close, I thought, well, I guess I will go look out the window. I didn't care-- enough to go downstairs, but I thought I will go look out the window. So I thought I would have plenty of time, if he was just coming around Main Street, that I could still get around there, so I went around to American Book Co., which is the office closest to us that had a window looking out on Elm. There was nobody in there, so then I started down the hail to Allyn and Bacon. As I went down this hall towards the windows that looked out on Houston Street, I heard a shot, but I didn't think much about it. I didn't, of course, know it was a shot because when you hear tires backfire and all, they all sound alike to me, so I didn't think a thing about that.
I went around to Allyn and Bacon, and Mr. Wilson, the manager, was at the window looking out. He was the only one in there, so I asked him if I could look out the window with him. About that time he said "Oh, my God, there's been a shooting." I still didn't think anybody, of course, had been killed, just thought somebody had shot in the air or something, so I said "Has the President already passed? And he said "Yes," so I looked out and that big bus that had the press in it, had the word "Press" or whatever it was on the bus, was passing. so I said "Well, I guess I have missed the President then," and I started on back out of the office and I just said as I left, "Well, I hope nobody got hurt."

Mr. Ball.

You heard how many shots?
Miss BURNS. One.

Mr. Ball.

Just one?
Miss BURNS. It must have been the last one because I didn't hear any more.

Mr. Ball.

Did you have any idea where it was coming from?
Miss BURNS. Well, it just sounded as though it was back of me. You see, I was going towards Houston Street. I was facing east and it sounded to me as it came toward my back.

Mr. Ball.

You were in the building?
Miss BURNS. Yes; I was in the building.

Mr. Ball.

Walking down the hall?
Miss BURNS. Walking down the hall going towards Allyn and Bacon.

Mr. Ball.

Now, what happened after that?

Miss BURNS. I came on back and listened to the radio some more and in a few minutes, why, they told it.

Mr. Ball.

Did you ever know Lee Harvey Oswald?
Miss BURNS. I rode on the elevator with him one time.

Mr. Ball.

That's all?
Miss BURNS. But I didn't know who he was--about a week before.

Mr. Ball.

You never talked to him?
Miss BURNS. I never talked to him.

Mr. Ball.

Who were you with at the time this happened?
Miss BURNS. The Macmillan Co.

Mr. Ball.

Who was in the office with you?
Miss BURNS. Mrs. Case, but I couldn't see her.

Mr. Ball.

She was in the same office?
Miss BURNS. I have a private office. She was around the corner where her office is.

Mr. Ball.

Mrs. Case?
Miss BURNS. Yes.

Mr. Ball.

Did you hear anybody running down the stairs at any time?
Miss BURNS. Yes, but I didn't know

Mr. Ball.

When?
Miss BURNS. It was after that; I went to the restroom.

Mr. Ball.

How long after?

Miss BURNS. I imagine maybe it was 25 minutes. I imagine it was the policeman or somebody; of course, I don't know who it was.
Mr. BALL. I think that's all, Miss Burns. This will be written up and you can sign it; you can read it and sign it or you can waive your signature if you wish and you won't have to come back here. Which would you rather do?
Miss BURNS. I can waive signature if that is all right.

Mr. Ball.

Fine, thank you very much, Miss Burns

Mr. Ball.

Mary E. Bledsoe