Burroughs Saw Two Oswalds Arrested at Texas Theater

[Jim Hargrove]

Even if we're convinced about JA's basic conclusions, as I am, I do think we need to keep in mind Drew's point above. Eyewitnesses do make lots of mistakes. And so we have to go well beyond mere "sightings" and look more deeply into the whole question.

It's surprising how many of these sightings on assassination day are divided between a guy in a white T-shirt, or a white T-shirt and light jacket, and a similar looking fellow in a brown shirt. Enough witnesses referred to these two shirt colors that we can use the observations to differentiate the two Oswalds. Like the guy in the white shirt who an observer noted just happened to be sitting in what turned out to be Carl Mather's car.

I think Hoover and some members of the WC were well aware of the two Oswald problem, and that is why some of the most simple questions about "Lee Harvey Oswald" cannot be answered. For example, could he drive a car? Marina and the Paines elaborately explained that he didn't have a drivers license. "Oswald's" own barber said he drove up to his shop more than once.

Mr. JENNER. You have a distinct recollection that on occasions when this man came into your shop for a haircut, he drove an automobile up to your shop?

Mr. SHASTEEN. He drove that there 1955, I think it's a 1955, I'm sure it's a 1955 Chevrolet station wagon. It's either blue and white or green and white it's two-toned--I know that. Now, why I say--why I take it for granted that Mrs. Paine was with him when he come to the grocery store--I do remember he wasn't driving when they would come to the grocery store, there would be a lady driving and I'm assuming that that was Mrs. Paine, because like I say, I have been--I have never been close enough to her and knew it, to speak to her, but she trades at the service station where I do and I saw her in there and I never did pay any attention to her and I saw her passing, met her in the road in the car and those things. (WC X, 317)

The WC was so confused they got the conflicting witnesses together to talk it out--and still couldn't get a straight answer. One simple phone call to the Dept. of Public Safety could have straightened it all out, but I guess none of those high-powered attorneys knew how to find the number. Or maybe they were afraid it would expose the two Oswalds.