ALS, six pages, 6 x 9, personal letterhead, March 5, 1975. Letter to a gentleman. In part: “The day John F. Kennedy was assassinated I was eating lunch alone (a very rare occasion for me) in the House Restaurant when two reporters came to my table telling me it is rumored that J.F.K. was shot and killed. They were not sure. About ten minutes later they came to my table telling me they had announced The President had been murdered. I remember what I said, ‘My God, can that happen here?’ They also told me, ‘Lyndon Johnson was seen holding one of his arms (and having in mind his earlier serious heart attack) created the rumor he had a heart attack. The Leaders and I went and saw him very shortly after he arrived in Washington. He was very serious, and terribly saddened by the tragic event. I have no knowledge why President Kennedy went to Texas. I assume he felt he should accept the invitation, but I have no knowledge about the same, or his reason or reasons for accepting it. I do not like to speculate to his reason or reasons. I was always Speaker of the House ‘next in line’ for about 14 months to the Office of the Presidency.” In a postscript signed “J. W. McC.,” he adds, “Lyndon Johnson, Sam Rayburn and I were very, very close to each other. I treasure their memory.” In fine condition, with a small area of dampstaining to the bottom of the second page (affecting only two letters of his writing). RR Auction COA.
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