LADIES' HOME JOURNAL BOOK BO NUS NOVEMBER, 1968 The. hands of The clock on the wall"at Park- 13, a hospital cubicle 35 feet Mari had come to Parkland with Aand Memorial Hospihil in Dallas were at rcx-im in which lianedy's the tragic Kennedy motorcade. 12:46 P.M, when Sere". Service agent Rey side that room; Dr. Kemp Clark t Service man hem Johns reached Kellerman came, ,into the emergency room death certificate and gave it to hi sPital he. kept asking people, "Are you where a team of doctors had been laboring to personal physician, Dr. George B Bag Man?" Finally, Johns located Gear- save the life of President John F. Kennedy. A an FBI man grabbed Parkland's rtand ordered him to hurry to the side of Sheet had been pulled up over Kennedy's head tor, Jack Price, and .said: "Don' Vice President. But during the• eight as he tay on a table..The sheet wasn't long body kmow what time the President mutes that elapsed between the time the enough. The President's Shinbones and feet security." cars arrived at Parkland and the moment gleamed under the overhead light. Keller- A few minutes before, -Kennedy aide Ken- Johns found Gearhart, no one knew where Ulan looked at Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy, neth O'Donnell had peered in at the the Bag Man was—or who he was. And the who sat in the outer room. He looked at Johnsons. "It looks had," O'Donnell had Bag Man didn't know where the President the doctors, and at the white-shrouded body said, "perhaps fatal. I'll keep you in- was—or who he was. If there was ever a time on the table. K.-tiler-man went hack out into formed.- But Johnson had not been in- when the United States could not retaliate the hall and ordered a fellow agent, Clint Hill, formed. INciw, with KeiMedy dead, who instantaneously to a nuclear attack, these to telephone Gerald Balm, chief of the Secret commanded the power of the United States? were the minutes. Service's White House 'detail in Washington. For one thing, where was the Bag Man, U.S. The Bag Man hurried to Johnson in Booth Kellernian said, "tell Jerry that Army Warrant Officer Ira Gearhart? Gear- 13, but the Secret Service men didn't know this is not for release and not official, but the hart was never supposed to be more than a him and couldn't identify him. They saw man is dead." few seconds from the side of the President, him with the satchel, and shoved him into While Kennedy's death was known to a because inside his attache case with its safe Booth 8, where he remained under the watch- select few, it was not known to Kennedy's dial was the electronic apparatus with which ful eye of an agent until Emory Roberts of successor, ,Vice President Lyndon Baines the PreSident could call, in Code, for a nuclear the Secret Service came in- and verified hint

• Johnson, seated with Mrs. Johnson in Booth attack. as the Bag Man.

"THE DAY DIED" BY JIM BISHOP Never before had Lyndon Johnson told how he felt and what really happened to him on that catastrophic day when he was suddenly President. Now, he has confided in Jim Bishop, author of "The Day Christ Died" and "The Day Lincoln Was Shot." It was an anguished, historic confrontation: "I am grateful to President Johnson for a private interview on the assassination," says Mr. Bishop. "It was the first time he had discussed it and, from the manner in which it affected him, it may be the last."

COPyriCht t964 by JS, bishes. From Ole hook u- r.. Dtl.y Kennedy Was Shot" to he published by Funk b Wagnslls. PhOlObeeplo by Mark Shaw

151 Had anyone told Johnson that the frightful Roberts and Youngblood. It had one patient. decision to launch a nuclear counterattack He was taken out at once. The room had a was now his? Had Major General Chester V. small window. The shades were drawn. It Clifton, Kennedy's military aide, told the would hardly be called a room. There were a Vice President that it was now within his dozen or more cubicles in one blue-tiled room. power—with that Bag—to dial any one of This was the one farthest from the door, and several types of attack? Did Johnson know? it was screened by sheets on poles. Roberts Had anyone ever briefed him on these awe- told Youngblood to remain with the Vice some and irrevocable decisions? President, and guards were posted at the door. No. The United States of America stood, Revolvers were drawn there and outside. for a little time, naked. The men around Roberts convinced Youngblood and the Vice Kennedy had kept the secrets'of power from President that, at the moment, no one knew Lyndon Johnson. He knew there was a Bag. whether this was a widespread plot to assassi- He knew there was a man several booths nate the leading men in the United States away, with a Bag. But, if the assassination Government. If it was, they would be after was part of a larger threat to the security of Johnson as well as Kennedy. The Vice Pres- the United States, Johnson had neither the ident was entreated to please do as he was combination to the Bag nor the exact knowl- told, promptly, until the matter could be edge of what to do with it. And all day long cleared up. He said: "Okay, partner." He on November 22, 1963, the Bag Man would began to understand that this could be a be lost and found and lost again. broad plot. Youngblood and Roberts agreed Kennedy had been summed up in a sentence The confusion had begun the moment the that perhaps it would be best to get Johnson ..Presidential motorcade had reached Parkland. years before: "She was a girl who was born out of the hospital at once and hurry him to wear white gloves." Mrs. Kennedy's opin- At the little emergency overhang, the cars off to Air Force One, the Presidential jet, skidded to a stop and men began to tumble ion of Mrs. Johnson had also been summed which was waiting at Dallas Love Field. up long ago: "If Lyndon asked, I think Lady out, all running toward the Kennedy auto- The smooth continuation of government mobile. Secret Service agent Emory Roberts Bird would walk down Pennsylvania Avenue depended on Johnson. They had to keep him naked." No one spoke. There was nothing ran from the follow-up car to the Kennedys'. alive. The Republic was in his hands, and, no He opened the door on Mrs. Kennedy's side, worth saying. No miracle could repair the matter how, the Secret Service had to protect personal wound. saw the President face down on her leg, and hint and get him back to Washington safely. said: "Let us get the President" Mrs. Ken- Mrs. Johnson began to weep. She grabbed Johnson's guards told him little. He kept Mrs. Kennedy and said: "Jackie, I wish to nedy, bending over her husband's head, said asking for President Kennedy, asking if it was "No." It was firm and final. Roberts turned God there was something I could do." Then all right to go see him, and he received sug- Lady Bird Johnson walked away, looking to agent Kellerman, nominally his superior, gestions in reply. Emory Roberts said, "I do and said: "You stay with the President. I'm back and shaking her head and wiping her not think the President can make it. I suggest eyes. taking some of my men to Johnson." we get out of Dallas," Youngblood asked Three Secret Service agents hustled John- With President Kennedy's press secretary, Johnson to "think it over. We may have to Pierre Salinger, away on a diplomatic mission son through the emergency door. He was swear you in." The Vice President held his flapping his arms, and tryirig to get back to to the Far East, Salinger's duties had been wife's hand, trying to infuse her with courage. taken on by his assistant, Malcolm the Kennedy car. One of the agents, Rufus Only she and Cliff Carter, his Executive (Mac) Youngblood, said "No," and kept pushing. Kilduff, who walked dazedly through the Assistant, knew that Johnson had never really hospital until he met Kenneth O'Donnell. "We are going to another room, and I would aspired to be President. like you to. remain there . ." Other agents "Kenny," said Kilduff, "this is a terrible Now Lyndon Johnson was President, but time to approach you on this, but the world surrounded Mrs. Johnson, who was looking he did not know it. To keep him safe in that at the Kennedy car and saw a blur of pink and has got to know that President Kennedy is little hospital cubbyhole, Congressmen and dead." O'Donnell looked stirprised. the edges of some red roses. Secret Service agents kept reminding Johnson "Well, The moment was hectic, hysterical and his- don't they know it already?" To him, Pres- that the assassination attempt could well be ident Kennedy seemed to have died a long, torical. The nation had a new President, but part of a much bigger day of terror. Johnson he did not know it, although the men around long time ago. began to believe it. "Well, you are going to have to make the him did. Agent Roberts suggested that Johnson Johnson was hustled to a remote part of announcement," O'Donnell finally told Kil- leave at once for Air Force One. Johnson said duff. O'Donnell became conscious of a new the hospital's emergency area. He followed he would not leave, he would not board AF-1 the phalanx of Secret Service agents without order of things. "Go ahead, but you better "without a suggestion or permission of the check it with Mr. Johnson," he added. hesitation. Kennedy staff." • Roberts asked Kenneth Johnson kept rubbing his sore right shoul- Kilduff nodded. O'Donnell, and O'Donnell said: "Yes." But Kilduff found the new President sitting on der. It had sustained the weight of Rufus Johnson refused to move. Youngblood's body when the Secret Service an ambulance cart, his legs dangling, looking Roberts returned to O'Donnell and asked moodily at the floor. Kilduff swallowed hard man threw himself on top of Johnson in the again: "Is it all right for Mr. Johnson to automobile a few seconds after it became and said: "Mr. President . . ," Mr. Johnson board Air Force One now?" brought his head up sharply; Mrs. Johnson apparent that someone was shooting at Pres- "Yes," O'Donnell said, "yes." ident Kennedy. Passing nurses saw Johnson held a hand against her mouth. This was the Mrs. Johnson asked if she could stop a first time Lyndon Baines Johnson had been rubbing his shoulder and spread the rumor moment and see Mrs. Kennedy again. Lady that he had sustained a heart attack. so addressed; it was the first time he knew Bird Johnson had seen Mrs. Kennedy a few that he was the Thirty-Sixth President of the The stretchers were going by, almost at a minutes before, in the room outside the room run. First there was Texas Governor John B. United States. where doctors were working frantically on "Mr. President," Kilduff said, "I have to Connally, who had been wounded; behind Mr. Kennedy. Mrs. Johnson had found her- him was President Kennedy, on his back announce the death of President Kennedy to self beyond tears as she clasped the younger the press. Is it all right with you?" Johnson with a coat over his face. On his chest were a woman's hands in hers,. Mrs. Kennedy had few bloody roses and a pink hat. Mrs. Ken- hopped off the cart and jiggled a hand in his looked up, the drawn, dead expression still trouser pocket. "No, Mac," he said. "I think nedy, as forlorn as the bloody roses that had on her features, her dark eyes searching Mrs. been given to her that morning, trotted beside we had better get out of here and get back to Johnson's face for something. The new First the plane before you announce it. We don't the cart, her fingers trying to maintain con- Lady had begun to tremble violently. tact with her husband, while visitors leaving know whether this is a world-wide conspir- Now agents formed an advance guard for acy," Johnson said, quoting Emory Roberts emergency area bumped into her. Her her. Mrs. Johnson was opposed to violence of head was back, her dark hair swinging behind and Rufus Youngblood, "whether they are any kind, even in speech. She was in the after me as they were after President Ken- from side to side, the mouth was open in bottom of a well of marching men, marching anguish,. and the nedy, or whether they are after Speaker eyes begged for the assist- through corridors of silent men, and, when McCormack or Senator Hayden." (Repre- ance no One could give. the ranks broke, the young widow was stand- A nurse found an emergency room to satisfy sentative John W. McCormack of Massachu- ing before her: Mrs. Johnson's opinion of Mrs. setts and Senator Carl Hayden of Arizona were next in line for the Presidency should With Kennedy dead, Lyndon Johnson's gap of conVersational vacuum by announcing; anything. happen to Johnson.) Johnson saw cubicle became the center of power. Ken that the Secret Service bad located one. the fresh shock in Kilduff's eyes. "We just O'Donnell came to see Johnson. The new Johnson daughter, Lynda, and that she was don't know," the President said. President was still unsure of himself. He had now ikotectecl. The youpgei daughter, Lucie, become the only President who ever witnessed had: been found in a 'NVashington, D.C., the assassination of a President, and it was school; an agent .was;at her side. ' too much for one set of shoulders to bear. At The Jobrisons realizedd-that the country was times, his ideas had been treated with con- certain to interpret a quick return to Wash- tempt by Kennedy's palace guard; now the ington as 'Teeing" and -leaving the widow palace guard attended him and called him alone with the body of. her husband. The "Mr. President" . President solicited advice .froin eveYone The President asked O'Donnell if itnlight around hind, but-AO one thought of the oath, not be better to get to CarsWell Air FOrce of office. . _ Base. It was military; security would be easy. If it occurred to. the President, he did not No, it would not be better. Carswell was 31 mention it for the scenereason that he would miles away. No, Mr. President, the safest not depart ,alone on Air Force One—it would course would be to traverse those two miles look like a precipitous power grab. No one from this hospital to Love Field. O'Donnell recited the substance of Article 2, Section 1 also pointed out that the short trip should be (7) of the Constitution, of the United.Statis, all the safer because it was not scheduled. No which is explicit: "Before, he enter 'eft the one knew about it. execution of his offiee, he shall• take the fol- Part of Johnson's political philosophy was lowing oath or affirmation . to seek intelligent help with the utmost Legally, Johnson was no longer Vice Pres- candor. He knew O'Donnell was a "take- ident, and had none of the powers of that ohnson looked at the Secret Ser- charge" man, and the new President looked office; he was now: President of the United vice agents, "I think we had better wait a him in the eye. "I am in your hands now," States, but, technically, had none of the Pow- minute. Are they prepared to get me out of he said. ers of that office. here?" he asked. O'Donnell misunderstood. He thought that Johnson ordered the Secret Service 3o. get Kilduff went to discuss the matter with Johnson was asking for a pre-endorsement• him "and my people" to the plane. He-still Roy Kellerman. If this was a plot, a con- of his actions by the Kennedy group. To the wanted endorsement for his actions,.. and spiracy of some dimensions, Kellerman said contrary, Johnson was as dazed as any of the he ordered Rufus- Youngblood to aek Ken he would feel better if they got Johnson back others, and in urgent need of good courIsPl. O'Donnell once again if the Johnsons shbuld on the plane. Robertsand Youngblood wanted "Well," Johnson said, "how about Mrs. use Air Force One: The agent returned and him to get aboard Air Force One and By at Kennedy ?" reported that "O'Donnell says Ter," although once to the White House. The-plate had "She will not leave the hospital," O'Donnell' O'Donnell later denied • that he had been brand-new, highly sophisticated equipment, said, "without the President." There was no asked specifically about Air Force One. The some of which was directly related to the Bag doubt about which President he meant. President suggested that the:party leave in Man., The Vice President's plane did not have Mrs, Johnson nodded approvingly when unmarked cars. He 'did not want to have his this equipment. her husband said that he would not go back wife risk her life with him, so he ordered her Kilduff left. In his subsequent announce- without Mrs. Kennedy and the body Pf her. to ride in another vehicle. Agent Youngblood ment, he gave the time of Kennedy's death as husband. O'Donnell said that he still thought said: "Mr. President, if we're leaving now, I 1P.M. Actually, Kennedy died at least 14 min- the best move would be for President Johnson wish you'd stick close to me." Johnson was utes earlier. When Roy Kellerman of the and his "people" to get aboard that plane pressed between Youngblood and Kilduff. He Secret Service entered the room at 12:46, now. "I don't want to leave Mrs. Kennedy kept glancing over their heads to Mrs. John- Kennedy was already dead. This is corrobo- like this," Johnson said. Perhaps, he con- son, to reassure her that it was geing to be all rated by Father Hnher, the Roman Catholic ceded, it would be just as well to wait for her right. Youngblood also asked Johntbn to keep priest who administered the last rites. When on the plane. his head below window level when he got Father Huber reached Kennedy's side, it was Had O'Donnell been dear-headed, he would into the-car. 12:49—and the President's face'vras covered have recognized that, even though Johnson "Let's go," the President said, and the by a sheet The priest saw Mrs. Kennedy and automatically assumed the burden of the party whirled out of. the area at top walking said, "Mrs. Kennedy, my sincerest sympathy PreSidency the moment Kennedy was inca- speed. To keep up, Mrs. Johnson had to run goes to you." Then he peeled the sheet back pacitated by a rifle shot, he had none of the between Secret Service agents. from Kennedy's head. The President's eyes executive powers until he was sworn in. He Out front, Agent Johns had three unmarked were dosed. was President, but could not act as one until cars. There is something profoundly humili- The Catholic Church maintains that the that oath had been taken. It was printed in ating to see a President of the United States sacrament of Extreme Unction is not valid almost all almanacs and could be adminis- emerge from a building in an American city if the soul has departed, but Father Huber tered by a notary public. This lapse cost the running in fear. Some people, lounging at the gave the last rites anyway. As he left, Mrs. nation the services of a chief executive for bottom of the huge hospital building; be- Kennedy Look his ann. two hours and five minutes. All Johnson had came alert and shouted: "Tell us some- "Father," she said, obviously frightened, was the title. thing" . "What the hell is going en?" , "do you think the sacraments had effect?" The silence thickened. Johnson asked if he What happened?" "Oh, yes," the priest said reassuringly. could see Mrs. Kennedy for a moment. The party kept walking at . top speed, the "Yes, indeed." Agent Clint Hill shook his head negatively. Secret Service agents fanning out. ahead Outside the room, two Secret Service men "You should not leave this room, Mr. Pres- and some walking backward. The President tookYather Huber by the arm. "Father," one ident" jumped into the back seat of the lead car, said, "you don't know anything." Huber The Secret Service advised Johnson to get driven by Dallas Police Chief Jesse Curry, understood. Kennedy was dead, but nobody aboard Air Force One at once, and to take and slouched as low as a' big man can. was to know. The priest promised not to tell. off for Washington. Johnson was shocked. He Youngblood sat beside him. Mrs. Johnson As he emerged, reporters engulfed him with asked where Mrs. Kennedy and the casket was shoved into the second car. questions about the President's condition. would go. "Air Force Two," they said, refer- The ride amounted to flight. When ihe Begging God's forgiveness for what he was ring to the Vice Presidential plane. Morally, police escort started the sirens, the President about to say, the priest replied, "He was Mr. and Mrs. Johnson could not consider the said: "Tell them to shut those sirens off." unconscious." •proposal. They would not fly back to the Still, the wailing could he heard for a mile. Why, then, did the official announcement capital alone, with a dead President and a It required two or three reqUests before They say Kennedy died at 1 p.m.? grieving widow on a following pIane.-Johnson shut down. The inaccuracy can probably be attributed said that he would agree to get aboard Air The last part of the run was made at to Mrs. Kennedy's desire to make it clear Force One, but he would wait "for President dangerous speed, and at the airport the that the President had received the last rites and Mrs. Kennedy." Presidential jet had never looked so big, so of his church Woe he died. That settled it. Agent Youngblood filled a friendly and so impregnable. There was no time for farewelle. The party hurried to the attack—referred to hi the Department of Mrs. Kennedy looked up. There can be no ramps and ran up into the plane without Defense us a "Thirty-Minute War"—that doubt that she was surptised to see them looking back. half-hour lapse could have been disastrous. aboard this aircraft. Until a few hours ago, The forward door on Air Force One was The sun turned Air Force One into an they would not even be invited aboard AF-1 closed. A Secret Seivice man turned the handle aluminum oven. It was unbearably hot inside, because security dictated that the President inside and locked it. Another agent was sta- yet people were running toward the front or and the Vice President must fly on different tioned there, and still another at the rear back with imperative instructions. Both en- planes. ramp. • trances were shut tight. President Johnson When Johnson got aboard, he ordered all received a return phone call from Assistant the shades drawn. The interior was hot and Attorney General Katzenbach with the pre- stuffy. The air conditioning had been shut cise wording of the oath of office, Johnson down when the engines stopped. Johnson and asked a secretary, Miss Marie Fehmer, to his party threaded the aisle through the please take it down and type it. Then he communications shack, where sergeants with looked at the television set in time to hear a.' headsets crouched, looked up in wonderment commentator say that the Dallas police had as their new President passed. In the middle just arrested a suspect in the assassination: of the silvery wing was the door to the Pres- Then Johnson thought of Federal Judged ident's private stateroom. An attendant held Sarah- Hughes, a Kennedy appointee. She the door open, and the seal of the President .could administer the oath. Be called Judge shone in white. Hughes, but she was out. He asked that she The first sound inside was from the tele- he found at once. vision set. Johnson looked up to see Walter Mrs. Johnson was nervous and distraught; Cronkite, in New York, discussing a dark she wrung het' hands walking up and down deed in Dallas. The President shhh'd every- the aisle of the plane, -and didn't feel the one, hoping to hear something new about the stifling heat. The day was so horrifying, so extent of the assassination plot. beyond belief, that she had to keep reminding s'. Kennedy took - Mrs. Johnson walked aft to the bedroom herself thar it really happened; then, when Mrs. Johnson's hand: "Oh, Lady Bird," she with tears in her eyes. She alone had noticed the-reality crushed her, she tried to -think of said. "It's gooelethat we've always liked you the hospital flag at half staff, and it had other things. Sometimes, she was seen, with a two so much,- Mrs. Johnson• began to weep crushed her with its finality. fixed'half-smile on her face, as though people again- "Oh," said Mrs. Kennedy, "what if I The President left the television and walked were watching and she-had-to put up a front. had not there?Preso glad I was there." toward the back of the plane. He instructed She wondered what her daughters were think- The Pr tetsteeptSeste big and helpless. Like the stewards to hold the private bedroom ing. She thought of the two little ones of the many meee*Ituailed in the face of grief, and for Mrs. Kennedy's use. However, Johnson Kennedys, and it was a thought impowible could not `CrY. Mrs. flihnson kept thinking, quickly discovered that there was no other to sustain:- tt. in horror: This immaculate woman . . this place from which he could make a private Judge Hughes phoneclean-d-johnson immaitelati'mainan caked with blood, her hus- • phone call, so he removed his jacket, tossed explained the tragedy and asked ifeehe could bands blood, Cright Bleb, is raked . . . it on a clothes tree, and signaled the com- come right out to Leve Field; he evouldtignel She suggested that Mrs. Kennedy get some- munications crew that he would be using this Secret Service agents to escort her. No, the' one to help her change clothes. "Oh, no," phone for a while. judge said, she knew quicker ways of getting Mrs. Kennedy said. "Ferhaps later I'll ask.-t' One of the first calls was to Attorney'Gen- to the airport than the White House detail; Mary Gallagher (a secretary j. But not right eral Robert F. Kennedy. This one required she would be there in 10 minutes. The Pres- now." some thought. Johnson wanted to convey the ident said to please hurry, they wanted to "Oh,- Mrs.. Kennedy," said Lady Bird., depth of his personal loss as well as offering take off tie-Washington. He hung 'up and "Yoteknow we never even wanted to be Vice his hand to the Kennedy family; he also told Agent Yotmgb/ood: "Check on the loca- President and now, dear God, it's come to wanted to ask the Attorney General for a tion of Mrs. Kennedy. Let me know when this." Mrs. Kennedy nodded, legal opinion on when to take the oath of she will arrive." • 'life disparity between the Kennedys and office as President.. An ambulance; its red blinker flashing, was JohnsOns was apparent to .hoth., The Ken- Robert Kennedy, on the phone, was less coming into the airport. It, was followed by nedys-were European in manner tied dress; emotional than the President. He had no two came all traveling at feigh:`,speede- The the Johnsons were earthy Americans. It. was report from the FBI or any other government ambulance pulled -up.. at :the tear ramp of 'not a detriment to either family to be will t agency that there was a broad plot against AF-1, which opened briefly. A host of Secret it aspired to be to nourish its own style of the leading officers of governments he knew Service men carried aboard the bronze casket living and its culture. The subtle bon mot was • that Governor Connally had been hit, but it of John F. Kennedy. an efferve.ecere jeee lo John F. Kennedy and - could be an accident, because he had been in The door slammed shut. The casket was his Jacqueline; it ts.tas lost on the JohnsOnse the same car with John F. Kennedy. dragged across the floor. Kennedy aide Larry The beauty of the 'hill country of Texas was So far as the oath of office was concerned, O'Brien noticed that a space had been made lost on the Kennedys;' to the Johnsons, the Attorney General wasn't sure when it for the casket. He told the agents to secure frame fannhouse, hard furniture, and cattle should be administered, or by whom. He it on the left side of the plane, barely inside silhouetted against a sunset brought 'serenity promised to have Assistant Attorney Gen- the rear dooe. Mrs. Kennedy slumped into a to the heart., - eral Nicholas Katzenbach call back with the seat at the breakfast nook opposite. The latesfbook, the newest song, the gossip correct answers. The passengers were growing in number_ of high society, the galas. at the watering Officials at the Pentagon were calling the There was no passenger manifest. Some, like places' weredaily food and drink to the White House switchboard at the Dallas- Liz Carpenter,. secretary to Mrs. Johnson, , Kenriedys. To the contrary, it was said of Sheraton Hotel asking who was now in com- reported to 4F-2 and were told that the Johnson that he could ruin a goal suit of mand. An officer grabbed the phone and Johnsons were now on AF-l. The Kennedy clothes merely by putting it on; his humor aspired the Pentagon that Secretary of De- people were aboard because this was the was, a rough Texas guffaw and his wife fense Robert McNamara and the Joint Chiefs aircraft they had arrived on. Malcolm Kilduff, enjoyed buying dresses from the rack. Mrs. of Staff "are now the President." Somehow, standing at the foot of the front ramp, was Kennedy enjoyed her lack of knowledge of in the flight from the.hospital, the new Pres- astonished to hear that President Johnson politics; Mrs. Johnson worked full time as ident had overlooked the Bag Man and Major wanted to speak to him at.once. The Assistant her husband's assistant from the time he left General Clifton, the Kennedy military aide Press Secretary did not know that Johnson Texas to take a seat in the House of Repre- who understood the coded types of retalia- was on Air Force One. • seetatives. Lady Bird also found.time to take tion. Both were left behind at Parkland. Few others knew about it. Larry O'Brien, her. inheritance and build it into a television When Gearhart and Clifton learned that still crouching over the casket, looked up to and ranch fortune. Kennedy was dead, they hastened to John- see the 'President and Mrs. Johnson coming The meeting the back of, the plane was son's side aboard Air Force One. But it took down the aisle from the private stateroom. awkward for both sides. Suddenly, the simple, a half hour for them to get there. If, at thit He was flabbergasted. He saw the Johnsons blunt people were running the United States time, the Soviet Union had launched a missile move silently over to the breakfast nook of America. The adroit, the charming, the 154 sophiSticated Kennedys were out. A single O'Donnell had heard frOrintlie -President that blow had reversed the roles, and no one was Kennedy'S hand:14S voice cracked with sobs. he was going to be sworn in before takeoff. "We did our best," he croaked. "We tried prepared for it. No one said: "Now the Ken- The stateroom began to fill. Johnson told neclys must move out of the White House hard, Mrs. Kennedy." She glanced at him, a O'Brien that someone should ask Mrs. Ken- small man with cross-hatched wrinkles on his and the Johnsons will move in," hut the nedy if she would stand beside him during the shock wave moved through Air Force One as chin, his aoectccles gleaming in the dull cabin ceremony. He said he would like her to stand light. She nodded. the passengers sat in gloomy meditation. at his side and the oath-taking would be of When Brigadier General Godfrey McHugh, The chief shook his head. He took Judge short duration. The President said he would Sarah Hughes by the arm. "God bless you, Kennedy's Air Force aide, aaid, "The Pres- also need a Bible. There must be one some- little lady," he said to Mrs. Kennedy, "but ident is aboard," he assumed, that there was where on the plane. you ought to go back and lie down." Mrs. only one President. Many of the passengers O'Donnell came in. Photographer Stoughton Kennedy summoned a smile. "N6, thanks," could not acknowledge Johnson's supremacy. was leaning against, a bulkhead. -"Mr. Pres- she said, "I'm fine." even to themselves. ident," Stoughton said, "if you are squeezed The President said: "Let's ger airborne." The President and the First Lady retired any closer, I won't be able to make the from the aft compartment, and Johnson went As the plane rose over Texas, one of the picture.- He tried one shot_ and the flash stewards thought: into the private bedroom to make certain How strange. For the first didn't go off. There was a second try: Mrs. time in history, we haus two Presidents altoard. that Marie Fehmer had the oath typed cor- Johnson, still wearing the half-frozen smile The big Texan, Cliff Carter; passed Ken rectly. Ifs was barely in the chair when the of shock, looked small beside her husband. door opened, and Mrs. Kennedy•was in the O'Donnell, who-appeared to be lost in thought The President fidgeted with his ahir staring at the back of Lyndon Johnson. Carter doorway. She looked as though this was the and Judge Hughes smiled patiently. grasped O'Donnell's ann. O'Donnell neither final humi liation. O'Brien found that Mrs. Kennedy was not The President jumped to his feet, asked flinched nor looked up. He stared withou in the breakfast nook beside the casket. He expression at Johnson. "He has Miss Fehmer to leave, and apologized to Mrs. i.ewhat hi knocked on the bedroom door, and, getting wants now," he said, "but we'll Kennedy. He said he was checking some g it isack' no 'response, turned the knob and entered. in 'sixty-eight." a little privacy here--and The room Was empty. He. tried the knob to was leaving at once. He got out, and went The people on the plane gravita to two the lavatory and found it locked, Mrs. Ken- groups. The Johnson people sat fo into the main stateroom, the area of desks d; the nedy was inside, alone. Whether she knew Kennedys aft. The Johnson`-pre and couches and television sets, and Mrs. that that was expected of her, and wassenitt Mg to the situation did not exist: The Kehnedys- Kennedy disappeared into the lavatory. avoid it, or whether the depregfthaclaPiril which is to say Mrs. Kennedy, O'Donnell, Johnson knew that his swearing-in would led to nausea, no one knows. Otrrnit left cl David Powers, and MeHugheesulked in go down in history as one of the most somber. the asked Evelyn Lincoln, Kennedy's pt rear compartment as though Ills impulse was to have it done quickly and Johnson had secretary, to see if she could get Mrs. boorishly appropriated the President'S state- secretly. Kennedy's attention. Mrs. Lincoln wild she room, evicting them all. Mrs. Kenn "Do we have to have the press in here?' he , hay- would try. ing surprised the I m, asked Kilduff. "Yes, Mr. President," Kilduff Looking around the room, O'Brien found a sat in the tiny brew replied. "Also, Captain Stoughton should be let, small gift box. Inside was what he thought trembling w: t h the vib tion. here toes make. pictures of the scene." The was a Bible. It was a missed— the prayers of For two holes end tseelve minutes, the President rubbed his. big, hand down the the Roman Catholic mass in both Latin and two croups reniamed apart. They employed front of his face. "Alfillt:Iit, 4"he said. "OltaY, English. He carried it out and gave it to the messengers to walk the corridor with whit- - Mac. If we must have them, then we might judge. Kilduff couldn't find a tape recorder, pered wishes. The alchemy of the hours had as well invite the other people to come in and so he used an electric dictating machine. witness the ceremony," transmuted the grief of the Kennedy group Then he placed the microphone between to rancor: the assassination was a deep per- The President summoned O'Donnell and Judge Hughes and the President. Marie .O'Brien, The new President admired these sonal loss, but it was also a fall from power. Fehmer handed the judge a sheet of Air The Ins Men. He wasn't certain that they were supe- were Out; the polleyernakers were Force One letterhead with the proper words beholden to a new man for a plane ride. rior to his own team, but he knew that Ken typed on it. Mrs. Kennedy, having retreated from the and Larry had spent almost ,gbree years at Mrs. Kennedy stepped timidly into the the font of power in the White House, and private bedroom to th4 aft galley, found room, The President grasped both her hands there were only two seal in that part of the they had an intimate working knowledge of in his and whispered, "Thank you." He the Executive office—which he lacked. John- , plane. She sat on one. Ken O'Donnell sat on nodded for the ceremony to start. Mr. the other. son asked bothmen to remain in government. Johnson was on one side of the President: "I need you more than he did," he said, O'Donnell stood. "PA going to have a hell Mrs. Kennedy, still in her bloOdy gloves and of a stiff drink," he said. "I think you jabbing his finger toward the back of the garments, the face still stunned and expres- olane. Both men glanced at each other and should, too." gionlass, was on the other. Mrs. Kennedy said: "What will I have?" said they would give it some thought. Kilduff switched the Dictaphone on. judge O'Donnell was anxious for the plane to O' Donnell said he'd make her a Scotch. She Hughes held out the missal. The President thought about it. "I've never take off. He asked the President about it. had ,a &Inch looked down at his wife and placed his left in my life." O'Donnell moved qn to call a "I talked to Bobbyi'". Johnson said. "They hand on the book. The right hand moved up steward. "Now is as good a tirtiktAstart as think I should be sworn in right here. Judge slowly, almost reluctantly. The oath of office gheS is on her way—should be here any any," Mrs. Kennedy said. • .., _required but twenty-eight seconds. Johnson The President had two bosvls of stea Mute." said ". . so help me God." The They all sat watching Cecil Stoughton, the vegetable soup: Mrs. Johnson saw the'snla Thirty-Sixth President, who now had the packages of salted crackers and. knowing 'te House photographer, try to line up his power to implement his decisions, turned to that her husband was on a salt-free diet, meras in a corner of the stateroom. "I Lady Bird, grabbed her by both shoulders, iffunched.therrillerself. ould like you fellows to stay, to stand - and kissed her. Then he turned to Mrs. The Johnsous, anxious to shots,- a siff6:16MS Shoulder to shonlder with me," Johnson said Kennedy, put an arm around her, and pecked to the Kennedy assistants. They did not ixintinuity in the transfer of governine' at her cheek. desired their group commit themselves. They watched the pho- -and the Kennedy group' Some rushed forward and tried to give hint to appear' s one family. At least, thejohnson's"!: tographer without seeing him. ' a hearty handshake and a congratulatorsd Someone told Kilduff that O'Donnell had felt, the former rapport between the two grin. President'Johnson turned a stern expres- groups could be maintained. 'ordered the plane to leave. Holding his tem- They. were wrong.. sion on them and the bud of conviviality was After the swearing-in, MM per in check, Kilduff said: "He may want to .:Kennedy did• not aushed. return to the priyate stateroom of the First take off, but he isn't in charge anymore. Mrs. Kennedy seemed unaware of what to Lady. She remained with Johnson is now President" The word filtered the casket, and do. She stood near the door with the Pres- those of the Kennedy camp who wished to sit quickly to the aft section, and it was inter- ident's seal emblazoned on it and 'looked the vigil remained at her side. preted as another indication of Lyndon John-_ blankly ahead.. Mrs. Johnson grasped her son's grab for power. It was O'Donnell who In Washington, officials began to depart hand and said: "The whole nation, mourns for Andrews Air. Force Base, across the river. kept goading General McHugh to go forward your husband." There was no response. Dal • Robert F. Kennedy was shocked. He tried a and "get this plane oat of here," although las Police Chief Curry tried to grasp Mrs. forbidding, or dissuading, some from going. Then he heard that more and more dignitaries he should meet at once at Andrews, of others that he required their counsel, their guidance. were already waiting there. who should be called to his office this evening In spite of his own considerable ego, Lyndon Senator Hubert Humphrey of Minnesota at the Executive Building office, of what time Johnson lacked the confidence of John F. phoned the White House .and asked if he to have a critical cabinet meeting in the Kennedy. Most of all, Johnson needed a feel- could pay his respects by waiting at the air morning. The more ground he covered, the ing of continuance of administration. And base for the body of the President. He was more there was left to cover. this is what the Kennedys would deny him. told, "No." When President Johnson saw Larry O'Brien "The hell with you," Humphrey said. "I'm walking by, he called Kennedy's legislative going." assistant to his side. "Larry," he said, looking Two stenographers were in President Ken- up earnestly from the desk, "you have a blank nedy's office removing some of his keepsakes. check on handling this program. Go ahead The memento book of photos of his trip to just as you would have under President Ken- Ireland, which reposed on a table behind the nedy." O'Brien nodded, and walked on. desk, suddenly disappeared. A painting of a The President was conscious that Mrs. sailing ship followed. A mounted fish in an Kennedy might, at this time, have composed office across the hall came off the wall. The herself and want to express her wishes. He rocker with the ILS.S. Kitlyhawk embroidered sent Kilduff aft several times, but there was s Air Force One began to on it was placed on a dolly and wheeled into nothing Mrs. Kennedy wanted from the descend, the small group in the back of the the hall. It was incredible that anyone could President. Kilduff felt the stiff politeness of plane began to plot ways and means of keep- have issued such a callous order, but the the Clan Kennedy and recognized his role as ing the President of, the United States out of mementos were being moved abruptly—re- the emissary under flag of truce. the casket photos. The world would be watch- portedly on the instructions of Kennedy's In the forward compartment, Liz Carpenter ing, and the Kennedys did not want the brother-in-law, Sargent Shriver. worked on the short statement to be delivered Johnsons in their mourning pictures. At one By hurrying them outside to be carried by the President on his arrival in Washington. point, when Major General Ted Clifton went away to a private place, the press cameras She was block-printing it. Mrs. Carpenter aft to ask a question, O'Donnell, sitting oppo- could make the Kennedy bric-a-brac appear would have liked to have used a typewriter, site the grieving Mrs. Kennedy, said: "Why to be forlorn mementos; could make it seem but she reminded herself that "they are their don't you hurry back and serve your new as though the new man was in a hurry to typewriters. Besides, they make noise." She boss?" take over the executive office. In time, the wished that the Kennedys would understand The Secret Service suggested that the new Queen Victoria desk would disappear, too, that the Johnsons had also lost a President. President spend the night at the White House. although it was U.S. property. While she wrote, she remembered a ball in the This was declined at once. Johnson was irri- The commanding officer at the U.S. Naval East Room a month earlier. Lyndon Johnson tated by the proposal. Hospital at Bethesda, Maryland, Captain had danced with Jacqueline Kennedy. He "We are going home to The Elms," he R.O. Canada Jr., ordered an ambulance to be knew that Mrs. Kennedy seldom accom- said. "That's where we live. If you can pro- dispatched to Andrews Air Force Base. So panied her husband on trips. The Vice Presi- tect us at the White House, by God you can far as the captain knew, no one had asked dent had put on his best smile. "Why not protect us at home, too." for one. Aboard Air Force One, two requests come to Texas with the President?" he had The plane came up the taxiway slowly, a for an ambulance had been relayed to Wash- said. Mrs. Kennedy had wrinkled her nose. huge bug whining and rocking. Johnson had ington, but both had been refused on the "You have never seen a real ranch," he said. his short statement in his jacket pocket. He grounds that the District.of Columbia had a She began to brighten. "A real Texas ranch. had issued an order for a ramp to be brought law prohibiting the transportation of a de- We're going to bring in some good Tennessee to the plane. The order stated that the Secret ceased person in an ambulance. walking horses and have a ranch barbecue . . ," Service men aboard would carry the body of Canada, who sat at his television set, re- "I think I'll go," Mrs. Kennedy had said. President Kennedy down the ramp. The called that, eight years ago, Senator Lyndon "It could be fun." casket would be followed by Mrs. Kennedy B. Johnson had sustained a moderately severe Liz Carpenter, a woman thinking like a on the arm of President Johnson. myocardial infarction. Johnson had been his woman, wondered if Mrs. Kennedy felt any The President looked around as the plane patient. The crushing events of this day could gratitude to Johnson for persuading her to go. waddled toward the big circle of light, and he induce another heart attack. Captain Canada The road to safety, for Lyndon Johnson, wondered where everyone had gone. The sent the ambulance and told the personnel to lay in immersing himself in work He had cabin was empty, except for a few of his staff. wait for Air Force One. spent a time of terror in that hospital, but it Mrs. Johnson sat gazing out the window at Back in the ornate President's Stateroom would not happen again. He made decisions. the darkness. In the back of the plane, Ken- on Air Force One, Johnson telephoned Ken- The Kennedy people asked that the press be neth O'Donnell issued his orders. They, too, nedy's mother, Mrs. Rose Kennedy. barred from Andrews. Johnson said no. "It were explicit. As soon as the aircraft stopped, Johnson was seldom more eloquent, or more will look like we're in a panic," he said. he wanted the Kennedy group to crowd the helpless. "I wish to God there was something The confinement of the Johnsons and the rear doorway. They and the Secret Service •I could do," he said. Rose Kennedy thanked Kennedys in the plane for a period of 150 men would take the coffin out of this exit and the President for his thoughtfulness in calling. minutes was sufficient to cleave the families down a fork lift. President Johnson was not a She never lost her composure. Mrs. Johnson in permanent schism. Johnson was not, and party to this plan. said: "Oh, Mrs. Kennedy, we must all realize could not, aspire to be "Kennedy people." He Johnson felt that, as the new President, he how fortunate the country was to have your could be tolerated as a Vice President because should stand behind his fallen chieftain, and son as long as it did." his loyalty to John P. Kennedy was complete he should offer his widow the protection of Rose Kennedy did not ask Mrs. Johnson and unquestioned. Within the family, only his person. The Kennedy people felt that this to switch her to Jacqueline Kennedy, who Bobby and Kenny O'Donnell could not abide was boorish and overbearing. The plane was was sitting 50 feet behind the Johnsons. Nor him as Vice President. To them, he was a still in motion when they formed an unbreak- did Mrs. John F. Kennedy phone her mother- rumpled wheeler-dealer—part Southerner, able dot at the rear exit. They knew what was in-law. (Four months after the assassination, part Westerner, with cowdung on his heels. expected of them. It the group were Powers, I sat with Rose and Joe Kennedy at their He lacked "class." O'Brien, O.-Donnell, McHugh, Mrs. Lincoln, home in Palm Springs. Mrs. Rose Kennedy Lyndon Johnson must be charged with a Mrs. Kennedy and -her secretary, Pamela said: "I have not heard from 'Mrs. Kennedy' lack of understanding of the Kennedy men- Turnure, flanked by Secret Service men. since the funeral.") tality. They required a villain. When their An engine was still idling, when the Presi- Johnson noticed Charles Roberts of News- chief fell among the dead roses, the heart of week dent came down the aisle. He found his prog- and Merriman Smith of UPI writing the their political cult stopped. They had no ress blocked. A male voice from somewhere story of the plane trip on typewriters, one of standing anymore; no prestige. Many held said: "It's all right. We'll take care of this which was borrowed. He stooped over both Johnson in such contempt that they could not end." He recognized the humiliation. The men and whispered that he wanted all of the endure his offer of resurrection. plane stopped, and Johnson slowly walked Kennedy White House staff and all of the In the first moments of Johnson's presi- back to the Presidential cabin to join his wife. Kennedy cabinet to remain. dency, he did not feel, strong enough to go He was about to take the arm of Mrs. John- Johnson sat with Kilduff and made memo- alone. He needed these people. He was willing son when he saw Attorney General Robert F. randums on a sheet of paper of personalities to bury his pride in his pocket and tell t} em Kennedy running at speed from the front of 156 the plane to the back. Sadly, the President could haPpen. You fellows know I never as- the baek seat. She thought: I love Mis house. stuck his hand out and said; "Bob!" The At- pired to this . . Kennedy could do things I I fore it. torney General ignored the hand and kept Now we'll never live in it again. Under knoW I couldn't. He gathered a fine team of the dome light at the entrance, she saw the running toward the aft section. men !' Johnson's deep led eyes moved slender figure of Luci. Three Secret Service Robert Kennedy made it.down the aisle of from face to face as theY 'had on Air Force agents stood in the shadows. "Oh, Mother !' the front cabin, squirming' past the people One. "I need you more than he did." Luci said. Mrs. Johhson pressed Luci in her who stood in the aisles, opened the door to the Minutes later Johnson entered the White arms for a moment. "My school said prayers," privale cabin, and ran straight through. At House. Directly ahead he saw the lighted the girl said. the human knot, people stepped aside so that French windows of the oval office. The drapes Mrs. Johnson stepped inside with Luci ancl Jacqueline could fall into Robert's arms. were half-drawn. There had been times-when, was surprised to find people standing every- The forklift pulled up at the port-atch aft. faced with a problem, President Kennedy where: personal friends, or co-workers, or The operator then pulled the small elevator would turn his stern eyes on his advisers and people important to the administration. As upward, but it was at least three feet too low. ask: "Well, what should we do?" Lyndon Inside, someone was opening the hatch, and she nodded and summoned her small smile, Johanson always hoped that the President Mrs. Johnson realized that it would never he the door swung backward and away. On- would not ask him first: quiet and peaceful again. lookers saw a group of people squeezed to- Now someone said that Johnson should use Luci was prattling, but her mother did• not gether in the doorway and five Secret Service the office of the President. "No," he said, hear the words. Mrs. Johnson, rubbing her men, stooping and pushing, shoved the edge "that would be presumptuous," Instead he wrists,- went upstairs with Liz Carpenter. of the casket into the doorway. It was caught crossed the street to his office in the Executive "How do -you feel?" Liz said. Mrs. Johnson in the light and everyone - below knew that Office Building. He went behind his desk, reached into a closet for a dressing robe and John F. Kennedy was truly dead. moved all pending papers to one side to clear slippers. "I'm freezing," she said. "Please A few men jumped down on the lift. They the blotter, and looked up at the men who pulled on the forward handles, Others, at the turn that set on. We can watch it up here." stood waiting. He said that he wanted a cabi- She propped. several pillows at the head- rear, pushed. The Secret Sereice .wanted to net meeting for 10 a.m. lie was going to re- board. A great weariness overcame her. There carry the casket. So did O'Brien, O'Donnell, quire a lot of service tonight, and he wanted was no sleep in it. Mrs. Johnson phoned Powers and McHugh. Everybody could not no excuses. An aide left to begin phoning the Lynda in Texas She find room around the casket. The meteptished wondered what Dici had cabinet ministers—some of whom were on a been talking about downstairs. each other. The heavy bronze coffin teetered' plane corning in from Hawaii. Lynda was saying: ". . the first_ thing I did off. the edge of the plane and began to wobble Johnson was now in command. To prod was to go to the Governor's Mansion to he in air. Robert Kennedy watched it, saw the people, he put on his son-of-a-bitch'face. with the Connally children." men on the lift catch and steady it; then he Kilduff, who had worked so hard, was dressed Mrs_ Johnson nodded. "That was just right, dropped nimbly onto the platform. With arme down for not having the casket leave by the darling." Beneath her massive fatigue, she felt outstretched, Robert Kennedy reached up front ramp, The president didn't care for pleased, Her girls had thought of constructive for his sister-in-law Jacqueline. excuses; it would have been proper for him to things. One prayed; the other hurried to help She crouched and dropped, and Robert leave the plane with Mrs. Kennedy and the Nelly- Conn ally's little ones. Mrs. Johnson Kennedy held her. The TV cameras mught body of John F. Kennedy. Who the hell's idea glanced at Mrs. Carpenter. "I don't know the scene, saw the pink suit, the stains of was it to get that fork lift at the back of the when he'll be home," she said. "But he'll blood, the twisted right stocking. plane? • probably have people with him, and he hasn't "Will you come with us?" Mrs. Kennedy A Secret Service man informed him that his eaten vet," The First Lady pulled a quilt whispered to her brother-in-law. He nodded, home phone number, at The Elms had-been over her and felt a spasm of shivering. Standing beside the ambulance were the changed. it was now hooked into the White cardiologist, the nurse and driver sent by House. "Luci Johnson was picked up at school In his second-floor office, Lyndon Johnson Captain Canada of Bethesda in case President and is at the house. Lynda is at the home of was bringing= administration to life. "Cliff," Johnson sustained a hen.rt attack. They were Governor Connally with the Connally chil- the President said to Cliff Carter, "go down told that there was no room for them. dren." It eased his mind to know that the the hall and you will find a White House sec- Meanwhile the motorcade began to form for girls were protected; it made him feel better retary. Ask her for two sheets of White House the ride into Washington. In the fourth car to know that Mrs. Johnson was on her way letterhead and two envelopes." Was George Thomas, the President's valet. home. He }mew that the scar of that noon Johnson Was going to write personal notes That morning, at the Dallas Sheraton Hotel, would never heal in his wife, The house would to- Caroline Kennedy and John Kennedy Jr. Thciinas had tapped lightly on the President's be a warns refuge for her. The new President would tell them how he door. Inside, there was a moment of silence, At one point, while dictating a memo, John- felt about their father; how proud they should and President Kennedy muttered, "Okay." son ,lapsed into reverie. He stared at the far be of him. Johnson did not expect that the The word had meaning that only the Presi- wall. "Rule did a heroic thing today," he notes would mean much to the children now; dent and his valet would appreciate. In the murmured.' "He threw me down in that car he was thinking that, when they matured, White House, when Mrs. Kennedy shared her and threw himself on top of me." This was one Caroline and John Jr. might like to know that husband's bedroom, a light tap by Thomas facet of Johnson's character that few people the President had thought of them on the day would elicit a small cough as response. The knew. He was genuinely surprised when their father had been cut down. tap and cough were designed not to disturb someone did something for him gratuitously. Carter walked down the hall. A middle- Mrs. Kennedy's slumber. The word "Okay" aged woman was sitting behind a silent type- would signify that Mrs, Kennedy had slept in The new First Lady crouched in the back of writer. He asked for the two letterheads and another room. the limousine. On the other side of the seat, the envelopes. Her mouth became firm. "Who Now George Thomas sat silently in a car. silent, sat her secretary, Liz Carpenter. Mrs. are they for?" she said. wondering what would become of him. Johnson felt cold. The Secret Service agents The new President and Mrs. Johnson "President Johnson," Carter said. up front turned on the heater, but Lady Bird The woman stared at him in disbelief. Then emerged from the plane. Johnson glanced Johnson felt her arms and her knees fall into around grimly, his mouth compressed. They she opened a drawer, and took the stationery spasms of shivering, and her teeth chattered. out. "Goddamn that man !" she shouted. started down the steps. Defense Secretary She wished she could be cast into the black- "The President isn't even cold in his grave McNainara shook hands with him. "It's ter- ness outside. She was going to have to live rible. Terrible," the new President said. yet and he wants to use White House station- with this day, but it would take time. ery. Goddamn him!" With Mrs. Johnson. he stood before the Now she rode through this darkest of nights microphones, rustled apiece of paper and made Carter said thank you, and departed. He without elation. Her husband had become the never told the President what had happened. his brief speech to the nation. Then he took President of the United States. But was any his wife by the arm, entered the Presidential Johnson wrote the notes, and asked that they of it worth the LBJ. Ranch? What good could be delivered to the White House at once. It helicopter and sat down wearily. As the possibly come of leading a nation in an era of greenish craft rose, the Prident spoke of left him depressed. He sat behind the desk, chronic tension? What if it broke his health staring at the blotter. The President was Dallas as though he weie talking of himself. and he had another heart attack? thinking of Mrs. Kennedy. He shook his head His speech was disjointed. "It was an awful The car pulled into the drive at 4040 Fifty- negatively. "I wish," he said, "that I could thing . . . horrible . . . that little woman was Second Street, Northwest. There was a crowd reach up and bring down a handful of stars brave.. .. Who would have thought that this outside. Mrs. Johnson felt small and alone in and give them to that woman." END

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