"But prior to that, the building housed Sexton Foods, a Chicago-based wholesale grocer which occupied the building for twenty years (1941-1961). The building was known commonly in town as "the Sexton building," even after it was leased to the Texas School Book Depository in 1963, which explains why some people citizens and police officers alike were still referring to it by that name on the day of the Kennedy assassination"
Since the Texas School Book Depository began occupying the former Sexton Building only in 1963, literally days or mere months before the assassination, both the tenant and building owner at the time deserve scrutiny from researchers (as well as from USG investigators--and the fact that this didn't happen deserves even more scrutiny)!
Some months ago, I wrote to Gary Mack at the 6th Floor Museum asking for info on the then-current owner of the building and the exact date of the TSBD lease, but my original note, and the polite follow-up, went unanswered. From Tracy's info and the link below, the apparent owner of the building in 1963 was oil tycoon Colonel D. Harold Byrd, cousin of Antarctic explorer Admiral Richard E. Byrd, who the Sexton Building owner apparently helped support financially.
For additional information from John McAdams and Jerry Organ, see:
1936 Originally housing a company called International Harvester, this year D. Harold Byrd purchased 411 Elm St. with the intention of making a manufacturing site for air conditioning units. (NYT 4/17/1970) This enterprise never really got off the ground because of patent disputes with Chrysler Corp. (DH Byrd, I'm an Endangered Species, 1978)
1940 the 411 Elm building stood vacant until this year, when Byrd leased it to the John Sexton Co., a grocery warehouse firm. It opened for business Jan 1 1941. The offices were on the first and second floor. The third to 7th floors were primarily warehouse space for grocery supplies, and machinery for making coffee. In 1959 they constructed a huge new single-story structure in the NW section of Dallas. (The Sextonite Magazine Fall 1964)
1940s The TSBD company and the branch offices of the eleven publishing companies were located at 2210 Pacific Avenue. They all shared an old, rundown building which used to be an auto dealership. (William Weston research)
1947 Jack Cason becomes the owner of the TSBD company, which he bought from two widows.
1950 the TSBD acquired a four-story warehouse at 1917 North Houston for textbook storage.
1951 - The Dal-Tex Building was vacated by the John Deere Plow Co., which allowed the book companies to move into the first floor, and the clothing manufacturers on the other floors.
1952 the TSBD management and clerical personnel at Pacific Avenue building relocated to the first floor of 501 Elm St (the Dal-Tex building). At some point, Jack Cason decides to lease the building across the street, 411 Elm St. There is some confusion about when this happened. O.V. Campbell told William Weston that this happened around 1958. Spaulding Jones, former branch manager of MacMillan Publishing, thought the move to 411 took place in 1957 or 1958.
1960 - "The school depository firm moved in in 1960 and took a 15 year-lease. It was previously occupied by a wholesale grocery firm." (Dallas Morning News 11/24/63)
1961 Nov 14 the Sexton company vacates the 411 Elm St building. (William Weston; date from Ted Leon, former branch manager in Dallas 1961-64; he kept all his pocket calendars from work). According to Thomas Butler, who became the Sexton branch manager in 1964, the building remained vacant for about a year after his company moved out. Months of renovation for new offices would be necessary before the TSBD could move in. A dumb waiter is installed for the first four floors. A passenger elevator for the office floors is built. (Weston)
1962 January the TSBD acquires the 411 Elm St location, leasing it from D.H. Byrd (SS report CO-2-34030 12/7/1963) The Polk's criss-cross 1962 business directory shows that the TSBD was still listed as having an address on the first floor of 501 Elm St (Dal-Tex Bldg). The same directory lists the 411 Elm St building as vacant. The 1963 directory lists the book companies at 411 Elm. Also that year the first floor of the Dal-Tex become vacant. (William Weston)
1963 Oct 15 LHO is hired at the TSBD
1963 "The Texas School Book Depository is a privately-owned firm engaged in the warehousing and shipping of textbooks for various publishers. The books are shipped to schools in Texas and surrounding states. The firm presently occupies a building at 411 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas, and has occupied the building since January 1962. Prior to that time, the firm was located at 501 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas. The presently occupied building is leased from Mr. D. Harold Byrd, 6909 Vassar, Dallas, Texas, who has owned the building for many years. The officers of this company are Mr. Jack C. Cason, President, 4015 Druid Lane, Dallas, Texas; W. 0. V. Campbell, Vice President, 7120 Twin Tree Lane, Dallas, Texas; and W. Roy S. Truly, Director and Superintendent of Operations, 4932 Jade Street, Dallas, Texas. This firm also furnishes office space for seven publishing companies, whose books and publications are handled by the Texas School Book Depository. These publishers are as follows: Lyons and Carnahan, Room 201; South Western Publishing Company, Room 203; Allyn and Bacon, Room 301; The MacMillan Company, Room 302; The American Book Company, Room 303; McGraw-gill Book Company, and their subdivision, Gregg Publishing Company, Room 305; and Scott-Foresman Company, Room 401." (Secret Service report CO-2-34030 12/7/1963)
1963 Nov 23 FBI report by Nat Pinkston (File# DL 100-10461) statement by Roy Truly he told the agents that his company "has occupied the building at 411 Elm Street for only a few months. Prior to this time, the building was occupied by a wholesale grocery company engaged in supplying restaurants and institutions…"
1970 - The building was bought by a collector of Kennedy memorabilia from Nashville. The TSBD company moved to a new location.
Tracy Riddle Wrote:1962 January the TSBD acquires the 411 Elm St location, leasing it from D.H. Byrd (SS report CO-2-34030 12/7/1963) The Polk's criss-cross 1962 business directory shows that the TSBD was still listed as having an address on the first floor of 501 Elm St (Dal-Tex Bldg). The same directory lists the 411 Elm St building as vacant. The 1963 directory lists the book companies at 411 Elm. Also that year the first floor of the Dal-Tex become vacant. (William Weston)
The VERY limited info I have (all referenced above) suggests this info is incorrect, and that TSBD acquired a lease at 411 Elm in 1963, much nearer the assassination of JFK. Does anyone have a direct link to SS report CO-2-34030 of 12/7/1963? (though I have little doubt the quote is accurate)
. . . .
Tracy Riddle Wrote:1963 "The Texas School Book Depository is a privately-owned firm engaged in the warehousing and shipping of textbooks for various publishers. The books are shipped to schools in Texas and surrounding states. The firm presently occupies a building at 411 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas, and has occupied the building since January 1962. [Emphasis by JH].Prior to that time, the firm was located at 501 Elm Street, Dallas, Texas. The presently occupied building is leased from Mr. D. Harold Byrd, 6909 Vassar, Dallas, Texas, who has owned the building for many years. The officers of this company are Mr. Jack C. Cason, President, 4015 Druid Lane, Dallas, Texas; W. 0. V. Campbell, Vice President, 7120 Twin Tree Lane, Dallas, Texas; and W. Roy S. Truly, Director and Superintendent of Operations, 4932 Jade Street, Dallas, Texas. This firm also furnishes office space for seven publishing companies, whose books and publications are handled by the Texas School Book Depository. These publishers are as follows: Lyons and Carnahan, Room 201; South Western Publishing Company, Room 203; Allyn and Bacon, Room 301; The MacMillan Company, Room 302; The American Book Company, Room 303; McGraw-gill Book Company, and their subdivision, Gregg Publishing Company, Room 305; and Scott-Foresman Company, Room 401." (Secret Service report CO-2-34030 12/7/1963)
Again, Secret Service ALONE apparently provides the ONLY evidence of 411 Elm being occupied by TSBD before 1963!
Tracy Riddle Wrote:1963 Nov 23 FBI report by Nat Pinkston (File# DL 100-10461) statement by Roy Truly he told the agents that his company "has occupied the building at 411 Elm Street for only a few months. Prior to this time, the building was occupied by a wholesale grocery company engaged in supplying restaurants and institutions…"
On this point, at least, I'm inclined to believe Truly, unless anyone has more evidence to the contrary.
WAY more research is needed here. Megathanks to Tracy Riddle for starting this thread!!!
Jim Hargrove Wrote:Since the Texas School Book Depository began occupying the former Sexton Building only in 1963, literally days or mere months before the assassination, both the tenant and building owner at the time deserve scrutiny from researchers (as well as from USG investigators--and the fact that this didn't happen deserves even more scrutiny)!
Some months ago, I wrote to Gary Mack at the 6th Floor Museum asking for info on the then-current owner of the building and the exact date of the TSBD lease, but my original note, and the polite follow-up, went unanswered. From Tracy's info and the link below, the apparent owner of the building in 1963 was oil tycoon Colonel D. Harold Byrd, cousin of Antarctic explorer Admiral Richard E. Byrd, who the Sexton Building owner apparently helped support financially.
For additional information from John McAdams and Jerry Organ, see:
Can anyone shed more light here? This subject deserves WAY more attention and has been neglected for far too long!
Jim
Just for the record, Gary sent me a note a week or two ago saying he'd been sick and had missed my emails, but saw my post here. I restated my questions in a response, and, once again, Gary didn't reply.
