenner.

Milfred?

Mrs. Peterman.

Yes; that's M-i-l-f-r-e-d. That's my husband's name.

Mr. Jenner.

It's Mrs. Milfred Peterman?

Mrs. Peterman.

That's correct.

Mr. Jenner.

What is your given name, Mrs. Peterman?

Mrs. Peterman.

Viola.

Mr. Jenner.

Is that V-i-o-l-a?

Mrs. Peterman.

Yes.

Mr. Jenner.

You received a letter recently from Mr. Rankin; is that correct?

Mrs. Peterman.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

The general counsel of the Warren Commission?

Mrs. Peterman.

Yes.

Mr. Jenner.

There was enclosed with the letter three documents, weren't there?

Mrs. Peterman.

Yes.

Mr. Jenner.

One was the Senate Joint resolution authorizing the creation of the Presidential Commission to investigate the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy; another was the Executive order of President Johnson appointing that Commission and fixing its powers and its duties, and the other was a copy of the rules and regulations under which we take depositions, such as this one, and have testimony before the Commission; is that right?

Mrs. Peterman.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

Do you understand from those documents, Mrs. Peterman, that the Commission is directed by the President to investigate the facts and circumstances surrounding the assassination of President Kennedy?

Mrs. Peterman.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

In that connection, we of the Commission's legal staff, in addition to presenting evidence before the Commission itself, are deposing various people around the country whose lives came into contact with Lee Harvey Oswald and with other individuals involved, or possibly involved, in the assassination, and we understand that you have some information that might be helpful to us; is that right, Mrs. Peterman?

Mrs. Peterman.

Well, I can only tell you what I know.

Mr. Jenner.

That's all we ask, Mrs. Peterman. First, let me ask, are you a native of this part of the country?

Mrs. Peterman.

Yes; New Orleans, La.

Mr. Jenner.

You were born here?

Mrs. Peterman.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Jenner.

And was your husband likewise born here?

Mrs. Peterman.

Yes.

Mr. Jenner.

And what is his business or occupation?

Mrs. Peterman.

Well, he's retired now. He was taking care of the building and things over at LSU, but he retired last year.

Mr. Jenner.

He retired last year?

Mrs. Peterman.

Yes; since March last year.

Mr. Jenner.

Now, I understand you were acquainted with Marguerite Oswald, mother of Lee Oswald; is that right?

Mrs. Peterman.

Yes; she lived right next door to me, at 1010 Bartholomew. I live at 1012 Bartholomew, but, gee, that was 23 years ago that they lived there.

Mr. Jenner.

She lived at 1010 Bartholomew, right next door to you?

Mrs. Peterman.

Yes.

Mr. Jenner.

How long have you lived at 1012 Bartholomew, Mrs. Peterman?

Mrs. Peterman.

Well, let's see--I moved there in 1941; that's been 23 years ago that I moved there.

Mr. Jenner.

Was she already living there when you moved there?

Mrs. Peterman.

Yes; she was there, I would say, well, it couldn't have been more than a month before we moved there, because both of the houses was sold