"In Her Own Words" by Dodi Smith
The following is a never before told interview featuring a first hand account of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. The interview was conducted by Daniel Zanoza, Executive Director, RFFM.org
EDITOR'S NOTE: Dodi Smith is a grandmother who resides somewhere in Texas. For obvious reasons, which will be revealed in her answers, we have taken every attempt to respect her wishes for privacy. Mrs. Smith may consider answering some of the comments that may be posted after her story on RFFM.org.
Q. In 1963, John F. Kennedy planned a political trip to Texas. Political advisors told him he needed to shore up his support in Texas because there were very powerful people who didn't care for his presidency, to put it lightly. How long before November 22nd did you know the President was coming to Dallas? And, if you can recall, how did you learn he would be there? Was it common knowledge?
A. Before we begin answering questions, Dan, let me say this: this was a day I will remember all of my life. It remains in my mind as though it happened yesterday. It was a day that began with such joy and suddenly the whole nation was saddened, not just Dallas and the Texas civilization.
I first heard the President was coming to Dallas thru the radio, and then reading the Dallas Morning Star approximately a week before President Kennedy came. And, like most people, I talked with others in the east Texas town I was living in at the time. I was overjoyed to think that our President was coming to Texas, to actually meet the people and be a part of this state for a day.
Q. What was the political atmosphere in Dallas regarding President Kennedy? It was common knowledge there was an underlining mistrust towards the Kennedy administration by some. Was this negative feeling towards Kennedy palpable or has this been overplayed over the years in your opinion?
A. You know as well as I do that there is always a mistrust between the two parties that run this country, there are always rumors of discourse one way or another in these groups. One trying to out do and smear the work of the other, but among the people there was very little discourse. Everyone you came in contact with from east Texas to far west Texas were talking about how wonderful it was that the President was coming to Texas and they would be able to see him in person. I truly think this negative feeling toward the Kennedy administration had been overplayed to the public and used to further the discourse between parties.
Q. On the day Kennedy visited Dallas, one of the major Dallas newspapers featured a full page ad with a "Wanted" poster which presented John Kennedy as a criminal of the state. Did you see this ad?
A. I personally did not see this ad, I believe it ran in publication in the Dallas Morning Star. But it was common knowledge that this paper was a Republican-orientated paper and, remember, President Kennedy was a Democrat...so let your imagination run on this. I do know that people, the common man and woman on the street who saw it and talked with me, were quite upset that a prominent paper would run such an ad as this. I believe they ran it under the heading of "TREASON"...and, Mr., that is going a little too far, even in the political world, if there is no proof.
Q. You obviously knew the route of the motorcade. This information has played a significant role in the debate over whether there was a conspiracy to murder the President. Do you recall how and when you found out about the motorcade route?
A. I am not sure after 40+ years I remember how or when I learned of the motorcade route. I do remember that before I left my east Texas home near Tyler I had learned that the route was to be down Main Street to the Stemmons Freeway, only when I got there it was common knowledge that it had been changed and now would be going down Main Street to Houston, past the Court House, making a right for a short distance, then a left onto Elm Street and past the Texas Book Depository Building, right near that turn. I heard some saying they had decided to re-route the motorcade as you could not get onto Stemmons Freeway off Main, which amazed us all. Why? Because it was not true, it was an easy exit off Main to Stemmons. If this was not common knowledge of the change, then why was there so many people on Elm Street and the Grassy Knoll...have to use your imagination on this I would presume.
Q. Where were you waiting in preparation for the arrival of the Presidential motorcade?
A. I was on the Grassy Knoll to the right of the Book Building, in front of the Stockyard Fence. Many people were gathered here, it was like sardines packed in a can, children were playing, adults were talking, awaiting the time to see the President and the First Lady, explaining to their children how this would be a day in history, if only they had known at that time how important a part of our history it would become, I often wonder what they would have been explaining.
Q. What was the atmosphere in Dealey Plaza? Were people excited about the President's coming? Was there a big crowd? Did you feel anything in the air that wasn't positive?
A. You know I am always surprised at that question about the atmosphere or reading about it in some paper that is recalling the visit. I saw no negative reaction to this visit, people were smiling, happy, talking about how wonderful it was to think that the President was here in Texas. Many had come from far away West Texas, Houston, The Big Bend country, some from Louisiana and Oklahoma, and each showed excitement, not unrest. The streets were lined with people, many shoulder to shoulder. There just was no negative feelings I saw or felt at the time, just pure joy and happiness.
Q. Tell RFFM.org readers what you thought when you first saw the presidential motorcade coming down Houston Street before the motorcade turned down Elm Street, and headed past the Texas School Book Depository.
A. Through my binoculars I saw the motorcade with the police escort turn off Houston Street onto Elm Street, knowing it had first come from Main Street to Houston where it made its first right hand turn, then left onto Elm from Houston. It came past the Texas School Book Depository Building, coming to the Grassy Knoll to the right of the building.
Q. Did anything strike you as unusual, before there were any obvious problems? If so, please elaborate.
A. I saw no obvious problems, the motorcade was moving along very nicely, at a slow rate of speed, the President was waving, as was Mrs. Kennedy and the Governor and Ms. Nell, all smiles on their faces. The Secret Service car and men were right there with them and a couple or three cars further down was Vice-President and Mrs. Johnson, smiling and waving to the many crowds who were whistling and waving.
Q. Some say when Kennedy's motorcade turned left onto Elm Street, the Secret Service fell behind in their effort to protect the occupants of the limousine. We know the "bubble top" was off the car. Did the Secret Service seem to fall away from the Presidential vehicle?
A. Let me answer it this way: If the Secret Service fell behind on this turn, how was it that they were the first to get to Mrs. Kennedy as she realized her husband was hurt and we saw her crawl over the back of the car pulling one of the men into the car, immediately after the President had been shot. Dan, they were right there where they were supposed to be. Remember, President Kennedy was not shot at as he passed the Book Depository Building, he was shot in front of the Grassy Knoll past the building a good many feet. I have never understood how "high up" people keep pushing the point he was shot as he passed the Depository, he was not. He definitely was shot at the grassy knoll.
Q. What was the first indication you had that something was wrong?
A. I heard screams behind me and sounds like gunshots, then a whizzing sound as something passed close by me. I turned and look behind me at the Stockyard Fence where it seemed to becoming from. I quickly turned back to the motorcade and saw our President jerk his head backwards and then to the left toward Mrs. Kennedy, and the next thing I saw was Mrs. Kennedy trying to pull a Secret Service man into the car from over the back of their car. Then the police escort pulled away fast and moved the motorcade at a fast rate of speed towards town. We, on the knoll, just stood there in shock, wandering what was going on. Why were shots being fired from behind us.
Q. Did you actually see the President take any of the shots that eventually led to his death?
A. At the time, Dan, I was not sure what I heard or saw. First, it was the sound of guns being fired, remember, I am a country raised girl, familiar with guns and rifles, and then the President seeming to jerk backwards and then to the left, Mrs. Kennedy pulling him down. Like everyone else I was not sure what was going on, I only know the motorcade speeded up immediately and was gone, out of site, and Secret Service men were covering the Vice-President and Mrs. Johnson as they sped by.
Q. RFFM.org readers know this must be hard on you. But, in our phone conversation, you told me you saw President Kennedy's wife, Jackie, doing something as the motorcade was passing directly in front of you. What was she doing?
A. As the motorcade passed in front of us on the knoll, Mrs. Kennedy had pulled the president down in the back and was climbing over the back of the car to help a Secret Service man into it. She was desperately pulling him.
Q. In general, what was going on in Dealey Plaza directly after the motorcade started to speed up and head towards Parkland Hospital? Was there confusion? Were people in fear? Were you in fear? Did those present know the President had been shot at?
A. As we saw the motorcade speed up and Mrs. Kennedy climbing over the backseat to help pull the Secret Service man in, we were asking each other what was going on. Were those shots we heard behind us, the same we felt and heard whizzing past? Had the President been shot from what we could see of his head in his wife's lap? I was using my binoculars and could see that there was blood and something coming from his head, and Mrs. Kennedy kept trying to push something back in. There was fear everywhere, you could actually smell it among the crowd. In my heart, I knew someone had tried to kill our President, I did not know how true my feelings would become. All I could think in my fear was why? And I am still asking that question 40 something years later. And I wonder why our government has turned its head away from so many of the details, and twisted and turned the event, until no one who wasn't there knows the truth of that day. It will live with me forever, and the fear I have of the government knocking on my door someday if they ever find out who I am. I will not be a part of the sham they have made of this investigation and their twisted details. Others who came forward have lived in disbelief of how our government has worked on this and the decisions they have made, so far from the truth of the happenings.
Q. Did you hear any shots? And, if you did, could you tell with any certainty where they were coming from?
A. Oh, yes. I heard two distinctive shots, one whizzing close by me. Those shots did not come from the depository building which was to the left of me, they came from behind me, from the Stockyard Fence. If I remember correctly, one of those shots hit the grassy knoll just in front of us.
Q. Were people pointing or running to a certain area, after it was clear something had happened?
A. All around me people had turned and were looking behind us, pointing toward the fence and were running to the left and right of the fence, as though they were trying to get out of the site of the firings. I know one man was injured from flying debris or something from one of the shots. I never knew who he was, though.
Q. What was the reaction of the police you saw? Did they seem to have an idea of where the shots came from?
A. The police acted immediately upon notification from the Secret Service and moved the motorcade out quickly. At the time, no one knew where the shots came from, but shortly afterwards cameras and film was being taken from people on that knoll.
Q. Did you hear any more shots besides the ones that came from behind the fence bordering the grassy knoll?
A. I distinctly heard two shots from behind me and they were not cars backfiring, there is a difference, if you know your guns, rifles and cars, and a sound like a third shot, but coming from a different direction, which I thought was coming directly across from the knoll. I have never been sure on that one, just that feeling of hearing it.
Q. Were you questioned by any authorities on November 22nd 1963 in Dallas' Dealey Plaza? Did you see anyone else being questioned?
A. No, Dan, I have never been questioned by the authorities. I have made myself as little known to them about this as possible, for I do not trust them or their findings on this matter. I had at one time thought of coming forward until I saw and read of their negative reaction to those who did, and how the events were being twisted and turned, as though they were making a movie and changing the scenario to fit their screen. I did not see anyone being questioned that day as I left, but I did see men taking cameras and film from the people.
Q. You said the authorities were confiscating cameras and film from people around you. Besides your binoculars, did you bring a camera with you? Many witnesses claim they never got their cameras back and, if they did, their film was missing. Do you have any first hand stories about this?
A. I did see the cameras and films being taken, as I stated previously, but I never had first hand knowledge and what developed after that. I had failed to take my camera that day, only my binoculars. No one stopped me as I left the knoll.
Q. How long did you stay in Dealey Center after the shooting of the President, Governor Connelly and a third man--who was standing somewhere near the viaduct which led to the expressway?
A. I am not sure how long I did stay, Dan. I know that we milled around, talking in crowds, trying to figure out what was going on, then I left. I had to return to my east Texas town, get my children from school and pick up my three year old who was at the plant that day with his daddy, playing manager with him. My husband managed a plant in our town and offered to keep our son with him so I could go to Dallas for this event.
Q. It was obviously a traumatic day for you and the rest of the country. Could you sum up your thoughts regarding what you saw on a day when America's future was changed? And could you add any information I may have failed to address here?
A. It was indeed a traumatizing day, not only for me, but the whole world, Dan, and especially the United States. We had read of such things in history, but it just could not happen again in our world. Oh, how wrong we can look at things. It took me days to realize the chaos and confusion of our government in the previous assassinations that had been taught in history classes. To accept that this kind of hate, fear or whatever it was that caused this to happen in our country blew my mind. Where did it come from, what caused it, how did it start, when did it start and how did it lead to killing the President kept whirling in my mind. I still find myself asking these questions even now. WHY? I know in my heart it will happen again and again if this world continues as it is now. Will we ever know the truth or will the future accept the government's version as truth and let it go down in history as such? Why was Oswald murdered by Ruby so soon? How did Ruby, a known mobster in the Dallas area, get near enough to Oswald that day to murder him, while he was surrounded by detectives? Was it to stop the truth from ever being known?
Dan, I wonder about these questions everyday of my life and, like most, I would like to know the reason our government has put such a spin on this assassination, so far from the truth of that day and its happening. My prayer now is that God will never let this happen, anywhere in the world. But in truth I know it will and nothing we do will stop it, and nothing we do will keep the government from taking over and make decisions that are so different than the actions. It has made me distrust our structure of leadership in this country. The questions never go away. And I wonder, at the age of 75, will I live to see this happen again and I pray not.
I have to admit it has not been easy reliving that day like this, even if I do live it everyday of my life these past 40+ years. I just want the country to know the truth, but the government is not going to let it and it makes you wonder why. Was there a conspiracy? We will never know, but all true facts do point to that, don't they?
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