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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. XIV - Page 426« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Earl Ruby Resumed)

Mr. Griffin.
Would you want to look at that and tell us if there are any changes or corrections that you would care to make?
Mr. Ruby.
Here on page 2 it mentioned that I had never heard of Jack being mentally ill or depressed. However, I know he was depressed several years ago.
Mr. Griffin.
Did you know that at the time you gave that interview report, gave that interview?
Mr. Ruby.
Yes; I knew he was depressed but I didn't understand it completely. I didn't know that it was called depression at that time.
Mr. Griffin.
How did it appear, how would you have described .it at that time?
Mr. Ruby.
Well, that he wouldn't shave and he wouldn't bathe, and he wouldn't go out, but at that time I didn't know what it was called. But after thinking it over, when he came up to Chicago once, he was terribly depressed, as I stated before.
Mr. Griffin.
How would you have described him at the time you saw him--what would you have said was the matter with him?
Mr. Ruby.
Well, I was just--let me see what words I can use to describe it--I would have said he was disgusted, not knowing that actually he was depressed until I really learned what the word "depressed" means.
Mr. Griffin.
Was his attitude one more of hostility or belligerence toward what had happened rather than one of submission?
Mr. Ruby.
No; it was one of submission. He wouldn't go any places as I stated. He didn't want to wash or clean himself up and I had to more or less force him to get in the shower and things of that sort.
Mr. Griffin.
What about the things he said, though. Were these you used the term "disgust"--did he speak in the manner of someone who was disgusted would speak?
Mr. Ruby.
Well, he didn't even have much to say, if I recall. He didn't even have much to say. He tried to keep to himself.
Mr. Griffin.
Where did he live at that time?
Mr. Ruby.
I mean in my presence. In other words, he would go in another room or sit in a chair and just sit there without making--just thinking to himself about whatever was going through his mind. He was listless.
Mr. Griffin.
Were you married at that time?
Mr. Ruby.
Yes, I was married.
Mr. Griffin.
Did Jack come and live with you?
Mr. Ruby.
No, no.
Mr. Griffin.
Where did he live at the time?
Mr. Ruby.
He came to the family and that is where I came to see him. In fact, he was so depressed that I took him to try to cheer him up, I had to go to New York for a business trip, a show that was taking place there and I took him for a ride, .we were driving anyhow. and I thought it would pep him up a little bit, you know, to go on a trip. But it didn't help much.
Mr. Griffin.
Was your attitude toward him this time one of sympathy or couldn't you figure out what was eating this guy?
Mr. Ruby.
No; I would say he was. I just thought he was disgusted with things, little realizing that he was in a state of depression.
Mr. Griffin.
But were you sympathetic toward him at the time?
Mr. Ruby.
Oh, yes; as I said, that is why I took him on the trip. I tried to encourage him. I told him "Maybe we can find something for you to get into," as I mentioned before, "Some business we can get you started in or something."
However, 'he decided, as I stated before, to go back to Dallas.
Mr. Griffin.
Did he ever tell you why he decided to go back to Dallas?
Mr. Ruby.
I don't recall, he may have, but I can't recall just now.
I see another, the last paragraph on page 2. I didn't even remember that conversation with the agent.
Mr. Griffin.
Would you read the paragraph?
Mr. Ruby.
It states here, "Earl Ruby was specifically asked regarding his residence in New Haven, Conn., in 1940. He has stated that he had never been in New Haven, Corm, in his life and in that period was engaged in the drycleaning business on Cicero Avenue in Chicago."
Mr. Griffin.
Is that statement a correct statement?
Mr. Ruby.
When we were selling we used to travel the east coast but I would
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