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Warren Commission Hearings: Vol. VIII - Page 43« Previous | Next »

(Testimony of Mrs. Viola Peterman)

Mrs. Peterman.
That's right.
Mr. Jenner.
And John, her eldest. Was John attending Washington Elementary at that time?
Mrs. Peterman.
I am almost sure he did, but I wouldn't swear to that; I am not positive.
Mr. Jenner.
So as I get it, during the 3 years that they lived there, Robert eventually entered Washington Elementary School, is that right?
Mrs. Peterman.
Well, I couldn't say that. In fact, I think she moved before that, because she didn't stay there long. I don't think it was 3 years.
Mr. Jenner.
About 2 years maybe?
Mrs. Peterman.
Maybe along in there; she moved before 3 years, I know.
Mr. Jenner.
You say she was inclined to keep to herself most of the time?
Mrs. Peterman.
Yes, she was.
Mr. Jenner.
You didn't regard that as strange, did you?
Mrs. Peterman.
No; I am a person like that myself. I don't bother much with the neighbors.
Mr. Jenner.
I take it from what you have told me, Mrs. Peterman, that Marguerite Oswald was unmarried at the time, that she had just divorced her husband, or been divorced by him, is that right?
Mrs. Peterman.
Well, the first one I don't know, but the second one was dead. He died and left her a widow. She told me that herself when she moved there. Now, her first husband, I didn't know whether he was dead, living, or what. She never mentioned him.
Mr. Jenner.
When did you say you moved into that house?
Mrs. Peterman.
In 1941.
Mr. Jenner.
You moved there in 1941?
Mrs. Peterman.
Yes.
Mr. Jenner.
All right. Well, in any event she was unmarried at that time, is that right?
Mrs. Peterman.
Yes.
Mr. Jenner.
Do you know how she supported herself?
Mrs. Peterman.
Well, at first I don't. I know she told me that she sold her house, where they came from, but how much that was or anything I don't know. She might have had insurance from him; I don't know. Then later she opened a little dry goods store.
Mr. Jenner.
A dry goods store?
Mrs. Peterman.
I won't say a dry goods store more like a grocery store, I guess you would say--just a small place there in the front room. She sold bread, milk, candy, and things like that.
Mr. Jenner.
Where was that?
Mrs. Peterman.
In her front room.
Mr. Jenner.
The front room of her house?
Mrs. Peterman.
Yes; it was a little grocery store.
Mr. Jenner.
Would the local city ordinances permit that?
Mrs. Peterman.
I don't know about that, but she did operate it for a short time-not too long. Finally she gave that up, but as far as I know that was the only money she had coming in at that time.
Mr. Jenner.
Give me your impression of Mrs. Oswald, would you please; what kind of person she was.
Mrs. Peterman.
Well, like I said---I don't know how to explain it, but she was a person who was not overfriendly, and she wasn't no snob either. I can't say that, but I don't know. She was the kind of a person that--I don't know how to say it. I mean, I had no trouble with her, and she was a good mother to her children.
Mr. Jenner.
She was?
Mrs. Peterman.
That she was, and she would always keep, like I say, to herself. She didn't do much talking, that is, to me; but now whether she did to the other neighbors, I don't know.
Mr. Jenner.
You didn't regard her conduct as strange?
Mrs. Peterman.
No; nothing like that. Like I told you, I am the kind of person who keeps to myself too. I have been right now 23 years in that neighborhood, I--there are some people living around there right now that I couldn't
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