Two original United Press International teletype rolls reporting the breaking news of the death of President John F. Kennedy following his assassination in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963. The first, measuring approximately 8.5 x 49.5, consists of bulletins UPR79 through UPR94, offering accounts of the shooting in Dallas and immediate reactions and aftermath, during a period of time where President Kennedy's ultimate fate was uncertain. The second, measuring approximately 8.5 x 29, carries UPR 171 and UPR172, documenting world leaders' reactions to Kennedy's death and offering a summary of the day's events, culminating in the arrest of Lee Harvey Oswald. Highlights are as follows:
UPR79: "President Kennedy's mother and father have been advised that their son was shot in Dallas."
UPR80: "Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy apparently is safe. It also appears Mrs. Connally was not injured. Mr. Kennedy, according to a member of his staff, was still alive at 1:55 EST."
UPR81: "Minutes after President Kennedy was shot, stocks moved actively lower."
UPR82: "President Kennedy has been shot. He is perhaps fatal. The President and Texas Governor John Connally were cut down by assassin's bullets as they toured downtown Dallas in an open car. The President's body was limp…cradled in the arms of his wife. He was rushed to Parkland Hospital. The Governor also was taken there. A call went out for top surgical specialists. A Roman Catholic priest was sent for…Congressman Jim Wright of Fort Worth said both the President and Connally were seriously wounded but were still alive. Blood was spattered over the White House car. Mr. Kennedy was slumped over the back seat. Connally lay on the floor of the rear seat. Mrs. Kennedy apparently was not hurt…Witnesses said there were three loud bursts of gunfire. Motorcycle police escorting the President quickly leaped from their bikes and raced up a grassy hill."
UPR84: "Some Secret Service agents thought the shots came from an automatic weapon. It was impossible to tell where the President was hit…but the Governor had plainly visible wounds in his chest…indicating the shots came from an automatic weapon."
UPR86: "Although Dallas is regarded as a center of strong political opposition to Mr…the heavy street crowds were overwhelmingly friendly…but there were a few anti-Kennedy placards. There was one report that the President was wounded in the head. Mrs. Kennedy was heard to scream as she reached for her husband."
UPR87: "At 2:12 P.M. EST a special carton of blood, apparently for transfusion purposes, was rushed into the emergency ward. Two Dallas police officers carried the carton."
UPR91: "A Father Huber, of Holy Trinity Church in Dallas administered the last sacrament of the Church to the President. The sacrament was administered shortly before 2 P.M. EST. Another priest, who declined to give his name, said the chief executive was still alive at the time. Sheriff's officers took a young man into custody at the scene and questioned him behind closed doors."
UPR93: "Malcolm Kilduff, an assistant press secretary, said he 'cannot say' whether the president is alive 'cannot say where he was hit.' He said 'there are too many stories.'"
UPR171: "Former President Harry Truman says the assassination of President Kennedy is a great loss to the entire country. Mr. Truman said the late president was able… loved and trusted. Mrs. Truman says her husband was so shocked by the news he was unable to make a statement for four hours after the assassination…Sir Winston Churchill says Mr. Kennedy's loss to the United States and the world cannot be calculated. The former British Prime Minister says those who follow Mr. Kennedy must strive to achieve the ideals to which he dedicated his presidency."
UPR172: "John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was shot and killed today in Dallas by a snipers bullet. Police have arrested 24-year-old Lee H. Oswald as a prime suspect. The 46-year-old chief executive was parading in an open car with Texas Governor John Connally and their wives when the assassin struck. Mr. Kennedy was mortally wounded at about 12:31 P.M…He died at Parkland Hospital about one-half hour later. His wife, Jacqueline, cradled the blood head of her husband in her arms during the frantic but futile dash to the hospital…Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President in a somber ceremony about an hour and one-half later. The swearing in took place aboard the presidential plane. The oath was administered while Mrs. Kennedy stood at the left of the new president…The fatal shot apparently came from the window of the Texas School Book Depository building along the parade route. A Mauser rifle was found on the fifth floor. Three empty shells were nearby. The 'prime suspect,' Oswald, was arrested in a movie theater."
Folded and in fine condition.
