“PRESIDENT KENNEDY WAS SHOT TODAY”: HISTORIC BREAKING NEWS OF THE KENNEDY ASSASSINATION ON ORIGINAL 15 ROLLED AP, UPI AND DOW JONES TELETYPE SHEETS OF 11/22/63, BEGINNING WITH REPORTS OF KENNEDY’S SPEECHES ON THE MORNING OF NOVEMBER 22ND, THROUGH TO WITNESS ACCOUNTS OF THE SHOOTING, THE SEARCH FOR OSWALD AND FUNERAL PREPARATIONS IN THE CAPITOL
(KENNEDY ASSASSINATION). Original Associated Press, United Press International and Dow Jones teletype reports of the Kennedy assassination. Dallas: Dow Jones News Service, November 22, 1963. Three items. Original typescript in blue ink on recto. One document with 15 rolled teletype sheets measuring 6 inches wide, with varying lengths from 3-33 inches, staple bound; two loose teletype rolled sheets each measuring 6 by 18 inches. Housed in a custom clamshell box.
Original Associated Press, United Press International and Dow Jones teletype bulletins with breaking news of the Kennedy assassination, beginning with coverage of Kennedy’s speeches in Fort Worth and Dallas, followed by the headline, “President Kennedy shot” as news reached the wire only minutes after AP Photographer James W. Altgens “said he heard two shots” followed by a report of the First Lady reaching for the President and crying “Oh no,” as “pandemonium broke loose around the scene.”
This extraordinary collection of original teletype bulletins records the terrible events of November 22, 1963 as breaking news collected by the Associated Press, Dow Jones and United Press International news services report the shattering events surrounding the assassination of John F. Kennedy. In addition, subsequent items record the shooting of Governor Connally, confirmation of the President’s death, witness accounts of a gun emerging from “an upper story of a warehouse” and reports of “three rifle shots,” the FBI search for a suspected gunman and the arrest of Lee Harvey Oswald, the swearing-in of Lyndon B. Johnson as the nation’s 36th President, and early plans for President Kennedy’s funeral. 17 teletype sheets of varying lengths: 15 consecutively ordered and staple bound, and two additional teletype sheets with ongoing news of the search Oswald and the closing of the Stock Exchange. Additionally included are the Dow Jones teletypes reflecting the effects of the news on the Stock Exchange. The teletypes read as follows, with only minor elisions for news items not directly related to the assassination:
[Teletype Sheet 1]
Kennedy Praises TFX Plane / Fort Worth Tex -AP- President Kennedy praised / the controversial TFX warplane today as he told / Texans their state ranks fifth in prime military contract spending / The President scheduled major speeches also / in Dallas and Austin during a busy day–He and / his wife will spend tonight at the ranch of / Vice President Johnson near Austin / Kennedy avoided direct comment on the Senate / Investigation Subcommittee-s inquiry into the / TFX–Tactical Fighter Experimental–contract / award to General Dynamics Corp-s Fort Worth / division in a speech prepared for a bi-partisan / breakfast arranged by the Fort Worth Chamber of / Commerce / He said that once the TFX is in operation it / will give the free world an aircraft that no / other on Earth can match
[Teletype Sheet 2]
Kennedy–Space Race / Fort Worth -UPI- President Kennedy said the / United States early next year will test a rocket / booster so powerful it will put the nation / far ahead of Russia in the space race–He was / referring to the Saturn Rocket Booster / The President campaigning as though it / were election time in Texas told a rain- / soaked crowd outside his hotel that the rocket / booster will be the most powerful in history / The crowd was estimated by police at 5 000 / It was the first of four speeches the Presi- / dent scheduled today on a swing through / Fort Worth Dallas and Austin the State Capital / The integrated audience cheered his call for /–concerted effort–to win success in space / -v-
[Teletype Sheet 3]
ADD–Kennedy / Dallas -AP- Kennedy also took a swipe / at Sen Harry F Byrd D-VA and others who have / criticized his economic and financial polic- / ies /–At a time when the national debt is / steadily being reduced in terms of its burden / on our economy–he said–they see that debt / as the greatest single threat to our security–/ at a time when we are steadily reducing the / number of federal employes [sic] serving every / thousand citizens they fear those supposed / hordes of civil servants more than the / actual hordes of opposing armies–/ -We cannot expect that every one to use the / phrase of a decade ago will–talk sense to the / American people–- but we can hope that fewer / people will listen to nonsense–and the notion / that this nation is headed for defeat through / deficit or that strength is but a matter of / slogans is nothing but just plaine [sic] nonsense- / -v-
[Teletype Sheet 4]
Kennedy warns ignorance in foreign / policy handicaps nation-s security / Dallas -AP- President Kennedy lashed out at / Sen Barry Goldwater R-Ariz and other Repub- / licans who he said–confuse rhetoric with / reality–/ Visiting an area where supporters are booming / Goldwater-s chances for the 1964 Republican / nomination Kennedy in his prepared speech / said that ignorance and misinformation–if all–/ owed to prevail in foreign policy handicaps / this country-s security–/ Kennedy did not specifically mention Gold- / water by name–but there was not doubt he / was talking about the Republican Senator / when he said–/–In a world of complex and continuing / problems in a world full of frustrations and / irritations America-s leadership must be guided / by the lights of learning and reason–- or / else those who confuse rhetoric with reality / and the plausible with the possible will gain / the ascendancy with their seemingly swift and / simple solutions to every world problem–
[Teletype Sheet 5]
…
President Kennedy Shot / Dallas -AP- President Kennedy was shot to / day just as his motorcade left downtown Dallas–/ Mrs. Kennedy jumped up and grabbed Mr. Kennedy–/ She cried Oh No–The motorcade spedb on [sic] / AP photographer Jeams W. Altgens said he saw / blood on the President’s head / Altgens said he heard two shots but thought / someone was shooting fireworks until he saw / the blood on the President / Altgens said he saw no one with a gun / AP reporter Jack Bell asked Kenneth O-Donnell / Presidential Assistant if Kennedy was / dead–O-Donnell gave no answer / Kennedy was reported taken to Parland [sic] Hos- / pital near the Dallas Trade Mart where / he was to have made a speech / Bell said Kennedy was transferred to an / ambulance / He lay on the seat of the car / Bell reported three shots were fired as the / motorcade entered the triple underpass which / leads to the Stemmons Freeway route to / Parkland Hospital / Pandemonium broke loose around the scene / The Secret Service waved the motorcade on / at top speed to the hospital / Even at high speed it took nearly five / minutes to get the car to the ambulance entrance / of the hospital / -v- /
Gov John B Connally of Texas also was cut–/ down by bullets / The President was slumped over in the / backseat of the car face down–Connaly [sic] lay on / hte [sic] floor of the rear seat / It was impossible to tell at once where / Kennedy was hit but bullet wounds in / Connally-s chest were plainly visible in-r / dicating [sic] the gunfire might / –were plainly visible indicating the / gunfire might possibly have come from an auto- / matic weapon / It was difficult to determine immediately / whether the First Lady and Mrs. Connally were / injured / Vice President Johnson was in a car / behind the President-s / There was no immediate sign that he was / hurt–in fact there was no evidence at all / at what might have happened to Johnson since / only the President-s car and its Secret Service / follow-up car went to the hospital / At 1 50 p m Eastern Standard Time Acting / White House Secretary Malcolm Kilduff was asked / whether the President was dead /–I have no word now–Kilduff replied /
Stock Market … /
ADD–Kennedy Shot / Dallas -AP- Rep Albert Thomas D-Tex said / he was informed President Kennedy and Gov John / Connally of Texas were both still alive after / having been shot in an assassination attempt / Thomas standing outside the corridor of / the emergency room in which both Kennedy and / Connally were under treatment said he had / been told that the President was still alive / but was–in very critical–condition /
Stock Market… /
ADD–Kennedy Shot / Dallas -AP- When the President was taken into / the emergency room a call was sent out im- / mediately for some of the top surgical special- / ists in Dallas / A call was also sent for a Roman Catholic priest / Congressman Jim Wright of Fort Worth said / both Kennedy and Connally were seriously / wounded but were alive /
Commodities / N Y -DJ- Following news that President Kennedy was shot active selling came into the / grain list / On the Cocoa Exchange trading was suspended / and later it was announced that dealings would / not be resumed until 2 15 p m / At 1 56 p m the New York Coffee & Sugar / Exchange announced trading was temporarily / suspended /
[Teletype Sheet 6]
Dow Jones… / ADD- Kennedy / Dallas -AP- The Secret Service said the / President remained in the emergency room and / the Governor was moved to the general operating / room of Parkland Hospital / Stock Market … /
ADD- Kennedy / Dallas -UPI- Mrs Kennedy apparently was / safe–Mrs Connally also was safe It appeared–/ both women were stunned / Kennedy according to a member of his staff / was still alive at 12 55 p m -CST- / Two Roman Catholic prists [sic] were summoned to / the emrgency [sic] room where the President lay / Malcolm Kilduff Acting White House Press / Secretary said that the two
priests had been /–asked for–/ Dow Jones Commodity Futures Index… /
N Y Stock Exchange Closes / For the Rest of the Day … /
ADD- Kennedy / Dallas -AP- President Kennedy was given / blood transfusions at Parkland Hospital in an / effort to save his life /
Cotton & Wool Exchanges Closed … /
ADD- Kennedy / Dallas -AP- Hospital officials said they had / given the President a transfusion of -B-posi- / tive blood from the bank and were calling for / fresh blood of that type to have it ready if / additional transfusions were needed / At 1 10 p m -CST- Mrs Lyndon Johnson was / escorted by Secret Service agents into the / emergency room where the President lay
[Teletype Sheet 7]
ADD- Kennedy / Dallas -AP- Kennedy 46 lived about an hour / after a sniper cut him down as his limousine / left downtown Dallas / Automatically the mantle of the Presidency / fell to Vice President Lyndon B Johnson who / had been riding two cars behind the Chief Ex- / ecutive / There was no immediate word on when Johnson / would take the oath of office / Gov Connally of Texas was cut down by / the same fusillade / Connally and his wife had been riding with / the President and Mrs Kennedy / Johnson was whisked away by Secret Service / men–His whereabout [sic] were being kept secret / The President was shot once in the head / Connally was struck in the head and wrist / Police found a foreign-make rifle–/ Sherriff-s [sic] officers were questioning a young / man picked up at the scene /
ADD- Kennedy / Dallas -AP- The new President Lyndon Johnson / and his wife left the hospital a half hour after / Kennedy died–Newsmen had no opportunity to / question them /
ADD- Kennedy / Dallas -AP- Kennedy died of a gunshot / wound in the brain at approximately 1 p m / -CST- according to an announcement by Acting / White House Press Secretary Malcolm / Kilduff /–It was a simple matter of a bullet right / through the head–said Dr. George Burkley / White House Medical Officer / Sen Yarborough said he counted three rifle / shots as the Presidential limousine left / downtown Dallas through a triple underpass / One witness said he saw a gun emerge from / an upper story of a warehouse commanding an / unobstructed view of the presidential car /
ADD- Johnson / Dallas -UPI- Traveling behind a police / escort with his wife Ladybird Johnson headed / under heavy guard for seclusion somewhere in / midtown Dallas / Presumably Johnson and his staff will go / right to work on plans for taking a formal oath / of office to succeed the slain President / …
ADD- Kennedy / Dallas -AP- It was believed that Kennedy-s / body would be moved shortly to Washington / Traditionally funeral services for / presidents who die in office are held in the / capital city / Kilduff told newsmen that Gov Connally a / Democrat was wounded in the right chest in / the same ambush that felled the President / Connally was taken into surgery for a two- / hour emergency operation / Kilduff said Johnson was not wounded / Connally-s doctors said that while the / Governor–was not out of the woods his vital / signs were good–/ The doctors said Connally had a good pulse and / that his respiration was satisfactory
[Teletype Sheet 8]
Lyndon Johnson Not Hurt / Dallas Tex -AP- Mrs Lyndon Johnson said / after a visit to the emergency operating room / today the Vice President–is fine–/ She was taken back into another first floor / room where Johnson originally had gone / Asked if her husband also had been wounded / she shook her head negatively / Secret Service men pushed reporters away and / permitted no more questions / -V- /
FBI Pressed Investigation / of Assassination Attempt / Washn -AP- Director J Edgar Hoover of the FBI / telephoned the Dallas FBI office and ordered an / all-out investigation of the attempt today on / the lives of President Kennedy and Gov John Connally of Texas / -v- /
Bond Trading Ceases … /
ADD- Kennedy / Dallas -AP- There still was no immediate / word on the extent of the wounds suffered by / the 46-year-old Chief Executive and the / Governor / A Father Huber of Holy Trinity Church in / Dallas administered the Last Sacrament of the / Church to the President shortly before 1 p m / -CST-
[Teletype Sheet 9]
Ottawa -DJ- Prime Minister Pearson in the / Canadian House of Commons expressed the sympathy / of the Commons and all Canada on the–heart- / breaking tragedy–of the President’s assassination / He was joined by all leaders of opposition / parties / Mr Pearson paid high tribute to the U S / President / -v- / …
ADD- Johnson Sworn In / Dallas -UPI- Mr Johnson became the 36th / President of the U S at 2 39 pm Central Standard / Time / The plane marked Air Force 1 was still / parked where it had landed to bring President / Kennedy to Dallas this morning / -v-
[Teletype Sheet 10]
ADD- Kennedy / Dallas -AP- Dr Malcolm Perry Attendant Sur- / geon at Parkland Hospital who attended Presi- / dent Kennedy said the President had wounds of / the neck and head / When asked if possibly the wounds could have / been made by two bullets he said he did not / know / A tracheotomy was performed to assist the / President-s breathing / The doctor said an oxygen machine was / used and blood and fluid also were administered / An electrocardiograph machine was attached / to record any heart beat / When asked to specify Perry said the / entrance wound was in the front of the head / -v- /
Johnson Sworn in as President / Dallas -AP- Lyndon B Johnson was sworn in as / President of the United States at about 1 38 / pm -CST- / The oats [sic] was administered by U S District / Judge Sarah T Hughes / Johnson took the oats [sic] aboard the Presidential / plane at Dallas Love Field / He was preparing to fly to Washington to / take over the government
[Teletype Sheet 11]
ADD- Johnson Sworn In / Dallas -AP- Present at the Swearing-in / were Mrs Kennedy and Mrs Johnson several staff / members and several congressmen / Johnson asked as many of the White House / people as possible to crowd into the executive / suite of the plane to witness the ceremony / The Presidential plane took off immediate [sic] / for Washington with Johnson Mrs Johnson and / Mrs Kennedy and some White House aides aboard / …
ADD- Kennedy / Dallas Tex -AP- The Dallas Police Department / today arrested a 24-year-old man Lee H Oswald / in connection with the slaying of a Dallas / policeman shortly after President Kennedy was / assassinated / He was also being interrogated to see if / he had any connection with the slaying of the / President / Oswald was pulled screaming and yelling from / the Texas theater in the Oak Cliff section of / Dallas–He brandished a pistol which officers / took away from him after a scuffle / Police had to hold back crowds that quickly / congregated because many apparently connected / the arrested man with the slaying of the Pres- / ident
[Teletype Sheet 12]
Kennedy–Reactions
Albany N Y -AP- Gov Nelson a Rockefeller called President Kennedy-s death–a shocking / and terrible tragedy–today and cancelled a / political trip to New Hampshire that had been / scheduled to begin Sunday / The Governor had planned to campaign in New / Hampshire through Tuesday as part of his bid / to win the Republican Presidential Preference / Primary in that state next March 10 / -v- /
NY -DJ- Keith Funston President of the / New York Stock Exchange said–/–The death of our President by assassination / is a great tragedy for the nation–I know I / speak for every member of the Exchange community / in expressing our deep sense of personal loss / -v-
[Teletype Sheet 13]
Connally in Serious Condition / Dallas -AP- Gov Connally of Texas was / described this afternoon as being in–very / very serious but not critical–condition / Julian Read an aide to Connally said / Connally suffered three wounds–- one in the / right arm one in the right leg and one in the / back that pierced his body / Julian said Connally had been in surgery an / hour and probably would be there for another / hour / -v-
[Teletype Sheet 14]
Senate Adjourns Session / Washn -AP- The Senate adjourned until noon / Monday after a prayer by its Chaplain for / President Kennedy killed in Dallas Tex / The House was not in session / The President-s younger brother Sen Edward / M Kennedy D-Mass was presiding over the Sen- / ate when he received word of the shooting / He went immediately to his office but left there almost / immediately–His staff said they do not know / where he had gone / Atty Gen Robert F Kennedy the President-s / other brother and closest adviser was having / lunch at home when word of his brother-s / shooting reached him / All activity at the White House–- / as apparently in every office of the govern- / ment–- came swiftly to a stop when news of the ambush shooting in Dallas arrived
Six of Cabinet Away / Washn -AP- Six members of President Kennedy-s / Cabinet were out of the country flying to Japan / when the President was killed today / An hour and a half out of Honolulu the / secretaries were advised of the killing and im- / mediately turned back–They were expected to / speed back to Washington / The party was on the way to a meeting with / members of the Japanese Cabinet / In the party were Secretary of State Rusk / Secretary of Commerce Hodges Secretary of / Labor Wirtz Secretary of the Interior Udall / and Secretary of Agriculture Freeman with their / wives / Others aboard were Walter Heller Chairman / of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers / and Mrs Heller White House Press Secretary / Salinger and Robert Manning Assistant Sec- / retary of State for Public Affairs /
ADD- Kennedy / Dallas -AP- LT Frich Kaminski of the Secret / Service Bureau said the assassin’s weapon / appears to have been a–high-powered Army of / Japanese rifle of about 25 caliber–- The / rifle had a scope on it he said / The entire building where the sniper was / located was evacuated–People were working in / the building at the time of the shooting / Allas [sic] Police Inspector J H Sawyer / said–Police found the remains of fried / chicken and paper on the fifth floor–apparent- / ly the person had been there quite awhile [sic] / After Kennedy was shot the President-s / Secret Service driver raced away from the scene / heading for the nearest hospital and trying to / get the Presidential party out of range of / further gunfire / The transparent plastic roof of the vehicle / had been removed for the motorcade / Secret Service agents riding with the President and in a second convertible following / close behind immediately drew pistols and / automatic weapons–but they were unable to / get a shot at the gunman
[Teletype Sheet 15]
Police Holding–Prime Suspect–/ in Kennedy Assassination / Dallas -UPI- Police today said Lee H Oswald / identified as chairman of a–Fair Play for / Cuba Committee–was the prime suspect in the / assassination of President Kennedy / Police said Oswald 24 was accused in the / slaying of a Dallas policeman shortly after / the shooting of the President / Police Capt Pat Gannaway said the suspect / was an employe [sic] in the building where a rifle / was found / Gannaway said the suspect had visited Russia / and was married to a Russian–This was not / immediately confirmed / The suspect was the man cornered and seized / in a movie theater in the Oak Cliff section / soon after the assassination–He had killed / a police officer before he was subdued/
ADD- Kennedy / Washn -AP- President Kennedy’s body will / lie in state at the White House tomorrow / House Speaker McCormack announced / McCormack said he thinks the body will be / taken to the Capitol Sunday to remain in the / Great Rotunda until about noon Monday / Further plans are indefinite but is [sic] is / understood the actual funeral services will be / held in Boston / Pentagon officials expect the funeral to be / a full dress state ceremony and preparations / are going ahead on that assumption / -v- / …
[Single Teletype Sheet, 16]
American Exch Closes… /
Coffee & Sugar Trading Suspended … /
Add- NYSF / NY -DJ- Keith Funston President of the / N Y Stock Exchange explained that the action / to close the Exchange was taken because of the / heavy flood of orders which came to the floor / moments after the announcement of the attempt / on the President-s life / When the news was first received trading in / individual stocks had to be suspended / Shortly thereafter the Board met and / suspended all trading /
Add- Stock Trading Halted / Chgo -DJ- The Midwest Stock Exchange also / has suspended trading / -v- /
San Fran -DJ- The Pacific Coast Stock / Exchange suspended trading–until further / notice–/ -v- / When the N Y Stock Exch Governors halted / trading the stock tape was 20 minutes behind / the trading on the floor / …
ADD- Kennedy / Dallas -UPI- An assistant to Gov Connally / said he talked to the Governor in the / hospital operating room–he said the Governor / was shot just below the shoulder blade in / the back / He asked Connally how it happened and the / Governor said /–I don-t know I guess from the back–They / got the President too–/ -v- …
[Single Teletype Sheet, 17]
Priests Say Kennedy Dead / Dallas -AP- Two priests who were with Kennedy say he is dead of bullet wounds /
ADD- Kennedy Dragnet / Dallas -AP- Initial reports to police / gave a sketchy description of a young man / believed to have been the gunman / They began a search for a white man about / 30 /
Add- Kennedy Dead / Washn -AP- Government sources said today / that President Kennedy is dead /
Add- Kennedy Dragnet / Dallas -AP- The FBI began a search for a / white man about 30 years of age of slender / build and weighing about 165 pounds–He is / believed to be the gunman / Police believed he had fired on the / Presidential party with a 30-30 rifle / …
SEC asks Halt in Over-Counter Trade…
Only light edge-wear to rolled sheets. A near-fine, rare and chilling record of the earliest accounts by witnesses and reporters of the Kennedy assassination.